Misson trip to Alamos 09/2011

As most of you know John made a recent trip to Mexico. He left on August 21st after church. He flew to Tucson, spent the night and caught a Mexican bus, Tufesa for the trip on to Guaymas. He needed to renew his yearly visa and is required to do it in Guaymas as that is the nearest migracion office for Alamos residents. Pastor Nestor and wife, Lyly met him there and after visiting the migracion office they made the 3 ½ hour trip south to Alamos.

As you can see from the photo below Alamos is beautifully green as they have been blessed with a healthy monsoon season. This is the view from our casa's front portal. John loved to sit there in the early morning with a cup of tea and talk to God.

Nestor is the pastor of Armaduro de Dios church in Alamos. This is the church that was built with the help of many US christians. The church is slowly growing. It is blessing to see how God is moving there in Alamos.

The church folks there love John and regard him as family. Before John left on his trip we had begun to hear that he was expected to give a message while he was there. Since it had been quite awhile since John had delivered a message in Spanish he found this to be a challenge. He requested that I email him notes of a specific message that was in his files. He later told me the first page came through to him in English however following pages appeared to be in a unrecognizable foreign anguage (who understands this electronic world?) at that he tossed the notes away and winged it. I heard from our Mexican friends that his message was wonderful and that his Spanish was muy bien.

During the service a young couple brought their baby forward to be dedicated to the Lord.

During his time there John visited with our students that are attending high school and college. He purchased shoes and backpacks for some of our needy elementary school children. Getting new shoes is a big deal for these children, some who have never had new shoes or shoes that fit properly. Thanks to everyone who has supported our ministry. It’s such a blessing to share God’s love and gifts with our people there in Alamos. Blessings to all of you, Ginger & Pastor John

Daniella

It was probably in 2003 when we first met Daniella, her sister, Elda, and her parents, Tony and Lili. When Brother Nestor first came to Alamos and began to establish his work for Christ, we remember noticing Lili, Elda and Daniella at some of those first services. Their casa was near the church. Daniella was about 4 years old. Elda was in her early 20's. We found out later that Elda didn't know how old she was or when her birthday was. We could see this was a family who was destitute in every respect. We added the family to our food despensa (food box) program. At that time we began to minister to them. They had no income other than a bit of work that the father did repairing bicycles at his home. The people he was repairing the bikes for was as poor as he was and usually didn't have money to pay him but very little.

The photo below was taken at a later date but shows how the family always looked. Occasionally the church serves food and sells it for a very nominal price. They are always there and Brother Nestor sees that they are fed.

As with many of our poor families we rapidly became family. If there was a problem we were expected to solve it. If there was a need we were expected to fill it. And this family had plenty of problems. The father was extremely illiterate, the mother, Lili and the sister, Elda were very slow mentally. We were told that Daniella seemed to be of normal intelligence, other than environmentally slow. She was very shy; there was no interaction with anyone and never with other children. Elda regarded her as a doll and talked and acted toward her as small child would treat their doll.

In 2004 Brother Nestor and his wife, Lili told us it was time for Daniella to be enrolled in kindergarten. However, there was a problem to be solved. Daniella had no birth certificate (I suspect she had been born at home). The father said she didn’t need to go to school and he was refusing to help obtain a birth certificate for her. We were enlisted to solve this issue for them. John talked with the father but to no avail, he was not going to assist in getting this child a birth certificate. Fortunately John had a friend whom we had met shortly after coming to Alamos. He was a wonderful man, spoke excellent English and at that time happened to be firmly established in a local government office that dealt with civil issues such as this. A side note; Mexico is the same as the US in that when new politicos are swept into office the staff changes, regardless of how well someone does their job in the old administration. New politicos are now in office. This fellow is no longer in that position.

