Treacherous Treks

Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico -- Today has been an adventurous day, but I suppose I should probably start with yesterday...I've been accompanying the Spanish 3 class, interrogating them in Spanish (not really, but helping them, yes) and doing whatever I can to help out here. It's really been quite an enjoyable week. The weather has been cooperative (a bit of rain, thus leaving mud), but not too hot and I now have a bit of color to my skin.

Yesterday we went to a small village, called an Ejido (A-he-do), and did our VBS thing. It was like way-back woods like. There were homes and buildings built out of sticks and with thatch roofs, spread out; pigs, chickens and dogs running around. It was something that I haven't experienced yet here in Mexico.We sent the teens out with some youth to go do the inviting, and they came back like an hour later. Meanwhile, we planned the specifics of the afternoon and as well as a make-shift evening service. It was a great afternoon... the kids had a blast and were well-behaved... the best behaved group of kids that I've ever seen.

And the evening service went very well too. The teens had some problems with the food that was prepared for them that evening, but personally I didn't think that it was too bad. Today was their day off. So, we travelled about an hour and a half away to a place called Xilitla (he-leet-la) where this architect from I don't know how long ago (American, I believe) and he was a bit crazy, but he began building many projects and a house and it was just like something you've never seen before. It would have been a contemporary flamboyant house if it were ever completed.

Near the end I climbed up the stair case (there were no walls or a roof on it, but 2 concrete spiral staircases going up some 70 feet?? and then with stairs going up to a middle platform. Now, mind you, neither the staircase NOR the platform had railings or anything to keep you from plummeting to your death. And this platform was about 5 feet in length and 4 feet or so in width.SO. I made it up there with no fear until I got on the platform. I stood there for like 10 seconds and then I felt the need to sit down... because you're on a mountain anyway and you can see EVERYTHING and having edges with NO railing... this is the stuff nightmares are made of.

On the way up, one of the bows of my shoe came off. Later on, we all had a moment of silence for my bow. I tore the other one off the other shoe and will glue them back on when I get home.

Like I said, I only stayed up there like 10 seconds and carefully, but as hastily as I could (which was slowly), made my way back down. Ehhh... it still gives me anxiety to think about it.

Anyway, we saw a waterfall today which was pretty cool and tried to get up to the top, so we took an ardous slippery path up the mountain, only to get to the top, all of us heaving, and find out that there was nothing to see, and it wasn't the top of the waterfall. So, back down we went. And Kathy Pugh went with us and was a trooper! She was cute, and went all the way with us.

I believe the highlight of the day for all was zip lining. There was a place there to go zip lining, and so we went. I've never done it before and when they asked if I wanted to go, I was like... well... you live once. Be adventurous. Experience. And so I did, and it was a blast. And, well, if I could have a job zip lining, I would do it. I would work in a zip lining park and take people and zip line myself all day long.So, anyway. It's been a long day. Tomorrow we're having breakfast and taking the kids souvenir shopping and then having lunch with the missionaries working here. After that, they are leaving and then I have time to kill waiting for my bus to take me back home at night (there's only one, or else I'd leave earlier). It'll take about 13 hours or so (depending on lay-overs in bus stations) to get back home. But about 12-13 hours in the bus.

Saturday I'll have a couple of hours in the morning to freshen up and then at noon the kids will be at my house and then in evening and Sunday morning I'll sleep in and get rested up. Monday will be a bit busy preparing for Tammy's arrival (and doing laundry) and then Tuesday, going to pick her up.The time is flying.

What a wonderful experience this week has been. The kids were wonderful in the villages/ranchos, the youth who came were easy-going, respectful and did their work while enjoying learning about and seeing the Mexican culture, and well-- it's just been good.SO, I'm going to get to bed. I'm pretty tired and have a long run at it until about Sunday.

Take care.

A Quickie

Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico -- Hey! Just to let you know, I'm up here with K. Pugh and her Spanish class and some people from WIM and we're on a missions trip!

I travelled for 14 hours by bus and arrived here Sunday morning just in time for a full day... It was great... we went to 2 churches... The morning service was like 3 hours I think... plus your Latin one hour of talking afterward... and the evening service was about an hour and a half. I enjoyed both, but the second service was really good-- and even though I was pretty tired and worried about being able to stay awake, he kept me tuned into the message and I really, really liked it. It was a good message.

Saturday afternoon the kids came over to my house for about 6 hours and we had our little meeting... Of course, they played for much longer than we had the "Bible study" but it's the setting that builds "confianza" (trust, confidence) among the group and encourages a much more open setting and bonding and all that. Saturdays are great-- and they drink a TON of my coffee and after a few cups, I have some really hyper and crazy kids.

Well, there was another story I was gonna tell the other day but I can't seem to remember it at the moment and Kathy is waiting on me and I better get. We'll be busy from about 12-10pm tonight... so... woo-hoo!!!! Will probably write when I get back to Altotonga, and will have lots of stories for ya'll... plus the one I can't remember. Hasta luego--

Those Things that Stick Out

Altotonga, Mexico -- Hey! How are you guys doing?? I myself am doing pretty well... being here in Altotonga... we have had some beautiful weather and I am always thankful for that.

What have I been up to? Hmm... Well, last Saturday we had a get-together... an informal Bible study with the youth. I invited them over to my house and we played games, had soda, talked about God's Word, prayed, had fun. It was all very relaxed and good. They stayed for several hours... they enjoyed it a lot.

