Spring Break

Friday afternoon after my last post, we climbed the mountain.  It was quite a group of us as Jodi, Osi, and Jorge came and Nicole and Laura (a young lady who comes to church) and we were still watching Angela's three girls. 

In the lower right corner of this photo you can see the red-roofed "palacio" which would be like a town hall.

Headed down again. Tania and I walked together.

On our second week of spring break (We had a week before Easter and a week afterwards), we went to spend an afternoon in Nogales, MX. Yaneli got to meet with an aunt who lives there and we went to a park nearby.

It was interesting to go to Nogales, MX because we still spoke Spanish and paid in pesos, but there were many stores found in the US and even a mall. They have a Walmart, too. 

While Pau, Marce and the other girls were busy at the mall, Kendra, Nicole. and I watched Tadeo and Mani. First we went to Carl's Jr. where they played on the play place. Then we walked around the mall and ate supper. They enjoyed sitting on riding toys and pretending to play the games at the arcade.

Perla came over one morning to play with Tadi, so we took the diapers to the trash together.

Later, they got this cute picture with Tadi's Santa Claus hats.

And then spring break ended and it was time to get back into routine...

Monday at Wulf's, Tori and I played with playdough together. First, we made soup, pizza, and bread. Even Marshall joined in the fun for a bit.

Then we made cake and cookies.

Now that I'm not taking Tadeo with me to Wulf's in the afternoons, (Kendra, and the others can take care of him at the house) I am trying to spend more time "teaching" Tori. I hope to help her learn her colors, numbers, and such things. She is just starting to talk, so it is a really fun age as she says a lot of cute things.  

Please pray: For Laura (who climbed the mountain with us) as she is coming to church and church functions more regularly that she can trust God and find strength and grace to surrender her life to Jesus. For Panchita and Ibet, two of the ladies that I visit occasionally, that God would touch their hearts (and their families) as well. That we as a church here can be a beacon of light, truth, and hope and that many would come to Jesus and be saved. This city is full of emotional and relational pain, alcoholism, drug addiction, and spiritual darkness like many places are (even in the US!). Please pray that God will break the power of Satan. And please pray for me that I can be grounded and settled in faith and in truth, so that I can be a true witness to the people here.

Gift of the week: I have to admit I have not been as diligent in counting my gifts lately, but when I start to do it right now, I immediately feel more joy! Thanking God for my Bible, for choir, for musical instruments, for talks with friends, for stars, for strength to run, and for reminding me again and again of things I should never forget...like the importance of being thankful. 

Fun Times Together

Last Friday night, Marce, Yaneli, Yerania, Kenia, Tadeo, Mani, and I and Nere Arcoverde went to the open area between the school and the church diningroom and pulled each other around on blankets.  It was a lot of fun!

Saturday, Marce, Kendra, Kenia, Tadeo, Mani, and I went on a gator ride. It was a fun family bonding experience.

Saturday night before supper...I enjoyed seeing everyone spending time together.

  Saturday, the Congerville team arrived along with my friend, Kelly Waldbeser from Fairbury. We enjoyed a wonderful week with them and they just left this morning. Our new school has nearly all the dryvit on and a lot of the ceilings put in thanks to their work. They were our last team for about two months.

Friday with Friends

We are babysitting Angela's three girls today so we enjoyed a fun morning.

First the younger ones colored with markers,

  

while Kenia sprayed off the trampoline,

and I filled the tubs with water.

Tadeo decided he would rather watch

than get sprayed on the trampoline.

They piled into the tubs for awhile before laying out on towels to warm up

and afterwards sang on the trampoline

and played until lunch time.

Please continue to pray for our family here at Casa Betel and for all of CVE. Monday was moving day for three families. Joel and Kristy Leman moved off campus to a nearby home with their newly adopted son Gonzalo, their two little girls, and another on the way. Joe and Denise Maller moved to take their place as house parents in the "boys' house" and Endi and Alisha Ramirez moved to take Joe and Denise's place. All change causes pain in one way or another, so please pray that we will all take our pain, worries, frustrations, and fears to God and that we can all adjust, accept, and move forward.

Gift of the Week: Today and this weekend we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. God rejected His OWN Son in OUR place, so that we could be redeemed and become His sons and daughters. Thanks be to God, our Father, for His unspeakable gift.  Thanks be to God that there is hope, and purpose, and love in this life and the expectation of a perfect life to come! Doesn't it just fill your heart with joy!