Dear friends,

January was a very cold and wet month in Juarez. It snowed four different days, with almost five inches falling in one day. There has also been about 5" of cold rain. The governor of Chihuahua came out to Kilometer 30 to inspect the suffering and damage. He declared Kilometer 30 and other areas "National disaster areas".  It now appears that only some blankets and a little food will be issued from the National storehouse to correct the problem.

A large shipment of six new computers, new sleeping bags and blankets, various donations and a supply of food for Pastor Martin's soup kitchen was brought across with the first team of the year, St Paul's Catholic Church, on January 3rd.   Leo decided to get the blankets and sleeping bags out the next day to Kilometer 30.

Our library now has 15 computer work stations, and Susie and the staff are feeling a little overwhelmed with the overnight growth of children needing assistance on the terminals.

Five new homes were built in January. Three houses were built in two days with the wind chill below 20°F both days. It was the coldest build most could remember. Jesus, the bus driver, remembers one colder day of building when there was a freezing rain about four years ago.  Pastor Jesus commented at the church service that many of the Mexican people wouldn't go out of their houses, but the Americans finished the houses in the extreme Juarez weather.

A home was built by our complete staff two weeks ago. For the first time, they were able to experience what the teams feel as a home is being built.  During a short debriefing, we asked how many would like to participate in another community or church project and everyone that participated raised their hand.

A sewing team from Denver came on two of the nicest and warmest days of January. They worked at Pastor Francisco's church.  Pastor Francisco's wife commented the first morning, "Why have you waited 15 years for this type of trip?" Here is an email from the sewing team's perspective:

As many of you know, Mom, Kelsey and I went to Juarez, Mexico last week on a sewing mission trip.  We had a wonderful time, got to eat lots of great food, and spent lots of time with some other wonderful women.
 
But most of all, we saw God at work and were blessed by the women we went to help.  Many of the women do not have electricity in their homes, so we left six sewing machines at a church for them to go and sew when they like. We left boxes of material and yarn, and they sent home with us their immeasurable love.  Our goal was to teach them to sew & knit, but they taught us that we are blessed beyond measure.
 
One of the attached pictures is my favorite--my Mom sitting on the floor showing two women how to tie the quilts they had just finished piecing together. We would like to thank all of you who contributed to our trip.
 
Love you all, Jolene

Our good friends Marsha and Tharyn spent the last week of January building cabinets and countertops to complete our lab in the care center and re-organized and stocked our pharmacy.  The dental office now has compressed air and plumbing completed for a strong vacuum system.  Countertops were also built in the procedure room. Marsha and Claudia also made the lunch for the Mexican construction team. 

Blessings,

All of us at Missions Ministries: 

Jeff, Jenny, Bill, Casey, Chris, Rosa, Ed, Carol, Marilynn & Deb