I cannot believe that I forgot to tell you...

THE POOL HAS WATER IN IT.

To all who have sweat, toiled, and done the cloud dance in the pool at CHI... an actual pool party is a possibility in the near future!

Adios Rejoice!

Rejoice just pulled out of the CHI driveway.

This was probably the fastest week of my life. I absolutely loved sharing this experience with my Rejoice family (and some new Paynesville friends!), although we missed Deb! Every week brings something new, Rejoice was the biggest group so far for the summer and the people at the home loved them. They were all very hard workers. The group accomplished a lot this week. I miss them already, and wish them all fun time in South Padre, and a safe journey home.

Last night was the graduation celebration for the children in Reynosa. Unbelievable. One young man, Julio, is graduating from high school tonight. He gave his testimony last night that touched the hearts of everyone. Julio has been at the home for nine years and today was his last day. Can you believe that? How do you say good-bye in that situation? I wish him the best.

Hasta Lluego.

Eliza

My little friend Yadira... she's the youngest child at the home.

Paige and me at the graduation celebration. Generacion 2004-2008

The Office

Location: Pharr, Texas.

Okay, so this isn't Dunder Mifflin, but it's a nice little field trip for me. I've been busy helping out around CHI office this morning, performing misc. duties. (I abreviated because I don't think that I can spell the whole word.) Not much new going on here. Tomorrow there will be a birthday party for some of the children at the home. I think that we're all going to some kind of water park in Reynosa. It should be a fun outing for the kids. I'm excitedly awaiting the arrival of the group from REJOICE! You all will be here on Sunday. It looks like it will be a busy week, but I think that we can get a lot accomplished.

My friends from North Carolina left yesterday! Marcus, Chrissy, Seth, Samuel, Brad, Ann-Marie, Brandon, Miller, and my little buddy Jackson! They are traveling today and I pray for a safe journey. These two families were so kind and welcoming to me. It shouldn't surprise anyone that I cried. I'm sure that our paths will cross again in the future. Especially know that we have this common thread of Children's Haven.

Thanks to those of you who have been sending my letters! I love hearing from you, it is so comforting to read your "voices". I'll do my best to send replys... I sent some out this morning actually. I will try to be a good pen-pal.

Adios!

Eliza

STATESIDE!

So this is my first time in the states since I first arrived... and you know what? Not extremely different. Less garbage, but same driving style. No... there are a lot of differences, and it's nice to be at the Texas office. I'm doing some office work today, organizing photos, etc. The group from North Carolina has been such a blessing. It is made up of two different families. One man is the Pastor of CHI director Betsy's home church, with his family. The other family has actually recently decided that they will be following God's call and move to Mexico permenantly in the near future. Brad, the dad, works as a general contractor, he will work at the home on the Reynosa side, so he, his wife, and his three sons will be making the move soon. Prayers for the Boyles family!

I see Children's Haven headed in such a wonderful direction, under some very positive leadership. I feel so blessed to be a part of this ministry. I hope that you all get the chance to experience this place one day.

Love Eliza

TGIF

Well, it´s Friday in Reynosa... everything is a little more relaxed (even more than usual!) This week I´ve been helping out with ¨el kinder¨or in other words helping out with the young children in the mornings with their ¨class¨. It´s been fun, and I love the kids, but it has definitely reiterated the fact that I probably won´t be working with kids in my profession. I love spending time with the little ones, but keeping them all entertained and out of trouble is another story. I have the ultimate respect for teachers and daycare providers everywhere! (Mom and MA come to mind).

Wednesday night we had a devotional and every casa had prepared either a song or presentation of some sort. I get by with the comprehension, but it was definitely nice when they sang a song with a melody that I recognized. Even if the words didn´t translate exactly, at least I had the idea. Gloria a Dios.

A new team comes tomorrow from North Carolina. It´s a small group made up of two different families, still, it will be nice to comfortably speak in a group of people again. Speaking in Spanish all of the time is a great learning experience, but it definitely makes a person feel less intelligent. Some of my intern jobs that I will be starting include, taking new photos of all the residents of CHI, and creating a bilingual hymnal for the weekly devotionals. I´ve been asked about jobs for the Rejoice group, and if next week´s group stays on top of it, I believe that Rejoice´s main job will be clearing out the park area of the brush and whatever else is out there. Work gloves will be very important!

