Greetings from Ian and Elaine

It has been an amazing five years since we came to Oaxaca to serve with Foundation For His Ministry.  So once again, we welcome a new year with excitement and anticipation.  Thank you to all of you who have supported us in prayer and tangible ways.  Our prayer is that God blesses you and yours with a blessed 2008.

God has blessed us in so many ways in 2007.  Although we continue to negotiate with Profepa regarding the present construction ban, Ian and his faithful Mexican crew have kept busy developing the grounds, finishing numerous kitchens and bathrooms, and much more was accomplished on the new playground area thanks to many volunteers.

We have for the most part relinquished the position of hosting visiting teams to Jill Adams from Chicago who joined the staff in the fall.  It has been wonderful to be able to focus more on other responsibilities.

In November Caroline and Rick Bubenko arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to house parent the young boys.  They are doing a great job of guiding these 10 very lively boys.  It seems one of the characteristics of missions is an active staff turnover.  This year has brought many changes in personnel along with the attending challenges.  We have said a lot of ‘hellos’ and ‘good-byes’ this year.

Caroline and Rick w/ some of their boys

Children performing Christmas Eve

This Christmas we again enjoyed the rich traditions of a Mexican ‘Nochebuena’ (Christmas Eve), with tamales, pozole (corn soup) and ponche, a hot cinnamon beverage full of fruit, including sugar cane.  Many family members, guests and neighbours came.  The children broke piñatas till late into the night, and then opened gifts while the rest of us warmed up with hot chocolate.  Christmas Day all but eleven of the children went to visit family or friends for the holidays.

 Every once in a while the children at Hogar Para Niños Necesitados are blessed by a church, a group of caring people or individual.  This Christmas, thanks to a generous donation from Falun Community Church, Alberta, Canada, we were able to treat five of the children (who had no place to go for holidays) to five fun-filled days on the beach in Puerto Escondido, six hours south from Tlacolula where we are based.

Getting ready for beach

Jill and Janelle playing with the kids

Jill and Janelle, and Ian and I took Eli (12), Hector (6), Daniel (5), Luz (3) and Josias (3) through the winding mountain road to the ocean, a first for all of them.  As we turned the last corner and the ocean came into view, the vehicle became totally silent.  Then Hector’s little voice was heard, “Dios es bueno!” (“God is good!”. ☺

The house that was promised did not materialize, so we felt like Joseph and Mary looking for the inn once we arrived after dark.  Due to high season there was not much available but Ian was able to find two rooms right on the beach!!  The children built sand castles, swam in the waves, ate pescadillas (fish tacos) and enjoyed the warmth of the sun.  One day we even hired a guide to take us out on the ocean to see giant sea turtles and enormous whales, which blew plumes and frolicked right beside our boat.  Little Josias’ heart was pounding as he said “Quiero mi casa!” (“I want my house!”)  It was heartwarming to see that he saw his ‘home’ as a safe place.  We returned home with new respect for how hard the house parents work 24/7 for these children.  We have many good memories and deeper relationships with these precious children.

Ian, Hector and Dani building sand castles

Looking for turtles and whales

Ian, Hector and Dani building sand castles     Looking for turtles and whales

Prayer requests:

1)      We are still negotiating with Profepa to lift the construction ban.

2)      Elaine is returning to Canada for three weeks in January for medical attention re. the new cochlear implant.  We pray all goes well.

Praise Reports♫

1)     Tete, a former house mother and trained social worker, has returned after a time at Bible School, to serve as our social services liaison

2)  Caroline and Rick Bubenko have been a wonderful addition to our staff.  They house parent the younger boys.

We thank all of you for your continued prayers.  It has been a joy to host some of you here in Oaxaca.  We look forward to seeing some of you again in 2008.  May God’s plan for Hogar Para Niños Necesitados be accomplished as we team together.  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting.”  Ps. 119:29

Love and appreciation, Ian and Elaine Croft♥♥♥ with Foundation for His Ministry Oaxaca, Mexico

Elaine and Ian Croft