Reynosa, Mexico

Last Thursday was our first visit to CHI's refuge in Reynosa, Mexico ( Refugio International de Ninos). Betsy Chacon (the director) gave us specific guidelines for this trip. Usually, we when get there, the children come running to see us, especially since this is our first trip since spring. As the children were finishing their last day of vacation Bible school, presented by an amazing TEAM from Lincolnton, NC. who had been there all week, it was very important for them to stay in class. We arrived in time to unload the food for the luncheon, and sit and wait, wait, wait, for the kids to finish class. Soon we heard the voices of excited children as they left the auditorium and headed for the cafeteria for a special luncheon of hot dogs (complete with jalapenos, of course), spicy Cheetos, and a special treat, ice cream. Soon the two girls we sponsor came into view. As they walked towards us, Paty was the first one to spot me - she looked and I could see the recognition in her eyes, as she smiled and ran towards us for hugs - soon to be followed by Lupe, whose beautiful smile lit up the afternoon. Paty is more reserved of the two, but shares her love with us both very regally - Lupe is more outgoing and and is so enthusiastic about sharing her love. It was certainly wonderful to see them again - Paty remaining very ladylike and much the same as last year. Lupe has grown taller (taller now than her older sister Paty), and full of energy.

one of the vans used to transport people for tours of  RIN in Reynosa

two of the casas where the children live with houseparents ( Tias and Tios)

one of the casas in the process of rennovation - the couches were donations

the tiles in one of the bathrooms in the casa

the new school addition, built by funds raised by CRM parks in the Valley

the TEAM  from Hulls Grove Baptist Church in Lincolnton, NC who gave of their time to serve

The award ceremony was first, as each child received various awards for their attendance in vacation Bible school. Each child was presented with gifts from the TEAM,  as they waited excitedly for lunch to begin. One of our volunteers, Jessie Curtsinger, began with prayer, as the rest of us dished up and handed out hot dogs and chips. Maria, the very wonderful and loyal cook for RIN had grilled them all earlier and was keeping them hot on a roaster. Soon the mound of meat was distributed, and the kids were adding their own special flavors - onions, mustard, jalapenos, tomatoes, mayonnaise (yes, you heard right ) and a very few used the ketchup. I opted out of the mayonnaise, but filled my bun to overflowing with all the rest. It got fairly quiet for awhile, until it was time for the ice cream. 4 of us couldn't keep up serving cups of this treat - the kids do not get it often. After cleaning up, taking time to visit , it was soon time to say good bye until another day. The Team was also leaving the following day, back to NC, after a week of serving the Lord in Reynosa. They passed out suckers to the kids - mango flavored rolled in chili peppers. Sounds awful - but I was courageous and tried one, and then two. They are really very good - and the kids love them.

a team members handing out gifts

Lupe (Maria Guadalupe) with one of her gifts

Paty ( Patricia Carolina ) with some of her gifts

hot dogs - hot and ready to go

Maria, eagerly awaiting the children to claim their lunch

Director, Betsy Chacon, and Jessie Curtsinger, administering the prayer for the food

no time to talk

a game the boys play with bottle caps - they throw the cap at an opponets cap to flip it over - if it does, the thrower claims the additional cap - they have very original ways of throwing the cap!

enjoying the chili mango suckers

We are often asked if we are afraid to go to Reynosa, where there is trouble with the drug cartel and the Mexican police. The trouble is no better, nor worse than last year. We have never had any problems - we ask for God's grace and protection when we leave the states, and when we return, we do not not forget to give Him thanks for safety when we arrive back at the CHI office. It is not that I do not worry, but I put it all in His hands and rely on His promises.

As our chaplain is not here yet, we went to a church service at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine in San Juan, just a very short drive from our park . It is a very beautiful, Catholic service but the message is the same.  The music is presented by a mariachi band and is so fitting for the area. The sermon is very much like other churches, even instructing us to read the Bible. We were told to read Revelation, chapter 21 this week. The priest told us to make sure we read it, as that would be his first question when we arrived at the Pearly Gates - "Did you read Revelation, chapter 21?".  I observed a huge lesson in humility as an older gentleman "walked" down the aisle on his knees, arms raised in worship, knelt before the altar, prayed to our Lord, then quietly rose and walk back down the aisle!!!

