Still in Veracruz!

Greetings from the state of Veracruz! Victor and I left Refuge Ranch on Sunday morning at about 9:30 a.m. after greeting the last three members of this week's work team that had arrived late the night before. (The work team consists of Dale from Indiana, Kerstin from Wisconsin, Lorraine and Ivan from Ohio, Dave and Jamie from Kentucky, and Zach's mom, Kris, and her friend Carole from Ohio.) Victor and then stopped in the city of Puebla to eat one of my all-time favorite Mexican foods - stuffed chiles with pomegranate seeds on top. Just as we were leaving Puebla the engine temperature suddenly shot way up! Victor, always very in tune with the cars he drives, immediately slowed down and then pulled over. One of the radiator hoses had burst! He poured in the rest of the radiator fluid that we had with us, which cooled the engine enough to get to a gas station with a mechanic next to it.

Of course, the mechanic didn't have the right hose, so we spent the next two hours flagging down a taxi, returning to Puebla, going to two auto parts stores, buying the hose and putting it on the car. We thank the Lord that the hose blew so close to a major city so that we can even get the part and that Victor noticed the temperature right away and no damage was done to the engine.

We arrived at John and Maria's house at about 8:30 and Maria was just getting ready to lay Daniel down for bed. Of course, he got to stay up for awhile longer to get to know his new parents! He came right to us and we spent an hour or so visiting and playing with him. Victor and I then went back 40 minutes up the highway to the nearest large city to stay at a hotel to get some good rest.

We went back to John and Maria's this morning at about 8:30 and Daniel ran to the door when he saw me and ran right up to me! We did not get the papers we had hoped to get today, so that is why we are still in Veracruz, but we had a great day with Daniel! We went to go pick up Daniel's mother to go with us to the DIF (Child and Family Services) office. His mother is 21 years old and lives in a village about 40 minutes from the main town of Hueyapan, Veracruz. We took a paved two lane road that turned into a dirt two lane road, which turned into a one lane rock road(?). It was a beautiful drive thorugh lush tropical scenery and over a bubbling little river, but extremely bumpy and hot. Daniel's mother already gave away her three older children, ages 7, 5, and 3, as all four of her children were a product of incest by her step-father. She has escaped his home and is now living with a young man she hopes to marry. She is a very small young woman, with an extremely sad face and was quite ill when we arrived today and has been suffering fainting spells lately.

When we arrived her husband was not home, so it took some convincing for her to come with us as she is part of an indigenous community in which women cannot leave the home without their husband's permission. Her husband's 70 year old grandmother (barefoot and in traditional indian clothing) finally agreed to come with her so that her husband would not get mad at her.

We went to the DIF office where the director called the state office and informed us that the DIF could not do anything about Daniel because we did not want to pursue his adoption. (It's not that we aren't willing to pursue it, but adoption is so difficult, drawn out and uncertain it's really not worth it!) She sent us to the city lawyer. This is a picture of Daniel and his birth mother in the DIF office. Shortly after this picture was taken, Daniel's mother fainted! After she came to, she was taken in the DIF director's personal truck to the community health center as Victor and I waited for the director to get the return phone call from the state.

Victor and I went on to see the city lawyer, while Daniel's mother was at the doctor. The lawyer informed us that he could do the paperwork for us to have legal guardianship of Daniel, the only thing that the state of Veracruz would allow us to do, but this process would take several months! In the meantime, we couldn't take Daniel because we would have no documents to proove that his mother had given us permission to have him and we could get arrested at any one of the several military checkpoints we must go through on the way back to Refug e Ranch if they realize that Daniel is not ours and we don't have permission to have him with us.

We basically implored him to think of an idea for someway to get us a document showing that Daniel's mother has given him up to us so that we could take him back to Refuge Ranch while the guardianship court case was in process. He finally, after several hours, suggested that he contact a friend of his who is a notary public and that maybe he could draw up such a document. So, we finally took Daniel's mother home around 5:30 p.m. and then hung out at John and Maria's house with Daniel.

