Christmas Break!

We had a super Christmas break... starting with the staff Christmas party and going-away party for Ruben. The man is now married!!!

We also had some fun 'Noches Navideñas'. This youth group enjoyed their Christmas party at our place complete with a Piñata, dinner, and a teaching and worship.

Of course no Christmas season is complete with making Christmas cookies... and Jan and I really had a blast. In the end we made enough for 8 pastor's platters, 4 staff bags, and 3 trays for the missionaries who help us move stuff across the border! (Plus some cookie eating for us, naturally)

Outreach in Mochibampo

Monday afternoon Dwight and I did a children's ministry outreach in Mochibampo, outside of Sahuaral, Etchojoa. Pastor Miguel (seen with the accordian) and his daughter Tabi do services here regularly. We were the special invited guests, so we brought the bounce house and full Christmas coloring books for each kid.
The kids really seemed to have a blast the whole time, they learned more about God, and we encouraged an on-going work there.
The dust was really thick so we came home pretty dirty.
I was amazed at how many of the children arrived barefoot!
The bounce house seemed like a real carnival treat to them.


Dwight was the amazing photographer that caught this view with the cactus and fence in the foreground. :)

Traditional music was all the rage. (with our penguin songs from last year's VBS!)

Pray for the kids in Mochibampo!!!

Christmas Nights

We have decided to host "Noches Navidenas" here at rancho Provision saturday nights in December. It's fellowship with pretty Christmas decorations and lights, hot chocolate, and activities for kids. Basically this in a 'gringo' thing, not a normal thing to do in this culture, but we thought we would give it a try.

So, last night was the first 'Christmas Night' and we had a good time visiting by the fire.

Honestly, last night’s ‘Christmas Nights’ event didn’t go so great… mostly because we didn’t have a lot of people show up, and because we didn’t test the Mexican recipe for hot chocolate before trying to do it last night. We had a good visit with those who came at least, but maybe next Saturday will go better. I ended up with a gig for a children’s event tomorrow. (didn’t really want to sign up, but Dwight and I miss-communicated, and he thought I did want to do it, and so here I am… preaching tomorrow) We are going to bring the bounce house and set it up too. Should be fun.

We'll keep you posted on how the rest of the month goes...

Can mexican friends enjoy some gringo Christmas culture???

A new little one!

It’s been two weeks without a cat here at the Krauss house. We had grown soooooo attached to our two kitties, and it was soooo sad when they disappeared. Olga thinks they were sold to a truck that has been hanging around the area paying people 15 pesos per cat. They need cats to help with the rat population down in the sugar fields in Sinaloa.

So, we say sadly that our two children were sold into slavery for little more than a buck each. We only lasted two weeks without the feline friendship, and have been looking for replacement ever since. This week Olga found a cute one hanging around her neighborhood and brought it to us. We are thrilled with this new little one, and she is sooo cuddly! She likes to be with us, wherever we are, and her favorite is to nuzzle up in our necks.

She likes to be with us whie we watch tv... and I even took her to work with me on Friday

Dwight enjoyed a cuddle while he took his Sunday nap today. She choose the location of course...

sunsets

The sunsets here are almost always gorgeous. It has been a plus for Jan as she adjusts to her new world down here. I think she misses most Kolette, Rick and her grandson Rich... followed by the news. She enjoys most being with Dwight and I down here... followed by the sunsets, and being able to participate in the ministry that she believes in making an impact here in Mexico.

There have been several evenings when we hear her calling to us or to Ko, asking us to come see the gorgeous display of color!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We made it! A quick trip turns into 5 days!

We went to Phoenix to pick up Ko and Jan, Dwight's parents and to pick up the new collator machines! It was quite the trip!

We had two flat tires and three forced bribes...

We got turned around at the border, and forced to stay the weekend in Nogales...

Monday 7am started the border process with the visa... and we finished the second border at 4:30pm! We had all wanted to get home so bad for days on end... that we decided to just push through, driving all the way down that same evening. It was 3am Tuesday morning when we arrived home!!!

Thanks to Mike and Vickie (mom and dad) for helping us with the visa for the machines... and to Ko and Jan (mom and dad) for all your patience as you waited days to cross the border... moving down to help us with this upcoming tour! We definately have awesome parents... both of us!

Tuesday was unpacking and unloading all the treasures from Ko and Jan's home group. They sent me a ton of wonderful goodies... spices, mixes, baking stuff, instant meals, pudding, chocolate... everything a missionary loves. Things I cant get here in Mexico. It felt like Christmas day, but with WAY more presents!!! (They sent me molasis! I can now make ginger bread cookies...) When I say a TON... I mean it. My cupboard is totally full of wonderful things that I cant buy down here.

Wednesday was back to work, Jans first day in the office with me, and she did great! Ko and Dwight dove into the machines... Dwight the new collator, and Ko the chief press he hopes to print a whole bunch of books on.

We had a super thanksgiving... Ko made his special german pancakes for breakfast,

...and we enjoyed a nice day and a yummy thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings.

Since we are planning 'Noches Navidenas' starting next Saturday, we had to get a jump on decorating for Christmas. I enjoyed that we had an excuse to decorate. :) So, we went to the LEY store and picked up a live Christmas tree on Thanksgiving afternoon. There were two trees at the store, so it was hard to choose... but one was really ugly, so we didnt get that one.

I have lots to be thankful for, family and supporters who love us and are helping make this ministry a success, one day at a time, one thoughtful gift at a time. Im thankful for my job, that I get to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children across Mexico, with the help of hundreds of people. Im thankful for our parents, who are all so loving and sacrificial. Im thankful for my insane email friendship with my sister Laura... with multiple emails every day, which keeps me more connected to the world up north! Im thankful for my loving husband. He cares for me so much. He challenges me, supports me, encourages me, and loves me. Theres no way I could write curriculum without his support. Im thankful for so much loving friends and family.

