Greetings to all! The last several months have, as usual been a whirlwind of activity. (I’m sure it’s even more that way in the USA) A lot has changed in our home. We are now just Delia and I, and our own 3 boys. Carolina is living with her mother about 5 minutes walk away, and Iram just moved to Samachique with his parent’s so that he could attend a better school. We still spend lots of time with him on the weekends.
The last time I wrote a newsletter we were getting ready to adopt Carolina. We had permission from the biological father, and mother and were planning a trip to Guachochi to sign paperwork. On the morning that we were to drive to Guachochi, the stepfather of Carolina, stopped the process, at least temporarily… You might say that the stepfather shouldn’t have much to say in the process (it’s not a legal marriage) but you have to consider that Carolina’s mother, Refugia is afraid of him. So for right now, we’re just waiting to see what the Lord has in mind. We’re praying that He will work in all of their hearts. I consider that the best outcome would be for all of them to receive Jesus. Regardless, I feel we have put pressure on them to take better care of Carolina, and they have allowed her to keep studying with Lydia, for which I am very grateful.
Speaking of Lydia! She has been a blessing to us. It’s clear that the Lord sent her here and I’m hopeful that the Lord will lead her to stay for another year. She’s doing a great job of helping each of the children make progress. Most of the teaching is done in English, but she has the ability to help with Spanish whenever it’s necessary. She really enjoys sharing about the jungle in Ecuador, which is quite obviously where her heart is.
One important news item is that Delia’s brother Patricio has been married to a Christian Tarahumara lady. We are so thankful and excited for their faith, and for their new life together. Felicianna’s parents and most of her siblings are also believers, who live about 40 minutes drive from us. Now she is working at a Christian school in Cuauhtemoc. The school building is also used as a church, which is where she met Patricio. We’re blessed to have more of Delia’s family in a relationship with the Lord!
Abram, my shop helper is leaving this week to attend Bible school. I’m really happy for him, and hope to continue working with him when he comes home for vacations. He has been a big help teaching me words in Tarahumara, being a companion, and doing all sorts of jobs around the hangar.
On the aviation front, we’ve been fairly busy. There is always a modification, repair, inspection, or oil change to do. It seems that the flights come and go in big rushes, which is good in many ways. The slower times have allowed us to get out to work on different airstrips putting up windsocks. Since Brent has been living here with us, we’ve put up about seven new windsocks, at different airstrips, and repaired some of the old ones too.
I’m currently meeting with all of the UIM staff, from Mexico and from Tucson, AZ. It’s an annual meeting where we get together in El Paso and talk about where we have been and where we’re going. Most of all it is a chance to come together to share what God is doing, and encourage one another as a team. This year the MSI team (Mission Safety International) has been here to audit our operations and help guide us in good safety practices. We’re encouraged and reminded that God is in control, but in His sovereign plan he has also given us responsibility.
On the horizon we are planning for our visit to the northwest for all summer. We don’t have many churches to visit, so feel free to request that we come and share about the Tarahumara people, Mexico, and most importantly Jesus. I like talking about my best friend! Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter and please continue to pray for our family and for the Tarahumara people group.
Ok, so this newsletter has been sitting on the shelf and is way out of date, but I’m going to send it anyways. Sorry I’ve procrastinated on this one.
We love you all,
Sincerely,
David Hardin
