Tuesday, December 6, 2011
It Was A Cold Monday, But Salsa Helped
It has been a cold, wet Monday in Tepeyac. It rained most of the night, and the sound of the raindrops on the tin roof made it hard to sleep. The wind has been blowing dark clouds across the December sky. I have washed three loads of clothes, and with the shortened water supply, that was a challenge.
This afternoon, Bill and I went to visit Logio at his store, and bought cilantro for the homemade salsa we had on our steamed rice for lunch. Brother Logio was reading Colossians when we arrived at his little store.
I want to say a few words about that infamous Mexican herb, cilantro. When I first moved to Mexico in 1994, friends brought it to my home and I almost got sick to my stomach from the strong smell. I actually had to remove if from the room. It took me awhile to get used to it, but now, I can’t make salsa without it! Fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapeño chili and cilantro make the classic fresh salsa, and we love it. When we can’t get the fresh tomatoes and other ingredients, we use canned salsa (Herdez Salsa Casera) if we have it. But it is a disappointment compared to fresh salsa. Probably all of you already have discovered this treasure, but I thought I’d share with those who haven’t.
Yesterday’s church service was nice, especially since it was cold and drizzling in the morning. Often, when the weather is bad, people don’t come out to church. I guess that’s true everywhere. Sister Agustina came, and so did Nena. Bill and I picked up Socorro, Maria and 4 of her children, and the children wrote thank you notes to the group from Dallas during our class. They also memorized Proverbios 1:7 and recited it for the church. We took them home, went home and made lunch, and then went to visit the Huerta family in the afternoon. As always, it was nice to visit with them again.
Tonight, we are planning to drive to Jimenez to use the wireless internet there. Hopefully, one day, we’ll have internet in our home.
We didn’t hear from the man regarding the dog yesterday, but hope to still hear from him one day soon. Since I didn’t get his number, we have to wait until he contacts us.
Bill and I are feeling a little better today. We still have colds but they aren’t as bad as they were. I’m making homemade chicken soup in the crock pot for our supper. Hmmm…Chicken Soup for the Soul….sounds like a good title for a book, doesn’t it?
God bless you. May the Lord use your life for His glory.
Love in Jesus’ name,
Toni and Bill
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Preparations for the Dallas Group
We made a quick trip to Del Rio this week to pick up some supplies for the upcoming Christmas Program on Saturday. The women of the church are going to make pozole chicken soup with hominy) and tortillas for the group coming from the Dallas area and we look forward to fellowshipping with everyone.
I drew posters and put them in all of the little tiendas (stores) in the area, announcing the Christmas program, and early Saturday morning, we will pick up children in Jarita, Nueva Jarita and Palmira. We will drive our van and we brought gasoline so Blas can drive the church van, loading up many more people than the manufacture’s recommended capacity. We still need to get Blas a battery but for now, our battery charger will work until we’re able to make that purchase.
I am excited about what God is doing here, as we visit families in our community and share the love of Jesus with the people here. I am praying for lives to be changes through what we do in Mexico. This weekend will be another opportunity for sharing and we are grateful that the group from Dallas has decided to come to our area and bring the gospel message. Pray for many seeds to be planted in fertile soil as the gospel is preached. Also, join with us as we pray for the families here, affected by the economy. Many children here stay at home alone while both parents work.
We are looking forward to the group from Aspermont Community Church coming down on the weekend of the 17th of December. They are bringing shoebox gifts and we know the children will be so blessed. If you are interested in helping with the shoebox efforts, please email Greg or Robin Goza at ggoza4@sbcglobal.net
Bill has been trying to get some Great Pyrenees puppies for our neighbors here to train to protect their sheep and goats from the coyotes. When we were in Eagle Pass this week, we met a man who has a 14-month-old Great Pyrenees male dog in Zaragoza, about an hour south of us. He is going to give it to us, and we hope to find a few females so we can raise some puppies for the people here who need them. It could be a great help to people that raise sheep and goats here.
God bless you and we hope you will consider coming down to visit sometime soon.
Rejoicing in His goodness,
Toni and Bill
Children, Toys and Changed Lives
It’s Saturday afternoon and I am exhausted. The group of 13 people from the Dallas area left about 1:30 this afternoon and we were all so blessed with their visit and the outreach to the children and families in our area.
