"Children of the Dump" sponsored Pescadores de Hombres a Medical Mission Team from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta.  The team treated over 1000 adults and children at the Kindergartens around the dump community.  The city helped by providing Medicine, tents, chairs, tables, PA system, and water for the team.  The local ice company gave us all the ice we needed and put a Freezer in to store the ice during the Medical Mission.  Improtur Printers donated our handouts and printed our posters, Sam's Club donated cups and candy for the children, which was distributed by the clowns during shows at each Kindergarten.  Bethel Church donated space for the team to sleep and their kitchen facilities for the food to feed the team.  They also donated bottle water for those waiting in line for services.  A local restaurant, donated Ribs to feed the team a great meal on Thursday night.  We will post more pictures and a video over the next few days.  We already know that at least two lives were saved as a direct result of the Mission Team visit.  One a woman who needed lifesaving medicine which we provided and the city is working to assure her a continued supply.  The second was my wife's father, he was wasting away before they arrived, we had taken him to three doctor's with no help.  The Mission Team told us to go to the hospital and get an x-ray of his hip where a metal plate had been installed.  He had fallen and the plate had moved causing him incredible pain.  He is now in the hospital awaiting surgery and should recover.  These are two of the stories I observed, but over a thousand other stories each touching the lives of countless families are there for the telling.  Thanks to the support of so many it is impossible to thank you individually, we are able to continue this work. 

The new year has started and the kid's are back in school.  We have been busy scanning  all our records onto a computer in order to become as paperless as possible.  I received a nice e-mail today from Kent and Deborah Hirschfelder: 

"We are finally home...and want to thank you and your wife for taking
time to give us a very special tour of the program....Kent and I came
away amazed at how much you have accomplished..and humbled at the
compassion you have for these children. AS we near our retirement, this
is clearly something we would like to be involved with. Could you
please send me the address to which I can send a contribution?

Again thankyou for your time....and.. willingness to let us experience
another part of PV. Happy New year to you both! We will stay in
touch. Kent and Deborah Hirschfelder"

Many of you know I have been sick for over a year, but about a month ago I went to see a specialist here in Puerto Vallarta and yesterday he said my blood pressure is down to normal, my lungs are clear and the other things he is treating me for are under control.  I tell you this to apologize for not staying on top of your e-mails and phone calls.  We lost a number of e-mails and phone calls while in the United States, but your faithfulness keep the programs going.  I'm now back and will answer all the e-mails and phone calls as soon as I can.  We plan to bring everyone up to date by adding a number of video clips to the website over the next several months. 

Maria and I visited the Kindergarten in Mojoneras today with Sam a volunteer who would like to help out teaching english as a second language to the kid's.  We hoped to help out the children from the local orphanage, but they didn't come to the Christmas Program, we will check up on them tomorrow.  We hope to assist the local schools with volunteers and materials to teach english to all their students.  We will update you as things develop.

We visited the Mojoneras Kindergarten with Deborah and Kent Hirschfelder from St. Louis yesterday and watched the children practicing their Christmas program. They have a party and the program scheduled tomorrow, before they leave school on their Christmas break. Deborah and Kent donated school supplies and small candies for the children.  Many of the items we take for granted in the US and Canada, they don't have in their budget, explained Marta Arroyo the school principal. 


The first picture is of Maria Parker, Deborah and Kent Hirschfelder, Marta Arroyo and Mike Parker.  The second picture is of Maria Parker with one of the students, Maria is Mike's wife and she has been substitute teaching at the school while one of the teachers has been sick. 

---

It has been a great week for updating our website www.childrenofthedump.org we have added an online store to purchase items needed for the new homes we are building for the Children of the Dump.  In addition we have added a new toll free number 877-244-2792 that allows you to call us from anywhere in the United States for free.  We also added the revised Mission Trip Planning Guide to our Volunteer section, giving detailed instruction to those who are planning a mission trip.  The Planning Guide puts all the needed forms and details at your fingertips.  Children of the Dump has partnered with Bethel Church in Puerto Vallarta to host visiting mission teams from the United States and Canada.  Children of the Dump hopes to build 100 new homes for the families in the dump community over the next two to three years, using Mission Teams from the United States and Canada.  Having the mission teams work with the families in the dump community to build their own homes.  We are also updating our mailing, phone, FAX and e-mail information, by calling our partners and sending out update requests for information.  Please take the time to fill out this information and return it to us.  Have a Blessed Day.

