Susie's Blog.

You’re invited!

SMB — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:57:39 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter, you’re probably sick of hearing about the art show Hillside is opening next week. It’s kind of my baby at the moment since our resident artist hasn’t moved here yet and I’m super excited for the debut of our gallery.

So, here are (again) the details:

When: Friday, May 4, 5pm-9pm

Where: Hillside Missions Organization, 8 E. Broad Street Richmond Va 23219

This first show features the work of local Christian artist Brad Topper. You can see some of his work here:

See you there?

I like Spring but I love allergy medicine more.

SMB — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:56:57 +0000

So, I’m back in Richmond! To be honest, I’ve been back for almost a week but it’s taken me a while to get caught up with everything and back to my blog.

Just want to say again how thankful I am to to everyone who prays for me and reads my news while I travel. It is wonderful to know I wasn’t alone.

We had a very good and productive trip to Mexico. Were were able to meet with a couple pastors and look at a number of different properties. We aren’t ready quite yet to sign any leases but there was one property that we thought could potentially work. Exciting!

Now that I’m back in town, I’ll be focusing my time at Hillside on 2 things primarily: administrative work for the school which includes:

guiding students through the application process
maintaining our teaching calendar
Keeping in regular communication with our onsite staff
Fundraising for our move to Chihuahua
Networking with pastors, primarily those in Chihuahua, Mexico.

The second thing is working alongside other Hillside staff to open our art gallery in downtown Richmond. The motive behind opening a gallery (in the front of our storefront office property) is to create a connection between missions and the Christian art community. Our first show will be May 4.

More soon!

In Matachi at The School of Missions Mobilization

See more photos here.

Bumpy roads and pistachio ice cream

SMB — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:25:24 +0000

What a day. It’s late but I actually have no idea what time it is. We’re watching Slumdog Millionaire.

Today we took a little “field trip” with the students and visitors at the school to see some caves and hotsprings in the countryside. It was beautiful, even with the tight turns and lumpy roads we had to travel on to get there. The climbing was difficult in some parts but we didn’t lose anyone those several are nursing scrapes and bruises. I have a feeling my legs will ache in the morning. Quite an accomplishment for someone who avoids excursions in the outdoors.

It was a very fun day and great to have plenty of time to hang out and talk with students and the directors at the school.

Tomorrow it’s back to work with meetings and appointments in Chihuahua! I will be sad to leave Matachi though, it’s been a great few days.

Things I ate today: eggs and tortillas, pistachio and strawberry ice cream, homemade pizza, guacamole.

Morning in Matachi.

SMB — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:05:04 +0000

Sitting in the kitchen at the School of Missions Mobilization in Matachi.

This is where I'm sitting right now. This photo may have been staged.

Jess is teaching English to the students. Once in awhile I scream out “NO SPANISH”in the most obnoxious tone possible. Aleesa, a staff member at the school is keeping my company in the kitchen.

The talented Aleesa.

We arrived to Matachi yesterday and spent the late afternoon/evening walking around the town, having class (I am teaching chronological Bible storytelling) and then ate a late dinner and talked and laughed until we were exhausted.

Hi Mom!

Today we’ll have more classes, practice some storytelling, make chicken curry for lunch, and maybe do a bonfire tonight. It’s been a good few days. Thanks for reading and praying for us!

Tuesday Morning

SMB — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:03:05 +0000

So yesterday was a good and busy day. We had a great meeting with a pastor, met with some realtors, saw a couple properties, and cooked dinner. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Today we’ll see a couple more properties and then head to Matachi. We’ll teach this afternoon and cook again at the school. I’m thinking chicken curry…

I’ll end with these two beautiful photos I took yesterday with my good friend Aleesa. It’s tradition.

Aleesa.

Me.

Sunday night.

SMB — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:45:54 +0000

After a loooong but uneventful bus ride from El Paso, Texas we are in Chihuahua. Kind friends of ours/the school are hosting Jess, me, and a handful of others tonight. Their hospitality is impressive!

We’re tired but feeling good. Tomorrow we will begin looking at properties in the city as we plan to relocate the school in the near future. We’get also got some meetings and the ever fun trip to the accountant. If you’re praying for us, please pray that we’d find a great and affordable location for the school and for excellent networking opportunities as we talk about world missions with Christians and churches in the city. Our first meeting is at 11. At Starbucks. Yes, I picked the location.

That’s all for now, I need to wash the bus dust off. Betcha can’t say bus dust 10 times fast.

Thanks for reading!

Sunday morning

SMB — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:28:38 +0000

Waiting to board flight for el paso. Im not really awake. Looking forward to a great week at the school if missions with my teammate jess. Stay tuned!

Airports

SMB — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:15:09 +0000

When you can move at your own pace, airports are delightful; shiny portals overflowing with magazines, candy, and well-meaning security. When you’re rushed, they become the exact opposite; frenzied mazes filled with demanding tsa agents, crying babies, and obnoxious spring break teams.

Thankfully, free wifi covers a multitude of sins.

Etch-a-Sketch Mona Lisa

SMB — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:36:36 +0000

This week is flying by. I always feel kind of buried before leaving for a trip but it’s actually all coming together nicely.

On Tuesday I leave to visit my extended family in Arizona. I will get to see both of my grandmothers and a number of uncles, aunts, and cousins. I am beyond excited as it has been way too long since I’ve seen any of them.

After a few days in Tucson, I’ll fly to El Paso and meet Jess so we can make our way to Chihuahua, Mexico. We’ll be blogging and Tweeting so stay in touch to read about whatever adventures come out way.

We’re praying for some great visits with local pastors, presenting at a youth group, and our time with the mission’s school staff and students.

We’re also trying to decide what to cook for dinner since we’ll probably take over the kitchen a couple nights while we’re there. Our specialties are crab alfredo and croquettes. Not thinking we’re going to be able to get any crab in the rural mountain town of Matachi though. What’s your favorite good dish to make for a hungry group? (sidenote: all the students are young guys who can PUT IT AWAY. Any moms with teenage sons know I’m talking about!)

Also: check out this link to some Etch-a-sketch version of the Mona Lisa. Am I just way too easily impressed?

It’s Tuesday.

SMB — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:57:09 +0000

Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday After posting my update last week, I was really surprised and happy to see how many people read it and responded. That really made my day. I have only $100 left to raise. Thank you! And to the person reading in Egypt, hello! (I love blog stats…)

So this week is a little crazy as I’m wrapping everything up before leaving for Arizona to visit family next week. I’ll be there about 5 days and then fly to Texas where I’ll meet up with Jess, my great friend and teammate, and we’ll continue on to Mexico together. And yes dear aunts and mom, we WILL be using the buddy system.

ok, off to eat more girl scout cookies and schedule some last meetings. I really am developing an addiction. (To the cookies, not scheduling).