With the understanding help of this man a birth certificate for Daniella was obtained. She was ready to go to school. But wait there is another problem - she had no uniforms. The school children in Mexico wear uniforms, none of this status stuff as to who has the best clothes. However for a family who can’t put food on the table it can become a major issue. This is where Daniella became a neighborhood project. Each school has different colors of material and patterns, and the outfits were to be made up as jumpers with corresponding blouses. We purchased the correct material and took it to our neighbor who was a seamstress, no patterns needed. This gal was a whiz, she whipped out three jumpers and blouses in record time. Side purchases such as the appropriate type socks and etc was rounded up with the help of another neighbor.

Now, we're ready for school, right? There was just one problem, Daniella didn’t want to go to school. She went one day and refused to go back. The family wasn’t any support as Mom and Dad didn’t grasp the necessity of school and Elda would lose her “doll.” John and I decided that old proverbial, come hell or high water, Daniella was going to school. This family needed a lot of parenting and we were just the folks to lead the charge. It was decided that John would go every morning and pick Daniella up and take her to school and pick her up afterwards. Elda would tag along on her bicycle and hang onto the chain link fence that was around the school. Any one who has lived in Mexico knows being on time is not a requirement in that culture. For this reason when it was time for school to begin the gates were locked so there was no late entries. Solves the tardy issue very well. We are sure Elda would have been in the classroom had that not been prevented. John soon realized that Elda could pick up Daniella after school as she always managed to be there when school was out. That removed part of his duties. But now comes all the other issues with being a parent of a child in “kinder." There were many fun days with costumes, pesos for parties and etc. The teacher would write John a note with all the proper requests (sometimes the notes said that Daniella wasn‘t cooperating and John had to deal with that issue). God love him, John was the parent. And may God bless, our precious neighbor, Eloisa having had “kinders” before us, knew all the ropes about the costuming & etc. The seamstress would go to the local Mercado and purchase necessary materials and trimmings. Daniella always had the required items.

Another parenting issue, the Mama notified us when Daniella’s cumpleanos (birthday) was approaching. She needed a cake!

For two years we parented this family same as you would any child. John took Daniella to school for those two years. She had some rocky times and cried every day because she didn’t want to be there. The flood came and we got the message from our heavenly father that our lives as we knew them in Alamos was ending. However we are happy to report that things have worked out and Daniella now goes to school, mixes with the other children in church and in play time after church. We thank God that we were allowed to be there for her in the days when she needed someone. Today Lili and the girls never miss a church service. And are so delighted when we visit there.

Oh, Christmas Tree

In 2001 we finally were able to begin living in our casa in Alamos, Sonora even though it was not completed and wouldn't be for several more years. Ours was what the Mexican called poco, poco, which means little by little. That is how most of the casas in Mexico are built as no one has the money to build one from the ground up to completion right away.

Naturally that first Christmas in the casa I wanted to celebrate with a tree as some of our family were coming and I wished to have a tree for the grandsons. The only place I had seen trees for sale was in the neighboring town where we did our shopping. The trees there were bagged in a netting and piled in a stack and so dry all the needles were falling off. The tags on the trees noted, imported from Canada. Those trees probably had been cut sometime in the past fall.

One day I was talking with a Mexican friend of ours I mentioned I would like to have a live Christmas tree. He responded, "no problemo", that being the wonderful stock answer for many things in Mexico. He assured me that he would bring me a tree. He worked for the government in some capacity in the nearby countryside. Alamos being in the foothills of the Sierra Madre I had visions of a nice evergreen tree. One day shortly after that conversation he showed up with not one tree but two from which I could chose. My choices were between a leafless thorn bush, one of many which the state of Sonora is blessed or the one I chose, the beginning bloom stalk from a yucca plant. Once decorated as you can see it made a wonderful, but different tree. When the lights were turned on it was downright beautiful.

Christmas is a Special Time

Christmas in Alamos is always a special time. A local Americano woman has a long standing tradition of taking up a collection for the city maintenance workers. Once Shoebox Ministries made it’s way to Alamos giving boxes to hundreds of local needy children. Locals do posados. This was also a time of the year when our ministry put together an extra despensa (food box) for the 20 or so needy families we worked with each month. In addition to the regular items such as flour, rice, beans, oil and other necessary groceries we added shampoo, bar bath soap, razors, feminine products, tooth paste, tooth brushes, lotion, cookies, fruit and candies. It was such a blessing to visit with the families that we had come to know as our special ones. We considered them “our families”.

