Hector will be taking over and living on the farm property in Cantarranas... which as you can see in the picture, said house needs a lot of work before they can move in.  

We tried a young pastor in this position for many months this year, but it wasn't a good fit for him or the farm.  Plus he just got married and now lives 45 minutes away.  

We have changes come up.  I'm not alone in not being a fan of change, I don't seek change out, but over the years, I have embraced it when foisted upon me.  

The mission has some changes already happening, ones worthy of prayer.  

Gerardo (seen left with the first harvest in Sampedrana drying) will be taking over as farm manager in Sampedrana.  Carlos stepped down to handle things elsewhere for his family.​

Marvin went yesterday to Sampedrana to see how the clinic days are going, and talk to some of the patients that are coming.  Part of our ongoing efforts to improve our long term impact and spiritual growth of the churches is moving Marvin to this new Church development director role.  He has a big job ahead of him, that we knew, and that we are finding out as well...how are we developing the church body for future pastors, leaders, Sunday School teachers, Milk Project staff, coffee farm workers, etc.  It is the same, and of course different in some ways, in each location.  

Harvest has begun, in the lower areas as well in Sampedrana (around 4,000'...our main farm is up at 5,600')

This starts the few months of the year where many can actually make money to try to get them by the rest of the year.  

The farmers themselves won't make much though...currently a pound of coffee at market goes for $.80 per pound.  

For us, selling at that price trying to do things well, would practically be a loss.  

That is why we are so grateful that we can do more with Hill Climber Coffee...providing employment, outreach opportunities, ways to invest in our community. 

But also with our direct trade with you, drinking our coffee, long term we can also do even more by actually generating positive revenue.  We aren't there yet...but every year, with more people getting on board drinking Hill Climber, we are getting closer.  

​I have been working a lot lately.  Six days a week minimum, sometimes a little on Sunday as well.  Some things, like budget, accounting, and more are easier when I have a desk, and two monitors.  

While I have been able to do that, I wouldn't say I have had energy, or been in a good head space.  

It happens.  Not fun.  But God buoys, and keeps me afloat, through a lot of prayer, and despite me being a doofus.  

Seen here is a new battery for the truck in Las Botijas.  They had been popping the clutch...for about a year.  Thinking it was a starter issue.  It wasn't.  

Sometimes, you need to take it in, instead of assuming and just dealing with it.  

Planning, budgeting, and looking forward...having the gifting to do that can be a blessing, but sometimes it is also a bit of a curse, to not be able to always stop and smell the roses of prior proper planning.  

Right now when I look at the mess of a road in Sampedrana (yes, that is rain water, even though we are supposed to be done with rain) I see the money, sweat, and time it will take over years to get this to where it needs to be.  

Sometimes I forget there wasn't even a road there at all, just a foot path, before we started.  

Right now though, comes talk of several months of time invested, moving Bombin (our tractor) back to help, how/when to get Jorge and Jeffrey up to help, and then when the road is open...how much time to get sand, gravel, and cement up, all before May.  It sounds like a lot of time...but that will also be harvest time for the coffee.  

I taught a few here the expression "You have to make hay while the sun shines."  We will be trying to do two different harvests simultaneously for a while.  

You might be tired hearing about this...just imagine our staff, our neighbors...all the people that needs this road, EVERY day!  

We are experiencing change going into the new year, a few staff changes.  Right now, pastor Juan is not only taking on his church duties, but helping out more on the farm, as we said "nos vemos" to Carlos, who is moving, and hello to new staff for the farm in Sampedrana.  

But he still has time to lead a devotion time specifically for the Milk Project staff there.  Integrating the church and the Milk Project for the long term...investing spiritually in the staff that is investing in the children, and part of the church's future, is important.  It takes time, planning, cooperation, and effort.  

We are wrapping up the year for the Milk Project, which usually ends with all the Christmas activities.  With five different locations now, that is a lot to coordinate.  

Maria did a lot of work, to reward some of the kids that did the best this year (attendance, Bible knowledge, grades, etc.) to go today to the Christmas events in Talanga and Cantarranas.  Those that ride in our Fords will please take note...everyone in this picture went together in the Red Ford also pictured.

It all takes energy.  Everything.  

Sometimes you see the worth in it, sometimes you might not be able to see down the line.

Manuel sent this picture yesterday, of the baptism of Dana there in Talanga. 

Whether we have the energy or not, we are to depend, live and strive, through God's energy, if you will.  Through His Holy Spirit.  

I think I can, I think I can.  And when that fails you, remember that even when you can't...

​God can, God can.