God Has Been Faithful....

Well, it's Friday and here we are wrapping up our work and time at Refuge Ranch. The week just seemed to fly by! God has been faithful - none of us got down sick and our work wasn't more than our team could handle. On our last trip to the ranch, the work was on a grander scale where you could see lots of progress whereas our work this week has been of a more tedious nature. Until today, we couldn't see a lot of accomplishment. However, this afternoon it all seemed to come together. Today, we finished up odds and ends. Lisa and Grant organized the toolshed. Cory and Darrick wired up some of the T-posts. After scraping down the rest of the forms and Grant and Mallory oiling them, Andrea and Teresa twisted wires into straps to hold the T-posts up. Courtney and Mallory also started patching the steel stubs and cement on the walls. We just wrapped up and going out to dinner for tacos with the Zaragozas. This will be our last evening with Dale (aka "Pa-paw"), as he leaves on an early flight in the morning. He has been invaluable and indispensable. What a good leader and friend! The rest of the team will catch our flight Saturday afternoon so this will be my last post until we get home. Thank you so much for the prayers. We truly succeeded in laying some groundwork for God to continue His work here at the Ranch. Hopefully, the work that we've done will be a blessing to both the Zaragozas and for future teams that arrive.
Gloria a Dios!
Teresa & Grant

It's hot....

Today was a good day, but very hot. We are guessing around 85 degrees. The sun seem to take a toll on everyone today and zapped our energy and strength. But we continued on with frequent water breaks. Cory and I knocked out 30 more T-posts. These are the braces that go in between the columns to support the plywood that will be the form for the cement ceilings. We did a total of around 54 T-posts in 2 days I think. Things went a little faster with these today as Darrick cut our boards and fed them to us. Grant, Mallory, Andrea and Lisa continued to scrape, oil and knock down a slew of forms. Dale worked on the remaining wall that has a few forms on it. We are going to try to start putting up the braces tomorrow. We'd like to get them all up before we leave on Saturday. Cirino hasn't been here to help too much each day. I'm guessing it is because it's a different season here than last time and he has other things to tend to. As we arrived this morning, we saw a truck delivering a load of sorghum for the cows here. Andrea and I started out the day with devotions today. We took the family outside for a change and talked about God's love for each of us and how it's okay to be different from each other - each made in our own special way. We ended with Cory playing guitar for us and all of sung along. Diana and Angie dance with their church's dance group and will be dancing for us tonight - but agreed to only if Grant and Cory dance for them as well. That should be good. There was a little trickery going on at the hotel last night. Our trusty leader thought of a scheme that had something to do with a ladder that was leaning behind the hotel. Perhaps a photo will surface soon. = ) I will just say it involved Grant and Cory as they room together at the hotel. Please continue to pray for little Daniel. Victor and Julie have made arrangements for him to have some tests done on Friday and then will see the pediatric cardiologists in Mexico City on Saturday. He's a busy little guy with a hearty appetite! Please continue to pray for the team that we can maintain our momentum and finish out the week strong. I don't quite remember that the altitude was as much of an issue as it seems this time. We find ourselves huffing and puffing more often. But it's been a good week with everyone working together. Tomorrow evening, we will be going to a town about 30 minutes south of here for tacos. They are far from Taco Bell. Hope everyone is doing well! Hasta manana!

Workday Wednesday!

