Christmas and New Years.

Christmas and New Years

What can I say. We are so spoiled. On December 23 we took off to Palm Springs to join the Smith's as well as the Kamps for a few days at the Oasis. Certainly true to its name. It was almost a surprise with the exception of at least one person daily blowing it on skype, email or in person for the weeks leading up to it. The ones still in the dark had rather stunned responses that shifted to picking up where they left off within seconds.

Our little dog jack has found a loving Mexican family to care for him while we travel, when his furry self is less than acceptable or it is unsafe for him. They truly love him and even have popped by to visit him since our return.

Our visit with the Smith's was natural, relaxed, and thoroughly enjoyable like no time had passed at all, and it was our pool in the back yard all the kids were swimming in. Michelle, as you can imagine, had scoped out every deal and cool thing to do and amazed me with the energy to do them with a broken toe. Christmas eve was spent at Joshua Tree National Park where the Kamps met us. Ron in certainly part billy goat, a contender for energy, but a questionable influence on boys who want to compete with his rock climbing skills(lol). My motto was pray and then don't watch. I managed to photograph some amazing photos that I will treasure, from such an incredible place with incredible people.

On Christmas day we went to L.A. as there was no room in the Inn (Oasis), where we had Christmas dinner at Denny's and it was actually quite satisfying minus the rainstorm on the way back to the hotel that had us all tucked in for the night.

Boxing Day otherwise known as Rob's birthday, we went to Reality Church, and then to be tourists on Hollywood Blvd, followed by Santa Monica pier.

It was a full day!

The next day we would part ways, with us headed back to Mexico and the Smiths to begin their long journey home. Hard to say Good bye even if it is only for a few months.

So many thoughtful blessings from home that took the sting out of our arrival back to Mexico, with the culture shock of Palm springs to the poverty of Mexico that had us reeling to adjust.

Crossing the border is a testimony of answered prayer as our van was loaded with gift boxes that had arrived from Riverside Calvary Chapel as well as our personal provisions for the next 2 weeks. The approach is uneventful until you pass through a lane that issues your fate... green you go and red you go to secondary for inspection. As you pass through the gate that says "nothing to declare" you gulp, visualizing some dank cockroach infested jail, deciding prayer is probably better, you open your eyes and you are thrust into the insane convergence of what seems like 32 lanes into 4 lanes at 60 miles per hour, as if passing with a "green light means boot it." Even if you get the green light there is the possibility of the "wave", an official gesture that issues you to secondary. How on earth you would even notice while trying not to get hit by other drivers is beyond me. Quite frankly we were not sure if we saw the "wave" or not.

This all becomes very nerve wracking when you hear sirens in the distance coming from behind as you navigate your abrupt turning lanes dodging wondering drug addicts along a dark unlit scenic road to Rosarito. In the distance we see many police lights and traffic backing up, feeling some relief that it at least is not about us as we drive into the mess hearing what sound like fire crackers going off in the distance. The exchange of a glance between Rob and I where we both were thinking gun shots?, but saying little. Just then we hit a pot hole, our van goes dead. Really!? Is this what my ole heart needs? Yes, apparently a reminder to not cease praying.

To summarize, our van starts, we pass the congestion which was road construction, the police apparently just fire up the sirens when they want to pass everyone quickly and the "gun shots" were probably just fire crackers preparing for New years. That is a Mexican Welcome!

Back home in Rosarito Victor still in the south and Sonia visiting her mom I was grateful Rob stayed with us as the New Years Celebrations began. I had no idea. Fire crackers that sounded like pipe bombs, people drinking in the streets, whoop'in and holler'in with bonfires on every corner gives you the vibe your in a foreign third world country... hey wait a minute... right... that is now home.

The New Years was rung in by a skype call with friends praying with hearts of gratitude for the year past and filled with hope for the year to come while wearing, snugglies, sitting on a heating pad, drinking Tim Hortons. God is so good to us.

December 2010

Our December flew by in an blessed blur. Looking back I don't even know where to begin to express all that has taken place. It has been a time of growing and refining in so many ways. The rainy season is upon us and the sharp biting ocean breeze and never ever gonna warm up cement floors make me feel like a neglected old nag with a sway back and dripping sinuses. Believe me there is no beauty contest going on here as I brave the natural and allow my real roots of gray to surface where my reflection shocks me thinking someone had just broken in. That is the vanity, but the matters of the spirit challenge me in the complete yet gentle way that the Lord moves. Many days of joint pain had me surrendered to prayer along with Ibprophen and yet when in the moments of wanting to cry "why me"..I chose for a second to be thankful, to walk in Joy to face those with so little I was stunned how my acute suffering had lifted. It has been humbling to feel so weak yet it is also an opportunity. ll Corinthinas 12:9 "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" a reminder for me to trust and let go.

So as this season has progressed with the challenge of my limitations we "press on" in faith to share the news to bring you up to date.

Sojournersmission.com has launched. This is where much of my time had been spent figuring out what is so simple for some was epic for me. Clearly the Lord was the instructor and sent help just when I was about to blow a fuse, Thank you Mike Chalmers!!! I am still perplexed that what I had set out to do actually looks pretty much the way I had envisioned. With God all things are possible.
Along with the web site and a decent mac program I was able to design a brochure, business cards, stationary and a cover letter for the Mayorals announcing this new venture.
Almost to the day of completing we began hosting small groups in the Missions house. This is the house where Rob has been helping Victor reno to facilitate those wanting to come and serve on the mission field short term.
Here is the posting from the new web site that shares the details of our month. Thank you for your prayers and interest. May God bless you.