We went to the Kindergarten today to see Karen's first day. When we got there she was in tears. The teacher said it was the first day and nothing to worry about, Karen was missing her mother. We talked to the principle and played with the children for about one hour. Karen's scholarship was 125 pesos or $10 US dollars for supplies from now to the end of the year and 30 pesos (less than $3) a month, plus 13 pesos or about $1.05 US dollars a day for lunch. Today they had enchiladas, fruit and juice.

---

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Prayers before Wedding: Just before leaving the home for the wedding ceremony, the bride's friend offers a special prayer with the bride.

David’s and Magda’s Wedding Ceremony

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God on this beautiful beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

“God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the significance of this wedding day we thank you. For this important moment in an ever growing relationship we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. In Christ's holy name. Amen”

Doubly blessed is the couple which comes to the marriage altar with the approval and blessings of their families and friends.   Who has the honor of presenting this woman to be married to this man? "Her family and I do"

The Thirteen Silver Coins

The coins are presented to the minister by a friend or relative The Minister then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony.

In my hand I hold 13 coins from countries all over the world; the number 13 represents Christ and his 12 apostles.  Later in the ceremony David will pour these coins into Magda’s cupped hands and place the box on top of her opened hands. This represents his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods.  “Father we ask your blessing on these coins as a symbol of David’s love and trust of Magda may they always remind this couple of their love, trust and sharing of life’s joys and disappointments together.    May they always remember that the worldly goods they share came from you.  Bless them, bless their family and friends, both now and in the future. Amen

The Lasso is brought forward and placed around the kneeling couple.

The Lasso

The lasso is symbolic of your love which should bind you together every day as you equally share the responsibility of marriage for the rest of your lives.

Hand in Hand you enter marriage, hand in hand you step out in faith. The hand you freely give to each other, is both the strongest and the tenderest part of your body. In the years ahead you will need both strength and tenderness. Be firm in your commitment. Don't let your grip become weak. And yet, be flexible as you go through change. Don't let your hold become intolerable. Strength and tenderness, firm commitment and flexibility, of such is a marriage made, hand in hand:

Also remember that you don't walk this path alone. Don't be afraid to reach out to others when together you face difficulty. Other hands are there: friends, family, your Pastor and the church. To accept an outreached hand is not an admission of failure, but an act of faith. For behind us, underneath us, around us all, are the outstretched arms of the Lord. It is into his hands, the hands of God in Jesus Christ, that, above all else, we commit this union of husband and wife. Amen.

The Bible is brought forward and placed in the Ministers hands for him to bless it and present it to the new couple.

The Bible

This Bible is given to you to remind you that it should be the center of your family.  That you should both go to it with problems and joys, make it the center of your lives and God will richly reward your union together.  Your family will prosper and your lives together will be built upon a Rock.  Within its pages is the wisdom of the ages. The book of John opens with: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him life, and that life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

David, will you have Magda to be your wedded wife, to live together in the covenant of faith, hope, and love according to the intention of God for your lives together in Jesus Christ? Will you listen to her innermost thoughts, be considerate and tender in your care of her, and stand by her faithfully in sickness and in health, and, preferring her above all others, accept full responsibility for her every necessity for as long as you both shall live?

Magda, will you have David to be your wedded husband, to live together in the covenant of faith, hope, and love according to the intention of God for your lives together in Jesus Christ? Will you listen to his innermost thoughts, be considerate and tender in your care of him, and stand by him faithfully in sickness and in health, and, preferring him above all others, accept full responsibility for his every necessity for as long as you both shall live?

