"Opportunities for Worship" by Ashleigh

Listen...can you hear it? It is a quiet yet very persistent calling and it is coming from the general direction of the house. You can't hear it? Oh, well then I guess it is not intended for you. Maybe that's mine name that is being called...yes, it's clear now and I know what I am hearing. However, I think I am going to ignore it just a little bit longer. You see, there are seven crates of tomatoes calling my name and they would like to be turned into pizza sauce and other yummy things by this evening. They want my time and my attention and they really can't wait.

The truth be told, I am really rather excited to start today. I know it will be a long day full of work but that doesn't bother me. So often my days are filled with continual interaction with people and projects that demand my time that the day will be over before I blink. It is then that I think to myself, "Did I stop even once and admire Popo (the volcano) and praise God for His majesty?" Sadly, the answer is often "no". Today, I plan on putting on my music and worshiping while I work, maybe meditate on some scripture, and throw up a few prayers while I'm at it. I have the sneaking suspicion that the kids will leave me alone as they might get roped into work if they come near. :)

Psalm 29:2 says, "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name, worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness." How often do we run about our days and never stopping to worship? Be intentional today to make room for some worship time, it's worth it!

The Marshall and Monarch Migration South by Lucy

Photos from our trip to Refuge Ranch

We have been here almost 3 weeks now, and I wanted to share a little about our trip down here in October. We were traveling at the time of the year of the monarch butterfly migration to Mexico. If we had come by plane, we would have missed them, but we drove, so they became part of our story. While driving through the mountains, we saw hundreds of them. I wish I had a picture to share of that, but we were traveling too fast and there was no place to pull off to get pictures. Some of the butterflies were killed by the traffic. The others just kept moving south, soaring on the wind as they pushed onward. I felt like there was a lesson in the butterflies for us.

You see, the timing for us to be in Mexico has been long, and at times, rather difficult. We have known since 2006 that God was calling us to here to Mexico, but it needed to be in His perfect time, not ours. So for 3 years, we have been preparing. Mark was in school, and just last May graduated with a degree in Bible and Ministry. We talked with Aaron and Joanna, and gave them time to adjust to the idea of moving (which was actually one of the easier parts), and we began learning Spanish. We spoke to churches about God's work in Mexico, and maybe the scariest thing of all, we put our house up for sale, sold a bunch of our "stuff," and quit our jobs.

At times, we wondered and questioned if God were truly calling our family to Mexico. After all, it was a pretty crazy idea leaving the security of jobs, home, and family. But every time we doubted, God sent someone to us to confirm the call.

The last week before we moved was the toughest. We started the week with cold rainy weather, and needing to turn on the furnace. We woke up Monday morning to a very cold house, and a strange sound coming from the furnace. It wasn't working! That really wasn't a problem though because Mark is a handyman and can fix anything! But after spending the whole day working on it, he found a large hole in the heat exchanger. That is a BIG problem if you don't know anything about furnaces (like me). We needed to replace the furnace in a house we were moving out of in a week! The cold weather continued as we made plans to replace the furnace, and continued packing. Of course, we questioned, "Why? Why us? Why now?" But we praised God that it didn't happen after we moved when no one would be there or know about it.

On our last Saturday, we had family and friends over to help move some big things out of the house. About an hour into our day, our friend, Mark Musall, fell about 15 feet from our porch roof while helping move a mattress. 911 was called and he was lifelined to Fort Wayne where they found he had a fractured vertebrae, some cracked ribs, and a partially collapsed lung. Once again, we asked, "Why? Why him? Why now?" But we praised God that they expect a full recovery for him, although it will take time, God's time.

We truly felt all of this as a time of testing for us. We wanted to be with Mark as he recovered from this accident, but God told us it was time to go, so we went. We left the following Monday morning, leaving the house, furnace, and Mark in God's hands, fully knowing He would make everything right in His time. (Mark is home now and working a few hours a day as he recovers.)

Now what does all that have to do with Monarch butterflies? Well, they don't question how long or hard the trip south is going to be. They just hear God's call, and they go. Now that is faith! There is definitely a lesson in it for all of us, and I pray we learned it well. I know there will be many other trials as we walk the path He has put us on, but I will remember His butterflies, and have faith.

Jesus said, "Don't be afraid. Just believe." Mark 5:36b NIV

Awesome Opportunities

As many of you know, just a few weeks ago Victor returned from a two week trip to the United States to begin promoting the Yahweh Rapha Medical Center project that the Lord has led Fishers of Men to launch. He travelled with several other people from Mexico. Dr. Ricardo Escamilla is a retired Mexican military colonel and doctor and volunteers as our medical director for both the crusades and the hospital project. Dr. Gisela Kovacs is a Mexican doctor who volunteers on many of our crusades. She was raised in the U.S. and is bilingual, so she travelled with Victor as his translator. Finally, Francisco Martinez is the Mexican architect who is volunteering his time and services to design the medical center project.

