"Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7) I don't really know how to start this, although many of you already know the events that took place in our house yesterday as we were away in Hermosillo. Marilú called me around 10AM, but I was not able to talk to her right away, but more towards noon. It turned out the state police were at our house searching the entire house. They had orders to break any lock, or do what ever they had too do to search everything... I ended up talking to the Public Minister, he was one of the ones in our house doing the searching. He told me they had found out our ranch was working with a lawyer doing illegal adoptions, and trafficking with children, etc. They said they received an anonymous letter that stated that. Also they knew for a fact that Trini's adoption was not done legally. We raced to the ranch from Hermosillo after trying to get in touch with the district Attorney there, but where not able to see him. They told us to go to Alamos as soon as we arrived back home and present ourselves with the Public Minister, which we did. Two weeks after we came back from Monterrey finishing with Marilú's adoption, we found out that the adoption had been done illegally, as well as Lolis. I was precisely finishing declaring that with Child Protection Agency in Hermosillo, when I learned about what was happening in our ranch. We were outraged knowing our lawyer had done everything illegaly...why...? We cannot understand... I was planning on going to the Judge in Navojoa to let her know our side of things, but was waiting for some documents, Lic. Ceballos, (the lawyer that did the adoptions), was supposed to give me. Of course he never did. We find ourselves in a HUGE legal mess. We are pleading to God for His mercy. We want the girls back, but at this time have no idea what will happen... Good thing our Lord is in control of all things, it is amazing how things can get out of hand in a blink of an eye. All the girls were crying and holding on to my dad when they took them. We are praying for them to be witnesses for the others girls and that they remember we are not fighting against flesh and blood. As you can see, we desperately need God's intervention in this matter. We know things don't get out of hand with Him. We are confident that He is able to deliver us from the snare we find ourselves in. He has a purpose for everything He allows in our lives and of that we are also very confident. Before we got home, around 5PM, DIF Navojoa, with orders from Hermosillo, had come and taken all the girls, except for Carla, Marilú & Lolis since they were declaring in Alamos. All evening yesterday I kept thinking I was having a nightmare and I just needed to wake up. In Mexico, you are guilty till you're declared innocent. I thank God we can be home and not in jail right now. Thanks to all of you, our wonderful family, you are the greatest! Also to the precious body of Christ that lifts our arms up in times of needs, we are forever grateful to God for each one of you. Love, Daniel & Ana P.S. We are celebrating Daniel's 53 birthday today. P.P.S. I, Daniel, say that it's my party and I'll cry if I want to! Okay I don't want to cry. At 10 PM last night one of the men asked me my age. I told them I was 52. At 12:30 someone else asked me, (there was SO much paper work being generated!) and I looked at my watch. The man restated that he was asking my age not the time, thinking that I had misunderstood him. I told him that I was looking at my watch because it made a difference since for the last 30 minutes I had been 53 years old! (Thanks Daryn for that story I finally got to use it!) I was expecting something like this for the last week or two. It's funny how sailors, farmers and Christians get to sense things in the atmosphere, that suggest to them coming storms, or good winds, etc. I have been telling people for a couple of weeks that things have been so great that something big was coming. The most awesome thing is that when you know a storm is coming, you are prepared for it. When you know that Jesus is in the boat with you, you don't sweat whatever storm comes up. That is the assurance that we have in Him, that no matter what the weather, (or enemy) brings, we will be able to ride it out as long as Jesus is at the helm. God is so faithful and is always our strong defense. All the authorities are aware now that we have been victims of our lawyer and things are looking better, although until the girls are safe back at home, there will be little rest. I went and was able to see the new director of Child protection services, and also the new lawyer in charge of the legal things. The new lawyer is an old friend of ours and knows us well. The new director was very impressed with all of our girls. She was telling me how well they were behaved and how they all arrived with their Bibles under their arms. They also told me several times that they had nothing to do with what was going on and tha everything would be okay. Fire purifies gold. We and the girls have an inheritance more precious than gold. We don't like going through the fiery furnace but we sure like the way we feel once we are through it! God is on the throne, the enemy knows his time is coming to an end and we are on the greatest team! God bless you all, Daniel | |||
Saturday, February 28, 2009
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
Now, Daniel's perspective on things:
We have a history with communications on our ranch that is interesting. (More interesting to Mike Gaude and myself than others). It started out many years ago with Ham radio. Ham radio was a huge blessing and it allowed us to be in touch with a lot of you out there. Before that, communication by letter was about a 30 day turn around. Then, through Ham radio and friends like Grady and Roxann, along with others, we started communicating by email, facilitated by Ham radio. That was great, but when we were able to get Internet by satellite, that was a huge step. For the last seven years that has been great, but it started getting worse over the last 3 years due to saturation problems. Anyway, last week we were able to finally install something that I have been thinking should be a possibility for a long time. We now have Internet from town that is transmitted by radio. It is working as good as the satellite without the penalties.
