The New Posse

To give Jenna a break on her birthday (pictures to come), I said I would cover the kids on Thursday afternoon. Jill had offered to help, so I gladly took her up on the offer. Jill went inside for a moment and I was not around and when we got back, the new gang here, Andres, Diego and Aaron, had jumped into a large pool of water in the front yard. (Jenean was watering a tree and it had overflowed). They were fully clothed and there was no point in stopping it as they were already dripping. We did the only thing we could. Took of their shoes, stripped them down to their underwear and pulled out our cameras.


Andres dances in the mud hole with Diego and Aaron in the background.


The boys sit in the water, starting to get cold. They started asking to get dressed, but from experience, it seems that unless their adventure has a small amount of...misery, they will return to the puddle. So we waited to be sure it was out of their systems before hosing them off.


The three little boys huddle under the towel, promising they are never going to get wet again. "Amy, we are cold, we are cold, can we get dressed?" I wasn't trying to be so cruel, but I couldn't figure out who's clothes fit on which kid...oh my. Andres was yelling, "wait, those aren't my underwear! Those aren't my underwear!" Jill started a load of laundry as the boys' goosebumps slowly disappeared.

The Gang's All Here

Okay, not really all the gang and some of them have already left, but on Tuesday, it was like a giant famiy reunion as Jay, Brent, Grandpa and Grandma and the Rinks came over from Agua Prieta. They were here for a few hours and we enjoyed the afternoon with the kids. I have been spoiled as on this work team from Bluffton three cousins and Doug and Jill came down!


All of my family poses for one of our favorite activities...FAMILY PICTURES! :)


Brent and Diego smile on the CVE tour.


Doug is really good with the kids, especially after he pulled out his trick nickel!


Tyler works on the stucco crew.


Jill has spent today in the "baby house." Moises has a really high fever and Jill is taking care of him. We literally have babies everywhere...some bodegas have turned into bedrooms.


Travis takes a break from his welding project. He has been working on the tresses for the roof of our first group home.


Lupita, Jay and Eli smile on Jenna's porch. Yes, that is a butterfly bandage on Jay's face and yes, he did get his face sliced open with a frisbee. I am sure it will leave a very manly scar.


Travis works on the computers outside the schoolroom.


When Grandpa and Grandma were here last week, Gabriel started to call them, "gwampa y gwamma" He would say "vaminos gwampa" as he dragged him around.


Gabriel has melted their hearts and I heard Grandma tell Grandpa, "He sure wouldn't be hard to take home, would he?"

In Answer To Mark's Question

Yes Mark, I concur, it will probably never be the same.

Farm Girls

Between dad and Joe turning Gloria into a huge John Deere fan and Jenean with her crazy gardening skills, we seem to have farming fever around CVE. Today Jenean grabbed me and told me it was time to learn to drive a tractor. None of my protest had much affect "Jenean, I am a farm girl, but I don't farm!" She is a lot stronger than me, so I decided to learn.


I realize it was no 9620 Track Series Tractor (thank you Roger), but we all have to start somewhere. I can't believe how much fun it was. I had some problems jumping off the clutch, but if I am ever home for planting or harvest again, I think Chad and Jay will have to start helping pack and run the meals, because I call the tractor!


Obviously Candi is already thinking of the farming profession.


Doug and Jenean head to the field to plant corn. Doug is here on a workteam and it makes me laugh how you can't keep a true farmer out of the field. (I am also not implying Doug is a girl.) ;)

An Update On the Chicken Pox





Francisco doesn't look that bad, but considering he has chicken pox in his mouth and is refusing even popsicles, he isn't feeling well. So far none of the others have shown any signs. Yesterday when I told Franc that he had chickenpox, I interpreted the word as "Smallpox." Things could be a lot worse, huh?

"What Are All These Weird Spots On My Body?"

Those were Francisco's first words to me as he got home from school. "They just started and they are in my hair and they really itch!" After some consultation from our resident nurse, Gloria and a school nurse, Linda Kipfer (who is down on a workteam), it was confirmed with almost complete certainty that Francisco has the chickenpox. None of the other kids seem to be affected, but a few have come with concern, showing any little spot on their body for further diagnosis. So far, so good. :)

I just checked him and he has a few more on his back and his stomach. I hope it doesn't get bad!


The promised picture of Candi in girl's clothes. Jenna said, "She was cute as a boy, but as a girl, she is just unbelievable!"

Kris, thanks for helping meet the comment limit! ;)

New Kids on Campus

Things are always changing here...along with our most recent changes came four new little kids! Pray for them and for the staff as they orientate to their new surroundings. Pray for Jenna, Seth and Joel as the majority of the new responsibility falls on their shoulders. Please pray that the rest of the staff can pitch in and know where to be most helpful.


WE HAVE A BABY GIRL! She will look a lot better when she is not in the boys' clothes. She is around 2 yrs old, with all her molars, but can't walk and is small. Denise and Joe are in the states today and I am pretty sure Denise is having a shopping spree for little girl clothes.


