Thursday the 1st day of April.

Slow moving after the the climb and long walk yesterday. Georgia and Deb started some painting on the cabin inside walls, as they have never been painted since Ed and Debby built the place. The three ladies have kept busy; either in the house doing chores, the  greenhouse pulling weeds, or feeding the crew.......that includes themselves, and Ed and I.

Thank you gals!......it would be tough to do all the projects with out you.

Ed and I set up a new pump on the pond, and got it to running for a three hour break in period yesterday. Today we have the pipe all strung out and hooked up to water to Joel's fields. The greenhouse we hauled out is being put up, and clothes are being washed at that household  today.

Soaking, soaping, scrubbing, rinsing all take place on the rock in front of Beatrice. I don't think I'll complain anymore about throwing a load of clothes in the washing machine!

Wednesday evening was church. Not as many of the usuals that we see here, Ed made the comment that there were a lot of new faces attending this evening.
It was also amazing to see how many of the area women and children came for the services. I think a lot of it has to do with the teaching that the children are receiving from 14 year old Beatrice. I was awe struck at her demeanor and the attentiveness of the children. She is most definitely a nature born teacher.
I mentioned early of her Dad taking the witch doctor to town. Joel, Cassilda and three girls came from the church Ed and Debby pioneered in Guachochi. They are full time missionaries to the Indians now and live at the ranch.

Joel's brother (left) came to the ranch for the very first time on this trip.
Coming from a small church to  begin with, it was a huge step of 'Faith' for them to move out to this remote area.
They seem to be settled in and genuinely loving  the ministry they have with the people. Cassilda is a full blooded Tarahumara and speaks the language fluently.

What a difference in the area people and the children......they were always so 'placid' in the past, and now are full of smiles, the children are singing, the women seem to enjoy getting together with each other, and just a general friendliness all about.

Day 3

Had plans for projects today, when Ed got word from the Indians that the 'Witch Doctor' was critically ill and needed to get to the hospital. Without help, the trip most likely would not have happened. It would be a major carrying trip, up the mountain, and then highly doubtful if there was any transportation for the trip to town. Ed has been preaching to the witch doctor for years, and felt this was an opportunity to witness, so Ed and I hiked up the mountain to start up the cable system. The family lives about half way up the mountain, so a group of men carried him down to the bottom, and then we used the cable system to haul a son and the witch doctor to the top.

This ended eating up most of the day....Joel (missionary from the Church in Guachochi - I will have more on that family later) hauled them to town with his vehicle! We were very tired when we got back down the mountain, as Ed and I took the long route home to look at the road being dozed down the mountain side.

Believe me...... the altitude 8500', and the route from the end of this part of the road.....back to the cabin was tiring!

                                             Might I say.....this was the end of the day!!!

With the first full day at the 'Ranch', Tuesday 30th, the ladies were setting up house (cleaning the cabin, putting away food, visiting with Cassilda,  resting, etc.). Ed and I got the new water tank set, and set up beside the existing water storage. We plumbed the two tanks together, and ran a new line to the house and tied it in with valves to isolate or combine the two tanks. In the past, with the three houses and other watering, it was easy to run short on water. The Indians are not conservative, and will just use the water until it is gone. Now the Cabin will always have water........if !!!, as Ed says "Debby will be conservative herself" ha-ha! It will make it a better system and Ed has already decided to bring in one more tank to have more storage.

Did not take to long to have both tanks full and running over. The spring on the mountain flows a good stream and is crystal clear!

I'm baaaack........better late than never. It has been busy since returning from Mexico, but lets leave that for another time, and I will try to get back to the story.
Lets see.......I don't even know where I left off.....so I'll start again with my first thoughts for now.
We traveled from Guachochi to the ranch, and were stopped several miles out of town by the local (like our Sheriff deputy detectives) law. They (4 or 5) all were in civilian clothes and had machine guns across their chest. Wanted to know where we were going, so Debby told them we were missionaries and where we were going.  "No problem, we are just checking for alcohol", because of the Holidays (Easter and vacation time), so they sent us on our way.

