Sharing Jesus in Anapra

For the 7th time, students, faculty, and chaperons from Mayer Lutheran High School spent their New Year in El Paso under the theme of Sharing Jesus in Anapra. This year, 33 people made the 26 hour bus ride from Minnesota to El Paso to experience this "life changing event" as one student commented on her evaluation. The students in attendance represented nearly 15% of the student body, and watching how they model their faith and love for others is an inspiration to myself, and maybe to others.

Once again this year, the group divided into 3 groups, with each group building a house, and finding time to interact with the children and families nearby. The group brought plenty of activities and crafts to keep a small army busy, and more candy than you see at a grocery store before Halloween. Each site saw the house built in 4 days, and the love of Jesus and Minnesota shared with many. As the week drew to a close, and sadness came from the group because they had to leave, an explanation from Acts 20 about how the citizens of Ephesus were weeping because of their love for Paul, and they knew they would never see him again, that it would be ok for them to shed tears because of their love for their friends in Anapra, but to remember that they would see them again soon.

Welcome back to the blog, and Blessings on your week.

Working on the drywall

A little bit of hanging around enjoying the sun

More interior work

A daily highlight included climbing the mountain right behind our job site, here are some pictures from up top.

Our casa tucked right in there

We had some extra time, so those at this casa chipped in to buy some paint

I'm Back

Okay, I have neglected this long enough. Now that Erin has left the mission to return to St. Louis and work for Concordia Publishing House, her sister Kara suggested that I should start my blog again because there are some people who would like to know what is happening around here. So I will make an honest attempt to do so. Hope you enjoy, and remember to check back occasionally.

This is why I do what I do

Ran across this while going through pictures. It makes it all worth while don't you think?

The best thing ever

omehow, I got a small cut on my hand yesterday, and today in the office, I showed it to Viviana, and she asked if her Nina did it. For some reason, Erin gets blamed when Vivi falls down and says that her nina gave her a bump on her head or a scrape on her knee, so when Vivi asked me if nina did it, I said yes. She then left the first office and went to our office and scolded Erin for hitting me. Later on, after we came back from lunch, I showed Vivi again and said Nina hit me, she marched right up to Erin and told her multiple times to not hit her nino. She even wagged her finger at her once. It was hysterical. Later on, we tried to do it again and take a video of it. Vivi scolded Erin again, but the sound isn't great, so you might have to put headphones in or crank up your speakers. Have a great night.

A nice break...

...away from phones, internet, television, even running water (almost). Last week, Erin, Jeff, and I hitched a ride with Jim to Sicachique. We went to visit YLM's most remote mission site, Nueva Esperanza in Sicachique. Google maps does not even know where Sicachique is, but I am guessing it is southeast of Chihuahua city, a total drive of 10 to 11 hours from the mission's campus.

We left Sunday afternoon and stayed overnight in Chihuahua City, with Pastor Tovar, where we ate Carne Asada, and loaded up more supplies to take to the village. We left Monday morning for Sicachique, spent the rest of Monday and all day Tuesday there. The plan was to bring supplies, assess needs, and fix a couple things. Pastor Tovar wanted a door fixed, and a generator looked at (total time to fix both: 31 minutes). Thus we just relaxed and learned what we could about the town.

It was weird not having the luxuries we are used to, but at the same time, it was nice to have literally nothing to do except read and watch the animals.

For more information on Sicachique, check out the YLM website by clicking here. Enjoy the pics and make sure to watch the video at the end.

There were several forest fires on the way to the village

Our quarters, Erin and Jeff slept on the balcony, and I slept inside

The old fish hatchery which I hope to bring back

The school, which is the main focal point of the village

Corn is relied upon by the people for not only food, but also income. It is definitely not knee high by the fourth of July. Please pray for rain.

Moving a support beam to help strengthen a roof

The Palomino figured out how to get at the food, and the other animals came

Enjoying lunch

The brown one couldn't quite figure out how to get the food, so we sent Erin in to save the day.

Jim, Jeff, and Erin with a local lady, she had some cool woven stuff for sale, so we bought some.

