Trip Journal: June 23rd

SATURDAY

There was a lot of rain and fog.

We had a hard time tying up loose ends and leaving Oaxaca, since our plans (that were quite spontaneous in the first place) had now changed several times.  As we ate at the restaurant shortly after 2:00 pm, we felt unsure and discouraged, enough so that we considered canceling the trip.  After our meal we felt a little better and slowly made our way to the south end of the city and began the steep and winding journey.  Besides the numerous hair pin curves, the roads were in fairly good condition, with a few evidences of washouts and mud slides.  We made it to Pochutla just as the last rays were giving way to darkness.  We were tired, but no one had thrown up, which was no small miracle considering the hours and hours of curves.  This was conformation of the power of ginger for me.

We had just been on the road you see on the other side of the ravine.

We were welcomed into the home of a national pastor and his family.  They were warm and accommodating, despite being tired from a week of clean up from hurricane damage.  Their house had no damage, but their church was badly damaged and despite a week of working they had only managed to clean up.  Repairs would have to wait for money, more dry weather and the physical labor would be slow also as many in the congregation were busy repairing their own roofs.  Under these circumstances they sat with us and tried to make sure we were as comfortable as possible and chatted as if all was well and I guess, all was well, because our heavenly father is in control.

Pastor Jabel was to accompany us Pluma, but since the next day was Sunday we would spend it with the Christians there in Pochutla.  We would be spending Sunday morning in town and Sunday evening out in the village.

We had come to be a blessing, yet this family fed all 7 of us, even though their refrigerator and cupboards were empty.  They gave us their beds to sleep in and never ask for anything.  That is often how things go, when you try to be a blessing to someone else, you end up receiving the blessing.  We enjoyed the fellowship that night, very humbled by the joyful spirit of this family, in the mist of their trial.  This made a huge impression on my children, which was good for this mama's heart.  Tomorrow it would be our turn to be blessing.

The view from the church of Pochutla and the mountains.

Trip Jounal: June 21th & 22nd

THURSDAY

 The Norris Family arrived around 9:00 am and we finalized the packing, had a small meeting with all 9 children to talk about ways they might be able to minister and a few tips to help them stay safe. Then we loaded everyone into the two vehicles.  Everyone was so very, very excited.

Sam drove our van about 10 feet out into the road, smelled something, popped the hood and jumped out to investigate. The van had shown no signs of problems, but the radiator was clearly leaking. It was promptly removed and taken to be repaired in hopes of still leaving. We were unsure how long the trip would be due to road conditions, but we knew we could not leave too late and be caught on slippery, dark, washed out roads. The radiator was repaired while the kids made the best of the unexpected play date. However, once the repaired radiator was installed, it leaked even more and we realized we needed a new radiator. 

The adults sat down and made the hard and disappointing decision to leave the following morning. Leaving everything packed, we went in and explained everything to the children and helped them understand this is one way God uses to guide us and keep us safe. What a great lesson to be able to learn so early in life. 


Later that evening when we received the call that the husband of the doctor at the birth center was in the hospital, it was decided we would stay through Friday so we could fill in the gap for the Friday appointments at the birth center and then we knew one of the reasons we had been delayed. 


FRIDAY 


Friday was a calm uneventful day of waiting and serving at the birth center, but when I returned home I learned God had changed things around for the Norris family. They would no longer be able to join us on our adventure the following morning. Sharing in our excitement and helping to buy supplies had been a huge blessing to us and we know there will be other opportunities. 


To find out more about where we are going and why read the previous post or check out our web site.  We no longer need donation, as we have now returned.  I am just filling everyone in on the adventure and blessings we had a long the way.

Clearing Out The Ministry Budget

We were expecting guest on Sunday afternoon for only one night, however we received a text Friday sometime in the morning that said due to circumstances completely designed by God, they were making their way back by bus from the coastal areas of Oaxaca.  As Sam picked them up at the bus station after a long slow trip on winding rain soaked roads, Hurrican Carlotta began to hit the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico.  By Saturday morning the very road they traveled the day before would be impassable!  We serve a great God and as a bonus we got some extra time with our friends.

Despite the use of the word "minor" in reference to damage by the news agencies in the U.S, we have learned that many have lost homes, electricity is out in many areas and water and food are short.  The village of Pluma Hildago in particular lost two young girls in a mud slide, many homes, is still without electricity, is having food shortages and as many as 1200 are living in shelters.

At this moment we are planning to make our way down to the coast through the passable roads near Port Escondido and around to Pluma if at all possible.  We will take as much rice, beans, vegetables and chicken as our cooler, van and/or ministry (and probably some of our personal) budget can handle.  We have no idea what the next several days hold.  Please pray with us as we seek God's direction.

Our goal is to show the love of God both physically and spiritually.  If you are interested in helping please go to our wed site and make a paypal donation.  But most importantly, please pray!  Pray for safety as we travel, pray for opportunities and open doors, pray we would have a spirit to serve even when we are tired, pray for our children as they accompany us and serve along side us.  Thank you!

http://www.means2harvest.com/letters-blog/hurricanecarlottareliefevangelismproject

http://oaxaca-digital.info/desbastada-pluma-hidalgo-por-el-huracan-carlotta/

UPDATE:

We had everything loaded and the kids buckled in before 10:00 a.m. this morning and just as we began to pull out Sam noticed a the smell of radiator fluid.  The men made attempts to fix it all day.  I think it will be fixed in the next couple of hours, but we will have to delay our trip until tomorrow, which we all feel is God's perfect timing.  Thank you for your continued prayers.