We are now at a hotel in the larger city, Acayucan, about 40 minutes from John and Maria's place and I have internet access! Yeah! The lawyer informed us late this evening that the notary is out of town! So, plan 3,725 (or so it feels!)! Tomorrow, Maria is going to pick up Daniel's mom in the morning and we will meet them, and the city lawyer, in Hueyapan (where John and Maria live). The lawyer will draw up the letter that we need and take it to the city judge for his stamp of approval. HUGE PRAYER REQUEST- that the judge is actually present, available and willing to stamp the letter! Of course, the lawyer is not available until noon - so this won't be happening as early as we would like!

We pray that Daniel's mother shows up (she wants to give him up, but is kind of tired of coming and going all the time); that the lawyer shows up on time; that the letter can be written; that the judge is present, available and willing to stamp the letter.

We trust that all that will happen and we will be able to leave for Refuge Ranch, with Daniel, tomorrow afternoon and arrive home late tomorrow night! Our other kids need us too!

The awesome part about today was that Daniel really started to bond with us! For the last month and a half, Maria would ask Daniel: "Where is Mommy?" And he would just point out into space. This morning, Daniel was on my lap and Maria asked him, "Where is Mommy?" He immediately turned around and pointed at me! He did this three times consecutively! Throughout the day, on about 4 different, unrelated occasions, people commented on how content and attached Daniel seemed to be with us - including the DIF director and city lawyer who were shocked to know that we had met Daniel in person less than 24 hours ago! He even slept in my arms about an hour and a half this afternoon. We left him with John and Maria tonight because he has a crib there and is used to the routine there and I think they are enjoying every last moment that they can have with him. But, we left him crying for us and stretching out his arms saying, "Mama! Papa!" Heart breaking! But, Lord willing, I will take him in my arms and never have to leave him again!

Thanks for your prayers and sharing this adventure with us!

May God's power be displayed for the world to see!

Julie

Oaxaca, One More Perspective

My time in Oaxaca was a very eye opening experience. That line is a growing cliche, but you'll have that when you take spoiled Americans, accustomed to electricity, hot showers, and toilets that flush, and drop them in the middle of a trash dump in an underprivileged area of Mexico. The drive there was fun...plenty of cramming in and out of the vehicle at rest stops, but plenty of sleep time within. I have never been farther west in the United States than Illinois, so the massive rolling green mountains were all new to me. When we finally arrived at our camp site, we unpacked, snacked on some bread, and got ready for bed. I had made the mistake of only bringing a pillow (no blankets or sleeping bag), but luckily the family that lived on property had some spare blankets for me so I wasn't too cold. Still, the first night sleep on a table was quite a change from my SelectComfort bed in Ohio (another example of the spoiled American life).

The first morning was rough...I was kindly placed on bathroom cleaning duty. For those that know me, they know I'm a pretty severe germaphobe, but for those that don't know me, you really won't appreciate the toll this job took on me. Plastic dentistry gloves and a doctor's mask really did nothing to mask the scent of an outhouse or block the germs that probably had festered for weeks. Without Ernesto, I could have never gotten through the job...he did quite a bit of the work (but I paid him back when dish-day came, because I'm a master scrubber/cleaner from plenty of work at a restaurant). When the job was done, I washed my hands with bleach twice and went through 1/4 of my Axe bottle trying to remove that deathscent. The rest of the day, I heard plenty of jokes about how I have bathroom duty again the next day with a toothbrush, but I let them roll off, as I knew there was no way I was returning to those three cesspits/pools with intentions to clean. Everyone still tells me that it was a learning experience, but the only thing I learned is that I want to get a 6-dig job so I can pay someone to clean MY bathrooms. A few people were able to snag pictures, but I'm sure my eyes were spitting fire, so I'm sure they won't be happy with them. Angelica's camera actually got wiped by a girl from Oaxaca, so that's one less set of pictures to worry about. Now that I look back on it, I really don't feel better about doing it, but I knew it had to be done and I am glad I did it on a mission, serving God...because if it hadn't been for God, I wouldn't have gone anywhere near.

