Immediate Need

Edward Chambers, Director of Transitional Housing, has been with WVIW Ministries for nearly 18 months and is in charge of managing the day to day routines of this aftercare program. This program is designed to facilitate a safe and constructive envionment in which participants learn to lead full, and productive lives. He will do what ever is necessary for the betterment of our residents. Ed serves WVIW in a very impactful way and is a great example of faith and fortitude.

One of the ways Ed is a great help to Us is by being available to empower the men and women of our Transitional housing programs through outreach and enrichment courses. Ed teaches and attends these enrichment courses in a variety of locations, and is now in urgent need of a vehicle to continue his efforts.

We are in need of a Crew Cab style Pickup truck or similar vehicle in which Edward can not only provide transportation for our program attendees, but also a vehicle with cargo capacity for the various tasks associated with operation of our housing.

We need our friends and familiy to join us in the the challenge of helping us provide this means of
transportation

Please Contact Worldwide Voice In the Wilderness To Contribute to this Immediate need.

WVIW, PO Box 740273 Dallas, TX. 75374

972.234.6009

Thank You

Javier & Danielle

Love Actually

What does love really look like?

We are all pretty well versed in what the bible says about love. Not at all to say that we have a good understanding or deep involvement in the NATURE of love. I was taught as a child that God loved me. This idea and thought was reassuring and even comforting but it was not something I really understood. I knew my parents loved me, I knew my grandparents loved me but they are supposed to right?

I think back to the very first time I completely understood what Gods love for me looked like and felt like. It was when Javier Mendoza made CHOICE after CHOICE to LOVE me. Sure we have attractions to someone or we really like someone or even highly admire and respect someone, but that is not LOVING someone.

I Corinthians 13 says...Love is patient, LOVE is kind. Love does not envy, LOVE
does not boast, LOVE is not proud, LOVE is not rude, LOVE is not SELF-SEEKING,
LOVE is not easily angered, and LOVE keeps NO records of wrongs. LOVE does not
delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. Love ALWAYS protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

In reading this I discovered who I have really LOVED all these years, someone to whom I have been a PERFECT example of this LOVE ....MYSELF. It is not easy to write or to say but it is indeed true. Until I became an object of Javier's LOVE, remember I am not talking about his affection, like, or admiration, I am talking about his LOVE I had no clue what it looked like. I was so very blind to Gods LOVE because of it. I had not ever seen it before or at least never recognized it.

I had also been taught growing up that God knew me, and that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. I thought that God knew of me, but that he could not possibly KNOW me. Becoming a married couple does not mean you know your spouse or in most cases LOVE your spouse. You will think you LOVE him, and he will think he LOVES you, but from I Corinthians thirteens definition almost ZERO people actually LOVE someone other than themselves.

This is not to say that LOVE for others is unattainable, but to say REMEMBER what LOVE actually is. LOVE does not even come after the pretty dress in tucked away in a safe corner of your closet, and the tuxedo is a distant memory of years passed.Time is not the equivalent of LOVE. My husband has been the greatest demonstrating example in my life of this so called LOVE, and because of it I now know what it means to have and receive LOVE from God my creator.

LOVE really exists. LOVE does not just happen it is a CHOICE, a goal, a benchmark.The true nature of LOVE does not depend on the actions of the person receiving it. It is not a dream, or a far away place.

CHOOSE to LOVE those whom GOD put in your life.

- Danielle Mendoza

JMD

I just wanted to take a minute to say how proud I am of my brother. He has always been someone I have looked up to and admired but may not have ever put into words either directly or indirectly. I guess I have taken certain things for granted and never really taken the time to say what I have always thought.

James is currently a succesful television journalist who works and lives in San Antonio. I remember he has always had a deeply sincere and sometimes brutaly honest demeanor that made sure you always knew what he was thinking. He has always been a hard worker, in school, and at establishing his career path. He seemed to always know what he wanted and always seemed to get it.

I rememeber him being the first "motivational speaker" I ever encountered. He was always telling me that no matter what I wanted to be in life I could do it and I Should! He told me to never care what people said, or thought because there is no room for negativity when your accomplising your goals. I remember him always calling from wherever his career had him at the time just to check on me.

He has always worked hard at everything he has chosen to do and even harder at the things he would have never chosen. He is a man of strong conviction and stature. He gains respect in many arenas, and is a great encourager. James has become a voice for those who have no voice. He is rich in faith, and has a special relationship with God. James is creative, and he is intelligent. He has earned everything he has through blood, sweat, and tears. He is, and will always be an example of truth, integrity, and of hardwork.

