The Arrow Points North

Tuesday July 21st 5:45 AM - The alarm wakes me with a beep, beep, beep and reminds me that it's time to pack the trailer and head for the north country. Everyone seems a little groggy this morning but soon the courtyard is buzzing with people coming and going, carrying baggage doing the last minute cleaning and munching on sweet rolls. By 8:30AM we were pulling out of the orphange drive. About 2 hours later we were at the border. The Mexican check point was empty but long lines awaited us at the US border. The professional expertise of Enrique and Carol was amazing as they jockeyed for position, getting us to the US checkpoint with ease. You all must have been praying because we made it through the checkpoint with only 3 questions and a short peak in the trailer. One fuel stop and we went over to pick up my van and trailer (I forgot to tell you that we able to leave it at a church and not drive it over the border. This was a big answer to prayer). We then all went to the Golden Coral for a nice lunch before saying goodbye to Rick, Carol,Gabe, Emily, Kendra and Mario and Blanca. The watertown team began their way back home. Since we were in the neighborhood the team decided to take a quick stop in San Antonio to visit the Alamo and the River Walk. It was a nice way to leave Texas.

The rest of the trip was about driving. We had three drivers and between us we drove it all the way through to Watertown arriving in the church parking lot at 9:15PM on Wednesday July 22nd.

While that is all I have to write about, there will be more pics posted and more comments made by the team members to continue to follow the blog for a couple more weeks. The team will be giving a presentation to the church on Sunday August 2nd.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. All the team members were greatly affected by this trip and we are still counting on God to continue working in us and through us on behalf of the orphanage and for His glory.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

"Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow."
(Romeo And Juliet Act 2, scene 2)

Monday evening July 20: After returning home from the prison our task was to get all of our clothes and things packed and ready to load. We were to be loaded and ready to travel by 7:AM Tuesday. With that task completed we spent the last hours having some fun with the kids. An unexpected surprise was another mission team visiting from Louisiana. The did some songs, skits and a puppet show for the kids then left. Then it was pizza time. And after pizza........was one of the biggest water fights I have been in. It started with water balloons, but when they were gone it was bottles, can, buckets or anything that would hold water. An hour later not one person was dry, but oh what fun. (I'll have to get pictures from someone else for this one.) All too soon however, it was time to say goodbye. This time the water came not from the hose but from the eyes. Tears filled everyone's eyes, even those who are good at holding their emotions in check could keep these tears from flowing.
"Is it really possible to develope such a closeness in only 6 days?" you might ask. The answer is a resounding YES!!! Mexican boys and girls were now a forever part of the lives of these 11 Americanos and visa versa. For I believe that's why God created us...to be in relationship with Him and with others.

Pastor Scott on behalf of the team

The Day That Almost Wasn't

I know that sounds like a strange title but let me explain. When we began preparing in January we were orginally scheduled to leave Mexico on Monday Morning. Later, the team decided they really wanted to stay an extra day so we added Monday to the calendar and pushed off our exit until Tuesday. Somehow that seemed to make a difference to God because some incredible things happened on our last day there.

Monday morning we finished painting the dorm building and cleaning up the grounds. We had an early lunch then drove about 45 minutes to the jail we had visited a couple of days earlier. We were able to meet with the prisoners (about a dozen) in a small room where Enrique shared the gospel and then we handed out Bibles. Eleven of the twelve wanted to be prayed for and at least two of them prayed a salvation prayer. Another of the 12, Francisco, shared with Meghan and me that he had only eight days left and then would be released to go home. He was hesitant however because there is a lot of domestic tensions at home with several family members, so Meghan and I prayed specifically for Him.

While one group was at the prison the rest of our team was in a park. While there Carol and a few of the girls witnessed to a woman. She did not make a faith committment but asked for a Bible. As our van pulled away from the park we saw the woman already reading her new bible.

