Whew!!

Our lives been totally hectic since my last post. We both have the Texas crud - an illness that comes around every year here in S Texas - it passes around the park faster than a juicy piece of gossip!! Sort of a congestion in most people, some get flu symptoms, aches, sore throat, cough, you name it. We have had it over a week now - some days we feel good, then all of a sudden it whacks you again. Luckily, we have had only coughs some congestion, and exhaustion. Praying for this week to be better.

I promised you pictures of a group of us delivering quilts to the colonias. It was such a heartwarming experience. This weekend turned colder so they were just in time! We delivered 70 quilts to a smaller colonia - if the volunteers from Helping Hands manage to make more then that next year, we may deliver them to larger areas. The homes in these pictures seem fairly well cared for - the reason being that they have been updated by many volunteers - a project that a group have taken on. We tried very hard to instill in the people that these quilts were made from them through the love of their Savior, Jesus Christ. TheHispanic ladies were so wonderful, giving us hugs and wishes for God's blessings. What an awesome way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Many thanks to each and every one who was involved in this project.

ready to deliver

loading the vehicles (there were 2 of them)

a truck full of quilts

"I made this myself" as she presented a quilt to a beaming teen

volunteer Zoe and some of happy recipients

even though it was hot that day, this young boy stayed wrapped in his quilt

Nomad volunteer Don Laughlin and missionary pastor, Roland, who took us to the colonias

We have a ladies Bible study at our park on Fridays where we are studying our life in the wilderness - times in our life when we felt lost and perhaps wandering - and how this wilderness time brings us closer to the Lord, allowing us to trust in Him.  A wonderful study led by Sally Maloney.

listening to one of our ladies discussing the lesson

                                                                                 more of our group

There have been many more events since the last time I posted: a Chocolicious Style Show, our visit to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, a piano recital at our park, and renovations at Children's Haven International, both in Pharr and Reynosa, as well as many busy February events. I will try to keep you all updated as God keeps us on our toes to serve Him in any areas we can. This coming Thursday, many of us CRM chaplains will be traveling to Reynosa, Mexico to the refuge there. For many of them it will be a first time visit; those of us who have been there before are anxiously waiting to return. Please pray for God's grace and protection as we cross the border in some areas where there has been danger.