Aaron (5?), who right now only responds to the name Piolin (meaning Tweety Bird in Spanish). In this picture he has a skateboard under his arm. They love bikes and have spent most of the day in the green wagon.


Poncho (7) poses with his brother Aaron. Poncho, who is the oldest of the children, takes care of his younger siblings very well. When he calls Candy's name, she lights up.


Diego is around 3 years old and halfway potty-trained.

Psalm 18:28.32
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

The Tutu and the Fallen State of Egg

Recently found in the girls' bodega is the wonderful tutu that has probably been worn around by every single child on campus. (The same one Andres wore as he pranced around proclaiming, "I am a girl, I am a girl." Maybe he does need some more male influence. :) Last night, I am not sure what he was thinking, but our manly-man-too-cool-for-you, Uriel, put on the tutu...and then proceeded to pose, over and over.


Uriel the Ballerina


Uriel at his, "oh my this is annoying point."


Last night I was supposed to be "babysitting" Lili's egg. (See previous post to understand the egg babies.) A few of our very mature staff decided we should break an egg, pretending it is Lili's baby and show Lili the pictures in the morning. Jenean lovingly cradles Lili's egg.


However after a good night of sleep, I decided not to traumatize Lili this morning. So now we just have the pictures with nowhere to go. This morning as we ate scrambled eggs, it was tough, but no one made any comments.

Egg Babies

How about a post not related to sickness?!? Hurray! Recovery is going well...slow but sure.

Today 6th grade had the assignment to make "egg babies." The classic project to show that child care is hard work. The kids are supposed to keep it with them at all times, name it and care for it. Within a few hours of their "birth" Paola came to find me with tears in her eyes asking for another egg. After I told her that it defeats the purpose of the lesson, Joan told her, "If we give you another egg, you are going to have to give it to CVE so we can take care of it for you." Paola wasn't amused.


Paola, Lili and Michelle proudly show off their "niños."


The proud papa, Uriel. He is not quite as proud of his egg and hasn't been carrying it with him. He did make a great little crib for it.


Michelle's baby melted my heart. It is a little blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby and she twisted pipecleaners to announce it's name...Amy. Aww...This is the first time I have ever had an egg named after me!

More on Hospital CVE

Magda poses with Eric for a photo. Poor girl has been through a lot, but praise the Lord that this is the week that a Paramedic is here on a work team! We have been using/abusing his abilities. This picture was taken right after Magda received a few shots in a sensitive spot...she is a trooper!


Gloria lays in her neck brace. I was actually trying to get a picture of Magda's great system for hanging her IV.


Grandma and Grandpa used the afternoon to cut and sew sweatpants into capris. We had the purple pant legs left over and after asking the kids if they had any ideas, they thought they could sew an end shut and make bags for their "stuff."


I was worried as it was Fede's idea and he began to sew on yarn bows to his already purple bag. Thankfully he later said that the bag was for his little sister. :) whew!

I have a funny grandpa story. As I mentioned in a previous post, He also went and waited at the ER in the morning while Magda was waiting for the Dr. Grandpa had dutifully found a parking spot after we had gone in and I explained where he should wait. Things were taking longer than I thought they would in ER, so I went to give an update. As I approached the waiting room, I never have wished so much for a camera. The waiting room probably has about 40+ seats crowded in. Grandpa sat in about the 4th row back, sleeping, surrounded by women and babies. I weaved back to where I could talk with him and the women started to quietly giggle...so funny! Thanks for being a good sport grandpa and waiting on us!

When It Rains...

Last night Magda took a turn for the worse. She is continuing to vomit and getting thinner by the day...As Blanca says, "Poor Magda, she is going to get blown away by the wind!"



Last night it was decided that Gloria was going to take Magda to Hermosillo for further testing. We needed a note from a clinic here, so as Gloria was getting ready, I ran Magda into the Hospital for a note from the dr. My Grandpa Fiechter was with me and in my hurry backing out, I took the mirror off of Nicole's car (remember that). After waiting for 1 1/2 hr in ER (and grandpa patiently sitting in a crowded Mexican Hospital Waiting room) the Dr. came in and after some negotiating and frustrations, gave a note to send forward to Hermosillo.

Gloria and Nicole rolled out the drive at about 12:45 with Magda laying in the back seat, hooked up to her IV. At about 12:55 a van pulled in honking crazily and informed us that the girls had been in an accident. They had crossed the two lanes of oncoming traffic and rolled twice, breaking out all the windows. The car is now completely totalled...I am getting ahead of myself.

When I found out the news, I was out by the new church with grandma and grandpa. The ambulance was on it's way and Joan had gone with EMT who was visiting to go the accident scene. No one knew what was really going on. The workteam gathered to pray and as soon as they were done praying, Seth walks up with carrying a sobbing Yaneli. Her finger was shut in the van at school and it looked very broken. Yaneli and I headed back to the emergency room at the local clinic.

