This is Guille and two of her sons. Guille has quite a testimony and she shared it the last time I went to the Rio. She has a history of drugs of which the Lord has delivered her. She has witnessed miracles in her life which includes bringing her youngest son who was born dead back to life. Once she called out to God to show himself to her. She has many health problems and found herself with just enough money to get her to the doctor and back home on the bus. While riding on the bus, she heard God telling her to get off the bus. She struggled with acting quickly as doing this would cause her to not have enough money to get back home. God was persistent and she kept hearing him call her name and she sensed the urgency to get off the bus. She got off at the next stop and as she waited for another bus, she witnessed her bus that she left get into a serious accident and the vehicle that hit the bus did so at the place where she was sitting. God answered her prayer to show himself to her in mighty ways. Guille has had a difficult past and has only been a Christian since October of last year. She doesn't have an easy road ahead of her. But she serves a mighty God. What a blessing it is to know her.

Serria Madre Mountains- our majestic view

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower that the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air. and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Psalm 8

Photos on our day off at Bioparke Astrella

More Photos of the Fiesta with all the Casa Hogars

More photos from the big party with the Life Group

Heaven.....I'm in Heaven

I know you may not be able to tell this by the look on my face in this picture but I'm happier than a clam. Yes clams are usually quite happy creatures. Last night a large group from Oklahoma came. They have been regulars here at B2B and they like to host all of the Casa Hogar's here on campus for a cookout when they arrive. Because some children went home to see family yesterday we only had about 200-300 people here. It was a fiesta. A great time of playing, eating, singing in worship, hearing testimonies and listening to one of the directors give a talk. The night was a lot of fun. Something that energizes the extrovert in me. I had the opportunity to play basketball, throw frisbee, push little ones on a swing, talk with my limited spanish to some teens I knew. I had laughed, hugged and played to my hearts content when I saw Beth (B2B director) walking my way with an adorable little girl, Pamela. Beth was giving the Casa Hogar workers a little break by finding Americans to help with the little ones. As Beth placed Pamela in my arms, I got a renewed sense of how good God is. When we seek out to serve Him, He gives us the desires of our hearts. As I stood/sat with Pamela clinging to me, I felt so grateful for all God does for me. That he cares for us all. He know us. Not just like"Hi, how are you."knows us. He knew that nothing would make me happier than to have a little one clinging to me and eventually fall asleep on my chest.
We have many moments when Greg and I wonder what God really called us here for. What can we offer to Him. This is what I think it means "to delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Ps 37:4) Gracias Senoir.

Do you ever feel attacked?

Today I'm under the weather. My body is fighting a sinus infection that has turned to laryngitis. I hate that. It bugs me that I have to sit out today. There was a lot going on today that I had the chance to be involved in. An international lunch with our three boys and the other kids and their mothers at school. Today was the day I was going to go with the group to the Rio or Cadereyta. Then I was going to have the chance to debrief the group. All of that is put on hold. I know I need to rest so that my body could have the chance to fight this virus. This virus isn't all I have been fighting lately. Never before have I felt so under attack by Satan.
We've been here about 42 days. In those few weeks, I have felt like Satan is exposing every ugly thing inside of me- my low self esteem, my body image hang-ups, my anger, my dependency on other people, my feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, my performance determining my worthiness, the list seems to go on and on. I know what I need to take and do to attack Satan like my body is attack this infection. The word of God needs to penetrate my heart. Jesus used Scripture to fight Satan in the wilderness. Showing us the key to fight him ourselves. Daily time of solitude for prayer and mediation. I have found out how little I know the source of strength that Jesus gives us in his Holy Spirit. What a powerful tool we have to fight anything that Satan throws our way. I have spoke to many here and I know that I am not alone in my struggles. God has given me peace today and I lift up those who are taking my place so that my body can recover and fight this infection. Please pray for us as Satan preys on us wanting to keep us from doing what God would have us do. Pray that God would work in us to depend on him more and more making Satan weak and unable to effect the work of the Lord. Are you feeling attacked? Do you see it as Satan or just a bad day? Is it just one of those times of the year? Are you in the word? Are you relying on God to do the battle?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers, of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of the evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

How's your sermon?

Hey guys, it's me Greg. Cathy has been doing such a great job with the Blog stuff, she has such a knack for it, but from time to time I will post an entry myself.

Never in a million years did I ever envision myself preaching in another land, yet this past Sunday, the Lord blessed me with that opportunity. The majority of the B2B Monterrey staff attend a Spanish speaking church here called Nuevo Pacto. The pastor of the church, Pastor Rene, is a dear friend of the ministry and does a great deal for us in many different ways. Last week, he called and offered me the opportunity to preach this Sunday. He would translate. Preaching is one of the things I miss most about pastoral ministry, so while a little anxious about preaching to a foreign crowd, I accepted the invitation.