My actual job on the mission was to follow Adrian around, which I would have really enjoyed (he's a pretty cool guy), but I actually ended up elsewhere. Halfway through the day, I was bored senseless and there was no work to be done, so I took Julie's advice and grabbed a soccer ball and started a game (there was a goal post just behind the main building). My ministry at the house is sports, and my ministry in Oaxaca was the same. I played soccer all day for three straight days. While I wasn't going to stop the game midplay to evangelize, after each game, the boys went with Julie for a time of songs, stories, and crafts. Every day, the numbers seemed to grow as word spread about all-day soccer at the church. There were a few boys 15-16 that played each night (we played until long after the sun went down...the moon was the only light) and I got to know a few of them by go on trips around town with them (in search for more soccer balls after our first two popped). I was able to talk about their lives, my life, etc. and as far as I know, my Spanish made sense to them. The last night, the whole group had a church service, and those guys stayed and watched the whole thing (some of the only locals, and definitely the only males their age). Even after the church service, they went out in front of one of the lights and juggled the ball back and forth in a circle. While I didn't openly evangelize, I was happy to be able to draw more people to the location of the mission, where the other team members did the evangelism.

After returning to softer beds, warmer blankets, less insects, warmer showers, fuller showers, electricity always at hand, my computer, contact with family, contact with friends, flushable toilets, food always at hand, drinks always at hand, running water, and normal life in general, I still look back on my first mission with bright memories. It didn't start as I had pictured it starting, but it definitely finished beautifully with plenty of soccer, souvenirs, and sunny days. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Written by: Zach Gerber - 19 yr. old summer volunteer from Ohio with Fishers of Men

Hello! This is Holly Fish (far left) and Emily Schueler (far right). We are both from Randolph Wisconsin and just participated in the medical crusade in Oaxaca, Mexico. We learned about Fishers of Men when Julie was on a home visit last fall and spoke in my (Emilys) church. After hearing about the mission I (Emily) felt a calling to go on one of these trips. I then talked about it with my friend Holly who also felt a callling to go. So we made the plans and decided to go on the crusade for six days and then stay with the Zaragozas at the Refuge Ranch for a few days.

Holly and I worked with the medical team doing various things throughout the week. We took weights and heights, blood pressures and blood sugars, cleaned peoples ears, and observed the doctors and different procedures that they performed. It was such a blessing that we got to work with such kind and patient doctors that were willing to show us different things and explain how and why they were doing that particular thing. You could definitely tell God was working through the entire staff.

The entire week was filled with new experiences. It started when we arrived and found that we would be sleeping on a cement floor, had no running water or electricity, and had an outhouse for our restroom. We also got to take cold bucket showers. Throughout the week we realized it was all worth it when we could help so many people. It helped us to get a taste of what these people live like every day and we were happy that we could help make their lives a little better even if it was only for a few days. However, the last night is when it truely came all together for us. One of the local churches where we held the crusade had a going away service for us. At the end of the service they all prayed for us and thanked us for our service and above all thanked God. It was such a moving experience to us, to see these people, who have so little be so thankful for things that we take for granted every day. Their amazing strength and faith in God really opened our eyes and hearts to see that God is really everywhere and works through all people. We were called to work through Him for these people, but these people worked through Him for us in a way we would have never imagined. We will never forget this experience and thank God for this opportunity and hope to be able to do it again.

Emily Schueler and Holly Fish

Greetings from Oaxaca, once again! The EMMC work finished last night and this morning we packed up and moved into Oaxaca City proper. We had been in the neighborhoods surrounding the garbage dump, which lies on the outside of the city. We spent this afternoon in the Zocalo, or main square area, of the city of Oaxaca enjoying all the sights, sounds and smells of this colonial city. Then, we sent the team and our kids back to the home where we will all be staying tonight and Victor and I are out on a date! Here you can see us where we just ate dinner in a nice restaurant with a balcony overlooking the main city square. It is like a breath of fresh air to have time for just Victor and I after such a glorious, yet busy week of constantly going from one need to another, from one child to another, from one question to another.

