A CAMPING WE HAVE GONE:

The last time we went camping as a family was when Peggy was expecting Anna.  Anna just had her fifteenth birthday.  My how time flies - it was past time to go camping.  To go camping was also something that Anna wanted to do for her birthday.

By the time we could make the time to go camping another month had passed and it was mid October but we decided to give it a go anyway.  I had visions of camping in snow or at least cold wet weather as we were decided to camp near Flagstaff, Arizona.  Ah, the blessings of God in all aspects of our life!

We enjoyed a beautiful week for camping and had a wonderful time.  The weather was crisp at night and wonderful each day.  We enjoyed the serenity of the woods and relaxed through the day with walks and Anna and I even tried our hands at fishing.  No success there but we will try again some day.

Throughout the week we also had the blessing of friends.  We had invited several friends and family to come along but only a few were able to take us up on our invitation.  Maybe next year our group around the campfire will grow.

What a great experience - you should try it.

 A Camping We Will Go! 

  

 All Set Up

Even An Outhouse 

 Happy Campers 

 Teach a Girl to Fish ..

  Our Camping Site Grows 

 Picture Perfect

 Camping is for Friends 

Anna's Quinceanera

The fifteenth birthday is a big event in Mexico and owing to the success of Abril's quinceanera just a few months ago Anna decided she wanted to celebrate her fifteenth birthday as well.  It was not meant to be the normal over-the-top celebration that most are but mainly a church gathering with a few other invited friends.  

Anna was keen to handle all of the planning and decorations and did a terrific job with her natural flare for such things.  She even found a dress style that she liked and we had a local seamstress make the dress.  About $30.00 dollars all told for a dress that was fitted, fashionable and faithful to God's definition of modesty to boot!  

Anna's joyful spirit, sincere desire to love the Lord and quiet spirit gave me an open opportunity to share Biblical truth with our people on "The Making of a Virtuous Woman".

We thank God for Anna.  To have one of our children still at home is indeed a great blessing.  That Anna loves the Lord and cheerfully serves with us is a great joy to us.

God bless you Anna - we love you,

Mom and Dad

 Anna turns 15!

Two peas in a pod 

 Family friends 

 A rose among the ..

 We love Anna! 

Abril's Quinceanera:

Part of our summer's activities was a quinceanera for one of our young ladies, Abril.  Now for the discerning Spanish speaker the question would automatically be, "Why was Abril's quinceanera celebrated in Julio?'  Well, yes, Abril's birthday is in April as her name would suggest but we are talking about Mexico (the land of manana) and so the celebration didn't get planned till July.

Abril's parents had asked about planning her quinceanera about a year ago and I advised them that I was more than happy to take part but suggested that they may want to invite another Mexican preacher they knew for the day as I was not too familiar with quinceanera procedures.  It was an honor that they insisted that I take part.

A quinceanera is a big day for a Mexican young lady and a big event for a Christian young lady as well as a promise of fidelity in holiness of life and faithfulness to the Lord.  It is a testimony before peers and family that "I will live holy till my wedding day".

I arrived late (for me) with our van route in that I misunderstood where the venue was to take place.  In actuality I arrived about five minutes before the time appointed.  Some two hours later the family showed up and eventually things began to fall in place.  Thankfully preaching the charge was the first thing on the agenda and I was able to not only present a charge to Abril and her family but present the gospel to many family and friends that have never heard a gospel message.

The bad part is that now Anna has decided she wants a quinceanera as well.  Her birthday is in September and we are towards the end of August.  I guess Abril's quinceanera may not be the only one that gets planned a little late.

THE GREAT GOAT CONVIVIO:

Father's Day came and went without being able to get our (the men's) plans put in place due to other activities in our (same men) schedules but we eventually got our days together and made our plan for "the great goat convivio".  The idea was to buy a goat and roast it whole on an open spit.  Our men had never actually roasted a goat from start to finish so they were happy when I volunteered to do the work.  It's been a long time (read - since Africa) since I have butchered and roasted a goat but no time like the present to get back into the swing!

Well, for those of you worried about the goat - it lived.  The men were suppose to have the charcoal and the spit ready when I showed up but you guessed it, neither was anywhere to be found.  It was also a very hot desert day and by the time I was ready to butcher the goat I was out of steam.  So between my lack of steam and the lack of preparations - the goat was given a stay of execution.  All afternoon the goat reminded us of his thankfulness - "Maaah, maaah" but twenty some chooks did give their lives instead.

All in all it was a great day for our church people.  They always enjoy a get together (convivio) especially when there is food.  Never mind - there's always food!  After the food we had an outdoor service and one of our men brought the first message (exhortation) and then I concluded at his request with an evangelistic message.  I enjoy watching the growth of our people and it is a blessing for me to participate with them in their plans.

CONGRATULATIONS: EZRA & HANNAH

This first week of June found our family traveling to southern Idaho for a wedding.  Our second son, Ezra, and his finance, Hannah were married in Meridan, Idaho on June 10th.  Peggy, Anna and I left Mexico and drove up passing through northern Arizona, all of Utah and then on into Idaho.  We enjoyed our scenic drive on the back roads of Utah arriving in time to make some preparations for the rehearsal dinner and watch everyone else prepare for the big day.

 

All of our family was able to make the trip from their various homes and we were able to rent a vacation house allowing all of us to enjoy one another's company.  (What Granddaddy and Grammy won't do to get some time with the grandchildren!)  It was also great to catch up with my sister Beth and her family who live in Boise as well as my older brother Joel who stopped by his way home from business on the west coast.

