Feliz Aniversario #17

On a sunny Saturday in September seventeen years ago a young woman from California and a young man from Tijuana promised before hundreds of friends and family to unite their lives for as long as they live.

This past weekend we took a little time away from the work and the routine to go to a spot on the ocean and relax and reflect on all the blessings God has brought us through these years.

Thank you also to all our friends and family who were there with us on that special day and also to all of you who have supported us in our lives, our family and our work throughout these years. We celebrate with all of you.

Celebrating 200 Years of Independence

Every September 15th in Mexico the whole country se pone de fiesta (celebrates) to commemorate their Independence Day. But this year was bigger and better than ever as they celebrated 200 years from the beginning of the struggle for Independence. There were many events leading up to the big day and incredible festivities, parades, fireworks and star studded shows marking this momentous occasion.

Not to be left behind, our home church planned a Bicentennial party complete with costumes from the era. We had Pancho Villa, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez y Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon along with others, represented in historic attire. Aided by a Karaoke, stanzas from many traditional ballads rang out into the night until the time to shout the requisite "Viva Mexico!" honoring the heroes who fought to the death for this country's freedom.

What a privilege to live in a free country and to be able to celebrate with friends and family who have also experienced freedom in Jesus.

Good News and a "Confession"

Sounds like I'm going to write about some religious experience, but really it's just a couple of announcements about our blog.

The good news is that after my blog about being "technologically challenged", I was finally able to get my computer to recognize my camera so I could upload the rest of the pictures from the past three months.

The "confession" is that now that I have the pictures, I am writing some blogs about past events, but I am post dating them so that they will be in chronological order. So when you go on our blog, be sure to scroll back far enough to see the posts I am adding to fill in the huge blanks that existed previously.

We can all be believers now--miracles do still happen!!

Rest in Peace Ventura Delgado 1940-2010

Jose Buenaventura Delgado was the caretaker of Rancho Agua Viva and his wife, Isabel, (in front of casket) was the cook when I arrived in Mexico 24 years ago this past June. They promptly "adopted" me along with my co-workers Shaun, Diana, Darice and JoJo. We became their "gringo" children and they have loved us and cared for us ever since, asking about and always sending their greetings to those who now live far away.

One of my favorite memories of Ventura is that every morning during the summer months when he would go to town to buy groceries for his wife to make the food for the visiting groups, he would buy me a big, ripe, juicy mango. He knew I loved them and also that often times I didn't have time to sit down for a big meal , but I always had time to eat a mango. It was his way of showing me his love and affection. From the beginning I called them "mama' y papa' " as they have been my mexican parents.

This past Sunday Ventura and Isabel were doing what they did every week, driving around the neighborhood to pick up members of their congregation to take them to church. But this time the brakes went out on the car and to avoid a more tragic situation, Ventura crashed the car into a wall. Their injuries were not life threatening, but required hospitalization. However, as they were being treated Ventura had a heart attack and was gone almost instantly.

All of their children and many of their grandchildren and great grandchildren attended the services for Ventura. (In the picture the children appear from L-R: Rommel, Ruben, Juan, Maria, Rufino and Dalia.) It was truly a family reunion--but likely nothing compared to the one Ventura had when he arrived at his heavenly home almost one week ago.

We miss you, Papa'. You are gone, but not forgotten.

Two Friends...Two Funerals

One had just turned 70 in July and the other was 47. Both were family men. Both loved Jesus and served Him in their lives and work. One on Sunday and the other on Thursday, both men passed from this life to the next in a matter of minutes.

Both of their funerals were packed with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, and members of the larger faith community. In both of the services it was mentioned that these men had always hoped to see their churches full, and for their funerals--they were.

For us it was a time to remember these men, support their families and to communicate the news to others who know them but are far away. On these two occasions we also saw many people whom we had not spent time with for many years, in some cases for decades.

These experiences have reminded us: that life is very short, especially compared to eternity; that "man knows not his time"; and the time to prepare for eternity is now. Likewise, it's better to reconnect with friends and family in any way you can outside of a funeral. So reconnect with someone today who is in your heart and has been on your mind.

Celebrating Laura's Birthday

Laura has been a blessing to our family and also to all those who know her. She recently had her 4th birthday and we celebrated with a cake in our Home Church. We rejoice with every piece of encouraging news and pray for the challenges that she and her family face daily. Here is an update from her mom about her current condition:

Dear friends,

Laura was diagnosed first with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Later, she was diagnosed profoundly autistic, and now with epilepsy. The neurologist sent her a medicine. She took it for a month, and then we went for another EEG. In this it was obvious that not only did the epilepsy continue, it got much, much worse. So, we have switched medicine. We have an appointment later this month to see how this medicine is working out. I am very worried that it could be Rett’s, a degenerative developmental disorder.

Recently my sister called me with the awesome news that she was able to get an appointment with the most important expert in epilepsy in Mexico. We are looking for an appointment, also, with a neurologist that specializes in Rett’s: the point being ruling out Rett’s.

Friends, I want to thank you so much for your help and for your prayers. Though it has been a really tough time, God has done so much for us. He has kept joy in my heart, He has made sure we have friends that support us through it all. He has also made sure that the three of us are well between us. We are very thankful.

Technologically Challenged

I am now convinced that there are some of us on this planet that are missing the gene that provides ability and understanding for tools of modern technology. Among those born into this unfortunate population are my husband, David, and myself. Fortunately it appears that our offspring have avoided this mutation and will continue to be productive and successful in a world dependent on batteries, chips, gigas, memory, and sufficient functioning brain cells.

Case in point: Our friend's two year old daughter can grab his I-Phone and navigate like nobody's business. Put one in my hand and I won't be able to turn it on, let alone make a call.

Having coffee with a friend this week she says, "You haven't updated your blog in 8 months!" (not technically accurate, but close.) I have no excuse, but here at least is an "explanation."

Two years ago our digital camera died. This past June we bought an inexpensive Kodak "EasyShare" ("Easy" being the operative word.) Happily I began taking pictures and even downloaded a few on my laptop. (It really was pretty easy.)

Mid July--computer won't recognize camera, can't download pictures. Fast forward to end of August--First attempt to re-download camera program. Result--need for full system back up of computer. Install Carbonite. Three days later(!!) computer is backed up on the free 15-day trial. Another week goes by (now it's September!)--second attempt to download camera program. Result--hard drive is out of memory. Run Disk defragmenter. Discovery--camera program is installed twice. Erase duplicate program. Connect camera and attempt to download pictures. Not recognized. Compress current files. No can do--insufficient memory. Spend hours deleting three years of emails and making CDs of four years of pictures to free up disk space. Not done yet. Stay tuned...........

So besides my lack of discipline to keep up this blog, my tendency to write chapters instead of posts, the other three family members clamoring to use my laptop (as our family PC died earlier this year)...I am officially "technologically challenged" and what would take any "normal" person 15 minutes takes me hours, that turn into weeks, months and years. Can someone tell me if there is a remedy for this, or could I at least get some government compensation for my condition? Better yet, maybe my 9 year old could become the family IT person. It can only get better!!