tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101594692024-03-06T22:30:11.350-06:00Rush FilesThis blog serves three purposes. It gives me an avenue to share my walk with God, provides opportunities to keep up with friends who live far, far away and it lets me post pictures of my three beautiful children and one beautiful wife. Scroll all the way down to see a photo of our family taken in August of 06tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-33994608962970131182013-10-20T21:44:00.000-05:002013-10-20T21:44:22.270-05:00Disaster Upon Disaster<br />
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<b>Disaster Upon Disaster: Hosting our first construction campaign group</b></div>
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I believe that each of the 50 plus workers who joined together this weekend to begin construction on Centro Renovar will agree that this was one of the strangest campaign experiences any of us have ever had.</div>
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Sure, other weeks might include stitches on the work site or asthma induced midnight trips to the emergency room. But how many include the missionary leader spending 24 hours in jail?</div>
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The Hendersons borrowed our suburban on Thursday, accompanying the Mosaico van to pick up the 15 workers coming in from Childress, Tx. On their way home from the airport Erin was pulled over in our truck. When it began to look pretty serious, James, who was driving the van, asked if he could take Erin's place and sent her on with the van.. The police were trying to make it pretty hard on James but he refused to pay a bribe. Long story short... James spent the night in jail and our suburban has been impounded until further notice. Thankfully, James was freed the following night, but after a pretty rough experience. </div>
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We will try to get James to write more about his experience later if any are interested in it, but parts include him telling one of the arresting officers about his work with the urban poor to which the policeman responded by asking what he could do to help with Conexion Mosaico. While in jail, James told the guys locked up with him stories from the Bible of those who were imprisoned. At different times, different inmates would ask him to tell them more Bible stories. Isn't that incredible! Some of them were even from Chimaulhacan, where Conexion Mosaico ministers. They really bonded with James, (and these were some of the rougher characters in there) and have already written him through Mosiaco's web site.</div>
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I couldn't believe I was driving back to the group late on Thursday night/early Friday morning to tell James's wife and parents that he was being detained for the night. (Did we mention the group from Childress included James's parents and three brothers?) It was so sad that they came for three days with their son and lost one of those to a corrupt system. But it was also great that his brother was here and could spend a good part of Friday ministering to him while he was locked up. </div>
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Well, there is more we could say here, but perhaps we'll wait for another time.</div>
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In other news... The group came down to build the carpenters shop in an environmentally friendly way. And it is pretty cool watching it come together. Everyone worked so hard with fantastic attitudes, despite the huge wrench thrown into the workings. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Cory Burns, our teammate from Guadalajara who was suddenly asked to take on more responsibilities.</div>
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A bit of excitement on the site occurred when Clark tripped face first into someone's shovel. Thankfully, we had two doctors on hand (James's dad and brother). They stitched Clark up right there on the retreat site. And Clarky did great. He's actually quite proud of how they look. (If you are not friends with Cory on facebook, you might want to friend him as he recorded Clark's "surgery" on his iphone He also might have some footage of our late night dirt moving which turned into a minor Olympic sport.)</div>
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In the end, it is encouraging to see God's hand in each step. We know he works for the good in each circumstance. Still, for your prayers' sake, we need to be honest and say this effects us. It makes us nervous to see what can happen for little to no reason and how little control we have of these situations. So please pray for our safety, as well as our peace of mind. We are reminded that God is with us... and that's what we need. And pray for the ripples from these events, that God will amaze us with his goodness.</div>
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It brings me more peace knowing who I'm writing to: friends and family who truly spend time with God on our behalf. We never take that for granted.</div>
tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-21683485817746915702011-03-08T22:01:00.006-06:002011-03-08T22:12:02.367-06:00All-Churches Retreat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyaIJjEertRZ95XwrfqV3dKkQVEQIUBTGuXT7f-vUzPY5JhpVsqjZ1BFx0jwZlQ0rKgPpMPvryubheZzaXsQAimajEWW8qdUUuyoYll43e3oK06SCSemIZMzZje54FOLdZpEW/s1600/DSC01063.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyaIJjEertRZ95XwrfqV3dKkQVEQIUBTGuXT7f-vUzPY5JhpVsqjZ1BFx0jwZlQ0rKgPpMPvryubheZzaXsQAimajEWW8qdUUuyoYll43e3oK06SCSemIZMzZje54FOLdZpEW/s320/DSC01063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581927979770636418" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville; color: rgb(29, 48, 13); "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of our yearly highlights is the all-churches retreat in late February.</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This year there were over 80 that came for fun and fellowship. Six of us prepared lessons on the different roles Jesus plays in our life, i.e. Friend, Teacher, Priest, Sacrifice. </span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWVBTSVpmPl_N8xWRBlB22TigtB7RL2rdyiY3UdFwhdK7nPMX1pgreaBqRFSd_edgBLhke7xalpPH8T5qw6n5qeWWfhWcRxW4EoYqAj1-WBC38BMqk4wwR2PJjlLTliHRgYF2/s1600/DSC01015.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWVBTSVpmPl_N8xWRBlB22TigtB7RL2rdyiY3UdFwhdK7nPMX1pgreaBqRFSd_edgBLhke7xalpPH8T5qw6n5qeWWfhWcRxW4EoYqAj1-WBC38BMqk4wwR2PJjlLTliHRgYF2/s320/DSC01015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581927693929882706" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Following each lesson there was a time dedicated to the practice of different spiritual disciplines.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w4ZdPjnx4ySHuPPd8aefUkIGAKyc7snlrDWXHWcrD-V7XOhOs_rF2-o2SV2i4k9SfxjYmR0GSmqLHTPTa98mPrfjQhDmWPwru5ya0Yw68Wq5sSDM_HgnTRx416QsuEW5dgvI/s1600/DSC01035.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w4ZdPjnx4ySHuPPd8aefUkIGAKyc7snlrDWXHWcrD-V7XOhOs_rF2-o2SV2i4k9SfxjYmR0GSmqLHTPTa98mPrfjQhDmWPwru5ya0Yw68Wq5sSDM_HgnTRx416QsuEW5dgvI/s320/DSC01035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581927464994670066" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My (Tim’s) personal favorites were the classes taught by José Luis and Omar on Jesus is my Savior and Jesus is my Lord. It was great to see these young Christians give themselves to study so that they could share why they love Jesus.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9XcDtusi26h0aHj0xDYZZF5iGcbQIgEDXK2EBQZrpVoUMYjB-YJ5sNK4v25UF6T6zqXpG1dRiTwiLPGNxefaqrgWAioQ65cnHvdNxbgk6V-OBr1QUhItAR7TUf0eIM-Da6aD/s1600/DSC01046.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9XcDtusi26h0aHj0xDYZZF5iGcbQIgEDXK2EBQZrpVoUMYjB-YJ5sNK4v25UF6T6zqXpG1dRiTwiLPGNxefaqrgWAioQ65cnHvdNxbgk6V-OBr1QUhItAR7TUf0eIM-Da6aD/s320/DSC01046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581927110843169410" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They were a bit nervous before beginning to speak, but as they moved into their lessons, their love for Jesus and for their audience was obvious. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBtGBQj1JWHESo-R9oomXmSwKTxSV0Xy0jVh9toAVNafGBLSs0FeIscwUy-sC5W56mBwFB_4LFxsKH-gyLrbYXH7dkn04Z9iM6pYIFwPh6szoXtIKbh05Pt1UrNq2FoxJrCI_/s1600/DSC01021.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBtGBQj1JWHESo-R9oomXmSwKTxSV0Xy0jVh9toAVNafGBLSs0FeIscwUy-sC5W56mBwFB_4LFxsKH-gyLrbYXH7dkn04Z9iM6pYIFwPh6szoXtIKbh05Pt1UrNq2FoxJrCI_/s320/DSC01021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581926561843940866" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Though we spent a lot of time in the different classes, there were still plenty of opportunities to visit, play and relax.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11ulFZlvx2OgNBVVyFCjdJ5mQsty0w0Hot1xQvgoxd2jgYTfN3TXZIqcUHf-5crLgRYvs-KS1ooN1O6O4qGnMTi2dYqilpNpU2rg6J2pzBu5CXgVtlIrsQOx2ueiTb-IkQ78S/s1600/DSC00968.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11ulFZlvx2OgNBVVyFCjdJ5mQsty0w0Hot1xQvgoxd2jgYTfN3TXZIqcUHf-5crLgRYvs-KS1ooN1O6O4qGnMTi2dYqilpNpU2rg6J2pzBu5CXgVtlIrsQOx2ueiTb-IkQ78S/s320/DSC00968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581926057694540338" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We all took turns cooking and cleaning, which were fun tasks when shared by everyone. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I9ysPcNzMRnKB_ggn_DvFpkg4atkYUEwHbCgmrnt8oIpKVFGtQWuiaNyzYQYinta3qJhlOOYrj3CQBhaYtqkMdcTErN0UuNHMxQTc2Kuy3JuZH1xmp-FawUSFAUQTyUnOY0N/s1600/DSC00987.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I9ysPcNzMRnKB_ggn_DvFpkg4atkYUEwHbCgmrnt8oIpKVFGtQWuiaNyzYQYinta3qJhlOOYrj3CQBhaYtqkMdcTErN0UuNHMxQTc2Kuy3JuZH1xmp-FawUSFAUQTyUnOY0N/s320/DSC00987.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581925639593369618" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The boys and I set up the tent and had fun freezing to death in our sleeping bags while Karsyn was in little girl heaven as she and Kim bunked in the girl’s dorm. At times it seemed like half of those in attendance were little girls between the ages of 4 and 8.