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    Stepping Out in Faith: How God's Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of LIves
    Stepping Out in Faith: How God's Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of LIves
    Stepping Out in Faith: How God's Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of LIves
    Ebook178 pages2 hours

    Stepping Out in Faith: How God's Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of LIves

    By Luke Everett

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    About this ebook

    This is the amazing story of Rancho Sordo Mudo, a free home and school for deaf children in Mexico. Founded in 1969 by Ed and Margaret Everett, the Ranch has challenged and changed thousands of lives--including the Everetts'! Through fire and restoration, triumph and devastation, the family has never lost faith in God's divine plan. As a result, their unwavering persistence and devotion transformed 500 acres of unoccupied land into a blessed ministry that has provided hope and a future for deaf children (and people of all ages--hopefully even you!) for nearly forty years.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWipf and Stock
    Release dateJun 1, 2007
    ISBN9781498275392
    Stepping Out in Faith: How God's Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of LIves
    Author

    Luke Everett

    An ordained minister and second-generation missionary, Luke Everett is the director of Rancho Sordo Mudo, a free home and school for Mexican deaf children, in Baja, California, and Baja, Mexico. Delighting audiences with his humor and challenging listeners to seek God, Everett is also an international speaker at conferences and churches. Happily married since 1985, he and his wife Josefina, a former Ranch student and current instructor at the children's chapel, have three sons: Lucas, Joshua, and Samuel. For fun and exercise, Everett enjoys mountain-bike riding and competing in triathlons and half-marathons.

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      Book preview

      Stepping Out in Faith - Luke Everett

      9781556353895.kindle.jpg

      Stepping Out in Faith

      How God’s Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of Lives

      Luke Everett

      STEPPING OUT IN FAITH

      How God’s Plan for One Family Changed Thousands of Lives

      Copyright © 2007 Luke Everett. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf & Stock, 199 W. 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401.

      ISBN 13: 978-1-55635-389-5

      EISBN 13: 978-1-4982-7539-2

      Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®

      Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.lockman.org)

      Scripture taken from the New King James Version®

      Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

      Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®

      Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society

      Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

      The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

      Manufactured in the U.S.A.

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Other Voices

      Acknowledgments

      Chapter 1: God’s Plan, God’s Provision, God’s Strength, God’s Reward

      Chapter 2: The Fire

      Chapter 3: Mike Everett:The Prodigal Son

      Chapter 4: The Children (Plus a Parent)

      Chapter 5: Josefina

      Chapter 6: Answered Prayers

      Chapter 7: The Ultimate Architect

      Chapter 8: Friends of Rancho Sordo Mudo

      Chapter 9: Redskins & Socialists

      Chapter 10: Reflections on the Ranch

      Chapter 11: Luke’s Final Thoughts

      Chapter 12: Now What?

      Dedicated to Mom and Dad

      I love you and miss you

      Mom%20%26%20dad%20for%20dedication%20page.jpg

      Other Voices

      Rancho Sordo Mudo has moved us to see how God uses faithful people to reach, bless, and love those in need. We have all benefited from the Everetts’ example of strong faith and perseverance.

      —Steve & Kathy Adriansen

      The Ranch had a major impact on my life, as I saw what was possible if we just stuck to the plan and realized that things take time-as in God’s time not ours.

      —Steve Cass

      Going to the Ranch is a good faith-builder for me.

      —Clark Helle

      A big ‘thank you’ for this ministry. There is nothing else like it in my vast ministry exposure.

      —Greg Melendez

      I love visiting the Ranch and hearing the many different ways that God has brought different teachers to serve there. The one thing they all share is the common love of God for these children.

      —Karen Putnam

      Just a note to thank you for the wonderful experience last week at Rancho Sordo Mudo. My life has been changed forever.

      —Andrew Shapiro

      Wow! Rancho was a blast.

      —Amy

      Praise the Lord for what God is doing at Rancho Sordo Mudo. It is a blessing and privilege to come here and serve. We are blessed beyond measure every time we come. We love the kids, they touch our hearts. The staff and Everett family inspire us by their faith, servants’ hearts, and the love that they pour out into the children’s lives.

      —Greg & Debbie Dziem

      Rancho Sordo Mudo is a place where the love of God truly reigns.

      —Richard & Natasha Evseff

      Just a quick note to let you know how blessed we were to be at the ranch this past week! Praise God for allowing us to be a part of His work. My life verse is Matt. 5:16: ‘Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.’ I can tell you that you are an example of that light! Praise God!

      —Bob Mull

      I think that it is amazing how such a ministry and the staff can bring so much hope, encouragement, truth, and love. But since it is all by God, through God, and for God, why are we amazed? Because it is so rare, many people search their whole life and never encounter such honest and pure devotion. Thank you for being real and inviting others, living in Jesus!

      —Jennifer Bell

      We went expecting to see deaf children being ministered to and ended up being ministered to and greatly encouraged ourselves.

      —Jeff Getz & Family

      Acknowledgments

      First of all, I’d like to thank my mom and dad for their faith and example. They persevered in the face of incredible odds. Through tragedies and tears they pursued their vision of reaching and teaching the deaf children of Mexico for Jesus. At this time my parents are in the presence of our Lord, as they both passed away during the writing of this book.

      I also want to thank my brother, Eddie. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but he has remained faithful to this special ministry. When all is said and done, he always came out ahead. I love you, Eddie.

      My wonderful wife, Josefina, has been a constant source of support and inspiration since our marriage in 1985. She is my conscience when I am in doubt. As I write this she is recovering from a brain aneurysm, surgery, and two strokes. She amazes me with her determination and courage, and she makes me want to be a better man.

      I also want to thank my boys, Lucas, Joshua, and Samuel. God gave me just what I needed in you three!