How can you summarize a crusade? Say it went well? What does ¨well¨mean? We are simply called to obey! So, once we have obeyed to the best of our God given talents, abilities and strength - that is a job well done! Do we measure a crusade by numbers? Some that accept Christ during a crusade will eventually fall away because the seed has fallen on hard ground or will be choked by weeds, like Jesus taught in his parable. (Mark 4:1-20) Others that did not make a personal decision for Jesus this week will eventually come to a personal relationship with Him due to the seeds planted in their hearts this week. Besides those with whom the Good News of Jesus Christ is shared and who receive the free services of our volunteer medical personnel, EMMC´s impact the lives of the church members and local pastors and missionaries with whom we serve, not to mention the lives of those of us who form part of the Fishers of Men team that carries out the crusades! Crusades even impact the lives of those of you who pray for the crusades, who financially support Fishers of Men and who follow our communications, such as this blog!

So, this crusade went well - we have obeyed our Father´s orders! In the coming days I will be sharing more stories with you - the Zaragoza children and how the Lord used them throughout the crusade and blessed their own lives at the same time; the woman who can talk correctly again because she got two new front teeth; the committment and dedication of our Mexican volunteers who faithfully serve crusade after crusade; as well as adventures from Zach, Emily and Holly - our short-term/summer volunteers.

Thank you for your prayers and we ask that you continue to pray as we travel back to Mexico City tomorrow! God bless you all!

With much love and appreciation,

Julie
P.S. Here is a bonus picture you can laugh or cry at! Our bathroom facilities for this past week! Oh the sweet sound of a flushing toilet! Even those of us who are missionaries appreciate certain blessings when the Lord allows us to have them!

Hola from Mexico! Julie asked me to post some time this week while they were in Oaxaca and "introduce" myself. :) Most of you know my name as you have heard about me in newsletters and emails. However, in case anyone slipped through the cracks of communication (which is quite possible) my name is Ashleigh Weis. I posted a picture of myself with all the kids in the pool as I thought it would be appropriate, seeing that I have spent quite a bit of time with the kids in that activity as their swimming teacher!

A minstry blog has been an exciting new adventure that Julie and I have talked about(It was her idea, just for the record). There are so many little stories that happen on a day to day basis that we are never really able to share with you all. Many of you have been down here and you know the faces and the people behind these stories. With this type of communication you will be able to share life with us, laugh with us, and pray for us on a more personal and daily basis. What a blessing from God to be in such a technologically advanced age where we, as missionaries, can communicate so consistently with all of you!

To begin the tradition of sharing life I would like to tell you about my preschool class last week. We have been studying plants and planting (soon to move on to harvesting). So, I had my preschoolers (Ruth and Bernabe) plant seeds about a month ago and they have been watering them and watching them grow. Last week it was time to transplant the sunflowers and some of the cucumbers outside. They helped by putting the plants in the holes I had dug and giving them a cup of water before covering them with dirt. To the humor of Julie and I, Ruth informed her mom that "we let the plants go during school today". Julie and I both got a little laugh at the way she explained the process. She is learning about her world and loves it!

Straight from Oaxaca

Greetings direct from an EMMC in the state of Oaxaca! It is so exciting to be able to share what the Lord is doing while on an EMMC and not have to wait until Victor gets home or until the next newsletter to share with you!