Anyway, this isn't about Internet and communications as much as it is about the importance and the blessing of being in touch. One of the reasons that we are able to do all the Bible studies and things that are going on around here is because of the prayers that are going up on our behalf.
I want to thank you all again for keeping us in your prayers. This has always been a team effort, and the more that is going on, the more prayer we need to keep things from spinning out of control.
I always think of the juggling acts where the man spins the plates on the top of poles that are like broom handles. He has to keep them spinning and going back and forth between them to make sure that they don't stop spinning and thus come crashing to the floor.
Moses had to keep his staff held up high in order for the Israelites to prevail against Amalek. When he became weary and his hands would come down, the Amalekites would start to prevail. He was so tired that Aaron and Hur had to prop up his hands. You can read about this in Exodus 17. My thought is this, what possible advantage could Moses holding up his staff give to thousands of soldiers in the heat of battle? And so, what difference would it make if they were helping to hold up his hands or not?
Believe it or not, I do believe these guys were making a huge difference. The reason that they were making a difference is because they were in communication with the Living God. Moses, Aaron and Hur didn't win that battle, the Lord did. We aren't going to win any battles either...but guess what? Jesus is. And He lets us do little things, like we do, that in truth can't make a lick of difference if God doesn't change people's hearts. How I wish that we could do that, but we can't. Only Jesus can. But he lets us hold up the staff, (or His Word), He lets us pray and gives us the pleasure and privilege of being a part of a much greater team of people (all of you) that are really all doing the same thing. We are all just holding up each others hands and praying that the Lord will touch hearts. After all, He has been in the communication business for a long time!
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR RANCHO MARANATHA
Please pray for the girls at the ranch, especially the younger ones. How we desire for them to truly know the Lord! We have been having some problems with them. We realize we are powerless to change their hearts, only the Lord can do that. Pray for their hearts to be soft to His work. Praise the Lord for the ones that are doing good, it's a long road, but they seem to be getting there.
Pray for us. We are spending the night in Hermosillo (Capital of Sonora). Roshon & her children are with us as they need to renew passports here in the American Consulate. We will be going to see the people in charge of social services for the state of Sonora. Things with DIF have been quite bad in the area of child services all over. They are requiring lots of information from us, since we started the children's home back in 2000. Pray for the Lord to give us favor with them, for us to be a witness of His love. Also pray for Obed, Roshon's son, he has been running a fever since yesterday. On the way here today, he was feeling sick and has been all afternoon.
Please pray for the Lord to provide for Jaciel's surgery, for Him to touch his parents, especially the dad, that they would seek to walk with Christ.
Continue to pray for the communities we work with. For the people to grow in a deeper relationship with the Father, for them to be mature in the Lord and not be moved.