      And then there’s my friend Steve Sundin, my mentor, my best friend, and the guy who’s been bugging me for years to write this book. Thank you, compadre, for your example, exhortation, friendship, and love—and for buying me the dinner you now owe me.

      When it came time to actually shape some 40-plus years of memories into a finished manuscript, a number of people helped me with my editing and grammar (without you guys, this would be a mess!): Becky Everett, Janet Grobstein, Kevin Whitted, and last but not least, the guy who after me performed more work on this book: my editor, Cory Frye.

      Also, much thanks and gratitude to the children and staff of Rancho Sordo Mudo, the best kids and staff in the world.

      And above all, thank you, my Jesus, for your salvation, forgiveness, love, and patience. I only pray that I will always be worthy of serving you in such a special place.

      1

      God’s Plan, God’s Provision, God’s Strength, God’s Reward

      For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

      —Jer 29:11 (NASB)

      For as long as I’ve been telling the story of Rancho Sordo Mudo, people have been telling me, "Luke you have to put that in a book!" I’ve tried several times, with varying degrees of success. But after pondering and praying I decided to write this chapter in much the same way as I relay this story in churches, with the liberty of expounding more on some of its points.

      I’ve shared this story countless times all over America and Mexico. People often tell me later how much it has profoundly affected them, challenged them, and made them more aware of how God can use them for His kingdom. Ultimately, that’s the purpose of this book: to show readers that we are all ordinary people with faith in an extraordinary God and that this story is applicable to everyone.

      I never tire of this story because it’s a constant reminder of the faithfulness and love of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it’s hard for me to talk about it, because it forces me to relive some of the most difficult periods of my life. But at the same time, I am comforted by the Holy Spirit, who reminds me that God is always in control. No matter how desperate or hopeless a situation, God knows. I pray that this story will encourage you, challenge you, and make you realize that you too can do all things through Jesus Christ.

      • • •

      It was a little after lunch. I was outside playing with the deaf boys, having fun just like any other rambunctious 11-year-old. Suddenly, one of the boys came running, frantically signing, Fire! Fire! I ran to the front of the house and saw thick, black smoke pouring from my bedroom window on the second floor. I panicked: the other deaf children and my family were napping inside! I ran through the front door making the biggest noise I could. Fire! Fire! I screamed as I bounded up the stairs to my room. Throwing the door open, I saw flames everywhere. My father was right behind me with the garden hose, but it was useless: no water! (More on that in a later chapter.) My seven-year-old sister, Barbara, led all the deaf girls to safety. My father and brothers got everyone else out.

      While standing outside I realized that one of the little girls was unaccounted for. Without hesitation I ran back into the burning house, back up the stairs to the girls’ dorm. I didn’t see the missing girl anywhere. I was afraid of running back outside through the thick smoke and heat, but had no choice. I stumbled around, trying to find the stairs. Eventually, I tumbled to the first floor. By God’s grace I managed to escape just as the second floor collapsed. I went to the back of our family’s Suburban where the other children were hiding and found the little girl, frightened but safe. I began weeping uncontrollably.

      Our whole family stood in shock as we watched our house burn down. There was nothing else left to do. Later that day, as I watched my dad sift sadly through the ashes, I could see he was in deep thought, perhaps contemplating our defeated return home to America. But it wasn’t to be. When he looked up I saw past his tears to his resolve. He would press on. And he did, as did we all. We pressed on not knowing that this would be the first of many trials that we would face in our ministry to bring a hope and a future to the deaf children of Mexico.

      But how did we get here? That, my friends, is the story of the miracle of Rancho Sordo Mudo.

      • • •

      You are neither an accident nor an incident. God has a plan and purpose for you: It is either to count for Christ or to be a bad example to the world. According to Jer 29:11, God has a plan for us. What is God’s plan for you? Do you know? Are you looking? Have you found it?

      It’s amazing to know that God has a plan for everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. He had a plan for my life, a plan for my father, and a plan for Rancho Sordo Mudo.

      But what exactly is Rancho Sordo Mudo? It sounds like something you’d order in a Mexican restaurant. Maybe it’s on the menu between the huevos rancheros and menudo. You could get a Rancho Sordo Mudo with a side order of beans and rice! But don’t make those dinner reservations just yet: Rancho Sordo Mudo is not an exotic Mexican dish; it’s a special ministry for deaf children in Mexico. It’s a result of God’s plan.

      Rancho Sordo Mudo is about people like Esteban Medina, who came to us when he was about 10 years old. He was a small, thin boy whose Christian parents ran a secondhand store in Tijuana. Wanting their son to learn a language, get an education, and learn about Jesus, they brought him to us.

      Esteban was sharp and funny. He could always get the other boys to laugh. He was pretty adept at soccer too, always practicing hard shots. He wanted to be like Pelé, the legendary Brazilian player. During chapel one day about a year after he arrived, Esteban understood the gospel of Jesus Christ and asked Him into his heart. He was baptized in our pool before going home for the summer. He grew up to be a fine and courteous young man.

      When Esteban was 17 he went home to help with the family business. About six months later his parents came to visit. We sat in my office and made small talk. After the usual pleasantries I asked, How’s Esteban? The mother began to cry. The father sadly explained, Esteban was killed a month ago. He was walking home from soccer practice along the road when he was struck from behind by a hit-and-run driver. The driver probably honked, but because Esteban was deaf, he never heard. The father continued, We wanted to let you know, and we wanted to thank you, because we know we’ll see him in heaven again because he came to know Jesus here.

      I was saddened by this tragedy, but I knew he was right. Esteban is in heaven singing and praising God because of Jesus and this ministry. In the still of my office I was reminded of why we

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