Countdown

The time is fast approaching for us to take a short hiatus from the Valley and travel to Arkansas to visit with family and friends and to reinforce our calling from the Lord. Many doors have been closing for us and more are opening up, so we need time to sit back, relax, and listen to the whisper from the Lord.

Last week we had a huge downpour of rain, wind, and hail which flooded large areas around us. We had no flooding here in the park but the frontage road was flooded so bad that before anyone knew it, cars were stranded in the fast moving waters. Many homes and businesses were affected as well. We were without power for 17 hours - most of it at night so we did try to sleep listening to the thunder and wind, watching the flashes of lightening. No damage here in the park except for a few trees down and stuff blown about.

Still very hot - we try to work in the morning and stay in the a/c in the afternoon. When we lived in WI the hottest part of the day was around noon - here in S Texas it is about 4-6 in the evening - so no evening cooling breezes although the mornings are cool. The grass is still green in some spots yet, and the flowers are growing with continuous watering. I don't have many flower as I never really like to mess with plants,, except vegetables in a garden, so we have plants that do no require much attention. I did finally weed out my tiny flower area and wound up in the house later sneezing and coughing. Guess the allergies are getting worse.

The Lord has been so good and granted us us grace so  many times the last few months that I just shake my head and give Himall of the thanks and glory. On day He kept us from a serious accident on the frontage road as a car pulled over and stopped in front of us. Luckily, with quick action on Fred's part, we exited the frontage road, and made it safely to the freeway and continued on down to the next exit. And twice our vehicle quit - once the battery died and then  later that month something broke and made the fan belt break. Both times we were just getting into the park and were in front of our house - not out on the road somewhere. Thank goodness for Triple A as we were towed a couple of miles to our mechanic and both problems were fixed quickly and easily. Just a small speed bump in the road of life.

A question people frequently ask is why do bad things happen to good people? The brokenness of life shatter people's dreams of what  life is supposed to be. We think monsters don't exist but they do. People have evil thoughts and deeds they carry out - really bad things to good people. Why does God not stop suffering? It is the Theodicy Question - an attempt to answer the question of why bad things happen to good people. There really is no answer to this question.  God wants us to love Him, so He gave us free will - the ability to make choices Some people use their free will for evil and wicked things. One day God will come in glory and all of our questions will be answered. Do not allow the Theodicy Question to make you cynical. Don't focus on the pain and suffering or let it get us down. We do not face pain and suffering alone . We can never be separated from the love of God. "And we know all things work together for the good to those who love God,to those who are called according to His purpose". Romans 8-28. God can (and will) turn our trouble into triumph, He can take something ugly and make it beautiful. We can't control how bad things happen to us ( as our vehicle trouble mentioned above) but we can control how we respond to it. Get better, folks, not bitter.

                                              



Happy Independence Day! On this special day here's wishing your dreams of a new tomorrow come true! May your day be filled with patriotic spirit! Today we celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July celebration -remember what we are celebrating, and please pray for our country!

Fruitful Delivery

I still have a few pictures from last week's distribution in the colonias. it was a fruitful (literally) abundance to say the least. We had papaya, mango, oranges, jack fruit, and limes. Jack fruit is such a huge fruit and hard to imagine "peeling" it to eat. I always ask questions as to what the fruit is and how it tastes, etc. Jose informed  me that the fruit has three flavors - mango- papaya, and pineapple as well as 3 different size seeds! Each layer of the fruit tastes different. If a person were to purchase one small piece of it at a flea market (the size of a lemon) the cost would be $5. A mango, papaya strawberry smoothy is absolutely super delicious! Adding a chili type salt, called  Trechas , to raw pineapple or mango is also super sweet and tasty. Every time a new person arrives to help out with the colonias, they put their hands over my eyes and touch my hair. I suppose they are so used to dark eyes and dark straight hair that I am a phenomenon to them with my blue eyes and lighter curly hair that God blessed me with. It is a good thing that I do not mind being "touched" but the first time it really startled me.

