CAMP THICKET-WESLACO, TX. PERIOD 3-WEEK1

Hola :

The Endeavor is still resting here at Camp Thicket. The NOMAD team finished all of the outside painting Except the pool shower building and the swimming pool.

Other minor work done by John this week was repairing a very bad leaking sink drain in the South complex building, replaced a venation blind in the North dining area.
Bill and John also started removing the bad boards and support beams in the covered seating area near the pool, some floor boards needed replacing and one of the support beams under it was rotted out, so it was replaced. Then we had to take out 3 roof support rafters and half dozen roof boards. We managed to get the new beam in place and 4 floor boards replaced.

For added events for the week The Longs and Ms,Baker, traveled over to Alamo Rec.-Veh RV park, to listen to a Gospel Concert by Terry Hall, which was an excellent experience.This concert was a CRM sponsored event for the RV park.
Terry is very talented singer/performer, and if any of you have an opportunity to attend one of his performances we highly recommend it.

With Wednesday being Ash Wednesday, the NOMAD team went to 1st United Methodist Church- Weslaco for combined services with 1st UMC- Mercedes and Weslaco.

Then on Thursday evening we had a soup supper and game night. Another New card game was learned WHINE.

Friday was shopping day, and Johns Cell Phone was found! ????

Saturday Judy and John joined the CRM worship group from Alamo Rec-Veh for a bus tour over to Reynosa, Mexico, to visit The REFUGIO INTERNATIONAL DeNinos ran by an American sponsor CHILDREN'S HAVEN INTERNATIONAL.Their web address is: www.childrenshaven.org We were treated to a tour of the campus to view their living quarters, dining area, school rooms. Then we shared a delightful lunch Mexican style. Afterwards the Children presented their Fiesta performances for us, which absolutely thrilled all of us.

As far as the bus trip to and from the Children's home through the streets of Reynosa.. we had our eyes opened to why the Latinos want to leave those living conditions... average house was a shack or a very small 3 ROOMS brick building, with more then a 1000 such brick "houses" built on about 10 acres. The average wage is $1.75 per hour we were told and they HAVE to work 60 hrs a week, then work over time and if they refused the OT twice they are released from their jobs.

Today the Nomads again attended 1st UMC- Mercedes for Worship followed by Lunch out at CICI"S Pizza.

Judy, John and some Nomad leadership had a discussion about how hard it was for her to continue to try putting all the work and time doing projects,, the leadership team suggested that she just take a support role-- like maybe provide snacks for breaks,participate in group events and her health allows, and then maybe occasionally doing minor things as she feels able too.

Because of this we have asked to be released from the Period 4 project at Luling, Tx. which will allow us to stay here in Rio Grande Valley a few more days to have a follow up visit with Dr. Blazer. Also to attend the Ordination Services of Jack Gregory on the 15th , also another CRM Chaplain will be ordained in that same evening, followed by a potluck fellowship.. am told that there will be quite a few of the CHRISTIAN RESORT MINISTRIES, Board of Directors present that week-end.

We then will be returning to Rainbow's End at Livingston for R&R at the R.L. Ranch. Then head for Iowa at a slow pace depending on weather there and between.

We have tentatively planned on staying in the Quad Cities area until the 17th of April, then traveling to Belle Plaine on the 17th to visit our friends and family around their over the week-end. Then after the Morning Worship hours and lunch head onto Altoona and Adventureland.

Please pray for:

Gods Good News be highlighted during this Easter season and that lost souls would be touched and won!

For our Country, Our Leaders, our Service Personnel that they may have wisdom, safety and the economy be shored up.

Pray for Judy's Aunt Loretta (90+) who is still recovering for pneumonia, and hospitalized in Cedar Rapids.

Pray for Judy and her health issues and to make here feel that the choice we have made is for the better and that she STILL will have an active role in support of NOMADS teams that John is involved with.

Pray for safety on the work sites of all of the NOMAD projects and that more will take an opportunity to serve (even in IOWA, where a revolving project is beginning in April. see www.nomadsumc.org for details). Also that more people join as there is a greater need for volunteers as there are more request for teams than they have volunteers to serve on them.

Pray for Children's Haven International and all of their leadership and volunteers that work with the Children at Refugio International De Ninos and the 50+ children there in Reynosa. Also that the money to finish the addictions for the classrooms that CRM /Alamo Rec-Veh as pledged to raise is accomplished. That the work may be accomplished quickly as the need is urgent.

Continue praying for The CRM Chaplains scattered across the country that their energy and health holds up and that God continues to Bless each of them daily. That lost souls be touched by their love and messages.

Be in special prayer for John, as he begins studying MORE deeply and preparing, for our 1st CRM assignment at Coffeyville, Ks. In October. and preparing hearts to be in tuned to what he has to share with them there.

May GOD touch each of you in a special way this Easter Season and may each of you share with another the JOY that Jesus took this time to DIE for their sins along your and ours.

Hugs from the LONGS:Judy, John, Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles.