feliz año 2009

it’s been awhile since my last update.  sorry for those of you who have been avidly watching my blog for the latest updates  : )  we’ve not had internet service in mexico until just this week, so that’s made things a little difficult!  there is so much that has happened since my last update and so many changes that are taking place, but i’ll try to compact it all as much as possible!

in november, i took part in one of my best friend’s weddings, which was just beautiful.  it was well worth delaying my departure to mexico by a few weeks!  within the week following the wedding, i had packed all my things in my car and driven down to the border!  i settled into reynosa quite smoothly and easily fell into the flow of life here.

i spent thanksgiving day with friends of ours from isaiah 55, a deaf ministry in reynosa (which also handles construction projects and is building the team housing for us).  we had a great time eating, napping, watching movies, and eating again.  it was nice to feel like i was with family even away from home.  and then i was blessed enough to have the opportunity to go home to tulsa for the holidays.  i had a fabulous time with family and friends before heading back to reynosa for the new year!

since being in reynosa, it has been wonderful picking up where i left off in some of my friendships.  it’s quite nice being able to speak more spanish with my friends in boystown, share food together, and sit and laugh with them.  i’ve loved getting to see new faces, and with it, the hope of making new friends.  we’ve spent some time out on the land as well, and i have adored playing with the kids that live around our new house.  i’m excited for the possibilities of teaching some of them to read, as well as some english and other helpful skills.

with estefani, a future little neighbor

we’ve also hosted a couple of different teams in the last couple of months.  one team put trusses on the building and worked on the property.   i couldn’t believe how different the land looked when i saw it for the first time in a year!  it’s on its way to being our home!  and one team came in and just prayed and hung out with us for a few days.  it was fantastic having them here and just listening to what the Lord has for us this year!  i’m so excited for 2009.  there are going to be many changes in our community as it grows and we all take on different roles together as a body.  and (fingers crossed) we’ll be moving out to the land sometime this year.  i’m so excited to see all that is in store for this year and all of the friendships that will be made and deepened with our neighbors in aquiles and in boystown.

here are a few pictures to show you how far construction has come...

the land a year and a half ago

taken from in front señor corona’s house

clearing the land a year and a half ago

the front of the building