Let us REJOICE and be glad!

Both years that I have served at Children´s Haven, I have been blessed by visits from my home church, Rejoice Lutheran. The moment they stepped off the bus on Sunday, June 21, I was overwhelmed with how much I love the people of this congregation. The Dream Team had an incredible week, and I am so thankful that I could be a part of it! If any members of the Team are reading this, I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for all you accomplished this week, and for all that you have taught me. After an intense week, we headed off to South Padre Island for a fun-filled Friday, and after some sun, waves, and sting-rays, Rejoice headed back to Minnesota, as BJ and I headed back across the border. No tears were shed this time, for I know that I will always be returning home, but an empty space was left here at CHI. It is coming to the time in the summer where the weather gets warmer without ceasing and the work continues. I keep telling myself, ¨You´ve done this before, you can do this!¨ However, I was reading a book, recommended by a friend, when I came across this passage from Colossians,

As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you´ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul- not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory strength that God gives. It is a strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. -Colossians 1:9-12 MSG

This passage reminded me that I am not doing this alone. God is the one who brought me here, and his hands are in everything. I will continue to draw my strength from God, and when I begin to feel those pangs of lonliness, these memories will flash in my head:

Or the crazy ¨Caballito¨ dance with ZJ and P.Scott that I can perhaps update at a later date :-)

Finally, I will look into the face of a beautiful child, and thank ¨the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

I am so blessed to be His hands.

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

This spring, a woman interned here at Children´s Haven with an unpronouncable American name. The children proceeded to call her Maria, it was easier to pronounce than her given name, and it stuck. In fact, upon my arrival, I have had a hard time ridding this name from the brains of the little ninos, and now go by a combination of Maria/Eliza/Elisa. This little example constantly reminds me of how the ministry of this children´s home has touched so many people whom I will never know.
While cleaning the dormitories yesterday (in preparation for Rejoice´s arrival!), BJ came across a letter ¨To Future Interns¨, from one of the past. Sam, intern 2006, wrote a letter giving such beautiful advice as to what to expect, how to react, even advice as to which Bible verses to read when lonliness overcomes you. I could not believe how spot on this guy was. Everything he wrote was something I had either experienced or felt, thought or wished for. I´m thankful that this letter found its way into my life, and I´m hoping that I can leave my stamp on CHI in a similar way.

Dios les bendiga!!

Eliza

*Really, yes.

My first week in Reynosa is now behind me and I am in awe at how much has happened in just seven days! One set of house parents left CHI, and the new ones have arrived, Tio Jorge (or George of the Jungle as he likes to introduce himself) and Tia Lucy. Please keep them in your prayers as they adjust back to life at the home. The group this week from Missouri has been such a blessing, they have sponsored a daily VBS for the members of the home and children from the outside communities. It has been an incredibly fun, yet at times very challenging experience. I am finding that my Spanish is feeling easier every day by the grace of God, but still there are moments of confusion and frustration. Today during one of these moments a friend came to my side with some encouragement and prayed with me which was the perfect thing, and always is. I am always amazed at the ministers of Christ that I meet through this TEAM program. I have been so incredibly blessed to cross paths with so many incredible brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and, Dios le bendiga!

Con amor,
Eliza

*The translation of the above statement has become my favorite Spanish saying. ¨A que si¨(sorry I missed the accents!) translates into ¨Really, yes¨and is a favorite among the young members of the home, often in times of disagreement. I couldn´t think of a decent title for this post so this one had to do!

Children´s Haven Part 2: The Summer Begins

Okay... so once again I am aclamating to a Mexican keyboard so please forgive any mistakes!

I AM HERE! After months of preparation, a couple of busy days of packing, and a few hours of delays in flights, I am at Children´s Haven in Reynosa. So much has changed here, I don´t know if I could ever explain it to the impact that it had on my upon my arrival. Being reunited with so many good friends who were so intricately involved in the success of my summer last year was so wonderful, and I thank God for his blessing of fellowship over the last few days. I arrived on Wednesday and I have been in Mexico since Thursday morning. BJ (the other intern) and I have been doing some odd jobs around the home, but mostly we are just becoming reaquainted with the children, house parents, and staff. My spanish feels a little rusty, but I´m sure I´ll be back up to speed within no time.

On a sadder note, one set of house parents, Tio Hiram and Tia Raquel and their daughters Liby and Dara left suddenly yesterday afternoon (Saturday). Tio Hiram had been called to pastor at a church in another city in Mexico, but the family was going to wait to leave until after Liby finished her school year, and Tia Raquel had her baby. Sadly, there was some sort of emergency at the new church and they needed Tio Hiram´s assistance immediately. (This is how I understood everything). It was so sad to see such a wonderful family leave the CHI family, but we all realize that this is all a part of the bigger plan. Please pray for Hiram, Raquel, Liby, Dara, and Baby Boy Bujano, as they adjust to their new life. I hope that their lives can be witness to others of the ultimate trust in our God.

Tio Hiram, Tia Raquel, Liby, and Dara- a photo from last summer.

Today we are prepping for the arrival for the first group from Kansas. This is the same group that welcomed me to Reynosa when I arrived last June. It will be nice to have some structure to the week, and great to catch up with some familiar faces. Thank you all for your prayers, talk to you soon!

Dios le bendiga!

Love Eliza

¡Mañana!

I cannot believe that this time has arrived. I've been busy with laundry and packing all day, but I wanted to document my last night in MN somehow. So I thought here it is. Thanks to all who have given me the courage to believe in this ministry.

Be there soon! Hasta Pronto!