My burden

I carry a burden.

It's God's project, but he lets me carry the weight. I'm sure He lifts my arms... but sometimes they still feel heavy.

Dwight and I have decided on a life-long ministry. It's Children's ministry to the Spanish-speaking world: Vision, training and materials. This year we want to move down to Mexico City or Puebla to expand the ministry to bring our Childrens ministry materials to the thousands of churches down there.

We currently have over 1000 churches using our on-going material. They use it, then call us for more. I carry the weight of the content.

I write and design curriculum for 9 months of Sunday school plus a new VBS every year.

I am close to finishing my 4th full year of material. Every year I write new stuff. Every year I hope to finish on time. Every year I finish late. For some reason the beasty-ness of the project always grows. But I get it done.

Yesterday I realized that it looks like I can actually finish on time this year!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My goal: to have the 2010 material ready by Jan 1st, 2010. It looks like I'm going to make it!

This surprises me because this year has sent me a lot of curve-balls. We moved the Congreso Tour to the fall this year... which really ate at my free months. Instead of grinding at my desk, I was touring every weekend.

My grandfather passed away this fall too, which took 2 weeks of work, because I was able to go home and grieve with my family. We have had more visitors... we had a longer trip north, we took a long tour down south...

We had an awesome opportunity to make a national proposal to the Church of God denomination... which was cool, but ate a lot of precious time.

The main reason I'm finishing on time is that I have had help. Praise God for helping me learn how to use it!

Josh and Lacy spent 3 months with us. They both dived into the material. It was hard to see them go. Pastor German has been working in the office for over 3 years now. We invited him down south with us, but he has decided that he needs to stay here and continue pastoring his church. He told us he wasnt going with us down south the same week that Josh and Lacy left us.

I felt alone. I wondered how I would finish the material on time. So we just went looking for more help. It fell perfect for Christmas holiday from school, so I got a couple of young men on their school break from Univercity in Obregon. They dived in and have been a huge help.

My parents came for a week and pitched in, and my inlaws arrive tomorrow.

Many people help, participate, pray, donate.

We couldnt do this without them.

Dwight is the perfect partner for this ministry.

He is awesome.

We will move south alone this year.

God is with us, but humanly speaking.

Just Dwight and I... but hopefully our parents will join us some down there too... and we will start the process again looking for new staff.

Dwight and I are in the ministry together and God carrys us.

God will lift us up as we work on His project.

Even though I know this, I feel the weight of the project.

It's sooooo wonderful to see the finish line. I cant wait to break the ribbon as I run across...

I did break a sweat... but look forward to God handing me a refreshing glass of water and some encouraging words. I know God will be proud of me. So will Dwight.

I cant wait to lay my work at Jesus' feet on Dec 30th this year!

My burden for the 2010 curriculum is almost off my shoulders! Praise God!!!

Menudo

Its been quite a few years since I had to just smile and eat my least favorite meal in the whole world: MENUDO.
We finished the church service last night where Dwight preached, I translated, and we ministered at the altar for a while afterwards. Then came dinner.
Dwight looked like a chipmunk gnawing on the excesive amount of rubber-like substance in his mouth. I took smaller bites, since cow intestines are not my favorite food. It seemed like an eternity to get a bite swallowed. We chatted about their painful church split, trying to encourage them through the tough times. There were no napkins available to hide pre-chewed and disgarded chunks. My strategy was to work slowly; Dwight's was to just plow.

Then came my salvation! The pastor was informed that someone important outside didnt get any menudo, so he quickly stood and told us not to tell. He then proceeded to grab everyone's bowls at the table and combine them all into one! He tasted it with his wifes spoon, deemed it perfect, put the same spoon in the bowl, and ran it outside to his menudo-missing guest!
We continued to talk about more important matters, and waited till we were driving away in the bright blue astrovan to giggle about the dinner.
I was glad I had some gum in my purse for some fresh flavor. Alas I had no camera for the event, but I doubt I could have taken pictures and got away with it anyway.
I dont think you are a real missionary if you dont have to eat something you dont like with a smile once in a while. In a few months I will celebrate 10 years of full-time missions, and Dwight will celebrate 5 whole years!
Hopefully this experience will fulfil our MENUDO quota for some more years to come.