Tuesday, December 12, 2017

What Does Your Pantry Look Like?

         While visiting at a friend's house, we were impressed by their "pantry." They were storing their corn in the corner of the room. We thought it looked like a good amount of corn. They said the harvest wan't that good this year.

           Who wouldn't love a beautiful set of baskets for decoration? But these beauties are not just for decoration. They're used to store corn, beans, or coffee. I especially love the 3 different colors. They all would have started out like the light one on top. But with age (ahem...smoke), they turn colors.

          This basket was holding some coffee beans.

          This is my friend Teresa's kitchen. Could you imagine trying to make dinner in this kitchen? The work surface is about 10 inches off of the ground, so Teresa often sits on a low stool to be close to the fire. The pot on the stove (with the blue lid) was full of tamales!

         In the foreground is a blackened pot. It's what Teresa uses to make coffee. Can you imagine tending the fire all day to keep the coals just right? Today was a good day to be around the fire! It's the only source of heat in the home, and it's cold--inside and outside!

          This is Teresa's mom. Isn't she cute?! She can't live on her own anymore, so Teresa is taking care of her. She keeps her walking stick handy. She was very concerned for our well-being tonight. She made sure that we were offered coffee and hot tamales! She explained that since this is the Christmas season, many are hosting holiday festivities. Since she can't get out like she used to, they made their own tamales.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Sewing Class

          In July of this year, we received a volunteer from our home church in Idaho. Rose was a blessing in many ways, but one ministry that she headed up was a sewing class. We started off with a simple project--a sewing kit. For some, this was an easy project that provided them with some sewing staples at their fingertips. For others, it was one of the first sewing projects that they had ever attempted.

Listening closely...
Concentrating...

         Another important element of sewing class was childcare! Ellie was in her element, caring for the little ones and keeping them safe...which is easier said than done when Mommy is working with pins and needles!





The class was a success in many ways. The women each were successful in making an article of clothing. We built relationships. And we shared about Christ's love through Bible stories. There is more interest in at least one of the women. Would you pray for more opportunities to share Christ?



Sunday, December 10, 2017

Spreading the Word

     


     As I stood under a coffee tree, I thanked God for the opportunity to share of His great love. We had been invited to talk to a young man who expressed a desire to know more about what happens to us after death. He had just lost his grandmother, and the thought of death was scary.
     We thought we'd be sharing in a home, but God has taught us to always be prepared. So we shared on the side of the road, under a coffee tree. And instead of sharing with one young man, we shared with about 20 young people.
     We may never see the young man again, but seeds have been planted. The rest is up to God.

What does church look like where you live?

     "What does church look like where you live?"

     While I can't answer for all of Mexico, I can answer about what it looks like in the town of "Pine Hill." You'll remember from your childhood Sunday School classes that we are the church, right? It's not about the building, but rather about the body of believers who gather.

    We hold worship in our home...or in our carport. (It's not a garage.) And when we travel to other villages, we hold worship in homes, or on the sidewalk.

It was a cool evening! We huddled together in Peter's home.

The power was out, so we had worship on the street.