Author: Paul Lovelace

Time flies when you’re having fun!

I can’t believe today is the last day in Tres Reyes. This has been so rewarding. The people from Ohio have been super special. I will have to share more later, but suffice it to say these folks are amazing and have been great to Matt and I.

Following more work on the wall in TR, we were able to go on a prayer walk through the community. We visited 4 families who are participating in the B2B program. These moms were so honored to have us visit their homes. God broke my heart today and it was good. (I will have to share more later)

Following this emotional time, we returned to the CC. Today is the day the “Little Ones” come. These boys and girls range from 5-9 and are simply wonderful. We fed them a healthy lunch (quesadillas and mangoes) then we played with them for about an hour. After that we participated in educational classes (art, English, science, etc.). Then recess outside.

Lastly, they conducted a “mom’s market” under the palapa, where the mom’s had tables of their goodies for sale so they could help support their families. I wanted to buy everything they had, but was instructed that “pity buying” is not good for them long term.

We returned to the mission house for a group dinner of homemade tostadas. After dinner we shared our mountain top moments with the group. And we cried tears of joy. I think we let our love light shine today…

Today, we were able to work really hard (much trabajo)!

We are building a new structure (Resource Center) at the community center in Tres Reyes that will provide an area for locals to learn new skills (sewing, carpentry, painting, etc.). There will also be an area for the mom’s to sell there items to support their family and more space to house missionaries.

We moved dirt, busted rocks, made some concrete, etc.

It was a great day!

Today, we watched a video about poverty. We learned that sometimes our good intentions can cause more harm than good through “unintended consequences”.

One small story here. Julie Cooper (B2B Staff) shared that she once wanted to help a new mother in a poor area of Monterrey, Mexico. She brought a case of baby formula (enough for a month) for this mom to feed her newborn baby. When she went back to check on them a few days later, Julie was shocked to see the mom was feeding her newborn “Coke” in the baby bottle because she sold the formula for $ to feed the rest of her family! This happens all the time in poor areas.

providing $ and an abundance of clothing can sometimes be the worst thing to do (it can be disruptive to the locals). We learned in order to truly help someone for the long term there needs to be an understanding of the local needs, situations, etc. because donations can sometimes put small business owners “out of business.”

We then went to Milka’s house to install the doors and windows we made yesterday. Along with some major yard work, security gate and concrete.

Milka was overwhelmed at the end of the day when we prayed over her family for unity, protection, faith and courage. We all shared tears of joy.

Today our small group question is from Mark 4:40 “What are you so afraid of?”

Today is Father’s Day and even though my earthly father is no longer with us (has passed away in 2010), we celebrate all fathers and especially our Heavenly Father.

We had the opportunity to worship today at the Vida Life bi-lingual church in Cancun. It was a truly amazing experience. We sang in English and in Spanish.

“Santo, Santo, Santo, yo qiero verte”, which means Holy, Holy, Holy, I want to see you.

Let me tell you, it was powerful. We sang praises and prayed for around two hours and it was great.

Following a great lunch we got to work building doors and windows for Milka. She is being reunited with her twin girls who have been in an orphanage for years. She did not have space in her one room home so B2B has been adding on rooms etc.

This house will be a home soon enough.  Praise be to God…

Today, we were able to meet the mission team we will be working with. There are 22 total people (all from the Cincinnati area). Here is a picture:

It’s so difficult to describe all that is going on here in TR (Tres Reyes), but B2B has been working here now for six years. God has provided an incredible community center for the kids/moms to come to for a “safe” place.  In the middle of some of the most extreme poverty I have ever seen is the community center. It is complete with a giant palapa for shade, outdoor brick oven for pizza, soccer field, basketball court, commercial kitchen, library, dental offices, common area, class rooms, computer lab, etc. IT IS AMAZING!

In our small groups we are exploring “Questions Jesus Asks.” Today we looked at John 6:70, “Have I not chosen you?”.  We have been graciously chosen by the King to go, give, share, learn and work.

So thankful to be a part of this experience….

Last year while in Cancun on the incentive trip, the Company worked with Back2Back ministries to coordinate a one day mission trip in the community of Tres Reyes Mexico. I was so impacted by that experience that I knew I wanted to return. This time I was fortunate enough to bring along our oldest son, Matt:

Today we travel to Cancun and will meet ghetto rest of the mission team. This is the first time we have been able to do something like this as father and son. I am so excited to see what God will do…

• We had fresh mango this week so time for a quick Smoothie:

I love time I get to spend with the whole family. Feeling so blessed to get to connect with them. It’s such a joy to even share the small things like breakfast at home, game night, errands etc. We may never have this time together again so I want to cherish everymoment.

I feel like God wants to cherish those moments as well.  Until next time

..

Oh yeah. First bath for Bentley.

Today we were fortunate enough to play in a golf tournament to benefit Love and Care Ministries. On a Monday! Crazy right?

It was a great event for a fantastic cause. We raised some good $ to help bless the less fortunate in the big country. Here is a pic from one of the tee boxes:

Next we were puppy sitting because our girls went to the lake. Here’s a shot of the little mongrel :

It’s a hard knock life! Until next time…

This was my view this morning and most every morning during my Sabbatical quiet time :

A daily reminder of God’s majesty! All the glory goes to Him. This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Today was a great day to bond with the fam. Matt and I played nine holes of golf on a weekday which is something we have never been able to do. I was so grateful because he and I don’t get to spend as much time together as we used to. The weather was perfect and the golf wasn’t too bad either (although I did have one tee shot that didn’t make it past the ladies tee box). Oh well.

Had some pool time.  Went on a walk. Read. Took a nap.

The best part of the day was preparing dinner together as a family. With Teri and I both working and all the kids being busy with their schedule it’s so rare we get to enjoy dinner together with a home cooked meal.  Everyone participated so that made it even more special.

Puppy update.  I forgot how wild puppies can be. As cute as they are they still like to chew, bite, whine, etc.

He finally crashed under the couch!

Still feeling super blessed to have this time! Memories we will hopefully never forget with the people who matter the most.

Until next time…

I’m reading a book by John Eldredge called “Moving Mountains: Praying with Passion, Confidence and Authority “. Now get this, there are roughly one hundred billion stars of all sizes in a galaxy, and one hundred billion galaxies in the universe. Which means there are approximately four hundred billion billion suns like ours that God has made! It’s beyond our words to describe God’s power.

Power is not an issue for God. His resources are unlimited. Is this the who we have in mind when we pray?

I’m so grateful for today and all that it brings and all that HE brings!

Not only was today the first day of Sabbatical it was also our 26th wedding anniversary! Seems like just yesterday we were exchanging vows. We are feeling extra blessed today!

Today Julia and I drove to Shawnee Oklahoma to pick up the latest member of the family. The girls named him Bentley because he has a bent tail!  He is a West Highland terrior. We already have a 12 year old Westie named Petey. I’m sure things will be interesting around our house for a while!

It has been great to see the joy in the faces of our kids! God is great!

It felt strange today being a Monday and not going in to the office. I guess the business world does goes on without me!

This morning after devotional time, I went on a long walk. It’s amazing what God can share with you when it’s quiet. And we are intentional about listening. I’m so grateful for this time!

I spent a good part of the day running errands and getting caught up on the things we put off for work and life. Car repairs, registration, etc. It feels good to mark stuff off the list! We ended the day with a home cooked meal (gotta love the crock pot).

Afterwards I got to spend some quality time with Matt on the driving range. I really miss being with him now that he’s in college. I really miss our time together, he’s really grown up. We are so proud of him!

off to tend to the new puppy, whew!

Until next time…