The weather here is warm, hot some days, but today I have the door open and no a/c on - Fred is at  the CHI office in Pharr, helping in some aspect. Tomorrow is my day to work at the resale shop, reconnecting with all the reliable customers. We both want our service to be for God's glory, and none for ourselves. Our home church in Arkansas has this theme :"Love God, love others, serve others". This also is our personal goal,

Rain in Texas

We left Arkansas last Wednesday headed for our winter home in Alamo, Texas. I was sad to leave the beautiful mountainous area where we live in the summer - the rolling hills (called mountains by the locals, and every one of them named). The area we live in is in sort of a valley,surrounded by this magnificent scenery.

the rolling hills of NW Arkansas

We knew it was time to head South, as fall was in the air, and Children's Haven was calling. Our time in Arkansas seemed short, but the Haven needs volunteers and chaplains, as the summer workers have finished for the year and us winter Texans are all due to arrive.  Children's Haven office and resale shop runs entirely on volunteer work, and the summer crew is overwhelmed with work, due to the skeleton staff. We are a welcome relief to them as well as being excited about resuming Bible studies and prayer time. This year we may do a study from a study booklet - perhaps Corinthians  I & II.  But when we get organized, we will decide as a group what we want to do. Pray that God leads us to the perfect study, as he did last year.

The hay is baled - fall is indeed in  the air

As we traveled South, we marveled at the beautiful landscape, the wonderful traveling weather, and seeing all of God's creation around us. It was not long before we left Arkansas behind and wove our way through Oklahoma.

OOOklahoma, where beauty abounds

Eastern Oklahoma vistas

It did not take long to arrive in Texas, but as usual, I forgot that the sun rose and the sun set, and we would be in Texas yet and not to our destination.

Welcome to the Lone Star State

A very dry, parched land

One of the many burned areas of Texas. There were numerous large and small areas all along the way which showed signs of fire.

Whataburger - YES - we are in Texas

Before even heading to Alamo Rec, we stopped at Children's Haven to deliver some donation checks and say hi to everyone. Their first question was "when are you coming in to work?". I'm sure it was said jokingly, but I could see the desperation in their eyes!!! We needed a few days to get settled and re-oriented again, but promised them we would be in very soon. Of course, the director, Betsy Chacon, gave us our first assignment - to try to find a hall for a benefit councert.

"Home" at last. we give praise and glory to God for our safe travels, and pray that He grant travel mercies to all who will be heading this way soon.

"You who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who travel on the road, sing". Judges 4:10. Sing God's praises as you travel.

The day after we arrived in Alamo, the rain began - it poured for quite a while bringing much need moisture to the parched area. We give thanks to God, acknowledging Him as a source of all blessings.

Goodbye Arkansas, Hello Texas and Mexico

We are preparing to start our trip South on Wednesday - I cannot believe Monday is almost over already. We have been packing the car (seems as if it always is overloaded, but what can I leave home -- my newly found Jewish Bible for study - nope - all my inspirational books, nope - Bible study books for members of our Bible study group at CHI - nope - my more-than-one versions of the Bible - nope - clothes - nope - shoes - heavens no!!). We are also trying to sell our 37 foot 5th wheel - too big and we do not use it much as we are always somewhere else. So that means cleaning that out, too, storing items, shampooing carpets, etc. But God is good in giving us the energy to accomplish all these tasks and making decisions,

We had a truly emotional and wonderful small group Bible study on Sunday (not to mention the delicious food!). We were supposed to review the 1st & 2nd chapters of Daniel, but the leader (a wonderful friend, Jim Newberry) was lead by God to ask each couple what were their low places in the past year and how these became blessings. We talked about adversities and how they do become God's blessing in our lives.
All of these lead into an anointing for healing, as well as a foot washing, led by Fred as  Jim is a very personal friend of his. When at Chaplain's University, God  got a hold of Fred one night, and would not allow him to sleep until after 3AM when He convinced Fred to humble himself and wash Jim's feet in Christian fellowship and love. He anointed Jim with a healing anointing to rid Jim of cancer forever (Jim has had several bouts of cancer, but is cancer free as of right now). Every member of our small group was truly touched, with tears in eyes and prayers. Jim then anointed us, for continued growth in God's word, in our ministry, and for things that he feels God has in store for us. It was a very emotional time for us all, as we all felt the presence of the Holy Spirit among us. I love all my small group members!!!

Many thanks to our daughter Christine and husband Scott, for allowing us to stay with them as we accomplish all of our preparations!!!

Please pray for us as we travel, as well as our ministry, that everything we do praise and glorifies God, and nothing for ourselves.

Next time we talk, we will be in sunny, warm Alamo, Texas!!!!

