New kids on campus

Jaquelin and Federico have been behaving really well. An extra kid in each of the dorms can prove a struggle, but thankfully, no huge issues with these kids yet. I posted a picture with Federico with Andres. He loves to draw and is really talented! The other pictures are of the girls cleaning the canal. Jaquelin is the little girl in the yellow shirt with the yellow ribbon over her shoulders.

Lately, I have found myself focusing on results, or what I perceive to be success. It is hard to find, and even harder to match up to expectation without end. In working with children, or building a church, the focus cannot be on immediate changes and results, but rather the things unseen. I was once again reminded of 2 Cor 4 and so encouraged. I am going to piece together some of the highlights. (vs 1, 16, 18)
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Back to school

Yesterday morning all of the kids had their first day of school! Overall, they were excited to go. I was watching the little boys who were still sleeping, so I had the opportunity to see the older kids off. Jeff and I were taking pictures, and he had the idea that they shut their eyes until the count of three because of the brilliant sun. (Hence the reason that some of their eyes are still shut in the picture). We thought that it was the best morning to take pictures, because no one was stained yet. :) After we were done, the kids were loading up, and Angel came running out of the dorm, we didn't even notice he was gone! Good thing he didn't get left on his first day. It was Daniel and Yaneli's first day ever to enter school, they both said they had a nice teacher and really liked it.

Two new kids came to live with us yesterday. Federico is 11 and his sister, Jaquelyn is 10. I will try to post a picture soon. Today in the staff meeting Bill shared "God will honor our yes, even when we want to say no." Taking two kids at this age, isn't ideal, but little choice was left as they had a strong need. It is easier to receive children at a younger age, but obviously, this is what God has for us. Please be prayerful.

Have a great day!
amy

Jenna says this needs a title...i don't know what to write. Jenna is cool.

Today has been a great Sunday! There were a few new faces at church, so that is always exciting. The Ricketts have a few kids from CVE at their house and so do the Schicks, so the street is full of wandering kids, popping in. Ben, Armando and Francisco set up the "slip-n-slide" in the Schick's yard, and it looks like a blast.

A neighbor brought me some tacos, so I ate some, and they were GREAT! I asked what kind they were and she told me they were "de menudo." this rang a bell as being something gross, so when she left, i looked up what menudo is, and it is PIG INTESTINE! Eww...i can feel it clogging up my arteries. Dad, maybe I'll start to like giblets soon too and you will have to share at Thanksgiving. ;)

"W is for wafles!"

I decided it was time to post a non-depressing blog entry. ;)

I just remembered that I haven't celebrated the end of summer school with you all yet! Praise the Lord, we finished 8 weeks of summer school last Friday. Denise and Carissa did so much work for the school, and I think it was a huge success! The last day, Denise and I took the early alphabet group to the kitchen to make "wafles" or waffles. We couldn't think of another word that started with a W, but the kids had never eaten waffles, so we made them, hoping the kids leave summer school, remembering the positive. :) The 7 kids with the best behavior were rewarded with a trip to the favorite taco stand and ice-cream. Always an adventure when you take more than two in public!

Have a great day!
amy

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” -Jim Elliot

This afternoon was perfect for a funeral. Rain drenched the truck windows as Gloria drove a quiet Blanca, Magda and I out to the gravesite where their grandpa was to be buried. I had never been in a Mexican graveyard before, and when we entered my breath was taken away. The graveyard is literally full to the brink. Everywhere you look, there is a picture of one of the saints or a crucifix with Jesus depicted on the cross. To get to the burial site we had to walk on other graves. It was so full, I can't describe it. I thought about how many people have died just represented in this one graveyard, entrenched in idol worship and in deep superstition, worshipping symbols, but missing salvation. As we stood observing the burial on the grave of "Gerardo" I was shaken as I thought of how fleeting life truly is. Solomon says it best in Ecc 2 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecc 2:10-11.

Meaningless...without the knowledge of Christ, the lives of those now represented by the tombs, pursuing things of the world and dying, never hearing or simply not believing God's redemption through Jesus. Please pray for those of Magdalena and those around you, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Ephesians 1:17-19

I will try to take pictures of the graveyard and publish them when I get a chance.

Family Vacation-Rancho Betania

Oh the memories you can make at a Mexican ranch when a whole children's home goes! We went to a ranch that is about 20 minutes away from Magdalena and spent two days and one night. Wow! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will write less and attach more pictures. It was pure chaos, but I think controlled. Overall the kid's favorite part was definitely swimming. Some of them learned to swim for the first time. (The grouchy picture of Angel and Seth is when Seth is trying to tell Angel the reasons he needs to learn how to swim.) It reminded me of when Dad would make me try to ski when I was little and i would cry and dread that moment each summer, but now I am glad, I guess hindsight is 20/20.

We also had some extreme swinging on a large swingset that the kids loved! Thankfully it was anchored very solidly. We also found a small rattler snake by the swingset, and despite pleas to save it's life, the men promptly disposed of it. (after spending too long observing it!) Jeff also found a very large snake in his shower, but i think Seth came and rescued him...or something like that...;)

We painted faces of the kids, which will hopefully help to explain all the lions, cats, and clowns you see. We had a bonfire and sang, ate smores and had a short devotion.

About halfway through the trip, I found out that the whole time, the cookie thief was Bill! We joke that the half the staff here are cookie monsters!

Praise the Lord for the safety that God provided, despite poisonous snakes, bugbights and wolves, oh my!

