The Joys of Planning

Altotonga, Mexico -- We're in the rainy season now. It's fun times. Actually, it's not too bad right now. Last week we did the beach thing, and this week we're on a normal schedule and next week too, though next week my fam will be here with me. Currently, I've been doing a lot of thinking and planning for the fall stuff-- more so with the team of youth I have. In the summer, they all go on vacations and stuff, and they're "off" their regular way of doing things. Anywho, I want to do a few courses, and really focus them on evangelism and then on how to make disciples. The final point will be that they should be the ones reaching out and this vision I want to plant in their hearts.Anyhow, I need to get to working on that right now... So, until later!

Beachside Fun

Altotonga, Mexico -- I'm back to being up and around-- though I'm still taking it slow. I still won't carry anything heavy or walk fast, but it doesn't hurt to walk down to the club anymore. Everyone down here has been so kind and actively helpful-- I'm very grateful for such an amazing team of youth that I have who were wonderful during the week I was down and Chris and fam were gone-- and for Chris and his family who have been very supportive and for Nathan, who the last couple of days has helped me out too. All you people are amazing!

Today we went to the beach. It was my first time taking kids on a trip where I was pretty much in charge... all the money and contacts with parents and counting heads while waves rushed up to the sand. Of course, Chris and Vonda were there too to help.

It was a good trip. I felt like a soccer mom-- last night I was packing my bags with first aid stuff for any possible disaster that could occur. I had 2 pair of clothes packed-- you know, if the youth decided to throw me in the water with my dry clothes on. And then today when I was very consciencious of how far everyone was out there.

Fortunately, I only needed to use the first aid stuff with myself-- nothing big... don't worry. But the youth had a blast-- so much so that it was a fairly quiet ride home-- that's saying something!! Of course, we had to be careful, there was a camcorder going around preparing for a video next Saturday night-- of us all sleeping.

Oh, and I won the lobster contest. That is, the contest to see who can possibly look like the cutest lobster at the end of the day. Yup, I won. I'm the cutest lobster. Well, I'm going to get to bed. I've had my salt intake for the day. My eyes are really tired, and I still feel like the waves are crashing into me (kinda like feeling like you're on an airplane after a 10 hour flight).

Oh, 2 pieces of news. #1-- My family comes in 10 days. #2-- hold your breath. Chili's is coming to Xalapa.

To Do

May 16, 2008Altotonga, Mexico -- About a half an hour ago, I stepped out of my front door and enjoyed my beautiful 7 minutes of freedom. Truly, it was beautiful. I'd been looking forward to this for the last 24 hours.

I needed to go to the corner to get some cheese, fresh parsley and a few other things. And then I came back. The lady who works in the shoe shop underneath my apt. stopped me talk to her. And then I decided to take a quick rest before I actually make lunch.

Ok, so right now I'm on bedrest. Apparently I overworked myself on the Mother's Day thing. From the pain, I thought I had broken the tailbone again. Yikes. Thank God I didn't. It's only something muscular. So, anyhow, I'm on meds right now and bed rest. Until Tuesday, when I can get up again.

Actually, I'm behaving and doing what the doctor said. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to go down to the Club for about an hour. I promise I won't do anything else tomorrow. And Sunday and Monday I'll continue to rest. But after that, it better be better.

Ok, so in the meantime, I've done studying for Japanese. I wish I had a book that I have on order here with me. Unfortunately, it's in St. Louis waiting to come down with my ma and bros. But I've been doing research online on grammatical stuff and slowly but surely filling up my Japanese notebook.

And then I've been writing up stuff for the website we're putting up down here. That always takes an hour or two for each thing I write. I have 2 more projects to work on while I'm on this bed rest thing. And I've been taking time to read and study the Biblia. I also want to work on the calendar for June and July, and August for when I'm up north. That's always a project in itself.

So, I am getting stuff done. It'd be nicer if it weren't so quiet. But I guess that's what iTunes is for.

Ok, so I don't really have much else to say. I could just keep blabbing on, but I'm going to get on with it.Hope you guys have a fabulous weekend!

Non-titled

Altotonga, Mexico -- Ok, so I'm at home and it's 6pm on a Saturday. What's going on?? It's Mother's Day here and since we have our big thing that we're combining efforts from the local church and the youth center-- anyway, that's tomorrow. So, since we weren't going to do anything special tonight with the moms, I told the kids-- we're not meeting! Spend time with you moms. But come on Sunday!