Pastor Tovar said the kids don't get a lot of natural or processed sugar, so we brought some. Somehow this guy scored, notice he is pulling out more from his pockets.

Some local girls that played basketball with us. They were good.

Basketball games, not really any rules, and this one guy needed a passport because he traveled so much.

Make sure to watch the video of the game below.

Passing out flip flops....

...vitamins and medicine...

and hygiene kits.

Sheep

Kids

Kind of looks like a head

We took a 88 kilometer, 90 minute detour to go see Copper Canyon. It was kind of cool, but it seemed odd to drive that far for 10 minutes.

Super "Two"sday

So the adorable goddaughter's birthday was May 28th, she turned two. The Friday before, Erin and I brought her presents to the office so she could open them. The funny thing was that I had been telling Vivi often what her presents were, and Erin kept yelling at me to stop telling her. I didn't think it mattered, because she had no idea what I was saying, all she kept saying was birthday.

At first, she wasn't really sure how to open the gifts, but after a little help from one of her sister's, she got the hang of it. The first present she opened was from Erin, it was a little puzzle of animals that you put back into their spots on this board. Viviana saw the pig first and started making oink oink noises, it was funny. I thought she would see the dog or cat first and yell BOW WOW, or MEOW, which she does whenever she sees pictures of Ninja, Bear, or Freddy.

Erin came up with a great idea that she was going to get Viviana a Christmas ornament for her baptismal birthday each year. I thought that was a good idea, but I couldn't steal it, so I kind of copied it when I was in Chicago. I saw a snow globe, and thought that would be a good thing to give Viviana on her baptismal birthday from her Nino, so I got one, and will give it to her this November. To start off her collection, I ordered two snow globes for her birthday presents this year, one from Venice, and the other from Barcelona to represent some of the places we went on the cruise. After her puzzle, she opened these, and didn't really get it, but liked the snow when she shook them.

Her last present was from both Erin and I, and it was a big set of blocks with letters, numbers, pictures and other learning tools on them. Vivi was super excited and kept saying ABC when she saw them. I was wearing a shirt with writing on it the other day, and she kept pointing at it and saying ABC. I have seen her practicing and playing with them in the office. She seemed to really enjoy her presents, and I hope she continues to benefit from the learning some will provide, and the connection she will have with the ornaments from Erin and the snow globes from me.

Opening her puzzle

Now she has the hang of it

Working on the wrapping around her block set

Looking at the camera instead of the snow globe

With her sister Mariana and her Barcelona globe

Loving her blocks

Showing off her block set

Pool Party

Last Sunday, Erin, Jeff (he was here last fall for a couple months, and is now back) and myself went to the service at Santisima Trinidad. Pastor Hernandez mentioned that some of the guitarists were going to the pool today, and asked if we wanted to come. Hmmm, lets see, 98 degrees and sunny, Saturday afternoon with nothing much going on, should we go to the pool? UM, ok. So, we invited some of our friends, Ruby and Joana to go with us.

We thought we were just going to a regular pool, because Pastor said the price was good, and you got a buffet lunch, so I thought I could sponsor Ruby and Joana a few dollars to have a good time, guess what? We ended up at the super water park that you may have seen right across the bridge from the mission. Oh well, we were here, and the girls were going to love it, so in we went. Now, in C0lorado, it costs $36.00 to go to Water World, $31.00 if you are under 4 feet tall, and at Wet n Wild here in El Paso, it is $45.00 for ages 4 and up. Guess what it cost for the one in Juarez? 80 pesos. Less than 8 dollars. SWEET!!!!

So in we went, and the girls had a blast. for 8 hours they swam, slid, and ran all over this huge park. I can't believe how much fun they had. It was an awesome day, and I am stoked they had so much fun.

Jeff and I got to talking, and we thought it would be great to give this experience to as many kids from the mission sites in Juarez that we can, so we are developing a plan to try and get around 50 to go in August. If you would like to help by sponsoring a child or two, please contact me for details. Some pics are below. Have a great weekend.