Final day at the Ranch!

Relaxing a minute after lunch.
Denny's talent for devotions.
Mike still can't resist a good game of soccer!
Darlene & Danny
Emy's antics
Mark hard at work running gas line.
Lucy filling those new cabinets up!
Denny streeetttccchhhing to reach that final spot.
Dale & Jerry have the perfect mortar recipe!
Final results of a 3 1/2 day job!

Well here we are at Friday already! It's hard to believe how fast the time goes. The weather this morning started out rainy, so it's been kind of cold eating, having devotions and working all in the open air! We could have used a few extra sweatshirts, but it's not quite so cool now, and keeping busy helps keep your mind off of the cold.

The guys did finish up the drainage pipe last night, and with quite a bit of rain overnight, it got tested already! Things look good and it should definitely help keep the apartment dry. Lots more painting was done yesterday, and goes on today. We are painting inside of the building now instead of outside, so there is a little bit of protection from the weather, but with the big doorway and part of the ceiling open, it still gets pretty cool and breezy even inside!

Jerry, Denny, Darlene, Emy and I have been painting this morning, and Dale, Mike and Mark are working on hooking up the gas line for Lucy's new stove. The kitchen is really nice and Lucy is excited to have it, but they still won't have a refrigerator until they get better, more reliable power to support it. You have to "take turns" using anything that takes electricity now! I can't imagine doing without so many things that I take for granted. It really makes you stop and thank God for what you have.

Our team, the Marshalls and Ashleigh all went out again last night for ice cream. It was nice to have Ashleigh along to order for us, and because of her, we actually finally got what we ordered! We had a great time talking and laughing.

Denny had devotions this morning and he shared the song he had written a few years ago about Refuge Ranch and the ministry the Zaragoza's have here. Everyone was moved by the song. It was the first time that Victor and Julie had heard the song, and they loved it too.

Lucy is up teaching kids right now, and has kept up with her responsibilities all week, so life at the ranch goes on as normal even when there is a work team here. I'm sure it's more challenging when so many extra people are around.

Well, this will probably be the last opportunity I have to post, since it's off the to the airport early tomorrow to begin the journey home. We appreciate all of your prayers during this week, and count on you praying us home safely too! Adios amigos!!

Jerry & Berenice sharing a good laugh!
Lucy's beautiful new kitchen!
Denny shows Angie a few chords on her new guitar.
Mike drying dishes...lots of dishes!
Dale, Emy and Becky give devotions.
Mark & Dale mixing mortar
Even in Mexico we can't get away from LP gas!
Darlene painting, painting, painting & painting some more!
Danny enjoys story & craft time
Ruth has her own interpretation of Emy's story.

Hello! It's Thursday morning and everyone's hard at work again. Yesterday was a good day and much was accomplished. The guys finally got a channel cut through the rock that was large enough to run a drainage pipe thru so hopefully it will keep any water from pooling on the back corner and running into Mark & Lucy's apartment. That "little" job turned out not to be so little - taking up all of 3 days and hopefully to be filled back in and finished up this morning.

Lots and lots of painting was done yesterday and the building is looking really nice - bright white and beautiful! We've been eating all of our meals in the new part of the building that the first team poured the floor in last week. It's very nice and keeps a lot of traffic out of Julie and Victor's house. Devotions, gift night, and anything else we gather for is held in that room. We have a short story and craft time for the kids after lunch each day in that room too.

Mark and Lucy's cabinets were delivered and installed yesterday and look really nice. Lucy's excited that she won't have to do dishes in the shower any more! Lucy and Ashleigh are cleaning the cabinets and filling them as I'm typing this. It reminds me how much I take for granted in life at home.

The team all stopped again at the restaurant across the street from the hotel last night for ice cream. We never quite get exactly what we think we order, but it's all very good anyway and we enjoy a lot of laughter while we're there.

The weather has been very cool this week. I hear that it was very very warm last week, but yesterday some of us wore sweatshirts almost all day.

Enjoy more of our pictures and please keep praying for us. God has us on a great adventure down here!

Wednesday morning

Jerry working hard
Ana's as pretty as the roses
Joanna, Joce, Berenice & furry friend
Darlene is a painting pro!
Morning devotions with Becky & Ashleigh
A bag of goodies for Mark


Victor & Julie enjoy gift time
A herd of sheep visited the ranch Tuesday!
That is one stubborn rock Dale!!!
Mike & Denny painting while the sun shines!

