Back in Mexico-Apr 2011

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead!” Matthew 28:5,6
It is hard to believe that Easter is just around the corner! It seems like only yesterday Rod was directing the 2010 outreaches in Mexicali when the 7.2 earthquake destroyed the homes of many. Rod and a team of staff and volunteers are in Mexicali this week. A team from Maryland brought construction workers to rebuild a home for a family that lost their home during the earthquake and another team to share the Good News about Jesus in a local village. They are bringing along an extra crew to build a home for a family that lost their home in last year's earthquake.


Luthern Church of the Redeemer team bulding a house

I returned to Mexico in the middle of Rod leading Loree and Jaxon (mother and son team) on a Vision trip to collect film clips of YUGO’s ministry sites. Jaxon will be producing a DVD to promote YUGO Ministries. Thank you Loree and Jaxon! During this same period Jody (YUGO missionary candidate) also stayed with us in El Faro and was collecting Grant Writing information from YUGO’s Ministry Directors and staff. Thank you Jody for gathering information to begin raising funding for the ministry sites of YUGO. Our prayer is that ministries will continue to flourish in the midst of a recession.


Loree & Jaxon producing a Promo DVD for YUGO


Jody, ready to do her Grant Writing

What an incredible joy to return to the Ensenada Prison. I was warmly welcomed by the women and reassured that many had prayed for my daughter Jessica during my stay with her and our granddaughters while in Canada. As I looked around, it was evident there were women that were no longer in our Celebrate Recovery groups. Women had been released and had found the freedom they had longed for. Our goal as a Prison Ministry Team is to model and share with the inmates the treasures and freedom that come from knowing Jesus in a personal way. It is imperative that each woman learn to seek the face of our Heavenly Father in their struggles so they will not fall back into their old habits.

Extended Stay in Canada-Mar 2011

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Corinthians 13:4,7

Tick tock tick tock!! The clock seems to be in slow motion. After several weeks of busyness, life has slowed down. Mission Fests Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton have come and gone. Rod and I ended our journey of representing YUGO in Canada at Morinville Alliance Church where Rod was able to share how the Lord is using missionaries to do their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Morinville is just 15 minutes from the little town of Legal where we spent 12 years of our lives bringing up our children and enjoying deep friendships before leaving for Mexico. Thank you to the many friends that again showed their love and support by attending the potluck that followed the church service. What a blessing to be able to reconnect with so many of you.

Rod returned to Mexico and I remain in Canada to be with our daughter Jessica (expecting twins) and two of our grand daughters in the Stony Plain area. Recently in the hustle and bustle of ministry, I remember reminiscing about the days of being an at home mom. Little did I know I would have the opportunity to have an extended stay with my daughter and grand daughters! My favorite parts of the days are the mornings when the girls snuggle on my lap for hugs and kisses and bedtimes when I tell them stories. Lots of snuggles, unconditional loving and keeping up with my office work from the lap top on a big easy chair appeals to me greatly.


Maddy and Aly being princesses with their new outfits


Jessica at seven months pregnant with the twins

We each have areas in our lives where we fall short of love, some more than others. Imagine this; Jesus came to serve not to be served. He never gave up hope in us even when we turned our backs and gave up on Him. We are living in a world with people that are searching for this unconditional love. This love is sought in relationships, money, material gain, power... Recently I have been challenged, how can I love those around me like my grandchildren love me? Or love others like Jesus loves me?

Prison Ministry is doing well. I mentioned in previous prayer letters that some of the male prisoners in the Ensenada Prison could not leave their cells due to not having sneakers. YUGO Ministries were sent a shipment of donated shoes. Barb (YUGO missionary) went through the donated shoes and was able to bring 24 pairs of sneakers into the prison. The prison leadership was ecstatic as they had 23 prisoners without shoes. The need for shoes is still great as more prisoners enter the prison daily.

Rod and I will be returning to Canada in August with a cargo trailer seeking churches that are willing to partner with us in filling up the trailer with personal items to be brought into Mexico for the prisoners. If you know of a church body that may want to get involved in collecting these personal items, please contact us. I have attached a Prisons Ministry Wish List!! Thank you to the many that partner with us in so many areas. Our greatest needs right now is Spanish Bibles.