jack fruit - really huge

long, long green beans

rice and beans

yummy papaya

Jose, who helps Fred with projects in the colonias, and his beautiful wife Magdalena

  Ida is starting a Bible study for the summer at the distribution area which has a few attendees so far. Right now she has to haul tables and chairs from the church in the church van , but in a few weeks, the missionary group form Lakeland Church just outside of Dallas, is coming down for a week to help build picnic tables so Ida does not have to work so hard. We are going to figure out a way to either chain them together or make them somehow permanent so they do not walk away!!

the first Bible study group lead by Magdalena - last week it was a few more.

Another fairly hot week. we are looking forward to our time off in a few weeks when we return to Arkansas to cooler weather, family time, farmer's markets, yard sales, old friends, and our home church, Prairie Grove Christian Church. It will be a nice break, but will miss our friends here in S Texas. Jim Maxson will take over for us again as he did last year in our absence.

We received a large amount again of clothing from Border Missions including a real fur coat!!! At least It think it was as it was recommended to be cleaned by a furrier only. I wonder who will claim it as it is never cold enough to wear one here in S Texas - perhaps as a lap robe??? It made me hot just handling is so it will be interesting as to where it goes.

Last week Pastor Ricky asked the congregation to e-mail him and finish this sentence "I wonder". From his sermon this morning he got a lot of replies. the most asked question was "I wonder about God's will for my life." How many times have we asked that question in some form or another?? Wouldn't it be wonderful if God spoke to us? Actually spoke to us in a voice out loud? How easy life would  be. We would all love to hear from God, not just through billboards or radio programs, but actually hear His voice. We yearn to hear His voice to tell us what He has in store for us. God really wants us to know His will more than we want to know it. God's will is not a as big a secret as we think it is. Being in tune with God is not as complicated as it seems (Read Romans 12:2). God's will is good (the best in His mind for us), acceptable (according to His Word), and perfect (it meets out needs). His will for us is to fulfill His desire for us - not our will or desires but His. If God's will  is so clear, why is it hard to discover or follow? Because we are not listening and don't hear what He wants  us to do - It is a fear of change or pride. We are creatures of habit and fear change so we do not hear the Word of God. We often refuse to change. Pride make us stubborn to God's will. To obey is will is to surrender all to Him - we as humans do not want to do that. We need prodding from the Bible to truly understand how to hear God's Word. The key to doing His will we have to surrender all to Him. I am reading a book written by one of our chaplain's wives. It is "Simply a Whisper" by Lennie Nordloh. It encourages us to listen to the whisper of God in all aspects of our lives. Take time in silence to hear the whisper of God  - to hear the voice of God encouraging us to follow His will.

Faith

A very strong Christian young lady of only 21 showed me a lesson in faith yesterday - a faith so strong that she is waiting for God's plan in her life. We traveled  oReynosa for a CHI birthday party yesterday in the heat - and it was hot. The program for the day was a movie so that was a cool relief to relax in the a/c of the movie theater.  The movie was "Aladdin" in Spanish of course!! I could follow it somewhat and of course, knowing the story does help. It was funny and really good. We were treated to a drink  (coca - not diet) and popcorn. Most of the kids put salsa (a mild hot sauce) on their popcorn but I declined (at first!). I tasted Pati's (our Mexican "daughter" that we sponsor) and found it to be really tasty. As the Mexican director, Melana, came around to us all and offered more "salsa" I held up my box of popcorn and she raised an eyebrow and said "really, Leila?" A fun afternoon, after which we went to the home and had a meal of two different kinds of chicken, potatoes, and Coleslaw. Really good as usual. Served of course with hot and hotter red and green sauce. We celebrated the birthday party for the kids April-thru July, really not a lot of them. Our Pati is turning 21 this month. 3 of the kiddos had never had a birthday party, never received presents, nor ever been to a movie. What an exciting day for them. We had been informed that Pati may leave the home. We were devastated as she only has one more year to get her lawyers degree. We have sponsored her and been in her life for 10 years now and wanted to encourage her to finish her education. Through the help f a translator, we found out that her mother is very ill even with some dementia, as she was found wandering the colonias in Reynosa. There is no one else to take care of her as there is no welfare, etc. in Mexico and Pati's mother is very poor. Pati does have sisters and a brother, but no one else has stepped up to help Mama. Sweet Pati has to make a decision in about 2 weeks as to what she is going to do - give up her dream that she has worked so hard for, or to continue on. If she goes home to help her mother, he has no Internet or access to her online courses require, even perhaps no way to get to school. As we talked to her, she was smiling all the time reassuring us that she was praying for clarity from God as to what plan He has for her life.
She has placed her life in his hands!! What an amazing test of faith. We, too are praying for God's will to be done, and ask for you also to offer up a prayer for her decision - a huge one for someone as young as she is.