So, because it's Mom's Day, and everyone is with their families (or are supposed to be) I've taken advantage of getting stuff around here done... I have several lessons and video projects for the Club, and Japanese, and discipleship stuff to review, I really needed a day to get it done.I went out for about 45 minutes for a prayer walk this afternoon. That was good. While out and walking, I was thinking about something Chris told me this week. About 5 years ago, the youth went out during the parade and passed out tracts. Supposedly hundreds of them were torn up in front of them while handing them out. Well, last week after the meeting on Saturday, we went to the park and handed out like 400 or so of them in less than 15 minutes. And on Monday, the 5th, after the second parade, we went down to the park where there were thousands of people-- about 4 or 5. And we handed out about another 1000 more or so. I'm not really sure how many there were. But people were reading them and those who didn't receive would come up to us and ask for one. I was excited, but after Chris told me what had happened the last time, I was really just astonished. In 5 years, that has been the difference in the spiritual climate of Altotonga. One can only hope and pray out for what the next 5 years will bring.

I remember when I came back in the fall, I really felt like God was getting ready to spark a change. I had believed it would be within this next year. So, I was thinking about that as I was out on the prayer walk. I was praying for the change and praying that God would use me as His instrument to bring change. I think it was phrased better in my prayer. But anywho, it made me think about other missionaries who work hard for years and years, maybe their whole lives and never see the fruit of their labors. Of course, every missionary goes to the field expectint that they will be the catalyst that changes everything. That's where the thinking is incorrect-- we are not the catalyst. God is the catalyst. We are merely instruments.

But I thought about the fact that I have to be willing to pour out my work for the time that God calls me here, even if I don't see any fruits of amazing proportions.Think about Jim Elliot-- he died. He poured so much sacrifice into the work and did not see the fruit he was expecting. But, on the other hand, his death did do amazing things and produced fruit. Consider him unsuccessful? No. I don't, anyhow.

Anywho, I'm not going to live with the mentality of "poor missionary". Whatever. No, I believe and hope and pray for things to happen here. Can they happen? Of course. But maybe it was just God challenging me-- we have to do things all for God's glory and to work in faith, knowing that He is the catalyst. I should claim nothing for myself-- a servant never claims their work for themselves. A servant works their best for their master, no matter what the circumstances-- even if they don't understand.

Ok, off my disertation. So, let me tell you about this thing tomorrow. We're inviting all the moms and their fams from church-- and the church people are all supposed to invite other moms and their fams too. The youth band is playing, and because Aaron and Jessie are gone, they needed another person. So, I said I'd play bass with them. It's been kinda fun, jumping in there with them. It's not something I'm planning on doing all the time-- not at all. But for this occassion, because the church asked us to, I said I'd help out.

We're doing 2 mime pieces-- the same ones from Oaxaca-- though I had to find 2 other people, again since Aaron and Jessie aren't around. The pastor's sister- from another city and a leader of the women in an Amistad church there- is doing the talk, particularly for the mothers. And then I asked if I could present the Gospel afterward.So, I'm still thinking about what exactly I want to say. I have a few leadings and it's something I've been thinking about for the past few weeks. I normally am very planned out. I'm gonna sit down and try to write it out tonight-- and see if God doesn't change it on me tomorrow morning. And afterward, we're having a convivio. A convivio is like a potluck, or a get-together kinda thing. Obviously, the church people are providing all. I'm in charge of taking 5 kilos of tortillas (that's like 10 or 12 pounds).

And that's that, I think. Oh, I am starting discipleship with that one girl. I talked with her this week, and she seemed very excited to start that.

Jamaica

Altotonga, Mexico -- About 15 minutes ago, I determined that my gas tank is about empty. How did I come to that conclusion? Well, my hot shower was a lukewarm shower. So, I went downstairs to see if my juice I was making was done, and in the process confirmed my hypothesis. The flame on the stove was lower than I can get the "low flame" to go. So, I hope my juice is done.

Off-hand fact... did you know that the island nation of Jamaica is named after a flower? Yes, indeed. It's named after the flower "jamaica" (habiscus)-- pronounced huh-my-kuh, which is a reddish color, and when its dried petals are boiled makes a juice. The juice is really bitter, until you add some sugar. Then, it's pretty good. Anyway, it's a popular drink here and I believe even Propel water has a jamaica flavored drink.