Mission Accomplished

We are back in NW Arkansas after spending over a week in Branson at Chaplain's University. It was a week of additional training, sometimes described as intense - and it was. We all were mentally exhausted after the end of each day, but it was a wonderful exhaustion. Imagine spending all of the time learning how to lead like Jesus, learning how to defend our faith (apologetics), listening to a Christian women's testimony, spending an additional two sessions on pastoral counseling, as well as enjoying the fellowship of other chaplains, wonderful morning snacks, a bountiful lunch, and then an afternoon pick-up nutrition!!!




Mission House - our home for over a week



the great room - where all things happened

n an earlier blog, I  mentioned that we spent two days learning how to lead like Jesus - to be a servant leader . One of my most memorable verses was II Corinthians 5:9 "persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed".

We took time to just sit and do nothing by leaving the room, finding a quiet place of solitude, and do nothing. It was extremely eye-opening, giving a person a feeling of being free - the feeling of having nothing to do - no thinking, no praying, no anything.

The evenings were spent at the Mission House, fellowshipping with others, discussing the day's teaching, just enjoying each other's quiet company, and of course, indulging in an ice cream feeding frenzy, thanks to Jack Gregory.


Chaplains busy at work building a sundae



finished product




The week went by very quickly, as we studied Apologetics - defending the Bible in an unreal world. We absorbed fully the reason we believe the Bible is the true word of God, and God is Lord. Ron Lint did an amazing job defending the truth of the Resurrection through the eyes of a lawyer, judge, and jury.

God is Lord! 

Ron Lint - Apologetics leader

While we were in session, we prayed for two of our chaplains who were recently ordained.  May God continue to lead and bless Chaplains Bob Ostermaier and Jim Troutman. We  surprised  two couples who celebrated the wedding anniversaries on Wednesday. We presented them with flowers and wished them well. One of the couples celebrated by attending the show "Noah". If you are in Branson, you would be truly blessed by seeing this presentation at The Sight and Sound Theater.

Congratulations to Chaplain Bob and Lois Glossenger







And also Dr. Dan and Laura Griffin

Our Friday session was a segregated one - the men had a short session on media presentation given by Bob Glossenger. We ladies listened to speaker Christine Lint - who spoke on our Lord and God - our anchor and compass.  She accented her own personal testimony with scripture to enable us to always have our anchor in the right place - with God.

The Anchor and the Compass

We completed our sessions on Friday night and Saturday with teaching of pastoral counseling - The Heart of the Problem. Is the problem really with a marriage, relationship, or other situation, or is the problem really sin, that enters in and creates the problem? A wonderful insight to solving problems in our own relationships.

Some of the participants left on Friday and also Saturday, but we stayed on until Sunday, when we worshiped at the KOA Campgrounds with Senior Chaplain Dennis Maloney officiating. At this time, Chaplain Fred Campbell was commissioned after being examined by his peers in preparation for his ordination. It was a perfect service to end our time at Chaplain's University.

Senior Chaplain Dennis Maloney congratulating Chaplain Fred Campbell

 

We are now back in NW Arkansas, preparing to head south to Texas to continue our ministry there. We are anxious to join with others as we support Children's Haven International, minister to all the volunteers, and allow God to lead us on the path He has chosen for us.



Day One

Today is day one of  Chaplain's University in Branson, Missouri at the College of the Ozarks, sponsored by Christian Resort Ministries. College of the Ozarks is Hard Work U, where students do not pay tuition, work for their education, and graduate without debt! An absolutely gorgeous campus with every type of work concept that you can think of.

We checked in yesterday at the Mission House, directly across the parking lot from the training center, a homey, convenient place to stay for the week. We were greeted by our CRM chaplain friends,, many of whom we had not seen since last fall or even earlier. After a time of reuniting, visiting, and relaxing, we prepared ourselves for the first day of training.

Beginning day one, after a quick breakfast with other Mission House residents, was check-in. Barbara Reusch, watch-dog queen of check in, made sure everyone was checked in properly, had all information available, and was ready to start today's session.

Barbara,  making sure we are all properly checked in

Bob and Barbara Ostermaier, from Enid, OK checking in

As registration was going on, we were invited to sample the Java Offerings - morning nutritional food with thanks and praises to Sally Maloney. Again, we greeted those new ones we had not seen since last year, with inquiries as to  the what, where, and when in their lives since we last saw them.  As everyone related their experiences, I saw God at work in each and every one of them - how their relationship to God had matured and expanded in those few short months.

Just a small sampling of morning refreshments

Karen Gregory, a wounded warrior, eagerly awaiting the morning session

The session opened with co-founders of CRM, Dennis Maloney and Bob Ruesch welcoming us all, doing the general housekeeping duties, songs of praise, and an outline of the day's adventure!

