A Week in Key Largo

Spending the week of 5/9 - 5/16 in Key Largo with my mom, Peggy, my sisters - Sandy, Lisa, and Lynda, and my nephew, Jack, was such a blessing for all of us. This was the first time in our adult lives that we were all together for Mother's Day too! We also decided to spend the week together as an early celebration of my mom's 70th birthday (September 14th).

This was Jack's 8th trip to Key Largo for dolphin-assisted therapy at Island Dolphin Care. Jack and one of the therapists, Eli, spent twenty minutes each morning in the lagoon with Squirt and her baby, Lotus. The dolphin's trainer, Wendy, would instruct the dolphins to do specific activities such as give Jack a kiss, swim with Jack/Eli holding onto Squirt's dorsal fin, etc. The dolphins love being near Jack because his artificial heart valves make a loud clicking noise, similar to the clicking sounds the dolphins use to communicate. Jack and Squirt have a really special relationship and it's amazing to see how she imediately recognizes and remembers Jack - even though she hasn't seen him in a year! We also had classroom time each day and each of us made art projects (we painted tote bags and some made a potholder too). The staff at Island Dolphin Care have become like family to my sister, Sandy, and Jack. We all very much enjoyed spending time with Deena, Pete, their son, Joe, Eli, Clara, and all of the interns we met.

After leaving Island Dolphin Care each day, we went back to our condo and spent time in the lagoon pool, which was very close to our room. After sunning and swimming, we would go eat fresh seafood - the highlight of my day!!! I had grouper and mahi mahi several times as well as shrimp and scallops. Yummy!!!!! My favorite was coconut encrusted grouper topped with mango chutney with melted swiss cheese on top. Absolutely fantastic!

Although I was sad when our week together ended, I was excited too because I flew directly to El Paso on Saturday evening for another visit to Juarez. My kids, Nick and Kelly, flew from Dallas and met me at the El Paso airport. I will post more about our visit to Mexico soon!

Life is Full of Obstacles!

After several days of non-stop media coverage of the swine flu outbreak and numerous calls and texts from friends and family practically begging me NOT to go to Juarez last weekend, I went with my gut and flew to El Paso on Thursday morning, April 30th.

I worked with a team of 7 from Stonebridge UMC (McKinney) to build a home on Friday and Saturday. The team consisted of 6 adults and one youth, age 10. The weather was hot and sunny with temps in the low 90's. Whew!!! Despite the heat, we worked hard to finish the house early on Saturday afternoon. The family that received the home included Daniel, the pastor of a local church in his neighborhood), his wife, and several of their 8 grandaughters and 2 grandsons. What a beautiful family! When we arrived to dedicate the home late on Saturday afternoon, two of the girls were dressed up in their Sunday best! We were impressed! The family was thrilled to receive a new home and other gifts given to them by the team from Stonebridge (including comforter sets and other items for their home). The neighborhood children were thrilled to receive coloring books, toys, and candy too.

Great progress has been made in the construction of the new church called Sublime Gracia (Amazing Grace) in Loma Blanca. I spent time working with several of the maestros on the floor of this church on my last visit to Juarez in March and I was very excited to see that the windows, roof trusses, and beautiful front door were installed! Jose Luis told us that the plan is to have services in the building the first week of June. In the words of Kathleen Baskin-Ball, "Glory Be!!"

Although it was a quick weekend trip and I was not ready to leave (I never am!), I am happy that I will be returning to Juarez on the weekend of May 17th for Suncreek UMC's college mission trip. I look forward to working again with my kids, Nick and Kelly, and the rest of the awesome college students and adults that will be joining us! In addition to building a home, we plan to help work on a fence around the property near Nuevo Pacto church, where eventually a school will be built.

Please continue praying for everyone involved with the ministry of Proyecto Abrigo. The people of Mexico are dealing with so many obstacles and issues right now - the drug cartel violence, loss of jobs, hunger, extreme poverty, and most recently, the threat of swine flu. It warms my heart to know that although they lead difficult lives, the holy spirit is very much alive in the hearts of the people we meet in Juarez.

Until next time, Dios te bendiga!