there was stage in the  mall where the movie theater was, so we got to watch these kids and traditional Mexican dances.

the three boys who never had presents before are in awe of the gifts

all the birthday recipients, including the adults - Betsy, CHI director, have a son celebrating also - 3rd from the right

always smiling Pati

We had a lot of rain this week, so I did get all of the weeds out of my small garden. Of course, after I got done, I sneezed with allergies for about an hour! After the rain I went hunting for a rainbow, and found one!!!!

if you look closely you will see it - soft of vague, but a rainbow indeed over Miss Opal's house.

A lesson in shopping from my husband, of all people, who detests shopping, but takes forever to do so! We eat low carb, whole wheat tortillas instead of bread, so when we need more, we shop. I usually just grab two packages and am on my way. Not Fred, no - he tests each one to see how heavy they are. Why, because they are supposed to have 8 tortillas in each package, but some actually have 9 or more. He invariably chooses the ones with the most tortillas for his money!

 It was terribly hot last week (107+) and who feels like cooking? Not me - but I had a longing for chili - yep - so I made a pot of it and we enjoyed it in the a/c at home! Guess I am the only one who would do that.

The border situation has not changed - the immigrants are still sleeping out at the Progresso border waiting for processing. We did wait about 45 minutes at the Anzadulas Bridge when coming home from Reynosa, but that was better than the normal 2 hours wait. Because of sending more folks to the borders to work, there are more lines open to cross (it had been down to one) so the wait time seems  bit better. 

 waiting for their turn to ask for amnesty while playing on their phones

looks like they are here for awhile

The devil is alive and well in the world attacking anything that he wants to control. It was very evident this week as he tried a major attack on our ministry, Caring Heart Ministry. He used lies, deceit, and doubt to try to undermine the things we try to do to help others with a hand up. Discouragement was starting to creep in, when we realized if God is for us, no one can be against us. Hopefully we conquered Satan with truths and Scripture. Please keep us in your prayers though, as wonderful things are happening in regards to the ministry, and of course, the devil hates that. 

This morning's sermon related to the wisdom of an effective life in Christ. What did God create first - many will answer light. That would have been my answer, but I referred to the title of the sermon and guessed Wisdom. According to Proverbs 8:1-4, wisdom was there at the beginning of time. Wisdom is actually the joy of  living - the joy of knowing the Lord, having a relationship with Him always. Wisdom offers high rewards to those who believe. It is the joy by characterizing the truth - the truth in the knowledge of Jesus Christ who is the truth in our life. The greatest truth is that Jesus loves us. We have to rejoice in the Lord - a rejoicing with abandonment. Wisdom is a joyful relationship with God. A wise  person overlooks the problems in life and finds joy in God, looking beyond the immediate problem. This is something that I really need to focus on. I tend to see a problem and them stress about all the "what ifs" - then I remember that worry will not add a single minute to my life, and to have the faith of Pati, and turn my life over to Jesus. Rejoice in what is yet to come - the resurrection of our souls into heaven, where we can praise and rejoice with God for eternity. 

