Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Back in the USA....
Howdy,
We wanted to update everyone. We did succesfully make it home from Chihuahua, Mexico. The trip was tremendous for our individual spiritual journeys, we even got some work done too.
Since we have been home we have heard from both Allyson who was our Missionary contact at the brickyard and Monte who was our work leader at the NTM Ranch.
Brickyard Update - The group after us was able to get half done on another brick latreen. They people of the brickyard are finishing the cement floors and will start the walls soon. Allyson was very pleased with our ministry with the children and our work on the latreens. She was also happy to receive the dozens of reading glasses and the medical supplies. She said they have already become useful, she is handing them out already.
Ranch Update - We missed it. The week after we left a baby rattler and a scorpion both showed up, we are sad we missed it! The radiator on the car broke as well, they were able to get it fixed but keep praying for the van to hold up for the other work groups as well.
We thank all of you for your prayers while we were there in Mexico. God answered them all and did a marvelous work in and through our lives! Please keep praying for the missionaries and the New Tribes missionary training at the ranch. Please pray for the children of the brickyard too.
With a show of hands every member on the team indicated they would go back if they had the chance. God is working. God is faithful. We can't wait to see what He has in store for us and for the ministry in Mexico!
We have tons of great pictures and videos! Check out pictures of the trip on our website: www.thriveyouth.org
Videos will be up soon so keep checking back.
-Josh Harris
We wanted to update everyone. We did succesfully make it home from Chihuahua, Mexico. The trip was tremendous for our individual spiritual journeys, we even got some work done too.
Since we have been home we have heard from both Allyson who was our Missionary contact at the brickyard and Monte who was our work leader at the NTM Ranch.
Brickyard Update - The group after us was able to get half done on another brick latreen. They people of the brickyard are finishing the cement floors and will start the walls soon. Allyson was very pleased with our ministry with the children and our work on the latreens. She was also happy to receive the dozens of reading glasses and the medical supplies. She said they have already become useful, she is handing them out already.
Ranch Update - We missed it. The week after we left a baby rattler and a scorpion both showed up, we are sad we missed it! The radiator on the car broke as well, they were able to get it fixed but keep praying for the van to hold up for the other work groups as well.
We thank all of you for your prayers while we were there in Mexico. God answered them all and did a marvelous work in and through our lives! Please keep praying for the missionaries and the New Tribes missionary training at the ranch. Please pray for the children of the brickyard too.
With a show of hands every member on the team indicated they would go back if they had the chance. God is working. God is faithful. We can't wait to see what He has in store for us and for the ministry in Mexico!
We have tons of great pictures and videos! Check out pictures of the trip on our website: www.thriveyouth.org
Videos will be up soon so keep checking back.
-Josh Harris
Friday, June 13, 2008
Day 13 - We'll be home for Christmas...last thoughts
You can count on that. Actually we'll be home before then. :) We leave tomorow morning at 7am to make our way by van back to El Paso to catch our flight. We should arrive tomorow into Tampa by 10pm and home in Orlando by 12:30am where we will meet parents and friends back at the church. So... onto the details of our last day here in Mexico....
I woke up early this morning and went outside our hotel in Creel, up in the mountains, to sit in the town square. The church bells were ringing as people gathered for morning mass but I stayed outside and had my own time with God and his word.
After breakfast we decided to visit a Tarahumara village, that is like a reservation of sorts, where people can visit. It was strange thinking that we payed a fee to visit where they actually live and work and then just walk around looking at thier houses and watching them do their daily routine. To some, these people may be just an amusing tourist attraction, but to us we felt the burden that these people needed the gospel of Christ not tourist dollars. Most of us shortly got distracted by the amazing rocks to climb and spent about an hour climbing and enjoying the view. We had planned to have our debrief meeting back in town but it was so peaceful and beautiful there that we had our meeting on the side of a hill amongst the rocks and caves. It was an amazing place to talk about what God had done on the trip and what he was doing in our lives. Then we spent some time in prayer and headed off to shop.
There are tons of little shops in Creel where you can buy souveniors. We split up into a couple groups to shop. After about 20 minutes of browsing we see David and Brett come down the street on a four-wheeler! I must explain that last year we heard about renting four-wheelers but it didn't work out. Well, this year David got his wish granted. He was loving every minute of it and was able to give several people rides (with helmets of course).
