Last week Oct 1-8

It was a great week as our children both at AGAPE and Casa Hogar are starting to use their English word bingo games and also the sentences to further their abilities.

They have moved little Fatima into the nursery area so she doesn't accidentally get hit in the mouth while playing. So when I walked into the nursery she was playing or helping the staff with the little babies. Bu I could tell her little mouth operation was uncomfortable as she was not her bubbly self. But upon seeing me she flew across the room into my arms. (tears). I always tear up because of the horrendous thought of someone intentionally burning little Fatima at age 3. But once again thank you Doctor Saldano as we know soon Fatima will be just like any other adorable loved 4 year old.

But today I had my older children 6 to 14 years old do two sentences using " I can" and "I want". I giggled because I think everyone of the children when filling in the blank said "I want ice cream". Hehe. The level of skills are very different among the children. Some girls are brand new like Lupita ((5) & Amelda (6) and never have been to school. But some of my children are very bright. Today Elena (11) was the first to complete the wok and it was absolutely perfect. She has been one of the children that had attitude and demeanor problems. But because of the constant love and uplifting praise we shower on all the children they slowly come out of their shells. Even Maria (14) who has many emotional problems and has been shipped from the orphanage to AGAPE and then back to the orphanage again is making slow but beneficial progress. Of course as a teacher I have my favorites such as my two different Kimberly's. One I have had for three years and the older Kimberly for just a few months. It is interesting that both Kimberly's one I call big Kimberley (8) and small Kimberly (6) are two of the brightest children and also the most polite and sweet personalities. I am blessed by an assistant named Orley which is a high school teenager whose mom is on staff at the orphanage. Orley & Itzel are twins and they are gorgeous & bright and also are learning English in their schools. So helping me helps them.

I will add some pictures as soon as I figure out the process. Thanks for your comments & prayers for the children.

A great week

What a great week. Not only are we almost completely cured from our cough's but now no runny nose etc. Faye is completely healed and I have a slight cough (almost gone). The reason the week was so good was the children at Casa Hogar Orphanage are really starting to pick up English. I wrote a bunch of English words on the white board and various members of the class could tell me in Spanish what they meant. Wow, they didn't forget in our absence. There is hope. Hehe. Now if only their old teacher could remember the Spanish as easily. Hehe. I have started them on their first sentence i.e. "I can". I then put a bunch of action verbs on the board in English and they filled in the blank for five sentences of "I can". Then I had them tell me in Spanish what they had written in English.

We also found out that little Fatima (burned mouth) was going to have her second operation yesterday, Saturday Oct. 1st. This operation was to cut through the scar tissue and make her little mouth bigger. This will now allow her to eat with a spoon. Praise the Lord. I can't wait to see her tomorrow. And a big thank you to Pamela Thompson for coordinating and Dr. Saldano for the surgery and covering the costs. What angels and saints we have around us.

On Saturday we teach at AGAPE from 4 pm to 6 pm. We were blessed last week when a gentleman named Bob gave some brand new fans from his condo to AGAPE. So thank you David, Pamela & Freda for doing all the leg work to make sure we received them. We were surely blessed when we turned them on Saturday for our English and Bible classes.

People ask me all the time what we need the most. Well it is not hard nor real costly to fill our needs. The children (boys & girls) need your prayers at both facilities. Secondarily we need volunteers to help us teach. Our schedule is not demanding. We teach Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 11 am to 12 pm at Casa Hogar and 4 pm to 6 pm at AGAPE Home for Abused Girls. You would not believe the difference when I can take a volunteer to teach simple English like counting one to ten and also show love and interest in that child. I will guarantee once you do it you will never be the same as they will capture your heart. Call me at 322-113-0205 or see me at church and sign up there. I am only asking for a little of your time and I know for sure the Lord will bless you mightily. If your concerned you do not qualify, don't be as the only requirement is that yous speak English. We have even used Herb with His Majesty's (Queen's) English. Hehe.

Twelve days

After one week of teaching Faye and I ended up real sick with a cold, fever and persistent cough for twelve days. Just now starting to get over it. We were so bad that the staff at both Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz Orphanage and the AGAPE Home for Abused Girls told us to take a week off but it ended up being two. Just a little residual cough now and started back yesterday. The children have changed (to the good) so much in the six weeks we were gone. They are taller and also sweeter than I remembered. Maybe it is distance makes the heart grow fonder. I know that both Faye and I missed our children. Faye now has about ten in her class and I have about 13 in my class. Boy, if any of you love kids please volunteer because then the kid's English really progresses. We have some new children and I need some volunteers to teach them to count to ten, then twenty and also love on them. Our schedule is really not demanding. We teach at the Orphanage on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 11 am to 12 pm. I am willing to provide transportation arrangements if you are willing. I guarantee you that your heart will burst from the love you receive. We are only teaching basic math (counting and a little addition and subtraction) & simple English. No Spanish is needed but you will learn Spanish as you teach English.

