3rd Season's a Charm?

by Erica

I have struggled to find the right look for an area in front of our house. I have also struggled to keep what I think is the right look from dying. I know very little about gardening and landscaping. I do know the look that I am going for---but I am unwilling to spend that kind of money to get there.

Well, a new family came to our church this past Sunday. We got to talking and found out that she is an expert gardener. She plants flowers and tends other people's gardens for a living. She ended up coming by our house and came up with a plan for the area that I mentioned above...for free!

I have spent all week trying to find the types of plants that she said would grow well here. I just finished planting 7 new flowers and shurbs. Hopefully, this will be the last time I have to replant this area. Now, if only I can remember to water it.

Pictures

by Erica

I went back and added some pictures to my previous posts. Also, I have included some other pictures of our time in Juarez.

This is a electrical pole inside the colonia. Wire was laying all over the ground throughout the area.One of our interpretors, Elvia. She has the love of Jesus in her heart and a spirit that is so sweet. Here we are inviting people to the bible club with her help.
Jason did such a good job speaking in Spanish to the Mexican people. His blond hair, blue eyes and ability to speak Spanish always attracts people his way.
And this is why we went.

Almost home

by Erica

I am going to sum this week up with a quote that I heard at the beginning of the week.

"We did not bring God to Mexico. He is already there and used our group to fulfill His purpose."

AMEN

Last Day of Ministry

by Erica

I woke up Friday morning very weary. The week had caught up with me.

We boarded the bus and headed to the outskirts of town to an elderly men's home. (Scott, it was right past the colonia that you visited-I believe you said the Farmers in the Desert). There wasn't much around. There were about 10 men, a pastor and his family, and another family who helped run the place. The men were very sweet. They didn't need us to do anything for them-just having different people around was enough for them. But we basically did everything there with them that we had done all week. They enjoyed the songs and crafts, the games and the hair washing. We even had someone who came along and cut their hair.I admit that due to my tiredness, I didn't spend much time with the men. I wandered around their property much of the day observing all that was going on.

Marissa, one of our translators, had been with us all week . Whenever I needed a translator, I would look for her. We had a chance to sit down and chat for a good amount of time at the end of the day. She is a very mature 17 year old who accepted Christ a few years ago. I may not have ministered to the men in a direct way, but I felt like my time with her was very precious. She has an open invitation to stay with us if the oppertunity ever presents itself.
It look a long time to get home. We were stuck in traffic for an hour maybe even two. I remembered the clock read 10:00 when I sat down for dinner.

It was a good day and I know the men enjoyed the day as well. Final thoughts and reflections of the week will come in the next post.

Day 4

by Erica

I am so tired. Today was our busiest day of ministry.

Back on Tuesday when we went to cross the boarder into Mexico, the guy there told us to turn the bus around. For whatever reasons he did but want a bus load of Americans to cross the boarder. We did get in, but since then we have all taken the time to pray before each boarder crossing- that they will let us in. Sometimes they will make you get off the bus and unload the entire thing. Today was not the day for this to have to happen. We had brought along so much stuff with us that they probably would not have let us in for fear that we would sell our goods. That or they do not like us giving items away because they think that we will hurt their economy. What they don't understand is that the people we we're giving things away too, would not go out and buy them anyway.All that to say that our God is a good God and we had the fastest boarder crossing yet.
We got to the colonia and started walking around inviting people to the church for another hot dog feeding. After the feeding we then dismissed the kids to the church building and sang songs with them and did a recap of yesterday's lesson. During that time the women had a bible lesson of their own as did the few men that were there. At that point the kids were given bags of school supplies and went off to play carnival-like games.
My favorite part of the day was the hairwashing that we did for the ladies. I am not sure how many women's hair were washed-I think at least 100. It was very sweet to clean and detangle their long coarse hair. They walked away with a towel, comb and mirror. Everyone was involved in the washing including the men and children. We also gave the women a bag of groceries to take with them.A lot of good came out of today for both the people of Juarez and our team. Tomorrow we head to the elderly men's home. I have got to go to bed now.

At the Colonia

by Erica

Today was a lot different than I thought it would be. We arrived at the colonia around 11:30. The colonia was divided by a road. On one side were concrete houses and on then other side were houses made of pallates and tar paper. These were some of the poorest of the poor. I guess in terms of wealth, all these people are equally poor. The ones who live in the concrete homes are factory workers. I guess the factory will build homes for the people who work there.