We got up early this morning, and got ready for the festivities. Bill and I left before 8 to pick up Maria and her family, and when we got back to the church, Blas, Paula and Nena were there, getting things cleaned up.
We had spent most of Friday afternoon preparing and cooking the pozole, cutting up cabbage and onions, slicing lemons, and frying corn tortillas for “totopos” to go with the meal. We only had to warm up the pozole and serve it.
Blas took the church van and Bill drove the Tundra while I drove the Dodge van. We went to Nueva Jarita and picked up Wendi and Lucy, and then to Jarita to get Yesennia and her family, and all the other children waiting there for a ride. Blas picked up children in Palmira, including his nephews. When we arrived at the church, the group was already organizing the gifts for the children and we spent a few minutes introducing ourselves and then went inside the church, where it was packed with children and mothers, grandmother, aunts and friends.
Blas played the guitar and we sang songs, and then he shared about the Lord and the meaning of Christmas. One of the brothers in the group, Angel Rodriguez, handed me two brand new soccer balls to give to the children that could recite the most Bible verses.
Two of our girls, Lucy and Maria won the soccer balls. They attend the art classes that we have at the church, and learn a verse every week, and again on Sunday. I was so proud of them for reciting their verses from memory.
When the program was over, we had the children line up in two groups, boys and girls. Then they walked to the tables where the group had wonderful gifts for them to choose from. The children each received a bag of candy with fruit in it.
It was very organized, and they children were pleased with their gifts.
I didn’t count the children, but the group had gifts for 250 children, and all the children who attended received a gift. They brought extra bags of candy and we shared them with Hilda’s family, as they weren’t able to attend.
The most amazing part of the whole day was that I was privileged to lead two women to the Lord. Antonia from Palmira came for help with a physical ailment and while we were talking, I found out that she did not know the Lord. I asked her if she wanted to and she said yes. She prayed, confessed her sins, and received Jesus as her savior! I was so excited for her, and told her I’d come to visit her in Palmira. We will start reading the Word together this week.
After everyone in the group left, and we took the children home, we came back to find another woman, a niece of the old pastor at the church, was there with a friend named Amalia Perez from San Carlos. She asked for prayer for her friend, and the whole Dallas group gathered around. I felt led to ask if the woman was a believer. Her friend said she thought so. When I asked Amalia herself, she said no. I asked if she wanted to know Christ, and she said yes. She began to cry. She prayed with me and we rejoiced in another soul for the kingdom. God is so good, and I am so blessed to have had the privilege to be a part of their decisions.
On another note, Bill and I have been sick with colds and coughs, and we appreciate your prayers for us.
The group from Aspermont is coming down on December 17th, and if you are interested in contributing to the shoebox gifts for the children, please contact Greg or Robin Goza at ggoza4@sbcglobal.net
We would love you to join us, but you have to have a passport to cross the border. We are planning to come up to Eagle Pass on Friday, the 16th to visit with the group there before they come down.
God bless you as you keep Jesus first in your life! We love you and thank the Lord for you.
In His service,
Toni and Bill
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Flying Horse of San Carlos
The Cabalgata Outreach was wonderful. I painted three banners for the floats and the group handed out 1,000 flyers to the people riding horses and floats from Acuna to San Carlos on Saturday. It was an all-day event, with over 8,000 horses and riders reported to have participated in the parade. It was amazing to see that many horses in one parade. In the evening, we went to the plaza in San Carlos where the groups played Christian music and the pastors from Brownwood and Uvalde shared messages. So many people gathered in San Carlos after the event that it was a great opportunity to share testimonies there in the midst of the crowds.
Not long after the music started, a man named Victoriano came up to me and I started to talk to him about the Lord. He was obviously intoxicated and I began to share with him about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We spoke for a few minutes when we heard a horse come galloping down the sidewalk with a rider, ran up the steps towards the gazebo in the plaza. A man on foot fell between me and the horse, carrying a metal baseball bat and apparently trying to hit the man on the horse. The man on the ground was being chased by the horse and rider, or so it appeared to me.
Several officers came running up to the horse and rider, yelling, “Policia! Policia!” One had a machine gun and two others had pistols drawn. Within seconds, the horse lost its footing and slipped, throwing the rider off.