Apart from that, it's been a lot of visiting people, stopping to talk to people for a while on the streets, catching up on emails, info for this, info for that... Meeting one on one with kids. It's not been so hectic. And so I'm back delving into Japanese, reading and doing the Rosetta Stone program and the other materials I have when I don't have to be out and about.

Today I think all of Altotonga woke up in a good mood. Maybe it's because it was sunny early this morning. But I was out during Altotonga rush hour (7:50-8am; 1pm; 7pm) where EVERYONE is out on the streets, rushing to get to work, catching buses, etc. And I had my mp3 player on, watching people, smiling, joking, hanging on each other. I myself was in a pretty good mood, and seeing it made me smile even more.I was catching a bus to Orilla (Oh-ree-ya) to visit a friend. I haven't seen her since before I went to Japan, and boy was she happy to see me. She THREW her arms around me. Haha! Anywho, back up: I always sit on the driver's side of the bus (by the by- I don't have to pay the fare, because my friend's husband is the bus driver), because it has the best view. I really, really wish each and every one of you could come see it. It's not pretty at first... just houses and over-growth and chickens-- but after you get out there, it's pretty.

Today I saw one of those postcard moments. Or maybe what you think of when you think of Mexico. Of course, you may be thinking beaches, and well, I'm sorry to disappoint. Anywho, there was a patchwork of fields, something akin to pine trees and blue mountains in the distance. And coming down a dirt path was a horse pulling a cart with two men sitting on it. The ONLY thing missing was a giant sombrero for each man. The best scene of it all is similar to what I just described, only better. So, imagine that, take out the living beings, tweak the imagine to something incredible and there ya have it.

I've been contemplating moving back home and back to American culture, as I will be for a few months. Having my ma here, we talked through some of the details and logistics (my brother with amazing speed, took over my bedroom when I left almost 3 years ago)... It'll be different to be back. You change so much while you're gone and everyone back home changes so much too that it's not as automatic as you assume it would be. I'm not worried about it; I've just been considering differences. It's one of those things that you do need to be mentally prepared for.I remember when I first moved down here, I used to note how people were not "fashionably" dressed. Not to look down upon them, but I just didn't understand how a striped skirt and a floral print top went together. And now, 2.5 years later, I have on today a blue and burgundy striped shirt, a dark green and cream jacket, and black shoes.

And I really don't care.

Of course, I know that that will all have to change when I get back, and I really don't mind that. I like to dress well, but here comfort and warmth come before fashion, and that is a general rule.

There are other little things that will be different. Driving instead of walking. "Box food" instead of from-scratch stuff. No lighting of the water heater. Of course, even greater will be the change moving to Japan. I'll save that for another blog.

In a bit there will be more info on all this Japan news-- so stay tuned. Just be excited.

On another note, this weekend (after the Sat. meeting), I'll head to Valles-- I'm sure you all know Kathy P. is taking a group down and so I'll be with them, helping out in whatever I can and visiting with some very cool missionaries up there. I was extremely blessed by Grace's (she works with WIM) offer to help out with costs! I had been starting to think twice, but when I decided that I had better keep my word since I'd already told Kathy that I'd make it up there, well-- look what comes along! Praise God!!

One other note that I just can't seem to leave out. It doesn't fit in, but I haven't been able to put it out of my head. I saw THE strangest thing the other day-- an old lady in sweat pants. I believe I can safely say that it's rare to see a lady of 45+ years wearing pants; they ALWAYS have skirts on, no matter how cold it is. And NEVER do the tiny, hunched over little ladies have pants on. It never really struck me until that moment, but I recognized what was different immediately. I bet she was a revolutionary. ;)

This and That

Altotonga, Mexico -- So, this last week I've had the company of my mom and grandma here, which has been nice. They've gotten to see a bit of the area and eat all the wonderful food that there is here, because it is some good food. They've also gotten to meet a lot of the people that I'm always in contact with and working with.

The baptisms went well last Saturday. It was a special day for the two girls up at the river. I had fears that I would lose them in the river... and well, all kinds of things, but they turned out ok. :) One of the girls also decided to make a public commitment with a purity ring with her parents. That was also a special moment for them too. It turned out to be a day-long event... We left at 10am and returned at about 4pm. Not that the baptisms took that long :)....

But we all hung out afterward and there was food and well, the river, where people swim.

One of the kids, playing around, hit me with a branch on the arm. What we didn't realize at the time was that it had a lot of little burrs on it... tiny little ones. They were near impossible to get out... Last night I put some hydrocortisone cream on it, and it drew some out. So, I got about 4 out today, and it's still blistery-looking, but, well, we have more stories now. ha!

Saturday morning I'm going to have a casual get-together with the teens, a small Bible study that we'll do each week, until I leave. It'll be good to get together and talk about God and His Word.

Also, I've been trying to get together details to see and help out with a group of students that Kathy Pugh will be taking down soon to Mexico. It's out of the area of the normal buses that I take... so between that and trying to find where I'm going to stay... well, I'm praying it all works out. All this and it's only a week and a half away! Well, that's Mexico!

Coming soon will be more info on Japan, the vision for the future and exciting kinds of stuff. But more than that, I'll be looking forward to sharing it with you in person!

Alright, back to work I go!