Gardening 101

My little flower garden in Mexico has changed quite a bit since last summer. A planting of 2 mini rose bushes, alyssum, green, yellow and orange peppers, cilantro, and now lots of cactus and aloe vera plants. I do not have a natural "green thumb", but I am learning, just like I am with writing and blogging.

This 2015 summer season of gardening in Mexico gave me the opportunity to plant seeds, water, transplant growing plants, and do some weeding and pruning, too. Thanks to a friend, I am getting practical tips on how to make plants and flowers grow.

This writing season (2015) has provided me with a few classes on creative writing, a book on BECOMING A WRITER, a few webinars, email tips for developing the writing skill and craft, guidance and encouragement from some writing friends who understand my insecurities and pray for me, a wonderful mini retreat for writers last January...and a full retreat coming in January 2016. There are many other resources and tools that I've been afforded, but the most important element that I find that I have not completely disciplined myself into using is "time to write." I'm learning a great deal, yet, have not understood the commitment to just sit and write creatively, to experiment with observation and exploration of concepts and ideas.

I know this season of gardening and writing are just a few opportunities that God has given me since I turned 50. I have much more to experience with God as I embrace my older years and cultivate the gardener and writer in training. I have not yet finished living, and look forward to the growing seasons of life ahead!

Coming and Going

The summer season is quickly coming to an end. How much more can one squeeze into a year?

We have had a busy winter, spring & summer schedule here at Niños de Mexico. A few groups came in January, 5 groups came and served over spring break, and Summer 2015 will finish with a total of 13 weeks of work groups.

Much work has been done with lots of sweat equity. Some of the projects completed were painting, cleaning & organizing (food pantry, storage closet and workshop), building & installing kitchenettes for houseparent apartments, plumbing, electric wiring & installation of motion sensored lights, medical clinics (in collaboration with local churches and the medical mountain outreach of Puebla), trench digging for new plumbing at Genesis, waterproofing roofs, door repairs, tree trimming, continuing education for our teachers, relocation of classrooms, and school Bazaar.

Physical work was not all that was done this year by work groups...relationships were built, fellowship was had, soccer was played, meals shared together, fun field trips with Niños families, table games played, art projects shared, Jump math classes, Vacation Bible school, and 2 sessions of Christian summer camp (tent camping & cooking over an open fire & fighting off lots of mosquitoes).

We've made special new friends and recruited new child sponsors. Some groups brought new people, while others brought returning friends. We enjoyed serving together with 2 women (Julie and Cheryl) who served as 6 month interns (January - May) as school teachers, 3 summer interns (heather, Kelsey & Brandon) who helped tremendously in the homes and with groups organizing, grocery and market shopping, cleaning, unpacking,  sorting and storing donated items brought by groups, as well as helping to transition from group to group every Saturday. We'll be welcoming a new year long intern (Sarah) in 1 week.. As well as welcoming back volunteers, Jim & Pat Heaton.

We've accomplished many remodeling projects with new, short term group staff this summer, Gerardo, Lupita & Cristian, and returning group staff Ricardo & Lalo. Work projects couldn't be accomplished without these team mates and team of construction workers.

We've joined in ministry with Casa de Niños in San Luis, Potosi, officially starting today with Marco & Nayeli relocating there to start work with the family of boys there. This change in staffing provides opportunity for further leadership development and training for Daniel Gallegos & Caleb Higgenbotham as they become temporary staff for the Bethel boys.

God continues to move us all towards spiritual maturity and love as we step up in service and faith.

We are thankful to God for the Christian people who serve together in states and in Mexico to make Niños de Mexico function. There's still much to do as kids grow, homes continue to have remodeling needs, and staff changes and expands.

Would you commit to praying with us, thanking God for His provision, His protection and expansion of the ministry's outreach? Would you pray for staff to grow spiritually and numerically as we lead the children and youth towards saving knowledge of Christ?

On a personal level, this summer away from home makes me appreciate family and friends. Your prayers and encouragement are a blessing to us. Thank you!

Committed to God.

Wow, this morning I heard a powerful sermon by an old friend at the Christian church in San Vicente, Chicoloapan, Mexico. It reminded me of the young, immature girl I was when I made my commitment to follow God at age 11. That was a very long time ago. Yet, I still remember that day as if it was yesterday.

Some of the points shared in this morning's sermon really struck my heart as important. Please allow me to share them and my thoughts on them with you.

Making commitments can be made at any stage of life.

Childhood--When a child makes a commitment, it is difficult for them to fulfill it completely because of their immaturity.

Teenage years--When a teen makes a commitment, it is more realistic to expect a commitment to be carried out, yet the cultural influence of the day has great impact on their decisions and desires.

Adulthood--When an adult, young or old, makes a commitment it is even more important to follow through because they are made with great responsibility and usually affect others, like marriage, family, work, politics, all based on promises, integrity, dependability and faithfulness.

A commitment made by a Christian is even more important in this day and age. We follow Christ's example. The challenge of commitment is multi-faceted. 

1. We are to be loyal to God, focused on and praising only Him.

2. We are to be faithful in obedience to God,

3. We are to be honest.

4. We are to give generously to God and to others.

5. We are to be loving, kind and patient.

6. We are to fellowship and work together, spurring one another to do good things.

7. We are to repent and seek forgiveness as well as forgive others.

8. We are to pray.

9. We are to endure, persevere and be content.

10. We are to grow in faith, love and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

It definitely is a long list, and I'm sure you could add things I have forgotten to mention. These things might seem overwhelming, maybe even impossible.  "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13.

But, what happens when others offend us, or set a bad example, or murmur, ...or worse?

God calls us to be faithful, anyway. He calls us to be salt and light, to bear witness, give testimony of Christ in you, the Hope of Glory. We have the opportunity to be like Saul, who became the apostle Paul...to ask God what He would have us to do?...then do whatever He calls us to do for His honor and glory.

Choose to declare to God, "me and my house will serve the Lord."

Be encouraged and strengthened by your fellowship with believers in Christ, and focus on Him who loved the Church and gave Himself up as a ransom for all, reading God's Word and seeking out God's wisdom and perfect will.

New Blogging Adventure

This is my new blog...still learning to navigate the blogging technology...  :)

Back in Mexico serving with Niños de Mexico this summer. Working with new staff, new interns, new groups, and now through a ministry merge with Casa de Niños...making monthly trips to San Luis Potosí and working the new staff, kids and local churches that are in that area.

We are excited that our daughter, Becky Ray and her youngest son, Kaeden will be coming for a visit this summer. It has been a long time since her last trip to Mexico.

Well, that's about all I have for this week. Thankful to God for the opportunities to serve, grow and make new friends.

Will try to be in touch, soon.

Janet