We wanted to say good-bye to Mexico with something meaningful and appropriate, something to really make a difference and show the people how much we appreciated them, so we gathered at a local restuarant and ate tons of Mexican food! Well, I ate tons of Mexican food. I ordered Chiken Enchiladas with beans, a bean and cheese burrito, and a side of rice and beans. It was delicious and fattening all at the same time. After lunch we took the long 4 and a 1/2 hour trip back down to the ranch. Some slept, some complained about the heat, some spilled Vanilla all over the van floor, and some got psych profiling done by Sarah. Something about the ladder and the cup symbolize your dependence on liquid.... I don't know, I guess I didn't really pay attention.
Monte and the missionaries here said farewell to us tonight with a gift and some dessert. They gave us Coca-cola bottles with little sombreros on top! We spent group time by sharing things we appreciated about each other over the trip. It was neat to hear bout all the things we find encouraging in each other. It was an uplifting way to be reminded how neat this group truly is.
I am once again privileged and honored to lead and work alongside such God-loving, energetic, respectful, and passionate students. My heart has lept with joy each day to see them serve God and each other no matter how they felt or what the situation. I am grateful for all their hardwork at the Ranch, their love for the children of the brickyard and orphanage, and their openess to what God is teaching them in their lives. I know this might be kindof long but I wanted to publicaly let you all know what I appreciate about each of them. You can skip this part or rejoice alongside of me in the tremendous character and depth of each of these wonderful guys and girls. I will write their name and a few words of appreciation.
Zach - I am grateful for his work ethic and patience during jobs. I appreciate his willingness to immediately play with and love on the kids of the brickyard. He did a great job on playing the spanish songs to the children and he looked out for the girls in our group constantly.
David - I am thankful for his courage to lead and lead by example, always seeking God's best and what was right. He worked hard at the Ranch and loved the kids with self-abandon at the brick-yard. He always had a good attitude and encouraging words to say.
Tyler - What a strong and steady worker even at 8am. I didn't think he would make it that early in the morning, but he proved me wrong. He never complained, always adapting to the difficulties of each day. He was my constant trusted work partner and non-morning-person friend.
Josh B. - I appreciate how he handled so many situations that were outside of his comfort zone with a courage to trust God and go with it. He was nervous but willing to try new things. He did a great job with puppets. He was patient with the kids who squirted him with bad water and got him sick.
Snyder - Right! You have to say that in a British accent because Snyder kept us all laughing with his humor and lightheartedness. I appreciate how he maintained such a gentle and humble attitude throughout the trip. He did whatever was asked of him. I am thankful that he used his skill and talents with photography to capture all of us when I know he also wanted to be on the other side of the camera. He gave up precious times with some of the children at the brickyard so he could capture those moments for us and for you.
Brett - I am grateful for Brett and his teachability. I was always asking him to go get this, or go do that, or clean that up and he kept at it. He helped keep things interesting and crazy for the guys and he had a lot of courage to down hot sauce the rest of us wouldn't touch.
Hannah - Encouraging, gentle, compassionate are a few words to describe her. She embraced a leadership role amongst the girls as we asked her to, and she did such a humble and loving job. I am grateful for her patient, and hard work no matter what the job. She did a fantastic job arranging the puppet team.
Megan - I appreciate the way 'Megan's joy comes out her ears.' (Aleah's quote) She is a steady calm amidst the storm, approaching each situation with a love for others and a desire to serve God with a humble heart. She is an amazing soccer defender as well.
Sarah - I am thankful for her faith in the Lord. She will pray about anything and encourage us all to do the same. I appreciate how she prays expectantly. She was always caring and interested in each of us throughout the trip. She could also woop Webster in a game of scrabble!
Jessie - I appreciate her passionate love for God, His character and His creation. She was a great reminder, as she and Tali took care of Churchill, of the joy God takes in all of His creation. I appreciate her love for God's word and her exuberant joy of the small things like sunflowers and rose bushes. Her love for God and appreciation of all he has done for us is contagious.
Tali - I appreciate her as well for the sacrificial love of Churchill and the encouragement it brought to us. I am thankful for her honesty and sharp mind for such a young age. I love how she loves God's word and truth and isn't afraid to make it known. She is also a great encourager and a somewhat decent beard-trimmer.
Kate - I am thankful for her vulnerability in her spiritual journey, her quite and steady servants heart, and her moments of pure youthful giddiness. She was a great encourager to all the guys by writing many letters and she washed my dishes many times when I insisted she didn't have to.
Kenzie - I am so thankful for her bright smile in the morning. She always got us going with her energy and joy. I appreciate her patience as well with the kids at the brickyard when they were soaking her with water. She loved on those kids so much I know they will never forget it. I am thankful for her heart and lifestyle of missions.