Then on Saturday afternoon from 4 pm to 6 pm we attend the AGAPE Home and teach English and a bible story. Again you will be blessed as we invite not only the girls at the home but also the neighborhood children and also the mothers. Remember the only thing the Lord requires is for us to be available and He handles the rest. Call me at home 322-113-0205 or on my cell 044-322-123-0629. 

AGAPE

We returned to a very warm welcome at AGAPE and many of the children had been returned to their families. There are presently 16 girls from 8 to 18 years old. They have completed the new dorm and only a little work is left to do in the new bathroom. Faye & I then became very sick (12 days) of cold, fever and persistent cough & bed rest. So we missed teaching & tried to recover our health. Now finally on the mend with just the cough. Saturday we had a wonderful day at AGAPE. We had some new students those terrible abuse rocked us deeply. A child of 14 molested from the age of 6. Another child now 20 molested by a drug gang family since she was 3 years old. How can we allow this to happen. The world has lost it's moral compass.

The first week back at the orphanage

It was with great excitement when we returned to our children & staff at Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz Orphanage on September 5th. The kids & staff swarmed over us like we had been gone years instead of six weeks. I had my little children hanging off all my extremities and smiling big smiles. Of course we we were bringing gifts for all donated through the many sponsors of the Lords ministry we call His Will,His Way Ministeries. My dear friends the impact you help with here should leave you also smiling. The first day we passed out gifts & food and just loved on the kids. In our absence some of the kids have been returned to their families and some new ones have arrived. The greatest gift God has given us is His deep unabiding love which we are then able to pour out to these damaged poor children. So my dear friends I challenge you in your walk to return what was so freely given to by our Lord. Faye and I need your support. What does that mean? We are constantly looking for volunteers to help us love and teach the children. So if you are here in Puerto Vallarta for a week, a month or a school year won' you join us? More to follow. God bless

Time to rest & take stock

It's funny how the mind & body not only craves rest but also just plain routine. After a very busy trip it's hard to slow down & take a breath. Face it we have been collecting thoughts & things for six weeks. You can't just arrive home and throw your bags down and say your tired because you first have to dig out your shaving gear. Then you wander around the house with Bella jumping on you & she is saying "Hey, you owe me as I was abandoned to strangers". Hehe. So you feed & water the dog & provide a lap & lots of petting. By then you have totally lost your momentum. Oh well,it's now 8 pm and it has been a long day. We grab a snack and fall into bed, suitcases sitting where we dropped them. And yes that includes our needing Bella planting herself between us on the bed. But who cares. Snore. The next morning I am up with the roosters & it's still dark. Let the dog out, start coffee get the shaving gear out and start the day to day routinen. Then it takes a few hours of fiddling (didn't know I was musical hehe) to get the computer working and all the good/and spam messages sorted. I then prepared breakfast for my ascending queen. Then it was time to dig in and put everything away thus achieving normal routine status. Now we have to take care of our personal accounts such as paying bills and going shopping before we dig into school preparations. More to follow.

Home, how sweet it is

We arrived home August 9th, and Nirvanna and the kids left our car in the airport as they left when we were arriving. Thank you Nirvanna, Esprit & Ame for taking care of Bella and the house. Sorry you had some plumbing problems but glad Mario (our handyman) was there to bail you out. Hehe. Sorry that Bella ate your IPhone cord. Must of had peanut butter or something on it. Hehe. Thanks JD for allowing us to steal your family for 6 weeks. I hope it was as much a blessing for you as it was for us knowing Bella & our house were in good hands. I am so sorry to hear about the robbery of your home that took place after you got home. I guess you should consider coming here to live as we feel much safer here than in the states. Hehe.

Bella sure misses you guys. For the first two weeks she kept looking for you to come through the front gate. But now she knows you aren't returning and has returned to loving us again. Hehe. Know that you folks are welcome to come again to this safe environment. Hehe.

Napa, no wine before its time

Here we are once again in Napa as we slowly digress towards the Sacramento Airport. Kathy and Ted aren't home as usual. We let ourselves in because they have told me where to find the key. After a day or so they call me and tell me they are heading home from Oklahoma and would arrive in about three days. I couldn't believe it, they left the refrigerator absolutely empty. Some hosts. Just kidding, Kathy was afraid the food may get spoiled so she protected us from poisoning ourselves. But Napa is known for fine food and drink so we knew we would just have to go out to dinner and then go to a grocery store to replenish their larder. And Ted only left one beer in the frig. But Ted makes up for it in other ways as his ministry is to cart all our belongings and others to the many churches & missionaries throughout Mexico in his truck and trailer and won't even take gas money for his efforts. What a couple of saints they are. Kathy is a massage therapist and obviously gave both Faye and I hands on treatment to our ailing bodies. See I told you God blesses His workers.

Well after a few days it was time to sort all the stuff for Ted to take and for us to prepare for our journey home. So I got Ted up a 4 am for our trip to Sacramento airport. What a saint. On the way their Ted said I should figure out what kind of a used car I need to replace ours in PV. As you folks know our old 1999 Ford Explorer is starting to fade away as the cobblestone streets take their toll. We have received some seed money on our travels and now its time (if the Lord says so) to start looking for a car. Unfortunately, used cars are expensive in Mexico and it is required that we have a Mexican plated car due to our visa. So we are trying to find the best way to get a newer car and Ted is willing to help us through some of his contacts in the states. So we will see and will keep you all posted on our efforts.

Heading down hill

Our border is a lot more difficult to cross than going into Canada. But at least they didn't make me take my shoes off and fondle me at the border. Maybe they wouldn't even have stopped me if I hadn't put that funny towel on my head. Hehe. Just kidding.

Now the very long 9 hour trip to Roger & Clerese's home in Bend, Oregon. You remember the Five Star (5*) recreational storage shed for their motor home? They were waiting with libations and a wonderful and welcome smile as these weary travelers crawled out of the car. We were just plain beat. I guess it is a sign we are no longer as young as we think we are. Early to bed and off early in the morning for our long drive to Alameda to rest overnight for our presentation the next morning. Golly it is so great to once again be winding our trip down as the old horses look to return to their barn in PV.

Now the presentation at two services at our church which went quite well as they were eager to receive two of their own back in the fold. After the services we were made welcome to a prepared lunch where we were able to bring the members an update on all the Lord is doing in PV. Then after many fond farewells and hugs back to Alameda. Our dear friends in Alameda have always been there for us for over 30 or more years. Sharon is one excellent cook and baker and oh my pants are getting tighter & tighter. Ed & Sharon Glennen
would let us move in probably if they had any additional room but they already provide a home for Ed's mom and sister so I guess we will just have to put that thought on hold. Hehe. Sharon took her very long time girlfriend (Faye) under tow and shopped her until she dropped. Well now the time is getting short and the car is loaded for Napa. More to follow.

Still catching up

Well after Garry & Karen Gregorius in Arlington, Washington pampered & then stuffed us at the Space Needle the next day we set off for Canada and points north.

It was very easy to cross the border because Americans are not considered terrorists yet. Hehe. We traveled up to Langley Canada and stayed with Jake & Jeanette Petkau who have also helped us many times teaching at the Casa Hogar Orphanage. They treated us like royalty whom you know we are not. But that was also true of everyone we stayed with on our travels. I encourage everyone to become a missionary as the Lord surely knows how to bless His workers. You will not be disappointed. Jake & I were really able to further a manly relationship as we both enjoyed following the stock market etc. And Jake is also a great cook. An Jeanette is just sweet as the as all get out. They took us up to Grouse Mountain on a tram and we really enjoyed the different shows with raptors and also saw a grizzly bear and what a view of Vancouver. Then to a fine Greek restaurant. Remember I lost 10 pounds before leaving PV. Well now I am staying away from the scales and I will let you know the outcome when I return to PV.

Then we meet with Esther Fluevog who spent the whole day showing us around Granville Island in Vancouver. They have a very large Farmers Market with all kinds of things i.e. antiques, food and various other tempting things. Then she took us to her home in Langley where we spent hours playing Mexican Train with Esther and her son Stephen. Remember Esther is the sweet young lady that almost always arrives at our home on Thanksgiving to help us serve and cater to our guests for the feast. Well now time is drawing short as we need to be back in Castro Valley, California for our church presentation on July 31st. and we need to head downhill so to speak from Canada. More to follow.

It's about time I reported in

We are alive and well and feel very special as our family and friends are so supportive in the Lords ministry and our travels. I am sorry it has taken me so long to update the blog. Let me begin.