Scorching

This past week has really been extremely hot here in S Texas - extreme heat warnings on TV all the time. Yesterday afternoon it was 107 degrees and it is not even the hottest part of the summer here. Luckily, we will be in Arkansas during the hottest months (we hope). We don't go outside very often - usually only when we have to. I do walk up to the mailboxes almost every day which is about as far as I walk in the heat. The A.C does a good job of keeping us cool - so we just veggie out and get things done here in the house where it is cool (like cleaning under the bathroom sink )- a job I do not like as one of my daughters and I have a fear of pipes - yep - there really is such a thing - google it.  I put it off as long as I can, then grit my teeth, think good thoughts, pray for strength, and get at the "under the sink" projects.

Fred was out in the heat for 2 days though. He no longer mows grass in the park, so spent the week in the coloinas, building a floor in the distribution area along with the help of Brother Jose Sandoval. They worked hard to have it ready for Friday for the ladies and completed their task. The ladies love it - the ground is so hard, uneven, and dusty unless it rains, then it is is muddy and slippery. Hopefully this will solve the problem and be easier on them

the new floor - does not look like much, but it was a lot of work putting down the pallets, plywood, measuring, cutting, pounding, etc. in the 100 degree plus weather. A layer of ground rocks called caliche was put down under the pallets.

looks good - Fred also made some of the tables

look - we got corn flakes, cans of diced tomatoes ans bagged donuts (I did not have to bag them in the heat!)

fixing lemonade to keep us cool - we were only there about 2 hours and we were all wiping our faces with our shirts

the amazing ladies who  live in the colonias and faithfully help every Friday to fill the baskets with food, etc.Ida is in the back in blue - the far left is Brenda, whose property all this takes place on, right in the middle is Esther, who lives next door, and is a Jehovah Witness who prays faithfully with us all

colorful

sure looks good - key  limes in the back

now for a Spanish lesson - these are the bulbs of the flowers on cactus plants - after the cactus blooms, usually only one day, these form, sometimes turning red. They are sweet but full of seeds - they are called tuna. Yep - not the fish but tuna. Imagine my confusion when Ida asked if there were any tuna, and I thought she meant tuna fish in a can. The Spanish word for tuna is 'atun ( pronounced ah tune)

favorite part of the day - praying before the distribution starts

Our neighbor, Miss Opal,is over 80 years old. Her mother embroidered the squares with pictures form Bible Stories (Moses, the birth of Jesus, etc. ) and Miss Opal fashioned it onto a quilt many years ago. Miss Opal donated it to the church. The church then made a frame and hung it in the nursery for all to enjoy. We took a picture this morning- you can see how proud Miss Opal is of it. She said her mother used to take a square or two along when she went visiting and work on it - better than watching the boob tube or playing on the Internet!

 a work of art to be treasured

Miss Opal and the beautiful quilt

                                                        a closer picture of the intricate needlework

 It was a relief this morning to enter the sanctuary  with it's coolness. Usually I take a shawl along as it is really cold, but with the outside heat it felt comfortable. It is Pentecost Sunday which is actually the birth of the church. Churches are abundant is almost every part of the world - each person worshipping according their beliefs. Why are there so many churches in so many different languages? Go back to Genesis 11 and the story of the Tower of Babel. The people wanted to build a big beautiful city and a tower that would reach to the heavens so they would be revered all around the known world at that time. God was not happy with them!!! At that time everyone spoke the same language so God mixed up their language and dispersed them all over the earth.  Misunderstanding can be destructive. It is true that things become turned around in the translation. Even in their native language most people are likely to hear what they want to hear. The Word of Christ may mean different things to different folks. Is is the literal words of the Lord, an onterpertation, or even a story of what really was said. 