I got up off the bench where the man and I were talking and we walked about 4 steps before the horse came flying over the bench and landed on its back with its hooves in the air. The poor horse just laid there, in shock, breathing, but not moving an inch. I started praying, as did the other Christians there, and the man at the microphone started praying for all the people in the crowd. Within a few minutes, the man who was on the ground earlier, mounted another horse, and was trying to explain to the crowd that is wasn’t his fault. He was bleeding badly from a machete wound across his stomach and arm, and the blood was falling on his horse and saddle. He was obviously very drunk.
Not a good picture because I was trying to get out of the way for the police men...but you can sort of see the horse with hooves in the air...
The other man tried to lift his horse up but was unable to get it to budge. Pedro, our friend from Tepeyac, helped him get the horse to its feet and amazingly, it seemed uninjured. Both men and horses left the scene without police escort or intervention. I was surprised but more in awe at God’s protection for me and the man I was speaking with. The horse had passed where I had been sitting, and landed right where my feet were, and I was only a few feet away and less than a minute earlier had been in the horse’s path. Amazing God. After the excitement died down, several people and the pastor came over to me to see if I was alright. I just kept telling them God had protected me and they all agreed. Unfortunately, Bill missed the excitement, as he had decided to stay home that evening due to his cold.
We had 12 children come for an impromptu art class Monday afternoon, and they spent two hours drawing and enjoying some cake and lemonade for a snack. We had fun and the kids are looking forward to the Christmas Program on Saturday morning.
We pray God's blessings on you and your family this holiday season. We know how easy it is to forget the reason for the season. Celebrating the birth of our Savior is a wonderful part of our Christian faith, and we are so grateful for His sacrifice for us.
Blessings to all of you from Tepeyac, Coahuila. We thank the Lord for you and for your encouragement as we share the gospel here in Mexico.
In His grip,
Bill and Toni
Birthday Cakes and Testimonies
It was a nice week, and the weather has been beautiful. Bill and I attended a school program at the Primaria across the street on Friday, the 18th of November. (Elementary School.) The children were dressed in traditional clothing, looking like the men and women of the Mexican Revolution, 200 years ago. The mothers made the meal and served it to the visitors. I took lots of pictures and even got one of Bill on a mule with the teacher’s sombrero. I could hardly quit laughing, he looked so funny. It was a great event for the community.
We had 21 children for the art and English class on Saturday, and it was fun to see all of them. They listened to Blas while he shared a Bible story from the illustrated Bible, and they memorized their verse, reciting it for a prize from our collection of goodies. Even little Emmanuel, our three-year-old prodigy, recited his verse.
After the class, we took Blas and Paula with us to take the children home, and stayed to visit Blas’ brother, Rito, and his family. We sat out under their enormous trees and they served us coffee while the dogs chased their chickens and goats. It was such a beautiful day and the family homestead where Blas and his 9 siblings grew up is really an amazing piece of land. They have no electricity, but have a water well and the house that Blas’ grandparents built is still there, although the thatch roof is gone and the rocks are falling because of the weather. The wooden structure they lived in after the rock house is still standing, and is over 80 years old, Blas said. It was originally built in Ejido Emiliano Zapata, and they moved it to Palmira, then to this homestead where it sits next to the cinder-block house they currently reside in.
After we got home, Bill and started to settle in and get ready for bed, but about 7:30 our neighbor, Sandra, came by and asked if we would like to go to a church service in San Carlos. We went with her and her daughter-in-law, Laura, and her two children and it took awhile to find where the service was being held. About 9 pm, we found the group holding their service in a back yard, complete with two guitars, microphone, keyboard and amps. The brother from Brownwood shared a message, along with several attending that shared testimonies of God’s work in their lives. Our friends, Hilda and Pedro also shared part of their testimonies at the microphone. We sang praise and worship songs with them and the neighbors came close to hear the music, testimonies and teaching. What a glorious time with the believers! We got home after 11 pm, but were recharged and blessed by what we heard in San Carlos.
Sunday’s service was full of children to celebrate Paula’s birthday. The children learned their Bible verse and shared with the whole church after Sunday school. We all enjoyed cake, cookies, Coca Cola and mixed nuts. It was fun and everyone had their fill of cake.
We had 21 children for the art and English class on Saturday, and it was fun to see all of them. They listened to Blas while he shared a Bible story from the illustrated Bible, and they memorized their verse, reciting it for a prize from our collection of goodies. Even little Emmanuel, our three-year-old prodigy, recited his verse.
