In case you missed it, Calvin Zito and Lorna Mitson have updated their blogs to include photos and final thoughts on the trip. Definitely worth checking out to get lots of “behind-the-scene” info.

Link to Calvin’s Blog

Link to Lorna’s Blog

Lorna posted more good news Friday night:

Another first!!! The “Mighty to Save” team had five smooth border crossings and a blessed, blessed, day at the Casa de Refugio!

Time to de-brief, so I have to be brief. Hasta Luego.

Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for safe travel home. Denver has had a lot of snow.

Read all the updates here.

Lorna posted more great news last night:

Another “thumbs-up” for God! Sorry about no pictures – it is really a bummer, but the wireless has been down almost all week, so I have to use the office computer when no one else is – giving me about 10 minutes instead of the hour I need. In short, if each day so far has been like a week, today was 2 weeks!

It was windy, dusty, crowded, crazy, and amazing! Almost 400 people were fed, 350+ pairs of shoes distributed one-on-one, carnival games played, prayers prayed, hundreds of prizes given. We visited, shared, and served. Prayers are being answered. Smooth border crossings yet again. This time, we were even more prepared for the military stop, so we pulled over voluntarily to give them gifts of food, candy, New Testaments, and good wishes. Pretty bizarre – but really awesome!

It could not have gone smoother. The church building, grouds, and outbuilding all take up about the space of our activity center at UBC. Current count is between 5 and 10 souls saved today, with a few just walking the line. Each testimony is amazing. I wish I could share it, but I really need to go get some sleep and let them lock up the office. We were late back tonight because of the long time needed to accomplish the day’s tasks.

Keep praying! Health, rest, border crossing, good ministry at the refuge home, good debriefing, good attitudes. They’ve never had a team with 5 smooth border crossings in a row and we want to be the first. Do not give up on your prayers or take it for granted. Thank you! Gloria a Dios!! (Glory to God)

There is more… read on.

The team is reporting great things from Juarez. At least seven people accepted Jesus yesterday! Please continue to pray for our team, and all those they encounter. Both Calvin and Lorna have specific prayer requests on their blog.

Updates from Calvin Zito
After being offline for a couple of days, Calvin was able to update his blog. He shares some details of their visit to the Children’s Home on Monday and Tuesday.

[On Monday]… We arrived at the children’s home and while modest, it was very nice compared to others I had seen along the way. We unloaded the bus and set up a couple of canopies (which don’t do squat to protect you from blowing sand!). The children in the home came out after about 10 minutes, seemly leaving us alone so we could set things up outside. The first few minutes reminded me of a dance in junior high where the first interactions seem a bit forced or uncomfortable but that really lasted about two minutes.

[On Tuesday]…We arrived, unloaded the bus, and set up the canopies. Then the games began! The team set up a couple of carnival games (ring toss, bean bag toss, etc.) while Mike with some help set up an AWANA games square. He did it in a little dirt patch but it was a big hit with the kids. The family kids came out and the others from the colonia started to arrive.

Click here to read more from Calvin.

Updates from Lorna Mitson
Lorna also updated her blog last night:

Today was a blessing in the Colonia Campesina! We had smooth border crossing yet again, although we did get stopped by the military once. After giving a tract and a Bible to two of the soldiers, the Commander came over and asked for a New Testament and we gave them candy too! They might pull us over again just for a visit. They asked for prayer for their safety and protection. We thanked them for their service and that they help us to be able to do what God has led us to do.

That is just one of the hundreds of stories to tell. Seven people came to the Lord today!! Those are amazing stories. Each one deserves an update. Over 250 people were provided with some food and we prayed A LOT!! The people need our prayers: health, abuse, jobs, injuries, etc.

Click here to read more from Lorna.

From Lorna Tuesday night:

Wow! I don’t know how to begin. What an amazing gift God has already given us with the ministry at the children’s home. There were many tears today as we departed. The pictures that I was able to upload are from my cameras. The good ones, on Karen Hickman’s, Laura Ballou’s, and Sunny Rash’s cameras are much better, but unavailable for now, so you’ll have to wait…

Read more from Lorna.

