Final Day of Mission Work in Las Cruces, NM

Today is our final day of mission work in Las Cruces, NM. We went to a different trailer home where there were about 12 kids ages 8 months to 14 years old. It was surprising to everyone that the family had turkeys as pets. When we arrived I was excited to start working. We split up in two groups, one to pick up trash and the other started painting. I was in the clean up crew. As I was picking up the trash one of the little boys helped me pick up trash.

The kids there only spoke Spanish, so I had to try and translate to speak to him. He understood me a little. There wasn’t that much trash to pick up so I started painting. It didn’t take as long as expected to paint the trailer. When we finished our job we decided to have a cookout there. We wanted to eat with the kids. Jerry, Ratha, and Sophia brought hotdogs, buns and fruit punch. At first the kids were distant from us then we offered them to eat hotdogs. They didn’t want to eat at first until we offered to bring the food and drinks to them.

That’s when they opened up to us. I handed out chips, candy, and Girl Scout cookies to the kids. The kids accepting our gifts and that made me feel good. I felt sad for the kids because they live in worse conditions than most kids I know. They had a house in the back that had no doors. The only thing covering the wind was a sheet where the door is suppose to be. Today I saw God working in us when we were working and the kids offered to help, knowing they didn’t have to help.

As we were leaving a family stopped and asked us why we were there. I heard Jerry telling them that we were on a mission trip helping others in need. When we left that location we went to Ms. Antonia’s home to say good-bye. She looked excited to see us again. She is such a sweet lady. We gathered and take a group picture with her. We said our good-byes and we left. I feel good inside knowing that we made a difference in her life even though we didn’t do more than just clean up and paint. I feel she was appreciative of our help and will remember us.

This is the first time Buckner has done mission work in New Mexico and I feel it was a great experience and we made a great impact. I believe that our small group has made a great impression of how the kids at Buckner expression themselves through our mission ministries. I would like to come again the next time we have an opportunity.

Stephanie M.

On a Mission in Las Cruces, N.M.

Yesterday we helped Ms. Antonia at her home and today we will begin the final step in our mission. We arrived at Ms. Antonia’s home and noticed a big difference in her home. The yard was clean, the house had primer, and looked more like a home. Today we painted the home a cream color that made it look alive. I helped paint and clean up.

We all helped out to get our mission done. Everyone’s teamwork helped in getting the job done earlier than expected. Ms. Antonia came out and helped us clean the yard and didn’t just stay in the house. Analiese went out there and took pictures of everyone working together. When we finished all the painting we were invited to listen to Ms. Sophia’s story of why she helps others. Ms. Sophia told us of her hard times in her childhood and how it made her stronger. She never gave up or ran away from it. I was glad there was someone who understood how it felt to be neglected and alone.

I felt the way she felt, scared to tell anyone the truth of hard times in fear of being separated from your family. She was an inspiration because she still helps people who are less fortunate even though she went through hard times as a child. She helped me understand that we have it better than a lot of other people even though we are at Buckner and away from our families. I feel like even though we didn’t make Ms. Antonia’s house perfect we still made a difference and did it for God.

I think it’s cool that Jerry and Ratha are willing to help people everyday and let us stay in their home and help with this mission. Afterwards we had dinner and went to do a fun activity.

Tomorrow we are going to do more mission work and help another family.

BJ

Camp Buckner Spring Break Camp 2008

Greetings from Camp Buckner!













My name is Chad Patterson, and I have the awesome privilege of serving as the administrator here at Camp Buckner. We are excited to have some very special guests with us this week for Spring Break Camp 2008...it's children and staff from Buckner Children Family Services Midland & Lubbock. The kids are enjoying a high energy week of activities like the ropes course, dodgeball, archery, kayaking, hiking, field sports, arts & crafts, and wild & wacky games like hula hoop races.

On Monday night, we were blessed to have Phillip Molina, FBC Kingsland, speak to the kids about being special masterpieces of God's perfect creation. Tuesday night Matt Homeyer, Fellowship Marble Falls, and nephew of Dr. Hall, spoke to us about being plugged into God through Christ.

The FBC Kingsland Praise & Worship Team led us in some awesome songs to get us warmed up. We have a full day of fun planned for Wednesday, including a cookout and worship time with Pastor Rodney McGee & Worship Leader Phil Holt from Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet.

Happy Easter to you from Camp Buckner!

The Beginning of our Week in Las Cruces, N.M.

