Life is good when God is in it…

Yesterday, the fourth load made its way to the babies of Juarez. When Chris called to let us know he was going down, Dusty and I both kind of thought to ourselves, “Well, we just don’t have a whole lot for him this time.” It was just so recently the third round left our home. And then the flood gates opened. I literally left the house one more morning with an entirely empty car and by 9:00 p.m. that night it was filled to the top. Small loads on our front porch started arriving, adding up to a whole lot of help for the Juarez people. And then Amy, you capped off the abundance with your drop-off a few hours prior to the supplies being handed over to Chris. Our mouths were hanging open in joy and wonder at what had accumulated in such a short amount of time.

To give you some insight into the receiving end…here’s a portion of a note from Jeff, one of the missionaries stationed in Juarez. (He’s our contact for physically getting the supplies to the churches.)
“We have never had such a good supply of diapers and formula here in Juarez. I have turned away many hopeful mothers and babies for formula over the years. It’s some of the very sad times here. I believe that when Jesus speaks in Matthew 25:40 “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Jesus takes every deed very personal, every soul, every baby, every time. This is not the stuff written in books, it’s in His heart. I live here and I will have to wait to see every baby of Juarez in heaven with you. Infant mortality has been reduced due to your efforts here, don’t wonder.”

I don’t know how many more ways I can say thank you, but I promise I’ll find some! This project has been a gift – to my family and most certainly to the babies of Juarez. Thank you for your above-and-beyond efforts on behalf of these children. It is making a difference. And with the full amount of cheerleader I have in me, which to be honest isn’t much, I say, “Keep it coming!” Chris tells me they’re giving out the supplies as quickly as we can get them down. He and his coworker were laughing the other day thinking they certainly never thought part of their ministry would entail hauling diapers and formula over the border. Kind of makes you wonder what else God has in store for us. More than we can possibly imagine, I’m thinking.

Thank you for your partnership. I am forever grateful…

Quinn

Just a quick side note — for those of you who started this journey with me may be growing weary of my shipment notes. Hopefully I never lose my enthusiasm for what God is doing in this project, so I can’t promise I’ll stop sending them when supplies are headed south. If you would like to be removed from this list, please just let me know. It’s not my goal to inundate anyone and I promise it won’t hurt my feelings if you’d rather not receive these updates. And for those of you just joining, I’d be happy to send you the past notes if you’re interested in getting an idea of what has been sent to Juarez since January and pictures of the babies being helped. It’s really the most amazing thing!

If you ever have one of those days, weeks, or months when you wonder if God loves people or whether or not he’s active in his care for us, I invite you to join me on a “pick-up day.”  We now store the collection in our basement until it’s time to send supplies to Juarez, so that means I haul everything upstairs when I’ve heard from Chris that it’s time for another load to go. What incredibly joyful work it is – I can’t even describe it. With every trip up the stairs, wearing an ear-to-ear grin, I am reminded how God tangibly provides what we need. In our table discussion at Sunday school last week it was mentioned how God can do anything he wills without the slightest help from us. We reminded each other God honestly doesn’t need us at all. But in his great love he invites us to be part of what he’s doing. Thank you all for joining this work and contributing to the pile you see in the attached picture. And for those of you just joining this email list having not seen the previous pictures, the collection shown was created in only 16 days. Honestly, it makes me want to laugh out loud in utter amazement!

The pictures of Berta, Flor, and Nora show some of the babies receiving supplies from this project. The pictures were taken while formula and diapers were being distributed after a church service. Oh how I love that the diapers and formula are being given out by the local church – what a concrete display that the help comes from God.

This shipment went down Friday of last week and was transported over the border with no issue. Make no mistake about it, God intends to feed and comfort these dear babies. Oh happy day…

With great appreciation,

Quinn

Greetings everyone!