We then drove a few blocks to the home of the woman who worked in the prison administration building whom Carol and Sheri had prayed for on our first visit. This woman had shared some great needs with Carol and Sheri and dad prayed to receive Christ. They promised to bring her a meal and pray again for her when we returned, which Carol did. Then the woman asked us to go visit her brother who is living with mom. This time Enrique, Scott, Kyle and Travis went in. After some conversation about this man's life and needs, both the of them prayed a salvation prayer.

On our way back to the orphanage we stopped to help out some people who had car trouble. While a few of us were helping with the car Carol was sharing the gospel with a man and a woman who were part of the group traveling in the broken car. Both of these people responded by saying "yes" they wanted to pray for God's salvation.

As we talked together about these things on our drive home, Enrique reminded us that only God knows for sure the sincerity of those who prayed to receive Christ. We can't save anybosy, that is God's job, but we can help people understand God's love for them and invite them to trust Christ alone for salvation and forgiveness of sin.

So you see, God blessed this day...the day that almost wasn't.

Pastor Scott on behalf of the team!

The New Song - The Old Story

And they sang a new song...You are worthy to take the scroll and to open it´s seals because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and nation.......Then I heard every creature in heaven and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them singing: To Him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever! Amen! Revelation 5: 9-14

What an indescribable joy it was to worship with our brothers and sisters here in Mexico. Even though we did not understand the earthly language, the language of the Spirit transcended all barriers as together we worshipped the One True God. Just think what heaven will be like as one language group may be silent while another praises the Lord. And then, with one mighty voice we all join together to worship and praise the name of the Lord. WOW I can´t wait.

We were able to participate in three different church services while we have been here. Saturday and Sunday evenings we were at the church that Mario and Blanca attend. There, Meghan translated for 5 members of our team as they gave their testimonies. Sunday night I had the privilege of preaching and Enrique translated for me. We both had a lot of fun and between the two of us (with a little coaching from Meghan) the Word of God was conveyed to the church. As I looked out into the audience I could sense that not only were they understanding, but were encouraged and challenged by the message. At the end we gave an alter call and two young people came forward for prayer. Following that, we had a special time of prayer for the sick. It truly was amazing to see the Spirit of God at work, blessing two different peoples and bringing glory to His name.

On Saturday we went to jail! No... we went to the jail in a nearby town to visit and pray with the prisoners. Because of timing we did not get in to see the prisoners but were able to share with two of the guards and a lady in the administration building. We are going back today during visiting hours and give bibles to the prisoners and pray for them.

Sunday afternoon we also went to a different water park (swimming area) where some of the team built a rock island under the water and Scott gave ¨rock skipping lessons¨

Today we will finish the painting of the dorm room, pack our belongings in preparation for leaving Tuesday AM and spend the rest of the time playing with the kids.

It will be hard to leave our new friends behind, but Enrique has challenged us to keep them in our hearts and prayers. I think we all look forward to coming home, but we desire for our lives to be lived differently.

This will probably be the last blog until we get home. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Pastor Scott and the Team

Looking through with new eyes

Goodmorning!
Last Sunday´s messagewas about the benefits of going on a mission trip. One of theose benefits was that it gives us a whole new perspective on life.

We have been in Mexico only 3 full days. yet our eyes have been opened to see a way of life that is very different from our own.

Our team is comprised of generations that have grown up with tv, stereo, computers, Ipods and a whole host of other gadgets. We have multiple closets and dressers overflowing with clothes. Food is available to us anytime of the day. WHen our spacious homes begin to feel clostrophobic we simply hop in the car for a day trip away.

And yet we are a people that are unhappy, unsatisfied and often ungrateful for all that God has blessed us with.In the tiny part of the world known as Sabinas Hildalgo, Mx. some of those material things exist. Highschool musical was playing on the tv, adults carry cell phones and among the rich class they enjoy as much of the world as they can get. But for the majority of people here they are materialy poor yet rich in love and generosity.

This kids here at the orphanage are so happy to have us here. They are easy to love and give their affections rack to us readily. While they are grateful for the material things we may bring to them they are more grateful for our friendship.

Perhaps if the church of Christ really truly understood his extravagant love for us, we too would lavish that love on others.