Each of these children have their own unique stories and we came to love each of those precious families. Many times the bell would ring at our gate with one of the mothers asking for advice on how to solve a problem or help with some issue. We are so blessed to have many wonderful folks here in the states who were willing to support our Mexico ministry. This year Hermano Nestor has the list and he's checkin it twice as he's on his rounds despensing the goodies to all our families. To everyone of you from our Mexican families and ourselves we wish you, Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo. Yesterday we received an email from Hermano (brother) Nestor it said, "gracias, gracias, gracias, mucho gracias y dios te bendiga.

Uriel, Just a Small Boy

I first saw Uriel in 2003 when Hermano Nestor began his school children noon time lunch program. All the children were laughing and having a good time with their friends, all besides one little muchacho. This little guy looked so sad and alone. I inquired who he was and what his name was. I learned his name was Uriel and at that time was staying with his aunt, one of eight children in the small shanty of a house. My heart just cried out to him. I asked to be introduced to him. As the lunch program only served the kids 3 days per week I asked him if he would like to come to my house to eat lunch the other 2 school days.

When he showed up at our gate he was very unkept looking and shy, however he never missed a lunch and ate everything that was placed before him. He especially liked any kind of vegetable including beans and tortillas, the staple diet of all Mexican families. I then told him that anytime he was hungry he was to come by our casa for food. After that he appeared most Saturdays to eat.

This routine went on for about three years. When he showed up, he was fed regardless of the time of day. As we occasionally made trips to the states I arranged with my precious Mexican friend, Cuquita to feed him at her house when we were not there. With that arrangement he always could count on a warm meal at one casa or the other.

We bought him clothes, backpacks and other things for his school year. I encouraged him to stay in school. It didn't seem he was an outstanding student however because of his reserve, home life and etc. I never delved into that issue too far other than to encourage him to stay in school.
By the time he finished the mid school years he had dropped out of school to work and help support his mother & baby sister. Yes, she had shown up at sometime during the years he came to us. I understand she had a succession of different men who came and went in their lives. They lived in a small one room casa behind Hermano Nestor's church. I visited with her several times over the years. She was always well kept and seemed to love Uriel.

Life went on and we no longer saw Uriel, however when the flood came and we were staying with Cuquita and her family I ran into Uriel on the street and learned he was working with a construction crew who did work for the city of Alamos. We hugged and talked. I again asked him about school, telling him if he ever wanted to return to school we would help him.

In February 2010 when John and I visited Alamos we were at Hermano Nestor's church for a birthday party and Uriel came in with a big grin (still a young man of few words) to give me a big hug. He is now a tall guy, around 16 years old.

We learned he was helping teach a kindergarten class in the nearby countryside at a village called Uvalama. I told him we would love to come and visit his class, which we did. I again talked education and learned he would love to become a teacher. We reinforced the commitment to help him go to school when he decided to go.

In August, 2010 Hermano Nestor called to report on Alamos happenings and told John that Uriel came to him and asked if we would help him go to school. Of course our answer was YES. This kid has a special spot in my heart. To think from his background he chose the right path and not bad issues, drugs and etc. we are so proud of him. He is now in his first year of COBACH (high school). Mexcio has a program whereby if one finishes high school they can apply to become an apprentice teacher in one of the country schools. There are many rural schools and not the most desirable position to began in. If they choose this route they also will attend college classes much like our folks who work and go to school. Only time will tell but we must give him a chance and pray for him to succeed.

The photo below is Uriel and his kindergarten class at Uvalama. Note John in the background talking to the teacher.

