PLEASE PRAY

Karen Klassen's condition hasn't changed and the doctors still don't know what is wrong. They have ruled out a few things but only have theories as to what may be happening.

One of the valve in her heart is not working right although not obstructed, it seems to be pushing blood back in the heart. She is not getting enough oxygen and at times is struggling to get enough air to breath.

Please pray for her condition to be identified and dealt with properly so they can rest to restore health to their bodies.

John and Julie Drieger (also from Church of the Rock) are also here with us. They are personal friends of Phil and Karen. Yet, they have a hard time letting go and taking the necessary rest they need. When Karen started feeling bad, she still packed her bag to go with the group that went to the mountains at the beginning of February. Phil made her stay behind but went along with the group himself, leaving his brother to care for Karen, who ended up in the hospital the next day.

Phil then had to return, leaving the group with John, Julie and Miguel in charge. The rest of the time in the mountains went just great. Phil confessed that in 20 years it was the first time either him or Karen was with the group and that he couldn't stand it.

Now, Karen is feeling the same as she did when the group left for the mountains yet, Phil is planning to go along with John, Julie, Miguel and us.

It seems the main issue right now, aside from their health problems, is the need to hear from God to realize that it's OK to let go and let others do the work.

Thank you for praying.

Taxco, Mexico

While Sophie and the children were visiting in Winnipeg. I was in Mexico working. The day Sophie and the kids left I went on a trip to the interior to do some scouting for upcoming construction teams that are coming. Phil Klassen, Miguel and I went to Aldama, Altamira and Matlapa. We met with quite a few pastors and looked at a several possible building projects as well. I spent the rest of the time Sophie was gone helping to build a house for a family in the mustard seed Program. I didn't have the camera sorry. Once the family arrived home we repacked the bags and headed to Taxco, Mexico to meet up with Sophie's sister. Sophie's brother inlaw goes there to buy Jewelry there which he the sells back in Canada.

This is a picture of Taxco from where we stayed for 6 days. I was fighting bronchitis and slept a lot but the kids had a good time in the pool. The locals couldn't believe that anyone would swim at those temperatures..... it reminded me of my childhood. I believe the high we saw was 23 degrees and the water in the pool was cold. We took a 30 min. trip to a Puebla to see some of the jewelry makers in action.

The drive home was very scenic and slow due to mountains. Unbelievable views from the road curving through the mountains. We were so high at time I think a pressurized cabin would have been a good idea. The kids and Sophie were all feeling bad from altitude and curvy roads.

Often I was amazed by the contrast from the valleys to the tops of the mountains. Bananas and sugar cane growing in the valley and snow capped mountains in the background.
We met people and when they found out what we are doing in Mexico the would tell us "you need to come here" the need is huge. On the way home we spent a few days in Altamira looking at houses as we are preparing to move there. We are not sure as to when we will be moving.

While in Taxco we bought a puppy the kids named him Oscar and he quickly became part of the family. Unfortunately he got sick shortly after we got him and he died on the way home. We were 2 hrs from Matamoros when he died. We said a tearful goodbye and went on our way with heavy hearts. I think we can all smile when we think of him now but it was hard for the kids.

Right now I am building a kitchen for a house that the Ministry has rented. I am making a ceramic tile counter top. No picture yet.

Please Keep Karen Klassen in your prayers as she is in the Hospital right now. She was admitted yesterday and will be undergoing a angeogram this afternoon to determine what it is that is bothering her heart. Phil is in the interior leading a trip right now not due back until Tuesday. I stayed behind as there wasn't room to go along.

Next week we are having another team arriving from Church of the Rock in Winnipeg.