Thursday, October 2, 2014

Closing thoughts from Brandon

It was a sincere blessing to see Emmanuel Ministries Children's Home again with my wife by my side.  We were able to share in some very cool adventures, and she was able to share in another part of my life with me.  It was also exciting to see a new generation of leaders rising up to serve the Home--which desperately needs their service; running such a home requires long hours, dedication, and heart.  It also requires support from outside--and that's where you can come in.

Ever since the travel warnings about Juarez, the work crews going down have dropped from dozens each season to approximately 4 each summer only.  Mission Trips and work crews from the US and other countries can tremendously impact the children's home by providing fresh energy, encouragement, supplies, and love.  It is hard for me to explain how much difference even one small trip or crew can make if they are there serving God/loving others.  I invite you to strongly consider going there with us next year OR with your own group.  I would personally be willing to assist you in setting such a trip up--contact me at Brandon.Nimz@gmail.com.  You can also give financially and in prayer to the Home (information about that can be found at their website here: http://emmanueljuarez.org/).

Please consider how you can come alongside this amazing ministry in future.  To those who came alongside us in prayer and financial support--thank you sincerely from the Children's Home and from us!  May we all be blessed to be blessings!
--Brandon

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Brandon's Chronicle of Events Friday-Sunday, and Final Thoughts

After Thursday night, Friday morning was a bit of a surprise to me.  It didn't feel like it should ALREADY be the last day in Juarez!  The last day is always a bit bittersweet, but we were still excited to see the kids that day.

We spent the morning resting and recuperating from a VERY busy week.  We then began preparations for the big fiesta that day.  After lunch with the kids, we strung up pinatas full of candy, and the girls and then the boys had fun breaking them and getting the candy.  After that, we split the boys into one room and watched 'Despicable Me' in Spanish, and the girls went upstairs and prepared for their movie 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' and for a 'spa day' put on by our ladies.  As I understand it, this 'spa day' involved facials, nails, hair, and more, and all of the gals apparently REALLY enjoyed it.  The older girls were also preparing for a graduation ceremony that evening, which we were honored to be invited to.

The ceremony itself was very touching--we all enjoyed watching a father pick up a small son to dance with him in celebration of his graduation--and seeing old familiar faces but much older.  It was a blessing of a way to end our trip.

Our return home was long but good--we enjoyed a service at Joe's Addiction Coffee House on the way in and stayed at Heart of God Ministries campsite.

Thank you and thank God for a blessing of a trip; we were truly blessed to be a blessing, and I hope that we truly were a blessing to the home and the kids out there.  Thanks again for your prayers and support.