The time has come.

Here´s Mamá and Papá doing their thing... they shared the Gospel and addressed the thousands. I don´t expect to be like them, but I hope for even a hint of their passion and impact.



Some of the Tarahumara Indians in line waiting for gifts..



I saw these girls about 20 times. Never would smile for the camera.



One of the little ones after she received her gift. She was pumped.



Lauren and I decided that we´re not gonna spend much time on the blog this weekend. We´ll have nothing but time in just a matter of days, so we´re saving it now for gift-prepping, packing and saying our good-byes. We´ll give you pictures and closing thoughts mid-week-ish after we get home.

If you knew about "Christmas in the Streets" you´re probably wondering how it went... it was amazing. Man, we´re exhausted. Little sleep, lots of not-ever-sitting-ever, but it was an honor to be a part of such an incredible day. There were, in fact, about 3000 people there. We had plenty of gifts, food, and volunteers. At one point when we were setting up Samuel said to me, "Do you remember when Mamá started talking about this day? (Him and I were standing in front of the place they were unloading the gifts) We didn´t have one thing then. Look at all this now." My faith in the power and control of our great God was increased through this day. The Lord is so good. As if salvation from eternal separation from Him wasn´t enough. Sheesh.

The week was full of many "This is the last time we´ll do this, be here, eat this, say that.." While I´m at it, I might as well say that this is the last time I´ll take a day off in Mexico, sleep with this beautiful family, and write notes to you all via blog.... and I´m sad. I´m not sure that I´m ready for the upcoming transition. Some of my greatest girlfriends are getting together on Thursday for dinner, and I can actually go. I can´t even picture myself in an American restaurant in the company of English-speakers. Today my home is an orphanage. Everything is about to change. From some, we´ll get way too much attention for being here these five months. Meanwhile Brenda, Nohema, Samuel, and Maria Elena will be faithfully working with more responsibility than we ever knew for hardly any money and not a hint of recognition. How do both worlds exist?!

My eyes are on fire. I need to go to bed. I´ll be in Louisville on Tuesday night, so we can talk one more time after that.

Later gators,
Mary Ellen