Today we are new humans. We have a wonderful air conditioning unit, the floors are done and we have a kitchen!!! Amen!!!
Yesterday we did not have Internet connection. I was surprised to learn that the sun still came up and went down. I am learning patience in the space between my "now" perceived need and my "now" actual need. In our prior lifestyle I would have been instantly on the phone with the Internet service and probably tapping my toe until they arrived. Knowing that most everyone in this neighborhood never has a connection and certainly does not depend it, I am thankful for the days when the connection is available.
Yesterday we also visited a family who runs a shelter for battered women, a drug/alcohol recovery program, and a soup kitchen feeding children every Saturday. They would like to feed children every day, but their entire budget is $10 per week. They have a Bible Study each Saturday and when the kids successfully learn at least 2 verses (full chapters for the older kids), they receive a toy. In the years they have been feeding, they have always had just enough. Never too much, but as of yet, never to little. They did not ask for our help, just that we would pray and know for sure that it is God's will for us to help. If we do not hear from God, then they would be happy to know that we are praying for them and that He will provide from someone else. I am longing to have that much faith in my life.
We often see amazing people here doing amazing work and service even though it seems they have nothing to give. They have four children, the husband is in school to be a Pastor, and they live on $10 a week. And still they serve a meal to 90 kids each Saturday!! I was amazed and fascinated by their ability to do whatever it takes to serve the Lord. A local chicken restaurant donates to them the leftover chicken skins. Sometimes there is still a little meat attached. She takes these skins and batters and fries them and then sells plates of them with rice and beans. All the money generated goes to food to feed the kids. We bought 4 plates of food while we were there and I could not even bring myself to eat the fried left-over chicken skins. I know she worked hard to prepare them in the heat. Would I be willing to do that if I was called? I am not sure, and today, I am embarrassingly thankful I am not called yet to carry her cross.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Blessings can come in a minivan!!
8-26-10
Today is a day of joy and hope. Carla, a friend from Church, called this morning to let us know that she had an extra air conditioning unit and would drive all the way down to bring it to us today. Amen!!!! We will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of her minivan!!
The floors are not quite done and the grout is a messy job, but there is an end in sight. Our message at Church on the Tracks last night was that "We serve a Big God". Know that God can BIG things and seek ways to be a part of his BIG plan. Parishioners came forward to thank God for shoes so that their kids can go to school, healing from headaches, children who have stopped vomiting today. I am humbled by a BIG God who knows our every small need and cares that we have shoes, health, and my silly messy grout. Thank you God for your provisions, BIG and small.
Mitch and Payton are doing wonderfully in school and are even learning the first signs of Spanish. They love to go each day. Each classroom has about 12 kids and the teachers move to the class to teach. When a teacher (or any adult) walks into the room they all immediately stand and greet them warmly. The students are expected respect teachers and honor their time. In turn, the teachers are friendly and pour into students instead of dealing with discipline problems. It is a nice environment for learning.
The sweat is now dripping down my back, so I will shut this down and move closer to a window. Thank you God for your provisions today!!
Today is a day of joy and hope. Carla, a friend from Church, called this morning to let us know that she had an extra air conditioning unit and would drive all the way down to bring it to us today. Amen!!!! We will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of her minivan!!
The floors are not quite done and the grout is a messy job, but there is an end in sight. Our message at Church on the Tracks last night was that "We serve a Big God". Know that God can BIG things and seek ways to be a part of his BIG plan. Parishioners came forward to thank God for shoes so that their kids can go to school, healing from headaches, children who have stopped vomiting today. I am humbled by a BIG God who knows our every small need and cares that we have shoes, health, and my silly messy grout. Thank you God for your provisions, BIG and small.
Mitch and Payton are doing wonderfully in school and are even learning the first signs of Spanish. They love to go each day. Each classroom has about 12 kids and the teachers move to the class to teach. When a teacher (or any adult) walks into the room they all immediately stand and greet them warmly. The students are expected respect teachers and honor their time. In turn, the teachers are friendly and pour into students instead of dealing with discipline problems. It is a nice environment for learning.
The sweat is now dripping down my back, so I will shut this down and move closer to a window. Thank you God for your provisions today!!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
We are here!!!
8-25-10 - We are finally here in Mexico and off to a difficult but blessed start. We arrived late Friday night after packing and loading as much as we could in a trailer and two vehicles. When we got to our house it was 107 degrees...inside. We opened the windows to a cloud of dust, and thought for sure it would cool down. It did not. We slept breifly pooled in sweat and then awoke Saturday morning to begin the setting up process. After another hot day where we painted walls and purchased tile, our dear missionary builder and friend, Joe Torres moved his family into one room for sleeping quarters and loaned us a small portable airconditioning unit. It cooled that night to 92 degrees. We awoke tired and hot and waiving a white flag. I attempted to put on some make up to look presentable, but all lipstick and eyeliner had melted in the bathroom. We drove a accross the border to Eagle Pass to try and secure two small air conditioning units. All sold out. Ugh!!! Ok, cool is not meant to be.
The house needed more work than we anticipated. The kitchen floor was not level enough for a refridgerator and even with the legs fully extended we could not level the washing machine. So we hired Alfredo to put down some additional concrete to level the floor.
Today we are living out of one room. Everything we own has a layer of construction dust. The kitchen is all out in the living area. We no longer have any idea where anything is, or which bin it is in. If you need a can opener, prayer is the best option here.
But, the kids have done wonderfully in school, we have met wonderful neighbors and Raul who lives on our west side recommited his life to Christ yesterday!!! We are BLESSED!!!!
Jackie
The house needed more work than we anticipated. The kitchen floor was not level enough for a refridgerator and even with the legs fully extended we could not level the washing machine. So we hired Alfredo to put down some additional concrete to level the floor.
Today we are living out of one room. Everything we own has a layer of construction dust. The kitchen is all out in the living area. We no longer have any idea where anything is, or which bin it is in. If you need a can opener, prayer is the best option here.
But, the kids have done wonderfully in school, we have met wonderful neighbors and Raul who lives on our west side recommited his life to Christ yesterday!!! We are BLESSED!!!!
Jackie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)