</span></span></p>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-67131140387463162712011-03-08T21:59:00.001-06:002011-03-08T22:00:57.452-06:00Escalating Violence in Mexico<p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Baskerville SemiBold'; color: rgb(29, 48, 13); "><span style="font: 14.0px Baskerville; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chaos and Order </span></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; color:#1d300d;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last month we assured you that the violence in Mexico isn’t having a significant effect in Guadalajara. Just after sending that newsletter off, there was a flurry of grenade attacks throughout the city as well as a major road being cut off by a drug cartel. It appears that their motive is nothing more than invoking confusion and fear... in which they are succeeding. Some people here felt pretty shaken up by it. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#1d300d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; color:#1d300d;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What we’ve begun to notice though is God’s pattern of replacing our chaos with his order. We’ve been a part of conversations where folks are asking, “How have we gotten to this point? What have we done to let this sort of climate come about?” The fun thing about being here right now is knowing the Prince of Peace. We see God is using this overwhelming chaos to show people they need something more... something they’ve been denying... until now.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; color:#1d300d;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 9.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; color:#1d300d;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">... the effect of violence on our friends in Tlajomulco</span></b></span><span style="font: 9.0px Baskerville; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. </span></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 9.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; color:#1d300d;"><span style="font: 9.0px Baskerville; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A few weeks ago we arrived to study with the family of Jesus and Carmen in Tlajomulco only to find they had three unexpected visitors. Three of Carmen’s nephews arrived on very short notice. They were fleeing from a special fighting unit (which was formerly trained by the U.S. military) called the Zetas. Originally a part of the Mexican army, the Zetas later went to work for a leading cartel. When that cartel’s boss was killed, they decided to work for themselves. Recently the Zetas moved into Zacatecas, where Carmen’s nephews lived, and began recruiting the young men of the towns to join their squadrons. “Recruit” isn’t the right word to use, as they are abducting young people from their homes. Carmen’s nephews</span></span><span style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">spent well over 10 hours hiding on the floor in their home as the Zetas shot up their town. When they thought it was safe, they fled to Tlajomulco.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; color:#1d300d;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The nephews, ages 22, 16 and 4, are very nice and polite young men. Their world has obviously been turned upside down, as has that of Jesus and Carmen to a lesser extent. But as chaos tries to take over their lives, they are humbly submitting to listen to the words of Christ. Since the nephews are now guests in their aunt’s home, they eat breakfast with us and open their bibles and read with us. And we have to imagine that God is planting his seed in soil that’s looking for something greater than the world is offering. </span></span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-3076410292746742682011-03-08T21:54:00.005-06:002011-03-08T21:58:22.393-06:00Saying Goodbye to Greg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL72jbuVPFY-cpUBd00rDrLwZpEsaZ2oewfcNT1YCljy3TynqqoHu2TdQpW2Xtb9EYL8Ir0X4QiK6CK0u1Uur8F706wN1cqutB4tSdEn5Vca1k2BMGjQz7f-NN8_Vax7Mh-FT/s1600/DSC01067.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL72jbuVPFY-cpUBd00rDrLwZpEsaZ2oewfcNT1YCljy3TynqqoHu2TdQpW2Xtb9EYL8Ir0X4QiK6CK0u1Uur8F706wN1cqutB4tSdEn5Vca1k2BMGjQz7f-NN8_Vax7Mh-FT/s320/DSC01067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581924221875720818" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 105, 30); font-family:Baskerville;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We said goodbye last week to our last AIM apprentice, Greg Bell. After serving in Guadalajara for over 20 months, Greg returned to Texas. We are going to miss Greg as he’s become part of the family.</span></i></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS96PEoJWkHwRguyPbVNNjcS3DWh_L-zJedC1PlUPrrmFVKUbnRMY-uxBXMk3BtXsQzo_s1D5miRzCHu76uGgz5YIzgsZ4-wzR8TA03fuDSy71lSiW55Oumb385QF_3D3-UI_/s1600/DSC01075.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS96PEoJWkHwRguyPbVNNjcS3DWh_L-zJedC1PlUPrrmFVKUbnRMY-uxBXMk3BtXsQzo_s1D5miRzCHu76uGgz5YIzgsZ4-wzR8TA03fuDSy71lSiW55Oumb385QF_3D3-UI_/s320/DSC01075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581923987578551186" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(63, 105, 30); font-family:Baskerville;font-size:13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was a bit heart breaking when Quincy offered to sell all his toys and give the money to Greg if it would help him stay. (Seriously, how do you turn that down?)</span></i></span> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Baskerville; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#3f691e;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Baskerville; color:#3f691e;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Though we were sad to see Greg go, it’s heart warming to realize the fruit he’s leaving behind. Many from our youth group are now trying to make plans to go to AIM. </span></i></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9PY4GTUTymiW9AB6qAnwoELJn_gC4R6K75qcXIUGMJSvVbC96TkdLje13GmRthqqnBhZxX0n5kxOrD2vOEmeopd5izSAHe2XNB-pTuS9L8pm4YqN9y_faY5f_-_lHZThVUYc/s1600/DSC01025.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9PY4GTUTymiW9AB6qAnwoELJn_gC4R6K75qcXIUGMJSvVbC96TkdLje13GmRthqqnBhZxX0n5kxOrD2vOEmeopd5izSAHe2XNB-pTuS9L8pm4YqN9y_faY5f_-_lHZThVUYc/s320/DSC01025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581923786519129074" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Baskerville; color:#3f691e;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We don’t know what will happen with these plans, but it is obvious that they are a result of their admiration for Greg, Zach and our other AIMers. Our youth have seen young people willing to sacrifice for God’s mission and they’ve been inspired to do the same.</span></i></span></p>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-13281008443862024562011-03-08T21:28:00.003-06:002011-03-08T21:35:14.862-06:00Update on Kim's family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMbRMGchqfCcrNwEpOeFosmtMuzpYFC_jl_g4h0gRxL7IAOU4HFjMYX-1_z_ZqgQFREJaJbtu5-kY2wRyqWFpV5s6fIWpM43CKD1axjmFpV1iGcJrN0refXShcV_D1dUidg76/s1600/189079_1829134165238_1146858991_2111655_1497190_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMbRMGchqfCcrNwEpOeFosmtMuzpYFC_jl_g4h0gRxL7IAOU4HFjMYX-1_z_ZqgQFREJaJbtu5-kY2wRyqWFpV5s6fIWpM43CKD1axjmFpV1iGcJrN0refXShcV_D1dUidg76/s320/189079_1829134165238_1146858991_2111655_1497190_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581918361991341794" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 9.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Don and Kay are both on a much needed break from treatments. Don is waiting for the next round of tests to determine if he will need some radiation treatments in his neck.</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EgoFAzJb4j4CyPe-aIU2E-JFx1CI8JJhG-PBamCG-vdEXhlwehqp-NwpJZa3c9cY-m_nStURkiNWhiVry_bZJ-PEE7fTOXUOoRUKY4DAIfhDsTGcsVU4si_x0veoZchgSJLP/s1600/183743_1907946623794_1395672950_2217492_1269659_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EgoFAzJb4j4CyPe-aIU2E-JFx1CI8JJhG-PBamCG-vdEXhlwehqp-NwpJZa3c9cY-m_nStURkiNWhiVry_bZJ-PEE7fTOXUOoRUKY4DAIfhDsTGcsVU4si_x0veoZchgSJLP/s320/183743_1907946623794_1395672950_2217492_1269659_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581918156230489042" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kay still has three more treatments to take, but they will be spread over three weeks beginning March 15, so that is quite a break. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdLQ93tgHU3mhW0p6mICRRWw5f0tjHGl2hhCTon0Snkz6qt9_dEB-dgRw15e6QjZXKvSM-Yopv-uOPE-YyF9ZBxRdlNvKnfU8HlZ0xVA86jo4Evxfu9bMW0nC6u1m5Qs9qB8p/s1600/Kay%252C+Khloe+and+Koen.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdLQ93tgHU3mhW0p6mICRRWw5f0tjHGl2hhCTon0Snkz6qt9_dEB-dgRw15e6QjZXKvSM-Yopv-uOPE-YyF9ZBxRdlNvKnfU8HlZ0xVA86jo4Evxfu9bMW0nC6u1m5Qs9qB8p/s320/Kay%252C+Khloe+and+Koen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581917178408682674" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Also, Kim’s little sister, Kara, had a baby last week. We are very excited to get to be an aunt and uncle again. Koen Micheal Olson is the 9th Blachly grandkid. What a fun, growing family. </span></span></p>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-10380821469957427962011-03-08T21:16:00.004-06:002011-03-08T21:23:58.252-06:00Miss Cindy's Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhkBdjTKpRYWO_XwPYpOvFfaGqULS46lryWY7tZoeQrRJ9ki1mk4T6KYJssqfcNb3mVNoUS-ZF3-Y3wxyEclpOPJOntG2fV47Jiw_v9zf57PBS6Y-UE_NvEVlXXomklGuG1c9/s1600/DSC01115.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhkBdjTKpRYWO_XwPYpOvFfaGqULS46lryWY7tZoeQrRJ9ki1mk4T6KYJssqfcNb3mVNoUS-ZF3-Y3wxyEclpOPJOntG2fV47Jiw_v9zf57PBS6Y-UE_NvEVlXXomklGuG1c9/s320/DSC01115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581915587417770082" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Quincy started kindergarten five and a half years ago, we were nervous. Kim, especially, prayed for God to bless Q with Christian friends.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 12px; "> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTFgSmhKTMo2CUr2f5iYatcUapFlSMNWKiZfI07BkqpProfRbjVTgObPHfvdzAk0rl0RmMfMH2TZp1WxaV_JYe7SMtPhucWOdfV8_MMS2Mk8b0UPXs-3Ci5Lpm8vD0dGn5txL/s1600/DSC01119.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTFgSmhKTMo2CUr2f5iYatcUapFlSMNWKiZfI07BkqpProfRbjVTgObPHfvdzAk0rl0RmMfMH2TZp1WxaV_JYe7SMtPhucWOdfV8_MMS2Mk8b0UPXs-3Ci5Lpm8vD0dGn5txL/s320/DSC01119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581915305356523874" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At the end of the parents’ meeting (Miss) Sindy approached Kim to tell her that she would be Q’s English teacher. Sindy went on to explain that she saw on our paperwork that we are missionaries.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;font-size:12px;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8X8NmyHpFnVZUdmAKhEEkWcvXOg8OZ8LeoUz9Yz_xsLVCUGcoe1eg6X-mqNG0_GRrF6WWFlto4Rojo5cv5R0Cj62XDaKQx8jLUws1FQtHJ9LR-YZ2sniJwHHMiLR5NXRc-QD/s1600/DSC01091.