Getting closer to the flame of God’s Holy presence is highly recommended. At times, we don’t pay close attention to where we are in Christ. Without time in His Presence, we walk around with blindfolds on. Christ never departs, but in times of trouble, when we stumble, He is there to pick us up. When desperate situations arrive, wisely, we draw closer to God, and He assures us of His ongoing faithfulness. 

Becky Plinke on television raising awareness for the tribe she was led to love. She prays for ongoing provision for the ongoing construction of the NEW La Ola home and for the La Ola general fund. Imagine the cost of just food, toilet paper, and shampoo for a tribe of 20! If you want Becky to come to your church, her La Ola contact information is on her website link below. Her great faith in God’s continued provision has resulted in miracles! La Ola is a home for trafficked girls in Jalisco, Mexico. You can make your donations here: https://laolacasahogar.org/

My dream happened in 2004 and I am still walking the tightrope. Was it worth all the blood, sweat, and tears! You bet!  As you walk with the Lord, your heart becomes His, your hands become His, your feet become His.  You learn to struggle and stretch your Spirit muscles, and they grow with boldness and strength. You become like Peter walking on those stormy waters! What does it take for us to take those first steps? It totally depends upon where you are in your belief! Are you really sold out on Jesus? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you? Are you asking for wisdom and knowledge? How serious are you about obedience at all costs? God allows us to take hold of the measure of faith that we believe for. A lot or a little.

Learning to walk on water! At times, it seems impossible to look over the side of the boat and make the decision to take your first steps into your calling. When your  surroundings seem so uncertain, and the deep ocean waves stare back at you as you get up the nerve to get out of the boat! In other words, step out in faith that God will be there if you begin to sink. Oh, how well I know the feeling! Here I go! Catch me if I fall!  This phenomenon happens quite often as you walk in obedience with the Lord. Just expect it! The Lord is not going to kick you out of the easy chair. He is not going to do all your work. Make a plan and pray, pray, and pray! I have learned that if I don’t continue to move in the physical, then the probability of seeing the fruit of His anointing is not going to happen.  The ministry of working with human beings in all our earthly mess is HARD! Plan on getting things done with the Lords help.  God is faithful, and He sends the right helpers as needed.

Your financial support has a hand in the future of these orphans. By your generosity they witness God at work. The foundation of each of their souls is found in Jesus. Our Father works through the hearts of His people. If you want more faith to grow, then step out a little deeper in His love and faithfulness. He never fails! Keep your eyes and heart focused on the vision He gave you, and even though you may sink every other day —He is ever near and waiting for you to cry out. Trust His perfect timing and awesome ways.

By faith, we choose to walk into the brilliance of His flaming, Holy presence. Just a little dab of faith in Jesus, as small as a mustard seed— is enough for Him to step into any desperate situation. Oh Lord, to have GREAT FAITH like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Without hesitation, they entered into certain death…BUT GOD! They chose to surrender their lives and walk into the GLORY of GOD. They trusted God with their eternity. They did not ask to be saved. They trusted that eternity with God was the PRIZE, their REWARD. KNOW GOD is FAITHFUL to HIS PROMISES. Our faith is a gift, and we unwrap it with total trust in Who dwells inside. Oh Lord! Alive forever in me, burn up anything within me that is NOT of You. Lord, increase my faith with fire so that my trust in You causes all who are watching to sing praise to God. AMEN

Psalm 139:8 “If I go up to the heavens, YOU are there; if I make my bed in the depths, YOU are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there YOUR hand will guide me, YOUR right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to YOU; the night will SHINE like the DAY, for darkness is as LIGHT to YOU. I praise YOU because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; YOUR works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Our Lord delights in us as we do a good deed or take a step of faith and offer love to someone who desperately needs it. Choose to walk in the brilliance of His flaming, Holy presence. His Spirit is in hot pursuit of those who proclaim Jesus as Lord. God is jealous of our attention.

Becky Plinke got closer when her husband Bob drew his final breath and she lives and trusts God for His faithfulness. The future of this widow and these orphans are in God’s hands. The generosity of His people continues to build a home for the next generation.

The first La Ola child arrived! I had just received a house I was given to live in by the city of Chapala when I received a call. “ We have a 12 year old girl named Maria (name changed) that needs a home, can you take her? I froze, “sure, bring her on.”  Never had I worked with children who lived and worked on the streets and definitely not in another country. I hung up the phone and stared at the wall. Reality had come to visit. It was happening. It was raining. The roof was leaking. The house was freezing.  I had been in the gifted house for about 3 months and was running the electricity on a generator. The generator lasted about 12 hours each day, so after breakfast, I would go to the gas station daily and refill the tank. I had to make do with what I had, and that’s just the way it still goes.

I prayed for help with the repairs on the house, and the city sent 11 workers to help work on the house for free for 5 months.  There was no water. It all had to be trucked in, and nobody wanted to bring it. The road was muddy, and the trucks would sink, getting stuck, having to be towed off the mountain. What did I get myself into? All shower water, cooking water, and toilet water were expected to be brought up that hillside 3 times a week. I waited 2 days for Maria to come. Meanwhile, my donated gas stove was a doosey. To light the gas oven, you would have to run across the room until the boom exploded, which shook all the windows. Yes, I used that stove. Again, it was all I had.
     The social worker finally called and said they were on their way. I waited on the front porch for her to come, looking at the beautiful view of Lake Chapala. I will never forget seeing Maria climb the stairs to the front porch. She had on a black leather miniskirt and a leather jacket, high heels, and was carrying a garbage bag filled with Victoria Secret.  I had never seen anything like it. She carried a purse and a Blackberry phone. I sat her down and began listening to the story from DIFF or state services. Maria had just come from jail. She had been kept there for lack of space.  She was involved in drug trafficking and the authorities kept her as they searched for a home that would agree to take her.  The family had been using her to transport drugs on busses across Guadalajara.  I took a good look at her, and I saw third-degree burn scars on her right knee and lower leg. The social worker explained that a meth lab had exploded years before, and the burn almost caused her to lose her leg.  Her paperwork lacked much. She had never been to school and could not read or write.  I asked her to sign her name. It was the letter X.  The first La Ola orphan. God, I need Your help. Show me how to provide for her. AMEN

Daniel 6:16 “The king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” Christians that circle the globe today, face death because of their faith. Blog post inspired by Becky Plinke and her great faith.

Phil 4:6-9 “Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in every SITUATION, by PRAYER and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which TRANSCENDS all understanding, will GUARD your HEARTS and your MINDS in Christ Jesus.”