 

The big day came and went well.  It was a beautiful wedding and I enjoyed having a preliminary part and then being able to sit back and watch the rest.  The newlyweds took off the following day for their honeymoon in Florida and the rest of our family enjoyed seeing some sights around Boise and crossing over into eastern Oregon just to say we have been to Oregon.  On Monday once all of the family had made their either back to their homes or continued on with their vacation plans, Peggy, Anna and I were joined by our granddaughter Izabell and began our trip back to Mexico arriving in time for our Wednesday evening service.

 

We thank God for His blessings in Ezra's life and for bringing Hannah along to be part of our family.

 

CONGRATULATIONS - Ezra and Hannah.  May the blessings of God shine brightly upon your life.

"and truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out," Hebrews 11:15a

Last year we were privilege to meet Pastor Ruben Garcia (Cornerstone Baptist Church) due to a beginning relationship between his daughter Hannah and our son Ezra.  As most of you no doubt know, God has seen fit to continue to bless Hannah and Ezra's relationship and the wedding is set for June 10th.

In a desire to get the families together, to be a blessing to Peggy, Anna and I and to increase the missionary vision of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Pastor Garcia invited us to their mission's conference.  It was our pleasure to be able to meet Sister Garcia and Hannah's church family, to be able to challenge Cornerstone Baptist Church in their mission's endeavor, and to enjoy the beauty that is northern Idaho. 

Having lived for the past twenty-three years in the desert it is hard to fathom that such green and luscious places exist and that some people actually get to live there!  No doubt it is a great personal sacrifice on their part but here's being grateful for those who make such sacrifice.  I jest - of course we visited in late spring not in the middle of winter.

Thank you Pastor and Sister Garcia and Cornerstone Baptist Church for being so gracious to invite us and to give us such a wonderful week.

 Cornerstone Baptist Church

 Hannah & Ezra

Trail around Tubbs Hill

 Anna at Lake Coeur d'Alene

 Hannah & Ezra - Lake Coeur d'Alene 

"And let them Pray"..

They (the Jewish elders) besought Him (Jesus) instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:"  Luke 7:4  In the context of this verse a man has asked Christ to come and heal his dear servant.  The Jews in turn besought Christ to heal this man's servant because he was worthy.

My younger brother, Dr. Philip Harris MD, was recently diagnosed with Stage IV prostrate cancer.  The cancer had already metastasized to the sacrum, to multiple locations in the liver and the right side of the lung.  His doctor's have told him that it is incurable and have given him a very low percentage of life expectancy.  That is the human diagnosis.

Philip has taken a very strong interest in the ministry that God has given us here in Mexico and has greatly increased our financial resources for the past ten years.  He is indeed "worthy for whom He should do this." 

Do you know how to reach God in prayer?  Will you pray?  Knowing that "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." I am simply asking you to pray for my brother, Dr. Philip Harris, and that should it be according to the good hand of his God upon him, we are asking that God would work a present day miracle in his health.  Philip is a true born again child of God and is not fearful of death but he also has a great desire to continue living and has a strong testimony of living for God and seeking those things that are above.

We appreciate your prayers on his behalf.  Thank you.

A Moving Experience

Well it was an unplanned trip but the end of January found us traveling back again to Ohio.  My parents have been living independently and away from any family and the other siblings but the time had come when a little bit of help was needed.  A call from Mom made it obvious that that help was needed and that time had come.  My younger brother made all the plans needed to move Dad and Mom to live independently closer to him and my help was needed to help Mom and Dad sort through their household, pack and move out of their house in Ohio and on up to Michigan.  

We covered over six thousand miles in the two Sundays we were gone from the work here in Magdalena.  “By the good hand of our God upon us” we covered the distance without incident (there was that close call – an avoided head on – in Sunbury, Ohio) and accomplished the work needed.  We were also able to enjoy a few days between runs visiting our children, our grandchildren, Peggy's parents and our home church.

Through it all the work here in Magdalena is enjoying the blessing of God and is growing.  Our unavoidable absence has been a help to our people to learn to help out a bit more and to see that it is the Lord Jesus Christ that builds His church.

Thank you for your prayers and for checking in.

"A Sower Went Forth to Sow"

I don't remember how the subject came up but Anna asked one day what was my favorite day.  She said that she was pretty sure that I would answer Saturday.  She was right.  Saturday is my favorite day.  Why?  I love to go on Saturday visitation with our people.  Yesterday (Saturday) I was able to go twice.  Once in the morning with the whole church and then out a second time with one of our men in the afternoon.  He had asked if we had ever visited a notoriously bad part of town and I told him yes but it had been awhile and if he would like to go we could visit the area again that afternoon.  God blessed the afternoon together and we were met with a good reception at many houses.  Our part is to faithfully sow the seed of the Word of God.

 

This past year we have been given the opportunity to warehouse boxes of Gospel literature that is distributed here in Sonora, Mexico.  I believe that something to the tune of 700,000 booklets of John and Romans have passed through our building!  The credit goes to other U.S. pastors and missionaries but we do rejoice in having a small part.  This year along with the John/Romans we are scheduled to help distribute some 15,000 copies of the New Testament and another 25,000 copies of the whole Bible!  My only criteria when asked to use our facilities to warehouse the material was that it could not stay - it all needed to continue it's journey south. 

 

Today (Sunday) we had one of our many fellowships with our people.  What a sweet spirit our people have!  We also enjoyed the presence of two first time visitors.  One as a direct result of our visitation time yesterday.  In the pictures below you will also see the many stacks of boxes currently on hand awaiting a trip south in February.

 

Thanks for praying.