I found out that Candice & Josh Rose will be crossing the border and traveling with us. They are teaching English in the Christian School (in Guachochi and are returning to the States for Christmas. We have known this young couple for a number of years (before they were married) and been on mission teams with them in the past. I do believe, they actually meet on a mission trip we put together a few years ago :)
Ed and Debby are moving their daughter, son-in-law and children from NC to OK this week and then, may be entering  Mexico before Christmas. I will talk to Ed, hopefully in the next few days, to discuss in more detail the upcoming mission for us!

Finally have dates set for this winters trip to Guachochi....I realize it won't work for everyone, but a time frame had to be set to move forward.
At this point in time, we will fly out of Denver early on the morning of Dec 27th, ( to El Paso, TX )  and fly home on Jan 8th. I guess if others are flying also, we just need to arrive in TX during the morning,  if at all possible.
Airline tickets are usually more economical, the earlier they can be purchased.
I also took it for granted that everyone has a current passport!.....if not, that needs to be applied for immediately.
If there are any question, please message me, or call...(307) 660-2573

Christmas Break 2011... 'Work Team' Mexico

Plans are being made for a work team to Mexico just a day or two after Christmas. This usually helps those in school to make the trip without missing but a few days. It's hard to make it fit for everyone, but over the years, this time frame has worked the best for all.
I will be posting more as an indication of how many can make the trip, and the plans formulate.

MEXICO MISSIONS TRIP 2011

Guachochi-Chihuahua, México

About Guachochi, Mexico:

Guachochi is a small town that is located to the south of Chihuahua, MX, and sits at almost 8,000ft elevation (so it still gets chilly!).  It sits at the mouth of a tributary of the Copper Canyon area (which is similar to the Grand Canyon here).  Ed and Debby Capps have been missionaries to Mexico for over 25 years, and Guachochi is their home. They have a very active and growing church with the Mexican people in Guachochi, and are missions minded in reaching out to the Tarahumara people.

The Tarahumara Indians mostly live in the Copper Canyon Area, and are considered the most indigenous people group in all North America.  They are a non-hostile people group who are mostly unreached, uneducated, and primitive (some even still live in caves).  Mostly, it’s the Capp’s hearts desire to reach out to these people and show them the love of Jesus, and the Lord’s mercy and grace.  Their church in Guachochi is doing more and more outreach to this people group who are outcasts in the Mexican towns, and who are subject to superstitions and fear because of being so uneducated.

About the Missions Trip:

DATES:  Christimas Break……

WHO:  Families or individuals.  There is no age limit, just a heart to serve Christ

COST: Estimated $750 each……plus group funding for the work project-if possible $500.00 each, or more?

TRANSPORTATION:   ( A suburban is available to use from El Paso and then on to Mexico) Depending on response, and the ‘head count’ it may be necessary to drive another vehicle or more from departure point.

WHAT TO BRING:

* Passport (must have a passport to travel across any boarder)

* Bible, notebook/journal & pen, camera (if you want)

*  If Flying……One suitcase for your personal items, and one suitcase to take group items (food, tools and clothing for the Mexicans and Indians)

*  Sleeping Bag and Bed roll (or ThermaRest) and pillow

*  Work Clothes, travel clothes & a Sunday Church outfit (also toiletries & p.j.’s)

* Leather Gloves (for work project)

*  Jacket & Sweatshirt (good to layer clothing)

*  Other work tools/items will be requested as needed

*  Less than $100 spending money (this is to your own discretion)

Projects On the Trip:

1. Work projects –  Building project at Christian School site in Guachochi or on school house at Ranch.
2. Assisting Ed & Debby with projects in Guachochi & evangelism/outreach
3. LOVING GOD’s PEOPLE as HE LOVES US!!
4. Daily devotions and growing in our own relationship with the Lord

Steve Barbour 307-660-2573  or  686-2573 sbarbour@wyoming.com http://mmguachochi.blogspot.com/

As this trip is being planned, I ask that you pray and sincerely seek the Lord about His plans and desires for you to be a part of the team, and  to also ask questions if you need more information..  What an exciting opportunity this is to join the Lord in HIS work in other parts of the world.  If you are interested in going,  please contact:

 See additional pictures from the past @      http://www.flickr.com/photos/copper_canyon_mission_team/

 Nice picture of  Ed....Chloe....Debby. Debby wasn't feeling the best right then, so she said 'please forgive her for not smiling'!

This picture (the road) really show the 'steepness' of these mountains, and why it takes so long to travel anywhere!

I had to add this picture for those that know Thomas.....here with his wife and new son!

 The time at the 'Ranch' passed very quickly, and then it was time to send all the personal equipment back up the 'cable system'.

