Viva Mexico

(I started this earlier in the day, by the way.)
It’s pouring down rain in Chihuahua at 2:15pm and I’m so thankful, although I’d like for it to stop before we get back on the road. The blue truck doesn’t love rain. Hates it, actually. I love the rain because the air is cooler, and I pretend that the breeze is air conditioning. Merm and I are sitting in a coffee shop during our time off, which is now Saturday and Sunday. It was nice to be at the house yesterday because we were able to sleep in and spend time with the kids in the morning since they didn’t have school. Last night we had the opportunity to be apart of festivities for Mexico’s Independence Day- dinner at Shalom, our church, and then to Grito, a huge celebration in downtown Chihuahua that takes place in cities all over Mexico. We missed the famous “Viva Mexico! Viva!” that the kids were so excited about this week, but got to see the fireworks and listen to a Mariachi band among a huge crowd of Mexicans who sang along to every song. Today I’m sleepy, but thankful to be here, where I can sit and think and just be…without any little people in sight. Ahhh. But I do miss them.


Before I continue, here’s a little bit of Grito. Viva Mexico!







The staff girls that we're so thankful for- it's neat to see the Lord working in their lives as they live out their faith at Lily. (They have such patience with our Spanish...most of the time. Haha.)

Noema and Maria Elena




Maria Elena and Brenda





We had our first encounter with a real Chihuahua. How exciting.





Locas.





Mama and Papa have been incredibly burdened for the staff and kids recently. They labor diligently for their children, and when prayers aren’t answered and habits don’t change, it’s hard for them to give up. They truly, truly desire change and it’s so obvious when I see them in the morning. There are many mornings that they wake up at 2 or 3am, praying for specific situations because the Lord has given them heavy burdens. Today I prayed that I could gain an ounce of passion that they have for things of the Lord. The past few weeks I’ve been convicted of my laziness, in whatever form it may take- spending time in prayer and the word, having intentional conversations with the staff and kids, being an encouragement to those around me... 1 Thessalonians has been a warning to me about this:

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness that, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Thess 5:4-9)

Plans here changed constantly, and the Lord may be using these situations to remind me that I’m not promised a thing. It’s only by his mercy and grace that I’m here, experiencing His creation and serving His people. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve thought or spoken out loud, “I’m an idiot.” I’m constantly making mistakes, but by His grace, I’m still here- prayerfully learning and growing in my faith.

We need to head back to the orphanage, so I can’t share more. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for Lily and are interested in what God is doing. Mary Ellen has shared with me that several people are interested in supporting the orphanage financially or with specific gifts and talents. I’m thankful for your desire and will pray that if it’s God’s will, plans will work out for you to be able to bless the kids and staff here.


Please pray for Ed and Rosa, that they would know this in their hearts and have peace:

“So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who
causes the growth.” (1 Cor. 2:7)

In Him,
Lauren