Pray for wisdom for us as we need to daily make choices in various areas of life (just as you, we are sure. We have been having lots of problems with our vehicles lately. Last Sunday, two of our vehicles (Las Minitas and Mocúzari) broke down. I was very thankful when I started reflecting back on the way it is used to be a while back, we had problems every Sunday with vehicles. It isn't like that anymore. Anyway, please pray for us to find responsible mechanics to fix our vehicles. Pray for Carlos, he is the one working on 3 of the cars right now. Pray for Alfredo, he used to work with our cars. I could mention many others that have, they all need the Lord. Most of them, sadly, have done such a poor job. Pray for the Lord to protect us from people that want to do harm, but also for us to know and have discernment for when He sends those that will receive His saving message. Pray for the short term groups that will be coming next month. We have started two projects in two different communities where we will use their help. We started the building of a room for Carla's grandparents. The man is already 90 years old. They live in a room with walls made of cardboard. We are also making a room for Doña Martha (she lives in the same conditions as Carla's grandparents. There was a picture of this lady in my previous 'update.' She is the lady that cannot read, but 'has ears to hear.'
Continue to lift up in your prayers Brian & Rochelle and their twins, especially Levi. We are so thankful for what the Lord has done, and continues to do in their precious lives. Thank you so much for praying for our requests. We are so thankful for each one of you!
"...be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2Pe 3:14)
We love you all,
Daniel & Ana
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Ana's update/comments from Daniel
"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22).
"While the earth remains..." The inference here is that the earth won't last forever, but in the words that follow, God promises that as long as the earth remains, there will be certain constants: seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night. We have confidence in these promises of God. We don't lose sleep at night worried that it might not dawn a new day tomorrow.
Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5), but sometimes we worry that He just might do so. Just as we have great confidence that God will keep the earth spinning, we should also have confidence that God will supply all of our needs.
I think God intended these promises to remind us daily of His faithfulness. Every morning when we wake up and see it is getting light outside, we should say, "Is God ever faithful!" Every evening as the sun sets we ought to say, "Wow, God sure keeps His Word, doesn't He?"
God will keep His promises whether we believe them or not. When troubled, we can become anxious and fearful, or we can have a victorious attitude. We can have victory because God is going to take care of us. He promised.
I love this verse in Genesis, it really gives me confidence in my Lord when we see how everything in the world seems to be upside down. Reading, or watching the news, can really get one worried. Just a few headlines to prove my point.
The deadliest bush fires in Australia's history are still raging across the south of the country, leaving hundreds of homes destroyed and towns decimated.
Described as “hell on earth”, Victoria is currently ablaze with 26 fires, including one with a 60-mile fire front. They began yesterday amid record-breaking temperatures and left a trail of death and devastation across the state, burning through 350,000 hectares. 50 fires are also now burning across the border in New South Wales, where temperatures reached 46C today.
The fires are now officially the worst in Australia's history, surpassing the death toll of the Ash Wednesday fires which claimed 76 lives when they tore through Victoria and South Australia in February, 1983.
John Brumby, the emotional Victorian Premier, said it was one of the “darkest days in Victoria’s history” and described the deadly inferno as “hell on earth”.
Islam group urges forest fire jihad
AUSTRALIA has been singled out as a target for "forest jihad" by a group of Islamic extremists urging Muslims to deliberately light bush fires as a weapon of terror.
US intelligence channels earlier this year identified a web site calling on Muslims in Australia, the US, Europe and Russia to "start forest fires", claiming "scholars have justified chopping down and burning the infidels' forests when they do the same to our lands".
The posting - which instructs jihadis to remember "forest jihad" in summer months - says fires cause economic damage and pollution, tie up security agencies and can take months to extinguish so that "this terror will haunt them for an extended period of time".
"Imagine if, after all the losses caused by such an event, a jihadist organization were to claim responsibility for the forest fires," the web site says. "You can hardly begin to imagine the level of fear that would take hold of people in the United States, in Europe, in Russia and in Australia."