News

Nov 14th, 2010 Edit |

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father..”

As the month of December progressed so quickly so has the need as well as the provision. Many gifts to present but the greatest gift is the Salvation that only comes through Christ Jesus.

We were blessed this week by a small group from Burbank as well as Pastor Jeff Stewart from Pomona Valley. The group from Burbank so graciously provided for 40 plus children at the Orphanage El Farro in Tijuana. The children enjoyed a healthy lunch, great worship and teaching, puppet shows, and drama performances. It is worth it to see men of God being impacted for His people as well as the children shedding tears of joy reading heartfelt notes, grateful for the provision and Love that came through a strangers hands.

A visit to El Farro Rancho to visit the youth girls there sponsored by Pomona Valley. Love poured out to these young women in ways so important to maturing women though fellowship, music, manicures, and make up as well as teaching, worship and an incredible barbecue filling every one mind body and soul.

Wonderful teaching from Pastor Jeff encouraging us that we can have peace with Christ no matter what takes place in our lives and this is our joy.

The girls presented a beautiful presentation upon receiving their gifts and then many, as was lead of the Lord, shared from the heart how special this visit truly was for them as many tears fell. It is a continual reminder to never under estimate the things we take for granted that can mean so much to those who often do without.

Visitors and Travels

Many blessings have come this week and there is much to be thankful for as we watch continually how the Lord provides. We had a short visit from a friend in Canada who wanted to visit an orphanage as well as encourage our host missionary family. As we left to buy lunch for the kids for the following day we were stopped by friends of Theresa donating the exact amount we needed to provide lunch not knowing that we were taking rent money to purchase lunch in faith.

The Lord gives us exactly what we need.

Many blessings came with Theresa from Riverside Calvary Chapel in Langley , British Columbia in support of our hosting family. Fabric for curtains, toys and gifts for the children and a keyboard for the church in Tortuga were among many supplies that the Lord blessed us with.

We had a great visit to the orphanage “Alcanzando la Vision”. We are blessed that Riverside Calvary Chapel is supporting this orphanage this Christmas, reflecting the Love of Christ through giving.

We look forward to many more guests visiting from Canada.

Our focus shifted to preparing for our visit to the Baja South to bring gifts to the children there. Each day the numbers of children would accumulate, having us trusting that the Lord would provide.

Again, our Lord as always, came through and additional funds were provided to cover these additional gifts.

Pastor Bill Walden from Cornerstone Ministries provided the Christmas gifts and blessings for all of the children and youth that attend Calvary chapel Vizcaino.

Troy and Kelly, along with their 7 year old son Zach, came down from Placerville, (a 12 hour drive) bearing gifts and candies which Calvary Chapel Pacerville provided, joining us for the trip south for another 10 hour drive. The Pipe family and their home church have been faithful servants to the people of Mexico and are wonderful supportive friends. Such a blessing.

Over the next three days we would visit Vizciano, Tortuga, Bonfil, San Bruno and Santa Rosalia, bringing gifts for each of the stops, sharing the Word, worship, crafts, food and fellowship with the children as well as their families of each of these churches.

It is humbling to be received so graciously and warmly by each of these communities. It is hard to put into words the great honor and privilege it is to be trusted to bring the Love that represents the body of Christ through the gifts they have provided.

If you could picture for a moment children standing holding their gift as if almost in shock that someone 2000 miles away would even care. Imagine then telling the story of a God that lived 2000 years ago who loves them that much that these gifts are from Him. A simple moment to reveal His love to them by practical service and Love that somehow made it very real.

So many little faces forever etched in our hearts.

One little girl who has the Joy of the Lord despite her circumstances who’s radiant face lit up the room with such joyful worship it brought tears to our eyes and hope for the work that is before us.

Young siblings parenting even younger ones with such sweetness.

Sick little faces with runny noses and teary eyes fixated on their one and only toy with fascination and awe.

Little girls coming to church proudly wearing new dress up clothes complete with plastic shoes, bangles and drop earrings.

The humble home with cardboard walls that provides food (El Comedor) for hungry children throughout the week and the family that radiated joy that lived there was convicting and inspiring.

The silent tears that fell during prayer.

The beautiful creation of our surroundings that reflect his workmanship.

The Word that was shared, that was the confirmation needed.

The fourteen year old girl expecting her first child.

The drunken man that Victor shared the gospel with and the hope of the many seeds planted.

The moment of comfort between two mothers from different cultures and countries sharing the loss of their children and their Love of the Lord was such an example of a divine appointment of encouragement and fellowship.

The mix up of a name that was supposed to be for a girl that provided the exact toy to a boy who would not have received a gift at all this Christmas.

And so it was a wonderful time to minister, to see the Lord orchestrating so many details, to encourage, to serve and yet so illuminating of how much more there is to do. As the message shared was so timely to “press on”, we will do just that…in faith…sharing the tender mercies of our wonderful Lord and Savior Christ Jesus with grateful hearts that we got to participate in His plan.