Aleah - I am thankful for her ability to put up with my sillyness. She has a great sense of humor, a way with words, and serious muscles. I appreciate how she would pick up pretty much anything no matter how heavy and go for it. She kept a gentle-spirit and a heart of unity when we needed it. I am thankful for how she opened up her heart to the children of the brickyard and let them in. They will never forget her smile, her laughter and her broken spanish.
Kimberly and her Mom - I am extremely thankful for all the meals, laundry, and shopping you did for us. We would have starved without you ladies. I appreciate how you even gave us surprises like cookies and brownies with ice-cream. Thanks for having plenty of air-borne and leading all the girls as godly woman examples.
I love each and every one of these guys and girls dearly and would do it all over again. I am encouraged and challenged by each of thier lives, thier testimonies and thier friendship.
Thanks guys, I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us next!
For the rest of you, we can't wait to see you at home and tell you all about what God has done!
-Josh Harris
I woke up early this morning and went outside our hotel in Creel, up in the mountains, to sit in the town square. The church bells were ringing as people gathered for morning mass but I stayed outside and had my own time with God and his word.
After breakfast we decided to visit a Tarahumara village, that is like a reservation of sorts, where people can visit. It was strange thinking that we payed a fee to visit where they actually live and work and then just walk around looking at thier houses and watching them do their daily routine. To some, these people may be just an amusing tourist attraction, but to us we felt the burden that these people needed the gospel of Christ not tourist dollars. Most of us shortly got distracted by the amazing rocks to climb and spent about an hour climbing and enjoying the view. We had planned to have our debrief meeting back in town but it was so peaceful and beautiful there that we had our meeting on the side of a hill amongst the rocks and caves. It was an amazing place to talk about what God had done on the trip and what he was doing in our lives. Then we spent some time in prayer and headed off to shop.
There are tons of little shops in Creel where you can buy souveniors. We split up into a couple groups to shop. After about 20 minutes of browsing we see David and Brett come down the street on a four-wheeler! I must explain that last year we heard about renting four-wheelers but it didn't work out. Well, this year David got his wish granted. He was loving every minute of it and was able to give several people rides (with helmets of course).
We wanted to say good-bye to Mexico with something meaningful and appropriate, something to really make a difference and show the people how much we appreciated them, so we gathered at a local restuarant and ate tons of Mexican food! Well, I ate tons of Mexican food. I ordered Chiken Enchiladas with beans, a bean and cheese burrito, and a side of rice and beans. It was delicious and fattening all at the same time. After lunch we took the long 4 and a 1/2 hour trip back down to the ranch. Some slept, some complained about the heat, some spilled Vanilla all over the van floor, and some got psych profiling done by Sarah. Something about the ladder and the cup symbolize your dependence on liquid.... I don't know, I guess I didn't really pay attention.
Monte and the missionaries here said farewell to us tonight with a gift and some dessert. They gave us Coca-cola bottles with little sombreros on top! We spent group time by sharing things we appreciated about each other over the trip. It was neat to hear bout all the things we find encouraging in each other. It was an uplifting way to be reminded how neat this group truly is.
I am once again privileged and honored to lead and work alongside such God-loving, energetic, respectful, and passionate students. My heart has lept with joy each day to see them serve God and each other no matter how they felt or what the situation. I am grateful for all their hardwork at the Ranch, their love for the children of the brickyard and orphanage, and their openess to what God is teaching them in their lives. I know this might be kindof long but I wanted to publicaly let you all know what I appreciate about each of them. You can skip this part or rejoice alongside of me in the tremendous character and depth of each of these wonderful guys and girls. I will write their name and a few words of appreciation.
Zach - I am grateful for his work ethic and patience during jobs. I appreciate his willingness to immediately play with and love on the kids of the brickyard. He did a great job on playing the spanish songs to the children and he looked out for the girls in our group constantly.
David - I am thankful for his courage to lead and lead by example, always seeking God's best and what was right. He worked hard at the Ranch and loved the kids with self-abandon at the brick-yard. He always had a good attitude and encouraging words to say.
Tyler - What a strong and steady worker even at 8am. I didn't think he would make it that early in the morning, but he proved me wrong. He never complained, always adapting to the difficulties of each day. He was my constant trusted work partner and non-morning-person friend.
Josh B. - I appreciate how he handled so many situations that were outside of his comfort zone with a courage to trust God and go with it. He was nervous but willing to try new things. He did a great job with puppets. He was patient with the kids who squirted him with bad water and got him sick.
