Hey everyone!!! going on week #5.... This week I started tutoring a girl in English which has been interesting because she speaks no english, so with my little Spanish I am trying to teach her.... :) it has been pretty fun though :) Also, I started doing Bible study with children from the community, We learned a lesson from the Bible in Spanish answered questions, did an activity and then followed with a craft. They are awesome kids, two of them know english so that helps a lot.... The team from Chicago put in a bathroom for the rentaria family, who is the family we have been visiting each week and doing bible study with... Mr Rentaria has been in bed for the last 5 weeks or so, he can not move but is slowly recovering... This family has been through a lot of hardships and it has been a blessing to reach out to them and minister to one of many families who is struggling physically but prospering in the Lord....
On the other hand, Jossy left the 18th for Europe and I miss her a lot.... if you get a chance to read this Jos, I love you so much and i'm praying for you while you're serving the Lord.... Thank you so much for you encouragement... It means so much to me.... Every time i get discouraged I think of you and just remind myself that we are serving God together in two different places.... And if you can do it for "11"months haha, then i can surely stay strong for 2 months... :) I love you so much babe and I miss you but I hope everything is going great for you... i loved your story about the bike ride, haha that made my day, i felt sorry for you but it was also really funny ;) i'm sure you'll have lots more experiences like that... but hey, that's what makes things interesting.... :) love ya sis!!!! i'm staying strong for you, stay strong for me!
Laurita!

week 3

Hey everyone! Going on to week 3.... :) the Portage group left thursday and I miss them, but they accomplished a lot while they were here.... A lot of Mark and Perla's house is up... The beginning stuff is almost done, and now that the group from Chicago is here, we are hoping to complete more of the house... I have been working with a lot of different kids, and even though it's hard to communicate, there are also a lot of people who can speak English as well.... I am hoping to learn more spanish though by the time i come home... I miss everyone back home, but God is definitely at work, and it is good to see him moving in different ways here... I hope you all are doing good! let me know what's happening back home ! In Christ, Love Lauren

Hey everyone!!! I am here in Mexico, and I don't have internet that often, but I wanted to let you all know that God is amazing and has really given me strength and joy for this trip... he has already taught me a lot about patience, and my complaining ;) haha, i have learned to appreciate the things i take advantage of, because people here are so grateful for the little they have... Well, Mexico is supposed to be a dry heat huh? nope... it has been raining a lot, so the humidity level is intense.. about 100 + with mucho humidity :)... Any ways, the people here are amazing, and I have gotten to form a lot of relationships here.... Please pray that God would be generous with this wonderful weather :) It has a tendancy to wear you out and make you sick, but other than that and missing my family, God has really opened my eyes to what he is doing here in Juarez... Thanks so much for all your prayers, God bless,
Lauren