IT'S HARD TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR BUT I WILL!!!
As I sit in my warm house, typing on my computer, I know all of our friends in Mexico are feeling the effects of a very cold weather system that has gripped South Texas and Mexico. It's 43 degrees outside right now and I'm sure most of the people in the colonia are struggling to keep warm. Its cold and rainy which makes it even colder. We gave out hundreds of coats and blankets on Saturday, so I'm sure the people are thankful for that.
Yesterday we took Roger, Chris and James to Progresso Mexico to get a few Mexican trinkets, and a few Cohibas. We then stopped by the local building supply store in Mexico so I could order some gravel for the section of road in front of our house and the neighbors. We also bought some chicken fresh off the grill and headed into the colonia to find Carmelo and Ruth making fresh corn tamales from scratch, my personal favs! We quickly ate the chicken before the first of three loads of gravel arrived. I called out a few of the neighbors to help spread the stone. It was some back breaking work, but well worth the $278.00 it cost me. I would guess, another $15,000.00 and we could do the whole road. Man would that be nice!!!
While the tamales were cooking, we finished the work at hand and just waited kinda impatiently for the tamales to be done. Well worth the wait, mmm good. We headed back home about 7;30 and I took the boys to the airport this morning, so they could bring in the New Year with their families and friends. A great week of ministry, with a lot of laughs and good home made Mexican food.
So as 2014 closes out, I can't help but reflect on all of Gods Goodness and Grace that has been poured out on us once again as we seek to do His will. At least 20 houses built , a Community Center, a new tool shed, 5 million meals worth of food given out, 1000 bibles, countless beds, and other household items, hundreds of coats, blankets and hats. We experienced the devastation of an enemy called cancer take my good friend David into the loving arms of Jesus way to soon. We hosted one wedding, and saw many people come to faith in Christ. We will never know the impact this ministry has on the world until we get to heaven. So much of our food is given to other people that give it away to those in need. I could go on for pages tell of all the blessings we received this year and all the great memories made from the people that came to serve along side of us. My daughter Kelly was here for a few weeks, the Carpenters Crew, Moraine Valley Church, First Baptist Mcallen Tx,, Loni and Dave, Junkin 4 Jesus, and so many more. THANK YOU TO ALL THAT PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT US, we will all hear one day, " enter into to the place prepared for you, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was needing shelter and you built a home for me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, i was hungry and you gave me food, for as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me"
Yesterday we took Roger, Chris and James to Progresso Mexico to get a few Mexican trinkets, and a few Cohibas. We then stopped by the local building supply store in Mexico so I could order some gravel for the section of road in front of our house and the neighbors. We also bought some chicken fresh off the grill and headed into the colonia to find Carmelo and Ruth making fresh corn tamales from scratch, my personal favs! We quickly ate the chicken before the first of three loads of gravel arrived. I called out a few of the neighbors to help spread the stone. It was some back breaking work, but well worth the $278.00 it cost me. I would guess, another $15,000.00 and we could do the whole road. Man would that be nice!!!
While the tamales were cooking, we finished the work at hand and just waited kinda impatiently for the tamales to be done. Well worth the wait, mmm good. We headed back home about 7;30 and I took the boys to the airport this morning, so they could bring in the New Year with their families and friends. A great week of ministry, with a lot of laughs and good home made Mexican food.
So as 2014 closes out, I can't help but reflect on all of Gods Goodness and Grace that has been poured out on us once again as we seek to do His will. At least 20 houses built , a Community Center, a new tool shed, 5 million meals worth of food given out, 1000 bibles, countless beds, and other household items, hundreds of coats, blankets and hats. We experienced the devastation of an enemy called cancer take my good friend David into the loving arms of Jesus way to soon. We hosted one wedding, and saw many people come to faith in Christ. We will never know the impact this ministry has on the world until we get to heaven. So much of our food is given to other people that give it away to those in need. I could go on for pages tell of all the blessings we received this year and all the great memories made from the people that came to serve along side of us. My daughter Kelly was here for a few weeks, the Carpenters Crew, Moraine Valley Church, First Baptist Mcallen Tx,, Loni and Dave, Junkin 4 Jesus, and so many more. THANK YOU TO ALL THAT PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT US, we will all hear one day, " enter into to the place prepared for you, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was needing shelter and you built a home for me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, i was hungry and you gave me food, for as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me"
2 HUGE NEEDS MET BY MORAINE VALLEY CHURCH
The last few days we have built an addition on a house we built several years ago, to accommodate a very large family. 4 adults and 11 children all living in one 12 X 24 foot house. After we finished the addition yesterday, another family asked if we could build them a porch. They had already purchased the materials and all we had to do was build it for them. So after working most of the day finishing the addition, we were able to build the porch as well. Roger, Chris and James were a real blessing to everyone they came in contact with this week.