It was a great week... and tomorrow it is back to the grindstone for 3 weeks till Christmas break!Hope you had a great thanksgiving!

Campfire delight

A couple of nights ago we had our first 'fogata' outside in the new plazita. The yard is getting sooooo gorgeous, the grass is coming in, and the cool evenings feel so wonderful!

So we took our dinner, pizza and 'belight' lemonade outside and enjoyed a nice visit together to the warmth of the fire.

We read some too. I just finished reading 'The Shack' which would need a whole blog on its own... but the atmosphere was lovely, except the extra smoke from the fire. You see, instead of wood, we used paper we had to burn anyway. :)

We print hundreds of cases of paper... and there is always something to burn. Now there is more than ever since we have gone through all the 'loose sheets' from this year's material and cleaned house. (Since we have started printing the material for 2009, we need room, and since we are no longer going to have the 2008 material in print... we need to ditch the remnants) Anyway... it made for a smoky fire. :)

We are getting soooo excited about Ko and Jan coming! Only 1 week left!!! yipeeeeeeeeeee

We leave on Thursday to head north! Going to drop of a bunch of material at Alfonso's, pick up our new huge machinery in Phoenix, as well as a bunch of parts n stuff Dwight has been purchasing... and then meet up with Ko and Jan on Sat!

(The power has been fluctuating sooooo much this week! During this blog we dropped power twice! Dwights computer re-booted both times... but I thank God for my laptop which has a battery!!!)

NEW Machinery!!!

German and Ruben were no-shows again today, so no good news on the work front today.
I worked on the VBS introduction in the directors manual and the title n logo for next years main workshop. Dwight was working on the press all day, which decided to quit working yesterday.

The fun news is that we were given an unexpected $1000 right at the same time that we found a cool double collator/bookmaker deal on ebay. We bought two huge machines with all the extra trimmings for $1000!! Its a steal!

Dwight is working on where to store it for a week and a bit. It is on its way from Oklahoma to Arizona now. Our plan is to drive to AZ to meet Ko and Jan and to pick up the beastly equipment. Yipeeeeeeeeeee, I get to go to the states!!! And one week before thankgiving to boot! Now that is a blessing. :)

Now if only I could figure out a way to go to those after-thanksgiving sales. I havnt been in 4 years..... and it would be soooo lovely. Nothing comes to mind.

Help!

Yesterday Ruben called to say he wouldn’t make it into work today. This morning German called to say the same thing. I worked alone on the curriculum all day, putting the finishing touches on 3 teachers books, dropping them to Dwight for print.

It was quite in the office with Dwight working outside in the print shop, but I had to press on.

Honestly I felt alone and frustrated at my two staffers for ditching so often. How will I get my project done on time? But I had hope because Mardy has committed to start work with us next Monday.

Then late this afternoon I chatted with Mardy. She isn’t going to make it after all. Her job won’t let her go and they have also raised her pay. She has decided not to leave them.

So this evening has been rough for me. The weight of the responsibility to finish this curriculum is heavy on my shoulders, and I feel as if I am alone to carry it.

I found myself asking God, “Why can’t we find someone to come along side?”

Even with a paid position we can’t find someone here locally.
I have no choice. I must press on. Pray with me. Pray that we find more help.

Work, work, books, grass, and family

Greetings!!!
Oh boy, I have had a busy two weeks since Mazatlan! The first week I worked pretty normal (9-4 at the desk), but then last Sunday I really felt inspired by God to 'step it up' and work harder on my project.

Basically, I confess to you that I am behind on my projected schedule to have the curriculum done by the end of the year, and the later into 09 it takes me to finish, the harder it gets to have the tour ready to go in the new year. So, this week I decided to give God more time, and I worked here at my desk Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm. I realize that many people work these hours, I am just tired of this desk. :) But we made a ton of progress... me, German, and Ruben... and I hired me a new assistant who will start in a week! Also Jan Krauss will be helping me too! So, I am working towards making up the lost time and finishing on time anyway!

This past week Dwight started printing on the books for 2009!!! Here is the first of next summer's VBS, which Dwight now has 10,000 books printed!

On the home front... when we returned from Mazatlan, our place looked kind-of gross. Like, we lived in an ugly cement world, and both Dwight and I were inspired to do something about it. So, the very next day we started painting our kitchen and living room area! It is a cream and brick red. The ceiling still needs to be done, but it has a totally different feel now, and we love it! We even painted the inside of the front door to match the kitchen, and it is my favorite new item.

So... today Dwight is out in the shop again... working on shop things. He is working on a blade for the papercutter guillotine. Thats the paper cutter behind him, and the new (antique) blade is in his hands. Below he is drilling new holes in the blade with his drill press. Happy dude to have his tools down here. ha ha!

We planted some grass in the raised flower beds and it is starting to come in! It looks like it will be patchy, but we'll give it more time to get rolling. Im soooooo excited to have some green in my world of dirt and dust!

Here is the brown view from my kitchen window...

Yesterday was the first day that we were able to NOT use the AIR-CONDITIONING!!! Isnt that cool!? It finally has cooled off, and we can manage with the windows open! The temp outside right now says 85, isnt that lovely??? The warm months are finally past, and we are into sweater season! ha ha!!!

And the most exciting news of all... Ko and Jan (my in-laws) will be here in two weeks!!! They are coming to help us out with the ministry, and will be staying 6 months! Dwight and I are both excited and thrilled to have family here for thanksgiving and Christmas!