Jesus is enough!

A common sight...Gary and Niko...




The boys crave father/son things from Gary. They are always excited to test their muscles against his. Kinda like us with God.




A man from Aldama who lives in a cardboard shack was invited to our Wednesday night service by Ed. The kids all loaded up in the bus to pick him up. He also was invited to eat supper with us. He ate and ate and ate. I can't remember his name, but he seemed to enjoy the service. Please pray for him. (Don't worry, whenever a stranger is on campus, several men are his assigned shadow for the protection of the children.)




Johana - Belem's sister.




Javier and Jackie. This boy, Javier, is a prince of a kid. He is in charge of about 30 little boys and cares for them (like a daddy). He is only 15 himself, but a true leader.




Gustavo sends his love to Taylor and Austin.




Ramon and Boni...perhaps talking about future Michigan days.




Maggie and her sweet servant's heart.




Little Johana and Josmar




Daniel...what a nice boy. God has some big plans for him...




We have 2 new girls...on both sides of Leslie. Their names are Nayeli and Irene. Apparently Nayeli has been here a few years ago.




Gary and a changed Santana. Praise the Lord!!!




Adorable Luis, he soaks in lots of hugs and kisses!




The older brother, Oscar, to the new brother and sister posted earlier.




Marta - the girl of many hats and smiles.




Morning Devotions




A days worth of dust at Lily...




Our heros! They hooked the pump up backwards at first and later in the day reinstalled it correctly. We now have water. Hurray!!! Thank you, Jesus!




Handsome Samuel - Hernandez's youngest boy. I might add...he is a straight A student. I am very impressed. You should also see him play soccer. WOW!




A game of marbles anyone? The older boys even enjoy this game of skill. I would challenge them to a game...but I lost my marbles a long time ago. :)




The donated bread for breakfast this morning is a bit squished...but we are still very thankful for it.




Ahhh! A hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, tomato, onions, chili peppers and TUNA FISH. Although I will probably never fix this dish in Michigan, we ate it with a thankful heart. We were hungry. Calle and Chrissy...I DO NOT recommend this recipe. :)

I have a lot to learn down here…and I’m not just talking about Spanish. God is using these young adult leaders to minister to me and I am humbled once again. This morning I saw Samuel (mid-twenties) in the hallway just before breakfast. I asked him what his plans were for today. He said, “Chihuahua”. Then he pulled out a rather long list of things he had to do, places he had to go. Now, I know that he has done this all day Monday and Tuesday and he is looking at day # 3 of the same thing. Ashamedly I said, “I bet you’re happy”, in a teasing way. Then, he quickly replied, “Yes! I am very happy. I am doing all these things for God’s glory and I am happy to serve Him.” His sincerity and humble servant’s heart brought me to shame. Here I was razing him about doing the ‘same old’ all the time, and he was counting it as a privilege to serve His God in any way he could….and rejoicing in it. Father, I confess when I am drying the 124th plate, I am not thinking about doing it for You. When I am sorting through piles of office work, or wiping snotty noses, I have forgotten that I am doing it for You. Please forgive me, Father. Gary has also had some good conversations with Samuel. In one of the errands they went on together, they visited someone who lived in a beautiful house (on the inside). Apparently he sometimes stays there on his day off. Anyway, Samuel asked what the houses were like in the states. Gary said most of them are very nice. Then Samuel said to him, “The people must be happy…or does it make them want more?” Gary told him how people are always wanting more…never quite satisfied with what they have. Samuel said, “This is why I stay right here at the orphanage. I am a missionary for God. I don’t want that for my life. I have little but I am very happy.” And I might add, he is very happy. I have seen him repair things that the kids have broke…and he is smiling and saying, “God is good.”…and he means it!

Some of you are wondering…what are some of the things that are going on down here? Well, (I guess that’s a good place to start…the well). The broken well looks like it will be back in service today…several days AHEAD of schedule. Truly a God thing. The cost of the repairs are very high and there was no money budgeted for this. We are talking $1,500-1,800 American dollars. People presume things are cheaper in Mexico. So far I have only found that oranges and vanilla are. Everything else is more expensive.

The accounting paperwork for the 2007 year is due today…and the office has been humming. We have actually found several changes that will make their year end paperwork much easier and they are willing to try it.

The older high school students are still on Christmas break. They will begin school February 1st (tomorrow). During their break they have been given additional chores, so many of them are looking forward to school in February.

The blue van is down…the left tie rod end broke while Gary I are were driving back from the new boys dorm. Luckily we were only going about 5 mph. But, the part that we would normally call NAPA for and have delivered in 15 minutes will take several days to come. So we are short a vehicle. Gary said the transmission is going out on the van…and of course…the shortage of money. It sound like they will drive it until it won’t go anymore. Gary thinks it is a matter of a few days. A Jasper rebuild would be a great way to go, but would cost about $2000 with the duty. Please help us pray for more vehicles. It is very urgent. We have had to take kids to the hospital in a bus lately when the other vehicles are out on errands…which is a huge waste of gas…not to mention the difficulty of maneuvering it around narrow crowded streets near the hospital.

Could you also help me pray that people would be moved to send money for fruit and vegetables? During the past 3 weeks, the children have only had fruits/vegetables 3 times. I really think that oranges, especially, would help with the vitamin C need (and the kids love them). When I was at the market, I was able to purchase a little more than a half bushel of oranges for $5.00a bag. The oranges are small but very sweet and good. One bag would feed everyone. Some of you have sent money with us earmarked for the children…and that’s what we’re doing. Also, carrots are a treat for everyone. I have also purchased chocolate chips and peanut butter for cookies. If people that are coming down here have room, we could always use peanut butter and chocolate chips from the states. Down here the chocolate chips are nearly $4.00 per bag and the peanut butter is even priced worse.

There have been several food donations from various local businesses and people down here. The panty is pretty full today. The orphanage here is very generous with food they are given and often share it with other orphanages and senior homes that have nothing. God has always been faithful to them…because of their generous hearts.

I think I will close the novel for today after sharing one more thing. Last night we had an awesome service...anger was the subject. Several kids sought us out afterwards and prayed for victory. God is doing a big work in the hearts of these kids. Many kids are deciding the lay their anger down at Jesus' feet and forgive those who have hurt them so deeply. Sometimes I find it hard to fall asleep at night after hearing some of their stories, but God is healing. Please keep praying for them!