Dennis Maloney

Bob Ruesch

Opening devotions were lead by Dr. Dan Griffin, an eloquent and articulate speaker, always with a simple but inspiring message from our Lord. I always look forward to hearing him present the message, with all of my expectations met.




Dr. Dan Griffin

 The first two day's sessions, which were presented by Luke Kuepfer were based on "Lead Like Jesus" by becoming a servant leader. Before we can do, we have to be. We learned a new definition of leadership: Anytime you seek to influence the thinking behavior or development of others, you are taking on the role of leader. We were taken through various break-out sessions, where we interacted with each other, picking our brains for thoughts, ideas, and Biblical reasoning. Almost too soon, lunch time arrived, and again we were presented with as wonderful meal and time for fellowship.




Luke Kuepfer, instructing us to lead like Jesus

A time to refuel

If the rest of the week follows today's teaching and learning, we are going to be well fed, both spiritually and physically. I just pray that I will be able to retain and put into action a portion of what I have learned. Hopefully, by referring to my notes, I can add to and apply all that is important to be well founded in leadership .

ending the day with song and worship

Small Towns, Clothesline Fair, and Bluegrass Music

As a child I was raised in Chicago, not ever knowing the comfortable feeling of a small town.  Since then, we have always lived in small towns, the latest being Prairie Grove, Arkansas. This weekend was the 60th annual Clothesline Fair, so named because the ladies of the area would display their needlework  for sale on clotheslines strung throughout Battlefield Park in Prairie Grove. If you want some interesting, historical reading, try googling The Battle of Prairie Grove.  This battle was fought in one day on December 7, 1862 - it is fascinating reading. Back to the present, the fair is celebrated every Labor Day week-end - starting with a small town parade on Saturday. We got there early, parking in the alley behind the Main Street businesses, and traipsed through the store of friends (thanks Larry and Karen - who by the way were Grand Marshals of this year's parade) to perch under their storefront awning, along with others with the same idea!!!  The kids were all excited, as plastic bags were passed out to fill with candy being thrown from parade entrants.  Yes, it is still allowed in this small town. We adults visited and helped the kids fill their bags. Another reason for attending was the fact that our granddaughter was marching with the band as co-captain of the flag line.

an important beginning of a parade





Grand Marshals - friends Larry and Karen Crawley - wonderful Christian business people



this takes balance - notice the little lady waiting with her candy bag





Remember these?



or these?



Granddaughter Casey on the left






glad I did not play the tuba in high school



many people showing off their antique tractors - doesn't he look proud?

 



dancing tractors - doing moves in the middle of  a small town Main Street

 

square dancers



  Square dancing is a big part of our community and competition is intense at the park with dancing going on all day.  Kids usually start in about age 5 or earlier, continuing through high school so there are many groups involved. When as adults, these kids begin having children and they, too, become dancers, so the tradition gets carried on for generations. It is with great pride when someone over 50 announces, "I used to dance, too. What fun it was" Oh, there is my grandson, dancing with the Buttons and Bows group.!!!





just a very small section of the craft part of the Clothesline Fair



a local Bluegrass band

The activities go on all week-end, with a huge craft fair, amateur afternoon with singers and musicians who are all very talented. Gospel music abounds, both Southern and Bluegrass, on Sunday afternoon, including a group from our church. An evening presentation of Bluegrass music with local musicians is presented, as a benfit for Big House, a ministry started about 5 years ago by a young Christian couple. Many thanks and God's blessings on Jay and Melissa Grissom for listening to God's calling.  The Big House is a place for area teens to go - to just hang out, to talk, ask questions, and get fed, both spiritually and physically.  Melissa cooks  almost everyday for about 30 teens, while Jay molds these teens into wonderful Christian young adults. What an awesome ministry.

Our small group Bible study, as a community service, volunteer to help park cars at the Clothesline Fair, with all the proceeds going to Big House. We took our command post this morning - early and chilly, at the worker's lot.  We really did not have to work too hard - just practice crowd control and allow only fair workers and vendors to park in our area. As I sat along the highway, watching the vehicles go by, I was amazed at the variety of vehicles, each one heading to a particular destination.  I related it to our relationship  with God. There are so many ways people walk on the road to eternal life, just as there are so many different types of vehicles driving on the earthly road . Each one continues along at his own pace, in his own way, sometimes slowing down, sometimes speeding along with no thought of how they got there. Sometimes there are bumps in the road, sometimes there are detours. There are even wrong turns to take and wrong roads to travel - but if we keep on eyes on the Lord and His word in our hearts, we will reach our destination - eternal life.
 God's blessings on each and every one of you.