Mexican Independence Day

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

This past Saturday Mexico celebrated Independence Day.  That afternoon we had a few kids over to celebrate at our house with baking + arts and crafts.  We asked them what they knew about Independence Day and they knew absolutely nothing!  So we had a quick little history class.  I asked the who Mexico gained independence from asking them "Did Mexico gain independence from Portugal?"  To my surprise two of the kids said 'yes'!  Eventually we were able to piece together the general history of Mexico's independence from Spain.  On the walk back to the orphanage though I heard one of the younger boys talking about how Mexico gained independence from Portugal! haha  It blows my mind the things kids remember and hold on to.  Out of the whole conversation, the kids incorrectly remember that Mexico gained independence from Portugal!  We had a great time talking about Mexico history, learning how to make banana bread and doing artwork for Independence day.  Check it out below:

Miguel + Rodrigo measuring the ingredients

Mixing the batter

Mexican Independence Day Art

Rodrigo drawing

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:

I hope you received the construction flyer update this past week.  We are excited to see how construction is advancing.  Check out the progress below.  We're at the half way point now!  Please consider giving financially to the construction project for the youth orphanage.

Putting down the foundation

Foundation of a youth apartment

Finished front wall + gate

HP TOUR

Tour of Hewlett Packard (HP) with the orphanage youth 

HP Staff + Orphanage Youth

GAMES + STUDYING

Domino Fun

Rodrigo having a blast setting up the dominos

Teaching the kids strategy playing Rummikub

Algebra with Christian

Jorge and Brian reading stories together

Brian writing a summary of what he read

I've been learning and reflecting a lot on what my purpose here in Guadalajara is.  It is so easy to get caught up in the daily routine of activities.  Something that has really encouraged me these past 2 years here is the following:

"Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your ways to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act."
Psalm 27:3-5

My purpose is simple.  Your purpose is simple.  Trust God.  Do good.  Live in the land.  Be faithful. Delight in the Lord. Commit ourselves to Him.  Trust Him and wait on Him to act.

Oftentimes it is so easy to get caught up in all of the unknowns, problems, conflicts, uncertainties and we lose sight of what is most important.  We need only trust God and He will act.  And that is what we are doing here in Guadalajara.  We are trusting God and trusting that He will act as we build this youth orphanage.  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to trust God as we serve the kids and youth of Mexico.  Thank you for enabling us to do what God has called us to do.