ALL IS WELL !

If you are like me, you have been thinking about those little ones in Mexico and wondering about them.  You may have been concerned about the heat, and the children's (and the adult's) health and well-being during the summer months.  You might have prayed that Delia gets some time to herself to rest and relax during the summer.  Perhaps you have wondered if they have enough food at the house or if all the appliances are still working.  Maybe you have thought about Marta and Dulce and wondered how that family was getting along.

I am happy to report that ALL IS WELL with the children and with Delia and Marta.  Our first visit was on a Saturday and there were seven children at the house that day.  These are some pictures I took that day.

The kids have grown but still love anything with wheels!

And comfy child-sized chairs are always appreciated.  This Dora chair was donated by our Great Granddaughter in Minnesota; she outgrew Dora but little gal south of the border loves it (and purple).

Other donated items were also big hits!

Jack may carry a cane once in awhile and that is just fine - we are happy to have him with us!  The children at The House help all of us thrive!

This little fellow tried very hard to teach me how to use this toy... never did get it to go as fast as he does.

Our youngest one is a little shy; I don't think she remembers us.  At first there were tears when we came in the house but this last time, she even smiled.

Donated books in Spanish or English with wonderful colors, numbers, letters, animals and textures were a big hit.  Who doesn't like to feel lamb's wool or a cow's hide.

Some required a bit of adult supervision... or was it the children supervising Mike.  Either way, they sure enjoyed each other.

Delia and Marylou talked and I joined in and we all enjoyed each other's company.  There was one thing I heard, that made my heart sad and it made me want to DO SOMETHING. 

A Mexican man that we all know fell head over heals in love last year.  They seemed to have a very happy and secure relationship.  He was going to church again and practicing every free minute to sing in the choir.  His love for this woman and his love for His God was evident to all who encountered this man.  He finally had a good steady job that was paying him well; even bought a little bit of property.  His life was good and he was blessed.

This summer the woman decided she didn't really love the man and ended the relationship.  Now if this happened in the United States or Canada, we would feel badly for the fellow and encourage him to keep looking for the right one.  His faith, his church, his job, his property would not be affected.  Because that's true, this next part may be hard to believe.

It seems that the woman went to the man's pastor and told him that they had been sleeping together even though they were not married.  The man, who is closer to fifty than thirty years of age, was told that he must confess his sins to the whole congregation in order to remain a member of the church.  He did so.  I can only imagine what courage that must have taken.  If this happened to any man I know, they would be furious with the woman and perhaps he was.  I am sure there is much to this story I do not know, but what I do know is that this man is no longer welcome in his church; he is not allowed to worship His God because of his sins... You might have to read that again because it won't make any sense to most of us.  The God I know welcomes all of us just as we are; complete with sins.

So, one thing leads to another (remember Los Algodones is a small town) and this man loses his job.  He does eventually get another but only works a couple of days a week and makes very little money.  As a result, he told us yesterday, he had to let the property go back.  So, in a few short summer months, this man lost his love, his church, his job, and his property.  We pray that he will keep his faith.  So far, his attitude is positive and he is still able to smile. 

I can only guess what you, the reader, must be feeling.  Since I am a person that always wants to fix things, I want to just get going and start a church where all are welcome to worship and celebrate Jesus life and our forgiveness.  But I am also a realist and see all the complications.  What are you feeling?  What are you thinking? 

So, maybe All Is Well with the children, but maybe there is something else we should be doing to help adults... Maybe...

I wonder what wonderful things will happen this year when we all Listen as God whispers and respond when He nudges.