Happy Anniversary, Fishers of Men!

Fifteen years….what a privilege, what a joy, what a testimony, what a celebration!

From the driveway of the home in which I grew up in Michigan to a mountainside in Mexico;  

Refuge Ranch today

from one toddler to twenty children; 

Josiah and I nearly 15 years ago!

2017

from just a call from God and some dreams, to the reality of kilometers traveled, thousands of prescriptions written and Bibles given, buildings constructed, 

staff joining forces and lives transformed, 

these fifteen years, as I look back, can only be summarized in one word…

INCREDIBLE!

The consummation of one prayer at a time,

 one peso at a time, 

one kilometer at a time, 

one soul at a time, 

one hug at a time, 

one schoolwork question at a time, 

one tear at a time, 

and one day

 (sometimes one minute and even one second) at a time, 

has brought us to now.

So, celebrate we will!

Our 15^th anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, October 20^th, 2018 at a Christian Bible college only five minutes from Refuge Ranch here in Central Mexico!

The anniversary celebration location

Now, some of you just stopped reading and thought:  “Nope.  Not possible.”  Please, just read on and let the possibility of joining us for this celebration play around in your mind and heart and prayers.

That afternoon and evening we will join together: my family, the Refuge Ranch staff, our Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusade volunteers and YOU, to sing praises to the Lord for all that He has done, in Spanish and English, as well as hear His Word and the story of these years, in both languages.  We will share a delicious dinner and fellowship that crosses borders and barriers.  A Fishers of Men mini-museum will introduce you to and highlight different aspects of both the Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusades and Refuge Ranch.

But, that’s not all!

We have designed a weekend full of activities that will give you an excellent taste of Mexican culture as well as getting to experience Fishers of Men firsthand!  The itinerary includes a visit to some incredible pyramids, the world’s best tacos, a day immersed at Refuge Ranch with the family and joining us for Sunday worship, among other things.

We suggest you fly into Mexico City on Thursday, October 18 and back out on Tuesday, October 23, in order to take full advantage of your time here! 

Only $200.00 will cover all your ground transportation, lodging (at the Bible college), meals and activity expenses for the entire weekend!

If you’ve never visited us before this is the perfect opportunity to see the ministry in action, without doing a full-fledged mission trip.

Have a friend you’ve wanted to introduce to Fishers of Men?  I couldn’t think of a better way to do that than to spend a weekend with us!

Been here before?  Come back!  See what God has done!  And dream with us about all He has yet to do!

I’ll be looking for your email at fishersofmenmexico@gmail.com

or your Facebook/Messenger message at Julie Claassen or Fishers of Men Mexico

or your phone call at: (734) 206-2392

to find out more details, or to let us know you are coming!

More Than You Can Ask or Imagine

In my early teen years, between accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior and perceiving His call on my life, this verse became a favorite: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

More than I could ask or imagine...now that’s a lot…because I can certainly imagine some incredible things!

Quite honestly, much of what the Lord has done up to now I have dreamed about, prayed about and imagined, but He blew me out of the water less than two weeks ago.

You see, I found myself seated dead center in a church pew on a beautiful Mennonite high school campus in Eastern Pennsylvania.  Might not sound like a “more than you can ask or imagine” scene, but what catapults this ordinary moment into the realm of the extraordinary, into the “more than you can ask or imagine” category, is the fact that it was the graduation of my eldest daughter, Angie.  That still may not seem like a “more than you can ask or imagine” event, but, do you know the whole story?

Angie front and center during her graduation.

Angie started kindergarten at age 11, when she became my daughter.  I am known for dreaming big, but God beat me on this one!  It honestly never occurred to me as I taught her her first math problems and the letters in English, surrounded by mounds of dirty laundry that needed to be washed by hand or with the generator running, while carrying infant Caleb on my hip and distractedly thinking of what to make for dinner for our family of seven on a mountaintop in Mexico, that someday I would see her in a cap and gown in the United States after just listening to her give a half hour Senior speech in English.  The distance traveled between these two scenes was certainly riddled with rocks of resistance, stones of suffering, mountains of mercy, puddles of praise, chasms of challenge and journeys of joy, but that all formed part of the “more than we can ask or imagine.”

