Week 4 - July 18, 2008

Hello again everyone! I know I promised more pictures this week, but we went to a different internet cafe this week that is not as fast as the other, so they will have to wait until I get back. :)

I have exactly one week left here in Zacatecas, and I am both happy and sad. I am happy because I miss home and everyone there, along with many of my American comforts (selfishly), but there is another part of me that is so touched by the generosity and warmth of the people here, as well as the amazing views everywhere I turn. This truely has been the trip of a lifetime. God has shown me that I can do things through him that I could never have done on my own. When I have been homesick, he has been the one there comforting me. When I have been asked to speak in front of people (something I am terrified of) he has given me peace and courage to do what he has asked. He has also given me the boldness to share things about myself that I though were shameful and embarrassing and used them to change other people's lives. I will be forever grateful to my parents for financing this trip, to Steve for his love and support, and to the Lord for making the opportunity possible. Thanks!

Okay, so on to the happening of this past week! This week has flown by!! I really don't know where the time has gone. Monday during the day, Rocio, Johana, and I had some girl time. We went down to the river and admired God's amazing creation. It was breathtaking! That evening, we headed to Guadalupe Victoria like usual. We had our service for the kids - we sang some songs, Johana told the story of Daniel and the Lion's den, and we played a little volleyball. I think the children in Guadalupe Victoria put the biggest smile on my face of any of the other villages. When the van pulls into town, the kids go running toward the volleyball court. They are always so excited to see us!

Tuesday, we headed to a new rancho called San Antonio (no, not Texas! Ha!). While we were there, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a widow there and tell her some of the things God has done in my life and why having a daily devotional is so important. It was really good. When we left, her spirits seemed to be lifted, so that made me happy to see. That evening, the ladies had their Bible Study and the men had theirs. We discussed the life of Queen Ester. I just love that story! - (Shelley, when we went over it, I thought of you as Queen Ester in the Family Theater! Haha!) It was a very lively discussion and the women were talking and asking a lot of questions. It was great to see them so excited!

Wednesday, we had a time of prayer and fasting for the people of Palmas Altas and the surrounding villages. It really lifted me up as well having some uninterrupted time with the Lord. That afternoon, we headed to a new Rancho, Monte de las Garcia and also back to Villa Hermosa. We stopped at a store in Monte and chatted with some people for a while, sang some songs and shared the Gospel. Afterwards, we handed each child a bag with a toy, snack, pens, pencils, notebook, paper, and a ruler. They were so pleased! Then, we headed to Villa Hermosa is one of the poorest ranchos around - to give you an idea of what it is like, 99% of the people living there have no bathrooms (not even an outhouse) and they will use the water they washed their dirty laundry in to bathe in. It is really sad. There weren't that many people in town, because on our way in, everyone else was heading out on their way to a funeral, but there were about 9 kids who came to our little service. Again, we sang some songs, did the story of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendego, and then we had another the opportunity to give away some school supplies. :) They were just as exicted! After the service, Johana, Ben, and I got to ride a horse! It was gorgeous! We were joking that it was from the US because it was blonde, and it turns out it really was! The man didn't name it, so at first I decided to name it Barbie, but then I was told it was a boy, so its new name is Ken! :) You all know my sense of humor - I thought it was hilarious!

Thursday was another busy day! The men headed out to the field to help Angel sew oats (I won't even go into the joke there, haha!), while us women did some chores around the house. We did some laundry, cleaningm and cooking and then headed to a new rancho, Santa Rosa, to ask permission to have a Tae Kwon Do demonstration when the other group comes in August. We flew back to Palmas, ate dinner, and headed back to Guadalupe for our second service of the week. We were a little late, but the kids were there waiting for us to arrive! :) After the mini service, we went to one of the local homes for a Bible study.

Today is Friday and I am in Jerez for the day! I hope that you all are having a great week and I will talk to you soon!

Dios te Bendiga,

Katalina!