When I arrived carrying Yaneli we were quickly ushered to the emergency room by everyone we passed. I walked in (there are only 3 beds in the room) and there lay Magda and Gloria. I guess Yaneli came in a few minutes after the ambulance. Joan was there amongst a flurry of action of Doctors, nurses and the police. Needless to say, CVE dominated the ER today. Gloria, Nicole and Magda are all beat up and are hurting, but no serious injuries. Yaneli was scheduled for an X-Ray and it seems that she just has a really bad jam. She is thrilled with her sweet splint, cool "pictures" (x-rays) of her hand and Piña Colada.


Magda is in a lot of stomach pain (the original reason for the trip) and still on IV. She now has additional head and neck pain. As Yaneli and I were leaving one of the nurses laughed as he called out, "So, we will see you tomorrow!" (Implying another injury...oh no.)

As I write all this, I am encouraged. God is so good. We were spared so much. I think it would be fair to speak on behalf of the whole staff and say we are tired of continual health problems, we never want to see the inside of another hospital and don't understand why "when it rains it pours." However, we can see that God is doing some kind of great work. Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

On one positive note, it no longer matters that I broke the mirror on the car.

Update on the Sick

Last night was another sick turned comical (because of the quantity of patients) night. We set up our hospital in Gloria's apt. and thank goodness she is a nurse! She could put in Magda's IV instead of spending the night in a real hospital! We are making progress that only two girls stayed home from school today. :)


Magda colors to pass the morning. She is having a hard time keeping anything down, hence the IV tube that is hung in the tree. :)


Jaqueline soaks up the sun while recuperating.

In more positive news...

Francisco and Seth celebrated their birthdays today complete with Rainbow-Chip Frosting. (Today is also Grandpa Fiechter's B-day!)

If Only a Band-Aid Could Fix All Our Problems

A sad, but comical, situation has hit us here at CVE...the FLU! Yuck. yuck. yuck. The following content may be a little graphic and not for those of the weak of stomach. The visuals are lacking, but it is hard to get sick girls to pose for pictures.

Monday night several from the staff and the work team were hit by a bad bug...I got hit on Tuesday. As I was vomiting everything out of me in the girls dorm, a chorus of nervous girls stood chattering behind me, calling out words of encouragement, bringing me paper towel and water at appropriate intervals. As my own vomit hit my feet, all I could think is, "I want my mom!"

Last night the girls' dorm was struck down and it started with one of the older girls. She said she didn't feel well and then leaned over and cleaned out her system all over the floor. It seems that in the girls dorm, sickness is caused by the power of suggestion. Suddenly all the girls were struck down with something...

(say this in your head all at the same time and in a very whiny voice)

K.J.: Amy, my eye hurts.
L: Gloria, look at my foot, it is swollen!
E: Amy, my big toe really hurts...
P: I feel like I am going to throw up!Y: My head hurts!
Lup: I am doing great! I am so strong, I am not sick!
B: Will you look at my throat, it is so big I can hardly breathe.
M: Why is she acting like she is going to faint?

Before we knew it, disaster was on our hands. The flu spread to another girl and as I looked at the floor covered in the previously eaten supper, all I could think was, "When/why did I become the mom?" This is for people like Teresa...I never signed up for nursing! In the midst of the disaster one of the girls got out of the bed because of pain and proceeded to faint on the other girl with a hurt foot...oh my. I had to leave the situation to regain composure and come back with Gatorade, Sprite and Saltines...I would go into more details, but it is just gross and unimportant.

This morning I opened the "pharmacy" (really just a bag of medicine) and the few healthy girls were laughing and dubbed the girls' dorm, "Amy and Gloria's Hospital."

At breakfast Francisco asked, "Why are the girls always sick? Why don't the boys ever go the hospital?" What a good question. It is about their turn.
I have learned many valuable lessons today, such as, DON'T GIVE SICK GIRLS FOOD, EVEN WHEN THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE HUNGRY! Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.

Pictures that make me smile...

On Friday night, Seth, Brandy and Ben came through on their way to San Carlos and stopped for a quick visit and a "birthday breakfast." We had a great short time together...


Brandy and Cesar (Edi, Eduardo) crack up for the camera.


Seth was surprised by Gabriel's amazing musical gift. Seth worked with him...maybe teaching him to site-read?


Lilí and I use the busted volleyball to it's fullest. After our teen night on Friday night the older kids and YOUNG staff ;) had a great time working late into the night on food prep for the weekend and our "workteam season."


Nicole literally spills the beans. :)

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down..." -Hebrews 11:30a

This morning in Sunday School the kids were so cute as they reenacted The Battle of Jericho. There were so many children in class today I didn't know if the idea would work out, but they all behaved so well. Maybe we will have to march around the red bodega more often. I thought for one split second, "What if the bodega falls down? Joe will kill me." ;)


The kids quietly march around the "Jericho."


The band of Israelites sleep on the third night. Church was done early, so we had to skip the 4th, 5th and 6th day.


Joshua (real name Carlos) leads his Isrealites in their final trumpet blowing march.


Barbara blows her trumpet!

The bodega didn't fall over...we just made really cool crashing sound effects.