Prayers for Guerrero Leon Family

Seven siblings were left without parents many years ago. Lili, the youngest of the siblings, lives with us. Her family attends church with us and visit everytime they have the opportunity. God is moving in the hearts of this family.


The four sisters with their children


Every time Estafania sings Sunday School songs in front of the church, she dances and twirls in circles.


Two of Lili's nieces. The girl in the blue was celebrating her 5th birthday.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Juan 17:3

The Sea Itself Is Enough...

Kristen and I went to Bahia de Kino for a few days and enjoyed/explored the beautiful and tranquil beach. We accompanied the cucharacas in our lovely condominium.

According to Kris, Mom has this really bad picture framed of us(Kris and I). For this reason Kristen was militant that we get a good picture together...Instead of boring you with our MANY attempts, I will just post a few pics.


One of our first of many attempts.


We met a man who "gifted" us this house. I don't really believe it was his to give. Bummer. I guess there is still some work to do, huh Dad? (I am sure you could get a steal on it!)




This is the little church on the hilltop that looked enchanting. We tried every single dirt path we could find to drive, but they all led to locked gates. We talked about climbing up to the church but it was really hot and we were pretty sure it was illegal...and it was REALLY HOT.


A view of the undeveloped coast line. Much to the dismay of those a part of the quiet little town, rumors are flying that contractors are moving in to build condominiums and housing developments.



On the way home, Kristen and I were talking about the beauty that God has created. How can you look at a vast sea and comprehend it? Can just looking at it change you? How long do you stand at the edge of the sea, marvelling at the beauty before it affects you? If this is what God has created for this temporal world, I can't even begin to understand the unbelievable scenes of our eternal home. It reminded me of lyrics of a song I listened to in high school, sadly I can't remember many of the words, but one segment of the song repeats in my mind as I look upon God's creation.

Carolyn Arends talks to God in her song, "There You Are."

"I was hoping you would write to me a message in the stars,
As if the stars themselves were not enough."

Lots of love,
amy

Psalm 8

How is a day complete without a dancing horse?

Kristen and I had a good trip back and we arrived in Magdalena a little after midnight last night. This afternoon we went with some of the girls to a cultural festival in town. I am not sure exactly the details of all we saw but it makes for good memories.


Gloria, Michelle, Lili, Kristen and Eli enjoy Momo's


Down in the dry river bed was a group of men on horses. In this picture, the horse is dancing, rather rhythmically.


The cowboys watch the dancing horse.


This man was creating pots, without a wheel, just with his bare hands, a bucket of clay, a container of water and lots of patience.


Eli and Magda check out some of his masterpieces.


Gloria plays the "drum" which we later found out was actually meant to be a seat. Oops. We were going to buy it for Limón but were disheartened when we realized it's true use.


Many of the activities involved traditional dances from different regions of Sonora. I am not sure what this man was going to do, but we never saw his eyes and the girls tried to engage him in conversation, but he refused to speak. (Maybe he just speaks an indigenous dialect?) Kristen said, "I am pretty sure he is the scariest man I have ever seen."


A traditional mask worn by one of the folkloric dancers.

Yaneli Banelic Olea Mercado

Yaneli, or more commonly called Mariquis (Ladybug in Spanish) sits down in the desk beside me. This little girl is a spark and bubble of life around CVE.



How old are you girl? Seven.

When is your birthday? Who knows? I don't.

What are you some of your favorite things to do? I like to draw and play.

What do you like to play? Hopscotch and with my dolls.

What are your dolls names? Elizabeth, Amy and Gloria.

What makes you really scared? (said with wide-eyes and haunted voice) THE SNAKE!

How can people pray for you? That I can behave and I don't talk badly with the workers here.

What is your biggest problem in your life right now? Limón, Joel y Seth.

What is your favorite Bible story? Daniel in the Lion's Den.

What is your favorite job? To work on my math homework.

What is your least favorite job? Cleaning out the closet.

What is your favorite Bible verse? Psalms.

Any thing else that you want to tell everyone? Yes, last night a cat bit me while I was laying in my bed.

Yaneli, is that a lie? No. I don't know when it happened, but it happened.

Anything else you want to tell the people that read this? Yeah, I want to tell my mom that I love her a lot.


Yaneli's new dress

Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

(In case you can't tell, this is our "reflective" pose.)

A year ago to the day, at about this time, I was walking under the gates of CVE, tired, overwhelmed. I remember thinking, “What have I done?” I still don’t really know the answer to my question, but I do know that it has been one amazing, long, stretching, hard, faith-building, blessed year.

