12 Weeks In

It’s about time I updated my blog.  While it’s been several weeks it seems like it has gone by quickly.  I’m still trying to figure out the new normal, it may never come to me.  I’ve been here for about 12 weeks.  The first three were with Robert, learning his job – not a normal period of time.  The next 6 weeks were hectic with a full visitors center and the kids out of school.  In the last three weeks we haven’t had visitors and we don’t have any this week either.  The kids are are back in school. There here have been a total of more than 475 visitors in these 9 weeks.  It has been an enjoyable and blessed time.

While different, the last three weeks haven’t been wasted.  I’ve been working in the carpentry shop working on desks for the school.  I’ve been asked to work with a group on updating the policy manual and am working on a summary of the Beatitudes for Sala at the end of the month.  It has not been without pangs for home though.  I really didn’t think I was homesick until I was at church and longed to worship and hear the message in a language I could understand.  I feel sorry for anyone around me when I’m singing, not only is my voice a beautiful noise but I’m butchering the language too.

One of the visitors this summer occasionally needed a walker to get around.  In preparation for his trip he shopped garage sales for a good used walker he could use and then leave as a donation.  On my way to the warehouse to drop it off, I thought I’d go to the clinic to see if there was an immediate need.  Wouldn’t you know it, earlier that day the doctor had a visit with a young man with spina bifida that had out grown his walker.  I should quit being surprised at how God prepares visitors.

I have shared with some of you the changes here at the mission.  It has been a long-term objective to open an orphanage in Sinaloa.  FFHM has had a presence there for several years and have made prayerful attempts to find and purchase a location.  There has been continual resistance in acquiring property.  Recently, several administrators were visiting the Mexican run daycare in Tijuana, similar to the one the mission runs in San Quintin.  There was a moving of spirits and a realization that Tijuana is a more likely place for an orphanage.  The Mexican department of children (DIF) was in agreement and now FFHM will pursue Tijuana as a place to share God’s love with the least of these.

The current Baja Administrator will move to Tijuana to prepare for this new venture.  She will also become the Director of Mexican missions with the Baja and Oaxaca administrators reporting to her.  The new Baja administrator will be Sara Peterson, she currently runs the daycare in San Quintin.  I see this as a positive change.  Both Jill and Sara love God and have been His servants in Mexico for several years.

One of the last groups here was from Canada and there were several members of the team from Newfoundland. Come to find out Newfoundland was settled largely by Irish immigrants.  When they put on their Newfie it wasn’t easy to follow.  I was taught to say: “Stay where your too, til I comes where your at.”

I believe this means, don’t leave, I’ll be there shortly.  This is appropriate because I’m planning a trip back to Wichita in November.  While I don’t have all of the details yet I will be there around Thanksgiving.  I will also work in a visit to Henry and Ellie in Albuquerque and my brother in Madison, WI.

My prayer requests:

• Learn Spanish.  I’m going through Duolingo with moderate success.  It is frustrating to struggle with everyday conversations, Sala and church service in a different language.
• Continued growth in relationships with other mission workers and the kids.

Thanks for all of the support you’ve shown me.  Let me know what’s new with you!

Vaya Con Dios

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