This Little Light of Mine…

A couple nights ago we celebrated Darwin´s 32nd birthday with our six kids and our dear sister Jenae in the dining room we all share. We all prepared posters, poems, Bible verses, cards and presents for one of God´s special servants who serves as husband, father, brother, friend and mentor in our lives. For the first time ever, the kids did a great job keeping a secret — Darwin was genuinely surprised with what we had all put together!

party15 — My husband on the eve of his 32nd birthday! With each year God grants him more wisdom, strength and patience.

party14 — Our sister Jenae Matikke, who has been serving alongside of us for almost two years and who brings laughter, Truth and warmth everywhere she goes

party21 — Jason, our seven-year-old son who has found freedom in Christ from the many chains that used to bind him. He is our young gentleman in training!

party19 — Josue, our six-year-old special needs son, our great teacher who instructs us all in patience and unconditional love

party20 — My ¨Wild¨ Gleny, our 10-year-old daughter who — in my dad´s words — has the heart of a lion!

party13 — Darwin´s wife who loves him dearly and to whom he daily shows much patience and grace!

party18 — Jackeline, our 11-year-old daughter who recently accepted her place in God´s Kingdom as His daughter

party17 — Brayan, our 14-year-old son of whom we are so proud! God is transforming him more and more each day into a man after God´s own heart!

party16 — Dayana, our 14-year-old daughter who is very quickly becoming a young lady! She is our musician, our artist, our fellow traveller along Christ´s liberating Way.

party12 — Darwin has gone from a single man to a married father of six in under two years!

What Jackeline, age 11, wrote in her birthday card to Darwin:

Hi Pa on this very special day I want to tell you ‘Happy birthday’ and tell you that you are the dad I never had. I love you, I love you a lot, Pa. You have given me the life of having a father. I never had a father and now I have someone to give gifts and letters to on Father’s Day. Now I have you, Dad. Darwin Joel Canales Avila, I love you a lot, Dad, and I will give you the time you need, and when you are sick I will cure you [she has aspirations of becoming a nurse]. You won’t have to pay Miss Zoila [our local nurse] and other nurses; only me, and my pay will be your smile. I love you with all my heart. You will always be in my heart, and if my biological mom comes to take me with her, you will still always be in my heart. You will always be the dad I never had. I love you, Pa Darwin. Happy birthday, Pa Darwin. You will always be in my heart!

What Gleny, age 10, wrote in her birthday card to Darwin:

For: my dad

Happy birthday Dad.

Thank you for disciplining me and guiding me on the right path. I love you a lot, dad. Thank you for having me well taken-care of here. May you feel loved even more.

party22 — We finally have a photo of all nine of us! This is the Living Waters Ranch family!

2 thoughts on “This Little Light of Mine…”

I’m so proud of Darwin and the whole family. To think of all that he has taken on in the past two years is amazing. God has certainly prepared him along the way. 3 years ago, I’m sure he would have never believed he would be where he is today. But God has a way of doing that! Eph. 3:20

jenniferzillycanales says:

April 17, 2015 at 2:25 pm

Thank you for your encouraging words, John! God bless you, and please keep praying for us!

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