 Brand new wheel barrow decided to detach itself from the basket at the top of the cable system and went tumbling over the cliff. It was said that the sound of it falling went on forever. After a climb down the cliff by Tony and Cort, the retrieved, dented and misshapen tool, was still workable!  

Center left to center right of this picture shows the 'runay' Ed will be landing the airplane on.....hopefully this year yet!

 Some appear to be more tired than others......or is Piper just sad to be leaving!

 Mexico in the rear view mirror, and the USA border ahead....this years trip to Guachochi is coming to an end.

 Sad to see a wall like this......unfortunately 'politics' seem to necessitate it's existence!  

 CHA group 'pulling out' for the long haul back to Oklahoma.....thank you for allowing Chloe and I to be a part of you all....see you next year!

Saturday afternoon nap.....Chloe and I stayed over to attend Church with the Capps on Sunday. Ed and I were able to work on the airplane Monday morning, while Chloe helped Debby with some things. We packed our bags and went to town early hunting for aircraft parts, and then were at the airport shortly after 12 PM. Flight home at 1:30....I left Ft Collins at 5 PM and arrived at home around 10 PM.
Thats all for now.....if I have some afterthoughts I may add more, or if some others would like to add pictures or comments that would be great!

Sunday......3 wks since home church!

It has been mildly annoying to me that I haven't been able to finish up with this years blog pictures.......maybe this evening I will get more postings!
It's been three weeks since I have been at my home Church, as I have been on the road. Doesn't mean I missed Church anywhere along the way, I just didn't attend at home.
'Busy' is the word for me, this time of year! Summer is 24/6 business wise, along with all the other activities of the season.....I will complete the trips pictures, please bear with me.
Blessings to all .....I hope you are all in the fellowship of 'believers' at your Church of choice this day!

This is the Church looking towards the Capps cabin. Viewed from Joel and Cassilda's house.

Playing some Volleyball....the Indian men really like to get involved with this.

One on one.........we didn't see this happening a few years ago!

Who got the most out of all this interaction......??

The floor almost completed, all in one day......that is impressive, considering it was all mixed and poured by hand!

Manual labor.....they were all 'named'.....Manual !!!!

No easy job with the 'Sun' beating down your neck!

During the day everyone was kept busy at some assigned work detail. Debby had some girls to help her at the house, while the rest were busy outside. Cement was mixed by hand to pour the floor in the Church, rocks were removed from the runway,  painting at the church, rocks picked out of the fields, fruit trees were watered, chimney changed out in cabin, repairs to the septic line, more rocks were carted away, clothes were washed, water lines were repaired, more rocks were piled up, debris cleaned from reservoir, greenhouse garden attended to, more rocks were removed, wheat was 'gleaned' from the fields, trash was burned, meals were prepared and cleaned up after, more rocks were seen 'growing' in the fields and gathered and hauled away!
Evening were for sharing and interacting with the community. Two nights were devoted for presenting the gospel to the Indians and then some interaction by feeding all those present. What an enjoyable time this is.....and a wonderful sight to see smiles on faces that have come to know the Lord in this primitive and isolated land!

I caught a bull snake will running the dozer (finish work on the airplane runway).........Some were able to see it 'up close' while others wanted it 'dead' immediately.....I think it survived and was let loose in one of the million rock piles!

Solar oven and some yummie brownies!

Solar flashlights that Ed uses.....these are a great asset for using here in the canyon or at home. Somewhat expensive, but worth the money!

Washing hair the  'Indian' way....

Harvesting Wheat.....

Dr.Penwell administering care to the 'Witch Doctors' son..... seems he couldn't heal himself. He had consumed to much alcohol and fell into a fire. Some 3rd degree burns, but Dr. Penwell was pleased with the bodies natural healing ability.....amazing how much pain he had endured!

Medication/ Presciption:
2 in morning, 2 in evening!

Wheat harvested and gathered ......now ready to thrash the seed out! This was a great help to Joel!

Time for some refreshments after the trek down the mountain, and then everyone will grab their packs and head to their designated sleeping area.

Tents are set up and ready for occupants......

 This is the mountain, that we wind up the side of, before reaching our destination....off camera...at the left of picture. 9100' elevation, with our drop off point being around 8500'.





View upon arrival at the top...lower left is the main cabin, center left is Joel and Cassilda's, along with the new church building. The other roof tops are Indians living in the area.

Climbing down the mountain trail.....did I say trail????

Everything at the Canyon Ranch, in most of the rest of the pictures I will be posting, had to be transported down on this 'Cable system'. If it is to large or heavy, it is dismantled and transported piece by piece. There is no road, no helicopter......only strong backs, mules or this system to bring supplies and materials to the bottom!

Ed and his family spent a year at the top of the mountain building this system. There is a natural 'spring' of water, over the edge from the top that they had for use while living in tents all that time. Ed tells the story, that they had a generator and a wash machine that they would load in the back of the pick-up and then drive several miles across the mountain top to another spring....there they would bucket water for the washer and clean clothes as needed.

