Short-term trip (Mexico) Part 2

The day was here! We all traveled at different times and in different ways but we met in Laredo, Texas on April 7th. It was funny looking at all my notes with times and schedule (changes). The most notable was the 6am departure from the hotel. That was scratched off because one of our members was flying in from Wichita but was delayed in Dallas because of bad weather. Knowing that, we all were able to sleep in a little longer and I was able to finish all the last minute errands which included money changing, filling up with fuel, and barely having enough time to fit in breakfast! Oh! And we had time to sing to my beautiful bride in celebration of her birthday.

We were grateful to the staff of the hotel to let us use a conference room for our last minute, quick rundown of the crossing into Mexico. We had time to pray and tie up all the loose ends before heading out to the airport and picking up our last team member. Then we were off!

We crossed fairly easily with just a small hangup at the inspection. They wanted to know what was in this box or that one and I didn't have a clue because we used up all the remaining room for donations in our van. I could see why it seemed a little suspicious when one of the opened boxes carrying a GOLD chalice and a monstrance that was GOLD next to other GOLD items. I told them that it was for the Church and that the bishop was expecting us to arrive soon. It also helped that Father jumped out of the van behind us wearing his collar and asking, "Hay problema?" ("Is there a problem?") Nope. Go on through!

Immigration Office

MIRACLE ALERT!!! This is where it gets good! :) The trip to the Immigration Office is always where I get reminded of my impatience. With no one in line, our group of 30+ shows up and the poor man at the counter was speechless. He quickly told us to fill out the paperwork and return to the line the exact way in which we were. When we did just that, I could tell something was starting to happen. I stayed calm after I listened to the man's instruction but inside I was jumping for joy! Our group later told me that they were feeling like "Uh-oh! Something's wrong. Both Odilio and the man look very serious." The instruction was very simple: "If you can promise me that you will return after 7 days, then I'll let you go free of charge!" Woo-hoo, er, I mean, Yes, sir! We couldn't believe it! After all that time worrying about how much our trip would cost and the late departure time...God was putting it all together at the right time. We saved over $700 in visa fees which we would later use to help the poor in General Cepeda! God is good!!!

Erik Martin inviting a woman to the chapel

We made it through the mountains fairly quickly and arrived happily at the base. A quick orientation followed and the joy of mission was reignited. It felt so good to be back in this simple town with a new look. The Martins and Quinns now hosted us as well as some single ladies, Madison and Megan. We were all ready to get at it.

David Quinn leading the work project

The Rohr Family mixing adobe

I can't remember the exact schedule of the week but we were able to start on a work project which consisted of mixing adobe and straw, molding the bricks, curing them, and building the walls for an addition to a small house. Another work project team helped to put a roof on a house and start on laying a concrete floor. We stayed busy during the days and towards the afternoon hours we would assemble in teams to go out and preach the Word of God, sing, and share testimonies. This is always one of my favorite parts of the rancho visits because you get to hear how the Lord is working in others' lives. I have to admit, though, it is pretty tough trying to translate from English to Spanish all while marveling at God's awesome power! Again, God is good!

A map of all the chapels in the area. Only 2 priests to do it all! Can you help?

Two days after we arrived, it was my birthday! Yes, my wife and I are almost exactly one year apart. We had Tres Leches cake......Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! That's all I have to say about that!

On another day we had Desert Day. We took our Bibles, journals, and sack lunches out to the mountainous desert land. It is so peaceful and quiet out there and the perfect spot to be all alone with the Creator.

One of the best things that happened on this trip is that we were able to catch up with the Kiehl Family. We first met them on a Pentecost mission trip when my family was residing at the mission base in 2012. The Kiehls paid us a visit and helped us on this trip by translating for a team at the ranchos. They also asked my family if we'd be interested in helping them at their new post in Juarez. It was something to think about.

St. James Cathedral in Saltillo

Another MIRACLE ALERT! I was trying to organize my wallet one night by gathering all of the receipts from the trip. I emptied all of it out and noticed something "extra" that fell out. It was a tiny plastic bag folded over and over. Inside was a little medal in the shape of a house. Stacie saw it too and we couldn't believe our eyes. I had kept that medal in there since our formal missionary training 4 years ago! It was from the cathedral in Saltillo. As a memorial of God's answered prayers, your medal is placed on a wall in the Miracle Chapel. Tons of medals decorate the chapel in a beautiful design. God is awesome! I knew that He was trying to tell me something so I left it with Madison to turn it to an official whenever our house in Kansas sold...which I now felt was really close. I informed her only a month later that we were on our way to sign the papers over to the new owners!!!

We closed the mission with a small party and a pinata in the open air patio. All in all we spent 7 days in Mexico. 2 were pretty much driving but the 5 days of working in the vineyard were extremely blessed! Maybe you are someone who is searching for more ways to serve...go on a short term trip. Maybe you are like me and has thought "I've been there and done that"...go AGAIN on a short term trip. Something new always comes up and a new wave of grace flows through you. And maybe you're too scared to risk it all... GO on a short term trip and experience the true freedom of serving the least of us. Be a light to others!

Go, go, go! Go, you are sent!!!!

Al ataque!

Beautiful sunrise for the drive home

*****PLEASE pray for us. We have decided after much prayer to accept the invitation to serve in Juarez with the Kiehl Family! We are very excited to get back into full-time mission after a year away. We no longer have our house to sell and we are free to continue doing this holy work but we need your help. Please consider being our mission partner by praying for us, making a tax-free donation, and/or sending us your prayer requests. We love praying for you all and dedicating our work to have your prayers answered! Our biggest cost this year compared to the Philippines is not visas but fuel for our vehicle. There are many chapels to get to and they all need our help. Also, please pray that we can find a house in Juarez soon. A couple of possibilities fell through so we will immediately be house hunting when we arrive. To God be the glory! *****

Short-term Trip (Mexico) Part 1

Tony Habashy and family with FMC's Teresa Kiehl, right of Tony

   Back in April of this year, my family led a short-term trip to the General Cepeda mission base in Mexico. Our planning started right after a talk at the Spiritual Life Center with the Romero and Bailey Families. A question addressed to us at the end of the session asked: Will the Alvarezes return to full-time foreign mission? I answered, "We are not sure at this time. We are enjoying working stateside with Father Jarrod in the (Wichita) diocese by giving talks, sharing our experiences, and possibly setting up some short-term trips throughout the year." I wondered what all the whispering was about after all those words flew out of my mouth. It didn't take long after the meeting when our friend, Tony, came up and said  exclaimed, "Short-term mission?! I don't care when we go, but we want to go with you." So, it began.

Fr. Beat celebrated the Holy Mass in the ranchos

   By the next day, an excited Tony was calling and messaging with a list of people who were interested as well. The first plans in January started with a date for travelling in July...then June...then May...and what the heck let's just go in April! I have to remind y'all that we had never assembled anything like this trip before. Yes, we had hosted other groups while at our post but not from the ground up. So, after passport applications, preparatory talks, and other discussions we finally had a core group of about 30+ including my family. This consisted of 3 families and 4 singles and a very funny priest, Father Jerry Beat. One item of concern was the money needed for travel, fees, lodging, etc. All in all the total came to be about $10,000 dollars since most did not have passports. We knew that it was a lot of money to raise in such a short time but we committed to it and PRAYED! We soon set up a garage sale to help with the funding and began asking around for donations. It was a little depressing at one of the earlier prep meetings when we found out that we had a whopping $50 in the group mission fund. If God wanted us to go, we were going to need a lot of help very quickly.

   Building the Kingdom is hard work. The devil knows it and will do whatever it takes to complicate our plans. Not seeing the funds coming in soon enough was discouraging to some. Safety while in Mexico was also a concern from others from well-meaning co-workers at their workplace. Doubts were starting to creep in and ruin this opportunity for grace. The devil HATES missions. Even Father Jerry was asked by some why he was going to this dangerous country. Father replied, "There are 20+ children going. If I back out now, then I'll look like a real wimp!"

   Over the next weeks, we started seeing some online donations from co-workers, family, and friends. Father would bring in checks of $100, $300, and even one for $1,000. A family even decided to donate their share of the cost since they weren't able to go...they were a family of 8! Soon we were on the "do-able" side of the cost. April was just around the corner!

P.S. This post will have to be in parts. There were so many miracles and blessings from this trip so stay tuned!!!

P.P.S. Thanks to Britto for all of the amazing pics. He was part of the awesome group!

   

Back to School UPDATE

This has been way overdue. Like "last year" overdue. Before we left the Philippines last year, we asked for support in helping children at Isla Bonita get ready for Back to School needs. With your generous support we were able to buy ALL of the students supplies and hand it out to them. This post may be simple but we felt it would be good for y'all to see your gifts blessing these children. Also, be sure to visit the FMC website and look for the Bailey Family as they are currently in the same town of Malaybalay and starting their own Back to School fundraiser. These kids really need the help so please pray and if you feel called...donate! God bless!

Through your generous support we were able to buy pencils, ballpoint pens, rulers, notebooks, writing tablets, scissors, crayons, and other items to fill a small bag. These are only the small items. We were also able to go out and buy some backpacks, shoes, and help with the cost of fabric for uniforms. We even had a donor that gave enough to sponsor an older student to finish high school. She had lost her mother and had to move in with her elderly grandmother who didn't (and couldn't) have enough to support both of them. Thanks be to God, she was able to commute to and from school, have meals throughout the year, and graduate!!! She is now (June 2014) enrolled in college and is beginning her first semester at San Isidro College!

Quick Recap

No, we did not fall off the face of the Earth! It sure seems like it though. Wow! It has been almost a year since the last post. Unbelievable! To be fair though, we did not have much internet connection since leaving the Philippines in July of 2013. Before we get too far ahead, here is a quick recap of (just about) everything that has happened since we left Malaybalay:

1. We had a family retreat and felt God calling us back to the States. A couple of things led to this decision but the reality of our house in Kansas set to close at the end of July was the most pressing. It would've been kind of hard to sign papers from the other side of the world :) 
2. Most of you know that we have had many offers on our home and ALL of them have been cancelled, rejected (by the bank), or "who knows why?". Well, this offer was no different except that it was the most promising of all previous ones. Still, Bank of America decided it wanted to squeeze $10,000 more from the buyer...with only a few days left to close!!! NOOOO!!! Needless to say, there were no papers to sign after all. Well, now what?!
3. We spent a few days at Big Woods in Louisiana recovering from jet lag and the sadness of leaving our Filipino family so quickly. We were totally surprised by this latest event and didn't have any idea what to do.
   
   August was coming up and we knew that the Midwest Catholic Family Conference in our hometown diocese of Wichita was around the corner. We wanted to see family and friends anyways...so we decided to go and set up a table for FMC! What a success! We had many visitors and we were able to pray with a lot of them for different things. The most memorable was when the Bailey Family stopped and inquired about mission life. We prayed for their discernment and a few weeks later (after they also went to a Come and See in Louisiana) they decided to join FMC! Praise the Lord! Please pray for them as they are now serving in Malaybalay and Blair is pregnant!
4. I missed one step before leaving Big Woods. We were thinking that if we were going to be back in Kansas and maybe moving back into our vacant home...I might have to get a job. I applied online and within literally just a few seconds I was already offered a job interview at the airport. Went and got the job to start late August. God moves really fast sometimes!
5.  So, after fighting the thought of having to go back into aircraft, I did anyways. After all, God knows what He is doing. My schedule was working nights on a 4day- 10hr shift. Not too bad having a 3-day weekend every week! Still, it was pretty rough getting back into paint-mode after never thinking about it for 3 years... and house painting doesn't count. This is waaay different. 
6. We moved back into our empty home in Rose Hill. Our very empty home... except for the fridge and stove that stayed.

   

   Girls trying out their room

   We were preparing to sleep on the floor for a few weeks or months until we would save enough to buy used furniture. Well, that didn't take long. Did you know "God is in the miracle business"? <---as Mr. Frank says. It wasn't even a whole day that passed when our entire 7 bedroom house was fully furnished with hotel bedroom, living room, and kitchen furniture! The Stolz Family had mentioned our need to a friend in the hotel business and they donated it all from the Mariott franchise. The Stewart Family also let us use their 12 passenger van for a few

   

   STORYTIME!...in the brand new chair

   months and the Stolz again helped us with a loaner car that I could drive for work. The Rohr Family that helped with groceries, gas, and other necessities. So many to thank for their generosity. Thank God for amazing friends! 

   

   Boys loving their room

7. By early December, we had decided to move out of the house after again Bank of America's games were too much to bear. They wouldn't let us refinance and wouldn't let us enroll in a repayment program. They said our house was still ours but at any time they could foreclose. Yes, we could have stayed there "rent" free this whole time but something didn't seem right. We are now back in Wichita and within minutes from the airport. ***Update*** We do have a buyer and expect to close in mid-May so please continue praying for that to come to a close! Pardon the pun.
8. January 2014 was a good beginning. The Romero Family whom we served with in Malaybalay came for a visit. They stayed with us for a few days and kept our mission life burning with updates from the field. We all were invited to speak at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita including the Baileys before they were sent out to the Philippines. It was during the question and answer segment that something special happened. A question that was directed specifically to us: Will the Alvarez Family be going out in mission again soon? I answered that we weren't sure yet as God had not told us exactly yet. We were happy to be home for the time being and were very happy to be helping Fr. Jarrod Lies who is now in charge of missions for the Diocese.

   

   Romeros at the Spiritual Life Center

   We had been in talks about setting up some short-term trips in the near future. Immediately, the crowd started whispering and smiling when they heard this. Most were surprised that short-term trips were an option, a possibility. It was not long (that very night) before a group was already starting to form for a possible trip to Mexico! Led by Tony Habashy and family, the group was calling and emails were being sent. I think by the end of the week we were already discussing the size of the group and possible dates to travel. Don't know if I've said it before but God moves fast sometimes!

That's about where we are right now. The next post will be about the Mexico short-term trip that we led and just returned from. LOTS to write about that mission so please return and check it out. God is good. All the time!!!

The Stewart's "Gus" mobile

1st Birthday Party at Grandma's

"You can eat any of the fruit except from...oh, well go ahead!"

Getting a squeeze from the birthday boy!