Ever been part of a wonderful surprise?  Here's one that took place today.  Ana, the single mother of a daughter, Angie, and of an eight year old son Daniel, has been employed by the Micah House in a combined role as a cook and teacher for ten years. Ana lives in a neighborhood near Micah just three houses from one of the biggest drug dealers in the area. Ana is concerned for her son because most of the young men in the neighborhood get involved with drugs and all the accompanying violence. Ana has prayed.

Daniel, Ana’s son, knows of the impending plan to move Micah to land adjacent to Villa Linda Miller (VLM). VLM is a safe community for children to roam and play unlike their counterparts in the city where real danger lurks. Those dangers are involved in much of why Micah will move to VLM. Knowing of that move Daniel told his mom that Micah will move and she will lose her job. Ana has prayed.

So, remember that foundation I wrote about in the last blog – it is the foundation for a house in VLM on the last property available there and today we got to work on it and be part of a surprise announcement to Ana on the site telling her this was to be her new home. Ana has prayed for her son and prayed for provision to a loving Father who hears and answers prayer.

Now, about that foundation – our team, the Micah boys, and members of the VLM community literally formed a small army attacking the ground to remove the unstable soil and rocks by hand and by pick and shovel. The debris was replaced with large hand placed stones and hand mixed cement forming the massive retaining wall that will hold in place the ground under Ana’s new home. Groups of team members will spend time at this site most days next week. Seeing the debris removed and be replaced with solid structure reminded me of the tireless work of God as He works to remove the debris in our lives and build Christ-like character. It is a job He starts in the lives of His people and that He promises to complete (Philippians 1:6 - Paul writes “For I am confident of this thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”) That sounds like the work of Ana’s God to me.

Prayer and Praise

Pastor Aaron arrived today after staying in Houston for treatment of ear infections. Pray for complete healing this week. Pray for the team’s continued health. Pray for the VBS teams that will be at the public school in VLM Monday-Wednesday.