No Water!!!

Jackie...you're the cutest...we know it!!!



Carlleli...a very busy girl who is extremely loveable.



On the road again....Papa and children.



Mama and Pablo having some 'together time'.




Manuel...Rileys boy



Isn't he a cutie????!!



Manuels little hands folded while sitting by me on the bus. Oh, Jesus, that they will be folded many times in the future as he becomes a mighty warrior for You!



Hey Riley family...it doesn't look like a Ford. You've got some training to do!!! Maybe it's a Chevy...sorta tin looking. Oops...sorry Rog!!! :)



Rohelio who looks so innocent....




Silvia and her newest school awards for writing. She's an awesome student.



Another fire truck for Jack White...couldn't resist.



Alberto-Mechanic in training with his Master Mechanic



Hosea Miguel- Isn't he a cutie???



Antonio



Briza soaking in the moment!



Traveling with teens...need I say more????



Beautiful Mexico Skyscape



Shiek Abualardo



Jackie after playing outside....



Beautiful Belem



Ruby and Karla Johana



Ever...a very handsome young man. His parents are the new workers here.



Jesus is 15 years old.



Handsome Ramon...need I say more??? Soon to be in Michigan!!!!!



Cielo and Briza looking at Cielos Bible...talking about bible stories.



Alberto and Marcos...super boys and brothers!!!



Sergio and Marcela...brother and sister. I love these kids! They have such gentle hearts after all they have endured.



Osmara and her beautiful smile.



Grandma and Grandpa....still in love!



Briza and Cielo...the cutie pies!


The word down here: no la aqua. No water. It is something that I have taken for granted. Whenever I see a faucet, I turn it on, expecting water to come out. When my hands are dirty, I head to the sink to wash them. When I am thirsty I expect the privilege of pouring a glass of water…but not this time. Ok, now, don’t worry, mom and dad. We can get drinking water at the gas station…we are not dying. But the point is…we expect many things in life and neglect to thank God for things. I am sure the fire station will bring some trucks to fill the tank today, and we will have water for a few hours. But we are on a ration. We can’t wash every time we want to, we can’t shower whenever we desire. There are other inconveniences like using the bathroom and flushing…that we just don’t have now. ( I think I must be some psycho or something, because it almost makes me feel like I have to use it more.) We are encouraged to ‘go’ behind the wall (across the road) if it is ‘pooh-pooh’, just to help with the additional needed flushing. The younger kids love it, but this old lady is struggling with this option. This reminds me of a funny thing that happened at the park last Saturday. Mary Ellen and Lauren, you will appreciate this. I was enthralled in watching our kids playing the big soccer game when little Brenda (who can speak 9,752 Spanish words per minute) was tugging on my coat and trying to tell me something. I just glanced at her and smiled, patted her on the back, and then continued to watch the game. I though I heard the word ‘papel’ and ‘pooh-pooh’ but never really put them together since I was watching the game. I was blowing my nose with some toilet paper I stuck in my coat pocket and her voice kept rising. Suddenly she disappeared and I was enjoying the momentary silence when Gary (who is struggling to understand Spanish) came up to me and said, I think she has to go to the bathroom and needs your toilet paper. I felt so bad because I was so engrossed in the game and didn’t even try to listen to her desperate words. So, I found the girls bathroom (after wandering into the boys first) and called her name. Sure enough, she was in there and stuck her hand out under the stall. She was a happy camper when I gave her my toilet paper. But I have to smile as I think back to her plea of a million words that only Gary understood.

Anyway, today I thank God for water. It brings refreshment in so many ways and is required for life. Even more, I thank God for being the Living Water that He allows me to drink freely of. This book, Follow Me, presented a question that I have not really thought about much. “Do you enjoy God?” I want to grab a hold of this question during this next week and practice this thought…even if I end up going behind the wall.

Last evening I had to take 5 kids into town for a photograph (for the orphanage records). Anyway, about 6 more hopped in the van to use the internet for homework. Little did I know that one of the older kids was going to another internet across town and not tell me where she was. After waiting 15 minutes past the time we told them to come back to the van, I began circling around town to find her. My blood pressure rose about 50 points with fear for her safety and then the thought of pouncing on her once I found her and knew she was alright. (Anyone who is a parent can relate to this, I’m sure.) Then it hit me…I’m feeling like a mama to these kids…not an aunt or helper. I love these kids and they have found their way into my heart forever. Gary and I will never be the same…our quiver has increased ten-fold! By the way, I did find the girl…she was safe…and I didn’t pounce on her. 

As I write this, Nohema is driving off in the bus with the first load of kids. She beeps the horn to warn them of the departure…and some come. Then she drives about 10 feet with about 15 more kids on a dead run to catch the bus. Then she goes to the gate where the last kids normally hop on board after running like crazy. Today there were about 5 more stragglers that followed her down the road about 50 yards yelling at the top of their lungs. She did stop for them, but I bet they’ll be earlier tomorrow. Gary just said that there was one girl sitting on the bench crying because she missed the bus. Chad and Christi…can you guess who???

Prayer Requests: Many of you have asked for prayer requests. Here are some that I would like to share. 1. Of course, the repair of the well pump. 2. Healing for children/adults with bad colds and fevers. 3. Salvation of children who have not committed their lives to Christ. 4. Wisdom for Gary and I to know what and what not to do. 5. A new friend, Crystal, who might be volunteering some days off down here. 6. Orphan Status for the 43 children I am working on. 7. Safety for everyone down here as many miles are driven each day. 8. God’s protection on our family back home. 9. That Gary and I will more fully accept the authority and leadership of Jesus Christ as our way of life. 10. More destitute children that our orphanage can minister to.

Thanks for your e-mails and encouragement. I read them all, but do not always have time to respond as I am giving priority to posting the blog. We appreciate your prayers and support. To make the best use of my time at the internet café, I write the blog on my own computer and then save it on a disk with all the pictures. That way I can download the main blog page quicker. Usually I only have 1-1 ½ hours at the internet and downloading the pictures with comments takes up all that time (especially since the keyboard is so different). Mary Ellen and Lauren…I know you understand. Thanks again for your patience, everyone.