After all the supplies are sent down the mountain, Ed and whomever stayed at the top to help him....trek down the mountain in the dark! Some actually found this the best time, as they couldn't see the treachery of the trail!

 Sunday Morning Church Service in Guachochi.

With all the work projects being done in town, preparations have to be made for the trip to the ranch. I was Ed's 'go-fer' and the the general maintenance guy. Got the new air-compressor up and going, and greased and did the inspections on vehicles going to the ranch. There is no way to explain the extreme road conditions endured on the 45 miles to the ranch....new paved hi-way for starts, then rough, rocky, dirty, dusty (powder dust), narrow, curvy, crazy drivers, lumber trucks, fast trucks, broken down vehicles, steep mountain roads, more rocks and rough road, along with cramped riding conditions (Five vehicles packed to the max).....all taking around 3 hours. I was on one trip a few years ago when it took us 17 hours to get there, after spending a few hours sleeping on the side of the mountain.....the entire group of us!
The road is so much better now......it used to be a 5-51/2hr trip.
The group stays at the church, so each day all the men have to 'stow away' their sleeping bags and gear, for the use of the building during the day. Of course on Sunday everything had to be moved for Church service. Food and supplies were sorted and readied for the Monday morning departure to the ranch. Only the bare necessities of each person are allowed, as it is quite an undertaking to transport and deliver everything to the 'Canyon Ranch' location. I will have more on that later!
I forgot to mention we even attended the funeral of an elderly lady from the Church. It was very much appreciated by the family to have our entire group there....Pastor Antonio and Joel both spoke and the group sang during the service....such as it was.

The 'farming' was even done, in preparation for the garden. It's all ready for the seeds, and then some much needed rain......it is really dry in the area!

This was one of the other huge tasks of accomplishment!......A team group were assigned the job of opening, sorting, deciphering content, and then placing into piles for distribution, a multitude of boxed books that had been given to the school. Three different floors were covered with books, along with the makeshift tables piled high. This was no easy task......Ed was impressed that they were able to get all the boxes looked thru and sorted! This monumental task took three days to finalize....with not much slack time!.....Well you know, girls to have to giggle and enjoy themselves some, too!

 Joel and Cassilda are missionaries from the local church the Ed and Debby planted here in Guachochi. They spend as much time as possible at the 'Ranch' ministering to the Indians, but need a home in town also.....thus some of the team worked hard at pouring the footings for this new home, right near the Capps.

No cement truck to deliver the cement, it was all mixed on site, and then 'laboriously' carried 'bucket by bucket' around the perimeter of the building. Towards the end the generator had some major issues.....then the mixing was done by hand in the wheel barrow!

 Arriving in Guachochi, the work begins.....stripping old paint from the walls. It had to be 'peeled' and scrapped off, as it had not really stuck to the surface as most paint would! What a job...and I must say, "great work girls"!

 The new coat of paint is applied.....it really does brighten the room.
Josh and Candice Rose will be living in this apartment when they arrive in August.
I sure hope you like the color Candice!

The Church was also painted.....the bright colors have made a lot of heads turn as they drive by. The second story required some 'tall reaching'.....I'm not sure whom all painted up there, but I saw Mr. Holmes crawling up the ladder at the beginning of the upper story work!

Mission trip is completed!

All the team members have safely returned home from Mexico, and now maybe I can finish up from the last update, with some comments and pictures. This is always hard to find time for.....so much to catch up on, after returning home, and returning to 'life' as we live it! Bear with me as I make these postings.....all the things I would like to say, may not happen at once.

Sunday evening....

Most are off to play soccer with the church youth group, we will be eating late this evening, and also loading for departure to the 'Canyon Ranch' in the morning. The Church has to be empty by 8:00 am, as school starts at 8:30 am. Ed and Joel & family left this morning for the ranch, as they had to be there for Church on the mountain this evening. Ed went early, so he could run the cable system, transporting supplies to the bottom. Pictures later will explain the cable system, or you can go back to last years postings for some insight.

Headed to the Plaza

5p Sunday,  Group headed to plaza to meet towns people, communicate, and hand out tracks.  Pray people will understand the Gospel and choose to respond...  Kevin Penwell

some pictures of events.....

 Much needed cleaning (trail dust) before we leave for the border.

 Celebrating Debs birthday....number 60! Thirty-three years of that in Mexico.

 Several that have been on this trip will recognize Thomas....with his wife and 4 month old son!

 Outside of the Church with Antonio's color scheme! All new paint by the group.

Sunday morning Church service

 The 'zip line'....if you look close, you can see someone riding (middle of the group of people in the picture)....I guess the line crossed the valley 4 times before the finish. 60 peso's or approx. or a little over $5.00.