LONDON -- Documents recovered from a remote area along the Pakistan border have revealed that Osama bin Laden wants al-Qaida to launch a "global fireball" by lighting forest fires in Europe, the United States, Australia and South America.
The documents, uncovered during an operation led by the British intelligence service MI6, have been described by experts in that agency as "the most worrying [plot] that the world is facing."
California is facing the most significant water crisis in its history. After experiencing two years of drought and the driest spring in recorded history, water reserves are extremely low. With the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem near collapse, court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries from the Delta have reduced supplies from the state's two largest water systems by twenty to thirty percent.
This year's drought has already significantly damaged California's economy. Agricultural crops are being plowed under, housing and business projects are being delayed, and regional water authorities are instituting mandatory water rationing to a reliable water supply. Due to California's water shortages, thousands of jobs are lost and construction projects are on hold because a water supply cannot be guaranteed. In addition, drought conditions have created a situation of extreme fire danger, already the worst fire season in the State's history.
The catastrophic wildfires would not only produce an environmental disaster but would stretch emergency services often beyond their limit and leave insurance companies facing multi-billion-dollar claims for damages that could effectively destroy the already shattered economies of a number of countries.
The security situation in Mexico has been dire for some time. Now the global financial crisis threatens to push the country into uncharted territory as the government struggles to prop up the economy while fighting a war against some of the wealthiest and most organized criminals in the world.
The most vulnerable aspect of the Mexican economy is its exposure to the declining U.S. Market — particularly in Mexico’s export sector. Over 80 percent of Mexico’s exports go to the United States, and the emerging U.S. Recession is sure to throw this trade relationship into chaos.
Mexico is also heavily linked to the U.S. Economy through remittances. Mexicans working in the United States send approximately $24.3 billion per year back home — or about 3 percent of the gross domestic product. Declines in reported remittance rates have already been reported throughout Central American states, which rely heavily on these wealth transfers. As the U.S. Economy shrinks, and competition for low-wage positions increases, illegal immigrants will be pushed out of the job market, and remittances to Mexico will decline even further.
Yes, it's official and public news for the whole world to see: Government is the worst-run business on the face of the planet. We've known it for a long time--we're just now facing the monetary music.
America is broke. Wall Street is going out of business. The government is borrowing and bailing like there is no tomorrow. Americans anxiously await the full impact of a second Great Depression. And we are longing and looking for solutions and saviors.
Yes, it seems like I have become a 'news junky' like my husband. He sends me reports he finds interesting, as he is always comparing, or trying to find links with current world events and prophesies in the Bible.
Anyway, knowing we belong to a great and awesome God that has promises us that 'while the earth remain there will be winter and summer, seedtime and harvest, day and night,' we can face each day relying totally on Him that sustain the Universe.
I started a Bible study in JusibampoTuesday morning. It was a blessing to be there again. We had one young lady, Alma, come for the first time, (really, first time for her in a Bible study period), and she was moved to tears as she was touched in her inner being by the Lord. I had prayed that morning for the Lord to be present with us, as we don't want to go anywhere, or share anything if the Lord is not going to be there leading. Who would want to? There would be no point. We want to lift His awesome name up high for all to see!
Daniel & Obed's perspective...
Take a look at Revelation 6 together with the headlines and you will see why we are excited about Jesus soon return. Wars breaking out all over and peace being taken from the earth, economic nightmares? Read on and think about what Peter said, 2Pe 3:11-16 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus...Maranatha!God bless you all as you seek Him first,
Daniel & Ana
Sunday, February 8, 2009
"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever..." (Deuteronomy 29: 29).
Two realms exist--the secret things that belong to God, and the things that He has chosen to reveal to us.
We don't always know why certain things happen to us, but God does. So many times we want answers. We want to know why, but sometimes God's response is simply, "Trust Me."
We won't always understand what God is doing, but He is faithful. He will reveal His secrets as we wait upon Him. And one day we will thank Him for the trials we are enduring now, because the secrets of God were revealed through them.
