My mom used to Wash My Mouth out when I said a Bad Word

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Fasting? Seriously? I’ll take a big mac, thanks.

Fasting has gone out of the window these days for most. But it shouldn’t have.

When Jesus was questioned about fasting he replied, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment: for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. “Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved”.Matt 9:15-17

Real growth in kingdom righteousness is like when new wine is put in fresh wineskins. We are one month away from starting a new year in our Infantil Tary Kids Program and it is the heart’s desire of Alex and I that as directors of this kingdom work we are refreshed, washed and ready to break path in the lives of the kids who God entrusts to us.

The fear of the Lord is something that has gone out of the window for many people as well, but shouldn’t have. The author of the book of Hebrews speaks of it being a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. This is the verse the Lord showed me a few days ago when speaking to me about being prepared for this years ministry. It is found in Malachi 3:2-4,

But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Alex and I are on day 4 of a 7 day fast that we have commited to the Lord. When I was a child my mom used to wash my mouth out with soap when I said a bad word. Although I may not need my mouth washed out with soap anymore (although my words still do get a little colorful when I fight with my husband, and I need His help with that) I do need His cleansing and refining in my life.

We strive that the testimony of our lives and the work we do here in Nicaragua are pure and without blemish as we stand before the world as His light. I wrote this blog to invite any one of you who have been or still are a part of this journey with us to please join in fasting this week, Thursday/Friday or Saturday, if you are able, that we may receive new wine in our wineskins this coming year and that we may be made complete in His righteousness, ready and able to do His will. We are all in this together!

Love Tara

In Response

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To send contributions in response to the latest blog posted “Baby Clothes on the Bus, and an Attempted Suicide” please send cheques (clearly earmarked Infantil Tary in the memo line) to:

The Shelter
Box 6124
Fort St. John, B.C.
V1J 4H6

Tax Receipts are available for donations over $100.00. As you give may your joy be full in Him, remembering always the words of Jesus; “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Baby Clothes on the Bus and an Attempted Suicide

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Donations help kids receive back packs of school supplies.

Yesterday, we mounted the bus to go to a nearby city to celebrate 2 years of marriage and were greeted by a sweet newborn baby and its’ mother who, ironically enough, had no idea that because of a generous heart from Canada her little one was clothed in the white toque and purple outfit that snugly warmed my heart as I looked on. That was a nice way to start my already blessed day, seeing the Lords hands and feet at work in the clothes that were keeping the babe-in-arms protected and covered from the wind as the bus whistled down the road.

Kids heading off to school.

Today, I woke up and was shortly thereafter annoyed at my husband (just so you know we continue to be just as human as you) and once I got over it began to clean my house. A knock at the door and it’s a young girl from this past year’s Infantil Tary Program. She comes to visit often, and the tears start to fall from her face before I even have the door open. I have extended many a hug to this particular young lady since knowing her and I ask, “What happened?” Through the sobs and holding her stomach she tells me, “I got into a fight with my mom this morning and took pills”. “When did you take them?” I asked her, keeping my cool. “How many… does your stomach hurt?” “Yes, it feels like it is burning, I already vomited once” she said. Off to the hospital we go, I got home about one hour ago.

Two different days, with two totally different rhythms. Since the time of year has come around where many of you, being families or single people make year end contributions to numerous causes around the world, or consider new Christmas traditions and gift giving ideas, we would like to appeal you to please, please consider our Infantil Tary Kids Program as one of your options this year.

Kids in School Uniforms

Through your contribution you may not be able to mount a bus and see the clothes you donated being worn by a small baby, or the school uniform that will be purchased with your generosity. You will not later encounter the young girl who received a dream come true (which is to go to school for these kids) at your doorstep crying because she swallowed pills and now needs your help. What you will have instead is the knowledge that your hand has been a part of something outside of yourself, and although from afar, you have made something possible that otherwise would not have been.

