Update on the (now 7070 Mile) Drive:

The drive for Benjamin and my dad has gotten longer as they have been stalled because the Mexico border patrol would not let them pass.

Our friend Benjamin Allen volunteered to build us a ropes course in Mexico. He is volunteering 6 weeks of his time, driving to and from Utah (6000 miles round trip), and donating materials at less than cost to help us have these challenge activities here in Mexico.

We have seen the immense transformational and healing power of ropes courses as we have worked there. I also set up a school that met a CLAS ropes. The progress we saw in the kids at being able to overcome fears, gain trust, share insights, and bond as a team was incredible.

We want to have those experiences for the youth here who have been through so much and need to learn to trust others and believe in themselves again.

My dad agreed to drive with him on the way down. Ben's son would be driving the way back.

It is a long drive with a lot of unknown areas for us. And the border towns are sometimes rough.

Many of you have told me you have been praying and even fasting for them. We have felt your prayers!

Things Haven't Gone as Planned

Friday and Saturday Benjamin and my dad tried crossing the border 4 times after learning something new at each crossing that they tried to fix. In the end, they learned that there is a new rule in Mexico about transporting wood into the country.

Benjamin has taken poles to Mexico for ropes courses at orphanages before, but now they will not let wood through without approval and a permit from the government.

We started to brainstorm ways to make this work out. We have a couple of friends flying in today to help build but we don't have the materials here yet.

Benjamins says that they will either leave the poles and rock wall at some courses Benjamin works with in Texas (and bring all the other things to build some challenge activities on our existing trees) or hire a driver Benjamin knows who may have permission to transport these kind of things.

We will find out tomorrow if this second option is possible. If not, they will drive to us with what they can bring on Tuesday morning.

Why is it so Hard?

Our family was just arriving at the temple we attend in Merida yesterday when we heard they would not be able to take the poles across the border. In our church, a temple is different than a church building and we have to drive a long ways to reach one here, it is a very sacred place to us.

We went inside feeling a little confused... why, when so many good people are acting in faith, and so many are praying for this good thing to happen, is it not working?

After a while of pondering, I felt the words, "God doesn’t say no, He says, 'wait, I have something better."

I don't know what He is going to surprise us with, but I am sure it will be awesome.

The Strengthening Power of Faith

I apologized to Ben because this is turning out to be so hard! They should have been arriving today and they are still in Texas.

His response was, "Don't worry about it! Building ropes courses is like a big challenge activity. There is always obstacles and we get to figure out how to work together to overcome them. It's just a big adventure."

It's an understatement to say that I am honored to know him.

My dad said, "We tried plan A, then we had to think of a plan B. And now we are at plan G... God's plan. I feel bad because I know how much this means to you and the kids, but I also know it is in God's hands."

I am beyond blessed to have a dad like him.

Thank You!

We know this unexplainable feeling of peace and hope is largely due to your prayers and faith. Thank you, thank you for caring and for sharing your faith with us! Thank you to those who have also fasted! Your sacrifice and prayers mean so much to us.

And speaking of sacrifice and prayers, Joanne and all of you who contributed to the Valentine Bazaar raised $1394 for this cause!

What an honor to be surrounded by so many good people in our lives. I know God will do great things with all of this love going around.

With love,

Karen Bates

P.S. We are still fundraising for a pavilion to hold classes, activities, and meetings at the home/school we are building here in Mexico. You can donate on the orange button below We thank you for anything, big or small, that you can do to help.