MELODYS ORPHANAGE IS BUILDING THIER DREAM

   Jaime and the kids continue thier building efforts on the orphanage. The new room is under roof, the stairs are built and the plumbing work is coming along. We can't wait to see the progress first hand in a few weeks. 

   Paula and I found a townhouse in Indiana and pending a passing grade on the inspection,  we will be Hoosiers. 4 to six months in the summer here, will give us the opportunity to work with another ministry helping the poor in Chicago and the surrounding areas,  as well as seeing family and friends. The taxes in Illinois made Indiana a much more affordable choice. 

    We spent the week of the 4th of July with family, camping in Monticello Indiana. Herb and Carrol Moering came over for a few days to join us. They live in the same park as us in Texas and spend time up north out of the Texas heat.

  We dodge a bullet in South Texas as hurricane Beryl 🌀  took a turn away from us and unfortunately made a mess out of the Houston area. The same storm made a mess out of the area we camped in, but we left before it arrived. 

  It's been great to attend Moraine Valley Church the last few weeks. Last week they had a tailgate party and there was so much food that people brought.  It was great.  We will be hosting a pizza party at Moraine in September and share an update on the ministry and orphanage. Not sure of the dates yet.

Sergio, China, Pastor Juan, Saul, and Pastor Jaime held our monthly food outreach  last week and will continue to serve the people in Reynosa while we're gone. They are a real blessing to us and the ministry. 

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

  Paula and I drove back from her sister's house 750 miles away into Mexico. The A/C quit when it was 107 degrees out. 3 hours later we stopped for gas, I opened the hood and just prayed 🙏.  I started the car, and the prayer was answered. 

  Our monthly food outreach was a few days later and Andres bought the food,  Pastor Juan brought vegetables and Jaime brought the message. Our last week in Texas and we head to Illinois after a few doctors appointments. 

  I left for Illinois with a stop in Oklahoma to visit Phil and Marianne Chain for a few days, while Paula stayed back to take care of a few things. I made it to Indiana for Father's day where Kristin,  Larry, Lea, Gabby and GG were spending the day on the Lake. A great day indeed. I did have to change a flat tire on my trailer though.

   We're glad to be here, and are seeking God's guidance for our future in ministry and our family time. Splitting our time seems to be the direction we're going. Buying a townhouse seems best, so we can leave before the snow flies. After 18 years in Texas, We don't do snow!!

   Last weekend we attended a family surprise birthday party for my cousin 70th birthday. Sunday we went to church. Ate lunch and then drove to Indiana for a wedding. Please be praying for us and those that are keeping the ministry going while we're gone. God holds our future in His hands and knows our needs. 

   Melodys Orphanage is in the process of building an addition on the orphanage to allow them to have a bigger kitchen. The older kids have worked along with a volunteer that knows construction. A lot of mixing and pouring cement. 

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MELODYS CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN

   After arriving home from a week visiting Paula's family,  we held our monthly food outreach on June 1st. While we were away, Jaime and Rosalba signed the final papers making the orphanage theirs. 

  Some generous donations came in which enabled the orphanage to start construction of the bigger kitchen. The older boys are doing most of the build, which is keeping the labor costs at a minimum. 

   Paula and I have been loading our little trailer up with stuff to bring up to Illinois this week. Our plans are to find a place to purchase in the area of our family. 18 years in the mission field in Mexico and we feel its time for a little break. It's so hot here and we can use some cooler weather. 

  We look forward to seeing everyone and a few weddings and anniversary parties to attend are a great excuse to head north. I guess we'll be considered snowbirds, heading back to Texas for the winter.

  Ministry will continue while we're gone, God has already put in place people that have served with us for years. We took several pallets of beans today to border mission that they will give out. Semco Mfg continues to be a huge blessing to us for storing and loading beans for us.