These are the lives of children who, as they walk to school and look back seeing the tracks their shoes make in the dust know they are not alone and whose weight of their backpack tells them someone cares. If you let the heart strings attach you will understand that your name will secretly be written on the tag of the uniform one of these kids will proudly wear to school, but even more than that… that what you have done unto the very least of these you have done unto the father.

Many of these kids will continue to be discipled and taught and most importantly LOVED in our home throughout the coming year and we implore you to please be a part of it with us. A passage to consider;

“And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was in prison and you came to Me’”. “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the lease of these My brethren, you did it to Me”. Matt 25: 33-36, 40.

Tara buying shoes.

ESCLAVO EN CRISTO, PERO LIBRE

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Un cordial saludo atodos aquellos que han sido liberados por el poder de la sangre preciosa de Cristo.  Quiero decirles a todos ustedes los que estan peleando la batalla de la fe que ustedes no estan solos pues han sido comprados por su gran amo Jesucristo y aunque eso significa ser esclavos de El ustedes son esclavos libres.  Primera de corintios 7’ 23 nos dice que por precio fuimos comprados; pero que no nos hagamos esclavos de los hombres.

Esto me recordo’ el testimonio himpactante de un hermano mio en la fe’.  Este hermano fue vendido por su madre cuando el apenas tenia 3 meses de edad la mama’ lo vendio’para marcharse a otro pais; pero la persona que lo compro lo trato’despiadadamente como un esclavo y se aprovecho de el explotandolo economicamente.  El recuerda que cuando lo despertaban le tiraban una cubeta con agua pues era todavia como de 6ans . El quedo’con tanto dolor que cuando ya era un hombre tubo que cambiar su nombre para olvidar un poco su pasado, saben como se llama ahora?  Se llama Cayro que significa  “todo el tiempo con Dios” y el ahora es un pastor con mucha bendicion spiritual y esta siendo utilizado por Dios con todo su poder.

Saben una cosa? El fue comprado por Cristo para ser libertado del diablo y sus opresores y ahora es utilizado por Cristo como un baso honrroso. Ermanos mios quiero decirles que lamentablemente muchos de nosotros nos hemos descuidado de nuestra vision spiritual y nos hemos vuelto esclavos de las costumbres del mundo y quiero recordarles que el mundo y su deseo pasaran muy pronto pero los que hasen la voluntad de Dios permaneseran para siempre.  Si todavia somos esclavos del mundo busquemos el gran poder sobre natural de Cristo y veran como seremos felices bajo la mano protectora de nuestro gran amo Jesuscristo que Dios los bendiga ylos guarde por siempre.  Amen.

Alex.

SLAVE IN CHRIST BUT FREE

Regards to all those who have been freed by the power of the precious blood of Christ, I say to all of you who are fighting the battle of faith that you are not alone.  We have been bought by the great love of Jesus Christ and although that means we are slaves, we are free.  1 Corinthians 7:23 tells us that we were bought with a price, do not make slaves of men.  This reminded me of the impact of testimony one of my brother in the faith shared with me recently.

This brother was sold by his mother when he was just 3 months of age from the breast of his mother to go to another country.  The person who bought him treated him ruthlessly, as a slave, and took advantage of the economic activity.  He recalls that when he awoke she threw a bucket of water over him even as he was still 6 years of age.  He told me with much pain that when he was a man he had to change his name to forget some of the past he had lived.  Do you know what he is called now?  He is called Cayro which means “all the time with God”, and now is a pastor with much spiritual blessing and is being used by God in all His might.

He was purchased by Christ to be freed from his oppressors and the devil and is now used by Christ as a honorable vase.  My brethren,  I say that unfortunately many of us have neglected our spiritual vision and have become slaves to the ways of the world and I want to remind you that the world will soon pass and all its desire, but God’s will last forever.  If we are slaves to the world continue to look to the great supernatural power of Christ and see how happy you will be under the protective hand of our great master Jesus Christ.  God bless you and keep you for forever, amen.

Alex.

