Rosa's Ropas

“Rosa’s Ropas”,the thrift store, is in business!! Rosa is becoming a real business woman with her enthusiasm, desire to learn, and level of responsibility. She decided to start a short term hold and lay-away option for the clients. All items are priced, inventory is in order, and accounts receivable are accurate. We now have an excel program backing up the books. I’m so proud of her! We have a lot of fun together and great conversations.

One day, the door opened for me to share my testimony. They asked me why I was so lost and empty and I told them it was because I didn’t have Jesus in my heart! Rosa’s husband was listening to all the details of my story very closely. Seeds were planted in fertile ground! Rosa showed me a new level of acts of service! At 6 months pregnant, she spent 6 hours preparing lunch for her husband one day! It started at 6 a.m. with searching for a pollo (chicken) to purchase for 15 pesos ($1.50). Of course, it was alive, so she had to kill it, remove the feathers, and de-gut it before boiling him up!! All that work for 1 meal!! That’s amor (love)!

Spirtual Growth

I was led back to live in casa # 7 with Gaudalupe (Lupe) and family (some of you may remember the story of how I was led there in the fall of 2008)! I believe that she and her husband, Andres, will become spiritual leaders in the village some day. They have commented that they like the perspectives and teachings that I share with them. It touches their spirits as truth! They pray with me before meals and bedtime. They do devotional reading and meditations with me. Their ears and eyes are wide open, as well as their hearts. They ask for prayer when in need. For example, Andres’ sister, who is 40 years old, had to spend the night in the hospital at 6 months pregnant with twins. After putting it in the Lord’s hands, they felt peace. They are hungry and thirsty to go deeper with their Heavenly Father.

During the Friday night bible study, Lupe said that they are like babies, learning and growing. We were discussing the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1. I shared a personal experience that night: A few nights ago, I was walking home to my palapa, crying over the fact that my IPOD was being charged and I’d not be able to sleep without my Christian music. I thought about finding comfort in food instead; until the Holy Spirit asked me what the TRUE source of comfort is! The tears stopped! I went to my bed (hammock) and felt His peace come over me, and fell into a deep sleep!! Lupe and Claudia said, “Wow, you can talk to God. You are much closer to Him than us!” I explained that they too can have this intimacy and conversations with the Living God! Some day Lupe will be leading this bible study!

The hammock/solar oven exchange got me into Almi’s casa, which led to her prayer request for a healthy pregnancy. She too is expecting and in her late 30’s. (Due in October!) She opened up to ask me about church and baptism. I shared my beliefs on water and Holy Spirit baptisms. We agreed that the church is the people versus a building! Later in the week, she hosted the solar cooking workshop. We cooked refried beans in about 5 hours… LISTO (ready)!!

Again, the relationships that God is building are so vital to the plan God has for Ek Balam.

Rosa's Ropas

A few months ago, Elaine had the brainstorm to start a thrift store with all the clothes that have been donated. One day, we set up a table under the gazebo in the town square park. Word spread like wild, holy fire and women were swarming in from all directions! In just 2 hours, we made enough money to pay for the dentists to fill up their gas tank to get back home after a day of pulling and cleaning lots of teeth!

The women knew that their purchases helped to make this dental mission possible. I believe that being part of a team gave them a sense of significance, and once again brought value to the services provided. Rosa turned into a shopping guide to all the women that day. Due to her passion shining through, we agreed to open the thrift store in her casa...And so began Rosa's Ropas!

We have had quite a few giggles while pricing the merchandise. It’s interesting to see her preference in styles. Only a few women will where shorts or pants due to their culture. Men rarely wear pants without pockets. “Hotch oots” (its good in Maya), she says as she tugs and pulls on some items. She pointed out the fact that the way they scrub clothes by hand, determines the quality of material. She has been selling quite well out of boxes and piles of clothes on garbage bags. I love to see the people lined up, waiting for us to finish the next batch of inventory so they can shop ‘til they drop just like women know how!! “Compralo” (buy it), Rosa says when she knows they really want it! She has started a lay-away plan for higher priced items. I am pleased with her accounting skills.

One of the highlights of this visit was painting the huacales (vegetable crates in Maya) to provide a way to organize the items. It turned into a family project. Alonzo, her husband; Modesto, her nephew; Pedro, her brother; all came with paintbrushes in hand. Doors opened, and they came out with some interesting questions for me about moral issues. I was surprised at how comfortable they felt to bring up these topics. It turned out to be a great opportunity to share!

Rosa's Ropas has been another confirmation of how well it works to build relationship and watch God move!

Please pray! Elaine will be bringing a group of ladies down next week! Pray for safe travels and lots of open doors!