Well, the Lord is at work in and through us. I marvel at how fast time passes us. How I want to redeem the time, for I know the days are evil. People are discouraged and indifferent, in a state of slumber. Many times I feel that way too. I realize how important and vital it is for us to know the Lord never changes. The way I may feel is irreverent, He is the same, He remains faithful, His word never changes. I have His promises which never fail. I want to share this with others, I want others to find the reassurance we can only have in Him in this ever changing and corrupt world we live in.
Today, as last Thursday, most of the girls went again to help in Doña Florencia's house in Navojoa to help clean the place some and bathe the children. It is amazingly sad to see the filthiness and ignorance these people live in. It seems so helpless, but we know the Lord can make a change, not only in their hearts, but also in the way they are living. When He comes into our lives, He is concerned with all aspects of our being, so we continue to hope. When we got back home, both Carla & Lolis felt sort of physically sick, same as last week. I think it is the helplessness they feel being there. Their place is very, very unkept, the ladies sit around and have no initiative to do much of anything. The room where they all sleep, is very unkept, and it is filled with images of idols they honor. The spiritual blindness in this place is overwhelming. Good thing we serve a mighty and all powerful God, who specializes in the impossible.
Carmen, (pictured above with the twins), is one of Doña Florencia's daughters. She has 6 children, the twins are the youngest. Her oldest is14 years old, her name is Flor, and she has a10 day old baby girl, (pictured above far right). Lolita, (picture above), is cutting María Elena's hair. The children were glad to be bathed today, It didn't seem like they had had another bath since last week. We provided lice shampoo, they need it badly. Trini, another one of our girls, did their laundry, another one did dishes, etc. It was neat to hear some of our girls commenting, (after their first visit), of how glad they were they were not themselves living that way anymore. I tell them often how the Lord will reward them even if it is a cup of water they give to drink when we give it to some one in His name (Mark 9:41). Also, how neat it is for them to touch these children. We will never know how much good the human, loving touch will do to these little ones...The moms there are loving to their children, but they really need help in so many areas.
Hugo is another one of Doña Florencia's grandsons. He is about 5 years old. He is a neat kid. His mother Mónica seems interested in learning about the Lord. They said they would come to church with us on Sunday. They said that last week too, but didn't show up. I hope they do this time. I heard though Carmen say they were going to baptize the twins with the priest.
Gaudencia, (picture of lady on left), rededicated her life to Christ on Sunday. When my husband started visiting Jusibamo, over 20 years ago, it was in this lady's house where he started Bible studies, and continued for about 12 years. Gaudencia and her family moved to Navojoa and that is when we started going with Irma's family. Anyway, we were so blessed witnessing the germination of these seeds planted more than two decades ago. Also, Malena, some of you know her, a girl that came to our children's home back in the year 2000 when we started. Before she turned 17, she insisted on wanting to go live with her father, whom she hardly knew. This man had recently gotten out of jail for murdering Malena's mother when Malena was about 7 years old. She wanted, she said, to have a chance to get to know him. We really didn't think this was a good idea, but there was nothing we could do to persuade her other wise. Her father passed away about six months ago, and Malena found herself pretty much lost without much purpose in life and with a 15 month old son (next to her in picture above), not that she was doing any better while her father was still alive. She has made quite a few real bad choices. She says she wants to come back to the Lord, and to the ranch. We love Malena and want to help her. We are hoping she is truly repentant and wants to be right with God. She is presently staying with us on the ranch.
