Mexico Ministry Mission

13   Yesterday was the man next door’s birthday and they threw a big party that started at 2pm and ended at 9 pm.  Thank God they didn’t go until 3 or 4 am as they usually do.  Cane harvest didn’t end yesterday as usual but they decided to go until June 6 or until the rain stops them.  It has rained several times but not enough to hold things up for long.  I got pictures of the sound system to send out when we go back to the cyber.  Fidel worked today and yesterday and got the yard cut and cleaned up finally. I paid him 200 pesos for the 2 days work and gave  him the wood for firewood and hauled it to his house` for him.

OnFriday 5-10 it was Mother’s Day here in Mexico and they had a special event for mothers at the school.  Their speaker didn’t work so Gabriel, Geronimo, and some others came over to ask if they could borrow some speakers for their P.A. system. I loaned them our 10”speakers and they were happy.  After the event they brought back the speakers and also brought Pat a Mother’s Day gift theyhad bought plastic 1 gal pitchers for all the moms.  Sat 5-11 we went to Pujiltic to buy some vegetables and paid 40 pesos and also bought 200 pesos phone time for both ofus for a total of 400 pesos. Pat cleaned the house and washed the suitcase Bobleft so we can use it when we go home. Sun 5-12 was Mother’s Day in the U.S. and James and Judith called and let Pat and I talk to the kids.  They are excited we’re coming home soon.  Rosi andChuy came to the Bible study but Gabriel was sick and Damaris had to work withthe youth group. We had a good study and great discussions. I’m going to miss it a lot when we’re gone. Right after the study it rained hard for a couple ofhours.  I took Pat out to Paco’s and paid240 pesos for shrimp dinners.  While atPaco’s I got a message from Raul to call him. I called when we got back and he said we needed to come to Tuxtla this week to go with him to “Asuntos Religiosos “ or “Religious Affairs” to get thelast of the paperwork filed, get a copy to take with us and to hear exactly what we need to do from the official who’s handling our case.  He said that we were approved and that they just had to process our paperwork and send it to Mexico, then wait for the forms to be returned.  We have to take these to the Mexican Consulate in the U.S.to get our visas, 3 yrs!  They expect to have the forms by September but said we could take the paperwork and get the visas even if it’s not back yet.  We are supposed to get 3 year visas from Jan 2014- December 2016. Praise God! We have waited a long time and paid alot of money.  We paid 80 pesos in Taxifare from Home Depot to the Presidencia (city hall, or in this case State Capitolbldg.) and gave Raul another 500 pesos. We bought 404.50 pesos in hardware atHome Depot and bought expanded metal and angle at a steel distributor for202.20 pesos. We put 470 pesos in gas in the truck and ate at Paco’s on the wayin for 90 pesos.

Lastday of April and barley more than a month to go here.  We talked to Gabriel and Conrado last nightand plan to start a Bible study with the ministry team each Sunday. I hope and pray everyone will take part in it. Daniel sent me a message yesterday and asked us to talk to Jenny to make sure she wanted to give her kids and that she would sign in the end.  We talked to her for over an hour and she said she would give us an answer Saturday.  I was really hoping she would say no and wantto keep her kids but she seemed happy with the idea of giving them up foradoption. Maybe it will be better for the kids but they will be badly hurt by being unwanted by their mother. This job hurts a lot sometimes. We boughtmedicine in Pujiltic yesterday and paid 35 pesos, lunch was 100 pesos and webought supper for 95 pesos, we also spent 50 pesos on fresh fruit.  I tried the batteries in the wireless mics and they both work good. I learned that Conrado plays guitar and keyboard and sings too!  We plan to practice together and hope to do another crusade and this time we will do the music.  On Sunday 4-28 a lady from Tuxtla came with ayoung man who works for her and asked me to help her get an appointment at the clinic in Cintalapa for surgery.  She hasGlaucoma and is losing her sight. They want me to help the young man to get his eye surgery for free.  I told them I’d talk to Pastor Hugo and try to help them.

Since Wednesday we have worked on the speaker box, finallygot it done today. We went to Comitan to buy felt and glue to cover it and paid255 pesos for felt 3 mtrs and 1 meter black polyester knit to put over the frontas a dust cover. We bought glue, batteries and food at Wal-Mart and paid 380pesos and phone time 400 pesos. We ate at the food court and paid 112 pesos.Today we went to Pujiltic and bought nails and more glue and screws and paid140 pesos. We ate at Paco’s and paid 100 pesos. We went to Gerardo’s house andleft the last payment of 4500 with his wife. Praise God and thanks to all whohave donated and helped! We got it paid off quickly!   4-30-13   Last day of April and barely more than amonth to go here.  We talked to Gabrieland Conrado last night and plan to start a Bible study with the ministry teameach Sunday. I hope and pray everyone will take part in it. Daniel sent me amessage yesterday and asked us to talk to Jenny to make sure she wanted to giveher kids and that she would sign in the end. We talked to her for over an hour and she said she would give us ananswer Saturday.  I was really hoping shewould say no and want to keep her kids but she seemed happy with the idea ofgiving them up for adoption. Maybe it will be better for the kids but they willbe badly hurt by being unwanted by their mother. This job hurts a lotsometimes. We bought medicine in Pujiltic yesterday and paid 35 pesos, lunchwas 100 pesos and we bought supper for 95 pesos, we also spent 50 pesos onfresh fruit.  I tried the batteries inthe wireless mics and they both work good. I learned that Conrado plays guitarand keyboard and sings too!  We plan topractice together and hope to do another crusade and this time we will do themusic.  On Sunday 4-28 a lady from Tuxtlacame with a young man who works for her and asked me to help her get anappointment at the clinic in Cintalapa for surgery.  She has Glaucoma and is losing her sight.They want me to help the young man to get his eye surgery for free.  I told them I’d talk to Pastor Hugo and tryto help them.

