Bible Study and potluck

Our Bible Study has begun at CHI on Monday nights with an introduction to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. The book of Jeremiah centers on repentance, a very unpopular subject at the time as well as in current times. People do not want to be reminded that they cannot be of the world and still be of God - so many people today as in Biblical times do not want to give up all their worldly desires to follow Jesus. This does not mean that we cannot enjoy life, just that we do enjoy life in a Godly way. We hope to increase the size of our group as more friends arrive from the North and be able to share in God's word and plan for us all.

an invitation



Last week we headed out to Reynosa to deliver all the games and prizes for the CHI carnival held there on Saturday. We got a chance to visit with the girls we sponsor, as well as all of the RIN children, and enjoyed a wonderful meal  of chicken mole' provided by RIN's great cook, Maria. We had time to visit houseparents as this trip was not rushed or filled with other duties. Our sister-in-law, Susan, made our girls beautiful quilts, and a friend, also named Susan, embroidered their names on them. As you can see from the pictures, the girls were so excited to get them.  We finally wished everyone good-bye with promises to return for the carnival on Saturday. Because of God's grace and protection, we had no problems on the border either entering or leaving Reynosa.

Lupe with her quilt

Paty with her quilt

Although Sonia has left the home, she does return for visits so her sisters displayed her quilt.

 

The carnival is held for all of the neighboring residents as an offering of good will and friendship. The kids (and even the parents, as Bingo is offered for the adults) wait all year for this event, where there are games, prizes, food, and an awesome spiritual skit presented by a local Christian youth group.  A very excited father and son leaped with joy as the won a 52" TV in the raffle! It was a time for Christian fellowship and loads of fun. It was a very tiring, long day but worth every minute of it! We manned a plinko game - a child dropped a ball and where it bounced off pegs and landed was the gift they received. We received over 100 stuffed animals donated by wonderful friends from Minnesota church which were the large prizes, also other donated prizes of toothbrushes and candy. Additional prizes were 10 free tickets for food or games (the most coveted prize). A loser ball earned the player a piece of chocolata. We don't know who was more tired at the end of the day - the visitors or us!

 

Fred and Kerm waiting for the players to arrive

Director Betsy Chacon drawing playing lines

enjoying the fishing game

Fred, Lupe, Paty, and Leila



Any week here in S. Texas is not complete without a pot luck of some sort - our Bible Study includes finger foods, and today was the volunteer pot-luck at CHI in Pharr, Texas. Lots of wonderful food, good fellowship, great volunteers, and of course, work assignments from Betsy!!! But we love her and the great work she does. Tomorrow is my day to work in the resale shop-  yeah!!!! Lots of great things there - lots of treasures to be found.

some of the CHI volunteers getting ready to eat

Randall Chacon welcoming us all for the season

the treasure trove of bargains

God is good - His word is His promise - always let us listen to him when He speaks and follow His commands,