I n May of last year, j ust after we inaugurated our new worship place in Santiago (April) , Lutheran World Relief offered a grant for us to begin construction on a rehab center for young adults with severe handicaps. The rehab center was in our long-term plans, but God wanted it done sooner! This new building at the back of our church property would also have a kitchen, bathrooms and Sunday school rooms which our church would use. Well, it seemed like a huge undertaking, BUT, not for our Awesome God!  In August 2016, the work began...look what has happened since then!

We began in the patio area in front of the center with folk music provided by a group of musicians with a variety of physical disabilities.  The music was beautiful! 

     When we've wondered if we're moving too fast, God has introduced us to professionals who are willing to work in the therapy with our future "students".  He provides us with businesses and individuals who want to give towards a scholarship program that will assist in the costs of the school; with permits and supplies that normally take "ages" to acquire; with people like YOU who pray for it all to happen!

Have you ever cried out to God, "Why me, Lord?" I think we all have at one time or another, when it seems like our cross is too heavy or our burden is unfair. Our coworkers here in Chile, Cristian and Ethel Rautenberg, have two sons, both of whom have a form of cerebral palsy. They are developmentally disabled to the extent that they will never be able to live independently.  But I have never heard Cristian or Ethel ask, "Why me?" What I have heard them say is, "This is the family that God gave me." But if they should ever ask, "Why me?", at least a part of the answer is found in the Casa Betesda. If God had not given the Rautenbergs the family that they have, Casa Betesda would never have come into existence.

   We ask, "Why?". God says, "Wait and see!"