We are getting ready to head across the border one last time with them before they leave tomorrow morning, just in time to ring in the New Year with family and friends. We still have some gifts to give out, and with all the churches coming through the colonia the last few days, we would like to go somewhere else and bless some kids that don't see many missionaries. Our plans are still uncertain, we may spend New Years Eve in Mexico and celebrate with Carmelo and Ruth.
If anyone out there intends to donate to our mission before the end of the year, envelopes must be postmarked tomorrow to get a deduction this year.. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS. EVERY YEAR GOD TRUSTS US WITH MORE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE, BECAUSE WE DON'T HOLD ONTO IT, WE GET IT INTO THE KINGDOM ASAP!!!
We are getting ready to head across the border one last time with them before they leave tomorrow morning, just in time to ring in the New Year with family and friends. We still have some gifts to give out, and with all the churches coming through the colonia the last few days, we would like to go somewhere else and bless some kids that don't see many missionaries. Our plans are still uncertain, we may spend New Years Eve in Mexico and celebrate with Carmelo and Ruth.
If anyone out there intends to donate to our mission before the end of the year, envelopes must be postmarked tomorrow to get a deduction this year.. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS. EVERY YEAR GOD TRUSTS US WITH MORE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE, BECAUSE WE DON'T HOLD ONTO IT, WE GET IT INTO THE KINGDOM ASAP!!!
IT COMES AND GOES IN A WHIRLWIND DOESN'T IT? 2015 WOW!!!!!
How about # this, It's only a couple days away from 2015. Over the last seven days, Curtis and Brandy flew in from Kentucky, we gave out hundreds of presents and hot dogs, they left, we made and fed over 500 tamales to the colonia on Christmas, Roger, Chris and James flew in on Friday, we had our monthly food outreach Saturday morning, 180 families were given food, 240 juice boxes, 200 bottles of shampoo for the women, deodorant and razors for the men and 230 warm winter coats were handed out, and then we managed to get all the walls up, windows in and door hung on the addition we're building on Marios house for his 2 daughters and their 9 kids and then went downtown Reynosa Saturday night to join several Pastors and their families for a fiesta.WHEW! A long sentence A long day and a long week.
Iv'e been learning to play the guitar and was able to play along with the Garcia family Saturday to a couple of the worship songs they play. Paula says it's a fad I'm going through. but I really enjoy playing and learning. If only I put that effort into learning the Spanish language.
It rained most of the day Sunday, so we didn't work on the house and stayed inside and ate and watched t.v. in Mexico before heading home last night. It's cold this morning and I have my long johns on. We're hoping to get the house done today, because their calling for rain the next few days as well.
Iv'e been learning to play the guitar and was able to play along with the Garcia family Saturday to a couple of the worship songs they play. Paula says it's a fad I'm going through. but I really enjoy playing and learning. If only I put that effort into learning the Spanish language.
It rained most of the day Sunday, so we didn't work on the house and stayed inside and ate and watched t.v. in Mexico before heading home last night. It's cold this morning and I have my long johns on. We're hoping to get the house done today, because their calling for rain the next few days as well.
MAKING MEMORIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Paula and I awoke yesterday to cold noses and ears, as the temperature dropped to 40 degrees in the colonia. No heat, but plenty of blankets and body heat kept us comfy, but someone had to get up and start the coffee, and we knew Mimi and Caleb would be knocking at the door soon. I did it! But man it was cold. Cold pants, cold shirt and socks, I should have done the old boy scout trick and put my clothes under the covers as I slept. I also started the propane heater before jumping back into bed where I could snuggle with Paula. Soon the kids were at the door and we started getting things ready for our 2nd annual Christmas breakfast gift to the colonia. Last year pancakes, this year tamales. Personally I like the pancakes and bacon, but Mexican tradition should dictate the menu, not some gringo. The girls made 6 or 7 hundred tamales and we consumed 500 for breakfast. Many people came in their pajamas, ate and went back home and probably back to bed. A great Christmas morning. David and Luzma came and David and I were able to play and sing a few Christmas carols. It was cool, He sang in Spanish and I sang in English at the same time.
Paula gave out all the gifts she had wrapped for many of our friends that had come and we delivered the rest as we headed out of the colonia towards home. Mimi and Caleb , naturally got the most gifts, and most of those were toys and stuff donated and Paula just wraps them up for the kids.
An awesome day followed by an awesome evening spent at Scott and Joanna Mathew house in Texas. Turkey, ham sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and desserts to die for. We laughed a lot and watched a couple of old movies, before heading home to see Shadow our lonely cat.
Paula gave out all the gifts she had wrapped for many of our friends that had come and we delivered the rest as we headed out of the colonia towards home. Mimi and Caleb , naturally got the most gifts, and most of those were toys and stuff donated and Paula just wraps them up for the kids.
An awesome day followed by an awesome evening spent at Scott and Joanna Mathew house in Texas. Turkey, ham sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and desserts to die for. We laughed a lot and watched a couple of old movies, before heading home to see Shadow our lonely cat.
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