Back to Class

Today was a special day!  We got to go back to class.  It has been many years since any of us were in primary school, some longer than others.  This morning the school invited us to join them in a musical and teaching service.  We arrived a la escuela the same time the students were. 
Pastor Antonia and his guitar led us in beautiful worship.  The students sang their favorite songs, including actions.  They even gave us a special surprise and sang a song in English.  I'm staying with Josh and Candice Rose; Candice is the English language teacher at the school. She, Isamar, and Flor Castro are teaching the students praise songs in English.  After the song service, the students took part in a message from Daniel.  I'm going to be honest and say that I had not much of a clue was was being said, but did pick up on a few points.  The Pastor was very entertaining and had the students laughing and interacting the whole time.  I know enough Espanol (barely) to know he was speaking to the students about guarding their heart.  A deceived mind equals a deceived heart.  Mr. Bullard, headmaster of the Christian Heritage Academy in Oklahoma, spoke to the students via a translator.  He challenged the school kids to take the message to heart, and told them that his students in Oklahoma receive the same sermon regarding the mind and heart.
  After the service we divided into groups and visited classrooms.  The students were as excited to host us as we were to visit!

  Chloe, Ashley, and Blanca are handing out supplies to the 3rd grade class.

  Estudiantes enthusiasticos!

Mrs. Yadida showing off some of the material her classroom, and others will share.  Every student received a new pencil. 

We kept Debby, Stephanie and Chloe awake until 11 pm working on the airplane, Monday night, trying to start it .......Up early on Tuesday morning and after some persistence we got it started! All part of being on the mission field :) What fun that was!
Today (first day of work) in Guachochi, the group installed more insulation, put up sheet rock, helped mix cement, hauled cement in buckets, put up rain gutters and more. Ed and I had equipment that needed servicing, parts to get fixed in town, running parts to the school ground and more! I started making up some of the wiring in school rooms, and then showed one of the young men (Mark) how to do it, while Ed and I had to go pick up parts for small engine I am rebuilding. Just got started on that project, when it was time to have supper with the group, then downtown for ice cream afterward.
Back to the house, and visiting with Pastor Antonio until 10pm.....shower and off to bed now.
Another big day tomorrow

It's 6 am.  Dad and I are eating breakfast.  We've been up since 5.  I think Chloe stayed at Nate and Maya's last night, but I'm not sure. She might have slept at the church.  I know, Mother-of-the-year material, right?  Two other teens- Erasmo and Blanca- joined us last night from Carlsbad, NM.  They stayed at Nate and Maya's, too. Their mom is originally from Guachochi. The OKC group had a breakdown yesterday, so were projected to arrive 11 or so last night.  They were to stay at a little Baptist church near here.  As soon as they arrive here at the house, 6:30ish; we will load the van, suburban, trailers and depart for the border.  The border we will use to cross is in west El Paso.  It is a bit out of the way, but not as congested as the one in south ElPaso/Juarez.
I'm not sure when we will next update this blog.  It will depend on time and available wifi.  Our desire is to arrive in Guachochi tonight.  Pray that our border crossing goes smoothly, that we have safe travels, and in the event we are stopped, pray these teens girls some ugly!  I shudder to think of  a cartel boss eyeing all of the beautiful teens.  We hope to get there before dark, as it is not really safe to travel at night.
Adios!
Steph
We made it in to Guachochi around 9:30 pm.....trip from the Border was uneventfull, with the usual stops for gas, 'potty' breaks, and a 2:00 pm break for a sandwich. We came thru Chihuahua City/Parral getting here. I have no idea the hi-way numbers, just the route; if anyone wants to follow our path. Supper was warm and awaiting us, upon arrival at the school property, and was very much appreciated! Lulu and Candice and family's were all there to greet us and serve that wonderful meal....."thank-you!"
The 'work team' are all camping out at the school site, with the exception of Stephanie (staying at Candice and Jose Rose home, and myself at the Capps home). We will take some time to get 'settled in' this morning and then get to work.
I know 'pictures' have been mentioned.....we just have to slow down for a minute to get them posted. Don't give up on us, we will get some posted. Time and Internet resources seem to limit us on these postings, but we do wish to keep you all updated....bear with us, they will come.
Steve

Well it's way to late to post much post much right now....11:40(that's PM), I just had a quick shower and am ready for some 'shut-eye!' We had two oil changes on the suburban and the van, and worked on the airplane in between. Finally got it started a couple times but it would not stay running. We will try to post some pictures tomorrow as time allows.......good night all. Steve

Workday

I was supposed to have updated the blog this morning.  Oops!
Lunch is simmering - sopa pollo, and I got the table set so I have a few free moments.