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8X8NmyHpFnVZUdmAKhEEkWcvXOg8OZ8LeoUz9Yz_xsLVCUGcoe1eg6X-mqNG0_GRrF6WWFlto4Rojo5cv5R0Cj62XDaKQx8jLUws1FQtHJ9LR-YZ2sniJwHHMiLR5NXRc-QD/s320/DSC01091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581914983005031234" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She was so excited to tell Kim that she was a Christian, too, and that she couldn’t wait to have Quincy in her class. As she was an answer to our prayers, we soon realized that we (especially Kim) were also an answer to hers. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0WjZAzWg2Hc0SMYVkmWIOjgJ8T27fCaUpgWtRAjnz-tFvxOJ_jVdB2wrhodqMmmuV0nWlwOxWgl-Dw8Lla3o-T9UsOe4Ocn6DzcPenWJ0tSF763ADU169GSwudXgj6nKYnkK/s1600/DSC01121.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0WjZAzWg2Hc0SMYVkmWIOjgJ8T27fCaUpgWtRAjnz-tFvxOJ_jVdB2wrhodqMmmuV0nWlwOxWgl-Dw8Lla3o-T9UsOe4Ocn6DzcPenWJ0tSF763ADU169GSwudXgj6nKYnkK/s320/DSC01121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581914542477792834" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Baskerville;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She has told Kim in the past that she knows Kim has a completely different ministry here, but sometimes she thinks God sent us to Guadalajara just for her. She has had years of heartache and struggle. But God’s not let go.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTQcmmj_kALY-jaVNr5ScV-sOr_eVwEY6qYCaBzo4uNAbR3mlpKDdJf6_dj8J6rEoFnZfpU6wmdTxIOpHkNqxwROePztNasQE3_SE0vGVqos4n5MxZatdg_DJDsPQbMO3ErQw/s1600/DSC01122.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTQcmmj_kALY-jaVNr5ScV-sOr_eVwEY6qYCaBzo4uNAbR3mlpKDdJf6_dj8J6rEoFnZfpU6wmdTxIOpHkNqxwROePztNasQE3_SE0vGVqos4n5MxZatdg_DJDsPQbMO3ErQw/s320/DSC01122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581914166818121970" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This last weekend she invited us to take part in her wedding, where we were to present the couple with a bible and share a blessing with them. Her husband, Oscar, had little interest in God but has recently begun to ask more serious questions. We wish you’d add Oscar and Sindy to your prayers, that God will work in their marriage, moving both closer to him.</span></span></p>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-44636085495417878972011-03-08T21:10:00.002-06:002011-03-08T21:15:41.723-06:00Holy Spirit Study with Arturo and Laura<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA2P89lmVDdym_DhVaBkXOlco_3w3e6abbEy-Ck-p5zkYKXTt9YFWUCgOUo03ZQJnHxBF08Q8cGiN1dsdKS__nFIiAl5Zd7xawtS0DzPQMl7Vwp_4Bx5E0pyhrV4LNw8iJeh1/s1600/DSC01029.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA2P89lmVDdym_DhVaBkXOlco_3w3e6abbEy-Ck-p5zkYKXTt9YFWUCgOUo03ZQJnHxBF08Q8cGiN1dsdKS__nFIiAl5Zd7xawtS0DzPQMl7Vwp_4Bx5E0pyhrV4LNw8iJeh1/s320/DSC01029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581912955148303906" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last fall, I began studying the Holy Spirit on Friday nights with the church in La Nueva Santa Maria. The study was an encouragement to me as it felt like I was connecting with my “sweet spot” in ministry (baseball term). God used the time to mature, teach, encourage and draw the group closer to Him.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Baskerville"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This last month Kim and I began the same study on Monday nights with Arturo and Laura. Arturo is one of our church leaders and his girlfriend, Laura, is a relatively new Christian. Originally I intended to go over this study with the church in Jardines del Valle, but decided instead to teach Arturo and Laura and let them, in turn, teach the church in Jardines. It has been fun for Kim and I to get to spend some extra time with this young couple. (We expect them to announce their engagement very soon!) They generally arrive at our house an hour early to spend time with us as we finish getting the kids fed and into bed. Though we love the study time, I think this extra hour will be what we look back on with the fondest memories.</span></span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-35550480519053711122011-02-03T09:37:00.002-06:002011-02-03T14:42:35.502-06:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzLCaVvh08C9Xp7kC0sFYmBuJIFC8lIsWg8OMmXURJzH0CfjIqdKiq8aYZh619FdvPOxj9BbLiflbE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-34558676708791818292010-12-01T10:40:00.005-06:002010-12-02T12:50:56.008-06:00God Provides<div><span style="color:#330033;">Tragedy was narrowly averted when our teammates’ van was struck by a drunk driver. Gerardo and Carola, as well as their two children and a couple of other passengers were able to walk away from the accident. Their van wasn’t so lucky. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#330033;">For some time, they’ve needed a new vehicle anyway. But what to do now? There just wasn’t support enough to go around. We shared their need with a few who we thought might be able to help and sure enough, God provided. A couple in Illinois has offered a 2001 van to the Garcia family. (For them to bring a car across the border, the vehicle needs to be 10 years old. Perfect!) But where would they get the money to get the vehicle back down to Guadalajara? Another who heard of their need but didn’t have a van to offer, donated $2,000 towards the effort. He had no idea that the Garcias needed that exact amount to travel to the vehicle, drive it to the border, have it legalized, and continue on to Guadalajara.</span></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-1482650746833168862010-12-01T10:12:00.008-06:002010-12-03T11:57:49.232-06:00News, Notes and Prayers<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hmcGmC3-ime1-ovvIhrFU-QKRxw-b7UPYs-_YoevqoJ5W4t-L92f5KyJHhKHjRAzixxvXkc92iIw1qLV-QW7axIUPV5nI06fj922QJqxDdUtlSqT9iqtQPvUJSlgVupdx6xb/s1600/DSC00096.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545753477036923506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hmcGmC3-ime1-ovvIhrFU-QKRxw-b7UPYs-_YoevqoJ5W4t-L92f5KyJHhKHjRAzixxvXkc92iIw1qLV-QW7axIUPV5nI06fj922QJqxDdUtlSqT9iqtQPvUJSlgVupdx6xb/s320/DSC00096.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#003300;"><strong>MEXICO MISSIONARY<br />RETREAT<br /></strong>We were blessed to be part of an annual<br />Mexico missionary retreat in early<br />November. When we got there, much to our<br />surprise, we were counted among the veteran<br />missionaries of the group. There has been a lot of movement among missionary families in Mexico this year. We know at least six that have moved to the states and met some of the newest additions to our extended family at this year’s retreat. We felt incredibly renewed by God’s work in those few days.<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEydKmPuMZZl5TRfBq4HOmVVCbBY_xVJ0mRCGNQv2TakU6PXjb1UFFNHmNmWoHUr69aIq23SlcbCNhyrPtK4LqoN_zBpgueG6OIh2Q8NKHjWWW88_t_rH57z4FotkLSHPB1N9/s1600/DSC00007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545751825927602370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEydKmPuMZZl5TRfBq4HOmVVCbBY_xVJ0mRCGNQv2TakU6PXjb1UFFNHmNmWoHUr69aIq23SlcbCNhyrPtK4LqoN_zBpgueG6OIh2Q8NKHjWWW88_t_rH57z4FotkLSHPB1N9/s320/DSC00007.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#003300;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">GOODBYE TO ZACH<br /></span></strong>This week we said good-bye to one of our AIM<br />guys. Zach Montandon moved back to Texas<br />and we will really miss him. He has been like<br />an uncle to our kids and a great servant to God<br />in the work here. We are really proud of him<br />and expect to see God-things in his future. His teammate, Greg Bell, decided to stay on for a few more months. That is fun and exciting for us, as we also have a great friend and co worker in Greg. Both have pretty big transitions ahead.</span><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#003300;">DON BLACHLY</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyCM-l7xkzzL4Mz0OqjnNq79ceM8kvJfR5FA7CkJec4ZgKN0fmQS2PJYpCXEv2gnJXcabOb1Q6yKV0EDSYIfMAIf5J1P5DzmmvwTaCxy8ffAK1G8PJyB0EmmoxuoJKwJOfBm6/s1600/DSC09447.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545751824505645330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyCM-l7xkzzL4Mz0OqjnNq79ceM8kvJfR5FA7CkJec4ZgKN0fmQS2PJYpCXEv2gnJXcabOb1Q6yKV0EDSYIfMAIf5J1P5DzmmvwTaCxy8ffAK1G8PJyB0EmmoxuoJKwJOfBm6/s320/DSC09447.JPG" /></a><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#003300;">Kim’s dad is being treated with chemotherapy<br />for lymphoma. His cancer is improving, but<br />he had to spend Thanksgiving in the hospital<br />with possible pneumonia and a blood clot in<br />his lung. Kim got to go home for a very<br />quick visit a couple weeks ago and passed along all your prayers and love to her parents. We’ve appreciated your notes, reminding us of your prayers for Don, and for us. (Apologies to Don for posting a picture of him in Cardinal Red, taken before we went to a ball game last year. He's a huge Giant's fan... which made for a nice World Series for him.)</span><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5MQbIWMw4MphdO9sG2KHEwYQWmkKgGddW7bL4A2ecyNhtYzG2tn3BFWQ1Dx-uYeVGUuvDjB77qT2KfLQispgbrwVzR-cOuAK5dosry1qaUIIutHYn2CHedUB9jChmFjxHFja/s1600/DSC09964.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545748217122891602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5MQbIWMw4MphdO9sG2KHEwYQWmkKgGddW7bL4A2ecyNhtYzG2tn3BFWQ1Dx-uYeVGUuvDjB77qT2KfLQispgbrwVzR-cOuAK5dosry1qaUIIutHYn2CHedUB9jChmFjxHFja/s320/DSC09964.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#003300;"><strong>Our kids are really speaking Spanish well again!</strong> This is a great praise, as they had lost a lot of their ability over the time in the states. Even Clark will pipe up in group conversations in Spanish and he can enjoy being with large groups of people speaking Spanish all day (which has not always been high on his list.) They still miss special friends and family a lot and Quincy has not found a really good friend within his new group at school. Academically, though, he is doing great. Karsyn has had another marriage proposal from her best friend, Axel. Don’t think that doesn’t truly scare us, since she is 6 going on 16.</span><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-43121512925849118252010-12-01T09:55:00.006-06:002010-12-01T10:11:16.166-06:00Happy Holidays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnjJjbCysBu_VxVUkmUwOGTY9B1AQAkKtw-RQ3bF0raVVX4tjiSaBnV74Cw-xCl1J2NR-YDwSwZYV0km4D5DgVMM0I8SWe7bHvqc3kam_cYMbNyaJ_Fa7ri1Bx0HW6HDD5Z56/s1600/DSC00200.