Thanks for all of you who have come along on the journey. You know the feeling when you try to explain a trip or experience of your life? In front of you is an album full of photos, but you can’t begin to put into words what actually happened. I am grateful to my friends and family who have been faithful readers of the blog as I don’t have to try to put the whole year into 30 seconds.

I can’t deeply enough express how much I have appreciated your cards, letters, packages, visits, blog comments, e-mails and most importantly prayers. I am humbled beyond words to think of you on your knees, praying for me, the staff, other missionaries, the kids and the community. It is a debt I can’t repay…

I have learned much about my own inadequacies. I have seen God redeem my mistakes and bring beauty from the ashes and pain to teach me that it isn’t about what I can do, but instead, what He can do.

I am not the same person that I was when I came. Praise the Master Potter that will not leave us unfinished. Praise the Lord who loves us enough to put us through the pain and trials of life. Praise Him who gives us the grace we need to not snap in two while we are being refined. So, here I am with another year's experiences under my belt. Why do I know less now than before?

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21


Can I get an amen?

To everything there is a season .... a time of war and a time of peace.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to guest blog to all of you that have prayed faithfully for CVE.

We have been through times of war here and at this time we want to give thanks for a time of peace. I believe it is the faithful prayers of many of you that have sustained us through the different seasons of life. I also believe that you all go through storms in your life and would encourage you all, as we have here at CVE to continue to "Praise Him in the Storm". Read the words of the song by that title as we encourage each other. Thanks for all the encouragement that each of you continue to share with us here. We pray that we may also be an encouragement to each of you. Join us in thanking the Lord for a time of peace here at CVE.

A storm from CVE

"I will praise Him in this Storm"

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

A calm day from CVE

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you... 1 Samuel 12:23a

Thank you for remembering us before the Father!
From all of us at CVE, Love, Bill and Joan

Our Little Cocoons and Other News

"You have to come right now to see this surprise!" Never one to miss out on surprises I followed the girls, hoping for the extraordinary...and it kind of was.

The girls had blankets tied underneath their tree house to make "hammocks."


Yaneli looks down on the proceedings.


Karla, Eli and Jaqueline


Jaqueline looks up from her haven.

Such a wonderful idea until I was in one and the knot came loose...oops. Maybe I am a little bigger than the girls. ;)

In other news...

Steph Gerst arrived on Saturday to help with summer school/various other things until July. :)

I killed another scorpion in my bathroom with the only weapon I could find...my hairbrush. Gross, gross, gross.

I have a plane ticket for Ft. Wayne, IN on July 10!

Kristen is visiting this weekend!

It looks like Pollito will be returning to live with his family sometime in Mid-June...sigh


Pollito and Candi enjoy the afternoon


The cutting out of Kaine? :) Sorry Nathan and Rache!

Our New Tag Team: Pepe y Limón

Joel Leman from Denver, CO and Braden Mogler from Minneapolis, MN/Altadena, CA arrived a few weeks ago to start the influx of people coming to help for the summer. Joel is planning on staying long term and Braden just until school resumes in the fall.

Today the chiquitos were invited for a tour of their "house," really a room in the volunteer dorms.


Limón (Joel Leman's nickname, pronounced Leemone) made the boys wait outside in a line as he made sure there were no bears, lions or tigers inside the casa.


When Jenna and I were finally allowed to enter, the four boys sat on the bed, a little scared. I am pretty sure that they weren't scared of the "bears" but Limón was acting pretty weird.


He showed the kids all kinds of treasures from his luggage. They played the harmonica, listened to a poetry reading in English and tried on hats.


Momo (Moises' nickname) sports a stylin' hat.


This is a picture of Braden trying to kill me with the lunchroom door. I also need to mention that while yes, he tried to kill me, he then saved my life by catching the door before I was crushed to the ground, so we are still friends.

A nickname for Joel Leman was necessary as we already have a Joel here...but today, I started to think, Braden doesn't exactly roll off the tongue in Spanish, so he needs a nickname too. Here is a list we came up with, It is up for a vote.

Nickname Options:

1) Malibu (pronounced Maleeboo)-He currently is a student at Pepperdine University and has an apt in Malibu, CA.

2) Mario- His old Spanish name from high school

3) Piña- literally means pineapple, which would go great with Limón (literally meaning lime). Braden doesn't like it because it is feminine.

4) Pepe- My personal favorite. One of the kids was trying to read Pepperdine off of his shirt and came out like "Pepe."

Any other suggestions?

The First Guest Blogger: Angel!

Angel, the little boy with fluffy hair, huge mouth and white, white teeth sat down for his interview as a guest on the blog.

What are some of your favorite things to do? I like to play soccer, basketball, kickball and baseball. I really like to capture beetles, grasshoppers, birds and tarantulas.