Yahweh Rapha Medical Center Promotional Team

L to R: Victor Zaragoza, Dr. Gisela Kovacs, Dr. Ricardo Escamilla, Francisco Martinez

The Lord truly blessed the team's time in the United States as they visited different churches and made many connections that we trust, in the Lord's time, will bring fruit to make the Yahweh Rapha Medical Center project a reality.


Thanks to connections through several Fishers of Men supporters, the team was able to visit The Toledo Hospital and share with many people there, including administrators and board members, the vision the Lord has given us for the Yahweh Rapha Medical Center. The Toledo Hospital is already saving medical equipment in excellent working condition to be installed in the hospital as soon as it is built!

The promotional team on their visit to The Toledo Hospital

The team also visited the Medical Mission Hall of Fame founded and directed by Dr. Larry Conway where used medical equipment is also being held for the medical center project.


Among the unique opportunities that the Lord provided during the team's visit, was that of a television interview for channel 24 news in Toledo, Ohio.

The team being interviewed for the local news

The story that the news team chose to highlight was that of a member of Julie's Dad's church (Dave Claassen pastors Mayfair Plymouth Church in Toledo, OH) who collects scrap metal to help support Fishers of Men after being inspired by the story of our daughter Martha. It was the perfect story to share as Martha's story shows the beautiful integration of the Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusades (EMMC) and Refuge Ranch. Martha joined our family here at Refuge Ranch as a direct result of an EMMC.


The story also illustrates how your support directly impacts and affects the lives of hundreds of people by making the crusades possible, which affords many the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and, on several occasions, has given a child the opportunity to become a part of our family. Your support also makes daily life at Refuge Ranch possible, which results in children's lives being transformed one day, one hour at a time. Now your support, and that of so many others, will make the Yahweh Rapha Medical Center a reality and thousands of more lives will be changed here on earth and for eternity. Thank you!


Click on the following link and enjoy watching the TV interview for yourself! We praise and thank the Lord for each one of these opportunities and pray that His name would be exalted and glorified and His kingdom would continue to grow here on earth!


http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/video.aspx?ist=~\news\lists\videos&id=363652

"Contruction Experience" by Ashleigh

I thought you all would enjoy a photo blog about the cement pour that we had yesterday to finish the roof of the basement. I do not work much with the construction aspects of the ministry but my knowledge has definitely increased since living here. I couldn't even begin to tell you how large amounts of cement is poured in the United States, this may be similar...and it may not be. :)

The first thing to arrive at a little before 7am was the pump truck. The cement trucks dump the cement into the pump truck which them pumps it to the location you want it.

This next picture is of the man who was overseeing all of the work. He controlled not only where the "arm" (I really have no idea what it is really called) of the pump truck but also the flow the cement that was being pumped.

This man was directing the end of the "arm" of the pump and making sure that it was spreading evenly.

Mark Marshall was running a vibrator through the poured cement to make sure that their was no air pockets in the cement. Victor was also on the roof moving the small generator around behind Mark since that is what was powering the vibrator.

We hired several men during the last couple of weeks to help with getting ready for the pour. John (in the white shirt) is one of our core Crusade staff down here. Because of all that he and his wife do for the ministry they are not able to hold full time jobs. It was nice to offer him the opportunity to work for several weeks with the construction. In this picture John and Cirino are leveling the poured cement.

And I chose this picture as the last one of the "finished" pour as well as Lucy photo journalizing the monumental event with me. :) I figured all the Shiloh people would appreciate it!
So, that is what happened yesterday. If I remember correctly (which may not be) the forms have to sit for two weeks before they can start taking them down. We are all excited to see the progress that has been made toward the finishing of the Marshall's apartment and the laundry room for Refuge Ranch! Thank you all for your prayers for provision and safety!

"Limited or No Connectivity" By Mark

A view of the roof from Josiah's fort

We have been having trouble connecting, and staying connected, to the internet. We are relying on a wireless signal from the Zaragoza house. The router is in an upstairs window and we should be in range, but the concrete seems to block the signal. This morning I was thinking about

that message we get, “Limited or No Connectivity.” I was working with the entirely Spanish speaking crew cutting, bending, installing, and tying rebar for the concrete roof. I know enough Spanish to be able to ask for help or ask if I am doing something right. I do not do so well if the answer is very involved and includes long explanations. If the answer is yes, no, good, or involves pointing or hand gestures, I am ok. The most interesting thing I have noticed about our communications is that a lot of men do not talk while they work. Even when using hand motions, there is little or no talking if there is a language barrier. Sometimes I speak English and point or make gestures. This is like “Limited or no connectivity.” There is probably some frustration on the part of the other workers. I am guessing that is why they do not talk to me in Spanish. They just don’t want to waste their time, since I would not understand anyway.