After the class, we took Blas and Paula with us to take the children home, and stayed to visit Blas’ brother, Rito, and his family. We sat out under their enormous trees and they served us coffee while the dogs chased their chickens and goats. It was such a beautiful day and the family homestead where Blas and his 9 siblings grew up is really an amazing piece of land. They have no electricity, but have a water well and the house that Blas’ grandparents built is still there, although the thatch roof is gone and the rocks are falling because of the weather. The wooden structure they lived in after the rock house is still standing, and is over 80 years old, Blas said. It was originally built in Ejido Emiliano Zapata, and they moved it to Palmira, then to this homestead where it sits next to the cinder-block house they currently reside in.
After we got home, Bill and started to settle in and get ready for bed, but about 7:30 our neighbor, Sandra, came by and asked if we would like to go to a church service in San Carlos. We went with her and her daughter-in-law, Laura, and her two children and it took awhile to find where the service was being held. About 9 pm, we found the group holding their service in a back yard, complete with two guitars, microphone, keyboard and amps. The brother from Brownwood shared a message, along with several attending that shared testimonies of God’s work in their lives. Our friends, Hilda and Pedro also shared part of their testimonies at the microphone. We sang praise and worship songs with them and the neighbors came close to hear the music, testimonies and teaching. What a glorious time with the believers! We got home after 11 pm, but were recharged and blessed by what we heard in San Carlos.
Sunday’s service was full of children to celebrate Paula’s birthday. The children learned their Bible verse and shared with the whole church after Sunday school. We all enjoyed cake, cookies, Coca Cola and mixed nuts. It was fun and everyone had their fill of cake.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Gratitude: Thursday Afternoon News from Coahuila
It’s Thursday morning a little after 7 a.m. and I am sitting at a table in the church, typing this while Bill sleeps and the coffee pot spreads its aroma throughout our little cinder-block room next to the church. Greg and Matt haven’t come out of the trailer yet, but the roosters have been working hard to wake them up early here in our little pueblo of Tepeyac, Coahuila.
How can I describe the gratitude I have today, for all that God is doing, has done and is going to do? The last few days have been full of blessings, and I am still in awe of God and His love show toward us through the generosity of the saints and God’s mercy and grace.
Greg and Matt left Anson on Tuesday morning, with a 30 foot 1987 Sahara travel trailer in tow, and when they came across the Acuna border crossing, the aduana (customs office) wanted them to pay $1,200. U.S. for the import fees to bring it across. Although Greg explained the situation, they kept his title to the trailer and allowed him to bring it on down to us.
By faith, they set it up behind the church for us, rewired our electric box, and added another breaker box to the electric pole, and stabilized the trailer, hoping they would not have to bring it back across the border and return home with it.
By faith, we prayed, believing this was a gift from God and we wouldn’t have to pay the fees, or return it to the states. We went to Jimenez right after noon Wednesday, to speak to one of the officials there in hopes they could help us figure out a way to get it across without problems or fees. The judge wasn’t in the office and the other man we knew there wasn’t working, either. The judge’s secretary gave us the name of the judge in San Carlos, about 22 miles away, and we headed for San Carlos, stopping at the house to pick up some sandwich fixin’s for our lunch on the road.
When we arrived in San Carlos at the Officina del Presidencia, we explained the whole thing to the judge there, Raul Reveles Beltran, and his secretary typed the letter, introducing us, explaining our work here in hopes that there was some way we could have the trailer without the cost of importation.
We drove to Acuna and went to the office that handled the title, and after giving them the letter and answering more questions, the gentlemen handed Greg the title and said we don’t have to pay the importation because we are living near the border and the importation fees apply when you go deeper into Mexico. We didn’t need any other permission other than the title that goes with the trailer.
We rejoiced all the way back to Tepeyac, knowing that God had turned the King’s heart like a watercourse, as it says in Proverbs 21:1, one of my favorite verses. What a blessing the trailer will be when we have visitors, and for me, the oven is going to be a wonderful tool as I can bake cakes and pies for when we go visit people here. God is so good.
We arrived in time to get cleaned up for the service in Palmira, and went out to pick up Maria and her children so they could join us. Matt, Bill and Greg sat in the back of the pickup and we went by to get Sandra, our neighbor, and then Maria and her family out in the country. While we were at her house, Greg got the guitar out that he had brought for Felipa and played a song for them, and I translated it. Maria’s husband is Blas’ brother, Rito, and he enjoyed the song as much as we all did. We loaded up and headed for the study and when we got there, had a sweet time of fellowship before it started as we were early.
