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.

On The Move...

This is a quick post to let you know that all is well with Delia and The House in Mexico.  I apologize for not posting anything for nearly a month; it has been a busy time for all of us.  In the coming weeks and months you will see many pictures I have taken this winter.  But for now, I have just three ...

"Do you think we should leave today or tomorrow?"  "Well, let me think, does it really make a difference?"

"I'd really like to go to Mexico one more time."  "Oh for goodness sake, we were just there yesterday."

"Okay, I'm ready, let's get going!"  "Sometimes I feel like talking to you is like talking to a brick wall..."

Okay, I admit none of these conversations actually took place.  (And I know that each of you can make a better story.)  Aren't those expressions just the best.  I have no idea what the real conversation was about but the photos were taken over a three minute time span so they must have been talking about something.

As I write this quick note, Marylou and Jack are safely back home in British Columbia and Mike and I are on our way to Minnesota for the summer.  The cactus are blooming at Pilot Knob,

 

and since the temperature on Wednesday is suppose to hit 100 degrees, there are mostly vacant spots,

and the exit is way more popular than the entrance.

It has been a winter that I will never forget.  And I am already missing the kids and thinking about next fall.  I am confident that Marylou would say the same thing.  Anyway, more stories and pics are coming.  In the meantime, be careful and listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges. 
(I know I am being nudged to learn more Spanish!)

Round and Round and Round We Go

New Bikes, all things with wheels, big wheels, little wheels, carts, and everything round seemed to the be the order of the day yesterday.

As soon as David and Karen delivered the two new bikes, they were in use... and the adults were busy - Peggy with the boys bike and

Diane with the girls.

It takes time and patience,

but the rewards are beautiful!

 



Meanwhile, around the picnic table, little cars were in use.

Maybe a little more practice...

and help keeping the feet on the pedals...

 

 Oops, these feet don't even touch the pedals

 

"Hey, I think I got this...

  

 

but this is still fun!"

 



And, in the house, the ladies were gathered round the kitchen for a try at tortilla making.  Marylou was consulting Delia to be sure the ingredients were in the right proportion.  Delia shared that as a young girl of 10 or 12, she would make all the tortillas for her family - I think she had 9 brothers! 

She checked the consistency and declared it felt about right.

Many took a turn at rolling the dough into balls that would then be placed in the new tortilla maker.

Oops, must be too hot or ...

It wasn't long before Marta was recruited to roll out the dough the old fashioned way and cook the tortillas on a griddle on the stove.

 



Isn't that always the way - when company is coming or people are watching, it just doesn't seem to go right.  The good news is that none of the dough was wasted and that while the gals tried to decide what might have gone wrong, the kids were rolling around and around and around the courtyard... and totally enjoying themselves!

 

 

I won't even begin to count the number of laps Diane made around the yard - her daycare background definitely kicked in!

Look at these faces so mesmerized by the wheel of sounds - since it was in English, they recognized the sounds the animals made but not the names that were given to each animal - it was fun to watch as they discussed this toy.  I should have been videoing then,

but I did video the bike riding.

The next time you find yourself going round and round and round and not having any fun, take a moment to pause and listen... listen, you  may hear God's whisper or feel His nudge... what will be your response?

Feeling Blessed...

A couple of days ago, I read an article entitled "The One Thing Christians Should Stop Saying" published at huffingtonpost.com. Marylou had posted it on her facebook page.  It made some excellent points and I challenge each of you to look it up and give it a read.  That having been said, on this Ash Wednesday, I am Feeling Blessed.  Let me share a brief quote from the article,

"My blessing is this.  I know a God who gives hope to the hopeless.  I know a God who loves the unlovable.  I know a God who comforts the sorrowful.  And I know a God who has planted this same power within me.  Within all of us."

Yes, I am definitely Feeling Blessed!  And I am grateful - very grateful to have the privilege to reach out to some of the people in Algodones and share my time with some of the children.

Again, I'll let pictures tell you about our visit this week to The House in Mexico. 

Joanne and Gary make Toys For God's Kids - the little wooden cars and trucks you see in the box of the big truck.  This is a great way for woodworkers to reach children all over the world - check out their website if you have an interest. We handed out many of them at Outreach this year.

A familiar face

A new face.  This little one must have recently visited a doctor's office or a dentist - he checked my teeth and had me say "ahhh" and then he felt behind my ears... I feel bad that I didn't understand his (Spanish) diagnosis.

His little sister was held by one and all.

Little Miss Runny Nose was in the mood to be held, too.

Terry put a door knob on the bathroom - always working this guy.

The littlest one

  just plain wore herself out!

It was fun to have the two older gals visit - no school so they spent part of the day with us.  The foosball table was brought outside and was a big hit!

 

 

 

 

 Love this little lady's look...

Pilot Knob RV Park donated an old white board that wasn't serving its purpose any longer - took four adults to get it up on the wall ... and they had much fun doing it!

Delia used some of the blackboard paint that Glee and John donated...

 

And the kids quickly put it to good use for artwork - later they played school and the older ones were the teachers... I even learned a couple of Spanish words by being one of the students.

 

 

This little beauty brings joy to all of our hearts.  Last year she was seriously ill and today, she still has some problems but she is a fun loving little girl who is learning to play with other children.

Her mom, Marta,  will be helping Delia when there are lots of kids at The House

Love the love this picture shows!

 

 

These two were probably discussing whether or not the car needed new tires...

Thanks Marylou for the delicious treat made with your homemade applesauce!

A family picture... never can get all the kids (and adults) to look good at the same time...

A quiet moment to think things over.

A quiet moment to just chat.

 

And Chocolate Cookies for a treat!

Life is Good!  I am grateful for what I have and I am feeling blessed. 

Don't forget in this special season of Lent to listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges.