Blessings to our family and friends - the Hayes zoo has landed in the US; last Tuesday evening to be exact. The trip was long but safe and we arrived with NO extra trouble - something we do see as a miracle and result of many, many prayers.
Our time in the states has started out 'NOT according to plan'. Friday morning I began threatening miscarriage. By Saturday evening we could tell it was imminent. Sunday morning it was finished and while we are grateful there seem to be no complications for me physically, I will admit we all are feeling 'thrown'. Still, God is good....all the time.
Our hope is that we will be on the road next week but I can't think that far in advance at the moment.
Love to you all,
Faith for the zoo
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
San Antonio, TX - mile 1280
We've made it across the border!! We are now staying with friends in the San Antonio area and enjoying life in the US again. Thank you all for your prayers; the trip today was fairly uneventful, though the border crossing entailed a full search of the truck with dogs, through the cab and sniffing through all our luggage in the back. I'm not sure if we raised the red flags by telling them we had 15 pounds of green coffee beans in the back, or if it was driving up to the border with expired plates on the truck. Whatever it was, the dogs were friendly, the border patrol agents decided our coffee beans were not a threat, and we were back on the road in fairly short order.
We are planning to be in San Antonio for several days, talking with people about what we do in Mexico and taking care of some business things. And enjoying spending time with friends here. And enjoying not being in the truck.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Hayes Zoo North American Tour, mile 905
Tonight we made it as far as Monclova, Coahuila, about 3-1/2 hours south of the border. The trip has been very smooth and uneventful. Yesterday we spent the night outside of San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato at a very nice hotel, after being waved through the only military checkpoint we came to, and seeing no police.
Today was just as smooth, with several truckstops along the route with ATM's and iced coffee drinks. It was cloudy today, which kept everything cool, but never rained. We actually had the heater on in the truck when we started out this morning; we haven't used the heater in about a year and a half.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Leaving....
Today we start the marathon drive. In about 45 minutes if my guess is correct.
Prayers for safe travel through Mexico are MUCH appreciated.
See you on the other side,
Faith
Prayers for safe travel through Mexico are MUCH appreciated.
See you on the other side,
Faith
Thursday, April 15, 2010
An Ode to Packing....
P - is for Praise God we're not having to jam it all in the truck and trailer this time.
A - is for Alan is awesome. (just had to throw that one in there)
C - is for Call in reinforcements. Sometimes we just NEED them.
K - is for Kids who are a sweet blessing; willing and able to pack their own stuff - albeit a little less crammed in then I would've done it. Whatever. They did it and I didn't have to. :)
I - is for I am sooooo thankful. That list is longer than my to-do list. Which is a good way to keep perspective.
N - is for Nothing is as important as you know it is when you're packing. At that point - it's just more stuff you have to deal with.
G - God is good. All the time. Even when you're packing.
Faith
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Provision....
Well - I may just as well come out and say it. We are blown away.
The response to our latest update has been wonderful. The provisions are rolling in.
People promising to pray.
People wanting us to come and visit even though they've heard how we all are on long, drawn out road trips.
People offering us their GUEST HOUSE!!!
People LOANING US THEIR VAN!!!
Said people also helping us with all the new regulations stateside that have frankly left my building (brain) such as having to make appointments to renew passports, have smallish children in car seats and helping us figure out what a SONIC is.
Right now the list of 'to-dos' is rather overwhelming but then I look at the things that are falling into place for the trip I was more than a bit worried over...well...God knows. And provides. And gives us things to rejoice about during the process.
Keep on prayin'....
Faith
The response to our latest update has been wonderful. The provisions are rolling in.
People promising to pray.
People wanting us to come and visit even though they've heard how we all are on long, drawn out road trips.
People offering us their GUEST HOUSE!!!
People LOANING US THEIR VAN!!!
