Routine. How sweet it is! Variety. Keeps life interesting! Flexibility. Very important and helpful!
Yes, we have them all here. Sometimes some more than others. Right now we're high on variety!
Last Thursday Darin & Nevin took Renita to San Diego to go for a visit with her boyfriends' family. Then after picking up some supplies, back to the airport they went to pick up Nelson Burkholder who was here for the weekend. Sunday evening they took him to the airport again.
For this week we look forward to having some people come to bring heaters for the rest of the rooms that are as of yet unheated. They also plan to help install the heaters.
Then on Sat. other workers plan to come to blow in insulation in the newest wing. On Saturday evening around 20-25 people from Lebec, CA plan to join us for the night and Sunday. So we need to clean out a storeroom to convert it back to a bedroom again and get ready for our helpers. We are always glad for visitors, so we want to make sure we are ready!
All these plans in mind we got up this morning to find that Regina is sick with stomachache and fever. After talking with some of the others we hear that Raquel, our main cook, is also sick! Along with this I had been up about every two hours last night with Tonia, who seems to have earache. OK! So, the boys and I got our laundry started (all 10 loads!) and arranged for responsibilities to be juggled so that we do get lunch! And, I don't think anyone was left neglected.
Darin again made a run to San Diego today to get more supplies and to bring Renita back.
The children were so happy when one of our local friends brought an area rug tonight for the living room. It is certainly much warmer and softer than the tile floor and will be nice for this winter. Some of the boys even wanted to sleep there for the night.
For all you northerners who are enjoying or not enjoying your cooler days, we had 98 degrees here today! Yes, that's quite warm! There's almost always a wind blowing and it's very dry so the laundry was dried very quickly! And no, I didn't get all 10 loads done today. Maybe tomorrow.
So yes, we do still need your prayers that we may have strength and wisdom for whatever God may have planned for tomorrow! What a wonderful God we have that we can rest in the fact that nothing will be brought to us that He has not already approved!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
New Babies
This little boy came without a name! He is 5 months old and as yet no one cared enough to give the child a name! God has blessed us so much with loving families and yet so many are suffering! Especially the children! Our hearts desire is to give them God's love and make a difference in their lives, if even for a short time.Tania Aracely Gonzalez Perez
And this little doll is staying with us as her caregivers! And yes, she is surrounded by lots of love and attention! We sorted and washed baby clothes, dug out bottles, set up a crib and changing table and welcomed her into our family! She is 4 months old. We don't know how long God will have her with us, and we know the time will come when she will very possibly go away, but how can we refuse to love to avoid the pain of loss. God is good to us and gives us all we need!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
We have much for which to thank God! This week we had two days that we would have water for awhile then no water for a longer while! The dishes were piling up, the laundry was becoming a mountain and no answers for why there is no water. We asked the Lord to give us water if it would be His will, and for wisdom to fix the problem. He gave us water! We're not sure what the problem was. Darin was looking at the pump, lifted it up a bit and the water is still coming. Thanks to God for caring about our needs and answering prayer! This is a very dirty country in which to live! We sweep and mop floors twice a day (& it needs it)! So water is an awesome thing!
Lorne & I got to make a trip to LA Tuesday. We'd never been there before so it was interesting although the only place we went was to the airport. We took Milena, a mom here, to fly to Costa Rica to be with her family. On the way home we picked up some incoming visitors who were coming for an overnight visit.
Pray for all of us here on Monday. We received the sad news that little Edith is going to her new home on Monday and it is very hard on the staff and children to see her go! She is just learning to walk and is the youngest child we have here. She will be going to be adopted by her cousin. It is the investment of the heart in these children's lives that makes the difference to the children, but also what makes the pain so much greater when they leave!
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Lorne & I got to make a trip to LA Tuesday. We'd never been there before so it was interesting although the only place we went was to the airport. We took Milena, a mom here, to fly to Costa Rica to be with her family. On the way home we picked up some incoming visitors who were coming for an overnight visit.
Pray for all of us here on Monday. We received the sad news that little Edith is going to her new home on Monday and it is very hard on the staff and children to see her go! She is just learning to walk and is the youngest child we have here. She will be going to be adopted by her cousin. It is the investment of the heart in these children's lives that makes the difference to the children, but also what makes the pain so much greater when they leave!
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7
We had a good weekend with the board here giving direction for the work. We had 59 people here for lunch today which makes an interesting time of fellowship. We have 47 people here with staff and children, so yes, our family has grown 8 fold! :)
I found it very interesting, this morning in church the children's class was of course in Spanish and I wasn't even trying to follow the thought. You know, just too much work so let my thoughts wander elsewhere. Well, Brent leaned over and said, "Mom, I think he's telling the story of Noah's ark." I listened closely then, and yes, he was right. How can they do that!!! He's not even doing Spanish lessons!
