Back in New Hampshire

The Three Stooges!  No, Actually our helpful cousins George Morgan and Tim Wagner, who helped drive us around and accommodate us!

A parting shot of the pacific Coast...

Welcome home to New Hampshire! Our friend Kristi  Hunter met us at the Manchester airport and took this photo of us in front of the "Welcome Moose"...she was our NH taxi...so great to have such gracious and wonderful support on both sides of the country!! God is so good with his provisions!

Good news! We are close to 60% supported now!  So the anticipated fall departure is becoming a reality! WOW! We are totally excited, but facing the reality of saying goodbye to family is hard... also, my (Jill) mind is racing with all of the things involved with moving!  Please pray for us!

This week we will be working on a newsletter to send out over the next few weeks, sharing the good news of our adventure, and of course, the Good News of the Gospel!

Adios Mexico

Well, it's time to leave The Gabriel House and Mexico... sad time for us both. We feel so at home here. 

Jill says Hasta Luego to Angelica, the House Manager, because we know we'll see her soon!

We had our last meal with the Favers. Ted and Irene Faver are the founders and vision behind the Gabriel House. They are here with their daughters Stephanie, Ali and Anni.

Angelica drove us to the bus stop in Ensenada while.....

Ed tried his first Tamale!

The bus from Ensenada to the border is about 1 1/2 hours long, along the scenic coastal route. It stops in Tijuana, then we walk across the border.

Ed leaving Mexico......

....Jill entering the United States!









Today, Saturday, we will spend time with Jill's side of the family in the Orange County/Los Angeles area. Some we'll be meeting for the first time! We look forward to sharing with them our Mexico plans... soon we'll be neighbors!
Sunday night we return to San Diego, then fly home on Monday to New Hampshire.

Good Bye Gabriel House

Ed and Jill go to school! 

A la escuela, at school, we joined the children's activity time - BINGO! Ed really got into it! One of the boys would hold up the numbers for us. Even though he couldn't speak the numbers, he knew what they were. If he knew we needed a certain number to win, he would hide it behind his back! The teacher, Senora Claudia, is so patient with the children. Each child needs different teaching skills. You can also tell by her actions how much she cares for each on

Later on Friday, one of the teens pent time practicing his writing and studying his history book, while Ed played beads with a little friend!

We have had a quick visit here at the Gabriel House...we just arrived and now it's time to go - so sad. We really love our time here. 

This morning, Saturday , we will bus from Ensenada to the border. Our personal Taxi driver, George Morgan, will pick us up and we'll head to his house for lunch. 

Later today, we will visit family that lives near Los Angeles. We'll catch up, share about Mexico and celebrate the good news that we'll soon be neighbors!

Viernes - Friday

Well, we're finally caught up with the blogging! For our devout followers, thank you for your patience!
So today is Friday (viernes) ...

Ed began his day studying the English and Spanish Bibles (multi-tasking!)

Jill spending time with the less mobile children.  Although many can't communicate with words, they use their eyes and smiles. Just a simple touch on the face, or a stroke on the head can bring out a smile of love.

Ed took the initiative and went for a walk outside with some of the kids - they loved the motion and the sun!

We were able to join Physical Therapy... Ed really enjoyed himself!

more to come.....

At the Casa Gabriel (Gabriel House)

This is Raul Gabriel, the namesake of the Gabriel House. The Gabriel House is a residential full-service facility for severely disabled /handicapped orphans.  Located just south of Ensenada, it houses 25-35 children ages infant to 25. 

Ed is passing out sunglasses for the kids that were donated by his cousin Michael Hunt...the kids flocked to Ed like Santa! They were so excited to see what pair he'd pull out next and who would get them! Then they ran/wheeled around and around with joy! We had so much fun!

Our first day at the Gabriel House was wonderful! It was good to see familiar faces, both staff and children. The staff here work tirelessly at keeping the children clean, fed and healthy. We just love being here!

 More on Friday!

South of the Border

The Mexican Medical Staff Retreat 2011 - we are in the middle! What a wonderful couple of days! We learned leadership skills, and applying Matthew 25 in our lives and ministry. The focus was on identifying our gifts and talents and using them for God to produce "Fruit"... in otherwords, don't bury you gifts in the ground,, or hide your light in a bush! the challenge was put forth

Jill studying the lesson, and Colossians 1:9 (Which is our prayer verse, by the way) " We have not stopped praying about you (us) and asking God to fill you (us) with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

Ed visiting with fellow New Englander and MexMed Missionary Craig Libby. They had lots to talk about... the Bruins, the Red Sox, the Celts, the Patriots!