I am glad I don’t get this “Limited or No Connectivity” message when I pray. God is always listening and always understands. There are definitely times when I sense a better and stronger connection, but those are the times that are like taking my laptop down to the Zaragoza’s house. When I remove the walls that separate me from God, I discover that He is always there. He did not build the wall, I did, or I let it happen. While I have been working on this cement roof project, a lot of the work is solo quiet repetitive work, and I find my mind wandering, and thinking about other people. It gives me the opportunity to pray for people. Even though I do not know what they need specifically, I can lift them up and ask for God’s encouragement and blessing on them.

As you pray today, remove the walls that give you “limited or no connectivity.” Remember too those who still have “limited or no connectivity” with the God of all creation. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV

"2 o'clock Conversations" by Ashleigh

Ashleigh & Ana at bath time

One of the daily responsibilities I have here in Mexico is putting Ana down for her nap. Every afternoon at 2pm I hunt her down, pick her up, and head toward her bedroom. Julie and I played a little game with her almost a year ago now. Since I put her down for her nap and mom puts her to bed we have slightly different routines. When I started putting her down for naps I would just sing a collection of songs depending on what came into my mind at the moment. However, Ana really loved "Amazing Grace - My Chains are Gone" and started requesting it. I also notice that she did NOT like it when I sang "Jesus Loves Me" I shared this with Julie one time and Julie informed me that she sang "Jesus Loves Me" every night to Ana when putting her to bed. We got to thinking that she like me to sing "Amazing Grace - My Chains are Gone" and she liked Julie to sing "Jesus Love Me". Julie tested the theory several nights later by trying to sing "Amazing Grace" and it proved correct. Ana had a fit! Her routine was being messed with! :)

More recently Ana asks me as soon as I pick her up, "Are we going to sleep?" (In Spanish) It's so cute...she knows what time it is. :) Most often, she doesn't have a problem with it but every once in a while I receive whimpers and little imploring murrmurs about how she doesn't want to go to bed.

Today we had an expanded version of that conversation. It went something like this (All in Spanish):

Ana: "Are we going to go to sleep?"

Me: "Yep"

Ana: "ok....Will you sing 'Amazing Grace?'"

Me: "Yes, if you want me to sing 'Amazing Grace'. Do you?"

Ana: "Yes"

Me: "ok"

It was adorable! When we got to her room I wrapped her in a blanket and started singing "Jesus Love Me". She stopped me at the beginning and said, "No, Amazing Grace". I said ok and started with "Jesus Loves Me" again. She started to giggle and stopped me again to request "Amazing Grace". It was great! I played with her for a bit and then we settled into the actual version of Amazing Grace and it wasn't long before she was out. :) She is a little person but has a big personality and is always ready to laugh.

Proverbs 17:6 in Real Life

Several weeks ago our family had a wonderful day off together! Victor had just returned from a 9 day crusade to the state of Michoacan here in Mexico and was beginning to prepare for a two week trip to the U.S. to begin promoting the Yahweh Rapha Medical Center project. (Lord willing he and the Marshall family will arrive back home at Refuge Ranch tomorrow.) Besides wanting to enjoy time with Victor while we could, my (Julie's) parents were visiting, which always provides a wonderful excuse for an extra outing!

Our picnic in the park

So, we packed up our swimming gear and picnic supplies and headed to a natural waterpark about 45 minutes from Refuge Ranch. It is a beautiful place called "The Forest"! It is a private park centered around a rushing stream with huge trees with exposed roots and rocks along its shore. This stream, and other natural springs, feed the swimming pools in the park. In fact, Moctezuma, one of the Aztec emperors centuries ago, would visit this location to bathe in the springs with his Aztec leaders.

Julie exploring with Daniel and Ana

We had a wonderful day exploring the stream's edge, a small (OK a VERY small) pyramid structure left over from centuries ago, and several natural springs. We enjoyed delicious grilled hamburgers and watermelon, finding pretty pebbles in the stream bed and swimming in several pools....and going down the water slides!

Grandpa and Grandma at the top of the water slide!

Grandpa and Grandma at the bottom of the water slide!

