“Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise” . . .
Excerpt from Blessings by Laura Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ&feature=related
Elizabeth shares: This song has become one that I listen to a lot lately and really hit home with me this year. If you listen to the story behind the song, the composer shares how she wrote this when she and her husband were going through their own trials with some medical issues. She shares that often our prayers are for things like healing, peace and “making life better”, but through this song, ponders the truth that God knows best for us and maybe uses the storms in our life as ways to strengthen us, to see His strength, and above all, draw us closer to Him. Prayers aren’t always answered in the way we as humans would like them to be answered. Sometimes God makes us wait for something instead of giving it to us right away. Other times, He may say “no”. Those of us who are parents can maybe understand how there is beauty and love in a “no”. If parents gave their children everything they asked for, the outcome would not always be positive –despite how their arguments or cries may try to convince us otherwise. The day does not always end with a pretty, little bow. Life is messy. In fact, we are assured in the Bible that we will encounter trials and tribulations . . .but, we are also told to “fear not” for Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Often we, in Kairos Ministries, have prayer requests solely for the families and children that we serve through Kairos Ministries. We still implore you to continue to lift each of these precious lives up in your prayers. However, we would also like to petition your prayers for our family. Without your prayers and God’s strength, our family could not continue to serve the hurting. We need His grace and Spirit poured into our lives so we can in turn pour out His love to others. Sometimes as humans we feel “vulnerable” when we pour out our hearts to others with our needs; but we hold onto the truth that in our weaknesses, God’s strength is made evident (II Corinthians 12: 9-10). It remains our desire that all glory and honor be given to God in all we do.
Thank you for praying for our family in the following areas:
Francisco “Paco” & Priscila: Thursday, May 26th at 1:00 in the morning,
Paco’s mother went home to be with the Lord. She had been wrestling with Alzheimers for a few years, and has been facing death for the past few weeks, with grace and dignity. She finally resigned herself to her calling “home”, and drifted peacefully off to be with our Heavenly Father. Paco and Priscila, along with Paco’s siblings, spent the good part of the past month in Sacapulus, Guatemala (in the Western part of Guatemala) by her bedside. For those of you who have lost a parent, you can empathize fully with the pain and loss Paco is enduring, for the 2nd time in his life. Paco and Priscila are now home safely, hoping to rest, rejuvenate, and enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.
♥ Please pray for God’s comfort to rest upon Paco, and his siblings, along with all her grandchildren, as they mourn the loss of their mother and grandmother.
♥ Please pray for comfort and strength for Priscila and the other in-laws as they try to give comfort and support to their spouses.
♥ We praise God that while Paco and Priscila were taking care of Paco’s mother, they were at peace knowing that the Kairos House was in good hands while Paqui and Ingrid offered supervision in their absence.
Priscila continues to be the heart of the Valdez family, while also loving on the mothers and children in the Kairos House. Her heart has had a lot of heart break over the past decade, as she has developed a special bond with each child who has crossed the threshold of the Kairos House, and said tearful goodbyes to those whom God has taken home to be with Him.
♥ Please pray for strength to persevere in this calling God has made in her life, and also the wisdom to listen to her body and know when to rest and accept the help others offer.
Gustavo & Elizabeth: This time of year is always a stressful and busy time for the couple. 2011 has proven to be no different. While still recovering from their miscarriage in February, the duo keeps persevering with their duties here in the USA. Elizabeth has been working 40 hours a week at her job, trying fervently to wrap up the school year with her clients, while also getting the logistics in order for the summer groups that will be working with Kairos. Gustavo keeps busy with coordinating all the details between Guatemala and the different short term mission teams, while also freelancing as a Spanish Interpreter.
♥ Please pray for emotional healing, especially for Elizabeth, who is prone to depression and anxiety, and increased patience for Gustavo.
♥ Join us in asking God for focus on the tasks in front of them as they also finish up the final details for their summer travels and look forward to their time in Guatemala.
♥ Pray for tranquility and harmony in their relationship and within their family during the “extra busy” and sometimes stressful moments
♥ Pray also for continued unity, each drawing closer to God everyday while taking time to enjoy His daily gifts of family and laughter.
Francisco “Paqui” & Ingrid: Many of you remember us sharing that Francisco was in a car accident not too long ago. All praise to God that no one suffered any serious injuries and that what was broken can be fixed or replaced. We do ask you to pray with us for:
♥ Healing for his injuries, and that his time of rest and recuperation from his concussion is used by God for His glory and purpose.
♥ Pray for Ingrid as she offers support and care for her husband, while making parenting of their two young children seem effortless.
♥ Pray that God also give strength and endurance to their marriage as they strive to serve God together and keep Him as the focus in their family.
Any & Luis “Chino”: Almost 10 months ago, Any and Chino welcomed their 2nd child into their sweet family. During this time, Chino has been building his business as an architect while Any is mastering motherhood to their two beautiful and healthy children.
♥ We pray that God continue to bless Chino’s career, which provides for his family, while enabling him and Any the flexibility to help with the ministry at the Kairos House and with the short term mission groups.
♥ We also pray that God also continues to bless and strengthen their marriage, as they too, strive to keep God as the center of their family.
Pray for our entire family as a whole.
♥ Pray that Satan not get a hand or a foot into our lives to cause discord. Help us enjoy and celebrate the gift of family that God has given us, taking the time to ‘stop’ and play and laugh with one another.
♥ Pray that we continue to work together for God’s glory and not be tempted to work against one another.
♥ Pray that we are always cognizant of our many blessings, including food on our tables, health and ample roofs over our heads.
We praise God for all our blessings – both those that come through sunshine and those that come through raindrops.
Thank you all for your love, support, and most importantly, your prayers.
On behalf of Kairos Ministries, and our whole family –
Elizabeth Valdez