This has kind of been a disjointed entry, but it´s been that kind of week! I thank you all for your constant prayers.

Love Eliza

God is Good

An update...

Saturday was extremely tough. I felt like I spent the entire day in tears or attempting to fight them back. But God is good and he knows me well. Betsy is an incredible woman and she was a great source of comfort when I wasn´t feeling great. She filled me in on some of my responsibilities for the upcoming weeks and that actually made me feel better. You all know me, I always have something going on, keeping busy always helps with runaway thoughts.

Every day gets easier and easier. Spanish becomes easier and easier each day. My relationships with these wonderful people grow with every broken conversation. I see God working in my life, and I thank everyone of you for your continued support.

I don´t know how many of you have had a personal contact with Children´s Haven, or if you only know about it through my trip or Rejoice. These kids here are incredible. The staff is top notch. There are some very very sad stories, but above all there are stories of faith and hope. I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am. The house families have been so welcoming, the food has taken some time to get used to. A lot of beans and tortillas. (I actually had tortillas served with macaroni and cheese this afternoon!). Yesterday Tia Raquel made spaghetti and I had to hold my tongue in order to keep from jumping up and hugging her! Oh the simple reminders of home.

While it seems like FOREVER since I´ve been home, I am reminded that I will only have this opportunity once. I need to savor every moment with these people. Because if I don´t I know that I will regret a missed opportunity when I am back in the states!

Glad to hear that Dharma is alive and kicking, and I hope that I didn´t jinx it my mentioning him! Love you all!!

Eliza

Okay, so Mexican Internet, a little unreliable.

I just spent the last ten minutes writing a long blog entry, pouring out my soul about how lonely I was and how much I missed Minnesota, and then I lost the internet connection and none of it saved. Hmmm....

Truth: I am a bit lonely today. The first work group, from Missouri, left this morning. I remember that feeling all too well. I was glad that I didn't have to get into those vans, but staying has proven just as difficult.

Truth: I do want to be here, Myth: Wanting to be here means that I don't miss home.
I miss home so much. The weather has been unusually mild here, but I miss Minnesota, my family, my dog, Becker, Rejoice...

There won't be another work group for over a week and the language barrier has proven to be a small point of isolation. The people and families are wonderful, but the lack of communication is difficult. Cliff, my sole english speaking counter part from Mississippi, is a wonderful man who will most definitely keep me company.

Oh yeah and there are those fifty children that want nothing more than someone to talk too... sometimes I can be so self-absorbed. I am lonely, but I will be fine. We all have low points!

I do miss everyone and I would love to hear from you.

Adios y Gloria a Dios

Eliza

Greetings from CHI

I cannot believe that I´m actually here. Yesterday was an extremely long day of traveling. I left my house at 4:15 in the morning and after three flights arrived in McAllen around 4 pm. As I travelled the two thoughts running through my mind and worrying me were 1. I wouldn´t meet up with Betsy, my ride to Reynosa or 2. That the airline would lose my luggage. I can now tell you that one of these worries didn´t become a reality, and since I am currently sitting in Mexico, you can probably figure out which one. The airline lost my luggage. And since I was dressed for the mild summer of Minnesota it´s been quite a day. Luckily the airline put my luggage on the next flight to McAllen, so I have some fresh clothing. I say yes.

I´m currently sitting in an Internet Cafe in downtown Reynosa. The home has internet access, but it is very new and not necessarily reliable, so I thought I would give this a try! The group that is at the home now is from Kansas. They are great and they have a lot of experience working with CHI so that is extremely helpful. Next week I´ll be on my own and I am going to attempt to make it <>, or my "Week without English" I really need the practice!

Last night we had a devotional and I got a lot of opportunities to speak with the children. There are a few familiar faces, but a lot of new ones too! A lot of young children compared to three years ago. The home is more or less the same wonderful place. Betsy, the new director is incredible. For those who traveled with my in 2005, I´ll have you know that the fence is finished and now faces the back entrance, and that although the pool isn´t in use now, it has been up and running within the last year.

I am so excited for the Rejoice group to come! It is going to be amazing.

I miss you all... and more later :-)

Love Eliza

Preparing

Today I am busy busy preparing for my early morning Tuesday flight. Lot's of packing, planning, saying goodbye, and last attempts to soak up the Minnesota sunshine. Thank you all for your constant support! I will do my best to keep this updated.

Love Eliza