Anyway, word got around on our campus that I was going to be preaching, and people were very excited. Most of our staff speak decent to very good Spanish, but they have said that there is just something about hearing a sermon in your own tongue.

There is a certain young man here, Rudolpho, who has grown up in the children's homes and is now in college in our Hope Ministry. He is a solid man of God, and just the nicest guy around. One night he came up to me and said, "So, I hear you are preaching Sunday." I said, "Yes, that's right." We small talked a little bit and then I playfully asked him, "So Rudolpho, when are you preaching?"

I love his answer. He said, "I'm ready. I am the Lord's servant." Then he went on to say, "I preach a sermon everyday."

Isn't that awesome?! It hit me that there are many days when my sermons flat out stink! Let me ask you, how's your sermon?

Okay, another prayer request. I've mentioned the cadareyta. This is a place where women and children are located. Some husbands have left for work and not returned. Some leave for a good part of the day- 4:30am to 7:00 pm for work. Some parents deal with there situation through drugs and alcohol. The women are strong there. They look out for one another, help one another, pray for one another, help raise one another children. Pray for these women.

Pray for the Jovens (teens)

These two girls are full of possibilities. God has given each one gifts and talents. The one on the right is currently living on the Back2Back campus and is attending high school. God is using B2B to give her the tools she needs to get a good job and have a better life for herself. She is in a discipleship relationship with women on campus.
The girl on the left has the opportunity to continue her education. She hopes to join Back2Back this fall and continue her education. There are other teens with the possibility of continuing their education in hopes for a better live for themselves. However for some of these kids, their families that couldn't take care of them when they were younger are wanting them to come back home to care for younger children, help support their families and other reasons. It is a tough decisions full of so many consequences. Would you join with me in prayer for these kids? I don't know that joining Back2Back is the right decision for all the teens but I do know that some family members are looking for what would make their live easier rather than what would be best for these teens. Pray for the hurt that so many teens have here. Pray for the healing that only Christ can give. Pray that Satan would be bound and the teens would be protected. Pray for teens by name-Beto, Carmen, Evelyn, Ricky, and others.
Thank you.

Gracia for your prayers

Gracias. Thank you. We appreciated all your prayers for Greg's sermon today. The Lord is faithful and rewards those who are obedient. Greg loved being in the pulpit. He adjusted well to Pastor Rene translating for him. Greg preached on Samson and how Samson's last prayer was that God would use him (even though he strayed from God and fell into temptation as he told Delilah about the source of his strength) one last time. He died to self as God gave him the strength to help Israel be freed from the Philistines. We were all challenged to die to ourselves daily so that God can fulfill in and through us what he has created us for. Praise God for how he is using Greg in the ways he has been gifted.

I wanted to write quickly and ask for a prayer request for Greg. He has been asked to preach at our church here in Monterrey, Nuevo Pacto. He is excited and humbled at this opportunity. Will join us in praying that God would give him the words to reach the Mexican culture. There will also be a college and teenage group here on Sunday too. Thank you

What's in a word?

What's in a word? Just about everything it seems. I so want to spend time with the kids at the children's home or the teen girls here on campus. Today, I decided to play basketball with one of the girls here. I wanted to reach out to her and get to know her. As I was trying to make a sentence or say something, she would respond in a bewildered look upon her face. She would say something back and after a while I realized she was correcting my Spanish. I really appreciated her help but it was confusing as I was trying to understand her sentence as a response. God is teaching me to be ok with silence. For those of you who know me well are probably thinking God is a bit late on teaching me this lesson. I really want to talk to these kids. Mess around,
tease,
get deep,
show them I care.
I know I don't have it down just yet. Actually I'm wondering if I can survive this lesson. But I'm beginning to see what it is you can hear in this silence. That there maybe is more said in silence than in words. It's in the silence that I find myself praying for ways to communicate that are beyond my ability. I pray that I learn Spanish quickly but I hope I don't forget the language of silence and how that can speak volumes.

Jealousy in Ministry?

