posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 1:03 PM
by
tnorris
Where we live
Unexpected Beauty
Before we moved here we had a pretty bleak impression of the place. We had seen pictures and had heard stories for years before. Erika had been here once in 1992 and we had been here once as a family in February, but we didn’t explore much since we were so focused on our outreach. Having lived in Boulder, Colorado and San Luis Obispo, California and Whidbey Island, Washington we were pretty spoiled for natural beauty. So it wasn’t the surroundings that drew us here, especially since our only thoughts of the place were of blowing dirt, bleak moonscapes devoid of green, searing heat, etc. When we had made the decision to come I told a friend, “There is nothing lovely about the place, but the Spirit of God is so prevalent in what is going on there, that there is no place we would rather be.”
Our trip here was quite an ordeal, getting us here just as the first rays of the sun were peeking over the horizon. As soon as we stepped out of the car we were greeted with a symphony of bird songs. Across the road there is a bamboo patch that is filled with birds that have myriad, complex songs and calls. It was music to my ears! I had never expected such a treat. Since then, I have come to see that no place God has created is without beauty. Granted the beauty here is very different from what we have known, but it is beautiful none the less. It seems daily that my eyes are opened to see another aspect of beauty, from the wildflowers and the lush cultivated fields and pecan orchards, to the beauty of the Mexican people and their colorful culture.
God has blessed IFM with several dwellings on the campus grounds. The Hutchins family, who moved here about three weeks before we did, lives in a stuccoed straw bale house with tiles floors and a very Southwest look and feel. God has blessed us with a “single wide” manufactured home with three bedrooms, two baths, and air conditioning. It sounds small, and it is smaller than our house in Colorado, but it really is quite spacious; having all the major spaces a family like ours would need. Combined with a HUGE “back yard” and fun facilities at the House of Cornelius which is about 200 yards away, we have the perfect place! Our front porch looks out over a lush alfalfa field with a mature pecan orchard beyond. In the evenings we often walk amongst the pecan trees or along the various irrigation canals. In the distance there are high, rugged, Southern-Utah-like mountains. The kids enjoy the many lizards and large toads. In the evenings we see jackrabbits, skunks, raccoons, and lots of birds. We have yet to see the burrowing owls, but have been told they are here.
The fields around us are farmed by “Farmer Dan” as everyone calls him. He’s a very congenial fellow originally from Michigan. He drives heavy machinery during the day and farms in his spare time as a way to “relax.” It’s pretty back-breaking work for relaxation! The fields and orchards are flood irrigated. Since we live in the ancient Rio Grande flood plain, the land is flat and well suited to flooding. Every few weeks we are surrounded by beautiful reflecting ponds.
The House of Cornelius
Over 30 years ago God called Buddy and Georgia Baca to leave the banking industry and start a children’s home. What began as a couple of trailers and an adobe chapel grew into a facility with boys and girls dorms, a dining hall, offices, and a small municipal water system.Over 350 children have called this place home and the Bacas “mom and dad.” Buddy went to be with Jesus in the early 80’s and Georgia carried on raising children. Shortly after that God brought IFM into the picture. At first IFM ministry teams would stay at the house during their Mexico outreaches and over the years God brought Georgia’s vision and IFM’s vision together. 
Eventually God called Georgia to give the facility to IFM and for her to join in the work that He is doing in Mexico and the surrounding area. Now all her children are grown and the HOC has a constant stream of grown children and grandchildren staying and visiting. Today there are 3 staff families, several single people, and “Bacaville” living on the HOC campus. It’s wonderful to get along and have so much in common with the neighbors!
Our house is about 200 yards from the main campus which provides for lots of regular exercise walking back and forth. The main attraction on the campus is “Muzzy Hall” which is a dining hall and meeting hall. There is a foosball table, a piano, and nice couches for sitting a visiting. During outreaches we are there much of our days sharing meals and fellowship with the teams. Between outreaches we share a community meal once a week, have staff meetings, and a community chapel service.
--Thaine