2006... Caleb as a toddler and my mom trying to rescue me from oodles of laundry! 
You can see evidence of homeschooling all around!

2018 Angie and I at graduation

2004 Angie and I (and Caleb in my tummy)...
we had been mother and daughter for just a
few weeks

As I flew back to Mexico from that incredible experience just last week, and was reflecting on that verse, I knew that several daunting situations awaited me at the Ranch…each of which seemed so far away from the “more than I can ask or imagine” description.

You see, in my weak human mind, and lazy and selfish heart, “more than I can ask or imagine” means something positive, something I want or desire, preferably the way I want it or desire it to be.

What if the “more than I can ask or imagine” can’t be seen or perceived or understood by me……at least for now…maybe not here….maybe there (in Heaven)…but maybe never.   (“All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”  Hebrews 11:13)

Is knowing that He said He can do it, and having even seen that He has done it before, enough for me to believe He can, and will, do it again?

Can I trust His “more than I can ask or imagine?”

You see, less than two months ago I became the mother of two precious children, seven year old Harumi and five year old Crhistopher.  It now appears that my time for mothering them has already come to an end.  Certainly not my idea of “more than I can ask or imagine.”

The day Harumi and Crhistopher came home.

While I was in the U.S., the kids’ grandparents showed up at the Ranch, as far as I was concerned, from out of nowhere!  They drove from the state of Oaxaca, 9 hours away, as the grand finale and final intent to a search for their grandchildren that had lasted over a year!  I now know that the kids’ mother had run away with them and simply disappeared from her parents home, whom had helped raise the kids since birth and whom arrived at my home toting baby pictures, photos of birthdays and kindergarten graduation certificates.  Since the moment the mother disappeared with their treasures, the grandparents had been looking for them!  Through an anonymous phone call and social media they had tracked the kids down to our town, drove to city hall and inquired about them.  Having signed guardianship papers at city hall only 6 weeks previous, local authorities knew exactly where the children were…with me!... and brought the grandparents to the house.

So, less than three days after the “more than I can ask or imagine” moment at Angie’s graduation, I was signing guardianship of my two children back over to their mother. 

I suppose this is part of the “more than I can ask or imagine”, too, even though my heart doesn’t feel like it, I choose to believe it!

Pastor Ruben and I with Harumi and Crhistopher during their dedication at church.

My specific call and purpose from the Lord is to love and provide a family for children who need such.  For the six or so weeks that Harumi and Crhistopher needed a mom, that is what I was, with every intention of it being lifelong.  However, that doesn’t seem to be a part of God’s “more than I can ask or imagine” plan for this situation.

Harumi on vacation

Crhistopher on vacation

Despite that fact, there are glimmers of “more than I can ask or imagine” in this situation.  Had the kids not been with me, their grandparents, who love them deeply and have everything needed to raise them, may have never found them!  It was only due to the fact that we had recently signed the guardianship papers that the local authorities could reunite grandparents and grandchildren.

Whatever may come, I am sure of one thing: It will be more than I could ask or imagine, and my God, the God of “more than I can ask or imagine”, will be glorified and His purposes will prevail, as He holds our hearts during the painful, confusing parts of “more than I can ask or imagine”.

All in a Day's Ministry

It has taken me over a week to even begin to digest all the happenings of last Wednesday and Thursday, April 25 and 26, 2018, even just enough to be able to share with you in a coherent way!  I will try, despite the lump that still wells up from my heart to my throat. 

Overwhelming….those days were, simply put, overwhelming!  Overwhelmed by: God’s goodness, His faithfulness, His generosity, the confirmation of the call, His presence in the midst of great joy and great trial, a funky mixture of fear and security, of responsibility and rest, a strange trust while feeling like you are jumping into the unknown….again!

The summary: on the same day, we brought home the new 15 passenger van, signed guardianship papers for two new children, continued to enjoy the weeklong stay of a 9 member work team from Michigan and faced continued challenges and consequences stemming from the past.

