NOT CRYING, BUT TRUSTING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

  Unbeknownst to me, people actually read our blog from time to time. I've asked a few times to send me an email if you read the blog, and I got 0 responses, so I thought nobody read it. But over the last few days we've gotten a  few donations in response to my posting that our 2018 income was down 50%. It was in fact down that much, but wholly responsible was group cancellations and the money to build 15 or 20 houses at $ 5000.00 each, and the room and board housing money that teams also donate to the ministry. So although we would love to have teams start joining us in helping the poor and the orphans God has placed in our way,  we will continue doing what God directs us to.
  We so appreciate all the support we get that enables us to help and feed so many. Just last week,  we purchased  $1600.00 worth of blankets to help some of the caravan migrants, and people in Saltillo Mexico. Friday, I bought two new ping pong tables and gave them to two orphanages. One guy texted me and said that it must be fun to be able to give so much away, and it is, but it's God who provides the funds to do it. I just get the privilege of giving His money away.  So thanks a million times over for allowing God to use your donations to help so many, and change so many lives with the Good news of the Gospel .

SEASONS CHANGE AND SO MUST WE

  As winter comes to and end, our clocks get changed, trees bloom, our orange trees have the most delicious smells filling our yard. I love the change from winter to spring. How about you?
  While we try to navigate through a new season of ministering to the poor and the orphans God has placed in our way.  We just keep walking by faith and trust the Holy Spirits instructions. Today we're heading back to Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains to join Project Fortify Ministries with their group coming to spend the week working at the orphanage. We're taking beans, rice, blankets, bibles, and some other things to give away in a poor colonia in Saltillo .
  We want to make a trip to Micheocan Mexico to deliver beans and rice to Jorge and Selina pastors of a church down there, and also a few days visit to Paula's family.
  Just delivered our info to the accountant to prepare our tax return. Income for last year down 50% due to groups cancelling their trip to serve the poor in Mexico. Fear really is a Liar and we need to confront the lies. We're thankfull to be debt free and able to navigate through this time. God is faithful and always provides.

 

ANOTHER WEEK OF MINISTRY WITH CHRIST LEADING

  Sergio and I loaded the van with a new water pump needed at Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains near Saltillo Tuesday. We also loaded up the van with other stuff Gator needed. Of course we arrived in time to eat Mexican food in Ramos Arizpe. After lunch Sergio worked on one of the trucks at the orphanage and we installed the new pump that supplies water to the bunk houses that Fortify Ministries needs for their two teams coming this week and next.
  Dianna rode back with us Wednesday morning to Reynosa. We had an hours line at the border. We had dinner with the Power Ministry guys Thursday night,  Friday I picked up hundreds of donated coats and we got them all across the border.
  Saturday I spent the day with Power visiting several ministries,  churches and orphanages as well. We purchased hundreds of tooth brushes, paste, bars of soap, and other health items for the caravan migrants staying at Sende De Vida in Reynosa. Juice boxes for all the kids. The next day we took hundreds of coats to the migrants from Honduras and Guatemala staying at Sende De Vida, along with bottles of shampoo for all.
  Yesterday we took the rest of the coats across and sorted them at the Community Center. We'll be taking them to Micheocan Mexico next week, and hopefully see the monarch butterflies nearby.

  The food outreach on Friday instead of Saturday still brought 125 families to the Community Center in spite of the rain. A great time of worship led by David Garcia. Jaime brought the word, Paula had clothes to give, Roy and Carla piled 200 shoe box gifts up, the food was all spread across several tables. It was another great outreach meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the people.
  After the people left, we headed to Lourdes and Lupitas house to dedicate it. A challenge for them to surrender to God's pursuit of them. God has blessed them with this house because of His love for them.
  Roy and Carla left Saturday morning to head back to the cold. It was great to have them if for only a few days.
  Sergio and I drove to Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains near Saltillo Tuesday to deliver a water pump to replace a broken one. Sergio worked on a broken vehicle while we fixed the water system. Carla and Dianna prepared a great meal. Shawn and Carla have 2 groups of 30 plus people coming to Big Heart over the two weeks.
  I spent yesterday with the Power Ministry guys driving to many different ministries they support. I will be joining Power on week three of their missions trips at the end of the month. We stopped at Sam's Club in Reynosa for much needed hygiene products and other things to take to the caravan migrants staying at Sende De Vida in Reynosa. Juice boxes for all the kids plus soccer balls. A great day.

