A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

  We have been away from family for most of the last 23 years on missions trips to Mexico, so flying to Chgo to be with them was such a blessing.  Kelly flew in from Colorado and the we had record setting temperatures.
  Even though we returned to Texas on Christmas night after dinner, just watching Leas face when she came downstairs and saw all the gifts under the tree. She is indeed spoiled, or blessed, or both.
  The highlight of the time there, though there were many, was after Paula and I went to our home church,  Moraine Valley Church,  we met the kids, grandkids, cousins, and extended family at their church. Parkview. It's a huge mega church, with thousands of people,  lots of helpers guiding traffic. Not for me, but they all like it. So 29 family members came, and I was reminded by God when we took a group photo, of His faithfulness. I was the first person saved in our family 30 years ago. Wow!!!
  Now we're in Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains for New Years with 7 people we drove over here last night.  Well be mixing concrete and framing walls. Shawn and Gator are driving back to the US to pick up another 17 people coming here to serve. It's cold, but clear sky's prevail.
  It's not to late to say yes to helping us fund the orphanages we support, and get a tax deduction for the year.  Make sure it's postmarked by tomorrow.  It's been a great tear in spite of my heart attack, so thanks to those of you that pray for us and support us.
   HAPPY NEW YEAR

LAST CHRISTMAS CHIAPAS MEXICO, THIS YEAR CHICAGO

  Paula and I went to Mexico this morning so Paula, Espiranza,Goya and Dulce could finish a quilt for Beth in Alabama. They got it done, and it's in the mail. We also took a 55 inch TV over for Melodys Orphanage.  The boys installed the security door on our house, thats something we needed to do after a break in a couple months ago.We said our goodbyes to everyone and headed home to pack. We have to drive to San Antonio tomorrow to catch our flight.
  I'm posting a copy of our annual newsletter, I hope it can be read, it's from a picture on my phone. We'll get to see some of you at church on Sunday, Moraine Valley Church at 9:30. We're looking forward to the cold, not!!

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN IN 3s

  I'm sure you all have heard that bad things happen in 3s. I decree and declare that great things happen in 3s.
  Saturday night we had our annual Sunday school class Christmas party. The class adopted the kids at Melodys Orphanage in Reynosa and brought gifts for all the kids and staff. Lee read a great Christmas story, we sang a few songs and yes, we are some fantastic food. Sunday night was the Christmas party at Melodys Orphanage in Reynosa.  The kids had a few dramas to present, they also sang Feliz Navidad. The worship time and the Word,  precluded yes, more food. Monday, Paula hosted a party for the sewing class and many other invited friends. I think forty or so in all. Sara flew in from North Carolina to join the party. 
  While the girls had their party we went to Sam's Club in Reynosa to buy the food for the monthly food outreach on the 28th. We also picked up 200 soccer balls that Power Ministry donated to us.
  I printed out a news letter to put in the Christmas cards were trying to get mailed out. I was in such a hurry to get the letter done, I couldn't possibly include everything from the year, only a few highlights. One thing I neglected to mention was the time we spent with family. A couple of short camping trips, and a weeks stay with Lea, Kristin and Larry.
  We are heading home to be with them for a few days. We fly home Christmas afternoon.  I tried to change our flight to the 26th, but no luck, sold out!  A few days will be better than none.
  If you don't or didn't get a Christmas card or news letter, sorry about that.  Merry Christmas to all and thanks for the continued prayers and support that keep us keeping on.

IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL LIFE

  Yesterday we drove to the mountains of Coahuila to Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains near Saltillo. I had loaded 208 treated 2x4s in the van and trailer, that they need for a building project.
  We arrived around noon, unloaded, ate lunch with the kids, and headed to the juvenile prison to deliver the sweatshirts and red t shirts. We met Pastor Alejandro and his wife there. The warden and the guards were all so welcoming. They took us into a large room and then the young men all came in and lined up from the smallest to the biggest. The pastor gave them a message, and I asked if I could share a word with them? I wanted to let them know that God had a plan for them, and that He loved them. They applauded when I was done, I don't know if it was out of respect or that they applauded God for second chances.
  The warden took us outside to show us the mural that was painted on a wall and asked for paint for the boys to learn how to express themselves through painting.  He has an artist willing to teach them. I gave the Pastor money to help buy paint.
  We prayed and headed back to the orphanage,  but stopped and ate some great food on the way back. We'll head back home this morning after breakfast. There's people coming over this afternoon to bag beans and rice for our church.
  I'm trying to get a year end news letter together and in the mail, so much has happened this year it'll be difficult to sum it all up, but we know that God is Good, God Provides,  and we don't need to worry about anything.  Blessings to you all. Oh yea, we recieved a truck load of beans monday.

GIVING TUESDAY? GIVE EVERYDAY!!!

  I really hadn't heard of that, but some missionaries told me about it. I guess Facebook matches the first 7 million dollars in donations.  I'd rather trust God than Facebook to match any gifts, so if anyone wants to donate on " Giving Tuesday" have at it. Send a gift, donate online,  whatever you want.  We give all the time,gas do many of you that support us, so thank you.
  Our Sunday school class donated enough money to buy 45 sweat shirts and 45 t shirts for all the boys/men at the juvenile prison in Saltillo that we visited last month. They have to be red, and they are. We'll head there in a week or so to deliver them. Pray that this gift will let them know how much God loves them.
  We had our monthly food outreach and garage sale Saturday morning 186 families came. ROHI FOUNDATION  volunteers came after holding a medical clinic on Friday.
  Our Sunday school class also decided to buy Christmas gifts for all the kids at Melodys Orphanage in Reynosa, which will be a huge blessing to the kids. I purchased 1000 square feet of tile for the upper room we built last summer,  so I guess that's our gift to the orphanage,  I also have a 50 inch TV for them. So i guess it was giving Saturday, food for 186 families, 1200 dollars for tile, and a tv, but the tv came from our daughter Kristin. 
  I almost forgot Paula's wonderful Thanksgiving meal she made for 10 friends. We had left overs today in Reynosa,  it does get better over time.