I am grateful that I have known him and happy that he is blood.

James,
You are a true inspiration, to not only me, but I know to countless others.
You have proven yourself time and time again, and I know your just getting
started. I am proud of you and I pray for you often. You have made a great
example of what it takes to get the job done. I am proud of the man that you are
and I will be proud of the man you continue to be. You have paved the way for so
many, and for that you are a huge success. I am glad you are my brother.
Javi

James' New Book, Some Monument to Last, a "real-life story about losing your family, finding your family, and finding yourself" is available online at doughtyfamilies.com
Pick up Your copy Today!!!!

Marriage Seminar Update

"This seminar gave me and my husband hope and brought us closer together. This seminar was a life changing event."

"I want to thank you personally. It was a real blessing to have someone there and take pictures that we can cherish. It's wonderful to know that there are people that actually care for our husbands. You and Danielle were great. Y'all were an inspiration to the "YOUNG" couples."

"Thank you very much for being able to make all this possible. You have no idea what this seminar has done for our marriage. May God bless you and your wife!!!!"

"A little quality time with my wife has changed my outlook and growth as a man. We accepted Jesus Christ together and recommitted ourselves to each other. God Bless the individuals who made this special event possible"

This is just a small portion of the feedback we received in connection to our Involvement in the Marriage Seminar at the Telford Prison in February. I was totally blown away by the awesome presence of God, and how He showed us a new way to serve. There is no doubt in My mind, after spending three days in Prison, that God has a unique plan for each of our lives. I feel confident that Danielle and I are in the right place and in the right time to be used by God. This seminar not only opened my eyes it opened my heart.

The participating couples came from all walks of life. Some have been Christians their whole lives, some became addicted to drugs in childhood, some are musicians, some have traveled the world, and some had never even stepped foot in a prison until this Seminar, and that's just the Volunteers. The inmate couples who participated also have pretty varied backgrounds. They are young professionals, they are parents, they are newlyweds, they are different races, and all have different personalities. Some of them met in youth group, some met through relatives, and some met right at the prison.

The one unifying characteristic of the Group is we all care about our spouse and we want our relationships to not only survive our circumstances but to thrive in spite of the world we live in.

It is interesting to see the dynamic that is created when 75 people come together in a single room with a single desire. A Strong Marriage. The lines of communication seem to be more open than closed. The preconceptions, and misconceptions go out the door, and there is a comfort level that usually only comes after years of practice. No one cares where you came from, or what background you have. We are all looking for the way into our spouses' mind and heart and desire the best for them.

On a weekend in February, 37 couples met together, had meals together, laughed and even cried together. Take out of the equation that 27 men in the group are convicted inmates; you begin to realize we could be talking about couples anywhere in the world. Couples all around the world want stronger marriages. Couples all around the world desire the opportunity to meet and talk about their kids, or what their boss is like, or what they like to do on a Saturday night. It's just that on this Saturday night in February, 27 of the 37 men go to sleep in a 6 foot by 8 foot cell

I am not naïve enough to think that these 27 men don't deserve to be in prison under the supervision of the State. I just know that I serve a God who is consumed with finding the lost no matter where they are at. God wants us to have life and life more abundantly. God wants their marriages to work, He wants their eyes and hearts open to one another, He wants to pour out His love, and He wants to give them a reason to live and not die without knowing the truth. Why not these 27 men??? Why not their wives??? Why not Me???

God gave us all a chance to see His grace and His Love in ways some of us have never seen love and grace from anyone. That is what I love. That is what makes my heart beat. I love To know that God will find me and never stop pursuing me, even if I lose my way and make wrong choices. God will come to my rescue and be exactly what I need, when I need.

I am happy to have been a part of this powerful weekend. I am not ashamed to have spent my weekend in the company of convicts, because we are all convicts. We are all convicted of sin and have all fallen short. It does not matter who I think I am or who the State of Texas says I am or even who the world says I am, I have been cleansed of my sins by the Blood Of Jesus, and God says; I am a Son of The King.

Im going to be an Uncle!!!

I just wanted to share a quick note to say Congratulations to Gina & Travis and say how proud I am. You guys are going to be the best parents and I know God has an awesome plan for your lives. I cant wait to start this aventure. I am praying for you guys and will be available anytime to babysit....that is of course if you trust me to do that!!!

Javier