Said people also helping us with all the new regulations stateside that have frankly left my building (brain) such as having to make appointments to renew passports, have smallish children in car seats and helping us figure out what a SONIC is.
Right now the list of 'to-dos' is rather overwhelming but then I look at the things that are falling into place for the trip I was more than a bit worried over...well...God knows. And provides. And gives us things to rejoice about during the process.
Keep on prayin'....
Faith
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Route
View Larger Map
The Route will be somewhat determined by the offers for meet ups, but the general plan is as follows:
Oaxaca to US border
San Antonio, TX
Las Cruces, NM
Denver, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Utah
Oregon
Washington
In late July we'll turn around and do it in reverse. :)
3500 miles...at least. One way. Pregnant.
Oh my.....
Faith
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Plan
Yes, we have one. Yet even as we make them we know that things arise and we will choose to be flexible and bend to the Holy Spirit's leading.
That said.....
We send warm greetings from high in the desert of Oaxaca, MX. We trust this arrives to find you well and walking in the unmatched rhythms of God’s grace.
God has been doing many amazing things, both in our family and in our time in Mexico. We are excited to update you on these many changes.
As you know, the HayesZoo has been in a time of transition for the past season. Five months ago, after a year in Honduras, God brought us to Oaxaca for a period of rest and restoration. This has been a blessed time for our family, and we have been able to rest and regroup over the last several months.
During this time, one of the questions foremost on our minds was “What next, God?!” We are now (finally!) able to say we believe God has led us to settle in Oaxaca in a more permanent way. We are so excited to see the doors God is opening to allow us to continue to work here in Mitla, Oaxaca longer-term. These include:
-a like-mindedness with the leaders and ministry here in Oaxaca
-an invitation by the leaders here to stay and participate in the work of providing audio bibles to Oaxaca’s indigenous, non-reading people groups
-the opportunity to pray and discuss the decision with many trusted advisors, both locally and stateside, and to receive confirmation
-a situation that “fits” our family in so many ways, from being back in Mexico where God first called us, to friends for each of our children, to a home in the perfect location
This first, large decision - to commit, long-term, to ministry here in Oaxaca - brings about several other important decisions.
One of these decisions has us returning to the US in April for a time of furlough. This visit will allow us to re-connect with our families and supporters, share our vision for the new work God has given us, and re-establish our prayer and financial support base.
We will leave Mexico the third week of April. We’ve been blessed with family, friends and supporters throughout the western US, and plan to visit with as many as possible. While a large goal for this trip will be the raising of both prayer and financial support, we also anticipate a glorious helping of fellowship, too.
If you live along our route and would like to explore possibly hosting an evening of sharing and fellowship in your home, please let us know. We envision a series of evenings as we travel the western US, filled with fellowship, prayer, and sharing our work. Or, if you can offer housing, please contact us for that reason, too.
We hope to arrive in Washington by late May, where we will spend June and most of July. We look forward to this extended time to reconnect with our parents, church family, and share our vision for our work in Mexico more completely. Because there are many projects scheduled in Oaxaca beginning in September and on through the end of the year, we would like to be back in Oaxaca, resettled and ready to work by mid August.
There are many prayer needs that go along with this kind of an undertaking, and we covet your prayer covering. We truly believe prayer is the foundation of our trip and work. Please join us by praying for these needs:
• Safety as we travel to the US. Violence in the border regions has been in the news lately. We’ll need to drive through this area, so a special covering there is necessary. Specifically pray for our trip to the border and the crossing.
• Visa, passport, and paperwork details will need to be taken care of as soon as we cross the border. We also need to update our vehicle’s paperwork.
• Traveling: it’s a very long road trip which our children are NOT looking forward to.
• Housing, both as we travel and while in Washington.
• Finances.
• The ability to clearly communicate the work of our ministry here in Oaxaca, the needs, and the various ways people can partner with us.
• Health for our family as we’re changing climates, diets, schedules, cultures and more.
