The medical team has come and gone....

What a busy time!! Brian and I weren't even involved with this team and we felt exhausted at the end of each day. lol It blows me away how many people they can gave medical attention to in a couple of hours. Also just seeing how they have it set up so it moves smoothly! It has deepened my appreciation for the medical care back home as well as any one in the medical profession that gives some of their time to help others in other countries. Big Thank-you!! I also can't forget the people who support these teams. :)
During this medical week, DIF (social services) had taken the time to take a look into the food program in Fatima. (!!) They set up a clothes and shoe hand-out for the community in the church. (Already God has used His building numerous times for the community!!) They also took the time to talk to Brian and P.Raphael about the program and how they wanted to help. We hope that the promise to supply beans is a promise that they are able to keep.
Also P.Raphael is seeing the need to set up food programs like his in other areas of the city. We are finding that there are people who are requesting it, and are interested in running a program. Along with this we have connected with missionaries Brian and Shelley from Hermosillo that have kids club curriculum's that work well with large groups of children. Plus helps Maricela design her own. :) We had all met together in Hermosillo on Monday, and seeing P.Raphael and Maricela come out excited for this help, is precious. I also wanted to put out there that if any of you have left over crafting flannel (felt is another name for it) or material that you would be willing to donate to the kids club, we would appreciate it!! Our home church is sending a team down over spring break, and we also have friends coming down in a week that have room to bring some supplies down. Let's make the middle man Winkler MB office for drop off and pick up. :)

Clarissa

This picture was taken on Valentine's Day during our walk to the oasis. Cole is proudly leading the way and Mason is courageously protecting us with his broomstick sword. :)

February 2012

We sure do miss our family in every sense of the word back home, we sure have experienced a family community here. Last week was a hard week both emotionally and spiritually. Because we didn't want to put the other party in a bad light, this wasn't shared with anyone. God was faithful to us and our hurt and surrounded us with people who did not realize that God was using them to shower His love on us during this difficult time. What a lovely place to be. Any of you that have had us on your mind and have sent up a prayer....thank-you. Your prayers have done great battle and we felt it. Thank-you for your faithfulness. This is where I don't like it that you are way out in Canada and I'm here. I would love to be able to sit down with you and talk face to face. I look forward to summer when I am able to this very thing. (I sure hope you will have a summer by they sounds of how your winter is going......who knows.)

We've decided to put Cole and Mason into the Tae Kwon do class that is offered at the local gym. lol They go three days a week and are liking it. Mason calls it kicking class. :) We are also looking forward to using the gym heated pool. Mason had learned to swim in the summer months and I want to encourage both in their swimming and what an easy way to do it. :) As the locals say, my belly is big. (Thanks lol) Baby is healthy and growing, and sure moves a lot. I would love to have a live in massage therapist, Brian is offering 100 pesos to anyone who is willing to rub my back. lol Would someone back home tell him that it's his job?! lol
My picture on top is of Cole and Mason using my blood pressure machine. When I take it out to use, they are eager to get their "muscle's pumped up" as well. lol Mason is helping Cole with the reading of the monitor.

Ted and Maddie have been great with putting their pictures on their picasa web album and if you are interested in seeing a whole lot of pictures of the going ons here send Ted an email requesting an invite. ted.tmd@gmail.com

God bless!!
Clarissa

Samaritans Purse Shoe Box Distribution Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcC7QwB_qzo&feature=share

Children Program last Saturday

Here is a short clip of last weeks program.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DPlrcskHBs

January 2012

It sure feels like we have gotten over the hill of adjustment and settling in. Especially my boys. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get to the easy sailing on the other side of this mountain. :) Cole and Mason are doing so well in school and with the groups that come down. Cole has a best friend that I've mentioned previously that is so much fun. Mason has buddies at school that he loves to be with, and a cute american girl that just thinks he is the best. They have had the same teacher through the school year so far. (In the school that our friends have put their child, they are on their fourth teacher.) They love the Sunday School they attend at the american church. Yes, Mexico is becoming more like home. :)
We are happy to see the arrival of our neighbors. :) (Ted and Maddie) We find them just fun as who they are, and much appreciate their wisdom and insight in life. They really are a little piece of home.
The food program has been hitting a consistent 100+ the last couple of programs. It is great to see this outcome, but is also is making obvious where we need to strengthen the program to be able to handle this amount of kids properly. So our biggest prayer is for teachers!! We have reached another goal we had for the food program, and this one is where there are local people who have been offering to help with the cooking. (yeah!) So this thursday will be the first program where this step will start. So this means that we just need to discuss what is on the menu, purchase the food and deliver it to P.Rafael's home. :) :) :) I am just so pumped to see women offering their services in this way.

We are on our second team from the Winkler area. The Bethal Church had shown up shortly after Christmas, (there is a picture on top with some of them playing duck, duck goose, as well as one where Mason is being assisted with the logics blocks) and we currently have a team from the Vineyard Church. It has been good to see family's show up and too watch them take Mexico in. Right now, there are 6 children from the age of 8 and under. (Not including my boys.) It is refreshing to not be in an adult only world. :) The two youngest are around 1 and it is a good reminder for me on what the next year will be like!! (Lots of naps.)

Baby and I are doing well. I now feel ready for her arrival. (We spent a weekend in Tuscan to insure this. lol) Next week monday is my next check up with Dr. Chavez, it'll be fun to see how my little one has grown. :) The last appointment Dr.Chavez told me that my baby was 2 lbs. lol I don't think so!

God bless!!
Clarissa

Fatima Church Progress

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gERDvXdrmM4&context=C393a970ADOEgsToPDskLr_abrEdZYiB-L5hSwwxNj

2011

I'm writing as 2011 is coming to a close. 29 minutes left. Our year started off in Mexico. Back in January we came with a team from our Church wanting experience in serving in Ministry full time. We had no idea that our trip in January would eventually lead to us moving our family to Mexico to work along side Koenes Ministries and Pastor Rafael.
I'm not sure how to express the "roller coaster" ride it has been. Our year started with a high but also had many lows. Moving forward with the decision to "go" was the biggest act of faith I have ever made and was also the hardest thing I have ever done. I fought the feeling and the desires to be involved in ministry for many years but for whatever reason I could never get the thoughts out of my head. They always haunted me. I'm so glad that God brought me to a point in my life back in 2009 that I recognized that the hauntings would never stop and I'm so glad that He never gave up on me. Even though I fought Him about it and even though I ignored Him for so long He never gave up.
2011 has been the hardest year of my life in many ways. But 2011 has also been the absolute most rewarding. We saw God in action this year! It is such a privilege to be working here, and even though it is difficult to be away from our families, I know without a doubt we have made an impact on many children and families. An impact that will last for eternity.
2012 is almost here. I believe God has awesome things in mind! One of which is the birth of my daughter. I can hardly wait to see how this year unfolds.
God Bless you all in 2012. My prayer for all of you this year is that God will meet you wherever you are at in your spiritual journey and that He will walk with you a ways. I pray that at the end of 2012 you will be changed and I pray that if you don't have a relationship with Christ, that you will.
Happy New Year!
Brian

PS. A special hi to Shayla, Bryer, Joe, Chalice, Coden, and little Hanna. I miss you and Love you very much.