The room filled up fast at Raquel’s house, and we were glad we brought chairs from home. We sang songs and Felipa played the guitar Greg gave her, while we all praised the Lord with them. Felipa led the study and several people shared testimonies about what God had done in their lives, including Pedro, Greg and Eulogio. It was a wonderful time of sharing, encouragement and reading in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17.
Felipa shared about when she was young and her family was Catholic, and she always felt that God was far away. When she began to read the scriptures and the Lord became real to her, she realized He was always with her, never far off. She told about when her family began really seeking the Lord and serving Him, how it changed all of their lives. Then her mother, Hilda, shared about when her son told her she needed to receive the Lord as her personal savior, and she got mad at him and told him to not come back if he kept telling her she was a sinner. After 3 days, she called him and asked him to come back because after reflecting on what he had said, she realized she indeed needed a change in her life. The next time the group was together, her son did an altar call and she raised her hand and came forward. All of the people in the crowd said, I thought she was a Christian, and she told them that she wasn’t before, but now she was going to be. She received Christ that night and her life has never been the same. She was so touched telling her testimony as she cried and praised God for saving her and her family. Her whole family is such an encouragement to all of us here. We consider it a privilege to know them.
We took Maria and her family home and then went to Hilda’s house as they invited us to come eat. It was wonderful and Greg and Felipa played several songs on the guitar, and we enjoyed hot, homemade tortillas and chili and potatoes, along with sweet fellowship with the whole family there. It was great and we didn’t get home until nearly11:00. We prayed together at the church before we went to bed, again thanking the Lord for what He had done with the trailer and all that had happened this week. What an awesome God we serve, and what a blessing to have sweet fellowship with the saints!
Thursday afternoon Greg and Matt left about 30 minutes ago and we enjoyed every minute with them. It was hard to let them leave, but as always, you have to go home sometime so we said our goodbyes and they drove off.
This morning we went to see Lupita and her husband and visited at her kitchen table for about an hour, talking about all the things God was doing and had done, and she told us about the church and some of the history. It was an encouragement and we prayed together before we left. Greg and Matt got all packed up and headed North, and I decided I’d better finish this so I can sent it out and let everyone know what’s been going on since we last updated y’all.
We want to thank everyone that had anything to do with the trailer and all the supplies sent down with it. What a blessing it is to us, and all the food and goodies were such a surprise. Thank you for loving us so much!
The children will love all the art and craft supplies and I look forward to sharing the Agape with them, as well.
We are so blessed and encouraged and we thank the Lord for His loving kindness to us. We hope that somehow our little blog is an encouragement to you as well. May the Lord open our eyes and make us sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. We love you and we thank God for you.
By His Grace,
Toni and Bill
How can I describe the gratitude I have today, for all that God is doing, has done and is going to do? The last few days have been full of blessings, and I am still in awe of God and His love show toward us through the generosity of the saints and God’s mercy and grace.
Greg and Matt left Anson on Tuesday morning, with a 30 foot 1987 Sahara travel trailer in tow, and when they came across the Acuna border crossing, the aduana (customs office) wanted them to pay $1,200. U.S. for the import fees to bring it across. Although Greg explained the situation, they kept his title to the trailer and allowed him to bring it on down to us.
By faith, they set it up behind the church for us, rewired our electric box, and added another breaker box to the electric pole, and stabilized the trailer, hoping they would not have to bring it back across the border and return home with it.
By faith, we prayed, believing this was a gift from God and we wouldn’t have to pay the fees, or return it to the states. We went to Jimenez right after noon Wednesday, to speak to one of the officials there in hopes they could help us figure out a way to get it across without problems or fees. The judge wasn’t in the office and the other man we knew there wasn’t working, either. The judge’s secretary gave us the name of the judge in San Carlos, about 22 miles away, and we headed for San Carlos, stopping at the house to pick up some sandwich fixin’s for our lunch on the road.
When we arrived in San Carlos at the Officina del Presidencia, we explained the whole thing to the judge there, Raul Reveles Beltran, and his secretary typed the letter, introducing us, explaining our work here in hopes that there was some way we could have the trailer without the cost of importation.