Gaudencia, (picture of lady on left), rededicated her life to Christ on Sunday. When my husband started visiting Jusibamo, over 20 years ago, it was in this lady's house where he started Bible studies, and continued for about 12 years. Gaudencia and her family moved to Navojoa and that is when we started going with Irma's family. Anyway, we were so blessed witnessing the germination of these seeds planted more than two decades ago. Also, Malena, some of you know her, a girl that came to our children's home back in the year 2000 when we started. Before she turned 17, she insisted on wanting to go live with her father, whom she hardly knew. This man had recently gotten out of jail for murdering Malena's mother when Malena was about 7 years old. She wanted, she said, to have a chance to get to know him. We really didn't think this was a good idea, but there was nothing we could do to persuade her other wise. Her father passed away about six months ago, and Malena found herself pretty much lost without much purpose in life and with a 15 month old son (next to her in picture above), not that she was doing any better while her father was still alive. She has made quite a few real bad choices. She says she wants to come back to the Lord, and to the ranch. We love Malena and want to help her. We are hoping she is truly repentant and wants to be right with God. She is presently staying with us on the ranch.
This lady blesses me. The other day, when preparing for the women's Bible study in Jíjiri. Reading in 1Peter 4: 4 where it says, '...they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation...' I could not help but think of her. People in her community mock her and speak evil of her because she stopped worshipping idols. This lady was very devout to a particular idol, and she would save her money, (I don't know what money, she lives in a one room hut that has black cardboard for walls and no door or window), but she would manage to have a party to honor this idol and would make food for everyone in the community and have drinks for them. People were telling her the other day, how bad it was that she had stopped worshiping idols, that she needed to continue to do so, and some were even offering to contribute for a party, but she told them she didn't want to do that anymore. They told her she couldn't be going with us because she didn't even know how to read. This was her answer, she told me, 'I have ears, I can hear.' Wow! I said to her, ' you are so right, because there are so many people that can totally read and write perfectly, but they do not have ears to hear.'
I am very excited that I started a Bible study in Alamos for my relatives. Emir's wife Luli, together with him, are not doing so well, they have grown quite cold. Yesterday was the first day of the Bible study and Luli was there, together with Chuy, Miguel Héctor's wife, Ofelia, (she is Luli & Chuy's mother-in-law, my brother Miguel Angel's ex-wife, and mother of his 4 children), my sister Elia, and cousin once removed, Edith. I was glad to be there, very aware of the great opposition from the enemy, which I was already expecting. I will be going once a week, Lord willing. I am very excited too because two of the ladies from our congregation, (Trini from Mezquital, Tesia, and Yolanda from Mocúzari) will start doing the Bible studies I had in their respective communities on Wednesdays. They are both very capable, with God's help, to do the job.
Carla & I are praying about starting, again, something in Jusibampo and Osobampo. Both communities have believers that are quite discouraged and in need of something to get them going again, it seems like to me. I know it is only the Lord that can lift someone up, it is by looking to Him alone that we can find what we really need, but He does use His children to bring encouragement to others. We want to be that kind of people, those that help carry the burdens of others and as the Scripture says, 'And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works' (Hebrews 10:24).
Miguel Angel had baptisms in his community last Saturday. Three people that he has been witnessing to got baptized. He had other believers come from a near by community (Aguaje Verde), neat people that love the Lord, who came, and together with him, baptized the new believers. These brethren from Aguaje Verde come to visit Cieneguita (my brother's community), twice a month. We know them and love them. They are neat and simple people that love the Lord. We are so thankful they can be an encouragement to my brother. Miguel Angel continues to seek the Lord for guidance every day and has been faithful in sharing His word.
Thank you so much for your love and support. You bless us beyond words! Our Lord is faithful!
PRAYER REQUEST FOR RANCHO MARANATHA
Please pray for the communities and for the work that goes on in each one for them. For the Bible studies we do during the week. For us to be faithful in all the Lord allows us to do, for us to continue to look to Him for strength and guidance, that our focus would always be where it is supposed to be, on Him. For us not to grow weary...
Please pray for Emir & Luli to start attending church in Alamos, and for the rest of the family there. Pray for my brother Miguel Angel too, that he will endure till the end, that he stands firm on the Rock that never moves.
Pray for Rogelio as he is visiting in Baja California for two weeks, (Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali), the place where he was ministering before. We miss him here. Also mother is visiting her oldest daughter in Nogales. Pray the Lord uses her while she is there.
