Fruit of Faithfulness
No matter where in life you apply it, perseverance pays off. We all know it, whether in finances, physical training, or any other discipline in life, faithfulness bears fruit! But I cannot identify many other areas in this life that yield more eternal and valuable fruit than when we give to the Kingdom of God and serve the poor. The conversion of our simple, earthly goods into riches that never rust, rot, fade, or end is a nearly incomprehensible truth for our temporal minds to grasp. Yet, this is what God promises is the exchange. Sometimes we see glimpses of fruit in this life, but mostly we are veiled to the rewards that truly await us for our giving. Take Will for example. Having been raised in the orphanage in Peru, Will is now a tutor in the home and has the chance to study at the university because of the 
support that you have helped to provide him. This is a peek at the fruit your giving has brought forth, but it does not compare to the wealth awaiting you on the “other side”, in eternity. Every month, without missing, we are able to provide the orphanage with its monthly support (that you give). This means that the children can eat every day, stay warm with the new blankets you helped us to purchase for this winter season they are currently undergoing, and receive electricity, water, and other basic needs. Additionally, we are still seeing earthly fruit from the years of sowing into Venezuela and Honduras. Many of you were with us in those early days. We have children–now in their 20’s–that still communicate with us and give us thanks for caring for them when no one else cared for and loved them. This is the result of faithfulness, on your part and on the part of many others who have participated through the years.
We want to take a brief moment to mention two people you will probably never hear about in the “spotlight” of our earthly world, but who have exhibited tremendous faithfulness to this ministry. Genuinely, they are some of our heroes. Ed and Mona Shirley (out of Colorado) have been with us for 20 years, faithfully giving to ensure that the orphans and the needy children we reach are fed, clothed, educated, loved, and provided with healthcare. Since the day that we met them in Nevada at the 101-mile walk across Death Valley to raise funds for the children, this couple has been giving to this ministry.
They have upheld our arms during our lowest moments this ministry faced, and they have believed unswervingly in the vision God gave us to rescue children. When our son (Jesus Rivera) passed away, Ed was present with us at the funeral. And every year, Ed and Mona help to host a large fundraising (pig roast) event that supplies much-needed funds to us for the children. We simply want to express our deep gratitude to them for their faithfulness, and to each of you whose giving keeps us providing for the orphanage from month to month. As your treasure in heaven grows, so may also your understanding of your rewards grow, that you would be filled with joy and perseverance. We deeply appreciate each of you and your heart for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Tony and Rosa Rivera
Homes of Refuge International, Inc.