What makes you laugh? Clowns

Do you have a girlfriend? (A large smile and nod of the head, but he doesn't want her name published)

What more would you like to say Angel? I like to help people, like if someone falls I want to pick them up.

What is your favorite Bible story? When Jesus died on the cross.

How can people pray for you? That I behave myself really well.

He would also like to say"hi" to all those who are reading.

Another Lesson Learned

"That's enough! I am so tired of you girls fighting all the time! Let's all pray about this problem tonight and we will talk tomorrow!" I was very frustrated the other night as the girls are hitting that inevitable but totally natural preteen/early teen stage of being extremely moody.

As I thought over possible solutions and counted down the minutes until Gloria got home, I was reminded of a man I knew who mentored teenagers in Mexico at a different orphanage. His group of teens fought so much that one day he had the idea of tying them together and going on an intense hike. He later said that half the way up was rough going as they struggled to get along and be patient with the slower team members, but once they got into a rhythm, they arrived at the top a unified group.

Well, it is way too hot here for an intense hike and I am too lazy, so instead, we met this morning and had a Bible study/discussion about our recent problems and then they lined up. I tied them together at the waist and explained what we were going to do. I told them to wait quietly as I ran to gather my things. When I came back into the dorm they all had their heads bowed in prayer. It was one of those "goosebump moments."

The rules:
-We were walking to the river.
-I was going along, but just to make sure they didn't kill anyone, not to give instructions.
-If the cord broke, we had to start over.
-Any one of the group members could call a meeting and the decision at hand had to be voted on, with each girl having an equal say.

Finally after our fourth try to leave the dorm they made it with all their cord intact and we started for the river.


None too impressed with the idea, the girls start out, trying different theories. "Maybe holding hands will help us not break the cord!"


The "inmates" traipse through the woods.


Working together to open the fence.


The girls discussed path options at a "meeting." I finally pulled Blanca's privilege to call a meeting as we were getting absolutely nowhere.


A smiling group. The girls hit a certain point when they actually started to work together as one unit and have a good time.

After a few hours I cut the ropes as they begged for a bathroom break. They came back together and asked if they could try lunch tied together. "hmm...sure."

I decided it is a good thing that my Mom and Dad didn't have this rule when I was young or I would have spent probably 95% of my childhood tied to Kristen or Chad.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17

The Time to Learn

A few days ago, a few of the boys started to ask for haircuts. The others that weren't asking also needed them, so, because Carissa and Gloria are gone, Joel and Seth started in. I agreed to do the trimming with the scissors, although I was nervous because it seems the boys care more about their hair than the girls do. While I was trimming up Armando, Daniel waited for his turn.

Daniel: I think I want Amy to cut my hair.
Amy: buddy, I don't cut boy's hair.
Daniel: It is ok, you can learn on mine!

Seth and Joel gave me the pointers and the clipping started. YIKES!


I think that is a look of pure excitement that Daniel told me that he wouldn't be mad at me, no matter what I did.


He looks pretty great. Probably just because he is ridiculously cute. :) After I finished he asked if I could do a stripe around his head. I said I should probably wait until I have a little more experience.


A freshly shorn Angel smiles for the camera. He and Fede have maybe the fluffiest hair I have ever seen!


Fede was not very impressed that he had to get his hair cut and pouted for the whole afternoon.


This picture perfectly suits José. He waits to have his hair cut...maybe he has to go to the bathroom too?


Michelle also gets her first experience cutting hair as Seth turned the trimmers over to her for Joel's hair.

I Am So Excited, I Just Can't Hide It!

Nothing is exciting about old news, but I was just emptying my memory card and ran across these photos that are from last week. I know it doesn't sound that long ago, but I am pretty sure I aged at least three years last week. :) I decided these pictures are too cute to not use. They are taken the morning after Best Buy gave me a new camera. I ecstaticly pulled it out of all it's wrappings and found my many roommates to be willing subjects as they ate breakfast and went about their morning.


Pollito was really excited to be the subject of a photo.


Candi smiles from her high chair.


Andres and Aaron smile from beneath part of their fallen fort.


Notice Timi's milk mustache.


The pajamas were stripped off and the kids were left in diapers and underwear for a painting party. (Yes Teresa, just further evidence for your question.) Timi digs into the paint.


Diego and Aaron show-off their skills.


Gabriel looked like a little puppy with a patch painted on one eye.


Andres had more fun painting himself than he did the paper or wall.

This week looks good, the kids have Tuesday off school, (Day of the Teacher) but otherwise I think they are going to school four days.

Happy Mother's Day to all those who are celebrating in the states!