Postscript - Earlier this year I began this posting as a letter to someone in our church who desired to help sponsor Uriel in his educational pursuit. In the last days of October this year John and I spent two weeks in Alamos. During that time Uriel came to our casa to visit, displaying that big ole wonderful smile. He is enjoying school and making good grades. He also has a job and works in the afternoons. He is attending the Calvary Chapel there in Alamos as they have a vibrant youth program. He is learning to play the guitar. Praise the Lord!! Remember him in your daily prayers.

Gonzales Family, Mexico

I wanted to include this story on my prior blog however, as you know computers and their programs have a mind of their own and the photos that I wanted to post with the story would not cooperate. So I outsmarted it and just decided to post another blog.

In a prior blog I had written about an old fellow, Nacho Gonzales who disliked Americanos, especially the ones attached to the house across the street where we were house-sitting when we first went to Mexico. We decided to kill him with kindness and eventually we won him over. Here is a photo of Nacho and John that I made when we visited the family on our trip to Alamos. Do you see he possibly has some Asian ancestors in his lineage? I was amazed as he has aged how Asian looking he appears. (There were many Chinese immigrants to Mexico in the early part of the 1900's.) Nacho was pleased to see us.


This photo is Nacho's precious wife, Maria Elena and their severely handicapped daughter, Maria Isabel who is 52 years old. When we met them Maria Isabel was sitting on the floor on a mechanic's creeper (like the mechanics used to scooter under a car). She was born with spastic issues and is unable to speak and has very little use of her hands and legs. Nothing wrong with her mind. She loves to play dominoes and enjoyed us playing with her. She has a wonderful sense of humor. We would make wrong moves just to hear her fuss at us with her uuuh, uh sounds. She knew exactly what was to be played and where. Due to her spastic issues she has difficulty swallowing and suffers various illnesses. In the past we began to bring cases of Ensure down for her when we would make a trip to the states. Strawberry is her favorite! In Mexico Ensure isn't sold in the grocery stores, it is sold in pharmacies and costs approx. $3.95 per can. As there are many grandchildren in and out of the casa we would only take a 6 pack per week over to her so the others would not drink it. This trip we took a case of Ensure for her. We left it at the Americanos across the street and they promised to dole it out each week to her. This family suffered heavy losses in the flood. It is sad as they can't afford to replace their furniture. They have a few pieces that were given to them. Nacho was a plumber in his working life and made a fairly decent living for the family. It was a pleasure to hug this family again. We are considered family and although we lived across town from them we were always included in their birthday, wedding and graduation celebrations. Love those precious people.

Mexico stories + The Goodness of God

Another little gem from Daily Bread - Remember God is Always Good. He doesn't promise us that bad things will never happen to us, but He does promise to be "our refuge & strength" (Ps. 46:1). He doesn't promise we will never walk through heart wrenching circumstances, but He promises we will never be alone. We can't always be on the mountaintop but need to remember that it is in the valleys where we grow and learn to trust him.

Our Mexico trip was wonderful. I had not been back since the flood and dreaded facing seeing our place as I knew it would not be the same. It was something I needed to do. God is so good to refresh the earth just as he refreshes our souls. There is a saying about Mexico, "one can stick a popcicle stick in the ground and it will grow". Nature and one year's time have somewhat restored John's beautiful park like garden. The ground is covered with a new carpet of natural Bermuda grass and some things that were seemingly washed away must have had a small amount of roots left in the ground as nature has brought new plants to life. I'll post a photo of my cactus garden (what was not washed away). The incredibly tall ones we set out as small plants, about 20" or so high. John would tell me, one day those cactus are going to blow over. They visibly sway in the wind when it blows. Those wonderful things held their ground when we lost big trees including John's beloved Royal Palm which stood about 35' high and had a huge trunk. The Royal Palm isn't as common as some of the other palms that grow in the Alamos area.

John was transplanting two Bottle Palms (which are commonly called "Pony-tails"). They were in the same pot and it had broken either by the storm or the plants expanding. The storm had washed the pots into the neighbor's yard and covered them with silt. We had enjoyed having them in a big pot on the portal. Since we are not there to tend them we just decided to transplant them into the cactus garden area. The other small agave on the left in the photo was given to me by a neighbor when it was small. The storm had washed it away but apparently had left a root so that it grew again. The small building you see in the photo is in the neighbor's yard, before the storm there was a brick wall separating us so that our garden was private.