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS

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A todos nuestros hermanos del mundo, les deseamos muchas bendiciones de parte de nuestro Dios Jehova.  Tara, mi esposa y yo estamos orgullosos de administrar todas nuestras henergias y nuestro tiempo en el trabajo que nuestro Padre nos ha encomendado.  Como en los dias de Jesus hay mucha gente como ovejas sin pastor y necesitan mucha ayuda spiritual a todos esos que estan quebrantados de Corazon y tambien hay muchos que tienen enfermedades fisicas los cuales han sido alludados por nuestros Dios y ustedes que han tenido la gran voluntad de aportar sus recursos por esta Hermosa causa.  Estamos seguros que Jesus los bendesira’ en gran manera y les dara’ el maravilloso regalo del Espiritu Santo para que sigan actuando con esa fuerza de voluntad.  Les pedimos orar por nosotros para tener exito en nuestro ministerio, que Dios me los guarde y los lleve de su mano.

Sincerely, and in His love

Alex and Tara Casco (Germain)

To all our friends and spiritual brothers of the world, we desire you many blessings on behalf of our God, Jehova.  My wife Tara and I are proud to administer all our energy and time in the work that our Father has entrusted to us.  As in the days of Jesus there are many people as sheep without a shepherd; broken hearted and in need of spiritual guidance and care, not to mention the many with physical illnesses that have received help from our God above and you, who have had the great will to contribute your resources to this beautiful cause.  We are sure that Jesus will shower His blessings over you in a big way and that He will continue to give you the marvellous gift of the Holy Spirit to continue acting with that same force of will.  We ask you to pray for us to have ongoing success in our ministry, and may God keep you and carry you in the palm of His hand.

Tara and Alex Casco (Germain) portrait

Tara and Alex Casco

Today’s Work

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A missionary is not someone who is more special, more talented or given to a higher calling then the rest.  A missionary, you might say, is a ready and willing heart.  A missionary sees when someone needs a friend and gives of themselves, feels passion for the broken hearted and lives and breaths passion for Christ, knowing that He and ONLY He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

Today I spent the day in my home cleaning, being a mom, cooking, being a wife… and doing everyday things. What made it most special is that I didn’t spend the day alone cleaning my house in a whirlwind way; kicking aside everything and everyone that get in my way as some days I might.  I spent it with Jesenia, a 14 year old girl who’s family is a part of our ”Bridges of Zarephath Program” and has found the love of Jesus in my friendship.  Jess is a young girl who has more problems than anyone of us could probably dream up and they are to such a degree in seriousness that I am embarassed to consider publishing some of them in this blog.

As I sat down tonight re-running the day in my mind and feeling the sense of satisfaction and peace it left me by doing the Lord’s work with a pure and sincere heart (in a very uncomplicated manner), I was reminded of this passage;  “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  John 15:11-13.

Sometimes when we get in the run around of the world we hardly even have time for ourselves.  To complete our daily to-do lists that we impose on ourselves it is necessary to multi-task, keep ON TRACK, having absolutely NO distractions nor bumps in the road and to keep a strict and timed schedule as to when, where and how everything must go according to plan or else we fail and feel an unrest in our stomachs.

Think back to the last time someone 100% pure and sincere in heart made a sacrifice on thier part to be with you when you needed it most.  It meant the world to you, right?  Now, think back to the last time you chose to sacrifice of yourself in a special act of kindness or friendship even though you already had more things than you could possibly get done planned for your day?

I want to say that today was not work at all as I have titled this Blog.  It was pure life, and a choice to live outside of myself, showing one lonely, afraid teenage girl His love.  “By this ALL will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”, John 13:35.  His promises are TRUE, YES and AMEN.  He promises that His joy is FULL in us when we love others as He has loved us.  It causes the sadness, depressed spirits and faint-heartedness that we sometimes carry within ourselves to GO, making place for more joy than in the end was the beginning sacrifice.

We are all missionaries if we choose to be.  Make time for one another.

Love Tara