The road to the ranch was actually in good shape so it only took us about 4 hours to go the 45 miles. We had loaded the 'greenhouse' frame on the trailer wood rack, and because of the weight and all the rough road the load was swaying to and fro. It caused the screws to work out of the wood, so every few miles we had to stop and re-tighten everything. Everytime I met a truck, I would have to pull way to the right as our load stuck over the trailer about 3 feet on each side. We made it to the mountain in good shape and started to send material down the mountain right away. I think it was around 8 loads or so, and dark before we finished. The ladies left to hike down the mountain soon after we arrived, and then Ed and I hiked down in the pitch black darkness. Thank goodness for good flash lights.

There were general duties to get done before bedtime, but it did not take long for us all to hit the sack.

Sorry folks,.........about not keeping up on the posting. It really takes time to do this, and even with an 'air card' for the computer, it was just not possible to do what I planned as we traveled. I am still planning to post our daily activity to share with you.....it will just be after the fact! Give me some time, and keep checking back.
We drove from Chaparral to Ft Collins arriving at 1 AM, and then visited with grandchildren at 6:30 AM and were back on the road North by mid morning. We have arrived home (2 PM - 4/7/10) , and thankful for that.........I just saw on the news (6 PM)  that I-25 south of Colorado Springs has been closed since 11 AM  today from a tanker wreck,  with diesel fuel all over the Interstate.
I had to bury my 'Ole faithful'  border collie dog this afternoon; as she had died last Wednesday. Sad I wasn't here at home for her, but thankful at the same time that I wasn't home! I shed a few tears, .......It's sad for those left behind.  I was thinking during her burial that someday dirt is going to be shoveled upon me, I and won't have a care in the world ...... life goes on regardless! Mourning is OK, but don't be Sad, think back on all those good times, and rejoice in those memories. Thats no different than these postings, a reflection of what was accomplished on this trip and the small part we had to play,  in the overall scheme of ministering to the Tarahumara people. It's always sad to leave, but is a joy to know we have given our best,  in offering these people  a little glimmer of hope!

Some of the country side as we travel along. It looks very dry, but Ed says as soon as the June rains start it will be beautifully green. We have seen old grass along the road that is very tall. Most of the land has been grazed off to nothing, so its hard to imagine the hills being filled with grass later on. The rock fences built years ago, are amazing to see. They can go for miles, and are about 3 or more at the base, and stand about 4 feet tall. Of course, there are an abundance of rock to choose from.




The mountains go on for ever, with little patches of green everywhere.......and to think the main staple crop being grown is 'drugs'. The Mexicans exploit the Indians, getting them to raise the crop, with promises of big money, and then pay them with liquor. Haven't seen one Indian with any wealth, but plenty of new vehicles and nice houses for the 'drug trade' Mexicans. Don't get me wrong....not all the Nationals are into the drugs, but plenty of them in Guachochi. Either directly dealing in the drug trade, or 'laundering' the money for the 'higher ups'.
Even with all this going on, we have not once felt 'threatened' in any way. I keep saying that we are no more in danger here, than in most 'anywhere USA'.......Stay away from evil, and draw near to the good! Most all, individuals that we are around, (Mexican nationals, or Tarahumara Indians) are  just ordinary people with the daily survival desire that we all have.

Upon arriving in Chaparral at the Capps, Ed and I proceeded to unloaded the pickup box trailer, onto the flatbed.......including the 5oo + pound air compressor. After we had that done, we found that we didn't need the flatbed to haul metal, so it was back into the box trailer with the a/c. Fortunately Ed had a electric winch that we used to pull it up hill into the trailer. Had to use a little ingenuity to attach the winch and some boards for a ramp, but we got it done. With all the other supplies, clothes, paint, chairs, tables, pipe, tires, luggage, etc., we had a hefty load. The suburban pulled the load reasonably until we hit the mountain road to Cuatomec and beyond.......down to five mph on the steep inclines, and all of a sudden a big popping sound and away we went. Determined later the catalytic converter was plugged, and it must have broken loose,  as we instantly had lots of power. The next morning after arriving in Guachochi, we took it to Nathans Capps friends shop, and had it removed.
We had spent the night in Cuatomec, about half way in the journey, and then drove on to Guachochi the next day. Arrived in time to unload most of the supplies and then to evening Church service. For those that know him, Tomas preached.....I guess it was a good message! I sure do wish I had some knowledge of the Spanish language.......is it to late to teach an old dog new tricks????

