Spring

Spring is truly here in S Texas - a time for a renewal and restoration. It seems that at this time of year we are all looking for and need a fresh start.  The trees are all bursting out, especially the always fragrant citrus trees. The birds seem to have a new lilt to their songs, singing for the pure pleasure of it. The cacti are blooming, some of blossoming for only a day or two, but showing a gorgeous display of flowers. The earth is being restored to it's new birth. Anything can be restored, but it seems that it comes at a price. Jesus restored our souls by removing all of our sins when we declared Him Lord and Savior, but what a price He paid for it. To restore an antique sometimes costs more than purchasing something similar but newer. Why do we restore things??? To bring them back to the way they were. We need to come back to our Lord, to restore our faith in God, to bring it back to the way it was when were were children in Christ - beginners in Christianity. Pastor Israel talked about this in church this morning - just as I had been taking pictures this week and marveling in the renewal and restoring of the earth in the burst of spring. Israel referred us to Deuteronomy 30:1-5. A time for rejuvenating ourselves in the Lord.

flowers around the small key lime tree we planted with our neighbors

don't know what these flowers are (sort of look like moss roses) but they are everywhere - sometimes pink and sometimes white

our cactus bloomed for two days - but there may be two more blossoms

We really thought things would calm down a bit after people left the park, but we are still taking food to the Great Oaks food ministry. Those who are leaving for their Northern homes are dropping off their extra food which goes to feed those in the colonias. Praise God that we fed 30 families last week. It does not seem like a lot, but there are 30 families that had warm food in their stomachs before they went to bed - many children that had a snack of crackers and peanut butter when they got home from school - many parents who had food to pack a lunch when they went to work to support their family. The food which allowed them to spend their meager funds for electricity, gas, used clothing, and even heating on cooler days. We thank all of those who have contributed to this ministry, not even realizing their small donation adds up to so much. We will continue to deliver food as long as we are here in the Valley - and depend on others to take over until we return in the fall.

Children's Haven International held their spring 50 cent sale on Saturday. We planned on working in the morning, but wound up spending the day there. We put all the clothing out on tarps - sort of a mini- ropa. Those who do not know what a ropa is are certainly missing out on a real experience. There are many Ropa Usada's (used clothing), especially along the border. Warehouses receive clothing from all over the country - sometimes even the world - some used, some new with the sales tags still attached. These clothes come in huge bundles (sometimes from bigger stores in large cities). They bundles are opened and pushed onto the warehouse floors in large, very high mounds. People come and buy by the pound - actually crawling on top of these mounds looking for bargains. (We went to a ropa once - enough for me to decide that I was not particularly fond of this shopping experience). Back to CHI - after dumping the boxes of clothing that store manager Elaine had been collecting all year long, the people began to arrive. We had to give some customers boxes as they pawed their way through the clothes. filling up their boxes at 50 cents an item. I myself found a Coach purse (not a knock off) for 50 cents!!!! Also two pair of new Capris and a denim jacket shirt. It was awesome to visit with all customers and exclaim over their great finds. After a day in the sun, I have a lovely face sunburn (which covered up well with make-up this morning).

some of the boxes of clothing

more boxes full - ready to dump out onto the tarps



Randall and Larry bringing out furniture to sell



ready and waiting for customers

even the kids get involved

sitting in a pile of clothes - looking for bargains

 

we took out time for lunch - chicken and rice brought by a customer

the piles are getting more messy and higher

bargains for everyone

As you go about you weekly activities, think about renewing and restoring your faith by returning to God, undergoing heart surgery (give your heart to God), make a choice, because the choice is yours. Don't make this complicated, just do so in faith - with no questions asked. Deuteronomy 30:11-14.