Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Day 6
It is amazing how quickly the days pass and how exhausted we all are by 9:00. Today was another day of meetings and preparing classrooms and the campus for the students. Eddie Everett taught us about driving in Mexico. If that was not enough to scare us away, nothing will.
School starts on the 5th of September and students will start trickling in as early as the first. Robin has a list of her six students and has begun praying for them. She is really excited that Josefina Everett will be leading Chapel for her class each morning. She will likely enjoy this time ever more than the kids do.
Ruben has been very busy learning his new job and helping to prepare all of the buildings. The kids and Robin were sitting in the kitchen and at 5:00 Dad was home. Robin took a few minutes to register that he had just been there in the morning too. Retirement from the fire department is gradually sinking in for both Ruben and Robin.
We had sign language training today. Robin probably needs to learn it quicker then the others just because she will be teaching, but she also seems to struggle with it the most. Ruben picks it up quickly but needs to work on his facial expressions. Please pray for us! We have Saturday off, but after that, studying sign will be Robin's full-time job until the kids arrive.
As the time for the students to arrive gets closer we would ask that you would pray for us. Robin will be teaching from 9:00 to 1:00 and the kids will be doing school work on their own (with the help of video teachers). After she is done teaching for the Ranch she will continue with the De La Rosa kids and some staff who want to learn Spanish. Micaela will be in a classroom 4 days a week for three hours a day and Ruben will be working long days. Ruben will be able to check in with the kids while Robin is at school but for the majority of the time, they will be on their own. Please pray that the kids will stay focused without Mom in the room, that both Micaela and Robin will be able to keep up with their responsibilities, and that Ruben is able to maintain a flexible schedule.
Blessed to be in His service!
School starts on the 5th of September and students will start trickling in as early as the first. Robin has a list of her six students and has begun praying for them. She is really excited that Josefina Everett will be leading Chapel for her class each morning. She will likely enjoy this time ever more than the kids do.
Ruben has been very busy learning his new job and helping to prepare all of the buildings. The kids and Robin were sitting in the kitchen and at 5:00 Dad was home. Robin took a few minutes to register that he had just been there in the morning too. Retirement from the fire department is gradually sinking in for both Ruben and Robin.
We had sign language training today. Robin probably needs to learn it quicker then the others just because she will be teaching, but she also seems to struggle with it the most. Ruben picks it up quickly but needs to work on his facial expressions. Please pray for us! We have Saturday off, but after that, studying sign will be Robin's full-time job until the kids arrive.
As the time for the students to arrive gets closer we would ask that you would pray for us. Robin will be teaching from 9:00 to 1:00 and the kids will be doing school work on their own (with the help of video teachers). After she is done teaching for the Ranch she will continue with the De La Rosa kids and some staff who want to learn Spanish. Micaela will be in a classroom 4 days a week for three hours a day and Ruben will be working long days. Ruben will be able to check in with the kids while Robin is at school but for the majority of the time, they will be on their own. Please pray that the kids will stay focused without Mom in the room, that both Micaela and Robin will be able to keep up with their responsibilities, and that Ruben is able to maintain a flexible schedule.
Blessed to be in His service!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Day 5
Another exciting day. A water leak in one of the houses filled a bathroom with two inches of water and kept Ruben busy on a water sweep. Robin is still coming to terms with the fact that she will be teaching in a foreign language (Mexican sign) that she does not know. She will also be teaching Spanish to her students, her own kids and a few of the staff. She's much more comfortable with that. The only thing that makes any of us confident that we are equipped for this is that where the Lord has called He will provide and we are sure that He has called us to this ministry.
Micaela will be a teacher's aide in the youngest class and is very excited to begin serving the kids. Amber is the teacher in that class and Ruben and Robin are very happy that Micaela will be spending time with such an exceptional young woman. If you do not know Amber, go to www.RanchoSordoMudo.org and read her bio. She and her husband are great examples of obediently following the Lord's calling.
Christopher has been very busy helping his dad. He is learning many new skills and runs from one end of the ranch to the other with a great attitude. This is really saying a lot when the temperature is over 100 degrees. Ruben and Robin were so relieved today when Erin offered to give him a haircut. She did a great job and we have stopped calling him Justin B. Erin is also an incredible servant. What a comfort it is, as a parent, to know that your children are being influenced by such Godly young people.
Danielle and Kelli are working like crazy! From laundry to KP duty to organizing teacher supplies they are very busy. We are certain that they will consider it a break when school starts next week. We are going to the States on Saturday to purchase a swamp cooler so that the house will be bearable during the day. Otherwise, school would have to be postponed until cooler weather. Our ceilings will not support fans so everyone tries to sleep with a fan right in front of their bed. Okay for the evenings, but not for daytime.
Gotta go, a large (and I do mean large) bug just ran across the floor! Oh well, at least the mouse is dead.
Blessings from Mexico!
Micaela will be a teacher's aide in the youngest class and is very excited to begin serving the kids. Amber is the teacher in that class and Ruben and Robin are very happy that Micaela will be spending time with such an exceptional young woman. If you do not know Amber, go to www.RanchoSordoMudo.org and read her bio. She and her husband are great examples of obediently following the Lord's calling.
Christopher has been very busy helping his dad. He is learning many new skills and runs from one end of the ranch to the other with a great attitude. This is really saying a lot when the temperature is over 100 degrees. Ruben and Robin were so relieved today when Erin offered to give him a haircut. She did a great job and we have stopped calling him Justin B. Erin is also an incredible servant. What a comfort it is, as a parent, to know that your children are being influenced by such Godly young people.
Gotta go, a large (and I do mean large) bug just ran across the floor! Oh well, at least the mouse is dead.
Blessings from Mexico!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Day 4
We are loving it here! The staff are incredible people and we are already feeling like family.
We are working hard; from sunup to sundown and them some. Cleaning, preparing classrooms, fixing water pipes, and cleaning some more has made for a very exhausted family. Everyone is chipping in and Ruben and Robin have been very proud of their kids' attitudes. Scrubbing floors isn't much fun, but they are doing it with servants' hearts.
The mouse is still winning. Any ideas on how to trap a mouse that is smarter than your average trap?
Buenas Noches!
We are working hard; from sunup to sundown and them some. Cleaning, preparing classrooms, fixing water pipes, and cleaning some more has made for a very exhausted family. Everyone is chipping in and Ruben and Robin have been very proud of their kids' attitudes. Scrubbing floors isn't much fun, but they are doing it with servants' hearts.
The mouse is still winning. Any ideas on how to trap a mouse that is smarter than your average trap?
Buenas Noches!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Day 1
First off, please forgive me if this blog is messy. We have found that when we use the internet that most instructions are in Spanish and a few things get lost in translation.
Our first day at Rancho Sordo Mudo began with a great blessing. We crossed the border with two vehicles full to the brim and were given a green light (we didn't have to stop for an inspection)! We were also excited to see that most (not all) of the road is now paved. As we drove through the gates the rest of the staff was leaving for the taco stand so we turned around and followed.
So many lessons to be learned. The first one being, always go to the bathroom before leaving the states because there is nowhere to stop between the border and the 75 kilometers to the Ranch. Next, turn signals do not mean the same thing in the States that they do in Mexico. A left-hand signal means it is okay to pass. So, if you are turning, it seems to be acceptable to just go into the opposite lane if there is no oncoming traffic.
After a full day of cleaning (everything had recently been bug bombed) and unpacking, we fell into bed exhausted. At 3:00 a.m. Robin heard the sound of two cars crashing so she and Ruben jumped into the truck and went out to the highway. The driver of a small car had apparently fallen asleep and drifted across the highway and was hit by a Suburban. There were seven people sitting on the side of the road (including a sleeping toddler) and a seriously injured man stuck in the car. Ruben hadn't unpacked his truck so he got an ax and was able to get the man out of the car for the ambulance to transport him. For our firefighter friends: he appeared to have a broken femur and nothing was done to stabilize him; he was just put on a gurney and taken to the ambulance. Two more ambulances transported two other less serious injuries. Robin just supplied blankets (it was cold and foggy) and helped arrange for transportation for those who did not go in ambulances.
We have two weeks before the students arrive and there is plenty to keep us busy. We need to get our home in order (it needs lots of work) and Robin needs to get her classroom ready. Micaela has already started school so she gets out of most of the cleaning. Christopher, Danielle, and Kelli won't start until next week so they are busy cleaning and organizing.
New e-mail address: dlrx84jc@gmail.com
Our first day at Rancho Sordo Mudo began with a great blessing. We crossed the border with two vehicles full to the brim and were given a green light (we didn't have to stop for an inspection)! We were also excited to see that most (not all) of the road is now paved. As we drove through the gates the rest of the staff was leaving for the taco stand so we turned around and followed.