By Dustin Haley
Buckner Children’s Home
Lubbock, Texas

Today was the start of our first annual New Mexico mission trip in Las Cruces. With the assistance of Jerry and Ratha, our group from the Lubbock Buckner campus went to the home of a great woman. She is a Catholic who, even through the death of her husband and the onset of cancer, has stayed true to her faith. We were lucky enough to be able to help with the improvement of her house. We started by clearing the unnecessary items that have gathered around her house and picking up trash. We also scraped and primed the exterior of the house and replaced boards that had rotted away. After leaving the work site, we went to our sponsor’s house and had our daily devotional about prayer. It has really helped me and the other children feel more comfortable praying, while also improving our relationship with Christ.

“Shoes for tired feet”

(Jeff Jones is the Director of Community Affairs for Buckner International - in Guatemala with Valley Ranch Baptist Church team)

Our team had the joy of visiting the Girls home (Manchen) in Antigua today. We sang songs, made bracelets, and painted finger nails. We talked about Jesus’ powerful resurrection, defeating sin and death for all of us. Most of the girls here have been forced to grow up too fast.

Many people have let them down and they are tired. One girl buried her tearful face in the arms of my wife, saying she didn’t want to go home and she didn’t want to live here. Her solution was a desire to end her life. She is tired of people failing her and hurting her.

Jennifer shared with her the love of Christ and held her close all day. In the midst of these difficult emotions, smiles were abundant. It was time for new shoes! Christ exemplified the ultimate servanthood when He washed the feet of His disciples.

The Gospel of John in chapter 13 reveals this to us. Christ embodied humility by washing the disciples’ feet, even when He knew He was about to be betrayed and then killed. He did this for them, explaining that none of us is greater than another. If our Savior did this, surely we can humble ourselves as well. Whether it was the joy of the new shoes or the temperature of the water used to wash their feet, these girls were all smiles.

I listened as Leslie and Hope explained why they were washing the girls’ feet. Christ was present today through their obedience. He also came to reside in the heart of one of the girls as she received a new pair of shoes from Brent. The reality of this humble act hit me full force as I witnessed this life change before my eyes. A new sister in Christ, all because of a new pair of shoes! To hear more about how this shoe program works, please visit http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/

“Hope Realized”

(Jeff Jones is the Director of Community Affairs for Buckner International - in Guatemala with Valley Ranch Baptist Church team)

After spending time with the boys at the orphanage today, our team had the privilege of visiting a Buckner home. We met the boys and girls from Buckner’s Guatemala transitional homes for dinner. Not long ago, these young men and women were in the very same orphanages like the one we visited earlier today.

Many times orphan children “age out” of the orphanage and have nowhere to go. For these, there is often little hope. It is not rare that they return to the streets and attempt to survive in a homeless world. Offering hope to these children makes a difference.

The transitional homes serve as preparation for life. Learning responsibility, discipline and independence the boys and girls in the transitional home have hope. It is written all over their faces. Confidence begins to manifest itself in their lives. What an amazing contrast we experienced today. It doesn’t take much to invest in the lives of these children. They deserve hope at least, don’t they? To learn how you might invest yourself in offering hope to the children, visit us at http://www.buckner.org/

“Mi Nuevo Hermano”

(Jeff Jones is the Director of Community Affairs for Buckner International - in Guatemala with Valley Ranch Baptist Church team)

Toward the end of our visit to San Gabriel, I met Manuel. He is about 16 years old and seems like any other young man you might meet. However, he was having troubles at home and he ran away. He lived on the streets for a few months until he was brought to San Gabriel. He has only been here for a few weeks and may be going home soon.

As Barry Johnson, another VRBC volunteer, explained God’s plan for our salvation through beaded bracelets, Manuel was listening. A few minutes later I approached him and asked if he had ever heard this story before. He said he had not, and wanted to know more. Manuel confessed his sin to the Lord and asked to be forgiven.

Today he experienced the grace given to us as believers when he invited Jesus to come and live in his heart. He knows his problems won’t simply go away, but that he now has a Savior that will never leave him to deal with these situations on his own. Today we have a "nuevo hermano" in the family, and his name is Manuel. Celebrate with us and with the angels in heaven, and pray for Manuel’s future. May God reveal Himself more and more in the life of our new brother!

“Is it worth it?”

