Good News!

We are approaching our 1-year anniversary of leaving Chicago and beginning our MCC adventure. As we are writing this, Olinala is continuing the week long celebration of it’s patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi. This afternoon there is a costume parade through the streets, ending at the church in the center of town. Tonight there will be a big fireworks display. There is much to see and do downtown. Everyone is celebrating.

We too have much to celebrate. Last month we received word that “Plan 500” our three-year project proposal to build 200 cisterns, 200 dry latrines, and start 100 family gardens using drip irrigation in the surrounding communities was accepted for funding by MCC! We are thrilled to have the funding we need to do these projects.

We are also very excited to welcome Kiara Yoder to our team. Kiara is participating in MCC’s one-year SALT program. She graduated from EMU in 2005 with a liberal arts degree, speaks Spanish AND has some community gardening experience, which will come in very useful as we begin the first 35 family gardens this year. She is fitting in very well and we should also add that our boys absolutely adore her.

Prayer Request: Please pray for sustained energy for everyone on the MCC Guerrero Team as we begin the first phase of “Plan 500”.

Picture 1- Liz presenting information about family gardens
Picture 2 - Women investigating organic dirt produces by worms
Picture 3 - St. Francis of Assis - Patron Saint of Olinala
Picture 4 - Isaiah and Micah enjoying the rides that festivals bring to town
Picture 5 - Liz and new teammate Kiara