We are home now!

After our huge wonderful party last Thursday night we still had one more day to meet with our readers. It was a wonderful day as Gabo, who began Luke the second day of our time in Mexico, finished the Luke book! I think that might be a record as there are 31 lessons and it usually takes weeks and weeks to get through Luke. But Gabo is very fluent and understands the concepts quite well.

Also that day, another of our readers, Maria, brought us all lunch! Tarascan Soup, yummy sandwiches and to top it off - flan! That was so very sweet of her and also extremely delicious! She said she wants to give Rio de Vida a try, so we will see and pray for that!

On Saturday, Gabby and Gabo woke up very EARLY and took us to the airport - we had to be there at 5AM! Wasn't that amazing? We so appreciate this family and pray they will soon be a part of Rio de Vida! We made it back home to Fort Worth but we will never be the same as we have a deeper love for the people we met in Morelia.

Til next time,

Marilyn, Jackie, Carissa

RHCC 13 LST team to Morelia, Mexico

End of the Trail Party!

Last night was the final LST party for 2009 and it was incredible!! More than 65 people came which more than doubled last week's party! What a fun time we had - and we are so sad to be leaving these ones we have come to love so very much! Below is a photo of the readers who came and received certificates. Each one is special to us and more special to God!

We are so thankful to have been given this opportunity to share God's Word with these amazing people! We love LST and the people of Morelia!! We will continue to pray for each precious soul God brought to us.

Thank you so much to those who helped us come and take part in this project! We have been blessed beyond all measure! And to him who is able to do more than we can even ask or imagine - to Him be the glory forever!!

Marilyn, Jackie, Carissa

Morelia, Mexico

What an amazing day!

I love Mexico!! The people in this place are the most gracious and generous I have ever met! It is amazing to me how sweet and precious we have been treated - we are spoiled indeed! Thank you Lord for bringing us to Morelia.

We walked to the office this morning as the weather was so beautiful! We all had readers coming and enjoyed our time with them. I love LST! What a great gift we have been given to become such good friends in such a short amount of time. And LST has provided a way to share God, His Word and ourselves in a unique way for such an eternal purpose! We are overwhelmed with His goodness to us!

You have heard us talk about Gabby and his son. Tonight they took us to Itzia's family's home who had prepared quesadillas that were absolutely 'muy rico'! And then aroz con leche for dessert followed by 'the best coffee in Mexco from Urapan'! Carissa and Gabby practiced the song they will sing at the last LST party on Thursday. God has blessed her with a gorgeous voice! She is singing a song in Spanish and they all loved it!

It is late (or early) so must get to bed. Bless you all for the help and support you gave for us to come to this beautiful country!

Sunday worship

Today we were able to worship with the Rio de Vida church. Sam and Ann Gonzalez are the missionaries here and they are very busy with many great things happening. They have been so sweet and supportive of all the LST teams here and we appreciate them so much. What a blessing they are to the church here.

After church, Gabby and his son Gabo and their friend Itzia took us to see Patzcuaro - a beautiful little town that has a beautiful square and lovely restaurants. And, of course, some shopping! This is such a great country and the people go out of their way to be a blessing to us. Gabby and Gabo are both reading with us and Itzia will start tomorrow! Gabby's wife Lulu is in Austin for a few more weeks but she has read with LST too.

Day Off!

Today, July 18, was our day off (and also Ron's birthday!) from reading, so Sam and his mom took us to see some sights around Morelia. It was a good day and we were able to see some ruins from before the Spaniards came to Mexico, a monastery that was built by the Franciscan friars, and the copper town of Santa Clara. Lunch was squeezed in at a lovely place called La Mesa Blanca - the White Table. It was in the middle of nowhere but so beautiful with good food. We were gone the whole day and enjoyed every minute!

Jackie, Carissa, Marilyn at ruins

Baptistry in front of church

Lunch

Hammering out the copper

Here are some real cowpokes! Mexican style!

Our first party! July 16

We had our first LST party last night - it was a very fun night and those who came enjoyed themselves very much. Jackie did such a good job preparing and bringing neat decorations. We ordered tacos as we knew everyone would enjoy eating them.

One of our readers, Gabby, wants to take us out for tamales tonight! Should be fun! He and his wife, Lulu, have been reading with the other teams who came here - they love to show off their country. Now, their son, Gabo (Gabriel Jr) is reading and will join us. Here are some pictures from last night's party.

The kids table

Itzia, Gabo, Gabby

This was hilarious! Leo, one of our readers, had such a fun time trying to get the last chair!

Morelia Day 3 and 4

Day 3 in Morelia was good all morning and then we started having no-shows. Have make some calls and invited several, also. Tonight is our first party! It's a Surfing one! Jackie is the party-animal! Here is Carissa reading with Maru and Jackie in the background entertaining Vladimir.

