2 Timothy 1:7 - Titus 3:4-7

John and Victor are becoming buds!

Tons of shoes! Joanna and Andi sorted them.

The pet of the day.

Ladies who are sorting here and there.

Victor and Julie giving Victor's testimony. They are so loving to each other.

Grandpa with Daniel. He loves his Papa!

Grace and Fidel schooling the other team!

Popocatapetl

I swear we are working :)

Good morning! The last four days here and been nothing short of PHENOMENAL! I have been tested in many ways that I feel like I could never have done with out the support of this team and God. I miss my girls like crazy but all these children, both young and old are amazing and temporarily take my mind off of them. It is just amazing the joy that radiates from their faces and attitudes when they have experienced so much in their young lives, things that you and I could never imagine. There are so many things I am grateful for since coming here - clean water, four walls on my house with doors and windows that close completely, a washer and dryer, and good traffic laws (I have promised John to never be a back seat driver again - well at least not for a long time (: )

Every morning we eat together and follow with a devotion that is lead by a new person each morning. (I have tomorrow, pray for me!) The food is so good. Rosa is the cook here and I am trying to find a way to bribe her to come back to the states with us! We each learn of our daily chores and hear of the projects that are to be completed during the day. It is really amazing the energy the group has shown and the amount of work that has been accomplished. In the afternoon, the kids come home from VBS and help complete the jobs and then we have dinner.

Saturday and Sunday were great for relaxing. Saturday the plane was wonderful and a first for a few of us. Smooth sailing through the different check points for John and I; but, Brighton and the Sattler family got pulled for their luggage to be checked. It was a nail biter for me but alas nothing happened and all our items arrived safely.

Sunday, after breakfast, we had our own small worship service. We were singing in English and Spanish simultaneously. It was beautiful. We heard Victors testimony. It was nothing short of miracle after miracle to get them to the place they are now. I would encourage all of you to hear this if you can. (Ask one of us when we get home, we were all listening in anticipation of what would happen next - I think it should be a movie.) Ask to know about it. It just told us of how we just need to listen. LISTEN to what God is telling us. It is just jaw dropping and inspiring. Nothing is too hard or too tough to change. Not a thing.

In the afternoon, half of us went shopping and the other half went on a hike to see a ruins site. The pyramid (Tepaztonga?) was large and the hike was so hard but so worth the time and effort. I would like to take the time to thank my husband for being so patient with me when he could have been hiking a lot faster! Ben and Pastor Dave were so funny to watch. It felt like we were hiking up a waterfall. It was so beautiful. Just like the Popo , the volcano that is on the horizon line to the east of the ranch, (Poe Poe not poo poo) being at the top of the mountain next to the pyramid ruins - just breath taking and a sure sign that God does exist, that kind of beauty just does not happen on its own. It is not a scientific oops. It was God's creativity to show that he is with us even when we don't feel like it. We went out for dinner that night and had a great time trying to communicate with the kids. Most the time it just turns into a guessing game that only ends in laughter and a nod and smile. We are lucky to have Joanna and Becky to help serve as translators.

The last two days have been a lot of work. Together, we have painted and primed the new school room and warehouse and, today we will paint the school rooms blue and lay tile. A few of us have sorted medical supplies with the help of John and Danielle, two helping hands with medical backgrounds. A few more of the ladies have sorted clothes for future children to join the Zaragoza family and future crusades. A lot is being accomplished and we have three full days left. God is working in big ways! I would like to take a second to thank the Zaragoza and Marshall families as well as their other helping hands for the selflessness they show every day and their devotion to fulfill God's calling. What a testament to us all.

We closed last night with an intense soccer game with Fidel and Grace being star players and Joanna and Martita serving as goalies. Other people were slide tackling, doing backward somersaults, and throwing them selves when the opposite team would score yelling "PPOORRKKAAYYY" or "WWWHHHHYYYYY." The on lookers would cheer and laugh and the silliness. Pastor Dave took some adults on his prayer walk, where they saw Popocatapetl (the volcano) with the snow cap out of the clouds. Again, breath taking. It was a perfect end to a beautiful day.

If I may get personal, I would like to give a few shout outs.
1. Hey David! We surely miss you here. You love for God and your contagious good attitude - we wish you were here. However, you and I know (as well as everyone else) that you need to be home resting. The Lord has big plans for you and you need to be ready and rearing to go when that time comes! We love you!
2. HELLO REAGAN AND RYLEE!! Mom and Dad miss you so much. There are lots of kids here about your age, Rylee. Being away from you is making me so sad, but in just a few days we will have lots of stories to tell each other. I know you are having a blast with Aunt Nichole and Uncle James. Have fun at VBS tonight and enjoy your time with "grandma" Janel :) Love you so much!!!