Mind you, the week after these two pictures were taken my father turned 59! That's almost 60 years old, folks! Go Dad and Mom! Seriously, I cannot thank the Lord enough for my parents and I decided to make that thanksgiving public for three reasons: 1) that you may praise the Lord with me for His many wonderful gifts 2) to inspire children to be grateful for their parents 3) for parents to be inspired to be an inspiration to their children and continuing fighting the good fight


Mom visits Mexico four times a year! Dad comes down twice a year because he continues serving full-time as senior pastor at Mayfair Plymouth Congregational Christian Church in Toledo, OH. They are constantly saving money for plane tickets (and for all the extra little gifts they bring us on those trips)!


The time, money and energy that they invest in coming to spend time with us is simply an outward expression of the way that they have fully embraced the call that the Lord has placed on my life and made it a part of their call, as my parents.

Obeying the Lord and following His will for my life would be so much more difficult without my parents' support and participation. Ever since I was a teenager they have fully and obediently supported me in following God's call for my life and I am so grateful for that - beyond what words can express.

The summer that I was 17 years old, Dad and Mom allowed me to come to Mexico to volunteer at Mission Mazahua for four weeks. This was before the time of internet and Mission Mazahua did not even have a phone line. So, at the age of 17, they put me on a plane in Toledo, OH, trusting that I would get to Mexico and back to Toledo okay because there was no way that we could communicate for that entire month! Of course, as a confident 17 year old I saw no problem in that arrangement - until I became a parent! I then asked Mom why they ever let me do such a thing! Without hesitation she responded: "Julie, I don't want to get to heaven and find out all that the Lord had prepared for you and discover that I was a stumbling block to all of that." Wow!

Dad and Mom have done an incredible job of opening their hearts and lives to their 13 grandchildren (11 mine and my brother's two beautiful children). People have asked them, as well as us, if they really love all the kids the same, as their grandchildren, even those who are not biological grandchildren. They respond the same as we do: Before you actually meet the child it is hard to imagine you will love him or her like the rest. But, as soon as he or she is in your presence, in your home and in your arms, you just love, love and love!

Ministry can be tough at times, but it is so much easier with their love, support and encouragement! Besides supporting our ministry, I am so proud of them for the ministries that they continue to carry out in their own arenas of life - Dad as a pastor, writer and photographer; Mom as a Bible study leader and encourager!

I am even more proud of their private lives! I know that I can call home any day of the week at 6 a.m. and find Dad reading his Bible; at 7 a.m. and he will be on a prayer walk; and a little later in the morning call back and Mom will be studying her Bible and then spending her own time in prayer and worship once Dad is at work. It has been that way for as far back as I can remember!

But, they don't just read and study the Word, they truly live it out! I laugh now as I hear Dad's sermons as an adult because they are the same things that he and Mom taught both my brother and I through their words and actions while we were growing up! I have never heard Dad say something from the pulpit that he has not lived out at home. It is a wonderful privilege to count my mother as literally my best friend. I can share anything with her and know that she will listen to me, love me unconditionally and, if she does choose to share any advice, I know it will be based on God's truth. I can now have a great relationship with my parents as an adult child because of all the hard work, time and effort that they put into raising us when we were children and teenagers.

So many times we talk about parents being proud of their children, but Proverbs 17: 6 lends a new twist to that!

"Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children."

How awesome as a child to be proud of your parents, contrary to so many adult children who are bitter towards their parents, embarassed by their parents, disappointed in their parents, etc. Parents of young children and teenagers, are you living in such a way that your children can one day be proud of you? Parents of adult children - it is never too late to start living in such a way that would make the Lord, and our children, proud!

Why does the verse say "children's children are a crown to the aged?" Who are "children's children"? They are the grandchildren! Why are they a crown to the aged? I believe it is because if a grandparent sees their grandchild living in a right way, that means that that child's parent has done a good job of raising him or her. Who is the grandchild's parent? The grandparent's child! If their child does a good job raising his or her children, that means that the parent was also raised well by the grandparents!

Let's see if this makes more sense with some real names! As my Dad and Mom visit our family, if they are pleased with the way that Angie, Diana, Martita, Martha, Fidel, Josiah, Jocelin, Caleb, Ruth, Ana and Daniel are living, that means that Victor and I, by the grace of God, are doing a decent job raising them, which means that our parents probably did something right in raising us - so the grandchildren are the grandparents' prize for having raised their own children in a God-fearing way!

So, may my children be a crown for my parents, their prize after so many years of consistently loving, disciplining and raising my brother and I. And, may I one day be the pride of my children for having run the good race set before me in a way that honors the Lord.

I know that my parents are a source of pride for me! Thanks, Dad and Mom!