IT'S OFFICIAL, THE MELODYS FAMILY HAS A FOREVER HOME!!! YAY

  A few weeks ago we took the entire orphanage on a missions trip to Chihuahua,  knowing that God was working to get them a forever home in Nuevo Progresso Mexico. 

   Although the 5 bedroom 3 bath home is a little small for the 18 people,  it's theirs!! We gave the previous owners a check for $70,000.00 last week, and Jaime and Rosalba started the tedious process of moving everything and everyone 30 miles.      The question has been asked about where the money came from? 🤔  We have been saving some generous donations for such a time as this. Although we continued to support Melodys monthly, we managed to keep those donations separate until a permanent residence was found. 

   Thank you all that have been a part of this process and we continue to pray 🙏 for continued provision for them. The building has sufficient space to build a second floor for more rooms and a rooftop playground for the kids 😀.   I have a few pictures here, but if you'll send me your email i can forward a post, or you can check out Mexico Missions. Org.  If you would like to donate towards the care and education of the kids send donations to P.O.BOX 68 SAN JUAN TX 78589, If youd like to donate directly to Jaime for the kids give me a call for info 708 528 4622. Thanks again for your help 

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

   Our 10 day, 2100 mile trip to the mountains of Chihuahua was a trip that the kids from Melodys Orphanage will never forget. We hope it was life changing 🙏 for them. The first day was a 16 hour drive to San Jacinto, Chihuahua where Jaime and Rosalba were missionaries many years ago. They knew many from there and so this is where we called home for the next 8 days. 

   19 people stayed on cots in Pastor Ezekiels church, while Sergio and I got beds around the corner at some friends house. No heat, but lots if blankets kept us warm at night. Snow fell the first night and the kids from Melodys Orphanage had never seen snow before. 

   Sara Vargas flew in from North Carolina to hold kids programs every day. She is such a blessing to everyone. We went to a YWAM camp in Creel where all the beans,rice and gift boxes, blankets,and health kits were. We organized them all for each days outreaches. 

   Wednesday,  Thursday,  Friday and Saturday we traveled to remote villages to preach the Gospel and bless the adults and children will various gifts. Each day left a little time to sight see. Copper Canyon is Mexicos Grand Canyon and the views are awesome. 

   Several stops along the road where we saw kids, allowed us the opportunity to give out more shoe box gifts and bless the parents with food. Easter Sunday started with devotions of 3 Psalms and 3 chapters from Joshua. We then went back to Copper Canyon to get one last look from inside the park and buy some souvenirs.

  Monday we got a late start, dropped Sara off at the airport 3 hours away and then drove another 10 hours and spent the night at Big Heart Orphanage in the mountains near Saltillo. A great week ☺️ 🙌 😊 and a great time with the kids from Melodys Orphanage. 

   

MARCH MADNESS

  I didn't post anything in February,  not that it was without mentioning.  Our daughter paid for our airfare to come to Illinois for Leas 8th birthday. But that was a bonus, the real reason was to dog sit the following week when they were on a cruise. 2 puppies, a mom 🐕,  a cat and several fish to keep alive. We did it!!! I was warm enough to golf a few times. Not bad for February. 

    Attending Moraine Valley Church for 3 Sundays was a real blessing.  So many new faces there, that came from Pastor Don's old church.

   While we were gone a load of beans and rice was delivered and Jaime from Melodys Orphanage came and helped Rick Balmer unload it. Jaime loaded up a lot of beans, rice,  blankets, health kits, and other stuff to cross to Mexico and send to the mountains of Chihuahua where we will be heading to on the 25th of March. We will be attending outreaches for 4 days and holding medical clini

cs with Kayla and Fernando from the orphanage. They both graduated from medical school and are now doctors. 

   Paula had an MRI on her knee while in Illinois and her doctor here said she has 3 issues and non required immediate surgery,  so it's a wait and see.

   Last Saturday was our monthly food outreach and Pastor Juan brought tons of fruit and vegetables to give out. 😋 

JANUARY...GONE!

  Time sure flies by. January has come and gone sooo fast. Our monthly food outreach January 6th on Kings Day brought over 100 families to worship, hear Jaimes message, and receive some much needed food. We held another on Feb 3rd and just as many came then. 

   Power ministry came a few weeks ago and built 2 walls on the open ends of the Community Center porch during one warm day followed by the coldest Temps of the season. It was in the 30s with wind chills in the 20s. The Net Menders is coming Wednesday to paint what Power built.

   Paula's sewing class is cranking out the quilts, so many thanks to those who purchase them and keep the girls working. Paula has some major knee pain and we're waiting for her appointment for an MRI. She has seen an orthopedic doctor in McAllen. 

   We have bought 200 blankets over the past month and plan to take some to the mountains of Chihuahua next month while some have been given out at the dump in Reynosa already. 

   Paula and I are heading to Chicago this week for Leas 8th birthday party and then spend a few weeks there. We look forward to seeing everyone, but not looking forward to the cold temps. 😕 

   We are saddened by the loss of our cat Taku. He was 17 years old and lived in the colonia his entire life. He will be missed!

  We celebrated Melissas birthday last week.