Yesterday was a long and full day. We painted, helped with cememt work and put up playground equipment. In the afternoon we went to a waterpark and had a marvelous time swimming and playing with the kids. Last evening we had our Childrens ministry outreach. We didn´t realy know where we would be doing this abd things were pretty chaotic, but in the end there were over 60 kids there most of them from the neighborhood where we we held the event.

We are trusting God to use that event to produce spiritual fruit in the lives that we touched in in us.

In His Service!

Pastor Scott on behalf of the team

Casa Hogar Work Day

Hello friends and family!

I thought I should update tonight because tomorrow will be a busy day.



Today began with breakfast and devotions as Meghan wrote in ourlast note. After breakfast we had some small chores to do and then began gathering the tools we needed for a day of painting. They have been adding rooms on to the dormatory. These rooms will be used for the ¨dorm Parents¨ which at the moment the do not have. The pictures I have attached are of the team priming and painting. We had a small competition between the guys and gals to see who could get more done. Well the girls won...but only because the hired a professional to help. Sort of. Carlos, I believe his name is, has been donating time to the orphange and he is in the building trades and happens to be a really good painter. So at the end of the day the girls had more done than the guys.



Tomorrow morning we will be mixing cement ( all done with shovel ) and helping to pour a sidewalk around the new addition to the dorm. We will also finish the painting we started today. Maybe we will let the girls do that !!!



In the afternoon Enrique will take us swimming at a favorite water hole. Then in the evening we will be having our ¨childrens extravaganza¨. It will be a very full day.



I am so proud of our team members. They are all hard workers and are having fun doing it. Meghan has been a blessing in so many ways but her job as translator is immensly helpful to all.



It continues to be hot but we are all careful to keep ¨watered¨. Thanks for your prayers. We are looking forward to the childrens ministry tomorrow night. Pray for attendance and well as receptive hearts.



Love to all!

Pastor Scott... on behalf of the team!

México--A Whole New World

Buenos días todos!

It is Thursday morning here at the orphanage, and we feel like completely different people writing to you. So much is different...wonderful, but full of newness and challenge.

The Lord blessed us TREMENDOUSLY in crossing the border without even been stopped! There were two checkpoints that had given previous mission teams problems, and though we were pulling a trailer loaded with luggage and work tools and VBS materials, the customs officials waved our two giant vehicles through. Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers!

Reality (and the heat) soon hit us. If I can speak on the group´s behalf, we shared a feeling of discomfort, excitment, fear, love, and complete reliance upon God.

The orphanage was still a two hour roadtrip south. We arrived 5pm to a metal and cement campus with dormitories, dust, and about 20 boys and girls who live here. A couple of them know some English, but that´s it. It´s nearly all Spanish from here on out.

Last night, we attended a Penecostal church service in the town of Sabinas Hildalgo. It was in an adobe building with squares cut out for windows and a giant fan in back to keep the air flowing. Beyond the geography and design, the hermanos y hermanas (brothers and sisters in Christ) displayed such a pure, uninhibited joy for the Lord. THAT is what is sticking with us. As a custom, during every service, there is a time when the congregation stands up individually and shares a Bible verse and how God is at work in their life--adults and children, both. It is a time of excitement and praising and encouragement and clearly is something that everyone looks forward to.

After the service, we had our supper at a local restaraunt about 10pm. Carol and Enrique led us in a sort of de-briefing from our long, challenging day. We had the option of sleeping indoors, but because of the unreal heat, most all of us carryed our mattresses outside in the center of the orphanage courtyard. Quite literally, we sleep under nothing except the Mexican sky in a circle of twin mattresses and sticky bodies. Praise be to God for the breeze!

Today we will paint and clean and pray and paint.

I believe that our devotions this morning will be the theme for the remainder of the week. John 15:1-8. God is the vinedresser, Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. He will be pruning us all week.

Love,

Pastor, Monte, Sherri, Emily, Kendra, Kyle, Travis, Michal, Heidi, Helen, and Meghan