Please pray for groups coming next month. Warren from MT, a group from MN, and a group from California.
Pray for the one day women's retreat, Lord willing, April 10th. We want the name of the Lord to be lifted up high.
Continue to pray for the adoptions. The lawyer we had (a Christian one we were very hopeful for), won't be able to process our cases, he is leaving the area for about a year. We found ourselves needing to look for someone else. I went to talk to this new one today. We want him to do Josie's adoption for us, we are also starting on Carolina's, we still have the problem with Lolita's birth certificate to get rectified. He'll have an answer for us on Monday. Please pray for all these things to get done. I also have some paper work needing to be finished for the children's home. I have a hard time dealing with government things. Pray for God to make me wise and diligent in handling these things, please.
Pray for the Coopers (Paul & Pam) as they plan to move to the ranch the third week in March.
Pray for a trip to TN in April. I miss Rochelle so much and am so looking forward to spending some time with her and her family. Please continue to pray for Rochelle & Brian and their boys. We thank God for their lives!
"The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to His harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38)
May the Lord richly bless each one of you.
Daniel & Ana
Friday, February 6, 2009
Marilu
"...that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10)
Back home from Monterrey. Thank to all of you that were praying for us! We were able, as you can see by the picture above, to finish our business with Marilú's birth certificate in two days, as we had hoped. Although, due to some changes taken place in the state of Nuevo León concerning adoption birth certificates, we were not able to obtain a copy of it right away, but will have to wait about two weeks. The good thing is that the civil register clerk agreed to send us the certified copies by DHL when they're ready, instead of one of us having to go all the way back to get them.
We did quite of bit of walking, (cheaper & also healthier), while in this huge and populated city. We also used their city buses, (also quiet cheaper than taxi cabs). We were quite amazed though, of the speed and aggression of the drivers. I used to think Navojoa bus drivers were bad... One really gets to places fast though, that's a good thing, as long as you don't get in an accident, or run someone over. Also from us choosing either to walk or take public transportation, we were able to see a lot of the city and were also able to experience the kindness and helpfulness of its people.
I have to say that my boat was quite shaken at the very beginning of the trip. Roshon took us to Navojoa from where we took a bus into Cd. Obregón to catch yet another one that was going directly to the airport in Hermosillo from where we were to fly to Monterrey. I was hurriedly buying the tickets since we were already a bit late for the this second bus, when my husband asked me what I had done with my suitcase. I thought for sure he was joking. Well, it turned out my suitcase had been left at the bus station in Navojoa. The soonest they could send it to Hermosillo to the bus station, which is far away from the airport, was 4:30, our flight was leaving at 5PM. Needless to say, I had to go without it. Then the hotel we chose in Monterrey, us trying to be as thrifty as possible, turned out to be... Well... Not one that we would recommend.
It was quite comical the next morning as I wore some of Marilú's clothes. I will spare you of the details. Later on in the day, Marilú & I took a bus to a WalMart where I purchased a few items, Marilú found some things she wanted too. Monterey is surrounded by mountains, which to Dan & I made it attractive, although we are very glad not to have to live in a place like this. One thing it would have been very fun to do, would have been to climb the 'Cerro de la Silla.' Although from all the walking we did, Marilú & I were already hurting. Beside walking really fast, we climbed lots of steps.
A bit of history for those of you, that might be like me, interested in these kind of facts:
Cerro de la Silla
Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Hill), named for its distinctive saddle-shaped profile when viewed from the west, is a famous symbol of the landscape of the state of Nuevo León, México.
Set aside as a Natural Monument by the government of Mexico in 1991, the hill is a popular recreational area and is often climbed by hikers who take a 5.3 km (3.3 mi) trail to reach the top.
