Heading Back to Kansas

Well, this is our last week here at the Ranch and we will be heading back to Kansas on Saturday. I have mixed emotions about leaving. While we will be happy to see our family & friends in Kansas we have come to think of the Ranch as our second "home". The people here have become very much our family, not just in the sense of being our brothers & sisters in the Lord but as people we love very much.

I have been going for daily walks with LaLa, Ana's mother, every morning. Since she doesn't speak any English it has been a great opportunity to practice my Spanish. She recites different verses from Psalms and I repeat them back to her. One of her favorites I have memorized in Spanish. "Ensenanos de tal modo a contar nuestros dias, que traigamos al corazon sabiduria" Salmos 90:12 I pray this for all of my brothers & sisters!!!
The weather has been really great, unlike the weather in Kansas, around 70-75 in the daytime and about 50 at night. Although today has been rather cool its still better than Kansas. It has also been quite a challenge, although fun, teaching the younger girls English since Lupita & Trini speak only a few words of English. The girls are all such sweethearts although they can be trying sometimes as all children can. It is a joy to see the lovely young women Josie & Carolina are growing into. They are great to help with the younger girls & Roshon's 2 little ones. Roshon's children are both precious but especially Obed. He is 9 months old & such a happy baby, always smiling and although I'm sure he has his moments I've never seen him cross.

Dan, Ana & Marilu left for Monterrey on Monday to finish the adoption proceedings of Marilu. They have to get her new birth certificate & should be back on Thursday. We haven't been able to spend to much time with them so will be glad to see them get back before we leave.

Carla, all the girls & I went into Navajoa on Thursday to the house of the grandmother of Elias (the little boy the Conners adopted). We took some fruit, cookies for the kids and shampoo & soap to bathe the kids. There are six children living at her house, all under the age of 7. The youngest one is about 17 months old. Their living conditions are less than desirable so we cleaned, washed their dishes, bathed all the children & just tried to show His love for them. What a blessing to be able to do this. The grandmother said they were going to start attending the Sunday morning service. lease keep them in your prayers that this will happen.

I have just finished reading "What the World is Coming To" by Pastor Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for those of you not familiar with him). The book is a commentary on the Book of Revelation. While I was reading his comments on the "Great White Throne Judgement" Rev 20:11-13 it made me think of our conversations with many of our family members who asked us why we don't just send a check to the Ranch. Since we feel called by God to serve in Mexico we would not be in His will if we "sent a check". I recall Jesus' words from the Book of Matthew "Then the King will say to those on His right hand. 'Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in..... I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'Mt 25:34-40 I heartily recommend this book to believers as well as non-believers. We need to be sure we understand the consequences of not accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord & Saviour.
We miss & thank all of you for your prayers of support and pray God's Blessings to you.
In Him, Jerry & Jo