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.

NEW BEGINNINGS, NEW ADVENTURES

  The group from Glencoe Baptist Church arrived last Friday to do medical missions in the prisons in Saltillo Mexico.  We unloaded their church bus and packed everthing in suitcases to cross the border.  50 suitcases in two vans plus 14 people. We were packed to the hilt. God granted us favor at the border with all that stuff.
  We stayed at Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains near Saltillo and Monday morning we headed to the women's prison first. 70 women, most in jail for serious crimes. They were all very nice to us and many recieved Christ as Saviour. 
 Our second prison was Juvenal males under 20 years old. About 45 young men in the prison. They were all in there for murdering someone. How sad. Several cried as we shared the Gospel with them. It was so beautiful to watch God melt their hard hearts. I believe 15 of them got saved. I promised the Warden that I would bring them soccer balls for Christmas.  They also need red polo shirts and red goodies. They all have crew cut hair and wear the same colored shirts to make it easier for the guards.
  We held two clinics the next day in freezing cold temperatures. One at Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains and the other in A colonia 30 miles away. A high of only 30 degrees, but many came. Yesterday's clinic was literally in the middle of nowhere 2 hours away. 7 miles on a rough gravel road to a little colonia that has many needs. Physically and spiritually.  We were able to meet both as 25 people accepted Christ as Saviour.
  Today is the last day at the little church in Saltillo.  Pastor Alejandro and his wife Alejandra will continue ministering to all that got saved this week.
  We head home tomorrow morning and get ready for another medical and dental clinic in the Community Center the day after Thanksgiving.
  We have lost some monthly partners this year and would ask any of you reading this blog to pray and ask God about joining us in helping the poor,  the orphanages we support, and the many outreaches we do. Although we're not building many houses lately we continue working for the Lord as He directs. Gracias

BEHOLD, I DO A NEW THING IN YOUR LIFE

  That verse continues to say, " can you not see it? Can you not perceive it?"
  We are well aware that things are not as they used to be.  Very few groups coming to build houses in the colonia. This year, only three houses. But we have been free to travel around Mexico spreading the good news of the Gospel,  while meeting needs along the way.
  We just returned home from a quick but joyous time. Several days with the family, including a camping trip to Indiana to  the covered bridge festival, and a 3 mile hike through Turkey Run National Park. We left there to attend Ally and Luke's wedding,  attended church in Laharpe Christian Church,  stayed for the Harvest Hoe Down, and headed home. Whew 4300 miles in 10 days away.
  Power Ministry delivered 15 thousand pounds of rice on Wed, and we had supper with their scout out trip team on Sat. They are planning their building projects for January.
  Paula has been busy trying to get several quilts done by Saturday.  We have some people coming to the food outreach and they want some quilts to take to their church to sell for the sewing class.
  Our new assignment seems to be helping the orphanages we are connected to, as well as helping meet the needs of local ministries with beans and rice.
  We are praying for God to raise up some new monthly partners, as we no longer have the support from cancelled groups. We are setting up some building projects in the U.S. side, where there are plenty of needs as well. Ta Ta for now.

ADIOS TO THE HARD WORKING TEAM FROM N.C.

  We headed across the border yesterday after we dedicated Andres and Goyitas house next to the Community Center. They made the team tamales, and we are before dedication.
  A week full of blessings. They worked at Melodys Orphanage for two days, painting, building, and enjoying the company of the kids. We went to Senda De Vida home for the wandering migrants on Wednesday to bring food and health items for everyone.  We took Hector to the electric company and paid the $1100.00 Bill. We got Mexican visas and drove to Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains on Thursday,  toured the orphanage,  ate a great meal, and the mixed up and poured another section of driveway.  We drove back to Reynosa, ate again, spent time in God's Word. Yesterday, we turned in our visas, visited Big Heart Orphanage in Reynosa,  drove around in the colonia, had the dedication and I just got back from dropping them off at the airport. What a great week!