San Carlos #4

 Well...my dear hubby could not escape his kidney stones. He had some pain on his left side and we got some injectable pain meds and it must have passed during the night because it never bothered him again. But not so with the right side. We were playing canasta with some friends when the pain hit severely and I had to drive us home where I administered my first ever needle, yikes. The pain subsided and he slept well but while traveling with Juan, the next day, to get some things the pain hit again. To make a long story shorter, let’s just say that in one day he got an ultrasound, a CT scan and saw a urologist. At first we thought he might need surgery but the doctor tried a different method of injecting medication directly into the kidney to relieve pain and dilate the ureter and in 24 hours he passed the first stone with no pain. Woo hoo!! The second one is still moving so yes that means pain coming and going. We are so grateful to be here and getting the excellent treatment at such a low cost. There is more to this story so if you wish to hear, “the rest of the story” feel free to contact us. 

Thanks to God and his speaking to the right person at the right time we were able to get and later install the last of the border tiles in the bathroom we are working on. Once Tim is well enough we will return to do the grouting. 

Spending time and an excellent meal with the lead pastor and his wife of the SCCC was a lot of fun. What a joy to spend time with fellow believers in Christ. We really feel blessed to be able to spend time here. 

We just returned from spending a couple of nights in San Bernardo. Our main purpose was to head up to La Mesa to drop off David, who is from a mountain village and had been down here at the mission working to raise money for a small (micro) video projector to show teaching films to the people of his village. We met him a couple of years ago when he came down to go to Bible school here in San Carlos. My has he changed from a very quiet and timid young man into someone willing to attempt conversation in a language that is not his first. Many things, such as blankets and clothing and so on were given to him to bring home. From this village where we left him he was going to walk up the mountain (no roads) another 4-5 hours and come back with some burrows (mules) to carry up the supplies. In the village where we left him we were able to present a children’s program with some songs and teaching. These people in this pueblo (town) mostly consisted of the native Indians from here. Mexico, like many other parts of the world has native inhabitants and here like other parts of the world not all the native inhabitants get along. And here, like other places the people who came after do not always treat the natives with the respect they deserve. 

After crossing the river we paused for lunch and all of a sudden a man came riding along the river bank on his burrow. Much to my surprise he had somehow communicated with Juan (indirectly) and knew we were coming and hoped to meet up with us as he needed a ride to San Bernardo where he would take the bus further to eventually reach his destination and get the government money that was promised to him. The chance of him meeting us just at that time was only a God thing. They did not get any rain in the mountains this last season so the crops did not produce. Then, at the place where he left his burrow, we were able to do another children’s program and share the gospel. We may never know the impact of the seeds that were planted. 

On Saturday we were able to share our program again at the home of Pastor Rafael and his wife Mirsha. This is the location where a few years back we helped complete a building for a children’s feeding center. In attendance was at least 60 children and several moms. The first night we arrived here we took down a old mouldy tent and replaced it with some fabric screening. It sure made the place more suitable for their needs. Hopefully some day more funds will come so they can have a proper permanent shade structure. This couple was so pleased to have our team there and the children enjoyed our songs and stories. 

 

 

 

After a long ride home I was looking forward to a good nights sleep back in our own bed but alas it is Saturday night here in the Ranchitos. What does that mean, you say? Well, it’s party night. And it seems that despite the pandemia the parties seem to be more and more as each week passes. The beach was full as we passed as well. It’s so wonderful to see people getting together again. We all need each other. 

So, as much as I would love to just drift off to a peaceful sleep the music is much too loud so instead I type. 

San Carlos house video

 Here is a walk through video of the house we are working on, or not. I’ll keep trying until I figure out how to post it  

https://youtu.be/7fvczyucEqU

San Carlos 2021 #3

 #3

A time to worship, a time to learn, a time to eat, a time to relax, a time to walk, a time to visit, a time to play, and a time to sleep. All in a days work. Well, actually that and more. We are blessed to be given the gifts we have from God and to be able to use those gifts to bless others. 

Our drive to B & J’s house is very beautiful so we made sure to take a few snapshots along the way on Monday morning. Did some painting, put up some tiles, and got some sore muscles along the way. To reward ourselves for a job well done we each got a treat on the way home. DQ knows how to make ice cream down here, and it’s tastes way better than at home. 

Oh, the guys are still a win ahead when it comes to our nightly canasta games. 

More styrofoam has arrived! Let the building begin. Thankfully J has some friends and they were able to come out and add many hands to make the task easier. Today, Thursday, the second floor walls have reached their final height. Now it begins to prep for the roof and to slope the sides to allow for proper drainage. It is so exciting to watch the house take shape. 