There is nothing more incredible than riding in a 15 passenger van:

• sitting next to the love of my life (my husband, Victor), knowing that he is just as passionate as myself, if not more so, about Jesus Christ and serving him


• sharing the van with my nine children, six of whom have been rescued from the pit of Hell
  
• accompanied by 3 short-term, college-aged summer missionaries whose lives I know are being transformed forever


• having another van and truck follow us full of Mexican volunteers anxious to use their unique talents and abilities to serve the Lord
  
• watching the highway stretch out before us up into the hills, illuminated by a bright blue sky, accompanied by green fields and evergreen trees with a snow-capped volcano as the backdrop
  
• knowing that after this week of work, tens, if not hundreds, of lives, will be transformed by the power of the love of God expressed through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross to pay for our sins

Our family, along with Zach, Emily and Holly, pulled out of our house at 7 a.m. on Monday morning and met the rest of our team - another 21 volunteers- at the WalMart parking lot an hour and a half later. We all ate cereal for breakfast in the parking lot as we finished loading everybody´s luggage on the top of the white 15 passenger van. Then, at 9 a.m., we hit the road! This trip consists of 33 volunteers (11 of which are the Zaragoza family). This requires two 15 passenger vans and our cab and a half pick up truck, which carries the medical supplies.

We arrived in the city of Oaxaca at about 3 p.m. and then spent another hour and a half getting through the city and up to the communities surrounding the city dump. Ninety-five percent of the homes in the community in which we are working are made out of tin, including the two rooms in which our family is staying. (At least we do have a cement floor in our rooms! But, did you know that rain falling on a tin roof is extremely noisy?)The streets are all dirt/mud streets with lots of gulleys and huge potholes cut out by the rain.

The pastors with whom we are working serve two churches in this area. We are serving in the ¨lower¨church, called that because it is about 10 blocks further from the dump than the other church. However, the ¨lower¨church has electricity, which is necessary for some of our medical equipment. The women on our team are sleeping at the upper church, while the men and most of the Zaragoza family are staying at the ¨lower¨church.

We have no shower facilities - just curtained off areas in which to take showers using buckets, and all the toilets are pit toilets. But, GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

The crusade is going very well and everybody is working hard - from Ruth and Ana helping us to invite neighborhood children to the clown show (put on by Diana, Josiah and a girl from our church, Erika) to Dr. Escamilla (a retired military colonel that, despite his wife coming home from cancer surgery yesterday, he took a bus to Oaxaca to join up with the crusade team and arrived today!)

I will sign off for now, but hope to be back tomorrow to give you more details and stories about the crusade itself. (We had to come about a mile down from the church to find an internet cafe that had high speed and not satelite internet service.)

We love you all so much and are so thankful for your love, your prayers and your generosity that allow us the incredible privilege of serving the Lord! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Life doesn´t get any better than this!

Humbled by our Lord,
Julie (I better start signing my name since we soon hope to have other staff members blogging here too!)

Where the Two Ministries Collide

Well, the kids are all in bed (finally!) and the suitcases are all packed. Our family leaves at 6:30 tomorrow (Monday) morning on an Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusade with Victor. We like to travel with him once a year so that the kids can see what their Dad does everytime he leaves home on a crusade and also to give them an opportunity to minister to others. It has been quite a week just getting back from Milwaukee and then getting the entire family ready for a crusade!

Zach, our summer volunteer, will be travelling with the family, as will Rosa, who serves as cook at Refuge Ranch and on the crusades. Ashleigh and Pati will be staying back at the ranch to have a week of a slightly slower pace. Emily and Holly, two Wisconsin college students studying in the medical field, arrived today to participate on the crusade. Granted, they arrived minus their luggage, which got lost, but we have sent another Fishers of Men volunteer to the airport tonight to pick up the missing suitcases.

This crusade will take place in the city of Oaxaca, which is the capital of the state of Oaxaca. We will be ministering specifically to families and children who live and work at the city dump just outside the city limits. The city of Oaxaca is a four to six hour drive from our home. You can see on the map where we live and the state of Oaxaca.

Please pray for the following:

-Ashleigh's health - she has been suffering from some mystery ear/throat/jaw pain and is quite sick of being sick!

-for our family and the team's safety and effectiveness while on the crusade

-for the $4000 needed yet to pour the reinforced concrete wall in the lower level addition to the main house here at Refuge Ranch