The women of Nopelara enjoy a tea party.

Friday was a fun day for the women in Mexico.  Six women from Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, TX planned a tea party for the women in the colonia. It was held in Bruce and Paula's home in MX.  There were about thirty women waiting for us when we arrived.  They were so excited they came an hour early.  There were fifty women who attended.  We were all in a 12 X 30 room, for some it was standing room only.  It was a morning of laughter with the games, women sharing some funny stories, time of decorating cupcakes, listening to a devotion and having a lunch of sandwiches, chips, fruit, vegetables and cookies.  Everyone enjoyed their fun day.  I enjoy seeing their eyes sparkle when they laugh.  When it was all over we started bringing out all the dirty dishes.  Two of the women, Rosa and Noamie insisted on washing and drying all the dishes.  The ladies from Calvary were able to talk with the women in the colonia and show more love.  We hope to have another party again in the future.  There was a two hour wait at the US border so it ended up being a long day.

A pastor came for another 2,000 pound tote bag full of beans to take to the flood victims in southern central MX.   That makes 8,000 pounds taken down there.  The need is great.  The warehouse is getting empty so we need to get more beans that are being stored in Waco.

We had our monthly dispensa Saturday.  There were 168 families that got their usual beans, rice, and oil along with a few extras like canned tomatoes, canned hominy, fresh tomatoes, baby food and bread.  Their bags were very full.  Thank you God for supplying so much.  Next month we will be trying something new.  Now that Carmello has school all day on Saturdays there is a big void and more work falls on Ruthie.  We decided that we will spend the night down in MX and begin setting up the night before.  People started showing up at 5:45 for the 8:00 sign up.  We were so busy we only got one picture.

There is a big need for diapers.  It must have been a cold winter because there are a lot of newborn babies.  One of the men asked us to price diapers in the US because they are very expensive in MX.  Paula and I went shopping and returned with over 300 diapers at a very good price.  Many families will be blessed.  I am sure we will be shopping for diapers again.

It is such a joy to love our neighbors as God loves us.  Thank you to many people that allow us to do this.