Yesterday we attended church in Las Cruces. After dinner we visited the home of long time friends of the Capps.  Upon return to Chaparral we enjoyed a much needed siesta.  In the cool of the evening (80*) I took time to water bamboo that is dying due to the drought, while Chloe did some house chores.  We then drove up the road to Nate and Maya's home to visit with them. Nate is the Capps son, and Maya his beautiful wife from Mexico. They have 4 fun, entertaining, very intelligent children.  Chloe and I enjoyed playing with the kids while the guys worked on the bus. Little Sarah, who is 4, chattered up a storm of fluent Spanish to me- wondering why I wasn't responding. She would say, "why you not talking to me?" with her little hands on her hips.  Her sweet mom, learning English herself, would kindly translate.  Six year old Andres whooped Chloe in a game of Red Light-Green Light-Go.  She cried herself to sleep.  (Not really).

By 6:30 this morning the guys were working on the airplane.  We've fallen into a morning routine of working until breakfast, which is around 8-8:30. After our meal they went back to working on equipment.  Debbie lined Chloe and I out on the van project.  'The Van' is a 15 passenger with the back two seats removed.  The cargo area was full of donated school supplies, clothing, and work tools.  Chloe sorted through clothing; packing it into suitcases, or Wal-mart sacks that could be shoved under the seats.  I took on the school supply project like a champ.  A Conestoga Elementary class in Gillette, WY took gathering classroom supplies seriously!  Stacked horizontally, all of the pencils filled two one gallon bags FULL.  There were also index cards galore, glue sticks, a jillion
math flash cards, rulers, binder clips, erasers, paper, glitter, scissors, a calculator, dry erase boards and more.  As a kid I would get into trouble for stuffing and shoving things to rid of them.  Today my mom would be embarrassed  proud that I put those skills to work.  After shoving the bags under the seats we stuffed any available space with shoes - one shoe at a time until we could securely say there was no more room.  After the back two rows of seats are installed we will get to shove and stuff once again.  See, this work business really is fun!
This afternoon Chloe is helping Debbie with her prayer letter.  Dad and Ed retrieved the bus that Nate finished working on.  The bus will not be making this trip to Mexico.  They still need to complete paperwork to avoid paying Duty (taxes) on it, since it is going to a school.  More mechanical work will be completed and wheel barrows repaired.  It's sort of a down-time in the afternoons due to the heat.  We'll be texting the Oklahoma group as they are gathering paint, food, and gear to leave from home early tomorrow morning.  They've been hard at work cleaning up after the tornado at their own homes.  Even though they will be working hard in Mexico it might seem like light labor to them after this past week!  We continue to pray endurance for that group.
Last month I sprained my ankle.  It has healed well, but can still be a bit sore.  This morning I was talking on the phone with my family, while wiggling into my shoes, and rolled it again.  Yes, this does prove that I can't walk and talk at the same time.  Please pray that it will stop hurting and will not be a problem.  I do have a brace packed, and will put it on when the swelling [once again] resides.

Tomorrow we will spend the day in town purchasing more building supplies, food, and exchanging
money into pesos.  By evening we need to be packed and loaded for an early departure on Wednesday morning.  I was afraid to ask them to define 'early'.

Adios for now,
Steph

Just before lunch we ran to the local market.  On the way back home Debbie stopped at a Mexican Bakery in Chaparral.  Besides picking out various pastries, she requested a cactus burrito.  We tried it as our noontime appetizer and was it ever good!  I'm hooked.  Kirk is going to think I've lost it when he finds me boiling cactus for dinner.  I'll try to smile and act like its perfectly normal.