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545744767916585010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnjJjbCysBu_VxVUkmUwOGTY9B1AQAkKtw-RQ3bF0raVVX4tjiSaBnV74Cw-xCl1J2NR-YDwSwZYV0km4D5DgVMM0I8SWe7bHvqc3kam_cYMbNyaJ_Fa7ri1Bx0HW6HDD5Z56/s320/DSC00200.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">¡Saludos! Greetings!<br />How quickly this year is passing by. We have been back in Mexico for almost 5 months now! Life feels normal, surprisingly enough. We are thankful for the ease with which the kids have slid back into school and how we feel at home in our new neighborhood. We had visiting teammates (Chadd and Nancy Schroeder and their girls) over Thanksgiving and so even that felt pretty normal. </span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2q1q7v5f7zZfr_JK_UyKaA_mGEe4FGH2hf2vUb_tG1SPT5d1D_VK7SVnnVq0uj8zLyWNhrJSwAoO6jis2JX5UmBAnZCHEfvGrqKuoe_-T4NV4rEl_AKZG8KpWkRyr8z60Dku/s1600/DSC00203.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545745666513705490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2q1q7v5f7zZfr_JK_UyKaA_mGEe4FGH2hf2vUb_tG1SPT5d1D_VK7SVnnVq0uj8zLyWNhrJSwAoO6jis2JX5UmBAnZCHEfvGrqKuoe_-T4NV4rEl_AKZG8KpWkRyr8z60Dku/s320/DSC00203.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">In truly last-minute<br />Mexican style, a group of<br />our neighbors joined us<br />for the meal and brought<br />mole (a spicy sauce made<br />with chile and chocolate)<br />to put on the turkey. So<br />that was a little abnormal, but it was a delicious addition to our tradition.</span>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-16296611107184423322010-12-01T09:21:00.010-06:002010-12-05T18:44:11.177-06:00El Gran Banquete<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmN-NwXT0C0AaTlz5LfhhmgqyIQ50fEH117mV3FLqkLuOaMPNk6dgrHSpEdybrpnwiqcuq24oz8IXBk3GdkCaRq2XxQjImWJWWDckdBzeqAZ4s9kLodpwdIr7CUH3NTi9xbzS/s1600/DSC00153.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545741672560627826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmN-NwXT0C0AaTlz5LfhhmgqyIQ50fEH117mV3FLqkLuOaMPNk6dgrHSpEdybrpnwiqcuq24oz8IXBk3GdkCaRq2XxQjImWJWWDckdBzeqAZ4s9kLodpwdIr7CUH3NTi9xbzS/s320/DSC00153.JPG" /></a>Partly as a farewell party for<br />Zach, several of the Christians<br />here hosted a Great Feast like<br />Jesus described in the book of<br />Luke. On Fridays the Aimers<br />and some of the youth group give<br />out sandwiches near a social<br />hospital in the Center. They<br />share the food with homeless people and family members of the patients in the hospital. On this Friday night, our brothers and sisters shared the cost of tacos and a Christian Mariachi band to celebrate with those who usually don’t have much to smile about. Joy was a tangible presence there; lots of laughing, singing along and even a little dancing!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnvDRaOcBSKU-GnrfxzIVoXRTXZlBe__9Tzb00NElGRVw2p84Jt7D5hDh6BROD3BDUmmrZEhrmS6V5SCf2PkDr2heaS9orWHlBIVuk8eX007CN9pSJX8CTUaBKrIY-PZyMrn3/s1600/DSC00167.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545740865216501250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnvDRaOcBSKU-GnrfxzIVoXRTXZlBe__9Tzb00NElGRVw2p84Jt7D5hDh6BROD3BDUmmrZEhrmS6V5SCf2PkDr2heaS9orWHlBIVuk8eX007CN9pSJX8CTUaBKrIY-PZyMrn3/s320/DSC00167.JPG" /></a>There are some great God-stories<br />within the event. Fito’s mom<br />(the young guy who was baptized<br />a few days later) joined us for the<br />night. Her feelings about his<br />desire to be a Christian have<br />ranged through angry, depressed,<br />suspicious, and worried. She<br />made a huge macaroni salad to contribute to the food and she was truly amazed at how God multiplied the salad. It was the salad that could not run out! The same thing happened with the tacos. We bought 600 small tacos and in under two hours of serving, some one said they were gone. On more than one occasion, another person opened the box and found a few more<br />tacos at the bottom! Our church family here remembers a similar event when God supplied another kilo of tortillas in almost the same spot a few years back. They shared how that event has stuck with them and reminded them that God always provides for our needs.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMCIlmkQlWGdPzoar7Gvd9vQJdH4UjqbL4gETQOpPgJS8Hm0FOm8v2gaoZ03u6FUsl2aJ9l3NDpxTJ5-rQG1zMQkfnmU4fHJQ5uijLcYRsigMEJ_dXTQ9dCcx-jGNyIkjaVbz/s1600/DSC00160.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545738393010286578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMCIlmkQlWGdPzoar7Gvd9vQJdH4UjqbL4gETQOpPgJS8Hm0FOm8v2gaoZ03u6FUsl2aJ9l3NDpxTJ5-rQG1zMQkfnmU4fHJQ5uijLcYRsigMEJ_dXTQ9dCcx-jGNyIkjaVbz/s320/DSC00160.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;">FITO'S MOM, SOCORRO </span><span style="color:#cc0000;"> (SMILING) BROUGHT EXTRA TO SHARE<br /></span></div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1ShTtBY0OXeQgtPIOM6hLXYSpkHB-XnEcSfLWvzu8PNoav4qc2IzxmrlZlB88OjwVMS37G4IAkdLdYxvKMrSQA3yLq_4Bl4mFO3zwCyVrA4MZtxV8VlhmiARGkzbsl8-Kdiu/s1600/DSC00152.JPG"><br /><br /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1ShTtBY0OXeQgtPIOM6hLXYSpkHB-XnEcSfLWvzu8PNoav4qc2IzxmrlZlB88OjwVMS37G4IAkdLdYxvKMrSQA3yLq_4Bl4mFO3zwCyVrA4MZtxV8VlhmiARGkzbsl8-Kdiu/s1600/DSC00152.JPG"><br /><br /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1ShTtBY0OXeQgtPIOM6hLXYSpkHB-XnEcSfLWvzu8PNoav4qc2IzxmrlZlB88OjwVMS37G4IAkdLdYxvKMrSQA3yLq_4Bl4mFO3zwCyVrA4MZtxV8VlhmiARGkzbsl8-Kdiu/s1600/DSC00152.JPG"><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545734877740779682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1ShTtBY0OXeQgtPIOM6hLXYSpkHB-XnEcSfLWvzu8PNoav4qc2IzxmrlZlB88OjwVMS37G4IAkdLdYxvKMrSQA3yLq_4Bl4mFO3zwCyVrA4MZtxV8VlhmiARGkzbsl8-Kdiu/s320/DSC00152.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">MANY SHOWED UP EARLY<br />TO HELP SET UP FOR THE<br />FEAST. WHEN ALL WAS<br />SAID AND DONE, WE HAD<br />OVER 30 MEMBERS,<br />REPRESENTING EACH OF<br />THE CHURCHES, ON HAND<br />TO HELP OUT.<br /></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-65298248153737900182010-12-01T08:45:00.005-06:002010-12-01T09:16:06.641-06:00Recent Baptisms<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnEldLofOFZ48dGswhYjGmBpirPdhyFfirJi0N7B-mmgTgNjVwNWAGOKaKal9S4IdiDPGtEz5AbHvNRAborAqgbzcAsz5N35czZk7wBFNiKzbBqhTsdRzyyPQBMcuPZpsx3lA/s1600/DSC00171.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545728686440263762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnEldLofOFZ48dGswhYjGmBpirPdhyFfirJi0N7B-mmgTgNjVwNWAGOKaKal9S4IdiDPGtEz5AbHvNRAborAqgbzcAsz5N35czZk7wBFNiKzbBqhTsdRzyyPQBMcuPZpsx3lA/s320/DSC00171.JPG" /></a> Two of the house churches have experienced<br />new growth recently, which has been a great<br />encouragement to all the believers among us. On different days Violeta (not pictured) and Fito were baptized. Violeta is a nutritionist and a co-worker of the Garcias in the Diabetic Foundation. She is the first person to come to Christ through the foundation and they feel like this is a first fruit after much labor. Their daughter, Melanie, just celebrated 5 years of living with diabetes. Most of you know that they started the only<br />diabetic foundation for children in Mexico after equipping themselves to help her adjust and manage the disease. They now share the love of Christ with other families experiencing this specific crisis.<br /><br />Fito is a teenager who lives here in Mariano Otero and has been a part of the youth group for the last few years. He has grown up among us, although his parents are not Christians, so for many it was like seeing a nephew giving his life toChrist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbVoVzywSU2p4OBk92w3a7c78Ha6bE_xre3D1edekXeFcKkVrpTte5CbFgA4KxhUw14l4O_LafmdobWfY4y-_IKx63wN0TOuOgz4OTFO62_3L4Ow5x2WA-e65KE5Fonn9dFHF/s1600/DSC00178.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545728677467160178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbVoVzywSU2p4OBk92w3a7c78Ha6bE_xre3D1edekXeFcKkVrpTte5CbFgA4KxhUw14l4O_LafmdobWfY4y-_IKx63wN0TOuOgz4OTFO62_3L4Ow5x2WA-e65KE5Fonn9dFHF/s320/DSC00178.JPG" /></a> His parents have been a bit anxious about his baptism and almost didn’t come. Until the last minute, they did not think they were coming... until they decided to test God and his support for Fito’s decision. They had lost a large sum of money, searched everywhere for it and had laid it before God in a challenge. Just before our worship began, they came, saying that the money had appeared on the dining room floor. At one point his mom, Socorro, (pictured below) explained that she felt very humbled by God and was thankful that God made sure they did not miss that important day.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2VAQLuaHEq0fRMFUcGA_TRePlcnRFHv7emphBwIaho_24bXIR8l6MDZFa4HlvfTge3nPa27fgAI7kfsSOfRhV5r1Z1s1mDAQnepS3wqnHHlhM5IXsf4_30sJiJnGl-gTdA1n/s1600/DSC00193.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726800326461282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2VAQLuaHEq0fRMFUcGA_TRePlcnRFHv7emphBwIaho_24bXIR8l6MDZFa4HlvfTge3nPa27fgAI7kfsSOfRhV5r1Z1s1mDAQnepS3wqnHHlhM5IXsf4_30sJiJnGl-gTdA1n/s320/DSC00193.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#990000;"></span><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">SHARING HER STORY </span></strong></span></div><span style="color:#990000;">Socorro and Mario, Fito's parents, were encouraged by Manuela, who told them about her own son's baptism before she was a believer. Manuela had also worried about the choice her sone was making. She has been a christian for almost 3 years now.</span>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-56289241796483397372010-08-28T18:25:00.001-05:002010-08-28T18:27:15.537-05:00August 28, 2010<span style="color:#333399;"><strong>Spiritual Seasons<br /></strong>Over the past month we have been visiting the existing churches to evaluate where they are and what direction we might take in helping them along on their journeys. Many right now are experiencing the growing pains of maturing in Christ and are frustrated by this. Relating the phases to the seasons of the year, it seems like a spiritual winter for many. No doubt the recent transitions (including our absence during the last year) have influenced these feelings. Not everyone is headed this way, but there is a large camp that wants to hunker down and huddle together to conserve heat and energy. We pray that the void they feel now will take them closer to God. At times it is discouraging for us as well, but we are hopeful that (just as the seasons change) God will bring them into the fun of spring and summer. Right now we think it is important that they understand that seasons come and go naturally, and that there is good that takes place in every season.