We drove to Acuna and went to the office that handled the title, and after giving them the letter and answering more questions, the gentlemen handed Greg the title and said we don’t have to pay the importation because we are living near the border and the importation fees apply when you go deeper into Mexico. We didn’t need any other permission other than the title that goes with the trailer.
We rejoiced all the way back to Tepeyac, knowing that God had turned the King’s heart like a watercourse, as it says in Proverbs 21:1, one of my favorite verses. What a blessing the trailer will be when we have visitors, and for me, the oven is going to be a wonderful tool as I can bake cakes and pies for when we go visit people here. God is so good.
We arrived in time to get cleaned up for the service in Palmira, and went out to pick up Maria and her children so they could join us. Matt, Bill and Greg sat in the back of the pickup and we went by to get Sandra, our neighbor, and then Maria and her family out in the country. While we were at her house, Greg got the guitar out that he had brought for Felipa and played a song for them, and I translated it. Maria’s husband is Blas’ brother, Rito, and he enjoyed the song as much as we all did. We loaded up and headed for the study and when we got there, had a sweet time of fellowship before it started as we were early.
The room filled up fast at Raquel’s house, and we were glad we brought chairs from home. We sang songs and Felipa played the guitar Greg gave her, while we all praised the Lord with them. Felipa led the study and several people shared testimonies about what God had done in their lives, including Pedro, Greg and Eulogio. It was a wonderful time of sharing, encouragement and reading in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17.
Felipa shared about when she was young and her family was Catholic, and she always felt that God was far away. When she began to read the scriptures and the Lord became real to her, she realized He was always with her, never far off. She told about when her family began really seeking the Lord and serving Him, how it changed all of their lives. Then her mother, Hilda, shared about when her son told her she needed to receive the Lord as her personal savior, and she got mad at him and told him to not come back if he kept telling her she was a sinner. After 3 days, she called him and asked him to come back because after reflecting on what he had said, she realized she indeed needed a change in her life. The next time the group was together, her son did an altar call and she raised her hand and came forward. All of the people in the crowd said, I thought she was a Christian, and she told them that she wasn’t before, but now she was going to be. She received Christ that night and her life has never been the same. She was so touched telling her testimony as she cried and praised God for saving her and her family. Her whole family is such an encouragement to all of us here. We consider it a privilege to know them.
We took Maria and her family home and then went to Hilda’s house as they invited us to come eat. It was wonderful and Greg and Felipa played several songs on the guitar, and we enjoyed hot, homemade tortillas and chili and potatoes, along with sweet fellowship with the whole family there. It was great and we didn’t get home until nearly11:00. We prayed together at the church before we went to bed, again thanking the Lord for what He had done with the trailer and all that had happened this week. What an awesome God we serve, and what a blessing to have sweet fellowship with the saints!
Thursday afternoon Greg and Matt left about 30 minutes ago and we enjoyed every minute with them. It was hard to let them leave, but as always, you have to go home sometime so we said our goodbyes and they drove off.
This morning we went to see Lupita and her husband and visited at her kitchen table for about an hour, talking about all the things God was doing and had done, and she told us about the church and some of the history. It was an encouragement and we prayed together before we left. Greg and Matt got all packed up and headed North, and I decided I’d better finish this so I can sent it out and let everyone know what’s been going on since we last updated y’all.
We want to thank everyone that had anything to do with the trailer and all the supplies sent down with it. What a blessing it is to us, and all the food and goodies were such a surprise. Thank you for loving us so much!
The children will love all the art and craft supplies and I look forward to sharing the Agape with them, as well.
We are so blessed and encouraged and we thank the Lord for His loving kindness to us. We hope that somehow our little blog is an encouragement to you as well. May the Lord open our eyes and make us sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. We love you and we thank God for you.
By His Grace,
Toni and Bill
Monday~Mighty Men and Prophets
As we are coming to the end of our first month living back in Mexico, I am sitting in our little 12’ x 14’ cinder-block room, listening to the chickens clucking outside and scratching in the dirt. The fan is running and as I look out the only window, I can see my neighbor burning her trash in her front yard.
Today is Monday and it’s overcast. No wind, thank the Lord, so I washed all my dishes and clothes early. Always a challenge to get things done before the water goes off.
Since we ran out of propane yesterday morning, we boiled water in the microwave and Bill had Ramen noodles for breakfast, and I steamed some rice and opened a can of baked beans. Complete carbohydrate, right? I think (except for the sugar and additives in the can) beans and rice are the staple of most of the world’s population. I squeezed a lemon and made a glass of lemonade. The kids here love homemade lemonade. Great beverage, I think, with natural vitamin C.