We're starting off on our 3rd day of work here at Refuge Ranch. Some of the jobs that need to be done require some dry sunny days before hand, and that's just not happening! It's rained each night, but the days have been dry and that's a blessing! The building needs to dry out completely to do some more sealing, and painting though. Dale is still working on that same rock at the corner of the building - a good exercise in patience for him and all of the guys. Moving the rocks God put in place isn't an easy task!

The first coat of paint was completed on the front of the building yesterday and it looks great. The second coat should come today. The group went out last night to the restaurant across from the hotel for banana splits and did they ever taste good. Mike thought it was the best thing he's had down here yet! Denny finally got the toilet seat fixed in his hotel room (thank you Becky!). Everyone is staying well so far except I'm fighting a head cold. I think that's preferable to the problems the first team had though, and Dale and Lucy both have given me Claritin to use and that's helping.

We passed the gifts out to the adults last night and that's always such a fun time. They appreciate everything so much and it's a reminder of how much we take for granted in our lives in the United States. We really should express our thanks to God so much more than we do.

I'll load more pictures so you can keep up with what's going on down here. Thanks to all those that follow this blog, and for all of your prayers for the team. We're having a great time and appreciate all of your support so much!

Monday at the Ranch!

Well Monday is drawing to a close and everyone is tired. The guys worked all day trying to open up a trench behind the building to put a drainage pipe in so the water won't pool back there and cause problems. Some of those rocks just don't want to move though! The ladies helped out by moving smaller rocks and trying to dig some of the dirt out. Jerry and Darlene succeeded in getting the first coat of compound and tape on the drywall and it looks really great! You can sure tell Jerry knows what he's doing, and Darlene's had a lot of experience helping him. We did crafts with the kids after lunch and had a great time with them. I got off easy this afternoon by finishing a quilt for Lucy. It's hard for me to even consider that work! We're all having a great time as always, and the time seems to fly by when we're down here. Hope you enjoy some of the pictures!

Well I had good intentions of posting this Monday night, but right in the middle of it the power went out - so much for that! The phone line was out this morning (Tuesday) but it's about one o'clock now and things are back up and going so I'll try again.

Dale and Denny stayed behind this morning to start things while the rest of us went to the open market - what an experience!! The sounds and smells and sights are quite something to experience! Dale's is working on that stubborn rock that the guys spent sooo much time on yesterday & still not making progress very quickly! Denny started painting the long front wall and the rest of jumped in to help with that job when we got back.

I hope you enjoy some pictures of our week so far!

Pictures from the First Day

Jerry & Ana


Joce


Tepoztlan open market


Mark & Becky doing devotions


did he really eat that?!?

Hola everyone! Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but it's been busy! We did arrive safe & sound, and even had the blessing of spending a few minutes with the first team at the airport in Mexico City! We were all very tired saturday and went to the hotel early. Friday and saturday seemed to somehow blend together with no sleep, or at least very little until saturday night. We had church service here this morning, with Mark giving a great message. We went to the same small town that the first team visited last week, but Denny, Mark & Joanna were the only ones with enough energy to try climbing! The rest of us were quite content to shop. We're back at the ranch now, and anxious to get back to the hotel again, so I'll make this short. I'll send more tomorrow and try to learn how to attach pictures!

The Best for Last!

It is our last day here! How can that be? It seems as if we just arrived! The thought of having to leave is very hard! Maybe that is why I have waited so long to post today! We finished painting/sealing the back wall so now they can fill that in. And the ramp is done! We finished our last task with sifting 4 big bags of sand that they will use to put in the mixture for the walls. We also got to eat in the room that we put the concrete in today! Lots of shade and a very nice breeze. It is very hot here today! The kids are playing their last game of soccer. :[ Jacob and Aaron might just be one big bruise by the end! Martita took a good hit last night by my husband! And I don't know if any of the balls have any air in them any more? No sickness today so thank you all for the prayers! We are going to get a concert tonight after dinner by the Zaragoza Family! I can't wait! I think they are ready for the second team. I am sad to hand it over, but excited for them that they get to come and be a part of this too! We pray for safe travel for you all! God Bless!