Another update from Mike Richardson, missionary in Mexico in the area devastated by Hurricane Alex:

Subject: God is good

Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 23:06:24 -0500

Early this week I was asked by the government disaster relief agency to all the damage to the orchards here in our valley. Then they came back and asked that I also document the damage to houses. Timothy (10) and I went out this morning to begin that process. We rode five hours, on the donkey, to reach the farthest houses. This time I borrowed a different donkey. He had a ranchero saddle — a homemade wooden saddle with no stirrups.

I was so very glad when I was able to dismount!

After we finished the eastern end of the valley, Joshua (11) and I took off on the three-wheeler and started the process of documenting the western end. The three-wheeler is not able to travel on the eastern end of the valley because of all the rock slides.

God miraculously saved the houses. There was only one with significant structural damage. While many do have water damage, I would not consider any to be severely damaged. There were several people who have mattresses and things like that with water damage. The mold is also starting to set in.

Even our house, which did not leak any, has started to develop mold on the eastern walls. Pam and the kids moved the furniture and washed everything down with bleach.

Two more pieces of equipment were brought into the valley today. Unfortunately they did not bring any drivers! The one driver who was here left around 2:00 and said he would be back on Monday. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part when I thought he would work on the weekend!

I made arrangements for another five day supply of food. I will pick it up on Monday and try to get it delivered that same day.

On my way home from San Juan something very interesting happened. There was the largest rainbow I have ever seen. It went from one side of the canyon to the other and was so close I felt like I could touch it. Juan and Joshua were both on the three-wheeler with me. I turned to Juan and told him the story of Noah. I kind-of felt like God was saying to me, “It is going to be all right. I am with you.”

I don’t know how to explain it but I really feel like God has been so good to us the last ten days. These challenges have given me a fresh new outlook on life. I had a friend who would say: “God is good.” Then his class would respond, “All the time.” The he would say “All the time.” And his class would say, “God is good.”

That is so true. Say it to yourselves.

God is good all the time.

All the time God is good.

Mike Richardson