We walked around and invited them to the church where we were handing out food and sharing with them the love of God. That took about an hour. The sun was intense. Ashlyn rode in the backpack. She was covered by a shade and had her little cooling vest on. She did awesome and loved riding on daddy's back. She pretty much stayed on the bus for the remainder of our time there.

We came back and handed out 300 plates of food. The kids seemed very well behaved. I think that I was expecting it to be more chaotic.Tomorrow we will be returning to play games, hand out school supplies, wash the women's hair and do another hot dog feeding. We were told to expect at least 100 more people. Once the word gets out that there is free food, more show up on the second day.

I think that people on our team are still doing well.a few are getting a little weary. That is pretty typical on a trip like this. Praise God that no one has become ill or has gotten over heated.

Day 2

by Erica

Today we returned to the orphanage. When the bus pulls up to the house, the kids run up to the fence to greet us. It is really a sweet sight to see.Judith, the girl I wrote about yesterday, was so excited to hold Ashlyn. She played with her much of the day. Ashlyn enjoyed playing with her necklace. When we left, Judith gave Ashlyn the necklace. These children have so little that is theirs. A gesture like this was so loving and thoughtful.

I had a couple short conversations with another girl. As it turns out, she is 17 and has a son a day older than Ashlyn. We had gone to a shopping center to get ice cream and this baby boy had fallen asleep in his young mother's arms. I asked if she wanted to put him in the stroller. She accepted gratefully. Come to find out later that she did not own a stroller. Sadly, it was too late to run out and buy one for her. I sure wish that we could stop by there again tomorrow. A stroller would make her life so much easier.It was hotter today than yesterday. We have a lot in place to keep ourselves cooled down. It was nice that we could go inside the orphanage and stand by the fans or stay in the shade.

Tomorrow we head to the colonia. We have a craft, skit, bible lessons and games scheduled. We are also doing a hot dog feeding to approx. 300 people.

The facilities where we're staying are very nice. We have eaten very well. Each family has their own room to stay in. My one complaint is the mosquitoes! They are terrible and vicious. I feel like I am back in Minnesota.

Thanks

by Erica

Thanks to all who left comments on the post from yesterday. It was a real encouragement to read just now!

Also, a little disclaimer, please try to ignore the spelling and other errors. I see that they are there but can't always go back to fix them.

At the Orphanage

by Erica

As our leader, Beth would say, today was a sweet, sweet day of ministry. Our morning was relaxed. Jason and I are so used to having to wake up at 6:00 on missions trips and going, going, going until it is time for bed. Since this trip is family oriented, Jr. Staff is here to help take care of making meals and the other duties so that we can be together as a family.

We went to an orphanage in Juarez today. The kids ranged in age from maybe 4 to 16. We brought a lunch and ate with them. We played games, sang songs and made play-doh.If we ever thought we were crazy to go on this trip with such a young daughter, those thoughts were vanished from our minds today. Ashlyn brought so much joy to the hearts of the children. I think God was working through her and allowed her to be unconcerned with who was holding her. She went to anyone who wanted to hold her whether I was present or not.She really made an impact on one girl in particular. I didn't know this girls story other than her parents brought her to the orphanage 6 months ago. I watched her play with and kiss Ashlyn like it was her own sister. I got to thinking that it is very possible that she has a younger brother or sister that she had to leave behind.Although I do not consider myself to be a germaphobe, I would like to ask for prayer for health for Ashlyn. She is fine so far, but is being exposed to a lot of new germs that it makes me a little nervous.

Well, I need to shower and get ready for bed.

On the Road

by Erica

Day 1:

1 hour down, 13 to go. Thanks to my BlackBerry and many hours on the bus, I should be able to post everyday. I am going to get really good typing on this little keyboard.

We met up with the other group from Illinois at 6:00 this morning. I believe there are about 32 of us heading down to Juarez. The majority of us are going on this trip for the first time, some are staff, others are Jr. volunteers.

Beth (our leader) reminded us this morning to leave all our expectations behind. I have tried to foresee all the things we may encounter this week. It is nearly impossible, so it is time that I stop trying.

We are due to arrive in El Paso at ten tonight. Please pray for safety for us as well as patience and unity.

Ashlyn is sleeping so I better as well.