Well I flew out to visit my oldest daughter Rebecca, her husband Paul and Derrick & Scott my wonderful grandchildren. Got up at 3:30 am for a flight at 6:10 am. I am a very earlier riser as you all know but that was a little to early. Especially for my dear friend Ed who had to drive me to the Oakland airport. Finally off to the first stop in Phoenix. I was very concerned as USAir only gave me 20 minutes to go from my arriving plane to the departing plane. I didn't even have time for a Starbucks. But made it with probably 10 minutes to spare as the gate was right next door to the arrival area. It was so hot in Phoenix !06 degrees. Boarded the plane and then sat at the gate for 1 hour and 40 minutes because a fan needed to be replaced on the fan. It was hot and terribly uncomfortable. Our stewardess was terribly rude and all of us complained about her attitude. Then we finally left for Charlotte. We arrived in Charlotte and had to sit on the plane for 40 minutes as another plane was loding at our gate. Well obviously I missed my connection to Syracuse. I had to then find an WIFI to try to let my daughter & grandson know. Went to the USAir service desk with the whole plane load of passengers who had to now make new connecting flights. What a mess. Finally got new tickets but had an additional 4 hours to wait for my flight. Now mind you my poor daughter and grandson had to travel 1 1/2 hours from Watertown, NY to get to Syracuse and now I was over 6 hours late for arrival. Finally arrived in Syracuse about 11:30 pm and got to bed at 1:15 am. My daughter and grandson went to the movies and had dinner. They saw three films while waiting. Needless to say I will be writing a very strong letter to USAir. When you have been up from 3:30 am to 1:15 am and sitting it is extremely difficult to fall asleep and really didn't sleep until about 2 am. It took me two days to recover

But it was truly worth it as it had been 8 years since i had seen my daughter and the family.  I want to especially thank my family for the most wonderful time together. Especially my grandson Scott for giving up his room and bed. My daughter & I had special time together as the boys were in summer school and Paul was working. Rebecca  gave me excursions to the Army Base where Paul works, the Saint Lawrence Seaway were we entered into Canada by boat, and a wonderful train ride in a small town called Old Forge. We also visited a very old cemetery & battlefield from the American Revolution. Got to see my grandsons practice for the upcoming football season. It was just a very blessed time. Rebecca and Paul also promised to come and visit us in Puerto Vallarta. We are very excited about that upcoming visit as they have never been to Puerto Vallarta.. Left for the return trip to Alameda on July 13th. and fortunately did not have two many issues returning.

July 14th we heading to Bend, Oregon to visit our dear friends Roger & Clerese we work with at the AGAPE Home for Abused Girls in Puerto Vallarta. Once again they allowed us to stay in their 5 star Motor Home garage. I mean  it is really upscale big flat screen TV with Fox News, modern kitchen and bathroom and set in a beautiful wooded lot with visiting deer. Even took a trip up the Deschutes River on their pontoon boat. God put on a beautiful rain and lightening storm which dropped 1 1/2 inches of rain in about 1 1/2 hours.

Then on to Portland and our yearly visit with Dan & Susan on their beautiful floating home on the Colombia River. Boy, we are getting spoiled. But we must have brought the rainy season north from PV with us. But that is why everything is so green here in the north. They took us to lunch up the river. We then met with Jim & Jeanie their friends that had visited us in PV. & played Mexican Train until the wee hours.

Off to Arlington, WA. & a visit with old, old friends we met when we first started His Will, His Way Ministry in Puerto Vallarta. Garry & Karen helped us at the School of Champions & The Escuela of Laguna del Valle many years ago. Karen told us it was summer in Arlington & I asked her how she knew that and she said she was sure because if it gets over 80 degrees its summer. Then she said they have had 78 minutes of summer so far. Hehe. Yes it has been very cloudy and rainy since we crossed the border at Oregon.

San Francisco Bay Area & Alameda

We just arrived in Alameda, CA. for our annual visit with Ed & Sharon Glennen. They live on the old Alameda Naval Base in one of the old big Commanders homes. Faye is already worrying about her arthritis as the older damp air causes her ankle to hurt. But I was born and raised here in the Bay Area so feel right at home.  On Wednesday I fly out to Syracuse, N.Y. to visit with my daughter Rebecca and the family and return July 13th. Ed and Sharon are going to have steak tonight and I am looking forward to that for sure. More later.