Anywho, back to what is more interesting than drinks and cold showers. These last two weeks have been very complicated. I won't really get into that, other than to say it's definitely kept my head very busy thinking. Chris says thinking is good for you. I just reply that I'm getting too good at it.

I have had the opportunity to have some really good conversations with unexpected girls. There's a particular girl, who's 17, sweetest thing-- I'm thinking she may be ready to start a discipleship process. We made that "click" and she's accepted Christ. But there's another aspect that I need to gauge first. Perhaps it may not make sense reading this, but the situation is one that needs it. Anywho, I'm planning on taking her out for coffee next Wednesday night, which she doens't know yet, but I think tomorrow and Sunday will give a good clue.

With Rosa, who I continue to disciple, we had a great talk last Wednesday afternoon. It's hard to get with her anymore because she's dating Aaron, Chris's son. But she maintains her walk, and I'm proud of her for all the many difficult situations she's made it through since becoming a Christian. Maybe I'll try to get an interview with her on video for everyone. Anyhow, we were talking about 1 Timothy 4 and got onto the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We're getting ready to go into that study, and I'm excited to see what God's going to do with her!

I also have talked to one of the youth leaders and we're working on putting together a website for the youth here. It'll have everything from pictures and calendars of events to blogs and spaces for ideas and blah blah blah. He's showed me the prelim stuff he has, and the page looks great. So, I've been working on writing blogs about stuff that teenagers deal with-- and have enlisted the help of Chris. It's a long job-- each blog takes about 1 hour, for something quality. I'm mostly using a book by Josh McDowell-- The Handbook on Counseling Youth. So, we're writing blogs on everything from drugs and alcohol to anorexia/bulimia (which I'm currently working on) and guilt and inattentive parents and unexpected pregnancy. So, I'm excited to launch this new effort to reach kids with the Gospel. Kids here, well, I guess back home too, are always online. But anyhow, we want to give kids a place that they can look for help with dealing with problems that they might be ashamed to admit to. And it's not just a social site-- this website is very evangelistical in nature. I'm doing blogs on "what is salvation for/is it necesary?" and "understanding God's love" and will be posting what we talk about on Saturdays for the blogs. So, it's not a socialistic outreach. Julio, who's working on the website, is going to do a blog on "Does God exist?" He's very good on philosophical issues. So, he'll get to participate in the content, not just the design and maintenance.

Anywho. Well, I'm gonna go. I'm going to try to finish this one blog I'm working on. And, I just realized that I have to finish a video for tomorrow. But that shouldn't take too long. And I need to be ready at 8am tomorrow because the gas truck passes around at 8am sharp. I really hate having to buy gas. What I hate about it is that the poor guy has to climb up to the roof. Up one, two flights of stairs. And then, up a narrow spiral staircase, that gives me like an inch on each side of my hips. And he has to drag a really heavy tank up there. Like I said, I always feel bad asking the guy to do that. But he'll get a good tip. It would be very wrong not to tip. Anywho, back to work I go.

The Day the Church Flooded (and other unexpected happenings)

Altotonga, Mexico --

Saturday, 9:27am-- Stretch! A long day ahead of me, I think. I'm getting a later start than I expected for the day, but then again-- I got a later start to bed last night than I expected. Oh well-- gotta get going.

10:23am-- Chris calls me as I'm about a block away from the club. I had left a message not too long ago-- had he moved my disc I had in the upstairs office? No... hmm ok. Where in the world did I put that then?

12:45pm-- Ok, dance class is over. I'm packing up my bookbag as the girls are chatting by the cd player. Last thing to put in-- Windex I brought from the house-- I had cleaned the windows upstairs in the Club before dance class-- and they needed it! Alright, let's go. Poor girls- I worked them out this morning and did a lot of isolation exercises to help them with body control. Hehe... we'll see who comes back next week.

1:04pm-- "You... speak... spanish?" "Si." "Uhh... you speak... ingles?" "Yes." I pay the guy at the veggie shop his 6 pesos for the tomatoes and onion I had bought. On the way there, I had considered what all I had in the house (not much) to eat... tortilla chips that I don't want to get too bad. I'll make chilaquiles! The guy who had asked me that question now asks me outside the shop-- "Can you talk to my patron in the United States?" (but, in Spanish)... Now, do I really believe that's what he wants from me? Of course not. Why would he need me to talk to his patron (who, I'm about 98% sure, is Mexican and would speak Spanish)? No, this is to start a "friendship". Of course, he sees that I'm obviously in a hurry and gives me the option out-- "Or are you in a hurry?" "Yes, I'm in a hurry. I'm sorry. Please excuse me." And on my way I go. I don't believe his story for a minute, as I contemplate on the short way back to my apartment-- and if it were such an important situation, he would have explained for about 15 minutes the situation. Thank God for the easy way out of that one!