Today spiritual hunger is at an all time high in the world today. The task of the church today is to make the Word of God come alive (as in Miss Opal's quilt). We are the church - it is our job to keep the Word of God alive through our actions and words. 

Summer Happenings

This has been a more quiet week for us, as Tuesday was the last day for our distribution at Iglesia Bautista du Manuel, Ida's Church where we serve about 50 families with produce - rice, beans, clothes, ans even sauerkraut !!! It is difficult to keep up both of the days as Ida has to clean up after wards, although she does have help, but it putting away all the tables, mopping the floors, cleaning up the kitchen, etc. She wants to take a break for a couple of months. The folks who pick up their baskets on Tuesdays are going to try to get to the Friday distribution in the colonias. Ida will still take a few baskets to those who cannot get there. We had a bountiful harvest for Friday - lots of good veggies - cauliflower, different kinds of peppers, tons of tomatoes, donuts, sauerkraut, cucumbers, onions, aloe vera leaves, and even the bulbs from the cactus after they quit blooming. The people just love them - they are tasty, but full of hundreds of tiny seeds - you either eat the seeds or suck the pulp from them and spit the seeds out. And, the strange part, they are called tuna! Ida asked if we received any tuna - I told her we got a box of canned goods and to check and see if there was any tuna in there. She laughed at me after giving me a strange look at first. I don't mind being laughed at, as all the girls also laughed in loving way. We love the girls who help with the distribution - they are so faithful to show every time and just pitch in - unload the vehicle and the trailer, start to combine the boxes, and then fill the baskets after deciding how much of each item goes in each box. Everyone just keeps working away at whatever task arises. My job it seems is to repackage the big bags of donuts into smaller bags for each family. The girls seem to shy away from that - even with gloves it is a sticky job. The resident dogs sit at my feet and wait for the scraps to fall - with added help from me. They love donut holes!! This week Fred and Brother Sandoval are going to start (and finish) laying a floor under the shelter on the shed where the ladies fill the baskets. It is uneven dirt, and gets messy when it  rains They are going to lay some stones (called cliche) then put down pallets, then attach some plywood flooring. The tables will then be fastened down permanently and not have to be moved each weak as they are pretty heavy. Fred has resigned form mowing the park, so now has time to work on ministry projects.

Three prior residents of the park passed away in a week - we knew all of them and and will miss them, even though they do not come to the Valley anymore, we do keep in touch. One was a close neighbor and great friend. When this happens, we begin to realize that the next breath we take may be our last - no matter where we are or what we are doing. Life is so precious - I suppose we realize it more as we get older. Seems like when we were younger (20's and 30's) we felt that we would never get old - but here we are. Make each day count for something folks.

We need rain badly here in S Texas while the Midwest is praying for  no more because of the flooding everywhere. Our family in Arkansas is in a safe place for now - just the closing of the roads makes travel a bit longer for them. Pry for all the people who are affected by the storms and flooding.

We had a really great sermon and also Sunday School class today. Sunday School discussed the Pharisees and Saduchees - the differences and how the culture of the times dictated their jobs and outlook as well as how people pictured them. A great discussion and study. The sermon focused on the obstacle of society in our daily lives. Society is a huge obstacle to overcome because Christian values differ from the values of society today. Our attitude is an obstacle that society needs to overcome also. As long as our attitude does not interfere with society's rules, all is well. Paul and Silas, while in prison. sang praises to the Lord, even though they were beaten, thrown in to prison in chains. they never lost faith. What is your prison experience - financial, emotional, physical? Your reaction that is to  continue to praise God no matter what the circumstance. Following that is your action to the prison experience which is so very important. Are you going to sit down and whine and complain or are you going to stay where you are for the moment even if it is not where you want to be. God will be there with you. This will be a big impact on others when you do not panic. Keep trust in the Lord and others will notice it. We Christians have something special, it is our relationship with God. This is the greatest form of evangelism there is.