Snyder - Right! You have to say that in a British accent because Snyder kept us all laughing with his humor and lightheartedness. I appreciate how he maintained such a gentle and humble attitude throughout the trip. He did whatever was asked of him. I am thankful that he used his skill and talents with photography to capture all of us when I know he also wanted to be on the other side of the camera. He gave up precious times with some of the children at the brickyard so he could capture those moments for us and for you.
Brett - I am grateful for Brett and his teachability. I was always asking him to go get this, or go do that, or clean that up and he kept at it. He helped keep things interesting and crazy for the guys and he had a lot of courage to down hot sauce the rest of us wouldn't touch.
Hannah - Encouraging, gentle, compassionate are a few words to describe her. She embraced a leadership role amongst the girls as we asked her to, and she did such a humble and loving job. I am grateful for her patient, and hard work no matter what the job. She did a fantastic job arranging the puppet team.
Megan - I appreciate the way 'Megan's joy comes out her ears.' (Aleah's quote) She is a steady calm amidst the storm, approaching each situation with a love for others and a desire to serve God with a humble heart. She is an amazing soccer defender as well.
Sarah - I am thankful for her faith in the Lord. She will pray about anything and encourage us all to do the same. I appreciate how she prays expectantly. She was always caring and interested in each of us throughout the trip. She could also woop Webster in a game of scrabble!
Jessie - I appreciate her passionate love for God, His character and His creation. She was a great reminder, as she and Tali took care of Churchill, of the joy God takes in all of His creation. I appreciate her love for God's word and her exuberant joy of the small things like sunflowers and rose bushes. Her love for God and appreciation of all he has done for us is contagious.
Tali - I appreciate her as well for the sacrificial love of Churchill and the encouragement it brought to us. I am thankful for her honesty and sharp mind for such a young age. I love how she loves God's word and truth and isn't afraid to make it known. She is also a great encourager and a somewhat decent beard-trimmer.
Kate - I am thankful for her vulnerability in her spiritual journey, her quite and steady servants heart, and her moments of pure youthful giddiness. She was a great encourager to all the guys by writing many letters and she washed my dishes many times when I insisted she didn't have to.
Kenzie - I am so thankful for her bright smile in the morning. She always got us going with her energy and joy. I appreciate her patience as well with the kids at the brickyard when they were soaking her with water. She loved on those kids so much I know they will never forget it. I am thankful for her heart and lifestyle of missions.
Aleah - I am thankful for her ability to put up with my sillyness. She has a great sense of humor, a way with words, and serious muscles. I appreciate how she would pick up pretty much anything no matter how heavy and go for it. She kept a gentle-spirit and a heart of unity when we needed it. I am thankful for how she opened up her heart to the children of the brickyard and let them in. They will never forget her smile, her laughter and her broken spanish.
Kimberly and her Mom - I am extremely thankful for all the meals, laundry, and shopping you did for us. We would have starved without you ladies. I appreciate how you even gave us surprises like cookies and brownies with ice-cream. Thanks for having plenty of air-borne and leading all the girls as godly woman examples.
I love each and every one of these guys and girls dearly and would do it all over again. I am encouraged and challenged by each of thier lives, thier testimonies and thier friendship.
Thanks guys, I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us next!
For the rest of you, we can't wait to see you at home and tell you all about what God has done!
-Josh Harris
Day 12 - For the beauty of the earth...
Ah, we have made it back from the mountains! I am here to update you on what we did yesterday. I know it's a little late but we didn't have a connection up there so here I am back at the ranch with an update. We left early yesterday morning and started the trek up the Creel in the Sierrra Madres. We arrived around lunch time and ate our packed lunches while Monte and Josh got our hotel rooms. We were hoping we could take a train ride up to Copper Canyon but the train came and went before we even knew it! So, we took plan B and Monte drove us up the curvy roads like last year! We knew we had a chance to catch the train back down the mountain but it was still a bit of a long shot. We did a little bit of shopping and then went on a hike up to a peak of the canyon. Words can not describe how beautiful it was! Monte showed us some houses that were IN the canyon which explains why the Tarahumara people are so hard to reach! They can climb rocks and run like no other people in the world! There is so much to say in such little time so I'll have to tell you more later!