I couldn’t be more thrilled to let you know that the second* big load of diapers and formula is headed to Juarez today. (*The second of many loads to come! You wouldn’t believe the pile already forming for load number three…) What a beautiful thing! I’ve had this lump in my throat since early this morning as I consider how God is providing for the babies of Juarez through you. It has been a privilege and a joy to work with every one of you. Thank you so much for your heart for this project and your time and energy to get these babies fed and comfortable. It has meant more to me than any words could possibly express. Please take a look at the attached pictures for an idea of what was collected in LESS THAN four weeks. I don’t know how else to say it, but you people rock!

The first shipment arrived safely in Juarez at the beginning of January and within one day had been distributed to the area churches and women’s shelter for distribution. Not only that but in no time at all the formula and diapers were in the hands, in the mouths, and on the bottoms of those who desperately needed the supplies.

This picture of “Katherine” is a glimpse into the help you’ve provided. Katherine is two and a half months old. Her mother is breastfeeding, but can’t produce enough milk to nourish Katherine. The missionary told me there was a noticeable, night-and-day difference in Katherine’s demeanor when she was given formula—as though her body was breathing a sigh of relief and taking every ounce of it in. The missionary has promised to provide more stories and pictures as he has opportunity and this work continues. He has been overwhelmed with the support provided through this project and also wanted to pass along his words of gratitude. 

My original intent was to send the following song in my first official note as an attachment. However, I have no doubt that isn’t legal, and I haven’t done the necessary research to find out how to make it legal. So instead you get the words that have so much meaning to me within this project. Many of you probably know the song well, but I have to share the first three verses. (My kids even request the song as we’re making a pick-up somewhere in the area.) It has been our “babies of Juarez theme song” since the very birth of this venture. 

“The Blessing” by John Waller

Let it be said of us while we walked among the living
Let it be said of us by the ones we leave behind
Let it be said of us that we lived to be a blessing for life
Let it be said of us that we gave to reach the dying
Let it be said of us by the fruit we leave behind
Let it be said of us that our legacy is blessing for life

This day, you set life, you set death right before us
This day, every blessing and curse is a choice now
And we will choose to be a blessing for life
Let it be said of us that our hearts belonged to Jesus
Let it be said of us that we spoke the words of life
Let it be said of us that our heritage is blessing for life

Still from the bottom of my overflowing heart, thank you.
Quinn

Greetings and happy new year!

I just had to share my joy. Today a big load of diapers and formula is headed for the babies of Juarez. You can see from the pictures how the collection started (thank you, Toni!) and the massive amounts of what is being sent today to help these people in need. The pictures don’t even begin to do the project justice. We filled Chris’s truck to the brim – twice! It took him two loads to get the supplies to the mission’s storage facility to prepare to load it in the trailer. He told me his wife “laughed hysterically with joy” as he pulled up and proceeded to unload everything. He asked me specifically to thank you all again and again for the incredible work you’ve done.

I’m just stunned when I look over the list and think about the many ways you’ve blessed this project. Some of you have come by with regular drop-offs, some of you have provided consistent prayer support, some of you have given funds to buy formula. Many of you have spread the word like wildfire, asking friend after friend to donate to the cause. And one of you has an entire hospital donating its expired formula to the babies of Juarez. Call me sappy, call me whatever you want – but I believe God will grant us the opportunity in heaven to meet the babies he saves through your generosity and hearts of gold. I will never be able to thank you all enough, but please accept these words as my feeble attempt to try. I am incredibly grateful for your hard work and tender spirits to this cause.

I’d be short-sighted if I didn’t let you know I’m in this for the long haul and will collect diapers and formula as long as God allows. (And I hope then to pass the project down to one of my kids! Picture four shows the youngest Anderson, who faithfully checks the front step and hauls in supplies as they come, but all three of the Anderson kids have a huge heart for the ministry already and cheer with fervor as we watch the stash grow.) If you feel led to continue this pursuit with me I would absolutely love it. If you were simply interested in helping in this awesome kick-off, I have to say a thousand thanks – and just look at what you accomplished.

From the bottom of my overflowing heart, thank you.
Quinn