About Us

In April 2013, I arrived in Milwaukie, Oregon after spending 3.5 years on the mission field in Northern Baja Mexico. Soon I discovered God's purpose in bringing me to Oregon...the homeless community.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve at church for a special service. Great time of worship, youth and adults singing special music, a time of teaching from our pastor. It was wonderful, but I have to admit my favorite part is how we brought the new year in together. At about 20 minutes before midnight, the entire church congregation came to the front and joined their arms around each other. As we stood there arm in arm we sang a song in Spanish that says "I'm hungry for You, Lord. I love your presence and I'm hungry for you." Then we began to pray, the pastor closed in prayer followed by a count down to midnight. Everyone began hugging each other and wishing everyone a happy new year. What I really loved was that it didn't matter if you were a first time visitor or had been attending for many years. Everyone received a fair amount of hugs and wishes.

When all the hugging and wishing finished, we went downstairs for pasole (soup) and fellowship. While most of us were eating and talking, Tyler was outside having fun with the confetti filled eggs I had bought him to bring in the year a little differently than the rest of us!

On New Year's Day many of us went to DJ and Lynette's other home off of the orphanage property. They mostly use if for hosting occasions like were having that day. Numerous volley ball games, a little soccer, someone even brought their bow and arrow to show us how he hunts. Music was playing, kids were laughing, and a good time was had by all.

As I took in all that was happening, I once again observed many things that I love about the people I'm surrounded with. First of all, as soon as I got out of my van, people were so glad to see me. I was greeted with many "Hey Robin! Sit over here" or "How are you? Happy New Year!" Once I sat down to watch volley ball the pastor asked me what he could get me to drink. Then I saw something in the children that I hadn't observed before. Children that I didn't even know were offering me chips from their single serving bags of chips. And not just offering to me, but they seemed to be going to every adult around the volley ball game. If everyone had took them up on their offer they easily could have handed all their chips and had been left with none.

I'm used to attending a friendly church. In fact my church is known for being very friendly. But this was outside of the walls of the church building. This group of people were from our church in Mexico and another in Sinaloa. I guess you could say, I just haven't met a Mexican with an "attitude" yet. Even when I was turned around in Tijuana the other day, everyone I asked was glad to help. It's like going to Walmart, but you're outside and people offer to help you. (Speaking of Walmart, I was just there today, and no one offered to help. It might be because they don't speak English, I'm not sure. Everyone's nice, but it's funny that in Walmart I'm not asked if I need help. Go figure.)

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