We made it to El Paso, the Capps were there waiting for us, and 'hit the ground' running. Did some shopping for supplies, ate a late lunch, and then back to Chapparel, NM ( Debby's Dad, Mel James, lives here, and is the Capps 'border home site')  Looked over the 'new' used 66 passenger bus that will be going to the school in Guachochi, when they can get it imported, and did some trouble shooting on the emergency lights.  Fixed a drain pipe on the house, and started building new pieces and did repairs on wheel barrows to take across the border. Visited with the neighbors, Pete and Joy Raymond, friends who have extended missionary works across the border in Juarez, MX. Always a pleasure to see them!
We are off to Las Cruces this morning for Church, then may take a 'siesta' during the hot hour of the afternoon, but have more things to get done as the day cools off....wheelbarrows, wash Mel's car, repairs to engine for a generator, and whatever else comes up. We attempt to make our time count will here! :)

Made it to DIA safely with Charla driving :) thru security quickly, and now sitting for 1 1/2 hrs to board.....oh well, at least we are 'on time' and ready to go.
Steve

This is Chloe! As Pops said, we're sitting here in the airport. I'm pretty excited! I don't know if it is because my mom is here this year or if it is the fact that this is my third trip, but I'm very relaxed and not near as nervous as I usually am. I'm excited to see the CHA group again, too! It's kinda hard to believe that this is the third time I've gone. God has done amazing things in my lace and has defiantly put Guachochi in my heart. The people and the places are always on my mind and I can't wait to see them again! God is good and I'm very excited!

Stephanie, here.  It's nice to finally be on the road.  I've so busy/overwhelmed with everything that I had to get ready on the home front, that I didn't really have a chance to get excited.  I'm now on my adventure as I've been terming it to my youngest.  He gets three adventures: unchaperoned (by me) time with his dad, the tv, and a bag of chips; his time at "Grammy Camp" and the sugar IV that comes with it; then time at Aunt Charla's, which will include playing with 9 cousins, baby ducks,  geese and FUN!  I get one adventure and although it won't include junk food (beyond a Mexican Coke) I'm ready to go!  My work gloves are packed.
We are blessed that my dad didn't take us on a grand adventure this morning...after we've been through security and found our gate, he discovered a pistol bullet in his pocket!  There are times when Chloe refuses to claim me, I might have felt that way about my jailbird father.  Charla dropped us off at DIA this morning, I'd have called her to bail him out.  Praise God that Ed and Debbie were praying smooth travels for us!

Officially 'on the way!'

Left Wyoming this afternoon, and have arrived in Colorado. Had supper with the Blums (daughter Judi and family) then to the Lacy's (daughter Charla and family) to spend the night. Re-packed some of the luggage, to even out weight, and to stuff in some 'extra's'.....want to take every pound allowable for the price that has to be paid. Charla will drive us to DIA for departure to El Paso. Goodnight!

I must get to packing......hopefull to be on the road to Denver shortly afternoon tomorrow. I have a lot to get done between now and then!
After all the destruction in Moore, OK it is very commendable that the 'group' is still 'on board' and ready for this trip.....excited to see them all!

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100939974161233.1073741829.19228776&type=1

I hope this post like it should....pictures of what has recently been done, and our project this year to finish the inside......wiring, insulation, sheetrock, sanding and painting!

Haven't had much to report until now, but......
Ed and Debby were here in Gillette for a week and we were on the go! Debby has a childhood girlfriend in G town (Karen Naramore) so they got to visit. I was able to line up the necessities for Ed to obtain his Biennial flight review for a pilot. That include using my plane (one like he used to own),    a flight instructor ( that just happened to be in town and available), and the flight medical with Dr Naramore. Other days we kept busy with work and visiting. We flew to Glendive, MT for a couple days to visit Ed's niece that just recently moved there from North Carolina.
Friday May 24th,, I meet my daughter and her daughter (Stephanie and Chloe), and then we fly out of Denver to El Paso on Sat morning. Will be with the Capps over the weekend before we meet the Oklahoma group and cross the Border on Monday.
I will post more as the trip progresses.