Meanwhile inside the cocina/kitchen or rather in the pantry, work has begun to do some rearranging and moving things from here to there, which in itself is a bit daunting of a task. But this too will be completed and not without adding additional tasks along the way. Like repairing the floor, and painting the walls in the office closet. In a “normal” year with large teams of volunteers these jobs would be put on the back burner so it is a blessing that we have the time to do these now. 

The last three weeks have gone by way too quickly and at this point in time I am not near ready to leave. It feels good to be useful and working together with others. 

San Carlos 2021 #2

 #2

Sunday morning, a time for corporate worship. Worshiping together with other believers is not something that we should be giving up so easily. Our last time in a church building was in March of 2020 and this morning, January 10, 2021 was the first time back in a church building worshipping with other believers and wouldn’t you know but it was the same church here in San Carlos. We could never have imagined that we would not be able to attend church together for such a long time. At home in Canada we almost felt like we were in a communist country in that corporate church worship was forbidden “for the sake of saving lives.” But isn’t that what churches have done throughout the years - save lives? Not only spiritually but also physically. 

With the start of a new week projects begin again. With the unknown delivery of the styrofoam building blocks it was decided that we could go and work on installing tiles on the bathroom floor at B’s house. One of our Mexican friends was asked to join us not only to help with translation but also to help with the work. The drive to the house passes along the ocean and the view is absolutely beautiful. In fact on the Friday we had the privilege of watching a pod of dolphins swim by. 

We were able to complete the floor tile installation and grouting this week and primed the top of the cinder blocks in preparation for paint. Next week we plan to paint the top portion and tile the lower portion. Our Mexican friend had a brand new toilet that he was not using so we were able to swap out the toilet that didn’t work and replace it with one that did. 

More styrofoam blocks did arrive as well and more layers were added until we ran out and once again we wait. But there are always other projects to work on  

The weather here is a bit cool in the morning, warming up to quite nice or a bit warm in the afternoon before cooling down again for the evening. We have gone for a few walks and even did a short bike ride on Saturday down the bumpy gravel roads. 

We have become part of the family here and it feels good. We wish more of our friends would be able to come down and join us. 

San Carlos 2021 #1

 San Carlos 2021

Last year was not like the others in that 2020 was the year that some wealthy individuals attempted to control the world’s population. At the time of this writing they are still trying their best to make people obey. Of course they don’t follow the same rules as they attempt to force on everyone else. 

Despite the “orders” we felt called to return to San Carlos and so we did. Due to the land borders being closed our only option was to fly. The flights were only 2/3 full and the Canadian airports were quite deserted. Not so with the Phoenix airport. It felt good to be in a warmer climate. 

Our friends met us at the hotel and we went out to eat in a restaurant (something we could not currently do at home) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The next two days consisted of shopping and picking up supplies for the mission. Our drive down into Mexico was uneventful as we travelled along the good roads and enjoyed the sunshine and the company. 

It feels good to be “home.” One of the main goals for returning this year was to help build a home for our Mexican friends. He is the director of the mission here and really needs a bigger home for his growing family. Since I designed the home last year I really wanted to help bring it to life. 

The first floor was completed before our arrival and the second floor poured and the staircase done by the first day. 

Today, January the 6th we begin pouring the second floor walls. In fact I  think I need to get back to make sure the guys are doing it “right” (insert laughs here as I have no intention of carrying pails of wet cement up a flight of stairs).

Turns out they didn’t use the stairs but rather lifted up the pails via some scaffolding. It is quite interesting how they can build a home using these styrofoam blocks that fit together like Lego pieces. The foam blocks are stacked together, some rebar is added for strength and then rocks, sand, water and cement powder is mixed together and poured into the blocks. They only pour three high at a time in order to allow the cement time to set up and harden. Beginning again the next day the process begins and is repeated until the build is done. 

The styrofoam plant had some issues and so we couldn’t build as much as we wanted, but it did give us time to do other things while we waited. 

On Saturdays in the city of Guaymas there is a couple who have been ministering to the homeless people for many years. Each weekend they come and sing some songs of worship to God and someone shares the gospel of Jesus Christ. They make sure to take time to pray for the needs of those who come. Often praying for healing.

Over the years we have come and helped to serve some food to these people and this year was no different. We came to offer encouragement to these missionaries who do this each and every week. We thank them for their willingness to serve God in this way.

Sunday we went into a church for the first time since 2019 due to the situation in the world and the funny thing is that the last church we attended in person was the same church we now attended in person. It was good to be back and worshiping alongside other believers (even if we were “required” to mask up). I will not be discussing that issue on this platform. 

Our buffet lunch was quite delicious and the company was pretty good too which included our friends and the lead pastor and his wife. After the “required” Sunday afternoon nap we headed out of the trails with a quad. It was relaxing and beautiful to see God’s creation and how unique it is in every part of the world. 

We are thankful that we can be here and we are trusting that God will use us however he sees fit. To Him be the glory, forever Amen.