Meeting the Mexican Board; Dreams coming true!

What a wonderful trip to Reynosa!
Since August 2007, the Mexican board of directors that helps Sister Elma with the ministry have been meeting twice monthly. Lina is the secretary. She let me look at the large (17" by 9" ledger) book which included her handwritten minutes. We read about the donations (in kind and cash) visitors, programs, staff, building issues, and children who were added or left the program. It was clear that the group of Mexican nationals had been helping in many ways. The stories of how each person came to join were clearly examples of God's creative genius; one child psychologist, one charismatic Catholic - math teacher, one old friend who's family has operated a similar home in the area for a number of years; one banker (HSBC), and Mariza, the daughter of the owner of the hotel where we always stay. Mariza's English is very good. She explained that she is working on the Godparent sponsors program. We agreed that the single greatest need is cash flow to ensure that loving excellent staff is secure in their salaries.The brochure that Sister Elma has in the picture is in Spanish. It describes the vision and mission of the ministry. Currently the home (25 female residents) and day care program (30 children- a Kindergarten program; and child care from 6 am to 6 pm weekdays- which includes some of the children who also sleep there), occur at the Rio Frio location. The new brochure that Elma is holding explains the vision and mission of the ministry, M.A.Mi A.C. The hope and prayer is that all people who are touched by this work will praise God for all He is accomplishing and grow spiritually, with understanding and Christlikeness. Many of the girls have stories of how this Love has changed them from the inside out.





Pictured above, are the girls from Casa MAMi who attended the performance of Fernanda. Fernanda came to Casa MAMi from the streets when she was nine. She tried to run away 8 times during her first months. She appears in earlier blogs learning to play the recorder / flute. Fernanda has a strong faith and has become a leader of the girls, earning very high marks at school and helping with office work at Casa MAMi. She has dreamed of performing on stage or in film. She had her first opportunity to perform in Reynosa last week. "El coloqui y el caracol" is a children's play adapted from a fable by Calderón about a hummingbird and a snail. Fernanda played the part of the narrator; she played her flute beautifully in this part. Everyone went to the Casa de Cultura to see the performance. Children from other homes and schools were attending.

Our mission team built houses in the colonia with Ministerio de Fe and visited Casa MAMi each day. It is always a blessing to make friends with the residents.

 Pictured here are Paige, Berenice and a newly arrived resident, fixing each other's hair. Each day, one group visited Casa MAMi and made friends with the staff and residents. The girls sang in Spanish while their English speaking friends watched; then they switched and listened while the youth from Advent sang in English. First, everyone sang "Father Abraham" in Spanish and English; then they sand "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" (in both languages). Then, the Casa MAMi girls wanted to learn a new English song, so they learned "Every Move I Make I Make in You, Jesus". This they sang in Spanish "Todo lo que hago hago en ti, Jesucristo, Todo lo que hago hago en ti". They sang the "waves of mercy" in English! It was fun~ Two girls from Advent are remaining at Casa MAMi through July: Courtney Washburn and Rebekah Moore will add to the blog as soon as they have the opportunity to get online.
We pray that their work in the home will allow them to share friendships and God's grace with the volunteers, staff and families touched by this ministry. Please remember to support them in prayer~ Thank you!