Agua Viva and Lily of the Valley

April 24-26 2021

“And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.”-Psalm 77:10-12. 

Have you ever been in a season of waiting, waiting on the Lord to answer prayers you have prayed? Seeking to honor Him, not only in word but in deeds? In a season of waiting, as believers we do what waiters do. We serve! Serve God and serve others. I have been serving alongside Frontline since the summer of 2012. One thing I have learned is that no two mission trip are the same. This past mission trip God ministered and comforted me. Agua Viva (Uniendo Lazos) was the first place I visited during my first mission trip the summer of 2012. Pastor Marcos and his wife Rebeca are very dear to my heart because I have seen God’s mighty hand provide for them in miraculous ways.

I have seen many lives transformed because of the work God is doing through them. What makes this place a unique and rare gem is their faithful obedience to God’s leading. This ministry gives hope to the hopeless, grace to the hurting, mercy to the fallen, and love to everyone they encounter. They have rescued and restored so many women who have been abused, neglected, and unloved. This is not a twelve-step program rather a one-step, seek CHRIST! The only step these ladies made was to seek the Lord and in Him find eternal life. Agua Viva/Uniendo Lazos is a Christ Preaching, Gospel Teaching center of restoration. These women and their children are being taught the Word of God. It is the Word of God that gives life, it is His Word that transforms from the inside out. Agua Viva is a place of Christ centered restoration. It was a huge blessing being able to bless the women with toiletries, body sprays, lotions for Mother’s Day, donations, a new toilet, and water heater.

My favorite part of this trip was spending time with children from Agua Viva. I enjoy playing with them, challenging them to know more scripture, and just loving on them. One’s heart cannot contain the love that is felt and the joy that comes from serving them. In all reality we are the ones that get ministered.

Lily of the Valley is a Christian orphanage located in Tijuana. They have about 40 children who have been abandoned or removed from homes in which the child was neglected or abused. Edgar and his wife, who manage the facilities day to day operations have been faithful in loving and caring for these children. They are two of the main leaders in that facility who have such a genuine love for the children. During this past trip we were able to provide for a physical need like toiletries and make them breakfast.

The children’s eyes light up when you hug them and you play with them. You can hear them giggling as they are planning their next mischievous step to play a joke on you. My heart rejoices to know that these kids are being provided for and yet it breaks because the need is so big. The children at Lily are in desperate need of love and attention. Although, many changes have taken places, seasons have come and gone the Lord’s faithfulness to these ministries remains the same.

In closing, in my season of waiting, I will do what waiters do, serve God, and serve others. I remember the works of the Lord, His wonders of old, and I will continue to talk about His deeds to His people.  

Vero