There is something really not right about being jealous about others experiencing "great" ministry when it doesn't seem like you are. I share this in hopes people will pray for Greg and I as we are experiencing similar things just with different perspectives.
Greg's role is very active in ministry. His days are full of going to the various children's homes, learning the ways of planning projects, discerning the needs of the children, the workers and the facilities. He is learning how to get places, how to order supplies or foods, who to go to, who not to, etc. Somedays are very overwhelming. Somedays are very fullfilling.
My (Cathy) day on many days is just like it is in Indiana. I get the kids ready for school, go grocery shopping, do the wash, clean our house, taxes, budget, pour on suntan lotion on our boys before they go out to play, make breakfast, lunch and dinner. OK, I'm sure you got the drift about the "do the wash" part. In the states, I struggled with the mom ministry. I totally know it is of utmost importance to raise our boys well. Somedays it seems like I'm missing out. When Greg's schedule allows, I do get to go on ministry one day of the week. And ministry moments happen around campus more than I first realized. But like a lot of times, the grass always seems greener on the other side.
I guess I'm asking for prayer for contentment. I love the times I get to spend with my boys. Truth be told they spent a big part of their day with friends outside building, digging and riding bikes. God has enabled me to learn more Spanish while sitting with other Moms. Practicing as much as I can. Ben, Luke and Mark are using their Spanish a lot which has helped me be bolder.
Pray for quality down time for Greg and contentment for me. This topic is bigger than this little blog but for now I feel better. Thanks for letting me share.

More sliding on Chipique.

Greg and the boys looking over the city of Monterrey.

One day off we went to a park called Chipinque. The view is gorgeous, the hiking is steep and they have great slick cement slids that are a lot of fun.

Our bedroom and new furniture. Greg's mom made our quilt. The boys in our kitchen

Greg sitting in our living room.

Cathy with friends at the Cadereyta. These adorable children are two or hundreds of people who live at the Cadereyta. I enjoy going with groups or with another staff women Kelly as we play with, talk with, pray with these people who are in need. There is no labels to hide behind or make up to get through. I enjoy an moment I get to go here as people are genuine, kind and loving. I invite you to come visit and we will go to the Cadereyta. God has met me here more than once and I am "richer" everytime I go.

Greg at a youth retreat here on the property. There were about 70 teens that spent the night. Many 13-15 year olds learning about Back2Back's Hope program and the opportunity they will have to live here and continue there education. They will have the opportuntiy to live with others and have teen parents to disciple them and guide them. If they haven't already they will hear the gospel and learn of the abundant life that we all are offered through the sacrifices of Jesus Christ.

We remember John Robert

Today I'm reminded of a couple I know who gave birth to their premature precious little one last year but he did not survive. This couple had waited a long time and were so pleasantly surprised to find out they were pregnant. Those are times when whys are easy to ask of the Lord. We can't imagine why God allows more hurt on people who are hurting. I'm sure I still don't know the whys of that situation and how God will continue to use them but I do know what I and many others were able to see through watching and being apart of their lives and how they handled their sorrow. God carried them through that time. They were real people, feeling real pain, having real faith, and living each day with each other and God. God gave them glory strength through the days they didn't feel like doing anything. God gave them humility and love to carry on. I'm happy to say that a year later, God has given them another baby boy. We rejoice with our friends. We couldn't be happier. But, dear friends, I want you to know, we remember John Robert and I know in that in many ways your lives are richer because of him.

"I don't get home sick"

That simple sentence has stuck in my head today. I've thought about it a lot. I was talking to a young adult who has been away from his family since he was 10. He currently lives with 7 other boys in high school or college and his house parents. You see he is due to graduate from school this year and I was talking to him about if he was excited about graduating and what he wants to do following college. He admitted that he is both excited and scared. A common feeling shared by most graduating seniors I believe. I asked him if he had siblings and he immediately said the other boys in his house along with one brother and 2 sisters who lived ~2 hours from here. When we discussed his dreams, he said he'd love to travel to another country. I asked him if he'd miss his family. His response has been quite thought provoking. "I don't get homesick." "It's good, but kinda sad too." The conversation moved on but for some reason I couldn't. I was careful not to pry but I couldn't help but think about the impact that his family or lack there of has played in his life. God has developed this young man with so many skills and talents. He demonstrates leadership qualities, and intelligence. Lord, I pray for his heart. Hurt that I'm sure that I have no idea. Ways of protecting himself to aviod more pain. Lord, I pray for these walls and that he would be able to experience love that allows him to be homesick. It doesn't seem like something one should pray for. But I pray he experiences love in such a way that it may be possible someday.

Huffer's in Mexico with Back2Back Ministries

We have developed this blog with hopes to bridge the gap between wanting to share our experiences with friends and family and not having the time to respond to all the emails that we receive. We arrived here in Monterrey on Jan. 31, 2007. It's hard to believe that its been a month already. So much has happened that I think this will be easier to share on a daily or weekly basis rather than try to recall things as people ask or as we try and write our monthly newsletter.
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