Yesterday and Today

Perhaps the title of this post should be "It Takes A Lot Of People" because it surely does take many to accomplish it all!

Yesterday, we took three vehicles to Mexico and each was loaded.  Two dressers, a bed, 2 nightstands, 2 beautiful old wicker pieces (they will house towels and blankets), plus bags of clothing and some dog food and ... who knows what all.  All of this was donated and delivered to the park.

Once everything was unloaded, it was time for Marylou to begin lunch -it is nice to give Dalia a break once in a while since she is there 24-7.   ML made a very good chicken noodle soup, served it with crackers but most of the children preferred the tortillas.

 Glee, Ellen and Marion were there to offer advice and sample.

 The children say a prayer before each meal.

 And then all of us are pressed into service making sure that nine hungry mouths are fed.

After the first bunch is feed, the school age children get ready (with Dalia's help) and we adults enjoy the same meal... most of us went for crackers.  The children who went to morning school come home, quickly change clothes and it is time for four more hungry mouths to be fed.  I captured this picture of Mia and her friend before they changed - Mia's class had a special celebration day and she was in traditional attire.

 All the students wear uniforms to school.  (White shirts for boys and girls are always needed.)

Throughout the day, the guys put up smoke alarms, fixed a leak in the roof (hopefully) and Mike got some help with putting together shelving.

Glee and Marion and I helped Marylou to sort and rebox and store clothing.  Some of what has been donated but can not be used at the house will be taken to a very poor area and given out within the next few weeks.  Papa Jack went with the guys to get drywall to replace a wall that has mold - that will be a whole day project and will have to wait till next week... no sense replacing the wall if the leak isn't found and repaired.  And Papa Jack kept the children content - they do love him!

 (This picture really was not posed - it just happened...)

And all of us adults took time to play with and just enjoy the children! And, or course, I took pictures.  It is the eyes of the children that keep me coming back.

 

And Then Today...

 

In January, there will be an outreach day, at which time nearly 400 children will receive a handmade bag filled with a notebook, pencils, pens, lotion, shampoo, soap, face cloth, a small pack of cookies, a candy cane, tooth brush and tooth paste, and a wooden cross.  Today 200 of those bags were filled.  Glee and two of her friends back in Minnesota make the bags and people from all the U.S. and Canada donate the items that go inside.

 

After set up and before the production line begins, Marylou instructs the guys on how to entertain with finger puppets...

 John proves he was listening.

 It only took the folks who came about an hour to fill the 200 bags.



 

The last items to go in were the crosses.  And then they were ready for  Jack to pack into boxes.  Later, when the bags are distributed, I will do an entry that talks about the "history" of these crosses.  In the meantime, thanks to the kids of Our Savior's Church in Cleveland, Minnesota for their contribution to these bags for kids in Mexico.

 







 

As you can see, the last two days have been busy ones.  Thanks to God for using our hands to help in His mission and thanks to you for your support.

 

Till next time, remember to listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The New House is Taking Shape

Yesterday, Glee and John arrived at the park.  These two hard-working people have been helping Marylou and Jack for several years and they arrived ready to work.  So today the six of us went to Mexico.  What a difference a week makes.  Everything is now at the new house and Dalia is back from her vacation.   Today the fellows put up some shelves and hooked up the washing machine while we gals moved some boxes and did a little organizing.  It is a joy to work when the sounds of children playing is your background music.

 Play mimics work,

 each child keeps an eye on the adults,

 and the older make sure the younger behave.

 Jack enjoyed the two female racers - the cement play yard is great for races, but hard when there are accidents.

 John puts up a bracket in the kitchen,

a youngster enjoys playing with a door handle,

 and Glee peeks from behind the laundry room door where she and Marylou were busy sorting and stacking.

 Always a smile!

 Always a watchful eye!

 Always stories to tell!

 The house is being transformed into a home.

 The welcome sign is hung and the hooks hold the jackets and backpacks.

 There is even a new puppy over in the corner.

Praise Him!  A big and, soon to be beautiful, new home is emerging.


P.S.
I'm human and I make many mistakes.  Just one of them involves the van.  In the last post I talked about needing a new (used) van.  Well, since I am spoiled and not used to riding in vehicles like the big white 23 year old one, I had assumed that is what needed replacing.  I WAS WRONG.  The need is for a van for Dalia to use in Mexico and that makes much sense.  Right now, she does not have a vehicle and one is definitely needed to take children to school, for errands and oh so many reasons.  Van still needed!

Till next time, listen when God whispers and responds when He nudges.

Background Information

Several years ago, Mike and I started coming to Pilot Knob RV Resort in Winterhaven, California - just 10 miles west of Yuma on I 8.  One of the first things I noticed was the hubbub of activity in a corner of the clubhouse nearly every day.  I remember asking someone if they needed help one day and was quickly put to work cutting and sorting pieces of cloth.  It was last year when we got to know what really happens in that quilting corner and beyond.

About twelve years ago, Jack and Marylou started coming to Pilot Knob RV Resort from Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada.  They visited Mexico, as we all do when at the park, but they saw the needs that existed and they began to help.  They brought clothes for people who needed and blankets and quilts when the weather got cold at night and they got to know some of the people who live in Los Algodones, Mexico.  One thing lead to another as they returned to do what they could to offer assistance year after year.  For five months out of the year, they lead excursions from the park to Algodones to deliver donations,  Jack and Marylou, with the help of others from the park, did a Christmas Outreach in many of the impoverished neighborhoods.

Last year, Mike and I got to know Jack and Marylou.  We accompanied them on the Christmas Outreach and were amazed when we realized the need and the impact.  Over 300 quilts and afghans were distributed.  Nearly 400 book bags were given to children.  Rice and beans were given to all who needed these food stuffs.  Some toys and stuffed animals were given to the children.  And we were hooked.  We, too, saw the need and the impact.  These are some pictures from the Christmas Outreach last winter.

 Marylou and Jack

 An empty street in Algodones is transformed

when the vans and pickups arrive.

 Word spreads quickly at each of the four stops.

 Handmade caps, simple handmade book bags,

 and a handmade quilt for mom bring a little Christmas Joy.

These are some pictures from the weekly visits made throughout the winter.  Wheel chairs for children were given to this family a few years back.

 Grandma's cardboard house is always in need

 as are the children who live there.

 Children catch the hearts of many visitors.

 An elderly couple lives simply and can always use a kind word and a warm throw.

For many years, Marylou wanted to start a home for children.  She envisioned a safe place where children could stay long term; a place where they would have clean clothes and regular meals.  Last winter that dream came true.  A home was rented for $250 a month, a wonderful woman named Dalia became the house mama and the children came.  Little did Marylou know that daycare would be a major use for this new "House of Dreams".  Here are some pictures.

A gated play area and even a palm tree.

With the help of many,

 the house was ready for children.

 It even had "hot" running water and a flush toilet - new to some.

Wonderful meals

 and lots of things with which to play.

 Those old enough for school were escorted back and forth each day.

And so it went, children were kept safe and well fed while parents worked hard to get back on their feet. 

In early spring, Jack was taken ill and they left very quickly for Canada and health care.  When Jack was on the mend, Marylou came down for a week and all was going well at the House of Dreams.  And then it was fall, after a summer of recovery Jack was ready to be back at Pilot Knob and they were ready to begin "work".  They were greeted with the news that the rented house had been sold.

Jack told Marylou not to worry about finding a place as he had a dream that they would find an even better place in the very near future... and they did.  God has worked through these two people for many years and now another need was to be met.

This is how the new place looked one day last week.  It needs some paint and tender loving care, but it seems structurally sound and will be a wonderful new House of Dreams.

 There is a gated play yard

 and since it is a two story building, there are great bedrooms and inside play spaces.

 The kids love the stairway - so does Marylou!

Slowly all the wonderful "stuff" that has been donated or bought with donated money is being brought to the new place and sorted through.

 The three that are living at the house were quick to pitch in and help with the cleaning.

This was the outdoor clothes washing station - it is huge - must have had lots of kids!  Thank heavens Dalia will not have to use this - a washer will be moved over this week.

In the meantime, this little fellow is entertaining Jack and Mike while the clothes from this day dries on the line.

Oh my, that was a lot of background information.  I hope you are still with me.  In coming weeks and days, I will update this blog with news of what is happening at the House of Dreams, with weekly visits to those in need and the Christmas Outreach.

And I will be giving you opportunities to help.  Which brings me to the van - oh my oh my if anyone wants to donate a van... this old 1990 could certainly be replaced - the windows don't work, carb cleaner helped but it still chugs.  Brakes are iffy.... and it takes at least half a football field to turn around... Anyway, at the ripe old age of 23, it deserves retirement! 

Until that retirement happens, the van will continue to carry people to Algodones, Mexico to do whatever is needed.

Till next time, listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges.