Students...Friends

We are so thankful for the students (and those that have already graduated and are working) that are becoming our dear friends here in Puebla. I have always said that it does not matter so much where you live but the relationships that you develop that makes a "home" and a "favorite place to be." We are so thankful for these relationships that give us life here in Puebla. This was a picture that was taken at a going away party of one of the guys, Josh, who spent almost a year here.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Even though we are far away, we think of our family often and miss them so much! Especially on special days like "Father's Day"! We wish we could be there personally but I suppose everyone wishes that even if they are living in the same country in different cities or states.

Both of our dads are amazing and as we thought about it they have a few things in common. They are both very talented in carpentry and gardening. My dad has a wood shop at home and this past year remodeled my mom's and grandma's kitchens. He designed and made all of the cabinets! It is a piece of art! And Robin's dad has built homes and has done amazing finishing work. When we went to visit him this past fall we were able to see one of the houses that he was helping to build in Vermont.

One of the things that we will miss this summer is not eating fresh corn on the cob and vegetable from the garden. Last summer while we were in Ohio, we took advantage of eating as much as we could from my parent's garden!

If you were to visit my house in the summers, you would probably find my dad outside playing horse shoes, gardening or cooking out on the fire pit!

If you were to visit Robin's dad, you would probably find him working on his farm, taking care of the goat and chickens, gardening or at work on the nearby farm where he assists a special needs boy in day to day activities.

We wish that you could meet both of our dads and get to know them!

We love you both, dads, and we appreciate you!
Feliz Dia del Padre
Love,
Robin and Kim

Josh returning to US

We met Josh at CSU this past summer while Robin was taking the new staff traning courses. Robin and Josh played in the intramural basket ball league on opposing teams. While we were in Colorado we found out that Josh was going to spend a year in Puebla and that we would be here part of the time with him. His year is finishing up and he is leaving on Wednesday to return to the US. Robin and Josh are saying goodbye in the same way that they met each other, playing bastketball! But this time, on the same team, in a Mexican basketball league. I'm sure that we will see Josh again... maybe in Colorado next year when we go to the cross cultural training during the summer of 2008.

Robin made video for Global Conference in Korea

Robin was asked to make a 1 1/2 minute video to talk about the ministry in Mexico City. We sent the video off to Koreo on Friday so that they could put Korean subtitles on it before the conference begins on June 30th. Here is a little information about the conference:

Global Conference to Train College Students for Mission
18,000 students will gather this June in South Korea for practical ministry training
By Gabriel de Guia
Posted 14.May.2007

Students from 105 countries will unite in South Korea at Campus Mission 2007, the Campus Ministry's first global student mission conference.

The conference will be held in Busan, South Korea, June 30 to July 6, and hosted by Korea Campus Crusade for Christ.

The purpose of the 18,000 international attendees - to be trained to reach their respective countries for Christ.

Reach the Campus Today, the World Tomorrow

"History has shown that college students have been the center of change and reformation that has taken place in the societies of the world regardless of race and culture," said Dr. Sung-Min Park, national director of Korea Campus Crusade for Christ.

"It does not take long when we look into Christian history to realize what a significant role college students played in deciding the course of the church and the impact they made on the rest of the world."

Table coming together...

Our dining room table that Robin is making is coming together. We are finishing up the last details before staining it. We went down town to the market and had the chairs made and given to us unfinished so that we could finish them the same as the table. There is still a lot of work to be done but we are enjoying the process.

Opening our home up to others...

Robin and I have loved inviting people over. We have had several opportunities to host people in our "home" over the past few months. From weekend visits, to the parents of students and new staff being trained. We have loved opening up our home to them. We have desired our apartment to be a place where people could come in and be refreshed, have good fellowship and deepen our relationships with them. Two weeks ago we were able to have a prayer and worship time with several students and staff. Robin is learning more worship songs in spanish and was able to play some that night!

High School Graduation..

For the first time, we got to go to a high school graduation here in Mexico. Steve and Terry's, National Directors of Campus Crusade here in Mexico, son graduated from a Christian High School this past month. Robin video taped the ceremony so that they could take it back to the states and share with friends and family. It has been such a blessing to be a part of their family here in Mexico. Matt is enrolling in a university in New Mexico for the fall of 2007. Two of Steve and Terry's four children will be in the US in college while they continue to serve here in Mexico.

Farewell trip with Alice

One of my best friends in Mexico is leaving to pursue other interests after serving 5 years in Puebla, Mexico. She is saying good-bye to a city and country that she loves and to an organization that she has been a part of for 14 years. Alice's passion for journalism is taking her back to her home state, North Carolina. As she was thinking about the people and places that she wanted to visit for that last time, Puerto Escondido was the last place on her list to visit before leaving this Wednesday. She asked Robin, me and a good friend, Jen, to take the 10 hour drive and spend 4 days with her on the beach that she has been to 4 times over the five years.
I am so glad we were able to spend this time with her! I am going to miss her so much. Alice was a bridesmaid in our wedding, she was the one arranged everything for us to live in this apartment, she helped us through the whole process of getting our long term visas for Mexico and she introduced us to the city of Puebla and how to drive here!! I always keep our front door open knowing that she will come in and say hi as she comes in and out of her apartment right above us. I will miss seeing her everyday and laughing with her! (This picture is of Jen, who came back to Mexico to visit, and Alice)

Surfing for the first time...

While we were in Puerto Escondido with Alice, Robin took advantage of the famous beach known for surfing. Thousands of people travel to Puerto Escondido each year for surfing competitions from around the world. Robin took a one hour lesson and spent the day trying to ride the waves. He said it was harder than snow boarding. You can ask him about it! We were all cheering for him as tried time and time again to ride a wave... We have heard people say that the first day trying to surf you usually don't get to the point where you can stand up and ride the wave. Robin was able to get up quite a few times.

New Staff Training in May

Four intensive days were spent from 9am to 6pm training six new staff on how to raise up a ministry support team.
The group picture from right to left, Back Row:
Sandra (from Oaxaca), Claudia (from Morelia), Asareel and Emmanuel (from Oaxaca), Carlos and Steve (national directors)
Front Row:
Alejandra (from Xalapa), Martha (national director), me and Eliezer (from Oaxaca.

Emmanuel, Eliezer and Asareel are brothers and sister joining staff together.

Racing up the Pyramid

Guess who wins!!?? Robin and I raced up steep steps of the pyramid. And yes, Robin wins. Keren had a blast riding on Robin's shoulders as he ran back and forth and all around. She could not stop laughing. Many times when we come into a room and Keren is there, she will go right by me to give Robin a big hug! Robin often says that he wishes that he could speak Spanish as well as she does. Someday!

Traditional Mexican Art

After we made it through the maze of tunnels in the ancient pyramid, we watched a local artist designing pieces of art out of died bamboo sticks. We bought a small picture for about $15 dollars.

Pyramid de Cholula

Mid May we went with Carlos, Martha, her mom and their two daughters to the pyramids that are only 20 minutes away. We have really enjoyed getting to know them and developing a friendship with their whole family.