Got up at 7 am to take despensas to S.F. Ojo de Agua. We took 25 to the Christianswe missed when we went before. Juan and his wife went with us and helped. Hetold us that the former Pastor at Alturo Albores died yesterday in surgery atTuxtla. We also learned from Rosi that Mario’s 6 day old baby girl had diedlast night also in surgery in Tuxtla. We talked to a young lady named Blanca today,who grew up in the U.S. in Raleigh, NC. She’s back here with her family for 2years now and hates it here. She is very apologetic to us, apologizing for howbad it is here. I feel sorry for her and hope she can make the best of it. Pat,Rosi and I went to Paco’s for lunch and 160 pesos. I just paid 897 pesos forour electric bill.   4-23-13   OnSunday the 20^th we went to Comitan to use the internet. We calledhome and posted a few pictures on Facebook then went to Sam’s and boughtbottled water, and put 490 pesos in gas. We spent 270 pesos at Sam’s. Mondaythe 22 we brought the sound system to the pantry and tried out the speakers,mics, amps, and mixer. I also brought my keyboard and tried it out through thesystem. Everything works good except the old Sunn amp. It crackles and some ofthe pots are fried but the Mitzu power amp works great.  All of the wired mics work good but stilldon’t have batteries to try the 2 wireless mics.  I talked to Gerardo yesterday and he’s comingtomorrow to help me understand the mixer. I bought a sheet of 3/4″ plywood (paid608 pesos) and some screws (paid 48 pesos)to make the second speaker boxtoday.  We also went to Sam’s and spent212 pesos for food. We also bought vegetables at Wal-Mart paid 102 pesos andfilled up the Toyota and paid 386 pesos.

We went to Comitan to buy salt at San Luis and paid 221 pesos for 100kg of iodizedsalt. Also put 450 pesos gas in Toyota. Karen did another teaching todaybecause it was so popular and well received. Our team is devouring the lessonsand wants more! Maybe we can continue the Bible studies here too. Last day washere was bigger and there were 7 or 8 saved too! Jenny’s sister asked us againto take Jenny’s kids! Tomorrow is the last day and we go to Pancho Villa.   4-17-13   Had agood teaching session today and our team actually broke down a scripture passage,picked out a theme to teach in a drama, wrote a short drama based on personalexperience and then acted it out! I can see a lot of possibilities from here!We went to Pancho Villa and had a great turnout of kids and adults. I didn’tget a count but there were a lot of people kids and adults who prayed thesinner’s prayer. We took coloring books and balls back to 9 de Abril and thento Paco’s for supper. I paid 760 pesos for food and drinks for us all. We camehome and downloaded cameras and shared photos and contact info.   4-18-13   Stayedup almost all night, got maybe an hour of sleep and took Karen and Dan to theairport. We hugged and said goodbyes and Pat and I came home. We ate breakfastat Paco’s, 90 pesos, came home and slept a couple of hours. SO TIRED! I gaveGererdo another 2000 pesos on the sound system yesterday and now I owe another4500 pesos.

Started at Por Venir and had a good turnout but only 3 accepted Jesus. Then we went toSantuario after praying for Bartolome’s family and home. Had a big crowd atSantuario and everybody had a good time. Many kids, probably 30-40 acceptedJesus as Savior. We came home to load up again and went to Zapata and did wellagain with at least 20 accepting Jesus including several adults.  The dramas, Bible lessons and short Gospelmessage are very effective! So tired though and glad we don’t have to make bagstonight! And glad we have a light day tomorrow too.   4-14-13 We went to Copanaguastla to see the ruins andvisited Amancio’s house. Lots of despensas this week! First day of KidsMinistry Course was very good and well attended but the clowns did not show andsaid (by message) that they wouldn’t make Monday or Tuesday either! I guessthey don’t think it’s important. Also first 3 days here in Chihuahua of SidewalkSunday school. It went well but very low turnout, and only a few saved.    4-15-13    Todaywe went to 9 de Abril and did the event for about 40 kids, only 2 acceptedJesus. Teaching (Kids Ministry Class) was very good. The event here in the parkwas good, but still a small turnout and no one saved today.

