Welcome, 2014

Fast family photo before Kevin leaves for the airport

Abraham, Abishael, and I are spending a month with my family in Long Beach.  We've been enjoying seeing some areas around here, taking Abish to local parks, and being with family.  My brother just returned to Canada today, and Joy is only here until Monday.  We leave for home on the 18th.

What a blessing to be able to travel.  For the second year in a row, the whole immediate family was together for Christmas.  Abraham and I have been able to visit my sister's Orange County church (River 47) and my parent's and other sister's church (St. James).  I attended St. James for some time many years ago, and the church also supports Abraham and I in our work in Huejotzingo.  We are glad to get to know and see again members of the congregation.

 Before we left Huejotzingo, Abraham, Abishael, and I attended a family get-together with various Lechuga relatives.  We drew names for a simple gift exchange and each brought a main dish for the dinner.

Two Tuesdays before our trip, the pre-teen girls came together, along with two new ladies, to make stars/snowflakes out of old maps.  While we are away, my mother-in-law Six is continuing the craft nights and Bible reading with the girls, along with the tutoring classes during the week.  She is house-sitting for us as well.  For the Sunday kids' club, Abraham arranged for different people to give their testimonies or teach Bible stories.  We have kept in contact with Six via Skype, and she reports that all is going well.

Near the beginning of December, I contracted a UTI, but when we tried to visit the doctor, it was too late in the day.  We bought cranberry juice, and by the next morning, the symptoms had disappeared.  A few days later, however, I began to feel sluggish, and my lower back hurt.  Soon I had a fever.  We saw a doctor and get antibiotics, but for the next three days, I spent most of the time in bed.  A week later, a follow up lab test showed that, although I felt fine, there was still some infection.

We traveled to the States, and the day after I finished the antibiotics, my dad took me to a doctor he knows for another lab test.  Unfortunately, infection still showed.  Three days later, fever and achy back returned, but by that time the lab let us know which antibiotic I needed to take, so, after ten days of another antibiotic, I was finally cured.  Thank God for his provision of medical help when we need it and for overall excellent health. 

At the beginning of this year, we especially thank God for his blessing in 2013.  We have seen time and again how he provides for us and how he has opened doors of ministry in Huejotzingo and Puebla Christian School.  Thank you to those of you who pray for us, support us financially, and encourage us.  May God bless you in this new year.