They're Here!!!

Vito and his fan club




Ana and Lauren catch up!




Mary Ellen and Ruby...a sweet reunion!




A welcome sign...they're finally here!!!




I know it's a chevy...but it brought Vito, Mary Ellen and Lauren here...so we let it in!!! (Sorry Rog...I know you're not able to defend yourself either. It's fun!)





Brothers and sisters...but not by blood.




They've just grown up together here at Lily. These kids are so special to me!




Tia Selsa, her son, Isael, and Mama




Nancy Post...they treasure the aprons you made. Thank you for your servant's heart.




Dishes...dishes...and more dishes!!!




A cereal donation makes for a special Saturday breakfast. Beats eggs and tuna!!!




Dragging out mattresses to wash down...





All is well. After the loss of Ramon and Marta, the kids are smiling from ear to ear due to the arrival of Vito, Mary Ellen and Lauren. It's better than Christmas!!! They were here when I woke up which could have been anytime after 8:00 p.m. last night. :)

This morning is mass cleaning day in the girls wing after a rat was discovered in there last night. I was sitting outside when a huge group of the girls came screaming out the building carrying a trashcan with a rat in it. The older ladies had them bring it out to the driveway and then, armed with brooms, they had the girls release it. Out of nowhere came Lola (the dog) and she snatched up the rat and ran away. Well, they were sure Lola wouldn't kill her...so an army of ladies and brooms took off after poor Lola..which made her run even faster. Eventually Lola gave up the rat and the brooms won. It was quiete hilarious! I missed that picture...of all the times to not have my camera with me!

My heart is breaking for the sibling group of three kids that were brought here shortly after we arrived. I was in the office when they arrived and the mother said she was working too many hours and wanted the kids to be safe. She promised to visit the kids each weekend...but I've only seen her here once. Those kids have been clinging to me a lot lately...and I see the hurt in their big brown eyes. How can a mom do that? They are the sweetest kids...and each time someone arrives...they look to see if it's their mama...and it's not. Father, I need you once again, so I can be strong for these kids. My eyes well up with tears each time I see their deep hurt of rejection.

We have our big youth outing today...and I'm pumped. Vito, Mary Ellen and Lauren are helping me. Please pray that we will be able to build relationships with them that will allow us to some day talk to them about their relationship with God. I'm so surprised to find the openness of the kids. I have asked many of them if they are a Christian and they openly say no. So different from the states. Back home everyone will say, of course, I'm a Christian...but these kids are very honest. It has given us many opportunities to talk to them about the Kingdom of God vs. their kingdom and they are listening carefully to us and carefully considering this. Please pray for them. The book we're currently soaking in, "Follow Me", puts it like this: "A Christianity that fails to make you an obedient follower of Jesus is not the real thing. God is seeking people who follow Him, fear Him, worship Him, obey Him and love Him." It's a matter of laying down your rights and giving them to Jesus. The book also says, "If you must admit that you've never really faced the kingdom "issues" in your life but still consider yourself a Christian, this would be a good time for you to revisit salvation. It's likely that you've continued to build a kingdom of your own that competes constantly with Christ's. In such a life Christianity becomes a veneer, a facade behind which our ancient nemesis of self-in-control still thrives." We encourage you to get a copy of this book...which puts everything in black and white.

I mentioned earlier that our orphanage has a soccer team in the city league that plays every Saturday afternoon. I think it would be so cool if our team would have matching shirts. We would need 7 shirts. I have found out there are no substitutes allowed. They all play until they drop. Please let me know if anyone would have ideas or like to help with this.

Today Christi called and they are out collecting souvineers (sp?) of Mexico for the kids to take with them. Continue to pray for the huge changes taking place in their lives. They are staying at a hotel with a pool, eating out, etc. It is like night and day for those kids. Praise the Lord for these newly formed families!

This next week Alex and I will be working hard to get more orphan status's for Lily kids. Be in prayer about this. With God, all things are possible!

The weather is getting warmer and warmer...leaves are coming out on the trees...and the cockroaches are also coming out. God has helped me with these creatures...we CAN live together! It's OK. :)