Now, piece by piece: We praise the Lord continuously for His faithfulness and generosity expressed through you by providing for the purchase of a 2014, 15 passenger van for use on both the crusades and for the family at Refuge Ranch!  After just a few months since we found the vehicle that met our needs, the Lord made it possible to bring the new van home!  Driving to church on Sunday with all of my children in seatbelts, without the fear of the van breaking down at any moment, not having to listen to every gear shift, roar of the motor or other sounds and questioning what may be happening, and not having to shout over the shake, rattle and roll of the suspension and other various sundry parts of the old van, was priceless!  I cannot wait for our crusade team to enjoy their first crusade in a trustworthy vehicle!  They will arrive so much more rested and ready to serve!  Thank you, for your prayers and for your giving!

My first trip in the van with some of the kids to a children's event at church!  Wonderful....just wonderful!

As for the children, it gives me great joy and pleasure to introduce you to my new daughter and son!  Harumi (ha-roo-mee) is 7 years old and Crhistopher (I did not spell his name wrong.  It was spelled that way on his birth certificate, so we are stuck having to teach it to him that way and use it that way ourselves!) is 5 years old.  They are originally from the State of Oaxaca, but were currently living with their mother in our same town.  The Lord knows their circumstances, even better than I, since at times it is difficult to sort out the truth.  It is, for me, a great honor and privilege that He has chosen me as their adoptive mom, knowing that, from my mother’s womb, He created me for little ones such as these!  What a peace to know that where He calls He will provide the love, wisdom, strength and resources to raise them up to His honor and glory!

Me and my kids....Crhistopher and Harumi!

In the Lord’s perfect timing, our family’s annual vacation was scheduled for this week!  So, we LOVED travelling with a safe, well-running and air-conditioned van and are now fully enjoying getting to know each other in a relaxed and beautiful environment before jumping into school and daily life together.

The work team that the Lord sent last week was such a blessing and balm for our souls during such tumultuous days.  They just kept on keeping on plastering the walls of the new house, which is now more needed than ever, as well as doing other home improvement projects on our current home.  In the midst of all the work, they took plenty of moments to hand our family encouraging notes, smiles and lots of hugs!  So, their presence strengthened the physical aspect of the ministry, as well as our souls!  Thank you!

Whiteford Wesleyan Church Work Team

Finally, we know that sin can have long lasting consequences, and Thursday afternoon felt like Exhibit A in a court of “Proofs of the Consequences of Sin.”  I cannot go into details, but would be negligent in sharing about the wonderfulness of Thursday, new children, a new vehicle, and a work team, without sharing the opposing bookend of fear and brokenness that the enemy wanted to use to kill and destroy.  After my feeble human heart cries and trembles in facing such circumstances, it does eventually remember God’s truths that stand as a rock in the midst of the storm:  He will never leave us nor forsake us; He sends his angels to protect us; He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world; we are to love our enemies and conquer evil with good.

My kids (the ones that live at home) and the new van!  Many more blessings than I can count!

 And, that was, all in a day’s worth of ministry!

Oh Ye of Little Faith

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20)

“He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (John 21:6)

When I gave my life to the Lord, and especially as I seek to serve Him as a missionary, I would hope that the faith and abundance displayed in these verses would characterize my living.  However, more often than I wish to admit, Jesus’ admonishment of, “O ye of little faith” seems to better describe me.

Such the case has proven true regarding the need I recently shared with you for more reliable transportation for both the Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusades and my family here at Refuge Ranch.

The ministry has been suffering a lack of decent vehicles for passengers, for both the crusades and the Ranch, as well as a vehicle apt for carrying all of our equipment for the medical crusades.  However, the decision was made to first share the need for a newer passenger vehicle, as it is utilized both for the crusades and for Refuge Ranch, besides the fact that caring for our human cargo is a higher priority than caring for physical cargo.  And, asking for two vehicles at once seemed a bit overwhelming and imprudent.

