Quiet Sunday

A very quiet Sunday today. Church this morning, a very much needed trip to the grocery store, time to relax and read the paper, do a few of the newspaper puzzles, and now think about supper. I am going to try to make the ever present, delicious green spaghetti that is so popular in Mexico. Grill some poblano peppers, cool, take out the seeds, put in blender with cream cheese and cream, a bit of salt, mix with cooked spaghetti. Sounds simple enough - wish me luck!!!

The Great Oaks Food and Clothing Ministry is doing well, thanks to everyone's love and support. We were able to fill an entire van with clothing from another ministry for a reasonable monetary donation, food donations are coming in, as well as monetary gifts. Thank you to all of those who have donated - your support is greatly appreciated. Last month 15 families received blessings from your donations - over seventy people including 47 adults and 39 children were blessed because of your willingness to share.  Our greatest need right now is children's clothing, so if anyone has any to donate, please let us know. "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Isaiah 58:7

Today was a very special day for our new Chaplain Bill Artherholt and his wife Ali, as he was ordained at Sycamore Chapel in Checotah, Oklahoma. We were not able to make the trip, but our park manager and her husband, as well as many of the other chaplains on their way to their assignments in the South were in attendance. Please pray for travel mercies for everyone as they prepare to travel again today and tomorrow. We are waiting in anticipation as Chaplain Bill and Ali plan to arrive here at the park on Wednesday to begin leadership at The Church @ Alamo Rec Veh. We look forward to working  together with them for the spiritual welfare of the residents here, as well as getting to know everyone all over again. Pastor Israel's sermon this morning was on leadership - living life on the heights with God. To live on the heights is a connection with God.  Every time Jesus went to pray, or took His disciples with Him to pray, or asked someone to pray, He asked them to go to the mountain - to the heights. Read Isaiah 33:14-17.  We lead with God in our hearts, as others look up to us we need to be above reproach and be on the heights with God. This not only applies to Chaplains and Ministers, but also to teachers, parents, doctors, even those in the government - all those in places of influence.

We took a trip to Reynosa this week to take a van load of items in preparation for the neighborhood carnival soon coming up. The biggest draw for the adults is the bingo time, so most of the items we took were gifts for bingo winners. As usual, we left the US later so that we could spend time with the kids during the lunch hour - not to mention the fact that we, too, enjoy Cook Maria's cooking!! Each Casa is responsible for setting up the lunch area, as well as serving the food for an entire week. Maria prepares the food, then leaves the rest to the responsibility of the designated Casa. As we were early, we were part of the work crew, setting up chairs and waiting for the kids to get out of school.

a garbage cart horse taking a break

many food stands around the university

 

you have to be very careful driving, as manhole covers are frequently stolen (to sell on the black market). 



the new bathrooms between the two school buildings are complete

almost all of the work done in Mexico is hand labor

very quiet until the kids get out of school

some of the bingo gifts we brought across the border

the houseparents in charge of the lunch hour for the week, preparing the drinks

even the littlest guys help out

 

and here come the kids

 

 

 

 Paty eating her lunch - the green stuff in the lower left corner is hot sauce (hot, hot, hot). she ate it like catsup!!!! (and laughed at us Americanos as we gingerly added  some to our meal).

 

 As we enjoy the cooler weather with the windows open and the fresh air blowing through the house, let us give thanks to God for all of His blessings - a roof over over our head, the ability to shop wherever we want to, a warm bed, and most of all the freedom to worship where and where we choose.