So many lessons to be learned. The first one being, always go to the bathroom before leaving the states because there is nowhere to stop between the border and the 75 kilometers to the Ranch. Next, turn signals do not mean the same thing in the States that they do in Mexico. A left-hand signal means it is okay to pass. So, if you are turning, it seems to be acceptable to just go into the opposite lane if there is no oncoming traffic.
After a full day of cleaning (everything had recently been bug bombed) and unpacking, we fell into bed exhausted. At 3:00 a.m. Robin heard the sound of two cars crashing so she and Ruben jumped into the truck and went out to the highway. The driver of a small car had apparently fallen asleep and drifted across the highway and was hit by a Suburban. There were seven people sitting on the side of the road (including a sleeping toddler) and a seriously injured man stuck in the car. Ruben hadn't unpacked his truck so he got an ax and was able to get the man out of the car for the ambulance to transport him. For our firefighter friends: he appeared to have a broken femur and nothing was done to stabilize him; he was just put on a gurney and taken to the ambulance. Two more ambulances transported two other less serious injuries. Robin just supplied blankets (it was cold and foggy) and helped arrange for transportation for those who did not go in ambulances.
We have two weeks before the students arrive and there is plenty to keep us busy. We need to get our home in order (it needs lots of work) and Robin needs to get her classroom ready. Micaela has already started school so she gets out of most of the cleaning. Christopher, Danielle, and Kelli won't start until next week so they are busy cleaning and organizing.
New e-mail address: dlrx84jc@gmail.com
Day 1
First off, please forgive me if this blog is messy. We have found that when we use the internet that most instructions are in Spanish and a few things get lost in translation.
Our first day at Rancho Sordo Mudo began with a great blessing. We crossed the border with two vehicles full to the brim and were given a green light (we didn't have to stop for an inspection)! We were also excited to see that most (not all) of the road is now paved. As we drove through the gates the rest of the staff was leaving for the taco stand so we turned around and followed.
So many lessons to be learned. The first one being, always go to the bathroom before leaving the states because there is nowhere to stop between the border and the 75 kilometers to the Ranch. Next, turn signals do not mean the same thing in the States that they do in Mexico. A left-hand signal means it is okay to pass. So, if you are turning, it seems to be acceptable to just go into the opposite lane if there is no oncoming traffic.
After a full day of cleaning (everything had recently been bug bombed) and unpacking, we fell into bed exhausted. At 3:00 a.m. Robin heard the sound of two cars crashing so she and Ruben jumped into the truck and went out to the highway. The driver of a small car had apparently fallen asleep and drifted across the highway and was hit by a Suburban. There were seven people sitting on the side of the road (including a sleeping toddler) and a seriously injured man stuck in the car. Ruben hadn't unpacked his truck so he got an ax and was able to get the man out of the car for the ambulance to transport him. For our firefighter friends: he appeared to have a broken femur and nothing was done to stabilize him; he was just put on a gurney and taken to the ambulance. Two more ambulances transported two other less serious injuries. Robin just supplied blankets (it was cold and foggy) and helped arrange for transportation for those who did not go in ambulances.
We have two weeks before the students arrive and there is plenty to keep us busy. We need to get our home in order (it needs lots of work) and Robin needs to get her classroom ready. Micaela has already started school so she gets out of most of the cleaning. Christopher, Danielle, and Kelli won't start until next week so they are busy cleaning and organizing.
New e-mail address: dlrx84jc@gmail.com
Our first day at Rancho Sordo Mudo began with a great blessing. We crossed the border with two vehicles full to the brim and were given a green light (we didn't have to stop for an inspection)! We were also excited to see that most (not all) of the road is now paved. As we drove through the gates the rest of the staff was leaving for the taco stand so we turned around and followed.
So many lessons to be learned. The first one being, always go to the bathroom before leaving the states because there is nowhere to stop between the border and the 75 kilometers to the Ranch. Next, turn signals do not mean the same thing in the States that they do in Mexico. A left-hand signal means it is okay to pass. So, if you are turning, it seems to be acceptable to just go into the opposite lane if there is no oncoming traffic.