(Jeff Jones is the Director of Community Affairs for Buckner International - in Guatemala with Valley Ranch Baptist Church team)

Much is changing physically in some of the orphanages Buckner visits in Guatemala. The Boys’ home, San Gabriel, is no exception. As we pulled into the drive, we noticed much construction. Three new houses going up in areas that two months ago were simply grassy spots just on the outside of the orphanage’s 20 foot walls.

The hope is that the boys living here will be further divided into smaller residences to enable more individualized and specialized care… I hope it works.

Our team was met with excited faces, eager to spend the afternoon playing. The men on this trip have all been here before and their return was welcomed. This time they brought their wives, myself included. What an amazing experience to be with these children. To share their pain, to laugh and play, and to do so with my spouse is truly special.

Maybe you have heard it before, the doubting comments regarding short term mission trips to countries outside the United States. People stating that it's not worth it because you aren't there long enough for it to matter. I am more convinced today than ever before, that these doubts are false. For you see, I looked into the faces of the boys at San Gabriel, and I know they thought it was worth it.

Consider the challenge. Ask God if He wants you to see for yourself if it is “worth it” and join us on a missions trip. http://www.itsyourmission.com/

“The Least of These”

(Jeff Jones is the Director of Community Affairs for Buckner International - in Guatemala with Valley Ranch Baptist Church team)

Babies born to Mommies who do not want them or cannot care for them. These sweet gifts from God remind me that EVERY child is valuable in the eyes of Jesus. I watched as Sally, one of our Valley Ranch Baptist Church volunteers, helped the baby home staff fold baby clothes. As I rocked baby Bryon he relaxed for a nap, and I gazed around his room.

It was flush with happy colors. A baby blanket neatly folded over the edge of a crib; baby rattles and toys abounding; smells of baby lotion and powder in the air. Joy began to fill my heart. It’s a choice you know… to think of the dire circumstance his mother might have been in OR to focus thoughts on the beautiful and safe home he stays in today.

Maybe he was born to a young mother, completely unprepared for raising him. Maybe a mommy housed in the Buckner home for young mothers in Guatemala City. But today he is smiling as he gives me “vesitos” (kisses). One thing is for certain, the amazing ladies who work tirelessly caring for these precious ones, they know these children are valuable.

Vietnam and Buckner

Say the word “Vietnam” to people of my generation and you conjure up all sorts of ideas and thoughts; memories and mixed feelings.

Vietnam holds a special place in the long and storied history of Buckner.

On June 12, 1975, a group of 82 orphans and 15 staff from the Cam Ranh City Orphanage in Vietnam arrived at Buckner Children’s Home in Dallas to restart their lives. It was shortly after the fall of South Vietnam and the exit of American troops from the country.

The group from Cam Ranh had endured a harrowing escape that reads like a Hollywood movie script, complete with a leaking fishing boat adrift at sea, gunfire, and refugee camps.

After weeks of uncertainty, the group finally found its way to Buckner amid a crush of national media attention. They settled in one of the old dorms on the campus and life began again.

Through the years, many of those Vietnamese orphans were adopted; many grew up at Buckner; the majority has gone on to successful and fruitful lives. The leader of the group and director of the Cam Ranh Orphanage, Nguyen Ha, died a few years ago. But those precious orphans are a lasting monument to one man’s dedication and perseverance.

About a year and a half after I came to Buckner, Scott Collins on our staff came up with the idea of hosting a 20-year reunion for the Vietnamese orphans in 1995. They came from all over and again, the media interest was enormous, with every Dallas TV station covering the event and The Dallas Morning News featuring the event on its front page.

As you can see, any time Buckner has gotten involved with Vietnam, there is keen interest from people.

Well, once again, Buckner is getting connected to Vietnam. I’m Vietnam for the next several days with an adventurous group of fellow travelers. We’re here meeting with top government officials about ways Buckner can help the children of this country.

We’re here with a deep sense of excitement and uncertainty. God is using wonderful people from all kinds of backgrounds to connect us and to help network with the right people. We’ve started our journey in Hanoi and will visit several locations around the country in the next few days.

Please pray for our group as we look for the right avenues of work in Vietnam. There is a great deal of excitement both here and back home about the possibilities. Many of the Buckner Vietnamese orphans have asked us for years to consider work here and we believe the time may be right. But we need God’s unfailing guidance, so please pray for wisdom and opportunity.

As we move through our trip, I’ll do my best, depending on technology, to keep you informed and up to date, so stay in touch through the blog.