In the second half of the XX century, an aerial tramway was built to give a faster access to the iconic mountain for the population. Sadly, the day of its inauguration was also the day of its closure, as a tragic accident took the lives of five people, including the engineer Jesús Fernández, its designer. Several plans have been announced to rebuild another tramway with no results.
Thursday, the day we got back, Jo had taken Carla and the girls to help clean a house in Navojoa. We had already decided on doing this before we left. I am so glad Jo was able to take them, because we really wanted to start doing this. Will write more about that in my next letter.
Jerry & Jo left the ranch yesterday morning on their way back home. It was a blessing for us to have them, they were lots of help to us with all we need to do. It was good to get this trip to Monterrey out of the way too while they were still here.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support,
Daniel & Ana
Back home from Monterrey. Thank to all of you that were praying for us! We were able, as you can see by the picture above, to finish our business with Marilú's birth certificate in two days, as we had hoped. Although, due to some changes taken place in the state of Nuevo León concerning adoption birth certificates, we were not able to obtain a copy of it right away, but will have to wait about two weeks. The good thing is that the civil register clerk agreed to send us the certified copies by DHL when they're ready, instead of one of us having to go all the way back to get them.
We did quite of bit of walking, (cheaper & also healthier), while in this huge and populated city. We also used their city buses, (also quiet cheaper than taxi cabs). We were quite amazed though, of the speed and aggression of the drivers. I used to think Navojoa bus drivers were bad... One really gets to places fast though, that's a good thing, as long as you don't get in an accident, or run someone over. Also from us choosing either to walk or take public transportation, we were able to see a lot of the city and were also able to experience the kindness and helpfulness of its people.
I have to say that my boat was quite shaken at the very beginning of the trip. Roshon took us to Navojoa from where we took a bus into Cd. Obregón to catch yet another one that was going directly to the airport in Hermosillo from where we were to fly to Monterrey. I was hurriedly buying the tickets since we were already a bit late for the this second bus, when my husband asked me what I had done with my suitcase. I thought for sure he was joking. Well, it turned out my suitcase had been left at the bus station in Navojoa. The soonest they could send it to Hermosillo to the bus station, which is far away from the airport, was 4:30, our flight was leaving at 5PM. Needless to say, I had to go without it. Then the hotel we chose in Monterrey, us trying to be as thrifty as possible, turned out to be... Well... Not one that we would recommend.
It was quite comical the next morning as I wore some of Marilú's clothes. I will spare you of the details. Later on in the day, Marilú & I took a bus to a WalMart where I purchased a few items, Marilú found some things she wanted too. Monterey is surrounded by mountains, which to Dan & I made it attractive, although we are very glad not to have to live in a place like this. One thing it would have been very fun to do, would have been to climb the 'Cerro de la Silla.' Although from all the walking we did, Marilú & I were already hurting. Beside walking really fast, we climbed lots of steps.
A bit of history for those of you, that might be like me, interested in these kind of facts:
Cerro de la Silla
Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Hill), named for its distinctive saddle-shaped profile when viewed from the west, is a famous symbol of the landscape of the state of Nuevo León, México.
Set aside as a Natural Monument by the government of Mexico in 1991, the hill is a popular recreational area and is often climbed by hikers who take a 5.3 km (3.3 mi) trail to reach the top.
In the second half of the XX century, an aerial tramway was built to give a faster access to the iconic mountain for the population. Sadly, the day of its inauguration was also the day of its closure, as a tragic accident took the lives of five people, including the engineer Jesús Fernández, its designer. Several plans have been announced to rebuild another tramway with no results.
Thursday, the day we got back, Jo had taken Carla and the girls to help clean a house in Navojoa. We had already decided on doing this before we left. I am so glad Jo was able to take them, because we really wanted to start doing this. Will write more about that in my next letter.
Jerry & Jo left the ranch yesterday morning on their way back home. It was a blessing for us to have them, they were lots of help to us with all we need to do. It was good to get this trip to Monterrey out of the way too while they were still here.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support,
Daniel & Ana
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