Wedding Vows

I, David, take you Magda, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part: according to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge you my love and faithfulness

I, Magda, take you David, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part: according to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge you my love and faithfulness

Rings

Minister: "May I have the rings. Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving and receiving of these rings. May David and Magda abide in Thy peace and grow in their knowledge of Your presence through their loving union. May the seamless circles of Silver and Gold of these rings become the symbol of their endless love and serve to remind them of the holy covenant they have entered into today to be faithful, loving, and kind to each other. Dear God, may they live in Your grace and be forever true to this union. Amen."

Groom: "Magda, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed."

Bride: "David, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed."

The Thirteen Gold Coins

David, I now hand to you these thirteen coins which represent Christ and his 12 apostles.  They are the symbol of all your worldly goods.  It is the moment for you to decide in whom you place your trust with all your worldly treasures.  David says as he pours the coin into Magda’s hands. “Magda into your hands I place these coins which represent all my worldly treasures, both today and for the rest of our lives as the mistress of our home in you I place my complete trust.”

Pronouncement

Because David and Magda have desired each other in marriage, and have witnessed this before God and our gathering, affirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and have pledged their love and faith to each other, sealing their vows in the giving and receiving of rings, performed all the civil requirements of the Republic of Mexico, including the presentation of their marriage certificate, I do proclaim under the laws of the Republic of Mexico, the laws of United States and the Czech Republic that they are husband and wife in the sight of God and man. Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this holy union, now and forever.

A part of the Christian heritage is the taking of the bread and wine, as Christ did at the last supper, a coming to the table of God and sharing the very spiritually significant experience of communion. The Groom and Bride have chosen to take their very first communion as husband and wife in your presence to acknowledge the place that their spiritual heritage will continue to have in their new life together.

As the Bible tells us, Christ gathered his disciples the evening before his taking to the cross and shared a meal. This meal was different than the others before it in that Christ asked that they make special note of the occasion. Christ knowing of his fate wanted to ensure that each disciple understood that his presence was not fleeting, that Christ was to remain with them always in their hearts, souls, and minds. So that they would not forget the unity of spirit, he asked that they take the bread and wine together in a Spirit of One.

Pastor holds up bread and says: Christ said “Even as you eat this bread do so remembering me.”  And they ate of the bread.

Pastor holds out bread for Groom and Bride

Groom places the bread on the tongue of Bride , she pauses, chews and swallows,

Bride places the bread on the tongue of Groom , he pauses, chews and swallows,

Pastor hold up wine and says: Christ said something like “Even as you drink this wine, do so remembering me.” And they all took of the cup.

Pastor holds out wine for Groom and Bride

Groom holds the cup for Bride to drink, she pauses, and swallows,

Bride holds the cup for Groom to drink, he pauses, swallows, and

Pastor: The taking of a meal together, especially when remembering the life and sacrifice of Christ, ensures that we do not forget that we are all one body, one blood, and one spirit, and that the breaking of bread and sharing of a cup is more than nourishment or the quenching of thirst, but the sharing of ourselves.

Closing Prayer

Join with me as we ask God's blessing on this new couple. Eternal Father, redeemer, we now turn to you, and as one of the first acts of this couple in their newly formed union, we ask you to protect their home. May they always turn to you for guidance, for strength, for provision and direction. May they glorify you in the choices they make, in the ministries they involve themselves in, and in all that they do. Use them to draw others to yourself, and let them stand as a testimony to the world of your faithfulness. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen

The Kiss

Minister: David, you may now kiss your Bride.

Presentation of the Couple

Minister: It is now my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. David and Magda Vasquez.

I visited the model home today and was told we have 550 bags to go to finish the walls to the roof line. So far we have placed 2500 bags and have framed in two of the five windows. The north half of the house should be to roof line on Saturday. This is getting exciting. We plan to have a house raising party with the church and the families from the dump community to finish the walls to the roof line.

Kelly Hart posted a report on his website Kelly Hart Report about his two week visit with us. Kelly's visit provided us with the tecnical advise we needed. His ability to speak spanish made it possible for him to teach the workers how to perform the tasks. His gentle spirit made friends and provided instant credibility for us with the Mayor and local officials. He has continued to update us by e-mail.