ORPHANS, WIDOWS, AND THE WANDERER

  Roy and Carla Day delayed their trip here, after Toys brother passed away. They left everything in their van, including the 244 shoe box gifts that Laharpe Christian Church and The Stronghurst Youth group had packed up. We deliveredvsome yesterday to the kids at Melodys Orphanage in Reynosa. They now have 14 kids, and what joy filled their faces as they opened up the gift boxes. We had a great few moments before we headed to Sende De Vida home for the wandering migrants from Honduras and Guatemala staying at Sende De Vida.
  As the men jumped on washing our filthy van, we called all the kids to line up and gave them all a shoe box. We unloaded the beans, rice and about 50 pounds of ground beef and took it to the kitchen, where there were four vollenteers that cook the meals. I like to hear their story's about their journey. As our government says, most are looking for a better life away from the poverty and dangers of their countries. I encouraged them all to go back home and make a change in their countries. Bloom where God planted you, I said. It very sad that these caravan organisers lie to these people about coming to America. So they are at capacity there and refuses to take any more refugees. I need to get them blankets, pillows, and much needed soccer balls, to keep them busy, as they wait for whatever is going to happen next in their lives. The goal, USA, the reality,  Mexico, or return home.
  We'll have our monthly food outreach today, and give out more shoe boxes. Afterwards,  we're going to dedicate the house we built for Lourdes and her kids. Two widows with kids living together needing more space, so Roy, Carla, and others from back in Illinois paid for us to build them an addition on their existing house. They are our only group scheduled foruntil a group comes in June. They usually have 40 to 50 people, but this year, 3. The Day family. It's been a great few days with just them.

GOD IS ALWAYS IN YOUR FUTURE

  God IS a God not bound by time. The future is already established. The Carpenter's Crew always comes this time of year. They always have at least 40 people in their group. But this year, only 6 we're coming. The van left Illinois yesterday, but had to turn around and go back home. Roy Days brother passed away and his family needs him and Carla. Pray for Roy and Carla as they navigate through this difficult time.
  They still might come after all is done, but we will build the house before they come so they can just relax and breath for a bit.
  We have been working on the Community Center house little by little.  Also prepared the foundation for Lourdes house. We mixed the concrete by hand last  Saturday when it was very cold, and rainy . Pastor Juan painted all the wood we ordered. His wife has been ill and we're paying for doctors and medicine. He wanted to work for the money, even though it's not necessary for the financial help, but he insists.
  We had a great few days with family in Wisconsin Dell's water park. 4 birthdays including Leas 3rd birthday .

THE POLAR VORTEX IS GONE, AND SO ARE WE

  Seeing the temperature in Chicago the last week, we asked ourselves WHY? Why are we going to Chicago Today, Saturday? Well the temps are rising 80 degrees warmer than Wednesday. Lea turns 3 and that's why we're going. A family reunion of sorts in the Wisconsin Dell's at an indoor water park. Several other nieces and nephews are coming as well. We return next Wednesday and the Net Menders come to the colonia Thursday to paint, and hold a medical clinic.
  Paula and the girls got all 10 quilts done for the guys from Power Ministry that they ordered for delivery before Valentine's Day. Mission accomplished!
  We finished the electric on the house POWER built, went to Sam's Club in Reynosa for food for the colonia and Melodys Orphanage. We had lunch at Melodys Orphanage after shopping and met the new children that are now members of the family. That brings the total to 12 now, and Jaime says that's about capacity for the facility. 2 more boys are coming, so we need to make some more storage cabinets.
  We got all the year end giving statements out on time. 90 different donors to the ministry, what a blessing knowing so many believe in and support our work helping the poor. GOD IS SO GOOD TO US!!!!
  We received 10 pallets of snack food last week, much has already been given away. Most of the Carpenter's Crew headed back north Friday. We miss them and their great friendship already.