Today was a really beautiful day, in more ways than one. The weather was clear - 80's again with a refreshing breeze. It helps so it doesn't feel quite so hot. After devotions with the family today, we had the absolute joy of delivering the gifts to Cirino and his family at their house (pictured below). This is a picture of his children, who were peaking out the door as we waited for Cirino to come - too cute! You all can look forward to more pictures of this. Again, I'm reminded of how very little it takes to get by and live. We started off this morning with Darrick and I building T-posts, Lisa and Grant breaking down forms, Andrea and Mallory bending a few more re-bars, Cory and Dale stripping forms, and Courtney finishing up the garden fence. After lunch, some of us started hoisting up the stripped forms up the steep hill behind the north wall. Andrea and I wheeled a load of scrap wood in the wheelbarrow down to Cirino's house for him to burn to heat his water. Those of you on Team #1 can appreciate the hill to their house. Little did we know that the bottom of the wheelbarrow was full of huge nails and metal straps. Going down the hill wasn't as bad as pushing it back up! Ohhhhh! All of us are sore and achy this evening, but all is well. The rest of the team is out playing kickball/baseball with the Zaragoza kids inspite of being worn out. Please continue to pray that all of us will stay well. Two of the Zaragoza kids have come down with the virus that is being passed around. Last evening we had our devotions at the restaurant across from our hotel. I think that's the plan tonight too...it's fun. Well, I got the signal that we're ready to leave. More later!

Cirino & Jasmine's Children Stripping the forms from the backside of the north wall.

Heave-ho. Dragging them up the very steep hill.

The garden fence almost finished.

The Team in front of the column where Team #1 left their mark.

Caleb & Josiah playing with their new toys!

The guys stripping off the first portion of the wall. They were driving each other up the wall!! Literally.

Mt. Popo this morning. Breathtaking!!!

You're Driving Me Up The Wall

Good Morning From Mexico,
We had a good, and productive day of work yesterday. Dale, Darrick, Cory and me-part of the day, started stripping the forms off the walls. Lisa and Grant continued to work on the fence for Josiah's garden, Courtney oiled the wood as it came down off the walls, Andrea, Mallory and me-the other part of the day bent re-bar. It was sunny and warm, but there's always a good breeze. I'm guessing it was in the 80's. However, it rained towards the end of the day several times. So needless to say, the construction site is a little muddy today. As I sit and type this morning, there is a spectacular view of Mt. Popo. It is an active volcano. It is clear today and you can see the peak covered in snow. It reminds me of God's majesty and His total sovereignty in all things. Last night, we gave all of the gifts that all of you provided to the family. It was so fun as one-by-one the children dug into their bags followed with huge smiles. Again, some things are universal....as soon as Ruth dug out her new princess wand, she bopped around the room saying "bippity-boppity-boop!" Today is market day so all are looking forward to see that and experience a part of the mexican culture. And then, it's back to work. Not sure what the plan is for today. I imagine that we will continue stripping the forms. They got all but the backside of the north wall done. Some of us are a little worried about our waistlines....we had the most scrumptous meal last evening of Tostadas de Tinga. It was shredded chicken on a hard tostada shell. We also had a juice called "jamaica." It is made by boiling hibiscus flowers. Well, I better wrap this up for now. During our devotions last evening, we all were aching a little bit, but agreed that it was a good hurt and we're glad that we are here to do the work that God has for each of us to do. Please pray for our health as a couple people (not on the team) have had the flu. Pray that we would have the opportunity and discernment to see how each of us may be a blessing to the family in our own way. I'm not going to be able to add pictures just yet as everyone is waiting on me to head out. I will try to later on today. But I wanted to just give an update as quickly as I could. Hope everyone is doing well! We'd love to hear from you on the comments portion!

Love & prayers,
Teresa

A Day of Rest...

Courtney, Daniel, and Ana
A portion of the Hacienda ruins that we toured today.

Cory, Darrick, Josiah, and Grant working on the picket fence.

Hola de Mexico!

God Is Good - what a night of rest will do for you. We started off the day today sharing a breakfast of huevos y jamon (scrambled eggs and ham) with muffins and rolls. After that, we had a time of worship with Julie playing the piano and singing praises to God. I looked at my watch and it should have been about the same time that you at UDC were praising God in the service there. We sang some of the same songs that we sing there during praise and worship (Forever, Come Now is the Time to Worship, Aleluia) except verses are alternated in spanish.

