I'm Late I'm Late for a Very Important Date

Yes - I am very late for an important date - the date was February 7th when this blog was supposed to be posted. Not enough hours in a day - even after 11 PM! It has been a long week or so.

Yesterday we spent the day in the colonias in Alton, Texas. Ida, the amazing lady who introduced us to these wonderful people works almost every spare moment for the Lord. We deliver non-perishable food items to her, as well as quilts, fabric, etc. for the ladies in the colonias so that they can learn to cook with whatever they have, learn to sew to make their own quilts, or perhaps even to sell to make a bit of money. She teaches them crafts in order to raise their self worth or again, to sell for a bit of extra cash. She arraigned for us and Chaplains Roy and Paula Gee to attend one of the many gatherings of neighborhood ladies as they study the Bible, create a worthwhile craft idea, share food together, and also share in the donations of food and clothing. We were so very humbled to be invited to join them in breaking bread together, eating some of the things that Ida had taught them to cook. To see their smiles as they received food, clothing, toys, and quilts was worth more that all the money in the world.

Fred, Ida, and Roy ready to head to the colonias

Ida's beautiful chickens

toys, food, and craft supplies waiting for new owners

the outside eating, cooking, laundry, gathering place most of the colonias have - the dirt floor was being swept as we arrived

bags of non-perishable food items, fruit drinks and boxes of soup mixes, ready to distribute

 

Fred and Vanessa - she drove us through the colonias and explained how she helps to instill a feeling of community among the residents - notice the bags of quilts that our sewing ladies donated

the residents of the colonias have been painting their homes as a result of a feeling of pride

these trailers are connected  by roofs or shelters because if they were not, it would be considered 3 residences - therefore it is still considered one residence, even though perhaps 3 families are living there

 

behind this roughly constructed shelter is perhaps the kitchen, dining room, laundry room etc. maybe the refrigerator was not working in the trailer - those items are very expensive for trailers, so therefore the residents purchase a good used regular appliance and put in this enclosure outside the actual trailer. 

one of the few businesses in the colonias

the picnic table is probably their dining room

 the ladies Bible study group

making a scarf made from felt - to wear to keep warm or even make more to sell for a bit of extra money

lots of fresh produce

all bagged up - also bottles of mineral water

Ida showing Paula and Roy peach pie and cobbler made from large cans of peaches - it was very good - not as sweet as we make it as Mexicans do not like a lot of sweetness

this sweet little lady proudly showing off her new hat

look at the smiles as they model their scarves

holding tightly to their new quilts - the sweet little lady again - smiling carefully as she has very few teeth

checking out the clothes - notice the cross on the right - these families love the Lord regardless of their station in life

searching for items for the family

this guy loved his very own quilt - perhaps the first one that was truly his

 

so happy as the nights have been cold lately

Fred and Paula and a happy kid

I have so many more pictures of last weeks events (the trip to South Padre, feeding the gulls, the quilt and hobby show, Children's Haven birthday party - I told you it was a busy week) that I will save for a future date - I do want to get this blog out to you all as soon as possible.

 

Chaplain Lee reminded us Sunday that just believing is not enough - trust is also needed. Who do you really, really trust? Your spouse, a family member, your minister, your government, God???? God intended for us to seek and trust Him completely - although sometimes in trials and tribulations it seems almost impossible. These are the times when we must trust Him the most. We need to try to always live in the presence of God - revealing Christ in us in order to know what He wants from us. We are mortal - weak - subject to temptation. Jesus was weak when he was on the cross. He cried out to His Father and was forsaken - cut off and separated from God. Do we feel that way sometimes?? We need to depend on God in our weaknesses because we are tempted everyday by the world - everything seems to be distracting us from our relationship with the Lord. God gave us the equipment to work in His service. Along with that he gave us love and the ability to use that love for His glory.

 

Sometime this week, try find someone who needs love - a co-worker, a friend, a family member, a church member, even a stranger. Offer them a smile, a word of encouragement, or even a cup of coffee - spread God's love everywhere.