Before I try to make sense… I’ll give you all a general update on the Mission. As some of you are aware of the regular cycles of the Mission, we have recently passed from a season of abundant staff to a season of low staff. We call it “Feast or Famine”. There’s nothing to be overly alarmed about when we go through the slim seasons. Many actually really appreciate that cycle. Of course we like the assurance that we will always have enough staff, and we love having lots of people to share the load and enjoy great fellowship with. But there come times when there is a mass exodus and we realize just how busy the atmosphere had been. When we go through the famine season we do work longer and harder days, but it is calmer and quieter. It’s great to see the staff look for opportunities to cover those who are having a particularly harder day. And, when we sit around the table at meal times it feels a lot more like family. As of recently there are people who planning to come and serve at various times.

Apart from a few normal colds and flus the kids have been in good health. Our daughters, Sarai and Noemi, have returned home after spending three months in Oregon with grandpa and grandma while taking their GED tests. Corinne and I were particularly thrilled when they said that they missed the Mission and couldn’t wait to come home.

I am always glad when I can erase another project from our extensive list. Last week a group came and did an amazing job in a short time converting one of the buildings into a dental clinic for Eli who is a dentist that has been serving with us for a couple of years. Now she will be able to treat all of the kids and we won’t have to transport them to Ensenada anymore.

Another group during Spring Break did an amazing job contouring the dirt in front of the chapel. They made it look better than I had envisioned. Later, when talking with the leader of the group, I asked him what he did for a living he said he is a forestry engineer… he builds roads. The Lord sent the perfect person for the job without us even realizing it until after it was done. Praise God. After that a group that comes at the end of every month came and made significant progress laying block on the chapel. Again, we praise God that he has also allowed me to be able to lay block without it affecting my head too much. We managed to get the windows set before I had to leave.

There are a couple of features for the chapel that God had put in motion 11-16 years ago. My brother-in-law had planted a grove of palm trees for the purpose of drying up a septic drain field that was later abandoned. Also, for 11 years, a massive boulder just sat in the middle of our field, left over from when the amphitheater was built. We had tried to move it, but it was too big for the machinery we had. But now the purpose for both of those features had come to fruition. The palm trees are perfectly arranged to shade a patio area in front of the chapel that will be an extension of the quiet place for people to meet with Jesus. Also, we were finally able to move the boulder out in front to be part of the landscaping.

There are often things in our lives that we question, “What was that all about?” or “Why did God allow that to happen?” We may not ever receive an answer, or it may come a decade or two later. Inevitably, it turns out to be for something beautiful.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

There are even things that we assume that we have the full understanding of what God is preparing us for, but again, it isn’t until years later that more understanding is revealed to us. Currently I am writing to you from my dad’s hospital room in Oregon. He’s had ongoing complications from his hip replacement in the middle of February. Just having the experience of working with the kids at the Mission, along with my mom’s experience working for a care giving company, has contributed significantly to caring for my dad. At this point I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but my hope is that he’ll be able to stand up without assistance before I leave.

Corinne and the girls are helping hold down the fort at the Mission. Please pray for my dad’s rapid recovery and Corinne and the girls while I’m away. Thank you, and may our Father in heaven bless you.