We got to go downtown last night - Maru and her son, Vladimir, took us and Aldo for those yummy Mexican tacos!! It was so much fun!

Day 2 - Done!

July 14

Today was a beautiful day here in Morelia - cool enough for jackets this morning. I am so sorry for all you hot folks suffering in Texas! We were able to walk to the church offices this morning so got to see a lot of the area from a different perspective. Here is a street close to the the office. Beautiful trees!

It was a fairly quiet day with a few no shows but several did come. I was able to meet and read with Jorge - he's been reading with many of the RHCC ladies this year and last.

And Claudia has been coming also. She is reading with Jackie.

LST reading began today!

What a wonderful day! Began after a good sleep finally! We were able to have breakfast and find our way to the Rio de Vida office. And readers began coming! It was a fun day and enjoyed reading with some we had heard about from the previous teams and then a fun new ones! Gabby and Lulu had been reading together for several times. Tonight Gabby (Gabrielle, the guy) brought his son, Gago (also a Gabrielle) and Itsia with him. First time to read for Gabo and he decided he wanted to begin Luke at the beginning! That was very neat! Jackie and Carissa were kept busy and loved getting to meet and read with Claudia, Maria, and several others.

Got to attend Sam's 40th BD party combined with Sofia's 7th BD celebration at the Gonzalez's new home. A big crowd came and it was fun to be there. I posted pictures on Facebook of all this. If you aren't on FB, let me know and I'll send you the link!!

Blessings to all those who are praying for us!!

~Marilyn, Jackie and Carissa in Morelia, MX

We have landed in Morelia!!!

Yes, after a very LONG day with only 4 hours of sleep we were able to get on the plane from Leon (again) and actually LANDED in Morelia!! Praise God! What a relief! We had become friends with the pilot and hope to post a photo soon.

We got our bags and found a taxi - he took us to the place where the church was having their retreat and arrived to see Ann and Isabella waiting for us. A sight for sore eyes after this great adventure! We hope to see what God will do with this experience.

The church was gathered and I was able to greet loved ones - that was so fun! Then Sam brought us to the front to introduce Jackie, Carissa and I to the church and he prayed over us. So sweet! It was a good service as Sam's brother Isaac spoke and many came to rededicate themselves to God with tears. The best part was seeing two young ladies putting Christ on in baptism! Pictures to follow as left my card reader at home:-(

We are settled in the LST apartment after a lovely lunch at Santitos and a trip to the grocery store with Ann. Ready for a good night's rest. We love you all! And we start reading tomorrow!

Stuck in Leon!

Well, we left DFW on time, got to Houston early, and left to head to Morelia, Mexico. Circled Morelia 3 times but could not land because of wind shears! So headed to Leon - landed, refueled and tried again to land at Morelia airport - but no go. So back to Leon and it only took around 3 hours for us to get vouchers to stay in a very nice Holiday Inn Express. Got almost 4 hours sleep and now praying we do arrive in Morelia today! Now if only we knew where we were going once we get there?? Stay tuned!!

D DAY!

Yes, the time has come to depart! We will board the plane this morning heading to Houston and then on to Morelia this afternoon. We don't arrive there until 8PM. We will be picked up and head right to the church retreat where we will spend our first night. Should be fun to be with the Rio de Vida church right off the bat! Tomorrow after church we head back to town and will find our apartment where will be spending a small portion of our time. Most of our time will be spent in reading the Bible with those who come to the church office for the next 2 weeks.

Sam Gonzalez turns 40 next week so we are invited to a BD party for Sam on Monday.

Asking you to pray for our travel today and for us to be a blessing to those who come. Also for our families we leave behind!

~Marilyn

5 days to go!

It's Monday, June 6 and we leave for Morelia in 5 days! Yikes! Still lots to do to get ready to go, plus get things done here to be gone for 2 weeks. Praying for God to reach down and continue to bless the Rio de Vida church in Morelia so that we can be a blessing for them and bring new folks to hear about the grace that reaches each one of us.

Jackie and I hope to get together with the 3 teams that have already been to Morelia this year on Thursday night. Should be very insightful!

Training for LST

Jackie, Carissa and I met with Kelly yesterday for our final training session as we prepare to go to Morelia, Mexico on our LST adventure with the Rio de Vida church. It was a long day but we are all excited to be going.

We will leave DFW on July 11 and arrive in Morelia around 8PM. Sam will fetch us from the airport and immediately take us to the church retreat where we will spend our first night! So we will meet many of the church members right off the bat! And I will be reunited with those I have come to know and love over the years Ron and I have been able to visit this lovely city.