Padilla Family Missions Update-April 2010

Dear family and friends,

Thank you so much for all of your prayers, calls, emails, and tears that you have shared with us since our deportation to the United States on March 8th. March 8, 2010…a day that we will never forget.  Instead of celebrating Samir’s 2nd birthday, it was the day that we had to leave our two youngest boys, our home, and friends with no more than 4 hours warning.  Truly the Lord has used all of you, the body of Christ, to put His loving arms around us during this difficult time.

We write this letter to you from Lynn’s parents’ home in Englewood, Colorado.  We are thankful to them for opening their home to us, and to friends and family here in CO that have generously helped us with many practical needs.  Many of you have been receiving our emails and have been in contact with us throughout this whole process.  In this letter we will attempt to answer two questions that most of you are probably wondering about.

WHAT HAPPENED?

It is not possible in this letter to explain everything that happened or why. There are various news articles and a radio interview that Lynn did where you can learn more about some of the details and explanations of what happened (Chris Fabry Live!  March 12 show).  In short, after 3 days of police questioning and interviews, all of the foreign workers from the Village of Hope were accused of proselytizing to minors and ordered to leave the country immediately.  33 children ages 1-10, including our own Samir and Mouhcine, were separated from the only parents they have ever known.  This has been happening to other workers throughout the country as well.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

THE CHILDREN:  As far as we know, all of the children are still at the Village of Hope.  Some local staff members that worked for VOH along with some new people are taking care of the children.  Simo, the little boy with special needs that we have written about before, was admitted to a hospital the day after his parents had to leave.  We do not know how long the children will stay there or if they will be moved to other institutions.

OUR FAMILY:  We are staying with Lynn’s parents here in Englewood, CO. They have a furnished basement for us to live in while we pray about what to do next.  We are planning a trip to California to touch base with all of our leadership, friends, and family there, but right now we are looking to live and find jobs here in Colorado.  We are still in shock and grieving for our boys that we had to leave behind, but at the same time we have to start making some decisions and minister to Maggie and Ezra as this has been very difficult for them as well.

VILLAGE OF HOPE STAFF:  Some of the people that we worked with are in Spain, trying to reason with the Moroccan government and possibly find a way to reunite the parents with the children.  This seems like an unlikely possibility but we are still praying about it.  Please see the Village of Hope website for the official response of the staff to what has happened (www.voh-ainleuh.org).

FINANCES/SUPPORT:  We can continue to receive support through Saving Grace World Missions during this time of transition, until we settle in and are able to find jobs.

VISIT TO CALIFORNIA:  We will be in California from March 30th to April 12th.  We will be meeting with our leadership from CC Downey and Saving Grace World Missions, and we hope to connect with as many friends and family as we can.

BLESSINGS AMIDST DIFFICULTIES:  Although this has been a very difficult experience for us, we cannot close this letter without thanking the Lord for the many ways He has blessed us and taken care of us.  We have received so many emails with prayers and encouragement and love that have helped us so much.  We have received financial gifts and donations of clothes and other items that we really needed.  Lynn and the kids have been able to see her grandma in the nursing home which has been a blessing.  We have experienced the body of Christ coming around us in ways that never have before.  We are growing in new ways as we learn to trust in God’s control and provision and love for us.

PRAISE AND PRAYER REQUESTS:

* Children at VOH:  Please keep all of the 33 precious children of the Village of Hope in your prayers.  Pray for healing for their hearts and God’s hand of comfort to be upon them.

* Workers at VOH:  Pray for the local workers that lost their jobs when we left.  Pray for them to reach out to God and for His provision for them and their families.

* Workers that are caring for the children:  Pray for the workers that are still at VOH taking care of the children.  They are doing their best to help the children through this difficult separation.

* VOH Staff:  Please pray for all of the families that had to leave VOH and return to their home countries.  Pray for God’s wisdom and comfort.

* Maggie:  Pray for her little heart to heal and adjust to her new surroundings.  She really misses her teacher and friends, our dog and our home.

* Ezra:  Pray for his health.  He has had a cough for two weeks and just finished treatment to prevent pneumonia.

* Trip to California:  Pray for safe travels and time to connect with many friends and family during the time that we are there.

* Adjusting to a new life:  Pray for us as we adjust to life here in Colorado and make many decisions about education, jobs, and housing.

* Spiritual foundation:  Pray for our home to be firmly established in the Word and in prayer.  Pray for wisdom in parenting and good communication in our marriage.
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Reaching The Nations…One Soul At A Time