Sorry to miss posting last week. We enjoyed a fabulous cruise down the Danube River from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. More to come on that. But first, one more post about Rancho Santa Marta (http://www.ranchosantamarta.org/)

One of our team’s joys at Santa Marta is dividing into groups of four or five and sharing a meal with one of the four children’s residences. As our group of five walked to Monica’s house, we chuckled at the sight that greeted us. Monica’s girls, aged two to fifteen, lined up in front of the house in pairs, raising arms for us to walk through as we entered their home.

Bob Moorhead walks through the welcoming line

Our team leader is “Grandpa Bob” (pictured right). Don and I joined Bob, Judy and Peter in sharing a lovely meal prepared and served by Monica and her family of girls. We enjoyed our dinner together. Even more than our repast, we chuckled as we watched the two little sisters, two and five, mug for the camera, touch Bob’s very white hair, giggle and run. The older girls served us, the joined us at the table as we asked each other questions and conversed in our limited Spanish and their better English.

We’re grateful for the family environment in which the children of Santa Marta grow and learn.

Monica, Don and I after our wonderful meal and fellowship

As we talked and ate we shared so much more than food. When we left, Monica was preparing to have devotions with her family.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Wisdom from Proverbs 22.6.

Enjoying laughter and talk around the table

That is our prayer for the children of Rancho Santa Marta.

Santa Marta’s house parents–and staff and teachers–have many needs including a break from sometimes heavy responsibilities, renewing of their spirits so they can faithfully care for their house families, support, love and laughter both from within and without the ministry. Won’t you join me in praying for Monica and the rest as God brings them to mind.