We arrived in Alamos just in time to go with Hermano Nestor and Lili to deliver the monthly food boxes to our families. Remember, I wrote about Tia Rafaela and posted her photo. I loved getting to hug her. The first thing she said to me was, "pensar tu perdido", meaning she thought I was lost. That was her dry sense of humor shining through as when ever the boxes were delivered if I didn't go my "ladies" all were asking for me. It's wonderful to be so loved. Here is a photo of her, John and her grandson, Marcos Antonio. We call him Marcos, the miracle child. His mother died of AIDS shortly after he was born. When we first knew this family Marcos was about 18 months old and very ill (diagnosis unknown). We feared the worse, that it was AIDS. Several churches began to pray for him and after a while he began to mend. You can see he is a sturdy boy today, age 9.

This is Tia's flower garden. No matter how poor a woman is, she loves flowers and has a small patch of greenery growing in the yard. Tia's speciality is roses and hers will be beautiful a bit later in the spring and summer.

Daily Bread, Valentine's Day, Tia Rafaela

The hardest part of writing a blog is matching the title to the contents. Know what I mean??

Came across this thought today and wanted to share it with you. "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

Are you guys reading your Daily Bread? John and I read ours each morning after breakfast. The other morning the subject was, The Other Side. It touched me as it spoke about the uncertainy of life. Who will be here another year? Who might by then be on the other side - in heaven? I remembered that I had came across the scripture they used, James 4:14 which says, For your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone. I liked the scripture then and I like it now. Makes one think about how short life is and how important it is to make each moment count.

Last Sunday being Valentine's Day our service was about love and it's importance. Amazing how many songs one can find about love in a Christian Hymnal. Pastor John's message was entitled, Thoughts of Love. It pointed out how important love is in all our thoughts and actions. Then we moved over to the Homemakers Club for our annual Valentine's Day potluck. It is so wonderful being here with this church and receiving all the love that is given to us. Thank you!!

Today, John and I did our regular Wednesday Bethel Storehouse caper. That's such fun. We were told that many senior citizens came in for their food boxes yesterday. That meant the shelves were empty so John, Ray and I hit the ground running. We prepared 28 boxes, all senior boxes which are prepared for either one or two people. John had his monthly noon lunch ministerial meeting so he was not there helping us for a big part of the day. Meaning we didn't get as many boxes prepared as usual.

Now our thoughts turn to our Mexico trip. We will leave Monday, the 22nd and return the following Monday or Tuesday. We look forward to checking in on all our precious, needy ones there in Alamos as well as Hermano Nestor and family. Yesterday we made a Walmart run and purchased many personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants & etc. The stores there sell all the major brands that we have in the US, however they are more expensive. That means many don't have the basic things we take for granted here. Makes one feel guilty when we say, "we need this, we gotta have that". Really, we could do with lots less.





This is Tia Rafaela and her grandson. She is one of our have-nots. Precious lady. She had a very hard shell (no smiles) when we began ministering to her. We gave her the Tia (aunt) title, don't why. Over time she came to love us. She lives in a small one room shack without the modern necessities of life, however she has some beautiful flowers and always wanted to give me a small plant she had started in a milk carton or a soda can. I want to take her a bare root rose bush, hopefully it'll survive crossing the border.

One day in December when we stopped by her place we found her in the yard attempting to wash the clothes (in cold water) with her left hand as she had fallen and broken her right arm. She, being right handed that did not work very well. We asked if she knew someone who would do her washing until the arm healed. Yes, the woman next door would probably do it. We negotiated a price of 100 pesos a week to do Tia's washing. That's was about $8.50 USD. The neighbor did the laundry for her for about six weeks as Tia's arm healed. These are the things one does for the love of God and our fellow man.