Gracias A Dios

Thanksgiving is always a time to reflect on the many blessings we have.  I pray this season you are reflecting on the many intangibles vs. the tangibles.  God has blessed us with His Word, Grace, Mercy, Strength, Endurance to Persevere, Joy, and so much more. Take a minute to thank Him for the many ways he has blessed you.  We enjoyed a great day of Thanksgiving here in our town.  We had a grand feast and celebrated with a little game of football Americano.  We even had a Macy's Day Parade.  Do we sound desperate??  We missed our family greatly but God is good to provide a wonderful GFM family here to help fill the void. 

My Paycheck???

This is how the nurses often get payed here.....with papayas.  I have also received bread, bananas, and oranges.  The people are so generous and often don't have money to pay at the clinic so they offer what they can.  A couple days ago a man came to be seen in the clinic and this is what I received.  Papayas are great with lime and a bit of sugar on them. 

If you are looking for a tangible way to help out with the work in the clinic here in Oaxaca, here is a list of items we are short on.....
Ben Gay/Sports Cremes
Small Bottles Saline Eye Drops
Adult Vitamins
Shoe Insoles
Compound W
Vick's Vapo Rub
Reading Glasses
We will be home at Christmas and will be able to bring these items back with us if you want to contribute.  Thanks for your generousity in helping the indigenous peoples here.

Coming to America...Houston to be Specific

(We are now worshiping Christ together)

(Asia is represented all over the Greater Houston Area)

David and Dan Farr just got back from a quick scouting trip to Houston (and made it home just in time for turkey and flag football).  They were able to scope out school districts and apartment buildings that we hope will work for our families and ministry connections.  They also met with quite a few Churches, Missionaries and Missions Organizations to work on establishing partnerships to reach the many internationals living in Houston.  Please, view our GFM Houston web-site to get a quick glimpse of our vision for the Mission Training Students that will be attending our school starting August 2010 http://www.globalfrontiermissions.org/houston.html .  Take care ya'll!

Crazy Love

Our family has been in Oaxaca City this week house sitting for a family that is in the states for the month.  We have been having a refreshing time reconnecting as a family. So often it is a struggle to find a healthy balance for family life living in community as we do at the base.  We have also been using the time to be refreshed in the Lord.  I have been reading through an excellent book by Francis Chan, Crazy Love.  I highly recommend it.  If you are tired of living a "normal life" and want to be challenged to love God in a crazy way, pick it up.  I guarantee you won't be the same person when you finish it.  Chris Tomlin says about the book  "the life that Jesus calls us to is absolute craziness to the world.  Sure, it's fine and politically correct to believe in God, but to really love Him is a whole different story.  Yeah it's nice and generous to give to the needy at Christmas or after some disaster, but to sacrifice your own comfort and welfare for another may look like madness to a safe and undisturbed world.  I am challenged to the core by the pages you are about to read.  I am excited that you are diving into this much needed book.  I encourage you to face up to the convictions of Crazy Love.  I know your heart and spirit will be stirred again for your First Love."
And just so you know, I have a lot of work to do!!!  I am realizing I still hold onto so many comforts, attitudes, and securities.  I have many fears about letting go of it all and loving Jesus how the Bible describes. 
Lord help my heart be right toward you and help my life to match it. 

Mixing Mud 101

Pouring cement looks a little different here in Mexico.  I thought all you construction guys back home, especially cement guys, would like this.  The Mission Training School Students and staff helped the neighbor pour cement in her kitchen and front porch area. This is the first most of these guys have done cement work let alone mix the mud with shovels. This was a real blessing to our neighbor Epifonia.  She is the cook at the base and we love to help her out.  

Birthday Dinner

Some of our friends that we study the Bible with on Sunday nights surprised me with a birthday dinner and gift.  It was such a blessing.  We have been studying the book of John with this family and it has been great.  They are full of questions and are soaking it all in.  We have loved our time with them.  Pray their understanding expands supernaturally.  Pray also for Dave and Rhonda (part of the church planting team).  They have taken over leading the Bible Study time as their Spanish is way beyond our capabilitiies.

A Cousin for the Weekend

We had Katie Hadinger here all weekend to spend time with the girls.  Mike and Ilona were able to come up from Oaxaca City and spend their Anniversary in town at our favorite hotel, while Katie stayed with us.  We all had a great time and look forward to seeing them again soon.