Now tonight I tried to tell some of the girls "cat outside" and they so shockedly said NO! So I asked them what the Spanish is for outside. Well, it's almost the same and how was I to remember the difference between 'fuego' & 'afuera'. But to the girls the idea of putting the cat in the fire was indeed horrid!! I quickly assured them I had no such intentions!
Working with the children brings the most new words to our vocabulary as they keep trying until we get it. And we being the authority figures they want to ask permission for things, so they won't just give up!
Friday was grocery day again and we felt much more confident this time as we had more Spanish on reserve and knew more what to expect. Lorne actually asked a man for a box of apples and oranges~all in Spanish!
Lorne & Darin took a lot of the children on a walk out to the border this afternoon, which is giving us Mom's some much enjoyed quiet time.
We are making some changes to staff this week and it looks like an extra busy time with the transitions. One of the board members commented to me that it'll be like heaven here. I croaked "Heaven!" as I was not seeing the resemblance with all the work here! He replied, 'There'll be no night there either." So then I had to agree! Pray for us that we all could be in the place God has for us. We wish you all a good week, blessed by God's love!
We had a good weekend with the board here giving direction for the work. We had 59 people here for lunch today which makes an interesting time of fellowship. We have 47 people here with staff and children, so yes, our family has grown 8 fold! :)
I found it very interesting, this morning in church the children's class was of course in Spanish and I wasn't even trying to follow the thought. You know, just too much work so let my thoughts wander elsewhere. Well, Brent leaned over and said, "Mom, I think he's telling the story of Noah's ark." I listened closely then, and yes, he was right. How can they do that!!! He's not even doing Spanish lessons!
Now tonight I tried to tell some of the girls "cat outside" and they so shockedly said NO! So I asked them what the Spanish is for outside. Well, it's almost the same and how was I to remember the difference between 'fuego' & 'afuera'. But to the girls the idea of putting the cat in the fire was indeed horrid!! I quickly assured them I had no such intentions!
Working with the children brings the most new words to our vocabulary as they keep trying until we get it. And we being the authority figures they want to ask permission for things, so they won't just give up!
Friday was grocery day again and we felt much more confident this time as we had more Spanish on reserve and knew more what to expect. Lorne actually asked a man for a box of apples and oranges~all in Spanish!
Lorne & Darin took a lot of the children on a walk out to the border this afternoon, which is giving us Mom's some much enjoyed quiet time.
We are making some changes to staff this week and it looks like an extra busy time with the transitions. One of the board members commented to me that it'll be like heaven here. I croaked "Heaven!" as I was not seeing the resemblance with all the work here! He replied, 'There'll be no night there either." So then I had to agree! Pray for us that we all could be in the place God has for us. We wish you all a good week, blessed by God's love!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Are we settled in yet? How can we tell? On Saturday we all agreed it seemed we had been here at least a week already and figured out it was only days! A few of us were emotionally spent by that evening. It's SO hard to understand the children so little and still try to work with them! We continue to study, say a few words, and hope to get there someday!! The children do very well trying to help us find the right words when they can get what we are trying to say. By evening our brains are tired!
Sunday was special because we had some more English fellowship here! Gordon's come for Sunday and they have children our children's ages. We also enjoyed having Harold & Clinton Friesen here a few days to visit Renita. (Harold's daughter)
This morning then we finally felt as if we may find a routine and it felt good! Lorne & I went with the bus and took the home children to school. Then back to our own and we had our first day of school here. That was good for all of us! The home children are in school until 12:30 so it works well for our school to be during that time.
Sunday was special because we had some more English fellowship here! Gordon's come for Sunday and they have children our children's ages. We also enjoyed having Harold & Clinton Friesen here a few days to visit Renita. (Harold's daughter)
This morning then we finally felt as if we may find a routine and it felt good! Lorne & I went with the bus and took the home children to school. Then back to our own and we had our first day of school here. That was good for all of us! The home children are in school until 12:30 so it works well for our school to be during that time.
Happy Birthday Brent!
Friday was Brent's birthday and he said it was the most different birthday he's ever had! Friday is grocery day for the home and yes, that is the houseparent's job. So armed with a list and a little bit of faith our family went to Tecate. First we went to get our visas, which included a lot of driving to find parking and back & forth across town, but we got it done. Then on to the stores... It's all in spanish and where would you find chamoy?!! Well, it was an adventure for sure, but we all worked together and actually came home with almost all that was on the list!
By the time we were done it was way past lunch so we went to Burger King thinking we'll get a fast lunch at a familiar place. Really, it can't be that hard to order cheeseburgers! Yeah well! :) Ok it wasn't fast but we had lunch.
