REDEFINING FAMILY

About 12 years ago, the Lord began re-defining “family” within our team. For over 30 years we have been welcoming children into The Mission family and everyday, through the privilege of loving them, we get to dive deeper into His heart for what family should look like. 

We wholeheartedly believe that God desires to bring a fresh revival to the nations through family. Within the Kingdom, family is so much more than biological ties; it is the body of Christ. There is no separation between the over 500 children in our programs, our immediate families, the visiting missions teams we host and our church congregations. Together, we are one big, beautiful and diverse family! We have seen God bring the healing that only He can, the moment our kids understand that there is not a single thing they could do that would put them outside of our family.

Although our journey of re-defining family with God began over ten years ago, just last year, He highlighted a new part of His heart; how to be a catalyst for restoration. John 17:22 says, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

In the past six months we have seen a fresh wave of restoration in families through the laying down of unresolved issues and simply loving one another. One of our staff members had not been part of family gatherings for over 20 years because of unresolved issues. In December, they celebrated Christmas with their whole family!

Within churches, we are seeing restoration between estranged members. God is healing disappointment, unmet expectations, misunderstanding and offense as they embrace the opportunity to do family well; even when they feel misunderstood. 

Along with all of that, several young adults who grew up in our orphanage in Mexico, reached out and asked for reconnection with our family. Each of them had left as soon as they turned 18, wanting to explore the world without family input. What a joy it was to say that they always had a place, even when they were gone.

We believe this is something God longs to see throughout the entire world. Our team is passionately pursuing an “orphan-less world” and know that will only be accomplished when the entire church embraces the true meaning of family. If you have recently experienced breakthrough in this area, we’d love to hear your story! Share with us by replying to this email.

RESTORATION THROUGH FAMILY 

“Yesenia is kind, smart, aware, insightful and a thinker. You can usually find her sitting back to observe and assess any given situation. She is thoughtful. When child protective services brought Yesenia to our Mexico base she did just that; assessed us. You see, Yesenia had been a witness to extreme violence and physical abuse, all from males toward females. This was before she’d been taken out of an unsafe living environment and placed in a different orphanage, where she experienced more of the same. The lesson she learned was straight forward; females are vulnerable and males are bad. When Yesenia was placed with us, she sat back and observed. But she also asked frank questions like, ‘Will you hit me?’ and ‘If I steal food, will you hit me?’

Yesenia’s story is not new to me. I’ve been hearing stories like hers for decades in Mexico, Romania and other countries I have visited. The pain and weight of their stories could become unbearable; too much to know or process. BUT, what can’t He do? What pain, hurt and memory, can’t He heal? 

Yes, it is true: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD. I keep the testimonies of what He has done hidden in my heart; there are so many. I could talk for hours about the restored hearts and souls I’ve seen Him care for. Hours and hours. Those testimonies feed me HOPE. I have a deep, abiding hope that believes God can and will make all things new.

When Yesenia arrived at our Mexico base she had already decided that being a girl made her vulnerable to abuse and that men were to be feared. Because of that, she also decided that the safest thing was to be a boy. So, Yesenia dressed like a boy and acted like what she thought a boy would act like; all the while still observing our beautiful team and family. Slowly she came to the realization that men were actually kind, funny, safe and could be trusted. She noticed that the leaders, teachers and care-givers all worked easily together. They hugged, laughed and cried together. 

No one was hitting anyone; no abuse was happening. Through seeing that, Yesenia decided being a girl was possible and began embracing her femininity. 

Yesenia’s story of restoration is a testimony to family. We all played a part in helping her see the truth of who she is. Not all men are to be feared and being female doesn’t make you more vulnerable. Yesenia’s and the countless other testimonies I’ve been witness to have convinced me that restoration is always a full, family effort. It is in family that you find Him moving. I love my job.”

Genea Horner
Senior Leader of The Mission

Genea has been serving The Mission full-time since she was 17 years old. She is now co-leading the ministry with her husband, Jimmy. To see more stories like Yesenia’s, follow Genea and The Mission on social media @geneamarie and @themissionorg.

Since 1987, The Mission has been passionately fighting for the lost, broken and forgotten ones. We have dedicated our entire lives to rescue, love and restore children; to introduce them to the extravagant love of Jesus and welcome them into our family.

In the past 32 years, over 5,000 children have been impacted. It has been an incredible journey of faith. We have seen God miraculously heal, provide and comfort. He is in the here and now.

Although the need is great, we are more hopeful than ever before. God is on the move and it is truly an honor to partner with Him.

Following the call of God has led to many different places. The Mission is now proudly serving three nations and providing much more than orphan-care. Although it is an integral part of the solution to the immediate problem, we are creating programs and facilities that teach what it means to have a healthy family of their own. We are taking care of the orphaned, all while relentlessly fighting to see entire families restored, prospering and healthy.

As this past year comes to a close, we can’t help but reflect on the goodness of God and the generosity you all have shown. Thanks to you, 2019 was our most impactful year yet! More children were rescued, loved and restored than ever before. Your prayer, financial gifts, child sponsorships and missions trips have made all it possible. Some incredible things happened last year and we want to share them with you! Below are just a few of the amazing things that God did. Learn more about the impact that you helped create by reading our annual report.