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#333399;"><strong>Prayers for Patience and Wisdom<br /></strong>In your prayers for us we especially ask for patience and wisdom. Although we have lived here before, today is new. Coming into this “second term” as missionaries we are aware of the blessing and curse of our past experience. Our goal is to empower disciples here to live deeply in God and in community with each other. More than ever we feel convicted that we cannot be the foundation that any group is built around. We want to encourage and teach without fostering dependence upon ourselves and our presence, modeling lives sustained by Jesus. Easier said than done? Definitely. We are trying to pray over each step we take and allow God to set our direction. We would love for you to share your prayers with us. </span>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-23640009081968777852010-08-26T11:04:00.005-05:002010-08-26T11:33:59.243-05:00August 26<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfwEDJvS6hM9rt_307zVCPOx7XUrNVY5do6_O4nMRv30PlKHcqqlTKc_gZRrbwgOrxhyphenhyphenUxW-8PT33bacnJiwX_7nrK_AH_MEKTXHzNf4HTku-CrNleVCgbmn3OxQ66drZmTj9/s1600/IMG_3540.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509754799301758146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfwEDJvS6hM9rt_307zVCPOx7XUrNVY5do6_O4nMRv30PlKHcqqlTKc_gZRrbwgOrxhyphenhyphenUxW-8PT33bacnJiwX_7nrK_AH_MEKTXHzNf4HTku-CrNleVCgbmn3OxQ66drZmTj9/s320/IMG_3540.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">Hola everybody! It already seems like a long time since we’ve seen you. We are settling in here, slowly but surely. The weirdness of having been gone is starting to be replaced by a sense of normal. But we are still looking at things with really fresh eyes, the way that you do before you become comfortable in a new place.</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Starting Over</strong><br />This summer has been very productive. We’ve moved in and unpacked. We’ve reconnected with old friends and have begun to begin again. Schedules are taking shape and life is filling back up. This week the kids returned to school (3rd Kinder and 3rd Grade). Please continue to pray for our ongoing adjustment, especially as the kids try to return to the world of Spanish. Quincy seems to have picked up right where he left off but the twins have been a bit more hesitant. We know that after a couple of days of Kindergarten it will be as if they never left. Still, jumping back in isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Thanks for remembering our kids in your prayers.</span></p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-OKU7niq4-zwij5nnMPB0HkrJCUuJLeywmr-MsOX1PIpJf_FC6mjGJatE6YUUDv8CuWmFMBd7zJnF46-mbMSDNenYDsMFX0WJl0bUNdSHc6FwfNF9RBzMIGU4kephlM5qeyO/s1600/DSC00126.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509751896758639026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-OKU7niq4-zwij5nnMPB0HkrJCUuJLeywmr-MsOX1PIpJf_FC6mjGJatE6YUUDv8CuWmFMBd7zJnF46-mbMSDNenYDsMFX0WJl0bUNdSHc6FwfNF9RBzMIGU4kephlM5qeyO/s320/DSC00126.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Our New Neighborhood</strong><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">We are renting a house from one of the Christian sisters, and her family lives just across the street. We are thankful that we get to be here. There is a lot of space, (even a yard!!!!) and we enjoy getting to be a part of their community. The socioeconomic level of the people in this neighborhood is lower than where we lived before and the feel is a lot different. There are people out walking and lots of activity on the street. There are some pluses and minuses connected with the change, but overall it seems like a great place to be living. The picture to the side, taken from our roof, is actually of the houses across the street.<br /></span><br /></p>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-1415616188481460702010-05-04T18:13:00.001-05:002010-05-11T09:21:27.530-05:00Kaleidoscope -- by Kim<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">A little while ago God gave me a picture as I was reading about living stones being built into a spiritual house. It was a glimpse of a kaleidoscope, with bright flecks of color milling around. As I pondered the thought, it contrasted another picture in my mind of a stained-glass window. The two images have similar properties; beautiful designs made up of many small parts. You can only see the color because of the light that shines through them, and the differences are beautiful. Variety is what makes up the pictures and patterns.<br /><br />In the past I have thought of a church as a stained glass window that reflects the light of God. He sets the design as a master artist, and creates whatever picture He chooses. But lately I think God is pointing me to the kaleidoscope to enlarge my vision and to give my heart peace. Part of the beauty there is in the way that the pieces move. It is a fluid system, alive with activity. It’s hard to describe the picture and the relationship between each part because the pieces are always shifting. The jostling around is actually part of the wonder. Flecks and shaves of color move in and out of contact with one another in intricate designs. Some are fleeting glimpses, never to be seen exactly that way again . . . even if you keep spinning and trying to get it to do what it has done before.<br /><br />Our ministry is like this for sure, but I think life is this way. It is hard to describe exactly what is going on sometimes, as in a clear picture to report. Especially in house gatherings, people move in and out of contact with each other, although some stay close together for many spins. It is nice to see that as part of the beauty of the kingdom, where God keeps the flecks in motion. When I was looking for stained-glass, I felt disappointed at not being able to see clearly. But maybe I will be able to enjoy this ride. (And I like bumping into you guys.) </span>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-60522064369558930212010-03-26T21:40:00.003-05:002010-03-26T21:43:12.325-05:00Quincy Rush... Mexico Missionary<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">This is a link to a video of Quincy, our 8 year old. He was interviewed for a kids' class at the Tulsa Workshop on Mexico.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0pmEPB3tG8 I think it does a great job showing how normal life is in Mexico while being totally different. </span></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-87961591570573590042010-02-17T13:40:00.003-06:002010-02-17T13:48:28.402-06:00Feeling Just A Bit Awkward (from 1-17-2005)<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(32, 64, 99); font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 13px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(71, 127, 186); font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>I intended to post this on my blogging anniversary but I forgot what the original date was. So, celebrating 5 years and 1 month of awkward moments...</b></span></p></span></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 13px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(71, 127, 186); font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(32, 64, 99); font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;">Another Awkward Moment… </span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />After Kim and I bought a chiminea today we needed to find a stand that was just the right size. I looked a little funny using my belt to measure the base of the chiminea and the stand, but it worked. We found one that fit perfectly!<br /><br />The only problem was that I only had a 500 peso bill and the stand cost 70. “Would this rather robust woman have change for a 500?” I thought to myself. And I don't mind saying, I was a bit shocked to hear her say yes. What was odd was that she had to dig into her bra to pull the change out. Of course I've seen this in the movies, but I don't think I've ever had someone, right before my eyes, make change for me out of their underwear. Then, as she's digging around in there, I realize that I'm still putting my belt back on. How could this possibly look to those just passing by?<br /><br />Needless to say, I felt just a bit awkward. </div></span>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-86967704821797467092009-11-16T08:42:00.008-06:002010-05-11T16:35:55.761-05:00Baptism Sunday VideoOur teammate Chadd Shroeder posted the video of our baptism Sunday at the water fall from 3 years ago. It is BEAUTIFUL! I'd love for you to check it out if you haven't seen it yet.<div><br /></div><div>http://vimeo.com/6842133</div><div><br /></div><div>You won't be sorry.</div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-75852889590379621772009-10-09T10:59:00.005-05:002009-10-09T11:07:21.754-05:00Is this just human nature?I'm reading a paper on the history of the effects of technology on culture, specifically the printing press's role in history. And I just read this quote: "Throughout the patristic and medieval periods, the quest for truth is thought of as the <i>recovery</i> of what is embedded in tradition... rather than the <i>discovery</i> of what is new." <div><br /></div><div>Sounds oddly familiar.</div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-79410961993978024092009-06-22T12:29:00.001-05:002009-06-22T12:35:38.010-05:00The Garden and Compost by Kim Rush<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', sans-serif; font-size: medium; ">We have lived in the same house these last six years in Mexico and have a small yard space that we share with the two other houses on our lot.<span> </span>It seems like every family picture we have taken here has been in that little yard.<span> </span>You can see the progress of the garden as our family grows from year to year.<span> </span>The garden has reflected the seasons of our life in Mexico as much as it displays the rainy and the dry seasons of the climate.<span> </span>Periods of time have passed when life demanded too much and the garden was neglected, lacking water and care.<span> </span>But as the kids got a bit older, and life became easier, that shows in the garden as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">A couple of years ago, we started to compost our organic trash.<span> </span>The burial of the trash was really a decision Tim committed to, and my part was the saving of scraps.<span> </span>(If you know me, you know I am naturally good at saving scraps of all sorts).<span> </span>This decision is also a reflection of what had been growing in us; more simple, organic principles at work in ourselves and our churches.<span> </span>It seems that so much of our growth and faith can be illustrated in the compost, so much that I cannot explain everything God has taught us there.