We went to Mexico yesterday - what a shock we got! We had to wait in line along the road to even enter the parking lot on the American side. We have never seen it so crowded. And this was early the morning. The streets of Progresso were crowded, the street hawkers were everywhere, and it seemed that everyone was out shopping in the coolness of the day. The smells of the outdoor vendors were in the air, music seemed to be playing all over, and folks were in a happy mood. When we were leaving, the line of cars waiting to enter the US was terribly long as we walked across the bridge. We were happy to be leaving as it began to warm up (it was actually hot). As we crossed to the American side, there was still a long line waiting to get in the parking lot, as crowds were crossing into Mexico to shop. I wondered what was happening as there seemed to be no special activities happening.
We were so very blessed with an abundance of food donations this past week - celery, peppers, cucumbers tortillas bread, eggplant, tomatoes, butternut squash, and much more - we feed over 50 families and distributed lots of clothes. It was fun to watch the ladies sit on the ground in the middle of a blanket full of clothing items, selecting those they thought would fit family members, As the piles diminished, more clothing was added, and the search began again. Because the ministry has grown so much (thanks to the grace of God) we have added a logo for it - Caring Hearts Ministry. If God lays it upon your heart to contribute to this ministry (which is tax deductible for you), please send to - Caring Resources Ministeries Int'l. 2186 Jackson Keller Road 2094 San Antonio, TX 78213 in memo: Fred and Leila Preuss # 1027. We thank you for your love and support knowing He will bless you for your generosity.
Some more of the Texas cacti have been blooming this week creating a variety of color here in the park. Our neighbors planted tomatoes and peppers, so we have been harvesting them as they have left for their Northern home. We have to pick the tomatoes green, as the birds start to peck holes in them as the begin to ripen. They taste so delicious - so much better than store bought tomatoes. I have been grinding the extras up and freezing them for hot dishes and other cooking to create wonderful home cooked meals. Also will be making fried green tomatoes this week!!!
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| as we left for a short errand these blooms were open and beautiful so I decided to take a picture when we returned - already they started to droop and die - lesson learned - don't wait to enjoy the beauty of God's creation - don't wait to tell someone you love and miss them - time is way too short! |
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| just waiting to become fried green tomatoes - others to ripen and be frozen. |
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| the first time I have ever seen these cactus bloom yellow - most of the time they just have large red buds on them |
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| the blossoms seem so delicate |
We had long enjoyable lunch today with Chaplains Bob and Barbara Ostermaier. I sat at the hospital with Barbara as Bob had thyroid surgery this past week. The surgery went well and God again answered prayers - no cancer! Praise Him always. After visiting with them for awhile, we went to visit Chaplains Jim and Shirley Maxon. They are new CRM Chaplains and preached at 3 of our services this past season at ARV. A really fun couple, devoted to mission work. They were deciding if they should return to the mission field. Instead they came to S Texas to workcamp at Mission Bell in Mission, Texas. Do you think God is speaking to them?? They accepted the position of Chaplain at Mission Bell park for next season, although they had other alternatives in mind - we have to remember God's plans for us are greater than ours!
Our sermon this morning with Pastor Robert Perales was a continuation of last week's Wrestling With God. This week was based on Jonah1:1-3. And no, Jonah was not swallowed by a whale, nowhere in the Bible does it say whale, but translates to mean a big sea monster. When we ask God for blessings, He often gives us more than we can imagine, as with our food and clothing ministry. We pray and He overwhelms us! As with Jonah as God told him to go to Nineveh, we too, ignore His commands and run in the other direction, not wanting others to see how weak we are: how broken we are. Jonah ran from Nineveh because their people killed his people and Jonah was prejudiced against them. So he ran in the opposite direction across the sea to Tarshish , only to be thrown overboard and swallowed up a by a big sea monster, then spit out on the shores of Nineveh!!! God showed him that you cannot hide from God. Jonah entered Nineveh and preached one of the shortest messages in the Bible - Repent! And they did. Jonah was way out of his comfort zone - exposing his ugly (his prejudice towards the Ninevites, even though he did as God wanted). He thought God would punish them, but they repented and God forgave them! Not what Jonah had expected. We have to face our Nineveh - swallow our pride and prejudice and allow relationships to change. This was a very powerful message for me due to all the stress and changes in the park this year.
We have a personal prayer request - please pray for Jim W. as he has just be diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer and will begin chemo treatments in about a week. Pray for Jim's ability to deal with the treatments, his wife Nancy's ability to minister to him with compassion and patience, family bonding but most of all God's total healing power.
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