After a full day of cleaning (everything had recently been bug bombed) and unpacking, we fell into bed exhausted. At 3:00 a.m. Robin heard the sound of two cars crashing so she and Ruben jumped into the truck and went out to the highway. The driver of a small car had apparently fallen asleep and drifted across the highway and was hit by a Suburban. There were seven people sitting on the side of the road (including a sleeping toddler) and a seriously injured man stuck in the car. Ruben hadn't unpacked his truck so he got an ax and was able to get the man out of the car for the ambulance to transport him. For our firefighter friends: he appeared to have a broken femur and nothing was done to stabilize him; he was just put on a gurney and taken to the ambulance. Two more ambulances transported two other less serious injuries. Robin just supplied blankets (it was cold and foggy) and helped arrange for transportation for those who did not go in ambulances.
We have two weeks before the students arrive and there is plenty to keep us busy. We need to get our home in order (it needs lots of work) and Robin needs to get her classroom ready. Micaela has already started school so she gets out of most of the cleaning. Christopher, Danielle, and Kelli won't start until next week so they are busy cleaning and organizing.
New e-mail address: dlrx84jc@gmail.com
Day 3
We have not caught the mouse yet, but Josefina provided a wonderful solution. Her name is Gata. Right now our kitten is no bigger than the mouse, but we are hopeful that she will provide a long-term solution to the rodent problem. If you do not know who Josefina is, you should go to ranchosordomudo.org and click on the link to the Hearing Everet movie. If you haven't seen it, it is a great movie and will tell you all about this amazing ministry.
Day 2
We had a list of supplies needed and headed into Ensenada. It is amazing how long it takes to shop when you have to translate everything and convert prices into dollars. Two hours at Costco and two hours at Walmart. There are very "American" places to shop, but surprisingly, they are more expensive than in the States. Brands are also limited so we will have to make another trip to El Cajon to get vitamins, mouse traps, a television and most importantly, diet coke.
We made it back to the Ranch for dinner and another round of cleaning. It was then that we discovered that the hot water heater was not working. Cold showers!
There is a wonderful family here who came to drop off their daughter (she is a teacher here) and is cooking for us this week so we can just take care of getting settled. Otherwise, I am sure that we would be at the taco stand each night.
Robin learned today that she will be teaching the third level. The kids will range in age from nine to sixteen. The one thing that they will have in common is that they will know more Mexican sign that she does.
We haven't caught the mouse yet. Kelli continues to sleep lightly.
We made it back to the Ranch for dinner and another round of cleaning. It was then that we discovered that the hot water heater was not working. Cold showers!
There is a wonderful family here who came to drop off their daughter (she is a teacher here) and is cooking for us this week so we can just take care of getting settled. Otherwise, I am sure that we would be at the taco stand each night.
Robin learned today that she will be teaching the third level. The kids will range in age from nine to sixteen. The one thing that they will have in common is that they will know more Mexican sign that she does.
We haven't caught the mouse yet. Kelli continues to sleep lightly.
Bendiciones de México
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Day 1
Our first day at Rancho Sordo Mudo began with a great blessing. We crossed the border with two vehicles full to the brim and were given a green light (we didn't have to stop for an inspection)! We were also excited to see that most (not all) of the road is now paved. As we drove through the gates the rest of the staff was leaving for the taco stand so we turned around and followed.
So many lessons to be learned. The first one being, always go to the bathroom before leaving the states because there is nowhere to stop between the border and the 75 kilometers to the Ranch. Next, turn signals do not mean the same thing in the States that they do in Mexico. A left-hand signal means it is okay to pass. So, if you are turning, it seems to be acceptable to just go into the opposite lane if there is no oncoming traffic.
After a full day of cleaning (everything had recently been bug bombed) and unpacking, we fell into bed exhausted. At 3:00 a.m. Robin heard the sound of two cars crashing so she and Ruben jumped into the truck and went out to the highway. The driver of a small car had apparently fallen asleep and drifted across the highway and was hit by a Suburban. There were seven people sitting on the side of the road (including a sleeping toddler) and a seriously injured man stuck in the car. Ruben hadn't unpacked his truck so he got an ax and was able to get the man out of the car for the ambulance to transport him. For our firefighter friends: he appeared to have a broken femur and nothing was done to stabilize him; he was just put on a gurney and taken to the ambulance. Two more ambulances transported two other less serious injuries. Robin just supplied blankets (it was cold and foggy) and helped arrange for transportation for those who did not go in ambulances.
We have two weeks before the students arrive and there is plenty to keep us busy. We need to get our home in order (it needs lots of work) and Robin needs to get her classroom ready. Micaela has already started school so she gets out of most of the cleaning. Christopher, Danielle, and Kelli won't start until next week so they are busy cleaning and organizing.
New e-mail address: dlrx84jc@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)