Back to work....and another question answered :)

Today we got back to our regular schedule. Little Eliseo made a blessed addition to our daily routine :) He either slept or nursed quietly in my arms as I worked with the children on their lessons this morning. After lunch, when the little ones were napping, the older ones took turns loving all over him while I did the laundry and some housework.
In the later afternoon, we went to the home of Hna. Tola (one of the ladies in our church) to trim her bushes for her. Well, Daniel and the boys did the work while I got to sit with her on her patio and visit. :) We were there about 3 hours and for the last 45 minutes or so, Daniel was able to witness to Hna. Tola's brother who happened to drop by while we were there. He said he has read the Bible many times, but doesn't believe any of it. I was praying as Daniel shared for God's Word and talked with this lost soul. I didn't catch his name; I'll have to ask Daniel when he gets home tonight, but if you think of him, please pray for him. On our way back home, little Nehemiah threw up all over Rebekah. He was better for about a week, then got sick again with a fever and cough. We appreciate your prayers for him.

Hna. Tola and little Eliseo

Timothy the bush trimmer

Benjamin raking up some leaves

Here are the answers to the questions that Sileena asked in her comment-

Questions: 1. How long have you been on the mission field?2. Do you have a school in any of your work(s) or do you homeschool?3. I know alot of our S. American missionaries with larger families hire helpers because of the culture...do you do that or are you the sole caretaker of your home?

Answers: 1. We moved to Mexico in March of 2004. When we first moved down, we lived in Rosarito in Baja North. It is a city about 30 minutes from the US border. We lived there for a year and attended/helped out in a church where we knew and were dear friends with the Pastor. We were able to get acclamated to the culture and learn more Spanish that year as we prayed that the Lord would show us exactly where would have us work. The following year, we moved 800 miles further south to the area in which we are now (Cd. Insurgentes, Baja California Sur). We rejoiced to see the Lord raise up a church here as we share His wonderful gospel with the many that have never heard.

2. Yes, we do homeschool our children. Our oldest is 11 years old and we began homeschooling him from the get go when we still lived in the USA. With our children so close in age, I'm homeschooling 7 of them right now (grades 6th to K), so we spend most of the day until lunch working on that day's lessons.

3. Yes, I am the sole caretaker of our home...not that I do all the work...I've got lots of little helpers! We too know many missionaries that hire help and we did prayerfully consider it, but decided against it. The main reason is that the things that we would have a helper do are things that are already being done mostly by our children. We do not want to take away opportunities for our children to learn and work. We view work and teach our children that it is a God given privilege and responsibility, and as they are part of a big family, we all work together to help and serve each other and keep things tidy and running smoothly. If my children were all preschool age, then a hired hand would be a big blessing I'm sure. But since we have very strong, capable 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 year olds :), I don't want them to miss their chance to learn important, invaluable lessons...diligence, initiative, responsiblity, working as unto the Lord, joyful service, patience, endurance ect... And I usually always have a little one in training at my side as I carry out my daily duties. Plus, the older children will often after finishing their regular duties, ask for an "extra hard chore" to earn a few pesos usually to buy a birthday gift for a sibling :) There is only one thing for which I have on occasion hired help....ironing! Hna. Tola (the lady in the picture above) is married, but her husband had an accident a few years ago and is mentally and physically unable to work. We love to help her out when we can. My ironing pile seems to grow at an amazing rate! And it is a chore that I don't feel confident letting Rebekah tackle yet due to her age. I have a hard time sometimes finding time to do it as it makes me nervous to iron with the wee ones underfoot, but often, in the evening when they are tucked in bed, I'm tired and easily talk myself out of it! Honestly...it is not my favorite chore! :) So we have dropped off our Mt. Everest of wrinkled clothing at her house and paid her to smooth it all out for us :)