William Henry Luebben II; my dad

Dad and me on January 20, 2011

On September 23, 2014, around 12:30 P.M., my dad left his life on this earth and began his life with our Savior in heaven.  My mom went to be with the Lord on March 4, 2010; so the two of them have been able to embrace again for the first time in 4-1/2 years. My dad experienced a series of hospitalizations (mostly with pneumonia) for a couple years after mom passed away; actually beginning with the day before she passed away. However, the past two years have been virtually hospital free and dad, who was four months shy of 90, was able to live in his three level home, drive, and was blessed with a strong mind up to his last breath on earth this past Tuesday.

Dad was raised in a church attending home; but it wasn't until listening to Billy Graham in 1960 that he responded to the Call of the Lord, and gave his heart to Jesus.  I was born in 1959; so my life was blessed with two Christ loving parents. Christ, our Rock, has seen us through plenty of difficult challenges, yet challenges common to man in this fallen world.  My dad and mom built a household on the solid Rock; a life of hope and purpose. 

I was privileged to have an especially close bond with dad that not all people have with their fathers; we are both architects, Ohio State grads, love long road trips and exploring new places, enjoyed audio books during our drives, playing card and board games, and just hanging out with each other.  My heart breaks at loosing (for awhile at least) my lunch mate, and all around best friend.  Dad, I know you are basking in the presence of our Lord, embracing mom, Cliff, your three miscarried unnamed children, Lindsey, Kelsey, and four additional unnamed grandchildren, and your great grandchild Ethan.  I trust that your parents and siblings are with you as well.  I truly miss you, and will cling to our Rock until we see each other face to face again. 

Following are a series of photos of this gentle, and kind man who was my dad.

Centro De Communidad Banos

The public restrooms building shell has been completed as part 1 of the Community Center project in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. The center is located in one of the poorest parts of this town; near the landfill, which is where the Church at San Luis has been planted by David Power.  This little church, consisting of, perhaps 60 attenders who themselves are very poor, are (with God's help) building not just a church building, but a center for the entire Reforma community where there will be public restrooms with showers (many do not have showers), an large meeting room for community and private activities, and a building with classrooms and dorms for visiting short term missions groups.  The design was completed in 2013; and enough donations and funds have allowed for construction to begin for the restroom facility.

The following image is a rendering of what the completed complex will look like.  The images that follow show construction progress photos of the Banos.  Be sure to read David Power's note following the pictures.

 

 

 

NOTE FROM DAVID POWER

Dear Friends, we need your help. We've been holding services outside under a shade structure for three years, we've been meeting from house to house teaching the Word of God and praying and worshiping Jesus; we've been providing food, clothing and shelter to many needy people in Jesus' name; we've seen people set free, people healed, people saved, and people's lives completely changed. It's been amazing. Now, we need you to help us build... Worship Center, Training Center, Community Center, and much more!

We need your Financial Support, and/or we need you to come down and Work along aside us. Please consider supporting our efforts as we continue to Proclaim and Demonstrate Jesus' Love, Word and Power so that Multitudes of People's Lives are Changed Now, Continually and Forever!!!

We are accepting financial gifts via our website at:churchmexico.webs.com/givingtothework.htm and we are scheduling individuals and teams to come down in October, November, December, January and February to help build and to help with community outreach projects.

If you are interested in giving or coming or bringing a group of friends or family or group from your Church, please let me know at: David@ChurchMexico.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT as we continue to do the work of the ministry in this part of the world...

 



 

Visit from Rene & Gloria Bustamante

We had a wonderful visit from Rene & Gloria Bustamante in early August.  Rene is the man who linked me with David Power and Church Mexico, where we did drawings for the Community Center for the Church at San Luis, Mexico.  Rene also connected us with Ray and Carol Williams, who we stayed with while serving in Mexico last year.  Rene and Gloria also connected with our two youngest sons, Josiah & Micah, when they traveled to Mexico last summer during their musical ministry, tour, adventure thingie.  They visited for about one week, and we sure had a lot of fun.  They sure are a great young couple who I am so grateful the Lord connected us with.  Following are a few photos of our week together.


Rene & Gloria at Mt. Rainier National Park



Mt. Rainier

contemplating cliff diving into the Columbia River

Off we go!

Rene with son's daughter, Galadriel

Visiting the Market in Seattle

Children in Rural Tanzania

Following are photos of some of the children in the rural parts of Tanzania; followed by photos of the children of LEA nursery/primary school and orphanage in the rural community of Dongobesh.  The children at LEA are provided food, shelter, clothing, Christian based education, all for about $45 USD per year.  If you would like to know more, feel free to email me at luebben6@aol.com and note LEA in the subject line; would love to help you connect with this awesome ministry. connect you to this awesome ministry. Check out the January post on LEA, and their founder Martin Tango.

 

 

 

CHILDREN AT LEA - ORPHANAGE/SCHOOL

 

 

 

Ezra Project Update

Last August I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to northern Guatemala to help the Ezra Project begin laying plans for an orphanage that someday will house up to 66 children, and provide training and skills for young, single moms within this struggling area.  Past posts depict and describe some about this visit, and this ministry.  When I left, a storage building (literally sketched out on a note pad) was about half way constructed. This building is now complete and secure.  Before leaving the property was being graded, and revised schematic plans were drawn for the future orphanage.  Detail drawings still need to be done, and funds are needed to further this project; but God is doing amazing things through the Ezra Project for the people of northern Guatemala - PRAISE OUR AWESOME GOD! Following are some photos of the shed construction, some significant road improvements (labor and material provided for free) by the local town, and also of some of the key local folks and from the Ezra team.