Wow, A new post in just over a week.

My last post left you with the ISU team leaving on Friday and Kali and Zach riding with them to Tucson. They spent the night with Loren and Joan Knapp (Thanks!! Uncle Loren and Aunt Joan) and met Joel to load Kali's piano on Saturday morning and then brought the 3 Lemans back on Saturday night. We were also surprised when Lane Steffen (Washington IL.) and Jeremiah Psinus (Morton IL.) showed up on Saturday. They drove down to spend the week helping out here at CVE. It was our turn to make supper on Sunday evening and we had lots of great help. Bethany made her famous apple pie for desert which was a huge hit with the kids and the staff.

The pie makers.


Susie celebrating when supper is done and ready to serve.

The Purdue team arrived Sunday evening after attending church in Tucson. The team was a little later arriving than we thought they would be and Kali was a nervous wreck waiting to find out if her piano got safely across the border. Everyone, but especially the kids are excited when a team is coming. I knew the bus must have arrived when Mario came running by as fast as his 5 year old legs could carry him saying "grupo!!! grupo!!!, grupo!!!"

Mario - "Grupo!!!, Grupo!!!, Grupo!!!"

They all arrived safely including the piano which was under a mountain of luggage in the trailer. Kali could hardly wait for the team to unload. We spent the evening meeting the team and playing with the kids. Around 9:30 we started unloading the luggage out at the dorms and got the piano moved to our van.

The Piano after being "dug out" from under the luggage.

You can see the corner of the Piano and to the right Kali's fingers anxiously awaiting to play it. She had a lot of good help to put the bench together while we moved the piano into the house.

How many cousins does it take to put the leg on a piano bench???

I have to admit I was anxious to get it moved in and set up also. CDs just can't compare to the real thing. It just seems a little bit more like home with live music in the house again. We really enjoy listening to her play.

Monday was the start of another busy week. The team was hard at it getting ready to pour concrete for the floor of the new house, making fence and working on lighting and tile in the Church. Tuesday night we went to the plaza and had supper a Lupita's. Wednesday afternoon we took the 3 Lemans to MoMo's for lunch.

Heather , Elisabeth and Bethany Leman, Kali, Zach and Nate at MoMo's.

Wednesday night we sang (in English) around the Piano before Church. Thursday afternoon we got a very special surprise when Audrey Ruegsegger and Tonia Martin showed up. They were on a work team in Auga Prieta and came down with some family of Bill and Joan. They were able to spend the night with us and left early Friday morning.

From the top down.

George W, Audrey, Bethany, Kali, Heather, Elisebeth and Tonia

Friday morning I climbed the "Monte de la cruz" (The mount of the Cross) which looks out over the town of Magdalena with the Purdue Team. We made the top as the sun was breaking through the clouds over the mountains and it was beautiful. Unfortunately I forgot my camera. We took a few of the kids back on Saturday afternoon so I did get a few pictures to add.

Jose - On his way to the top.

La Familia Zobrist en la monte de la cruz.

We really enjoyed having visitors from back home again this week. Rico was so excited to meet our niece Elisabeth Leman he just suddenly had the urge to give her a big doggy kiss. We were riding out to CVE in the van and Susie was snapping some pictures when she caught the whole thing on film. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I frequently catch him drinking out of the toilets. (Sorry Elisabeth)

Rico and Elisabeth smooching.

Kali, Zach and Nate are adjusting well to life in Mexico. For all of Zach's friends out there, it's true. All he does is work, work, work. We actually make him do homework, study Spanish and yes even do housework. He hardly has any free time to skateboard, go into town with Ben, play volley ball and hangout with the work teams.

Zach "slaving away" mopping the kitchen floor.

Nate, on the other hand, has all kinds of free time. He spends hours on the phone talking to his cousin David. Lounging on the hammock and playing with Rico. Actually, the boys are adjusting very well. Susie and Kali do a great job keeping them on track with their homework. Jeremiah Psinus even squeezed in a trig lesson for us while he was visiting this week.

I don't know how he can talk on the phone in this position.

Kali spends her time helping Zach and Nate with homework and teaching us the language. She teaches a typing class for several of the kids each morning and helps in the school room in the afternoons with homework. She also helps Keith and Emily with the girls.

Kali, Gloria, Nere and Mario waiting for lunch. (Some of the Purdue Team in the background)

Susie and I are still attempting to learn Spanish. Sometimes it seems impossible that we will ever be able to learn this language but when we look back to when we first arrived we can see a little progress. We eat most of our meals and spend most of our evenings at CVE with the children. They are very patient and helpful as we attempt to speak to them. Gloria even offered to share her Cheerios with me.

Gloria sharing her lunch with me.

I promised pictures of my birthday on the last blog so here they are. We had brownies so I really didn't get much on my face but the kids sure enjoyed it anyway.

We have been so blessed being able to come here and be accepted into the lives of these children. Please remember them and the staff of CVE in your prayers. Please pray that God will continue to work in their lives and in the community of Magdalena. If anyone is interested in specific prayer requests leave your name e-mail address on the comments of this blog or e-mail us directly at zobfam@gmail.com.

"...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5 :16

I did pretty good finishing and posting this blog in just over a week. Keep your toes crossed that I can keep it up. Gloria is.



We would also request that you keep Brian and Marie Ricketts and their children in your prayers this week. Brian and Marie and their family served here in Magdalena for several years. Brian was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and will be undergoing surgery on Monday morning March 23.


Brian and Marie and their family.


La Familia Zobrist