<span> </span>The garden, and especially the composting time, has become a favorite spot of refuge and prayer for both of us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The most exciting principle God has shared is the promise of life.<span> </span>The house church we have spent the most time with in Jocotan came from such a rough past.<span> </span>Their lives were full of pain and scarred by cycles of hurt and abuse.<span> </span>From the time we met them (and with growing certainty even more today), we felt that only God could make a difference in the bitter reality they were living.<span> </span>But sometimes we saw nothing good happening, and it was discouraging and sad.<span> </span>At those times, some struggling seed would sprout from the compost . . . something that could have been trash sprouted to become a healthy, amazing plant.<span> </span>It never ceases to bring hope in our hearts for the Kingdom of God to reign over the chaos.<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">We have had countless spontaneous plants pop up: pumpkin, jalapeño, avocado trees, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic, beans, flowers and most recently a pineapple plant!<span> </span>We try to do our best with what God has placed before us, and some have matured to produce fruit. <span> </span>Many we have given away, in hopes that the same seeds we are planting will begin to reproduce in other places.<span> </span>There is a small garden in Jocotan with Serrano chili, cucumber, pumpkin, tomato and avocado.<span> </span>These were not the first plants growing there, and hopefully will not be the last.<span> </span>Spiritually speaking, we pray that the plants mature to bear fruit and that the fruit is shared to nurture the whole neighborhood.<span> </span>We pray for more gardens to grow and spread.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">More wisdom God imparted through the garden (for us seeing it has been more meaningful that hearing it):<span> </span>The best soil has plenty of fertilizer, (which left to itself would have been a stinky mess).<span> </span>Unless a seed dies and is buried, it will not grow.<span> </span>We need to give over our trash to God, he certainly has better things planned.<span> </span>The plants must have light and water.<span> </span>The ones that have sprouted in the shadows will stretch across the yard to the sun.<span> </span>We make mistakes.<span> </span>Sometimes our best efforts to help are damaging, like when I tried soap suds for organic pest removal (suggestion from another gardener) and all but killed off three big, beautiful tomato plants.<span> </span>But God revived them.<span> </span>What we watch other gardeners do, we will imitate.<span> </span>Home grown fruits taste better and has more meaning to us than what someone else has grown for us.<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">The most recent chapter is that we have a new neighbor after a year of having the garden to ourselves.<span> </span>Since the rainy season has not begun yet, this is another promise from God that He is really the one taking care of our garden.<span> </span>She wants to learn to compost, and she loves plants.<span> </span>Ha, I just realized that her name is Eva (Eve).<span> </span>Coincidence?<span> </span>In addition to caring for the garden, she is buying all of our potted plants from us, with the promise that we can buy whatever back if we have space when we return.<span> </span>One of our first cucumber plants is almost ready to be enjoyed.<span> </span>I was showing her the plants she was buying and she said excitedly, “Oh!<span> </span>I have a cucumber!”<span> </span>My insides said, “What? You have a cucumber?”<span> </span>She has not paid us or done any of the work.<span> </span>But God says that while one plants, another waters, and still another reaps the harvest . . . only He provides the increase.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I had some verses hanging on our bedroom wall as a banner, (now they are in Eva’s house).<span> </span>“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it sprout and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:<span> </span>It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”<span> </span>Isaiah 55:10-11.<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">There is a modern proverb that says “More things grow in the garden than the gardener sows.”<span> </span>Very true.<span> </span>Thank you, God.</span></div></span>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-54200404556982753782009-06-15T13:52:00.009-05:002009-06-15T14:08:12.781-05:00Family Update for June<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1vi2P7fxJsEWbNid-f2lVe7cS29SCZNO9CYuSf5AlrEamQBPx5rRA_KAYz0k8YA_kbjcJ8TVhyphenhyphennE792Bi7-POJ__igQujcELei-hpJyUq6KV21nFgbqUPZhapid-RYyKI3B6/s1600-h/family+03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347632840320729330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1vi2P7fxJsEWbNid-f2lVe7cS29SCZNO9CYuSf5AlrEamQBPx5rRA_KAYz0k8YA_kbjcJ8TVhyphenhyphennE792Bi7-POJ__igQujcELei-hpJyUq6KV21nFgbqUPZhapid-RYyKI3B6/s320/family+03.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Celebrating Six Years</span></strong><br />At the end of May, we celebrated our sixth year anniversary here in Guadalajara. It has been a wild and crazy ride to say the least. We are so thankful to God for all that he’s provided along the way. We’ve been blessed to be a part of a large simple-church network in Guadalajara, while focusing the majority of our attention on a the house church in a neighborhood that is marked by violence and addictions. We want to say thank you for all of your care, support and prayers. Especially in the scarier moments, we’ve been reminded that you are with us on our journey, lifting us up. Thank you so very much.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciRYfsxKs1ddqbQcx0wNnFwzBNpOSE2W4TrvJgy1fwbQ8MbXAdfMazNDi8wsvVXIGpDcRWVF5xFk8SjB_8efz_KZbNGO82Rj03AMETM2v5yF8gnXJozV5OeMGXdVXQSWlxYyw/s1600-h/Jocotan+kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347632571701345474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciRYfsxKs1ddqbQcx0wNnFwzBNpOSE2W4TrvJgy1fwbQ8MbXAdfMazNDi8wsvVXIGpDcRWVF5xFk8SjB_8efz_KZbNGO82Rj03AMETM2v5yF8gnXJozV5OeMGXdVXQSWlxYyw/s320/Jocotan+kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Jocotan</strong> </span><br />Each time we gather with our brothers in Jocotan, we prepare ourselves for a whole new adventure. One couple continues to face very difficult struggles. They are at odds with one another constantly. The one good thing about their struggle is that they don’t try to fake anything. They are real and honest so problems are dealt with as a community. We do not know if they will choose to be faithful to God or to each other. This makes are hearts very heavy. The other couple seems to be maturing more and more. They’ve also encountered a lot of stress. After time of fear and uncertainty, they’ve continued moving forward with Jesus. They are ministering to friends and have family members coming closer to God along with them. Please pray for all of us to place our hope and trust in God. There has been so much godly transformation and so much attacking from Satan.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFGciwui202MCvwcL1ovKvY5ROf17mZJ0ZFDV0uSVYRU6h5DA1wQ6tXaOXbwxMdg1CyujTR9SibL4mZO4e2lOZDl54bd90lO4bAdyru05tHPYz5BNX6S5LW-6GQxRl8fwf5So/s1600-h/school+in+Joc+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347632273878993394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFGciwui202MCvwcL1ovKvY5ROf17mZJ0ZFDV0uSVYRU6h5DA1wQ6tXaOXbwxMdg1CyujTR9SibL4mZO4e2lOZDl54bd90lO4bAdyru05tHPYz5BNX6S5LW-6GQxRl8fwf5So/s320/school+in+Joc+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Math Class in Jocotan</span></strong><br />My Math class in Jocotan is coming to a close. It has been a learning experience on many levels. (I want to track down my high school math teacher and apologize for any and all distractions I caused in class.) Kim joined me this last week for a school party. We were touched to see all tha t the school is offering to this neighborhood and were encouraged to be a part of such a ministry in the name of Jesus. We don’t know what the harvest will hold, but seeds have been planted. Please pray for Sadai and Lupita, my most faithful students. Their lives are in such chaos that it often leaves me speechless. (Lupita’s dream is to be a drug runner and her dad is the manager of a famous strip club in Guadalajara.) Only Jesus can change their life’s course.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYqAi_BGxZq_Xlq1AmAWOnUxrN6GY3OW3iVRQniK8-WmMz1hDGe8uxhADCsClc8FuRZmClEN6pgzZlY6jOV5QB76BeYgxOHoktdpUtJ2a0BHtNNjlkJp3Z_HZi7elp3XfNOEf/s1600-h/Kim+and+Juli.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347631963053163394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYqAi_BGxZq_Xlq1AmAWOnUxrN6GY3OW3iVRQniK8-WmMz1hDGe8uxhADCsClc8FuRZmClEN6pgzZlY6jOV5QB76BeYgxOHoktdpUtJ2a0BHtNNjlkJp3Z_HZi7elp3XfNOEf/s320/Kim+and+Juli.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">All-Church Farewell</span><br /></strong>On the last Sunday in May, all of the churches gathered together to say goodbye to us and the Pruett family. The Pruetts were a part of the original mission team that arrived in Guadalajara in 1998. When we arrived in Guadalajara in 2003, the Pruetts opened their home to us for our first month. They have been a great encouragement to us and to the churches in Guadalajara. They will be returning to the states (San Antonio) in July.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp24oEw5U_mKXtAVcR8KhCunFMo3Q0_dt9J-uQFbb28ME0rs2zWSd_TthzWM705gXAb9pEimFHKoyNq1zGLzksq2bVi6twzW3HOsRo581Io9gRsTy4JH_9h9ftfMV6qXApMsUO/s1600-h/church+in+the+park+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347631421717257042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp24oEw5U_mKXtAVcR8KhCunFMo3Q0_dt9J-uQFbb28ME0rs2zWSd_TthzWM705gXAb9pEimFHKoyNq1zGLzksq2bVi6twzW3HOsRo581Io9gRsTy4JH_9h9ftfMV6qXApMsUO/s320/church+in+the+park+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sunday was very good. It was wonderful to be with the Christians from all over the city, gathered together as one family. We pray that our guys from Jocotan will stay connected to the body and continue to grow in their relationships with other Christians. We also lift the other groups up to God and pray that He be a powerful force that unites them together and fills them with His character and Spirit. We pray for our co-workers who will remain here to be surrounded by God’s presence, protection and blessings.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjeMwhfDDToZd-FTwtNpyLWipz30njMnuT7z1Oq6QrHAo6DzQxDaCelbL0RDU4LKDiL4iszdN0MsnDHLWaWQ-eDSw67jYWrWbaqVuHIHG6mAHib9Sw9LhjGdP9a58yB5p5skr/s1600-h/crafts+in+park+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347631076124119522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjeMwhfDDToZd-FTwtNpyLWipz30njMnuT7z1Oq6QrHAo6DzQxDaCelbL0RDU4LKDiL4iszdN0MsnDHLWaWQ-eDSw67jYWrWbaqVuHIHG6mAHib9Sw9LhjGdP9a58yB5p5skr/s320/crafts+in+park+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Crafts in the Park</span><br /></strong>Our good friend Adriana has begun a ministry in the park in her neighborhood. Each Saturday night she gathers the kids together for a Bible story and a craft. We love that God placed the needs of the kids on her heart and she obeyed His call. She is an answer to your prayers to the Lord of the Harvest. She’s been cautious to stay on the good side of the parents. This last week she asked Kim to join=2 0her to make cards with the kids. She was excited and surprised when a dad approached her afterwards to thank her for what she’s doing. He said he is afraid to let his girl play in the park by herself. But he is grateful that Adriana is making the park a place that his daughter can learn about the Bible.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaIHz6iolhAArqoE2i34K_iG98MhS4aidriPFSGSUzMbWs40WfrLfRbOlI1esav_ySAxOArJXaxogxu8lMzC2d_zcUU__3hBUD_b-CN5t1kvCAeUlAzRMscKYFKekPZXnFL1T/s1600-h/crafts+in+park+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347630685865094738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaIHz6iolhAArqoE2i34K_iG98MhS4aidriPFSGSUzMbWs40WfrLfRbOlI1esav_ySAxOArJXaxogxu8lMzC2d_zcUU__3hBUD_b-CN5t1kvCAeUlAzRMscKYFKekPZXnFL1T/s320/crafts+in+park+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Car Trouble and Headaches Galore</span></strong><br />This last month has been horrible on our vehicles. The Taurus, which is the newer car with fewer miles is also our least reliable. This worries us all the more since it is the Expedition that was just released from the shop after a 40 day stay. During that span, the Taurus has been in and out of the shop due to a problem the mechanics were unable to diagnose. We’re hoping that if it breaks down on us, it will do it here and not while driving across Mexico later this month. Hopefully the Expedition is ready to make the trek north as well. Please pray for our safe travel and peace of mind.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLg5grEG6zlLDGpIjSVFkBXqEtNvgVsTWBC6v9bNAmR40f_mAbId9Rfh_bIg7sA9n1R6fIFQgaWlftMV-hec0N1kctVH4EZMzLQvcXPmwn-g6v4_bk-4T29-ZqNdBqeQ1obwC1/s1600-h/kids+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347629822575701826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLg5grEG6zlLDGpIjSVFkBXqEtNvgVsTWBC6v9bNAmR40f_mAbId9Rfh_bIg7sA9n1R6fIFQgaWlftMV-hec0N1kctVH4EZMzLQvcXPmwn-g6v4_bk-4T29-ZqNdBqeQ1obwC1/s320/kids+09.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>What’s The Plan?</strong><br /></span>Our plan is to leave Guadalajara on the 25th of June for a year furlough, or for what some call “home assignment”. We will drive to Tulsa so that we can leave a load of our stuff, as well as the Taurus, before heading on to California for the month of July to be with Kim’s family. We will return to Tulsa at the beginning of August in time to get set up before the kids start school. Tim will also begin taking masters courses in communications at the University of Oklahoma. To do this, he’ll spend two weekends a month in Lawton as the courses are designed to be weekend intensive. Our plan is to return to Guadalajara in June of 2010.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-86275865619858902412009-05-08T16:17:00.004-05:002009-05-08T16:24:07.458-05:00the flu goes onSo I thought this flu business was winding down. After all, it seems CNN has stopped talking about it. But we just found out that the schools will remained closed until the 18th of May. Until two days ago, they were saying there were no reported cases in the state of Jalisco. (Guadalajara is in Jalisco.) But just recently they've said that there are 15 cases plus 11 more under observation. Four of those cases were reported to be grave. Sadly, three have died. I think that's influenced the decision to keep the schools closed.tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-3210664229703608652009-05-06T10:16:00.038-05:002009-05-06T17:45:27.324-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarw9THbOGcV7w8x54E2_4c6Pt7HurrMXRUKF85rCjdQ4JycdgKdX_yXRYyOuw32gbX2_CpdrWoToEx6IEZobN4rpVOAJTe6oIFSlROFqhTcmxRFMxWmyCfRNIbFnVaxR-m-pb/s1600-h/Rush+fam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332737140400700386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarw9THbOGcV7w8x54E2_4c6Pt7HurrMXRUKF85rCjdQ4JycdgKdX_yXRYyOuw32gbX2_CpdrWoToEx6IEZobN4rpVOAJTe6oIFSlROFqhTcmxRFMxWmyCfRNIbFnVaxR-m-pb/s320/Rush+fam.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9JaGhOg5TRfTEI64OmKYIX02GT78y1VMRhwhhMXx721OWVNDBmaRdO01TB0gSGID0oxNJ1v2Mv6RZQX7R2CiDljwnh22JhifcQy3Dtkr-ikABpg6Bw_PUbkzMhyBPXj4cxFL/s1600-h/IMG_0114.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><br /></span><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 48px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" >Rush Family Update</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 48px Hoefler Text"><span style="font-size:100%;">One Crazy Summer</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332736760818468450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9JaGhOg5TRfTEI64OmKYIX02GT78y1VMRhwhhMXx721OWVNDBmaRdO01TB0gSGID0oxNJ1v2Mv6RZQX7R2CiDljwnh22JhifcQy3Dtkr-ikABpg6Bw_PUbkzMhyBPXj4cxFL/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQiLdmTnBH0hyphenhyphenXQRc6LziB0zxcQzLE0KVGXTP5wumjc-UpHtpqpZwMwL4kgYHb6nj3-W_tcaiwOGrRU5-D6q-afMK6HD5k1K4WoTsnzpQsVi0aJmQPo7eZ2bkirv1LCSBURzV/s1600-h/shuck'n+corn.jpg"> <p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#006600;" >April has been a crazy month. The two weeks of Spring Break were a lot of fun. We got to do out-of-the-ordinary things and spend time with people that are not in our regular schedule. Grandma Kay came for 10 days and that was a blast.</span></p><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332736424152380786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQiLdmTnBH0hyphenhyphenXQRc6LziB0zxcQzLE0KVGXTP5wumjc-UpHtpqpZwMwL4kgYHb6nj3-W_tcaiwOGrRU5-D6q-afMK6HD5k1K4WoTsnzpQsVi0aJmQPo7eZ2bkirv1LCSBURzV/s320/shuck'n+corn.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0qqkPtLdRTMG0ncQDwHa9Amc1Od2gUgK-sm6X9banol2N_IdAoyTfrdrW_mhNoBBx5xjjkZLTLeA3RqN2xzswJ_HH2vwtTJkzSSX5yt9Ojr8ux8LQiTTBDZzURaeucRLZeDU/s1600-h/eng+class.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"> </span><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color:#006600;">She went camping with us and was a great trooper. She made camping a lot easier. Now, two weeks after the kids returned to school, everything has been shut down because of the Swine Flu scare.</span> </span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332735719381935170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 174px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0qqkPtLdRTMG0ncQDwHa9Amc1Od2gUgK-sm6X9banol2N_IdAoyTfrdrW_mhNoBBx5xjjkZLTLeA3RqN2xzswJ_HH2vwtTJkzSSX5yt9Ojr8ux8LQiTTBDZzURaeucRLZeDU/s320/eng+class.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 16px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:130%;color:#336666;" ><b>Teaching English in Jocotan</b></span></p></div><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#336666;" >Closing out 08’ we began realizing that we were being given the opportunity to plant a new church. This would mean not getting to spend every Sunday in Jocotan. With this in mind, we wanted to find more times during the week that we could be in Jocotan; both with our church family as well as the community. We’ve shared in the past about studying the Holy Spirit together on Friday nights and teaching Math two hours a week in a school for those trying to graduate from junior high. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#336666;" >In January we began teaching English for an hour each Thursday night. The church had the idea of inviting their neighbors into their home and offering this free class as a service. We generally have 5-10 students, half of which are not Christians. Three of our AIM students have been helping out, which allows us to break up into small groups and practice our pronunciation or grammar lesson as well as enhance personal relationships. </span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332734304158048482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWC6ShesLU6UEIPE2ufHtenMr7lv_cbIisZdnwS9ps5mqhhx1Zfb2snfouuW28b2pnviSKYoEz4cA8PynhEpamLaoNdC7szYW8RYg7t8WtqiOoZkZ3i6jQLwqynF3cvsExRF7/s320/IMG_0063+(1).JPG" border="0" /> <p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,153);font-size:130%;" >Camping Under the</span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Volcano</span> </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLJ8u7GnAG7wTvEhxolCXeSKdRWcde5ZI1VfHLg4PxVdVaKLdcDMOBAvEECV_OkrxL64PRGhXImcxlx7aeWZ6tozF1VHMgL0z8xucRhbyklS5jNmza35JpVUF7X5pzDnhmuth/s1600-h/cook'n+corn.jpg"></a></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLJ8u7GnAG7wTvEhxolCXeSKdRWcde5ZI1VfHLg4PxVdVaKLdcDMOBAvEECV_OkrxL64PRGhXImcxlx7aeWZ6tozF1VHMgL0z8xucRhbyklS5jNmza35JpVUF7X5pzDnhmuth/s1600-h/cook'n+corn.jpg">Over Spring Break, we went with a group of about 15 to camp under the Volcano of Colima. A friend from the kids’ school is beginning to farm the land and planned the 4 day, 3 night excursion. The trip was a perfect microcosm of mission work. </a></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332733657066990642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLJ8u7GnAG7wTvEhxolCXeSKdRWcde5ZI1VfHLg4PxVdVaKLdcDMOBAvEECV_OkrxL64PRGhXImcxlx7aeWZ6tozF1VHMgL0z8xucRhbyklS5jNmza35JpVUF7X5pzDnhmuth/s320/cook'n+corn.jpg" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS8hWDq2TUQ1YEmPRfPgy2htEndJnkvMS1AEq7zf4IFOUUDtxtW_8QrbUP0uEXu7veU-ePwnnNpKLudzVbQPU7znSbv2BbTc_NwmxNffXxbFzuv57SKm-6dPlFWeJBPh6ZfV3/s1600-h/IMG_0048.JPG"> <p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" >It was a once in a lifetime experience filled with culture-shock, out of the ordinary living conditions, hard work, and a lot of hurry-up and wait moments all wrapped with just a taste of danger. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" ></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" >The dad who invited us, Gerardo, is a very spiritual man who describes himself as catholic-christian. He spent 11 years studying to be a priest but is now married and has a son just a year older than Quincy.