Victor gave our message to us and shared what was on his heart. God's message for today was about Jesus coming to be the light of the world and how He wants us to be His light in this world. He was animated in his preaching and used various objects to demonstrate and compare this with different types of christians....it was an excellent message. And of course, we wrapped up the service with none other than "This Little Light of Mine." Some things are universal! We all agreed that today was to be a day to catch up a little and a time to rest and hang out with the family. We loaded up the van and Victor took us to view ruins of a local hacienda or plantation,about 10 minutes away. It was when Spain controlled this area from around 1500 - 1800. After touring the ruins, we had a picnic lunch and there was a serious game of soccer. The rain clouds arrived and we headed back to the ranch. Josiah wants a garden and has started constructing a fence around the area because Beethoven(the St. Bernard dog) has wiped out his plants on numerous occasions. Several of the team helped with the construction of a picket fence. We just finished supper and are heading back to the hotel a little early tonight. It's been a full, but relaxing day. Please be in prayer for the Zaragoza family as they have been so busy the last several weeks. Pray for rest and peace in the family as well. Again, I'm reminded and refreshed of the simplicity of the life here on this mountain. The plan for tomorrow is to strip forms from the wall that the previous group poured. We will oil down the forms and bend a little more rebar. = ) Oh, by the way, eventhough it rains, the sun comes out and is still pretty warm. This is their rainy season here and everything is very green and lush. Pray for a good day of work and nice weather to proceed. That's all for now!

We're Here!!!!

Just a quick post to let you know that we made it safely.  It's been raining today and is a little cool.  We just had a pizza supper and just finished singing "Happy Birthday" to Cory and we are enjoying a chocolate cake that Ashleigh had waiting for us.  Our arrival wasn't without excite-ment as we were once again pulled over by the police.  Victor had all of luggage in the back of the truck and the police wanted to know what it was.  Victor showed his badge and off we went.  We all are worn out, but looking forward to a week working.  It's great to see all of the changes here at the ranch since we were last here....and also great to see all of the family and meet little Daniel. What a happy little boy!  I promise to post some pictures as soon as I can.  We are off to the hotel for a welcome night of rest!

Hasta Luego!

Teresa

Prayer Needs July 25th - August 1st

Saturday - For a safe departure

Sunday - For our eyes and hearts to be opened as we begin ministry

Monday - For our ability to encourage the Zaragoza family

Tuesday - For team unity

Wednesday - For strength as we continue to work

Thursday - For our hearts to feel God's heart for the world

Friday - For us to bless the Zaragozas as they serve our God

Saturday - For a safe return

Rummage Sale

We had a very successful Rummage Sale! Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us whether it was through donations, purchases, helping us move stuff in and out of the building every morning and night, bringing us cokes, food, or whatever! Despite a 5 minute downpour on Saturday, we couldn't have asked for a better weekend...not too hot or too cold. The clothing that we had left was donated to a clothing ministry at a local church and the remainder of everything else to Goodwill.

Taco-Bar Fundraiser

After the worship service on Sunday, our Mexico Mission team hosted a Taco-Bar lunch to raise funds for the fast-approaching trip to Refuge Ranch. Our guests were "serenaded" by these two amigos, Grant and Cory. Their singing netted a few extra bucks as people paid them to go away so they could eat their lunch in peace.

We chopped lots of watermelon!

We have ham loaves in the works, a rummage sale at Kid Town in Galveston (July 17th & 18th, 8-5), picnic lunches to-go for next Sunday. Come, shop our rummage sale this weekend and see what all we have to offer and help out with our Mission Team's trip to Mexico!!!

We're Hitting The Road Again....

Well, here we are again gearing up to head back to Mexico! We have a team of 8 people preparing to make the trek south. Here is a list of a few fundraisers we have going on now and in the coming weeks:

Selling Ham Loaves (sorry, orders are closed)

Hosting a "Taco-Bar" this Sunday (7/12) following the UDC worship service

Big Rummage Sale - July 17th & 18th at KidTown in Galveston

Selling "Picnic Lunches To-Go" - after church on July 19th

Check back soon for updates and photos!