We are back to the USA......God Bless America!.........We have had a wonderful time, and accomplished much for the Capps and their ministry.
As I haven't had Internet access, nor the time, I will now have to try to catch up on our happenings since the last post. It would make a long 'read' all at once, so I'll break it up some and try to add some pictures as I go.
Since I am writing in real time right now, you will get a recap of the most recent excitement.
We left Guachochi yesterday at 8:00 am and drove all day to the border. Arrived at the Santa Teresa crossing West of El Paso at 6:30 pm and had about 1/4 mile of traffic in front of us. I have no idea what the hold up was, but it took us 2 1/2 hrs to cross the border. We forgot about supper, and went straight to the house at Chaparral and went to bed around 10pm. Ed and I were up early to finish unloading, then loaded a Jeep SUV and the 4-wheeler to haul to Las Cruces, to get the paper work done for  title transfers. The title work here, is much different than Wyoming, and between waiting in line (with a call number) and going a couple blocks away for a notory, we were done shortly after noon. We ate lunch with the Capps (with more visiting, and a lingering good-bye) and are finally on the  'road north' at 2 pm. Deb is driving now, Georgia will then drive, and I will take up the night driving.

Debby and Deb are cleaning up after breakfast.....the rest of us are finishing the last of the days preparations. Ed needs to run to the store for some eggs, Debby & Deb will run to the bank to pay our 'Exit Visa's', Georgia is getting the groceries ready for loading, and I will get the remainder of food, luggage, and etc. loaded.

Ed is washing the dust off the Suburban. It will pull the trailer, and Ed will drive his Toyota also.

The Capps Guachochi home.....actually this is like a 4-Plex.... Pastor Antonio and family live downstairs in this picture, some girls from the church are staying upstairs, and the other side of house the Capps live in.

The trailer loaded and ready to go again ......thank you, thank you, thank you Scott Youngs!

Will not be back on until next Sunday now........

Well here it is 10PM and I don't really have the time to post much, as I am going to hit the sack. We have spent all day gathering material for the 'ranch' projects, and will be heading there in the morning.  The trailer is all loaded and all we have to do is get to the bank, to pay our 'exit visas', as it will be closed when we head back for the border.  Then we head for the 'Canyon'.

Once we leave Guachochi we will not have any more contact until we return next weekend to town. I am posting a picture from a year past of what the view will be for us tomorrow!

Got to Guachochi around 1:30, got the trailer unloaded....all except the air compressor.....had some late lunch, and are now getting close to church time. I will see if I can get some more posted later.

Had to insert a picture of the airplane, and then show our trailer unloading......and then reloading! We were going to take the big long flatbed trailer (to haul some steel), but could not get it until Monday.....found that out after we had the heavy air compressor unloaded. Ed decided that we would take the trailer from Wyoming, so we used a electric wench to reload the a/c and then piled all we could back on the trailer. It is 11:00 and we are heading to the border right now. I will try to get this posted before I loose signal. Adios Amigos!

O

Our driver and co-pilot for the hour......or maybe 3-4 hours.

This seems to have been following us the entire way!

Finally have a minute to update, as Deb is driving right now.
We left Gillette at 5:40, and drove to Ft.Collins to spend the night with the Blum family....I think we rolled in the around 9:30. Visited some, and then hit the 'sack'!
I was up at 5:00 and started loading the things that Judi and Andrew had. Some more boxes of clothes and 17 gallons of paint.
We were back on the road around 6:15 AM. Had some hiccups with the pickup before Denver, Deb prayed for mechanical wholeness and bound satan from attacking us......we continued on! Another little incident at Pueblo, and with some doubt, we thought maybe it would be a good idea to find a dealership. Amazingly we found NO Chevrolet outlet anywhere so we took our 2nd choice....Faith.....and kept driving. Isn't is something, that we can pray for something, and then not believe it! Why is so hard to just take that small mustard seed of faith, and proceed as planned......Lesson learned for today. We are going thru Albuquerque, NM and have only strong winds buffeting us around and no more problems with the 'Chev'. Thank you all covering us with your prayers.
I wanted to also give a little background on our day of preparation preceding our evening departure. Ed had called Wednesday night, and the NM title office would not accept the WY title. Seems that the VIN was in fact a motor number, so they would not give Ed a NM title. I headed in to Gillette's courthouse early in the morning, and took until 11:00 to get it straightened out. The Kissack's were in Iowa, and no way to go back through them, so I just so found someone to sell the 4-wheeler to me with an affidavit, and then got the title put in my name. Any other way would have required signatures from Ed.....with no time to do it. This will work out all the same, we were just trying to save one step in the process. Took the rest of the afternoon, getting ready and loading the trailer.
We are driving through a terrible sand storm right now, like a fog in places, not being able to see ahead very far at all.
3 PM now, and ETA at the Capps of 6:30. Getting closer.........

