That's Just How We Roll!

Me painting at CHI

CHI children at Peter Piper's Pizza

I really cannot believe it has been two weeks since my last post! Although we are still staying in Pharr (yes, that means our belongings have not arrived!) we have spent most of the last 10 days in Mexico. One day we spent driving around Reynosa looking for carpentry shops. Our kitchen in Reynosa has no upper cabinets! What's up with that!!! Long story short, Betsy was our guide and interpretor as we drove randomly around the city looking for signs indicating cabinetry/carpentry. This also happened to be the first time Brad drove in Mexico and I must say he did an awesome job! The whole day was an adventure, to say the least. In Mexico the big super stores have not completely taken over like they have in the U.S.. There are still tons of little Mom and Pop stores and businesses. Watching the boys' reactions as we dragged them from shop to shop was priceless. It was one more cultural experience under our belts. And Senor Juan Carlos will be installing our cabinets in about a week. :)

Another day we were able to go on a "field trip" with the children from the home. In Mexico, April 30 is the Day of the Child. Because of the swine flu scare their celebration had to be postponed and on May 15 we all went to Peter Piper Pizza in Reynosa. It is a place much like Chuck E Cheese (minus the annoying mouse!) The boys had a great time as did all the children.

Last week was a week of painting! On Monday and Tuesday, Brandon and I painted the living room in our house. We decided to take advantage of the time waiting for our trailer! Then for the rest of the week we all joined Brad at the home for some painting, drywall work, painting, and did I mention painting! Brad has started calling us Boyles Construction Company. We've been having a lot of fun and the boys are doing a great job of helping out. We figure by the time we are through here they will have more on-the-job training than most adults.

We usually leave Pharr about 8am and by the time we cross the border and drive through traffic it is 9-9:30 when we arrive at the home. We work until about 2:00 most days. However, traffic at the border going back into the U.S. is always bad and we sometimes have to wait an hour to get across. The shortest wait we have had so far is 28 minutes. Not to worry though, in true Mexican form there are people all over the bridge trying to sell you something. Picture four lanes of traffic with circus vendors weaving in and out selling anything from a windshield cleaning to a statue of the Virgin Mary to melon with chili pepper sprinkled on. Miller begs to use some of his pesos here! I know we'll eventually relent.

Another fun thing that happened last week was eating out in Reynosa. We've eaten a dozen times in various restaurants in the city, but we've always had Betsy or Randall or both to do the ordering or at least to tell us what is on the menu. This particular day, however, was just the Boyles!! Randall had told us about a good gordita shop and we had not been yet so we headed over to Dona Tota. I got a little panicky when we stepped up to the counter and I didn't recognize any of the items listed on the menu. Couple that with the fact that we can't even say "What is ...?". It was a strange feeling, to say the least. We were just about to order two combos we saw listed on the wall. We were banking on the odds that since the combo consisted of several different items surely there would be at least one we would like. But, just in the nick of time, a picture! I glanced right and saw another combo with pictures showing the different items included. Jackpot! Just point and say "Dos" ! We were so proud of ourselves and we LOVED the food! Bonus!

We are having so much fun and we are so thankful for these little experiences God gives us to learn a whole new culture. I'm studying my Spanish voraciously now because I want so badly to communicate better with the children and the house parents. Please pray for all of us that we will be able to pick up the language quickly. Our trailer has made it through the initial inspection by the customs broker and now we are waiting for Mexican customs to give it the green light. This Friday will be 5 weeks since we left NC! We just laugh at how God had a whole different plan for these 5 weeks than we did. Thankfully His grace has been more than sufficient and He has blessed us with the patience we need. We definitely know that He has reasons for this delay and we trust Him.

Thanks so much for your comments and your emails. We love to hear from everyone and we miss you all. Please continue to lift us up in prayer and we will all of you.

Looking to Him,

The Boyles

"Kicks" for Colonias

Brother Hector

Emily and Bri and a new friend

On Saturday some new friends arrived at the CHI Headquarters from UNC Chapel Hill. We knew that being Tarheels they HAD to be good people. But we didn't know what a blessing God had in store for us. Emily, Bri, and Emily's Mom, Jill came hauling a UHaul trailer full of athletic shoes which Emily and Bri have been collecting over the course of several months. Their project was called Kicks for Community and they have gathered over 1,000 pairs of shoes for the needy. Among several other places, the Lord led them to CHI to distribute some of the shoes. Yesterday we went unannounced into one of the poorest communities in Reynosa with the hopes of offering some of the shoes. Brother Hector is a missionary/pastor who has been led to develop this community known as a "colonia" to help these people in the name of Christ. The community is located on the Rio Grande River which marks the border with the U.S. Many of the people here are refugees from other Central and South American countries who have tried to get into the U.S. and have been deported. They come hungry, dirty, and hopeless. Brother Hector tries to meet their physical needs as he ministers to their spiritual needs.