• Finally, we invite you to rejoice with us. God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, plans to bless our family with a wee babe this fall. Prayers for health for mama and babe, as well as wisdom for the decisions that surround this change are most welcome.
Your prayers, love and support are so appreciated.
Que Dios les bendiga,
Alan & Faith Hayes
Riley, Janelle, & Natalie
www.thehayeszoo.blogspot.com
360-450-5539
Email: hayeszoo@yahoo.com
That said.....
We send warm greetings from high in the desert of Oaxaca, MX. We trust this arrives to find you well and walking in the unmatched rhythms of God’s grace.
God has been doing many amazing things, both in our family and in our time in Mexico. We are excited to update you on these many changes.
As you know, the HayesZoo has been in a time of transition for the past season. Five months ago, after a year in Honduras, God brought us to Oaxaca for a period of rest and restoration. This has been a blessed time for our family, and we have been able to rest and regroup over the last several months.
During this time, one of the questions foremost on our minds was “What next, God?!” We are now (finally!) able to say we believe God has led us to settle in Oaxaca in a more permanent way. We are so excited to see the doors God is opening to allow us to continue to work here in Mitla, Oaxaca longer-term. These include:
-a like-mindedness with the leaders and ministry here in Oaxaca
-an invitation by the leaders here to stay and participate in the work of providing audio bibles to Oaxaca’s indigenous, non-reading people groups
-the opportunity to pray and discuss the decision with many trusted advisors, both locally and stateside, and to receive confirmation
-a situation that “fits” our family in so many ways, from being back in Mexico where God first called us, to friends for each of our children, to a home in the perfect location
This first, large decision - to commit, long-term, to ministry here in Oaxaca - brings about several other important decisions.
One of these decisions has us returning to the US in April for a time of furlough. This visit will allow us to re-connect with our families and supporters, share our vision for the new work God has given us, and re-establish our prayer and financial support base.
We will leave Mexico the third week of April. We’ve been blessed with family, friends and supporters throughout the western US, and plan to visit with as many as possible. While a large goal for this trip will be the raising of both prayer and financial support, we also anticipate a glorious helping of fellowship, too.
If you live along our route and would like to explore possibly hosting an evening of sharing and fellowship in your home, please let us know. We envision a series of evenings as we travel the western US, filled with fellowship, prayer, and sharing our work. Or, if you can offer housing, please contact us for that reason, too.
We hope to arrive in Washington by late May, where we will spend June and most of July. We look forward to this extended time to reconnect with our parents, church family, and share our vision for our work in Mexico more completely. Because there are many projects scheduled in Oaxaca beginning in September and on through the end of the year, we would like to be back in Oaxaca, resettled and ready to work by mid August.
There are many prayer needs that go along with this kind of an undertaking, and we covet your prayer covering. We truly believe prayer is the foundation of our trip and work. Please join us by praying for these needs:
• Safety as we travel to the US. Violence in the border regions has been in the news lately. We’ll need to drive through this area, so a special covering there is necessary. Specifically pray for our trip to the border and the crossing.
• Visa, passport, and paperwork details will need to be taken care of as soon as we cross the border. We also need to update our vehicle’s paperwork.
• Traveling: it’s a very long road trip which our children are NOT looking forward to.
• Housing, both as we travel and while in Washington.
• Finances.
• The ability to clearly communicate the work of our ministry here in Oaxaca, the needs, and the various ways people can partner with us.
• Health for our family as we’re changing climates, diets, schedules, cultures and more.
• Finally, we invite you to rejoice with us. God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, plans to bless our family with a wee babe this fall. Prayers for health for mama and babe, as well as wisdom for the decisions that surround this change are most welcome.
Your prayers, love and support are so appreciated.
Que Dios les bendiga,
Alan & Faith Hayes
Riley, Janelle, & Natalie
www.thehayeszoo.blogspot.com
360-450-5539
Email: hayeszoo@yahoo.com
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