Wheelchair Accessible

Months ago when the team was in its formative stage, we received an email asking if it would feasible for a woman in a wheelchair to come down to minister with us. Our first response was, “Sure!” Of course there were concerns – such as would the wheelchair fit through doorways and how would we transport the chair from place to place – but it was mostly logistics on this end. Where there's a will, there's a way, right?

Having Rebecca was such a blessing to our whole family. She and Seth particularly hit it off. Would you believe that she really likes lizards?

Anyway, the second day the guys built a wooden “runway” of sorts to help get Rebecca’s wheel chair from the road to the front door. It wasn’t ideal, but it did help. When we finished pouring cement on Saturday, though, we received a special blessing: there was half a mixer full of cement left. The men quickly threw together wooden forms (I’ve never seen them work so fast!) and presto! We had a cement walkway!





If I hadn’t known that it would irreparably damage the walkway, I would have given Esteban a little nudge. It was a serious temptation.




Some of the team members had already headed for the showers, but those who were still around when the walkway was finished were able to leave their mark in the cement. We pray for them (and the rest of the team, too) every time we walk up or down the sidewalk.




Sunday morning we had a “christening” – Evie and Seth garnished the walkway with glitter confetti and Rebecca was able to come all the way to the house by herself! We are now “wheelchair accessible”!



What's the moral of the story? If God puts in your heart a desire to serve, He will equip you to serve. Don't allow a physical, mental or emotional deficiency to hinder your decision to obey God's call on your life. Remember that in God's eyes, no one is deficient -- or maybe we all are and that's why He's so patient with us!

Boca del Rio VBS 2008

The mission team from Restoration Life church in Sacramento brought down a really neat VBS for the kids of Boca. Rather than try to explain all the different events, I'll just post a ton of photos and you can see for yourself how much fun everyone had. Even the older boys, who usually find creative ways to cause trouble during kids' services, were well-behaved and participated! Answer to prayer!!!




Story time was led by Karen and Sarah (mainly because they knew the kids' names and could keep order while leading the story!)



What's up??? Paper airplanes!!!!

The team did skits to help reinforce the Bible lesson for the day. I was really impressed with how well the younger kids grasped the concepts!

The kids really love the singing time. Everyone got involved!

Maikol (pronounced "Michael") wasn't too sure about the tatoo that Anya was trying to put on his arm...until he saw the finished product!!!

Pastor Marc shares a flower sticker with Yamiri -- totally made her day!!!

Sterling, Islain and Kayla "hanging out" with a puzzle.








Nancy and Maikol put a puzzle together.

This isn't everyone who worked with the VBS -- far from it! These lucky folks got to judge which team could yell louder while singing "Rey de Reyes y Señor de Señores". Girls won!!! ;^)

Marina and Madai blow bubbles. Awwwwwww.

Here Comes the Bride!!!

Armida has waited more than 25 years to be able to walk down the aisle.






They have kids and grandkids...one of which hid under her train during the service.

Finally, last month, Aristeo and Armida officially "tied the knot"!!! Pastor Tom was able to perform the ceremony. That was such a blessing to the married couple! Tom and Naomi have been such an important part of the church in Boca for many years and are dear friends to both Armida and Aristeo. The wedding ceremony had been postponed for more than six months so that both Tom and Naomi could be there.

Pastor Ricard and his wife Cristina were the padrinos of the rope, which symbolized the union -- unbreakable and permanent -- of man and wife.

Pastor Marc had a chance to pray for the couple before the service.

Doug and Rebecca were the padrinos of the rings. The rings symbolize the unending love of husband for wife, wife for husband and -- more importantly -- God for both.

Andrew is Aristeo's fishing buddy and is counted among his grandkids.

After the church service, practically the whole town turned out for Aristeo's legendary barbecoa.

We all agreed that Aristeo, fisherman to the core, cleaned up pretty well! Armida, of course, was absolutely glowing and the service was simple, yet deeply touching.

Symbolism plays a huge part in the Mexican culture and maybe is seen nowhere as strongly as in the Mexican wedding ceremony. The vows are very similar to those taken in the traditional American ceremony. Added significance is given though to the rings (which are brought forward by a couple called the padrinos of the rings), to the joining of the couple as one (symbolized by the white rope pictured above), and to the couple's first communion, or Lord's supper, to name a few.

Those of us who've known Aristeo and Armida for a while were pretty emotional! To see them finally have the church wedding they've wanted for so long...it was beautiful!

Wordless Wednesday

"Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3