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332733254033642530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS8hWDq2TUQ1YEmPRfPgy2htEndJnkvMS1AEq7zf4IFOUUDtxtW_8QrbUP0uEXu7veU-ePwnnNpKLudzVbQPU7znSbv2BbTc_NwmxNffXxbFzuv57SKm-6dPlFWeJBPh6ZfV3/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline;font-family:'Hoefler Text';" > </span><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="font-size:100%;">Being Easter weekend, we were expecting the opportunity to share our faith, and even worship together. A few of the others who joined the group, however, were not the least bit spiritual and weren’t too thrilled when they found out we are missionaries. (That is always an uncomfortable moment.) </span></p></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6-Ru4ltniCoZgJDhbffruNcPHR1XY8S05NNVRmhGz0OfFMw1KIrmwwxe8bhblzVoTUr2yul-wPXkkMfztxs1WhHAYY2WuegmJ3Y7MtMJ7tL5bgNaevNMTQyuPq1hKTL8m8-m/s1600-h/IMG_0080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332732854411984498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6-Ru4ltniCoZgJDhbffruNcPHR1XY8S05NNVRmhGz0OfFMw1KIrmwwxe8bhblzVoTUr2yul-wPXkkMfztxs1WhHAYY2WuegmJ3Y7MtMJ7tL5bgNaevNMTQyuPq1hKTL8m8-m/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMUUdcCWw1kTUapuVloGPWzhvYIOO50ld2Js3-OSr3genSoZMDysjIBLizHfEyuVqXLlbjHAfUGwhfrP0XeBoRhloRo8lBKaLhEUvwL5vdvGJlArgg9y-BQP9fcPrgEgmsqTM/s1600-h/quinc.jpg"> <p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" >So our course changed. Instead of opening our Bibles together and spending time singing, we tried to love people who at times were very difficult to love. It put a fresh perspective in our hearts about our ministry. Living side by side and working with people who are just getting to know God (or do not know him at all) is not the same as spending time with Jesus people.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332732548455058434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMUUdcCWw1kTUapuVloGPWzhvYIOO50ld2Js3-OSr3genSoZMDysjIBLizHfEyuVqXLlbjHAfUGwhfrP0XeBoRhloRo8lBKaLhEUvwL5vdvGJlArgg9y-BQP9fcPrgEgmsqTM/s320/quinc.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmmLgvE9a-xREft2LYW47U8UatiGbHLjCW08hA08JqFt1EED8_bVMcZYsrcsPtiBITlU3PJYo3JmoyqalEcCZpim8cQAAA9BKf88QCyOkSZ0uz1CsgYo3En3fCt0PTqGc6gcS/s1600-h/cobre+bocas+2.jpg"> <p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;" >We should not be so surprised to not see God’s fruit in their lives when our very purpose in ministry is to take the essence of Jesus to places that need Him. We also tried to encourage Gerardo, who seemed to be disappointed as we believe he was also hoping for some sort of a “spiritual” weekend as well.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332732033953437890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmmLgvE9a-xREft2LYW47U8UatiGbHLjCW08hA08JqFt1EED8_bVMcZYsrcsPtiBITlU3PJYo3JmoyqalEcCZpim8cQAAA9BKf88QCyOkSZ0uz1CsgYo3En3fCt0PTqGc6gcS/s320/cobre+bocas+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45w50KL6QPGhK9Xd0Uy49vyhW6z8F17BLTZj6SYaD5PmvPyyapo8-p6z_ed1TkJ_Q5SwZUg1_RBltVctxsL_SZPiVe4QaPULtWVc8Wez7m7zL_OIA1IArXJ6Ch1A0R9tg_3_S/s1600-h/cobre+bocas+1.jpg"> <p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px Hoefler Text; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;color:#666600;" ><b>Swine Flu</b></span></p><p style="MIN-HEIGHT: 14px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Helvetica"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#666600;"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px"></span><br /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#666600;"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px">So life is again out of the ordinary because of the swine flu outbreak. On Monday our school opted to have all students and staff wear surgical masks. Later that day, all schools were closed until at least the 6</span><span style="FONT: 8px Hoefler Text; LETTER-SPACING: 0px"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px"> of May. The Government has asked everyone to avoid public gatherings and (without alarm) take necessary steps to prevent further outbreak. Since we were with a sister on Sunday who was ill and on Monday was afraid she might have it, we’ve pretty much stayed at home the last four days. Our sister went to the doctor Tuesday and has been cleared.</span></span></span></p><span style="color:#666600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332731676283836194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45w50KL6QPGhK9Xd0Uy49vyhW6z8F17BLTZj6SYaD5PmvPyyapo8-p6z_ed1TkJ_Q5SwZUg1_RBltVctxsL_SZPiVe4QaPULtWVc8Wez7m7zL_OIA1IArXJ6Ch1A0R9tg_3_S/s320/cobre+bocas+1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ElBcZ5P3hOsrVtsSJWSjpKoQSaenR7prb5UAZLuK82DWHmzVbbJVXP9GxVlYdTlSHhHLpL_l641DdbI9oLyefnfUr0bb6SpGMhQqd1KpgRW7B3iO4CI0EKAgYo416uqEHpnR/s1600-h/AIM+team.jpg"><span style="color:#666600;"> </span><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#666600;" >Guadalajara has not had any confirmed cases, only some people in observation. No one else that we know is sick at this time. However, we have canceled our group activities, including the all-church gathering for this Sunday. Thank you for your prayers. We feel good about the way the government and health officials are handling this outbreak. </span></p><p style="MIN-HEIGHT: 14px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#666600;"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px"></span><br /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px Hoefler Text; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;color:#666600;" ><b>Making the Most of it</b></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#666600;" ></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#666600;" >Kim’s taken advantage of the time to get a head start on packing up the house. She’s also spent time doing school work with the kids. We keep in contact with people mostly through phone calls. I’ve gotten a lot of reading done and have even been inspired by Kim to pack up a bit of my office. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#666600;" ></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Hoefler Text"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#666600;" >Since I haven’t been able to go to the gym, I’ve been having “exercise class” with the kids. It is quite different, but still a workout and so much more fun. Doing lunges at the gym is one of my least favorite things. However, Karsyn likes to hold hands when we do them together at home, and it actually makes them easier. When I try to touch my toes, the kids are trying (and achieving) touching their knees with their noses. Quincy can really pump out the push-ups and Karsyn kills on the chin-ups, though she still thinks they are called hick-ups. Clark, well, Clark giggles. A LOT! Yesterday, after I put them through a good workout, I let each child take a turn leading. It was sort of a follow the leader workout program. It was the first time I’ve done somersaults (Clark leading) since I was 5. Now I’ve got a whole new kind of post-workout soreness.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332731167117727410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 190px; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ElBcZ5P3hOsrVtsSJWSjpKoQSaenR7prb5UAZLuK82DWHmzVbbJVXP9GxVlYdTlSHhHLpL_l641DdbI9oLyefnfUr0bb6SpGMhQqd1KpgRW7B3iO4CI0EKAgYo416uqEHpnR/s320/AIM+team.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 2px; FONT: 14px Hoefler Text; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 2px; FONT: 14px Hoefler Text; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:130%;color:#663366;" ><b>Working with </b></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 2px; FONT: 14px Hoefler Text; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:130%;color:#663366;" ><b>AIMers</b></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 4px; FONT: 12px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-INDENT: 18px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#663366;" >Since last May we’ve had the privilege of working with a team of 6 AIM students. Cory and Toni Burns have coordinated their time here and have done an excellent job. Kim and I have enjoyed the role of “fun aunt/uncle”. By that I mean we get to have fun with them without being responsible for them.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 4px; FONT: 12px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-INDENT: 18px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#663366;" >Cory and I have been teaching the book of Ephesians to the AIMers and, as mentioned earlier, 3 of the AIMers have been helping teach English in Jocotan once a week. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 4px; FONT: 12px 'Hoefler Text'; TEXT-INDENT: 18px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="LETTER-SPACING: 0px;font-size:100%;color:#663366;" >We’re about to enter an interesting time of transition as 3 new AIMers will be arriving shortly while our current team of 6 begin returning home. (There is no set return date so they will be leaving between July and November.) Please keep these young people in your prayers.</span></p>tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159469.post-30508225160293255882009-05-05T10:16:00.001-05:002009-05-06T10:15:44.385-05:00Happy Cinco de Mayo.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1pG_7RjKRhNiGP4x_D-4Hqk87Y8WEG8m47rYHBwMLn5o0HqzseZ2s-9YPZFcv5SUHhG0DrkBX-KHIcuYTjIUH9V2So2j5YCt16qev-IEcuyKfUj2H_YL2WSSinprUir5GOID/s1600-h/DSC06817.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1pG_7RjKRhNiGP4x_D-4Hqk87Y8WEG8m47rYHBwMLn5o0HqzseZ2s-9YPZFcv5SUHhG0DrkBX-KHIcuYTjIUH9V2So2j5YCt16qev-IEcuyKfUj2H_YL2WSSinprUir5GOID/s320/DSC06817.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332729897887788050" /></a>It still strikes me as odd that Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in Mexico as much as in the U.S. I don’t know why. But have a happy 5th of May anyway.<br /><br />The school closings in Mexico have been extended until the 11th of May. People are still supposed to remain at home as much as possible, but I don’t think that is really happening. The kids haven’t left the house since coming home from school last Monday. They are doing surprisingly well though. Kim’s keeping them occupied and all are surviving well.<br /><br />We did have friends from the kids’ school over on Sunday and had a blast with them. We worshipped, studied and took the Lord’s Supper together. Then we made sushi, colored shrinky-dinks and even roasted tiny marshmallows over candles.tim rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448920576305000818noreply@blogger.com0