I have a lot more pictures that are so cute, but I don't have the patience to upload them on the blog...maybe sometime if I am not as tired as I have ever been in my whole life. :) Going on vacation as a "parent" is different...good different, just exhausting.

Blessed be the name of the Lord...

We just arrived home from our "family vacation" a Rancho Betania and heard the news that Blanca and Magda's grandfather had passed away. They didn't know him well and he had been sick for awhile, but the news is still hard to bear. (especially since the two girls lost their father in February.) Please pray for them. I have attached pictures of them from vacation, Blanca is in the picture with the pink innertube. Magda is in the other photo.

Needs lists...

Item #1: A belt about Gabriel'size. ;)

The "house" in the tree

The girls at CVE have spent the past few days fixing up a "casita" (translation:little house) behind the girls dorm. There is even an old wall hanging that in English says, "The place nearest to God is an a garden." :) They have a really nice tree house that is frequently played in, but the older girls made a different one, I think partly because they love to play/set up "house." Based solely on my experience, it isn't overally comfortable, but the girls are thrilled. They found a broken table, a bench, a basket, mesh bag, sheets and lace to spruce up the area. The top picture is of the Carla Liliana (lili) and Karla Joselyn (Karla). The next picture of the girl climbing down from the tree is Blanca. Magda and I are together in the other picture. I don't think I have done a very good job of introducing different girls.

The bottom picture is of some of my neighbors girls in the house where I live in the pueblo. The Lord has answered my prayers that the neighborhood kids/VBS kids feel comfortable to come and visit. It seems that now if the red truck is parked in front of the "casita" I will have visitors flocking. :) I love it, we talk, eat, and play "uno" (which in Spanish is actually "one". I thought that was weird.) My aunt Pat Beer has found and shipped these great illustrated Bibles that I have been able to distribute to some of the neighborhood kids. Thanks Pat! ;)

ángel and Bill's Birthdays!

Yesterday Bill and Angel both celebrated their birthdays. Angel turned 8 and his mom, aunt and little niece and nephew came to spend part of the day with him. His mom was very concerned that he was going to drown in the cake if he was pushed in too far, so the kids cautiously pushed him in. (Gloria told me that there have actually been reported deaths in Mexico of people drowning in their own birthday cakes!) Just for the record, we are always careful! :) Angel and Michel's aunt, grandma and little niece and nephew have come to church for two weeks in a row and have even joined us for our woman's Bible study. Pray that they continue to come!

Bill turned...I think somewhere around 35...right Bill? He also was shoved in the cake. As our selfless leader, he went and shared some of his whipped cream with Joan. I know she appreciated it. :)

Psalm 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121.1-2

Happy Birthday to us!

In Mexico and Latin American culture, when a girl turns 15, it is normally celebrated with a large celebration. It reminds me of Southern Belle festivities, when they are "presented to society." The girls here were talking about their future plans for their "quincenearas" and discovered that as American girls, we never had our big 15 year bash. The planning started and Saturday night, Gloria and the girls threw a 15 year birthday party for Jenna, Nicole and I. (The fact that none of us have birthdays in August or that we are all in our 20's did not halt their enthusiasm.) The girls did our hair (complete with tiaras), helped choose our clothes, etc. Jenna's little boys were our escorts. They weren't quite sure what to think of that many girls in their house...

It was a good time; however, I am glad that I never have to turn 15 again!

Just another day

Last night some of the neighborhood girls came over to my house and we played games, ate pizza, and hung out. It was fun to get to know some of the neighbors better. I am so amazed at the opportunities God has placed at my doorstep. (literally)

It is late Saturday afternoon, and almost time for dinner. Seth and Jeff taught the boys how to play Monopoly. They seem to thoroughly enjoy it...Francisco and Jeff are close right now, I guess they will find out who wins after supper!

I included a picture of Andres with his bag. He received this bag the last day of VBS and now he walks around with it non-stop...like it contains all the treasures of the world and he has the responsibility to guard it. :)

Good news, Tyler let me know that i can change the settings on the blog so that everyone can comment, even without a blog account. Thanks Tyler!

"The rains came down and the floods came up..."

Matthew 7:25 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

Today we received another big rain storm. Never in my life have I appreciated rain so much. (Probably because I have never lived in a desert before). The rain came down in torrents this afternoon and with the increase of humidity and precipitation during Magdalena's rainy season, the mountains have come alive with green, grass is starting to grow so much that Joe never gets done mowing, and the kids are thrilled. Last year the rainy season didn't bring much relief...It makes me think of how God's Spirit can work in a heart, bringing fresh life in a dormant heart. (John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.") amen.

The attached pictures are taken at the end of the main street outside of our neighborhood. All the water runs to the river, which is probably about 100 yards from my house. Uriel and Francisco were at Ben Schick's house and they had a good time in the water and mud.

Painting Party

Jenna and I were talking about how to make her new living area more kid friendly. (She is now the proud "momma" of four little boys. One three year old, two 2 year olds and one 1 year old).

Anyhow, as we talked, we decided that the best thing to do would have the kids help decorate the play area. It was a blast! Gloria, Kyle, Jenna and I started in by dipping the little boys feet in paint. Then we would walk them to a blank spot on the floor and tell them to run. It was so funny as they would start really slow so they didn't fall. I have never had so much fun painting! Moises was the boy who was supposed to spread the purple, but he didn't like to be in the paint very much, so we ended up making more hand prints and foot prints and using the other little boys to help with the color.

Dave Sceggel went home on Tuesday as he is going to start his school year again. Carissa went home for 3 weeks to be in two weddings. YIKES! I think that is it for now!

love, amy