Back home, unload the mountain, & coordinate putting it all away. Regina got to work and made a cake for all the October birthdays here. Then for supper we sang Happy Birthday 5 times in spanish & 1 time in English! We all enjoyed the evening!
By the time we were done it was way past lunch so we went to Burger King thinking we'll get a fast lunch at a familiar place. Really, it can't be that hard to order cheeseburgers! Yeah well! :) Ok it wasn't fast but we had lunch.
Back home, unload the mountain, & coordinate putting it all away. Regina got to work and made a cake for all the October birthdays here. Then for supper we sang Happy Birthday 5 times in spanish & 1 time in English! We all enjoyed the evening!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
We made it!!!
Yes, we did all 2600 miles! Around 11:30 am we needed a potty break so stopped in Marana, AZ. It was a middle of nowhere kind of place. When Lorne & Nevin came out to the van they saw that the back tire looked strange. It was bulging all around the rim, so we asked around a bit and they didn't seem to know where to get a tire fixed. Looking down the country road there we saw an auto repair sign so headed that way. The man looked at the tire and said he doesn't know why it hadn't blown yet. We knew why! God was so good to us! We waited a few minutes and the tire was changed and we were on our way again! Thank you Lord!
So on we roll.... We stopped to get some lunch around 3:30 and it was so warm! We got our food to go since we are now running a little behind schedule. But, Oh the air conditioner just blows warm air! (Must be something with stopping for food:() We drive on thinking it will be ok once we get moving again. Wrong! So we found an exit with a place to check it out. And only to find out that the compressor is bad and no parts available tonight. OK! It's 102 degrees out! So we open windows and roll on. We started naming things to be thankful for, so that we not complain.
Our next big hurdle was the border crossing and we prayed we could at least make it through without a long wait and much trouble, or needing to pay taxes on our things. We approached the border (remember, windows open, hot, sweaty family) pulled up to the light, which will either turn green for us to go or they'll be out to talk to us, and THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN! We didn't talk to anyone, they didn't seem to even see us! Again, Thank the Lord! Now we were on our final stretch of road which was now familiar country.
And what a warm welcome we received when a few minutes later, around 7:30 we got to the children's home!
We unloaded most of our things, but just piled it in the house until morning. Beds were prepared and after everyone had unwound enough we settled in for the night. Come 5:30 the alarms were going as the boys wanted to get out there to see all about the chores that are here.
After breakfast, we all joined in the effort of making our apartment a home with our things. We were all having this little lost puppy feeling. So much jabbering at us in a language we work so hard to understand!
After a while, the children started stopping by. Amidst piles of laundry, boxes, bags, and grand disarray we had 18 children happily playing and so glad to have us here! One of the Mom's wondered if we're ok! I assured her we won't do this every day but for today let them be in with us. And yes, that gives us lots of chances to practice our language! And plenty of times to shake our heads and smile!
Thanks again for all your prayers as we travelled and for continuing to pray as we adjust to our home here!
So on we roll.... We stopped to get some lunch around 3:30 and it was so warm! We got our food to go since we are now running a little behind schedule. But, Oh the air conditioner just blows warm air! (Must be something with stopping for food:() We drive on thinking it will be ok once we get moving again. Wrong! So we found an exit with a place to check it out. And only to find out that the compressor is bad and no parts available tonight. OK! It's 102 degrees out! So we open windows and roll on. We started naming things to be thankful for, so that we not complain.
Our next big hurdle was the border crossing and we prayed we could at least make it through without a long wait and much trouble, or needing to pay taxes on our things. We approached the border (remember, windows open, hot, sweaty family) pulled up to the light, which will either turn green for us to go or they'll be out to talk to us, and THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN! We didn't talk to anyone, they didn't seem to even see us! Again, Thank the Lord! Now we were on our final stretch of road which was now familiar country.
And what a warm welcome we received when a few minutes later, around 7:30 we got to the children's home!
We unloaded most of our things, but just piled it in the house until morning. Beds were prepared and after everyone had unwound enough we settled in for the night. Come 5:30 the alarms were going as the boys wanted to get out there to see all about the chores that are here.
After breakfast, we all joined in the effort of making our apartment a home with our things. We were all having this little lost puppy feeling. So much jabbering at us in a language we work so hard to understand!
After a while, the children started stopping by. Amidst piles of laundry, boxes, bags, and grand disarray we had 18 children happily playing and so glad to have us here! One of the Mom's wondered if we're ok! I assured her we won't do this every day but for today let them be in with us. And yes, that gives us lots of chances to practice our language! And plenty of times to shake our heads and smile!
Thanks again for all your prayers as we travelled and for continuing to pray as we adjust to our home here!
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