After the brief hike we headed back down to see if we could catch the train. We waited, and waited, and the boys started to get hungry. Monte encouraged us to buy some empanadas (I think that is what they were... hmmm, I can't remember!) from one of the ladies (who is a believer!). My only reservation was that she was cooking on a barrel that had been turned upside down! Hmm. Well, no one has been too seriously sick yet so why not? Just about everyone had one and we're all still alive and no one is sick! Ah, I should tell you that Monte will only take us to places that he knows is safe (even the questionable looking ones). While we were eating our snacks, the train came and we all got on and had a beautiful ride back down into Creel. Some of us even took naps! The evidence of God in his creation was so powerful to me! It broke my heart that the majority of those people living in the Canyon don't know that it is God who made it.
We had dinner and debrief at the hotel and headed off to bed to get ready for the next day. That's about all that happened on Friday. Most of the REALLY exciting stuff happened today. :) We are all looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! Thank you to all of you who have written letters and posted comments for us to read. It's so encouraging and it helps us feel like you are here with us. We can't wait to get back and share how God has worked! Here are a few prayer requests and praises:
Praise- The van had A/C and no one got TOO car sick. :) Monte said he knew he had to drive nicely for us "flatlanders."
-We enjoyed so much to ride the train! It was the first time for the majority (I think 9).
- Josh B. arrived safely at home (as far as we know! I haven't had a chance to check the blog or emails)
-We had a safe drive to and from the mountains
Requests
_We have one more night! Pray that we will stay focused to the end
-For safe travels and health.
-For our time with the missionaries as we say goodbye.
We love you all and miss you but we'll see you soon! Ah... I am in a hurry to post this because dinner started 10 minutes ago and I wasn't there! I apologize for the mistakes! :)
-Kim
After the brief hike we headed back down to see if we could catch the train. We waited, and waited, and the boys started to get hungry. Monte encouraged us to buy some empanadas (I think that is what they were... hmmm, I can't remember!) from one of the ladies (who is a believer!). My only reservation was that she was cooking on a barrel that had been turned upside down! Hmm. Well, no one has been too seriously sick yet so why not? Just about everyone had one and we're all still alive and no one is sick! Ah, I should tell you that Monte will only take us to places that he knows is safe (even the questionable looking ones). While we were eating our snacks, the train came and we all got on and had a beautiful ride back down into Creel. Some of us even took naps! The evidence of God in his creation was so powerful to me! It broke my heart that the majority of those people living in the Canyon don't know that it is God who made it.
We had dinner and debrief at the hotel and headed off to bed to get ready for the next day. That's about all that happened on Friday. Most of the REALLY exciting stuff happened today. :) We are all looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! Thank you to all of you who have written letters and posted comments for us to read. It's so encouraging and it helps us feel like you are here with us. We can't wait to get back and share how God has worked! Here are a few prayer requests and praises:
Praise- The van had A/C and no one got TOO car sick. :) Monte said he knew he had to drive nicely for us "flatlanders."
-We enjoyed so much to ride the train! It was the first time for the majority (I think 9).
- Josh B. arrived safely at home (as far as we know! I haven't had a chance to check the blog or emails)
-We had a safe drive to and from the mountains
Requests
_We have one more night! Pray that we will stay focused to the end
-For safe travels and health.
-For our time with the missionaries as we say goodbye.
We love you all and miss you but we'll see you soon! Ah... I am in a hurry to post this because dinner started 10 minutes ago and I wasn't there! I apologize for the mistakes! :)
-Kim
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Day 11 - Dios es Fiel
Why is it that the birds greet every one of God's sunrises with song, yet we frequently prefer to remain asleep and miss it all? My answer to this question for the majority of our trip was that sleeping an extra twenty minutes would put me in a better mood for the day. I was wrong. These past two mornings I have awakened early to watch the sky burst with color over mountains, and it has reminded me of a wonderful truth. One of the themes of this trip is "Dios es Fiel," or "God is Faithful." Watching the faithful sun illuminate the sky again this morning, just as it has for thousands years, was a great reminder of God’s faithfulness to his people.
Today was our last day of work here at the ranch. Since Monte was in town getting the air conditioning fixed for our trip to the mountains tomorrow (yay!), we weren’t able to do cement work on the multi-purpose building. Instead, we all split up and did a number of odd jobs. Some did death-defying scaffolding work. Some attempted to finish a porch. Some did various other odd jobs. The rest of us whitewashed buildings. Eh. Hannah and I whitewashed last year, and we were reluctant to do it again. The unquenchable dry hands, the blinding sun reflecting off of the white walls, and the apparent endlessness of the task reawakened dread in our hearts, but we did our job with little to no complaining. Tali and Jessie, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the novelty of the task immensely.