I went to see Gerardo today and paid 3500pesos down on the sound system and brought it home. I agreed to pay the rest6500 pesos within 60 days. I’m acting on faith because we don’t have the moneyyet. I also filled up the van with gas to go to Tuxtla to get Karen and Dan atthe airport, 870 pesos. I put the sound system in the tortiarilla and haven’tgot to try it out yet. Picked up Karen and Dan (an hour late again) and camehome to rest.   4-11-13 We got up early and took despensas to the peoplefrom Las Margaritas on the way to the border and went by to let Pastor Juan know I won’t be selling (or trading) thekeyboard. We bought 1000 coloring books at La Mesilla and paid 3000 pesos. Wealso bought 2 doz. baby toys and 2 doz. water games for 120 pesos. I bought uslunch 280 pesos and paid 20 pesos for parking. We went from there to Comitanand bought food, bags, ice, fruit and coffee and paid 778 pesos. Then we wentto Sam’s, bought more food, coffee filters, bottled water, and candy for thegift bags and paid 779.65 pesos. We put 480 pesos in gas in the Toyota and camehome and ate “Pollo Brujo” at Gabriel’s house. We bagged up despensas and giftbags till midnight.   4-12-13   Got upearly and went to El Sausal and did the kids event at the school. A drunk cameinto the school yard and wouldn’t leave so he ended up going to jail when theteacher had him removed. There were about 10 who raised their hands and prayedto accept Jesus including 2 or 3 adults! Then we went to Jocote and had about20-25 kids. There were only 3 who accepted Jesus there, but then we went to LaRoca. There were about 8 who accepted Jesus there. All were very pleased withthe program and glad we came. We came home worn out and made despensas and giftbags till midnight again.

Pat and I went to Pancho Villa to talk toIsabel about helping us arrange permission o do a kids’ event there on April 17^th.She’s guessing around 150 kids or more. We went to Por Venir and they areoffering Bartolome’s house and lot to do an event. They say about 40 kids.There are about 500-600 in Santuario according to Carmen and Reynaldo! Wow, alot more than I thought. We didn’t go to Zapata because I don’t know if we’llbe able to do it all. Plan to go to El Sausal, Jocote, and La Roca on Monday toask if we can do events at the schools during regular hours and find out howmany kids there are. Karen will ask Jake for more money and we’ll do what wecan to make it work. Juan Aguilar called and I plan to go see him Monday about3:00 pm.   4-2-13 Yesterday we spent the whole day going tocolonias to verify the number of kids in each and to try to get permission fromthe community leaders. Some counts dropped and others grew till we ended upwith just over 1,000 total. We have permission in El Sausal, Jocote, La Roca,Santuario, Pancho Villa and we expect to hear from the rest very soon. We put550 pesos gas in the van for the trip tomorrow and we are almost all loaded up.We bought 400 pesos in phone time too.   4-8-13               Whew,100 degrees today! We loaded up luggage on Tues pm and left for Convention at4:00 am. We arrived just after 8:00 am and ate breakfast. We then got our stuffunloaded at the house where we stayed. Pat, Rosi, Chuy and I went to visitHumberto and Rubi and to take them the pump. They were very happy! We madearrangements to go fishing on Thursday, and went back to the Convention. Weleft at 6:00 am Thursday to be at the beach at 7 to go fishing. We cast a 1000meter net 5 times and caught very little. We bought some fish and shrimp and wegot back home Saturday am. I woke up with a fever on Sunday and I am takingantibiotics again. We spent 85 pesos on snack food for the trip. We bought foodand drinks and spent 85 pesos. We paid 250 pesos for 5kg shrimp cooked andpeeled and 2 doz. Fish for 70 pesos and 20 pesos for ice. I bought 300pesosgasoline for fishing trip. Came home low on gas and still haven’t filled up.Pat bought 3 jugs of water 33 pesos and 200 pesos phone time. We asked thepastors to help us buy Gerardo’s sound system for $1000 USD but only one,Pastor Rick replied so far. We asked for prayer from several friends and 4 wantto donate so far! It looks possible after all! We bought medicines yesterdayand paid 160 pesos at Simi.

Pat’s birthday today, we went to Comitan this morning to go to thecyber and to do some shopping. I paid 78 pesos at the cyber for internet, 33copies and for adjusting (setting?) my laptop so it will automatically connectto an IP address. The other cyber had messed it up by trying to set it. Wetalked to the grandkids, talked to mama and found out daddy’s doing better andcan get himself in and out of his wheelchair now. We went to Wal-Mart andbought 204 pesos groceries then to Sam’s and spent 299 pesos. We also bought 400pesos phone time at Wal-Mart.   3-28-13  Yesterday we bought some pipe fittings for 160 pesos in Pujiltic and gotour solar water heater installed. It’s a roll of black poly-pipe 80m long,coiled in the sun, connected to the water supply with a green garden hose andspigot on the end. It heats pretty well and should do better as the days gethotter. We also got Pat’s drip irrigation hose installed and watering. We gotthe Itinerary made and sent to Karen for the week she’s coming from RansomedLife Church in Smyrna DE. We’ve traded dozens of text messages over the lastfew days till my fingers are sore! We should have a pretty productive week. Ipaid 160 pesos for pipe fittings.