Wednesday morning and much to do....... Will have to spend some time today building side boards for the trailer; other wise,  all we are taking will not fit. The Blum's, in Ft. Collins,  have around 17 gallons of paint to send along, so I have to save room for that also.

Ed called yesterday, and said part of the paperwork on the 4-wheeler was not adequate for NM DMV, so I had to get 'their' one particular page with 'their' logo and then have the Sheriff Dept. come once again to verify the VIN. Exact same wording as Wyoming's Affidavit, and the same confirmation area for the Sheriff.......just the wrong logo at the top of the page,  I guess! Bureaucracy at work......?!!!!

Got a disappointing call from Craig Mader.......he had some passport issues in renewal, and at this time has not received it back from the Gov't . .........Without that he will not be able to go. We still have until Sat.,  when we are set to cross the border.

Past pictures

I guess the link to Tom Badens pictures did not work so I am reposting......Hope this works to view the link. We will have our own to share as we travel along, and when we are able to access the web for posting.

pictures

This is the trailer that Chris Youngs donated.
As you can see there is not much room left......I'll most likely have to build some side boards, of some sort,  to 'pile up' the load!

Boxes of clothes and groceries that are ready to load for the trip. I'm just not sure where we will put it all, as the trailer is full already. I can pack some of the boxes around the edge, etc., but I need to cover everything, as it could rain or snow between Gillette and El Paso. We will have to repack everything before crossing the border, as we will be pulling another trailer to Guachochi. More later..........

Thank you Kissacks for your Donation!

This is the 4-wheeler going to Mexico......Ed is really excited about using this machine out on the mountain. I think we succeeded in getting all the correct paperwork signed and then sent off today,  to get the title in Ed's name.......cannot cross into Mexico without it being in the name of someone present at the time  of the border crossing. I didn't want to put it in my name, as eventually Ed would still have to go thru the 'hoops' to get it done right. Besides that, I couldn't see spending another ???? amount of dollars paying for more title work than needed. Thank you again Doug and Jo!!!

Georgia was to town today, getting sale items for grocery items. The few dollars saved there, can buy something more down the road....as we see the need....especially when we are deep in Mexico.... You either 'pay the price' or do without!
I made several calls to New Mexico to the Motor Vehicle Department and then had the sheriff come to do a VIN inspection on the 4-Wheeler. (The Doug Kissack family donated a very nice Polaris to the Mission). I am hoping to get all the title work done from Gillette, as we won't have time in Chaparral. The title has to be in the Capps name to take it across the border!
I was thinking not much left to do, except load the trailer and head down the road. Then I get to remembering all the 'other things' that are necessary for the border crossing.....titles for everything I drive or tow, passport, insurance, corporation papers (pickup is in Corp name, not mine) Affidavit of ownership, international drivers license (I got one when we went to South Africa),tools, extra parts (fuel filters), and more as I think of them! Whew....I sure hope I remember everything!
Tomorrow it will be to town to tie up a few of those lose ends...I have to get a whole stack of papers notarized.

Preparing for the trip

This years trip to Guachochi Mexico, has been in the works for some time now. I always feel the more planning, the better off we are!..... but then again; it seems nothing every works as planned when we get there.
Started off with several people wanting to make the journey this year, and one by one they were not able to go. Thats OK, as there will be other opportunities.....Already looking at going again right after Christmas this year.
At this time, Craig and Debbie Mader - Deb Utzman- Georgia and myself are making up the team for this trip. Deb, Georgia and I will leave during the 'early-thirty' hour of the 26th March, from Gillette and drive straight through to Chaparral NM. This is where Ed and Debby Capps have their 'border' home and the 'Rendezvous' point for the mission trips to Mexico. The Maders will join us from their winter home in Texas....not sure yet if they are driving in or flying.
Ed and Debby are in Guachochi right now, and will be driving to the border this coming Monday. We will then all deploy back south, when we get gathered up on the 27th of March.