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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Feliz Dia Del Padre

Sunday's have quickly become my favorite day of the week. I love going to the church here called, "Jerico Baptist Church," and then eating at Abuelito's house with the whole family and of course, a nice long nap. Today was an extra special day, because it is also Father's Day here in Mexico. Mexicans have a party for everything and today was no exception. There was great food, lots of playing children, and loud music. I am finally getting a little more comfortable speaking Spanish, but I am far from being fluent and need LOTS more practice. I can answer a few questions and comfortable enough to mingle on my own with all the women in the family. I had been a little homesick this past week, but today lifted my spirits (it may have something to do with going home in 2 days for several days).
Happy Fathers Day!
Homemade cake cooked on top of a fire. Tasted... interesting
Making Guacamole

 
Preparing chicken tacos

 
Beto's brother, Cruz and his son William

 
My love

 

 
My sweet familia

 
Daddy and his baby girl dancing
Beto's brother, Morgan and his son Yael

The brothers and their little ones

Monday, June 6, 2011

La Nariz

It is always so humbling to visit a place that has so little, but the people that live there still have smiles on their faces. This year’s mission trip to La Nariz in Sonora, Mexico was a wonderful experience. La Nariz is a small village in the middle of the desert. It is only about 20 miles from the Arizona border but feels as if it is a whole world away.
While we are in La Nariz we do a number of things for the people living there. We try to help with physical needs by going to the surrounding villages and passing out large bags of food and flour. We meet their spiritual needs by having church services every night and have Vacation Bible School for the children.  I know that we all feel a blessing from their presence and our souls feels lifted every time we hug them, talk to them, and listen to their testimonies.
There are so many stories that I could tell you about how the Lord works while we are in La Nariz. One that truly touched my heart is when we were passing out groceries and a young lady was eagerly waiting for us. She very gratefully took the bag of groceries and explained to us that the day before they had run out of groceries. She had no milk or anything to feed her children. She said the Lord had sent us just in time and provided for their needs. Can you imagine sending your kids to bed hungry? Passing out the food is one of my favorite things that we do in La Nariz and now I realize how important it really is.
Every year that our church goes to La Nariz there is a man named Emmanuel and his family that likes to cook a goat or a sheep for the group. It is such a sacrifice for them to do this but they insist on feeding us this special meal. Their living conditions are some of the worst I have ever seen, but they humbly and proudly open their home to us. Emmanuel's health is quickly diminishing and we soak up every minute with him while visiting because we know that this could possibly be the last time we see him. Emmanuel's wife insisted that she wanted a picture of them on their prize horse. She said she wanted a picture of him before it was too late. They do not have a camera or very many pictures of them and their family because that is a luxury. So his sons lifted him up and sat him on this beautiful horse. He put on his chaps and Cowboy hat and rode around knowing that this would probably be his last time to ride. It brought tears to everyone's eyes as he rode around with a smile on his face. Pray that God will heal his body and that we can see his sweet face next year.

I could go on and on about the awesome things that happened in La Nariz. Needless to say, I am so thankful for the opportunity that we had and be blessed by the wonderful people in La Nariz.
 Beto translating the sermon



 The cutest little lady ever

Beto and I after meeting 7 years ago


Isaac and Sofia with their new amigos

Some of the families we deliver food to

Mom with a sweet lady named Victoria

 
Everything the Lord creates is Beautiful

A little girl the same age as Sofia

Isaac with a grateful little amigo

An elementary school

 
Passing out food

A happy family receiving food

 
Pastor Pedro and his family


Emmanuel's House

 
His house is mostly made of pallets and scrap wood

One of Emmanuel's grandbabies sleeping in a crate.

Emmanuel riding his horse proudly

Emmanuel and his family.