At three we left for our final visit to the brickyard. My team finished the foundation of a brick latrine. I’m still not sure how this whole contraption is going to look in the end. I’m curious. Maybe next year I’ll be able to see the finished product.
We finished training another team of missionaries from Illinois that is going to continue our work after we leave. If you can spare a prayer, send it in their direction.
It was so strange for me to say goodbye to the kids at the brickyard. I’ve seen them so frequently during these past 2 weeks that I have a difficult time believing that I won’t be seeing them again for at least a year. I know it will sink in soon, and that makes me sad. Our team has been praying for the salvation of the people at the brickyard. It would be great if you would do the same. Here are some names to add to your list: Jasmine, America, Sergio, Diana, Anna, Katarina, Esmerelda, Louis, Victoria, Shoshita, Lupe, Mary-Elena, Juana, Susanna, Fabio, Angelita, Linda, and Marta.
When we returned to the ranch we had a crazy-awesome guys against girls water fight. Classic. The boys did not fight fairly. They stole our water balloons and ambushed us with giant buckets of water. The cold wind blowing through Rancho Siloe chilled us to the bone, but the fight had to continue. Soon it got messy…really messy. It became a mud fight – my first mud fight ever! I’m convinced that I’ll be finding small rocks, sticks, hay, and grass in my hair periodically during the next few weeks. A good time was had by all ☺.
God has definitely been faithful to our team during this trip. Injuries have been minimal; no one has had to take a day off for any health-related issues. Our unity has remained strong as we have worked through difficulties together. Monte is well, and the air conditioning was fixed.
We thank you all very much for your prayers. Keep them up! We’re not out of Mexico yet!
I love you guys! God bless you!
Sarah
Today was our last day of work here at the ranch. Since Monte was in town getting the air conditioning fixed for our trip to the mountains tomorrow (yay!), we weren’t able to do cement work on the multi-purpose building. Instead, we all split up and did a number of odd jobs. Some did death-defying scaffolding work. Some attempted to finish a porch. Some did various other odd jobs. The rest of us whitewashed buildings. Eh. Hannah and I whitewashed last year, and we were reluctant to do it again. The unquenchable dry hands, the blinding sun reflecting off of the white walls, and the apparent endlessness of the task reawakened dread in our hearts, but we did our job with little to no complaining. Tali and Jessie, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the novelty of the task immensely.
At three we left for our final visit to the brickyard. My team finished the foundation of a brick latrine. I’m still not sure how this whole contraption is going to look in the end. I’m curious. Maybe next year I’ll be able to see the finished product.
We finished training another team of missionaries from Illinois that is going to continue our work after we leave. If you can spare a prayer, send it in their direction.
It was so strange for me to say goodbye to the kids at the brickyard. I’ve seen them so frequently during these past 2 weeks that I have a difficult time believing that I won’t be seeing them again for at least a year. I know it will sink in soon, and that makes me sad. Our team has been praying for the salvation of the people at the brickyard. It would be great if you would do the same. Here are some names to add to your list: Jasmine, America, Sergio, Diana, Anna, Katarina, Esmerelda, Louis, Victoria, Shoshita, Lupe, Mary-Elena, Juana, Susanna, Fabio, Angelita, Linda, and Marta.
When we returned to the ranch we had a crazy-awesome guys against girls water fight. Classic. The boys did not fight fairly. They stole our water balloons and ambushed us with giant buckets of water. The cold wind blowing through Rancho Siloe chilled us to the bone, but the fight had to continue. Soon it got messy…really messy. It became a mud fight – my first mud fight ever! I’m convinced that I’ll be finding small rocks, sticks, hay, and grass in my hair periodically during the next few weeks. A good time was had by all ☺.
God has definitely been faithful to our team during this trip. Injuries have been minimal; no one has had to take a day off for any health-related issues. Our unity has remained strong as we have worked through difficulties together. Monte is well, and the air conditioning was fixed.
We thank you all very much for your prayers. Keep them up! We’re not out of Mexico yet!
I love you guys! God bless you!
Sarah
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Day 10 – Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It’s Off to Work We Go....
Sorry, it is late and we don’t know how to spell “heigh ho.” Is that how it’s spelled? Feel free to give us your opinions. : ) Anyway….
As usual, the alarm clock went off this morning, and as usual, none of us felt like placing our feet on the cold tiles. Hannah and Sarah were the first ones up, because they wanted to see the breathtaking Mexican sunrise! As we all arrived at the kitchen for breakfast, we learned that Churchill was fighting for his life, and many of us were a bit distracted during our devo time.