Therefore, just a little over a week ago, we shared with you that we had placed a deposit on a 15 passenger van with donations from our Mexican crusade volunteers, but that over $18,000 was still needed to bring the van home!

Today, it gives me indescribable joy to share that:  THE LORD HAS PROVIDED ALL THE FUNDS IN ORDER TO FINALIZE THE PURCHASE OF THE 15 PASSENGER VAN!

But, we aren’t quite ready to make the same declaration as Moses in the following passage:

 ^“Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more,  because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.”  (Exodus 36:6-7)

Because, you see, we believe that the Lord is already providing for the cargo truck needed for the crusades!

The truck that we use to carry all of our medical supplies and equipment to the crusades broke down on crusade in February.  In fact, the vehicle is still four hours away from the Ranch where it broke down!

We have knowledge of churches and individuals that were/are still in the process of praying about and considering giving towards the transportation needs of Fishers of Men.  We encourage you, if that is the case, to please follow the Lord’s leading so that the ministry can be well equipped to carry out God’s will here in Mexico!

We are actively seeking the appropriate vehicle for the crusade equipment and will keep you posted as the Lord leads that search!

So, please join us in prayer:

1) thanks to the Lord for His provision for the passenger van

2) guidance in finding the right vehicle for the crusade equipment

3) we can sell soon, and at a good price, the broken down crusade vehicle and the bus (which Mexican laws prevent us from using for our family and crusade) so that we can apply these funds towards the purchase of the cargo truck

4) those who have felt the Lord’s leading to give would do so to provide for the purchase of a reliable cargo truck for the crusades

Thank you for walking this road with us, for praying, for giving and for rejoicing in all the Lord has done and will do!

New Wheels for Fishers of Men

Taking the good news of Jesus Christ to towns and villages around Mexico requires....wheels!

Taking my children, the children of Refuge Ranch, to church each week requires....wheels!

We have the need, and opportunity, to purchase a set of new-to-us wheels (no worries...they come attached to a 15 passenger van)!

The need? 

Our current vehicle is a 1996 Ford Club Wagon 15 passenger van with over 280,000 miles on it.  None of the doors open from the outside (we open the sliding window, put our hand through, open the side door, get in, open the front passenger door, lean over and open the driver's door).  It has only a few seatbelts and has begun to suffer many mechanical problems that make us question the wisdom of pouring more resources into such a vehicle.

The opportunity?

A 2014 Ford 15 passenger van with only 22,000 miles on it!  And...all the doors work!  And...it has 15 seatbelts!  And...four new Michelin tires!  And...it runs smoothly!  And...it is new enough that it would circulate everyday in Mexico City in order to pick up work teams, go on family outings, take to purchase equipment for crusades, etc. (In Mexico, emissions laws determine that vehicles older than a certain year are restricted from entering city limits one day of every week.)

After test driving the vehicle, and talking to the dealer, they allowed us to reserve the van with an initial payment of $2600.00 dollars.  OUR MEXICAN CRUSADE VOLUNTEERS CAME TOGETHER AND DONATED THAT INITIAL PAYMENT!  We rejoice in watching how the Lord has given them sacrificial hearts and hands to help meet this need, since they experience the need for more reliable transportation on EVERY crusade.  Many crusade trips turn into much longer travails due to vehicle issues, not to mention the unsafe conditions of our current van.

So, the van is ready to come home to Refuge Ranch as soon as we pay it off!  The dealer has given us until the first week of April with no interest to finish purchasing the vehicle.

The total cost, including one year's worth of insurance and registration fees is:  $20,850.00.  Of this cost, our Mexican volunteers have given, so far, $2650.00.

Therefore, the outstanding balance needed to bring the van home is:

$18,200.00

Let's enjoy watching more and more of the van turn blue with your support!

You may give your designated donation towards this opportunity online at:

www.fishersofmenmexico.org

Or by mailing a check marked "van" to:

Fishers of Men
P.O. Box 940
Shelbyville, IN 46176

Let's get the wheels rolling so that the Gospel message can keep going!