Shopping until we're dropping

Yesterday, was a day of shopping until we're dropping. Kathy, Faye and I went to every store in Napa. Ok, it just felt like that. But here are a few: Target, Walmart, Penny's, Thrift Store, Kohl's, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's amd probably a few I missed. This is what happens when Mexican based missionaries are back in their home state. We not only stocked up for ourselves but bought ton's of stuff for our poor kids at the orphanage and also the school for the abused girls and also for those gringo's who have special requests. I was so tired I had to have a Mexican siesta when we returned. But much was accomplished. Even went to DMV to pay my registration and they refused me because Governor Brown wanted to raise the rates and still hadn't done so.  Will do it in Alameda.

Faye was finally able to contact our granddaughter Julie and our great grandson Christian to set up a time to visit. Praise the Lord to an answer to our prayers.

We also have attended Kathy's church called Hopewell Baptist Church on Sunday and Wednesday and were well received and welcomed by Pastor Ray and the congregation. His message was directed to the teenagers and was full of pearls of wisdom and well received by the youth. They have a very large youth group who had just returned from a youth conference and each one of the youth got up on the alter and proclaimed the changes they had accepted in following our Lord.

How we are preparing for out trip to Alameda to visit Ed and Sharon Glennen. But we have eaten so well at Kathy & Ted's we will have to plan a return visit. Remember that 20 lbs I lost prior to this trip. Well I am staying away from the scales because I am a failure when it comes to home cooked meals by all our friends. Hehe. And here I just bought some much needed new clothes because the duct tape on my pockets was pulling out the hair on my leg. I hope that the new clothes will even fit at this point.

P.s. Dear Supporters of His Will, His Way Ministries, know that your money was well spent on the kids and not for our bodies or stomachs. Hehe.

We are tired

What a day. Faye visited every store in the Arden Mall in Sacrramento then we went to Target and the Dollar Store. We want to thank all of you who have provided monetary resources so we can purchase things for all the kids. I sure hope Ted Susan our guardian angel is driving down to PV again as we couldn't get it in the suitcases for the plane. I was also able to find a new pair of tennis shoes and Faye a new purse. Little kids in a candy store. Hehe. Then I found a new pair of shorts which is real special as the duct tape on the inside of the pockets for the holes was getting old. Plus the duct tape was starting to remove the hair on my legs. Hehe. Then we got lunch at the food court and I was finally able to have some good Chinese food while Faye had a burrito (no adventure on her part). Can you image eating Mexican food when we normally eat it every day? Hehe.

Got a SKYPE call from Nirvana who is house sitting. She said our dog Bella was limping and had a growth on her paw. So told her to take the dog to the Vet tomorrow morning. We will be having coffee with one of Teresa's old friends at a bagel shop tomorrow. Haven't seen her since the memorial. I am sure some tears will be shed as she was Teresa's best friend. Well, time to get to bed as I am the only one left up and am tired from all the shopping.I don't know how you ladies do it? God bless.

We have arrived safely

Our house sitter Nirvana and her daughters Esprit & Ame delivered us to the airport and then I remembered I forgot my computer. Its a good thing we are always early and had time to return. Awww, just another senior moment. Got off ok and landed in Phoenix with 106 degree weather. Then go through international customs and run to catch the plane to Sacramento. Whew, just made it. Then John Stephan a dear old CHP friend picked us and took us to his home. Then off to dinner with John and Joy his wife. They took us to a restaurant called Golden Corral and it was a huge buffet. Faye and I had not eaten so we grazed more than we should. It was very hot in Sacramento 103 degrees and John told us his air conditioner just broke down. Whew, was it hot and sweaty sleeping on Tuesday. Then Wednesday we ran down to Lodi and it was also hot but the car air was wonderful. Got back in the afternoon and you won't believe where we went for dinner. Yes, a Mexican restaurant. Hehe. Then today we drove up to Sonora to see our dear friends Weldon & Joan Allen and their precious little dog, Duchess. What a wonderful and relaxing lunch and time to catch up on their and our family issues and our ministry work. See you tomorrow.

Weather

Well the weather is starting to turn. Meaning it is getting hot and humid as we have had some evening sprinkles.

We are still working around the house preparing for our house sitter and her family.  We also have loaded the water container into the car as we weren't using it and the girls at AGAPE sure could.

Time is running out

We are in the process today of getting our house ready for the house sitters, Nirvanna and her two daughters. Plus get ourselves ready for our furlough to California, Oregon, Washington & Canada. The I also need to work hard on this blog to make it user friendly and exciting for you folks that follow the Lord's His Will, His Way Ministries. Well back to work and looking forward to visiting with all of our friends up north. God bless.

Hello

This the first time I am using this Blog so bear with me as I will be making numerous changes and upgrades to this site. As you all know I am a complete electronic dufus. I have no idea how this all works but what I now do know I need to thank my dear friend Alicia for getting me started.