We love the palm trees and blue skies.
We enjoyed our time in the Portland/Corpus Christi area. It is a good place to live. We had a good time Wednesday night with the folks at the Arlington Heights congregation. They told us some funny stories about folks they know who have had RV's. They had seen Robin William's movie RV so they could laugh with my sentiments about life on the road.
Alice, which has a population of about 20,000, has a lot of traffic accidents and crime. From the news, we heard of a lot going on in Corpus Christi as well. One night, the news reported about three traffic accidents where vehicles had "rolled over." It was not just one type vehicle so we wondered how so many would have rolled over in one day. Shortly after we arrived in Alice, we heard sirens for an hour or more and thought it was probably a fire because everything is very dry. On the news, we learned that a diesel tanker truck lost control and overturned about a mile away and the driver is in critical condition. We expect crime in big cities, but the police is kept busy with many traffic accidents and crimes of all kind in these smaller cities as well. I guess it is a sign of our times.
Last evening, we went to dinner with the preacher and his wife and had a very enjoyable time with them. Wherever we go, we find that we have mutual acquaintances and having a common goal, we feel the closeness even to people we just met. After dinner at a Mexican restaurant, we went to their home for coffee. It was the first time anyone has offered us their guest room and washer and dryer. We have adjusted so well to the RV life, that we have no need for anything but we really did appreciate their offer and their thoughtfulness.
When we leave Alice on Monday, we will drive to San Benito and park at the Sunny Glen Children's Home. It is in the Brownsville area. They have hookups at the orphanage because they have the Sojourners coming there to visit sometimes. It was suggested by some of the members in Portland because they were concerned about the danger of us parking at a church building (as we usually do) and being isolated. Being so close to the Mexico border, crime is even worse in these areas.
I did not hear this on the news, but someone in Portland told us that a few weeks ago an American was killed near Zapata, which is located along the border just south of Laredo. The couple was jet skiing on a lake (on the American side) when someone shot the man. The lady got away but the man nor his jet ski were ever found. It sounds like a senseless crime but maybe they hoped to get the jet ski to sell it. The theory was that the bullets hit the ski and cause it to quickly sink.
We won't go to Zapata, but we will be in the McAllen/Brownsville area about two weeks. At the orphanage, we will be surrounded with people and when we visit churches, we will drive directly there in the car to be safe.
Today is Sherry Shi's official wedding. Sherry worked for us more than five years. She was the first Chinese girl that came to the U.S. when we brought the first heart patient, Ting Ting. Sherry had a quiet wedding at the end of December and moved to northern Indiana. Her husband is a college professor but we know very little about him. She said he had made some trips to China and speaks Mandarin, but he is an American. Sherry was finally able to get her father to the U.S. for a visit, so I know this is a very happy day for her and her father. Our other Chinese workers in the U.S. have gone there for the wedding. It was just too difficult for us to leave the work here and too expensive for us to go. Sherry said she understood. We wish her much happiness.
Judy, one of our Chinese workers, is returning to China to live and work in Shanghai at the end of March. We have grown to love her very much so we are going to miss her too. She has worked very hard the three years she has been with us. About two years ago, Judy took over the accounting and did such a good job that when we were audited late last year, the auditor was only there a short time. Since we are a 501C non-profit charity organization (because of the corporate donations), they can audit our books at any time.
Paige, who has also worked with us for several years (first she was the host Mom for Ha Ha, the little boy that came from China for skin grafts, and since then as my helper sending reports on the orphan children to sponsors) will take over the accounting responsibilities.
Only last week, we learned that Aida has been accepted by a nursing school in Orlando. That schooling will begin in May, so she will be leaving soon. Aida handles all of the heart patients coming to the U.S. She has worked out the arrangements for the next three patients. Our daughter, Leigh Ann, will take over the monthly newsletter that has been handled by Aida. Ron and Aida will have to discuss how they will handle future work with the heart patients, but we will work it out so it will continue.
Judy and Aida have been with us for about three years. They have been an asset to our work and done an excellent job but their leaving does not mean that we will discontinue the work they have been handling. Although everyone in an organization is special, none of us are indispensable. Well, maybe no one but Ron. Since he raises funds for the work, it is almost safe to say he is indispensable as his job is the most difficult.
We have developed a lot of love for our Chinese workers. Everyone is going to miss them because they have been a part of our lives. We wish all three of them much success in their future lives.
It's Saturday, so I have other chores to do besides blogging. Ron has been outside working on the RV but he's taking a siesta. I told him it is a little early for that since we have not even had lunch. He said the closer you get to the Mexican border, the earlier you can take a siesta. That's all for now.
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