 Ed and Jill with Mexican Medical President Steve Crews and his lovely wife Jan! 

We have arrived at the GABRIEL HOUSE!!!! Hooray!!!!! Two days to spend with the children! We'll blog more on our visit later today!

oops!

We typed up a new blog entry last night, but for some reason it didn't post...oops! so here is the one from yesterday... Thursday!

Our personal Taxi a la Morgan, takes us to the Mexican Medical office in Lemon Grove, CA...just a short drive from Casa Morgan!

At the Mexican Medical office warehouse Ed sorts and inventories the eyeware from Cousin Michael Hunt... Thanks!

While waiting to leave for Mexico, we were put to work assembling newsletters. We left for Mexico about 3:30pm, and after several stops arrived about 6:30pm, just in time for dinner and evening devotions. Hooray! We're in Mexico!!!!!!

The Staff retreat was held at a costal camp... the view was beautiful and relaxing - perfect for fellowship!  We we will have two days of training as well... a wonderful experience!

Hola - We are Here!

Our ride to the Mexican Medical Office, Faithful Cousin George Morgan! 

 

At the office we were put to work! Ed inventoried the eyeware that was donated from Cousin Micahel Hunt, then we helped fold newsletters. We left for Mexico about 3:30pm and arrived at the retreat in Ensenada, Mexico at 6:30 (we made a few stops!).

A view from the camp where our retreat was held. The breeze was quiet cool, but the view was wonderful! It provided a peaceful place for training and fellowship.

Ed always like to hang out with fellow New Englander and Missionary Craig Libby...they talk about lots of diffent things... the Bruins, the Red Sox, The Celtics, the Patriots!

Jill reviewing the morning teachings in the sun. The first morning we studied the passage from Matthew 25 about using your talents and gifts for the glory of God... and not to burry them.

 The Mexican Medical Staff Retreat team 2011 - we are right in the middle!

With Mexican Medical President Steve Crews and his wife Jan. They have become very dear to us, and put together a super retreat!

Today we arrived at the Gabriel House ... Jill is with Raul Gabriel, whom the House was named after. Raul has autism, and today he was extremely affectionate, wanting to hold our hands. It feels good to be here. There are some new faces. A new room has been added. New murals have been painted. }The children are in school this morning...we look forward to visiting and playing with them this afternoon!.}One girl, Irene (ee-ren-ay) doesnt go to school. She was stringing beads for jewelry.
Please keep us in prayer for the next few days... we will blog when we can.
Dios le Bendiga, God Bless You! Ed and Jill

Getting ready to head South...

Well, it's Monday the 9th and we're ready to head South of the Border! We will be leaving this afternoon from the Mexican Medical Ministries HQ in Lemon Grove, CA (just a jot from San Diego), with Mex-Med staffer Amy - Can't wait!!!! Cousin George Morgan will provide faithful Taxi services to the office.

Cousin Sheri, George's wife displays one of the nurses' scrubs that she collected for the Gabriel House staff! The GH staff ned to provide their own work clothing so they appreciate the donations of scrubs. Thanks Sheri!!
!This morning Ed is pouring over his Spanish lessons book!
We are looking forward to going to the retreat to re-conneect with other MexMed missionaries and staff.

We are reviewing Bible verses that pertain to our upcoming training, including Matthew 25:14-46, which talks about entrusting the gifts that God has given us and how we use them, as well as receive them.

We will  both be blogging as much as possible during our week, so that you can enjoy the journey with us! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!   j

MEXICO MAY 2011 - The Beginning

We spent Saturday the 7th traveling cross-couuntry via Southwest. (where bags fly free!)  Ed posed at the Midway airport in Chicago! We are blessed with such friends and family who taxi us to and from the airports: the Hunters in Manchester, NH and the Morgans in San Diego!

Today, Sunday, Mother's Day! we are spending with Jill's cousins the Morgans, catching up on sleep and family fun. We will be connecting with cousins Michael & Niki morgan, Maria Morgan, George and Sheri Morgan and Jill's brother Paul and Marie Notari (visiting from the East Coast) today. Also we are preparing for our week in Mexico which begins tomorrow. Ed is seen sorting eyeware. His terrific cousin Michael Hunt donated a gazzilion pairs of sunglasses and reading glasses to the Gabriel House. Thanks Michael! We have such a great support system...we are truly blessed!
Thank you to all who have been supporting us with your help and prayers!
stay tuned...  j