From Lorna Tuesday morning:

The Outreach if Off to a GREAT start
Our internet is sketchy right now, so I can’t upload any of the hundreds of wonderful pictures from yesterday’s outreach!

Our border crossings were uneventful and smooth – Thank you for your prayers!

The shoes and other ministry supplies arrived yesterday – PTL!

We are all excited to see God working in and through us and you!

Please pray for…

Read more from Lorna.

From Calvin Tuesday night:

This is Caitlyn. I talked to Dad this morning (Tuesday) and he asked me to update you about what is going on. He said that they are having internet connection problems plus they are super busy. He said once the connection problem is fixed, he will update as soon as he can. So far, everything is going smoothly. They had their first day at the orphanage yesterday and are going back today (actually they are there right now). They have had no problems crossing the border so far. Dad will update you with more details later…

A few words from Carlotta………
Yesterday Karen H. took pictures of all the children and the pictures were printed last night so that they could be taken to the children today. The team sang songs with the kids, played games and Lorna used the Resurrection Eggs to share the gospel message. Calvin said it was a very good day other than very strong winds that blew lots of dust and dirt around.

Read more from the Zito’s.

From Calvin’s Blog this morning:

It’s Monday morning, the sun is just up and it looks like its going to be a beautiful day. And its the day we’ve waited for. I’m in the dining room listening to worship songs and it’s hard not to feel emotional.

Today we’ll go to the Proteccion Integral de Juarez. Pray that we have no issues getting over the border today, for our safety and that we can touch the hearts of the people we met today.

Read more from the Zito’s.

The Juarez team made it to El Paso.

From the Zito’s Blog:

Praise God we all made it to El Paso. Our flights were all on time and other than a little bit of turbulence that upset a few bellies, everyone is great though tired.

Mark Pryor spotted me as we were headed to baggage claim and introduced himself. We gathered all of our luggage and got on a bus to head to Fabens, TX. As we were heading southeast toward Fabens, we could see Juarez off in the distance. On a mountain side, is a message that all of Juarez can see as well as much of El Paso. It said: ” La Biblia es la verdad. Leela” – the Bible is the truth, read it.

Read more from the Zito’s.

From the Mitson’s Blog:

Well, we are a tired bunch of missionaries, but we made it to the House of Cornelius safe and sound. It’s almost dinner time – baked potato bar. Yum.

Training and fellowship has been very special and God is already at work, as we knew He would be.

Read more from the Mitson’s.

Please pray for the team: Russell, Sarah, and Emma Badgley; Laura and Sarah Ballou; Mike and Karen Beaudin; Cara Clason; Annie Densley; Vern and Karen Hickman; Justin, Lorna, Channing, and Charise Mitson; Sunny Rash; Phil, Jan, Christina, Melissa, Amanda, Philip, and Jessica Sheridan; Kent and Tami Smith; and Calvin and Cameron Zito

HOLA AMIGOS! ¿TIENES HAMBRE?
(Hi Friends! Are you hungry?)

Announcing the Juarez Fundraiser on March 8, 2009

WHO: This is for our entire church family!

WHAT: Breakfast and Lunch will be served on a donations basis! (Please write any checks made out to Ustick Baptist Church with “Juarez Outreach” in the memo section.)

WHEN: March 8th! Breakfast served after first service and Lunch after second service.

WHERE: Activity Center

WHY: To support the individuals and families who are going to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and for the needs on this missions trip!

MENU:
Breakfast: burrito wraps, coffee and juice!
Lunch: taco soup, salad, bread sticks, and water.

Not only do we want to feed you, but we would like to be able to feed the people in Juarez too. Many of them will not have eaten for more than a day or two when we arrive. Our hope is to feed about 800 people. On display will be a sample plate of one of the “hot dog” meals that is commonly served. A donations basket will be placed by it for money donated specifically to sponsor feeding almost 800 people at about $1.00 per serving.

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink . . . Matthew 25:35