When we arrived they were having Bible study in the "chapel". CHI Director, Betsy, went in and asked Brother Hector if it would be possible to distribute shoes and he said most definitely. As I said, this was an unplanned trip. However , after he introduced us to the group of about 50 he testified that just an hour earlier a man had arrived with shoes that were full of holes and far past their prime. Brother Hector requested that he be given some shoes and was told there were none. They prayed that the Lord would meet this man's need. A little more than an hour later we arrived. Isn't God AMAZING!! It was such a blessing to see God use His people in such a tangible way. Because Bri and Emily were willing to do what God laid on their hearts back in Chapel Hill the needs of souls in Reynosa were met. And not only were the people of the Colonia blessed, but ALL of us were blessed.

Brother Hector then took us around the community and showed us how it basically runs, what they have done already and what they are planning to do to improve the quality of life for these people as they minister to them spiritually. I believe if you looked up "Faith Based Ministry" in the dictionary you would see a picture of Brother Hector and the Colonias. He said that from one day to the next they do not know where the food they eat will come from, but they have never gone without a meal. God is all sufficient!!

The boys and I were talking about the experience last night. We agreed that these people with "nothing" all seemed happier than most people who have everything. We look forward to many more experiences such as this. And, even more, we look forward to the changes these experiences will make in our spiritual lives.

Looking ever to Him...

Still Swine-Free!

Well, the hand -washing is not in vain. We are still swine flu-free in South Texas! Aside from the "pandemic" taking over local news things here are quite normal. While we continue to wait for our belongings to pass through customs we are really enjoying being at headquarters.

Brad has spent a lot of time preparing for the mission teams that will start coming in June. He has had to calm some fears regarding the swine flu and recent drug violence. His gift for encouragement has served him well in these situations. He has also made a few trips to the Children's Home and been able to get some work done there. At this time we are working to complete an addition to the school and a new dormitory.

The boys just amaze me! They have acclimated so quickly to so many changes. Their typical day consists of sleeping until about 8am, eating breakfast and heading to the Thrift Store to see what they can do. They have all three become fast buddies with Jesse Curtsinger, one of the volunteers here. He and his wife, Darlene, are here everyday taking care of the thrift store and all of the donations that come in. Jesse makes a lot of pick ups from people wanting to donate items and the boys like to go with him. Let's just say they're all on the same page! Jesse has a sense of humor any boy would relate to. And Jackson loves him because he let Jackson mop the Thrift Store! If you know Jackson at all, you know that Jesse will be his friend for life. I'm proud of the way that we've seen the boys just jump in and help out . The other day we looked out the front window of the offices and saw Miller helping an elderly lady carry her purchases to the car. They were carrying on a conversation like they had known eachother forever. Another day Brandon spent an hour or so stuffing and stamping envelopes for a mailing Betsy was sending out. This is the kind of stuff you can't get in school. I just praise God that he is at work in the hearts of our children. To Him be ALL the glory!

I have enjoyed the past nine days more than I can say. I would have thought that it would drive me crazy waiting this long for our belongings. But, I know with certainty that God has given us this time to continue to prepare us for all that lies ahead. We are gaining an understanding of the business side of the this ministry that we wouldn't have otherwise. And, most importantly, we are forging lasting relationships with wonderful Christians brothers and sisters.

I'm also having fun because of the projects I get to work on while here. I've started repainting the tired and faded Thrift Store sign that hangs out front. You all know that's right up my alley! I also have the privilege of updating the CHI website. I'm learning lots of new computer skills and putting my creativity to work. I can't wait for you all to see the finished project. One more task I hope to accomplish while here is to redecorate the lobby of the headquarters. This is the room that visitors first enter upon arrival and it also is looking a bit tired and faded. I can't wait! Visions of paint chips are dancing in my head!!

We will continue to share our adventures here with you and as soon as we get our computer we will begin adding pictures and videos. Thanks for your prayers, emails, phone calls. We love and miss you all...

Looking to Him,
The Boyles