So after a quick prayer for Churchill, we gathered our supplies and started up the concrete mixer. We completed the porch that we had begun on Friday! We worked so hard that we got it done by 10:30! Jessie and Tali filled buckets with cement, and Snyder filled buckets with water and took pictures. Megan, Sarah, and Hannah filled buckets with gravel. Then Josh, Zach, and Brett dumped all the buckets into the mixer and emptied it into wheelbarrows, which were manned by Tyler, David, and Bastian. They wheeled the concrete over to the porch where Kate, Kenzy, Aleah, Gary, and Monte leveled and smoothed it.
As soon as we had cleaned up from the cement, we took a break. It was at this time that Tali and Jessie found that Churchill had passed away. So then we had a small burial for him.
After break we split up into smaller groups and began working on some odd jobs that kept us busy until lunchtime. Some of us whitewashed, others welded, and made more cement forms.
Today was laundry day, and we were exciting to get clean clothing after wearing out current clothes for five days straight with no showers. Just kidding!! But seriously, Kim and Mrs. H have kept us well supplied with clean clothes and wonderful food. This morning, after they finished the laundry, they had to go into town with Gail to get our visas!
This was the seventh intense day of work here in the blazing Mexico heat. We are all exhausted by midday and then feel the need for a siesta. However, today, we only had an hour of rest before we had to depart for the Brickyard. So, no rest for the weary. : )
Today we got to teach a team of kids from Illinois how to build the outhouses, so they can continue working on them after we leave. We split up into three groups: two were working on outhouses and the remaining team members played with the kids. Jasmine and her family got all dressed up for us to take pictures of them just like they did last year.
We are all getting worn out, but we are enjoying our time here at the ranch and are looking forward to relaxing in the Sierra Madres. But first we have another day of work! : )
Prayer Requests:
- Continued unity
- Unconditional love for each other and for the people that we come into contact with
- That the air conditioning in the van will get fixed before we have the three-hour drive to the mountains
- Safety as we finish up our work projects and then as we travel to the mountains on Thursday
- Energy to complete our last day of work here at the ranch
- PRAISE – Monte is back to “one-hundred percent”
We love you all! Thanks for praying for us!!!!
Also, thank you for all of your sweet comments regarding Churchill!
Love, Hannah and Megan
As usual, the alarm clock went off this morning, and as usual, none of us felt like placing our feet on the cold tiles. Hannah and Sarah were the first ones up, because they wanted to see the breathtaking Mexican sunrise! As we all arrived at the kitchen for breakfast, we learned that Churchill was fighting for his life, and many of us were a bit distracted during our devo time.
So after a quick prayer for Churchill, we gathered our supplies and started up the concrete mixer. We completed the porch that we had begun on Friday! We worked so hard that we got it done by 10:30! Jessie and Tali filled buckets with cement, and Snyder filled buckets with water and took pictures. Megan, Sarah, and Hannah filled buckets with gravel. Then Josh, Zach, and Brett dumped all the buckets into the mixer and emptied it into wheelbarrows, which were manned by Tyler, David, and Bastian. They wheeled the concrete over to the porch where Kate, Kenzy, Aleah, Gary, and Monte leveled and smoothed it.
As soon as we had cleaned up from the cement, we took a break. It was at this time that Tali and Jessie found that Churchill had passed away. So then we had a small burial for him.
After break we split up into smaller groups and began working on some odd jobs that kept us busy until lunchtime. Some of us whitewashed, others welded, and made more cement forms.
Today was laundry day, and we were exciting to get clean clothing after wearing out current clothes for five days straight with no showers. Just kidding!! But seriously, Kim and Mrs. H have kept us well supplied with clean clothes and wonderful food. This morning, after they finished the laundry, they had to go into town with Gail to get our visas!
This was the seventh intense day of work here in the blazing Mexico heat. We are all exhausted by midday and then feel the need for a siesta. However, today, we only had an hour of rest before we had to depart for the Brickyard. So, no rest for the weary. : )
Today we got to teach a team of kids from Illinois how to build the outhouses, so they can continue working on them after we leave. We split up into three groups: two were working on outhouses and the remaining team members played with the kids. Jasmine and her family got all dressed up for us to take pictures of them just like they did last year.
We are all getting worn out, but we are enjoying our time here at the ranch and are looking forward to relaxing in the Sierra Madres. But first we have another day of work! : )
Prayer Requests:
- Continued unity
- Unconditional love for each other and for the people that we come into contact with
- That the air conditioning in the van will get fixed before we have the three-hour drive to the mountains
- Safety as we finish up our work projects and then as we travel to the mountains on Thursday
- Energy to complete our last day of work here at the ranch
- PRAISE – Monte is back to “one-hundred percent”
We love you all! Thanks for praying for us!!!!
