Multiplied Blessings

Hello Friend,

Celeste, Reina, and I were definitely blessed this past month to have a team of young adults at the ranch from our home church, including our daughter, Audra. But it was also delightful to observe how blessed our ranch manager, Arturo, seemed to be during that week working with them.

Arturo is working on the ranch 6 days a week, arriving at 6:30 am and rarely leaving before 4:00. He certainly loves this property and the mission to which it is dedicated. I (Michael) have been very pleased to observe how much he also loves our Avocado Project. A few months ago, I announced to Arturo that we decided to purchase 600 avocado trees to generate revenue for the support of the young ladies coming to live here. I interpreted the look on Arturo’s face as a combination of "there he goes again–another new idea” and “that sounds like a LOT of extra work.”

He was correct; it has been a LOT of extra work these past few months. But when this group of young adults arrived and began digging holes, hauling compost, and moving avocado trees into their new homes, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such sustained expressions of joy and satisfaction from Arturo. He certainly loved working with these ambitious and energetic young folks, and the smile he sustained during their time here has continued even weeks after they returned home.

Our ASAP (Aguas Sagradas Avocado Project) is intended to begin producing revenue in the next three years and continue to do so for the next 30-40 to help provide for the financial needs to support our girls and young ladies, but they are already producing a benefit today. Just watching Arturo and these young folks working and laughing together has blessed my heart and has left an enduring smile and joy in the heart of Arturo as he continues to attend to the avocado trees every day.

Until they all come HOME, 
Michael & Celeste