As the season winds down here in S Texas, we assumed our responsibilities would become fewer as the activities wound up for the year and our hours would be less full. But instead our days become fuller every day. Last week was a flurry of activity every day - from a church board meeting with our new chaplain, Bill Artherholt and new board members, to Bible Study on Monday, a trip to Reynosa on Tuesday with a group from Ranchero Village, including Chaplains Bob and Barbara Ostermier, park meeting on Wednesday with a quilt auction and many other prizes, a trip to Progreso with friends, who are leaving for their Wisconsin home Monday and getting bulletins printed on Thursday, ladies Bible Study and salad luncheon Friday, CRM meeting and farewell time with the Maloneys and Gregorys who are leaving the Valley to follow God's direction, CHI fund raiser with auction on Saturday, church and Sunday School plus a welcome reception at board member and musicans Stan and Betty Wilkens' home for our new chaplain today. Tomorrow is a CPR class in the morning, and getting ready for Bible study in the evening. We set our clocks ahead on Saturday night, forgetting that the clock automatically sets itself - therefore we were up at 5 AM - sounds like an early night for us.Our days are full and we are tired at nighttime, but it is a fulfilling tiredness.
 |
| Beautiful paper flowers made by Tia Lucia in Reynosa at the Haven |
 |
| tour group from Ranchero Village watching the newest video of CHI/RIN |
 |
| the new school building addition, the roof is on and it is nearing completion |
 |
| the inside of the school - this is the sheet rock ready to hang by a church group |
 |
| our youngest kid - Kayla - if you ask her who is Princess, she pats her belly |
 |
| A church team from Newton, Kansas - this is their 15th year to come to Reynosa to work |
 |
| Fred and Lupe - almost grown up |
 |
| Paty, who will be 15 this year |
 |
the tour group ready to return to the USA
some of the items for auction at the CHI fundraiser
more of Tia Lucia's flowers for sale
silent auction bidders trying for their coveted item
delicious cakes for dessert
the main course - chicken, brisket, charro beans, and green spaghetti - I am going to learn how to make the spaghetti
hungry people - eating before the live auction starts
chocolate treats for sale
a style show with items from the resale shop - lovely model Josephina
the men also modeled for us
drawing for water prizes - pirate ship trips, dolphin watch, fishing trips, and water park passes
Jesse holding a pie which sold for $250 - yep you read that right
bidding was hot and heavy
sold for $250
this birdhouse went for $210 - this is a great fundraiser for CHI |
reception at the home of the Wilkens' - board members and musicians and spouses
the ladies section
deep discussion
We are already working on our ladies God's Worthy Women Retreat next year, hopefully with possibly holding one in Oklahoma this summer. We were surprised to learn that a min- GWW retreat was held in Central Asia last year for the women who had been abandoned and left to fend for themselves and their children. It was a time for the ladies to get together and worship the Lord, to enjoy the Christian fellowship with each other. The only difference is that they take their children with them and we don't but there were activities for the children, too.
We are also meeting with local city officials to see what outreach our church here in the valley can do in this community - where can we best serve others in a positive way. We challenged our ladies Friday Bible study group to think out of the box and and plan for some sort of outreach also. Already some ladies have been brainstorming and come up with great ideas.
As we are now Assistant Chaplains here at the park, our duties will increase, but being a part of CRM is a wonderful privilege that none of this is a burden. It certainly keeps us busy.
As we begin to prepare for Easter Sunday let us remember that Jesus paid a huge price for our salvation - it is free to us but only through the blood of our Lord and Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment