Cast the nets

I saw a man at the beach this morning, fishing in the ocean. He was up to his waist in the water and as each wave would break he would throw out his net. I watched him for quite some time...casting the net, casting the net, casting the net.  I never saw him actually catch anything but there he stood with the waves crashing into him, faithfully throwing a net the size of a bed sheet into the ocean over and over again. I was struck by the simpilicity of his task and wondered what he must be thinking. Miles of beach stretched out on each side, ocean as far as you can see and he was the only one out fishing. Does he get discouraged? Does he think, "what's the point?" Is he constantly looking around and thinking "that spot looks better" or "maybe I could catch more over there?" I must admit, I would probably be thinking those things. As I watched him and wondered I sensed the Lord saying "fish where you are set". Just as this man was doing, faithfully fishing in the spot where he was set.

Today this is my prayer for our ministry, for Back2Back Mazatlan, that we will fish where we are set. With a new site and lots of unknowns it is easy to get distracted by all the possibilities. It is easy to be constantly looking around thinking "what about over there? or maybe there? should we rent that house? buy that property? are there more childrens homes? maybe that neighborhood would be better?" It is even easier to be thinking "we need bigger nets, better nets, more fisherman etc." But the Lord has laid this scene heavily on my heart, that we would fish where we are set, with what we have... just like that man at the beach. That we would use the nets and fishermen He has already provided. That we would get off the safety of the beach and into the surf and faithfully cast the nets, cast the nets, cast the nets. That while the 163 million orphans in the world can feel like an ocean to us, He has called us to go after these, here in Mazatlan, where He has set us.

Lord, lead our ministry to the place you have already set for us here in Mazatlan. Give us the courage and the faith to get into the surf and cast your nets and cast your nets and cast your nets until you tell us to move! May all the glory go to You, Amen!!

Holding on with Both Hands

Matthew 11:12  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

I would like everyone to think I'm a pioneer.  It sounds great to say that we are forging a new path and breaking new ground here in Mazatlan but God has made it it abundantly clear in the last week and a half since our arrival that He has been advancing His Kingdom here in Mazatlan for years and years and He has brought us here to be a part of the work already taking place.  I am praising Him for how connected we already are to a couple local churches and to the children's homes here in Mazatlan.

We went to Iglesia Vida Nueva (New Life Church) this morning and Pastor Carlos called me up (without warning, of course) to share about Back2Back and what we are there to do.  What a blessing it was to be able to share our heart for the orphan child and how we desire to see the church live out it's mission to be a blessing to the world by taking care of the orphan population. Carlos went on to share about Joshua and claiming the promise land and fulfilling the role that God has given us.  He must've referenced Back2Back a half dozen times as he encouraged the congregation to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.

A college grad, Pancho, from this church that I had met on my previous 2 visits to Mazatlan was there to greet us today.  We hugged each other and it felt like he had been waiting for us to get there for a really long time.  (I know the feeling) We talked for a while after the service about he wants to significantly participate with Back2Back and our work in the children's homes.  I could easily see him coming on staff with us. 

Mandy and I ran into Pastor Brian the other day.  He is from the States and is the pastor of a  well established Assembly of God church here in Mazatlan.  His youngest kiddos attend the same school as Sofia and Nico. I had met Brian on a previous trip to Mazatlan.  We talked briefly about all that God was doing in and through their church body in the Mazatlan area.  We also talked about how we might partner together to serve and care for the local orphan kids.

So, even though Back2Back and the Lail Family are new to Mazatlan, God is NOT.  He has long been advancing His Kingdom here and we are trying to grab a hold of it with all we have.  May God move swiftly to rescue those kids who have suffered greatly and may He be glorified in all we do!!!

Ya llegamos!! We are here!!

Well, 2600 miles and 6 days later we landed in Mazatlan, Mexico!! We have officially been here 1 week and it has been a whirlwind of activity enrolling the kids in school, getting phone service, cell phones, internet, water service and multiple trips to the immigration office to sort out our visas!! Just the visas and school alone have occupied probably 5 of the 7 days and we aren't done yet. But its all part of getting settled. We should have internet in the house next week and that will help us settle into some more regular communication.  We are a bit worn out but super blessed and looking forward to getting past the details of moving in and onto the ministry God has already started here in Mazatlan. Photos and more updates to come!!

Mazatlan Staff Team

We have a staff team for B2B Mazatlan!

The Metzger Family; Matt, Dana, Cora and Grant (new B2B Staff family from Indiana)

Rodo & Becca Arguello (B2B staff currently serving in Monterrey, MX)

And us...the Lail Family; J.J., Mandy, Sofia and Nico. God has put together a great staff team for Back2Back Ministries new site in Mazatlan, Mexico! We are humbled and grateful by His consistent provision. Our goal is to be on the ground in Mazatlan in January 2012(at least part of the team)! 

Please pray for our staff team:

• Praise the Lord with us for assembling a great team!
• That we would seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first and foremost and desire to put our intimacy with Him above all other things.
• Staff financial support/fund raising and housing needs in Mazatlan.
• TRANSITIONS for all 3 families as we apply for visas, pack, move, leave behind family & friends, transition out of former jobs/roles and settle in Mazatlan.
• For unity and strong community for our new team.

Do you want to get to know these awesome folks? Come visit us at B2B Mazatlan!

 

Needs for Mazatlan ~ Vehicle

As we continue to prepare for our new site in Mazatlan we are humbled by the Lord's generosity and timing. Our staffing has come together (post on our staff team coming soon) and the Lord continues to raise up partners for us in this new adventure.  We are still looking for more monetary funding for the site but hoping that we have enough for our family to land in Mazatlan in January!!
One need we have is for a ministry vehicle for the site.  We are looking for preferably a van or something larger that could pull a trailer.  The vehicle needs to be reliable enough to make the drive to Mazatlan and then for use around town. If you are interested or know of anyone who may be able to donate a vehicle...please let us know!

Welcome!!

Welcome to the Lail Family Blog! For those of you who may be new to our blog...here is a quick review...

Our family(JJ, Mandy, Sofia and Nico Lail) has been on staff with Back2Back Ministries since 2008. Back2Back Ministries serves to provide care for today and hope for tomorrow to orphans around the world. www.back2backministries.com

We served in Monterrey, Mexico from Sept 2008 to Feb 2011 as house parents in the Hope Education Program (providing a family environment and higher education to teens coming from orphanages). JJ was diagnosed with cancer in July 2010. After 6 months of traveling back and forth from the US and Mexico for multiple surgeries and radiation, our family temporarily relocated back in Cincinnati, OH in order to complete JJ's treatments together as a family.  As of August 2011, JJ's doctors have given him a clean bill of health to return to international ministry. We will be moving to Mazatlan, Mexico in 2012 in order to open a new site for Back2Back Ministries. We are outrageously blessed and grateful for the Lord's great provision in this season of our life. We are extremely thankful to return to Mexico and serving orphans because God has forever turned our hearts to the cause of the orphan child. We are amazed at how God is and already has moved in Mazatlan and we can't wait to get on the ground and watch what He is up to next. If you want more info on our season as house parents or details on JJ's medical adventure...poke around the site and the old posts. Check back often as we will be updating the blog on our newest adventure in Mazatlan!

Mazatlan Slideshow

Check out our Mazatlan slideshow (scroll down on the right).  These are pics from JJ's trip to Mazatlan in August and some pictures of some of the kids from Rancho de los Ninos, one of the children's homes there.  You know you wanna come visit us!!!