Praises & Prayers! God is so good!

Sister Elma returned from her travels tired but grateful:

1) The Mexican government requests an email from us confirming that we have raised the $20,000 USD to match their 200,000 pesos for the construction of the second floor. Brother Glen, of Opelika, will go to Reynosa in June to purchase construction materials. Sister Elma is happy about this and always grateful to Brother Rick for his help.

2) There are new employees and the total cost per month for salaries is $5,000. Sister Elma has a meeting to seek waiver of payment of social security. Homes like our's were not required to pay this in the past for employees, but now the charge is being reinstituted. If we have to pay this it will be $850 per month. We hope that this does not happen.

3) The Sorianas (large grocery chain) in Reynosa collected money for the casa hogar during May. When the government visited all orphanages in Reynosa in April (6-8 homes) our's was chosen as the best! Therefore, for May, all cashiers at the Sorianas invited anyone checking out to donate to Casa Hogar MAMi. (In Memphis they do this for the food bank.) Sister Elma and the girls prepared flyers to take to all of the stores. What a project!! This week we find out how much was donated. And, the cashier who collected the most will win a cell phone!

4) Our contact with The Outreach Foundation of the PCUSA, Don Wehmeyer, a pastor in Mérida, Yucatán, operates a Bible School / Seminary / convent for women. I sent him an email in search of staff for the casa hogar. He has put Sister Elma in touch with one of his graduates, a lady called Elsa. Sister Elma has interviewed her by phone and is pleased to hire her! Lord willing, Elsa will arrive in Reynosa soon after June 15 and stay for a year! This may turn out to be a relationship and resource for the long term, of Mexicans who can work in the home and disciple the girls, giving Sister Elma moral and spiritual support as well.

5) Visiting Groups: In June a group from Adventures in Missions and one from Opelika are expected. They will begin the columns for the second floor. Sister Elma's friends in the architecture department at the university will help with donations of workers and materials. In July, Bruce and Sam Jamison, from St. Luke's Methodist in Houston will be down. As the construction gets under way, more groups will be needed, especially in the fall.

6) Another wonderful donation is coming from a chain of convenience stores in Mexico. This is a transformer and will help with the utilities expenses.

7) Residents: Yvette, the young mother who delivered a baby at the end of February, is helping with laundry and taking some classes. This week some cash from the office disappeared. Sister Elma has spent hours with social workers and the girls to solve this issue. They believe that one of the older girls took it. Three girls have been detained from leaving the building until this mysterty is solved and handled.

8) Mexican volunteers: Marta, the wonderful Bible teacher and sister of María Esther (owner of the insurance co. where Sister Elma once worked) has been three times this month to help out. We are so blessed to have the support of the Reynosa community! Lily and her husband, owners of the restaurant in Reynosa, always welcome us when we visit. And, the staff at El Camino Best Western Hotel, are great as well!

Sister Elma continues to do so much. She is especially gifted at networking and managing the community donors. She is also the "MAMI" of the girls at the home. Let us pray for her and this ministry daily. And, finally, a BIG praise to the Almighty Most HIgh God who continues to provide in miraculous ways!! Yes, the funds are coming in and we are so gratful!