We had cream of mushroom soup cooked in the crock pot, and I added egg noodles and green peas for our lunch. (Don’t they call them English Peas in Texas?) In California, we just called them peas.
The propane men came about noon today, and I filled up two tanks, one small and one medium. Hopefully they’ll last about two weeks if it doesn’t get too cold. It cost 180 pesos, so about $15. U.S. dollars.
I had a great time in the Word this morning. I got up before the roosters crowed and read in 2 Samuel, chapters 21-24 and 2 Kings, Chapters 1-6. Lots of great information in those chapters. I was reading about Elijah and Elisha. What amazing men of God they were, totally anointed. What unyielding dedication was shown by David’s mighty men. Thinking about having to pry their hands off their swords, because they were so intent on the battle makes me want to be just as dedicated to the task God has given me.
Yesterday, I was reading in Dutch Sheets’ book, “Intercessory Prayer.” He talked about the mighty men and how their dedication to the task is what made them mighty. The importance of perseverance and endurance, says Dutch Sheets, are near the top of his list of most important spiritual traits. We live in such a “microwave” culture and we want everything right now. Usually, it’s through the persevering that we are also transformed.
Lord, help me to persevere and endure, no matter what task You have placed ahead of me. Help me to be that prayer warrior you’ve called me to be, and help me to see that while bringing my friends, family and our needs to You in prayer, I can know You more, and have the intimacy with You that I long for. Amen.
As we think about this month and Thanksgiving coming soon, I want to thank you for your prayers for us. We are so blessed to be living and serving God here in Mexico among these people, sharing the hope that we have in Christ. We live in peace here, and we know that God is our provider, never failing to supply our needs. We are so thankful to God for His loving kindness and His faithfulness. We thank God for sweet friends, our family and the partners who come alongside and encourage us.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."
Edmond Burke
Today is Monday and it’s overcast. No wind, thank the Lord, so I washed all my dishes and clothes early. Always a challenge to get things done before the water goes off.
Since we ran out of propane yesterday morning, we boiled water in the microwave and Bill had Ramen noodles for breakfast, and I steamed some rice and opened a can of baked beans. Complete carbohydrate, right? I think (except for the sugar and additives in the can) beans and rice are the staple of most of the world’s population. I squeezed a lemon and made a glass of lemonade. The kids here love homemade lemonade. Great beverage, I think, with natural vitamin C.
We had cream of mushroom soup cooked in the crock pot, and I added egg noodles and green peas for our lunch. (Don’t they call them English Peas in Texas?) In California, we just called them peas.
The propane men came about noon today, and I filled up two tanks, one small and one medium. Hopefully they’ll last about two weeks if it doesn’t get too cold. It cost 180 pesos, so about $15. U.S. dollars.
I had a great time in the Word this morning. I got up before the roosters crowed and read in 2 Samuel, chapters 21-24 and 2 Kings, Chapters 1-6. Lots of great information in those chapters. I was reading about Elijah and Elisha. What amazing men of God they were, totally anointed. What unyielding dedication was shown by David’s mighty men. Thinking about having to pry their hands off their swords, because they were so intent on the battle makes me want to be just as dedicated to the task God has given me.
Yesterday, I was reading in Dutch Sheets’ book, “Intercessory Prayer.” He talked about the mighty men and how their dedication to the task is what made them mighty. The importance of perseverance and endurance, says Dutch Sheets, are near the top of his list of most important spiritual traits. We live in such a “microwave” culture and we want everything right now. Usually, it’s through the persevering that we are also transformed.
Lord, help me to persevere and endure, no matter what task You have placed ahead of me. Help me to be that prayer warrior you’ve called me to be, and help me to see that while bringing my friends, family and our needs to You in prayer, I can know You more, and have the intimacy with You that I long for. Amen.
As we think about this month and Thanksgiving coming soon, I want to thank you for your prayers for us. We are so blessed to be living and serving God here in Mexico among these people, sharing the hope that we have in Christ. We live in peace here, and we know that God is our provider, never failing to supply our needs. We are so thankful to God for His loving kindness and His faithfulness. We thank God for sweet friends, our family and the partners who come alongside and encourage us.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."
Edmond Burke
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