Also, thank you for all of your sweet comments regarding Churchill!
Love, Hannah and Megan
A Joy Given, A Life Taken
Today has been a rough day for our team, especially for Jessie and me. When Jessie got Churchill out of his basket to feed him this morning, he was completely limp. Coming to me in the kitchen, she set him in my hands as she prepared his breakfast. At first we thought it had just been too long since he had eaten (we didn't wake up in the night to feed him), but it quickly became obvious that something was very wrong: his whole body shook as he gasped for breath. With tears in our eyes, we watched him fight for his life. Although it was only 6:30 in the morning, we decided to take our dear bunny to Fito's (one of the Mexican students here) house, to see if he would know what to do. Knocking on his screen door, we waited impatiently for him to come to us. Finally he came outside, took the sweet bunny in his hands, and began to massage him. Hours seem to pass as he rubbed Churchill's body, and attempted to resucitate him by squirting air into his mouth through the eye dropper. But it was to no avail. Eventually we left Fito and wandered forlornly back to the kitchen, holding our dying rabbit in our hands.
A long morning passed. Of course there was work to be done, and Jessie and I attempted to rouse ourselves from our sorrow in order to be as helpful as possible. Every time I ran from my work to check on my precious Churchill, I found that he grew progressively worse. Finally, at 10:15 this morning, I watched as Winston Aslan Churchill drew his last breath. Tears dripped down my cheeks and soaked his fur as I drew his lifeless form to my heart. Bursting into tears, Jessie came to me, taking Churchill into her own hands. The boys got a shovel, and we trudged to a circle of stones we had found in the brush a few days prior. As our dear little friend was lain in the ground, Jessie and I held each other, encircled by our comforting friends, sobbing and sobbing.
It may be silly, but I had come to love that little bundle of fur over the past eight days. He was at every meal, every meeting. I woke up in the middle of the night to feed him, I postponed my meals (though I was often extremely hungry) to give him his, I checked on him every chance I got, I played with him every evening. Somehow that little creature was a part of our team. And now he's gone. It still hasn't really settled into my heart. I keep thinking it's time to feed him. I keep wanting to go get him out and play with him. I keep hoping that it's all been a dream, and he's really still there, hopping about his basket.
But I know he is not. My sweet, adorable, lively bunny has been taken from me. And yet, God is good. I know that He has His hand in this situation. I know that it happened for a reason, a purpose. No matter the pain that still pulls at my heart, my God is a loving God, and I thank Him for at least giving us this rabbit, who gave us so very much joy.
Thank you for enduring my rambling, if you actually made it through this post, that is. Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers--we desperately need them!!
Sorrowfully,
Tali Rose
A long morning passed. Of course there was work to be done, and Jessie and I attempted to rouse ourselves from our sorrow in order to be as helpful as possible. Every time I ran from my work to check on my precious Churchill, I found that he grew progressively worse. Finally, at 10:15 this morning, I watched as Winston Aslan Churchill drew his last breath. Tears dripped down my cheeks and soaked his fur as I drew his lifeless form to my heart. Bursting into tears, Jessie came to me, taking Churchill into her own hands. The boys got a shovel, and we trudged to a circle of stones we had found in the brush a few days prior. As our dear little friend was lain in the ground, Jessie and I held each other, encircled by our comforting friends, sobbing and sobbing.
It may be silly, but I had come to love that little bundle of fur over the past eight days. He was at every meal, every meeting. I woke up in the middle of the night to feed him, I postponed my meals (though I was often extremely hungry) to give him his, I checked on him every chance I got, I played with him every evening. Somehow that little creature was a part of our team. And now he's gone. It still hasn't really settled into my heart. I keep thinking it's time to feed him. I keep wanting to go get him out and play with him. I keep hoping that it's all been a dream, and he's really still there, hopping about his basket.
But I know he is not. My sweet, adorable, lively bunny has been taken from me. And yet, God is good. I know that He has His hand in this situation. I know that it happened for a reason, a purpose. No matter the pain that still pulls at my heart, my God is a loving God, and I thank Him for at least giving us this rabbit, who gave us so very much joy.
Thank you for enduring my rambling, if you actually made it through this post, that is. Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers--we desperately need them!!
Sorrowfully,
Tali Rose
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