2:40pm-- I'm rushing around the house, having finished eating my chilaquiles (which turned out pretty good, thank you). The USB memory for the video I did, my Bible, my indispensible notebook, a jacket for later, the discs I'm loaning Aaron, the mp3 for the song that the dance girls will be doing... keys to my house, keys to the Club, 20 pesos for whatever I may need to buy, cel phone.... Ok, I think I can go.

4:00pm-- Everything is ready to go upstairs. The band had a good practice for tonight's praises. The chairs are set up. The dvd is on downstairs and ready to go (just waiting to turn the speakers on...)... I lay the format out to the group and we stand together in a circle, holding hands and praying for the meeting.

4:51pm. "Janine, Magno has to go pick up his mom at 5:45, since Julio normally does that but he has the teaching tonight. [So, his 13 year old brother will go take the car to take his mom to their church.] So, work that into the schedule"-- Chris tells me. Magno is the drummer for the band. Alright, move worship to the end. I'm sure glad I knew this ahead of time... but it's easy enough. Now, inform the group.

6:15pm-- Julio is in the middle of his teaching (which is really good-- on integrity). And supposedly there are drops coming down from the ceiling tiles. I look back at Chris-- What's going on? He doesn't answer. Apparently not a big deal. Man, it's a downpour outside. It's raining hard. It hasn't rained in about 2 weeks. So, this will be good to get all the dust down.

7:00pm-- I'm scrambling to get everything back in a working order downstairs as you have to switch between the offices upstairs and downstairs and answering kids requests to buy a soup from the kitchen. I see Chris go into the church area that's blocked off by the wall. Then, it occurs to me-- Cesar said something about the church. I walk in-- NO MANCHES! The church is about an inch, in some places about 2 inches underwater. Oh junk.

7:53pm-- After the second resurge of water, we've just about got all the water up. All the youth worked hard to get the water out-- using everything imaginable to get the water up. I don't know how many trash cans and buckets and sweepvacs we emptied full of water.

8:54pm-- We're finally out of there for the night. While Chris was working on the drains (the concrete blocks up), which were apparently clogged up, which forced all the water up from the drains, Vonda and I were doing normal Saturday night closing up. Cover all the games, turn off all the technology, count the money, rat-proof the kitchen since we'd be leaving the drains open tonight. The Club looks a mess.

9:30pm-- Yes, my fam is online! I get to talk to them!

11:40pm-- Upstairs in now clean. I just need to finish doing the dishes and sweep and mop downstairs. I know I won't have time tomorrow to do this, and I just need to get it clean. Can't forget-- 2 more emails to send...

Sunday, 1:26am-- I'm out of the shower, and everything seems to be done. I have my schedule written out for the next week, with what errands I need to run what day and who I need to visit on which days and so forth. Looks like a busy week. What's new... Is it really 1:26am?!? Gosh... It's quiet time for me. I like them better at night. I do practically everything better at night. Sometimes I do switch it up and do it in the mornings, and throughout the day. There are various verses that are throughout my house that I meditate on when I see them. But I'm more a night owl. I like to be up early and get going early, but my most creative and inspirational ideas come at night. That's why I usually clean house at night and work on my teachings at night.


2:12am-- Be as innocent as a dove and as shrewd as a snake... I was almost asleep, but I "jumped" out of it, still contemplating a meeting I have tomorrow... well, today. The phrase keeps running through my brain. I need wisdom in dealing with this particular person...

7:15am-- What in the world? Who's calling? No, that's my alarm clock. No, no, no...!!!!7:24am-- Ok, now I do need to get up. I totter downstairs and get coffee ready. Thank the Lord for coffee.

7:56am-- On my way down to the Club to meet Chris to finish cleaning out the drains. It's still raining, but not bad.

9:56am-- Let's see what one more bucket will do, Chris tells me, as I lug a 5 gallon bucket of water to the other drain to pour down. Yeah, right. I stopped believing that about 10 buckets ago. I'm now on about 30. I'm gonna be buff.

10:11am-- I comment to Chris-- I think that when I am 40 years old or so, I'm going to be pretty dang intelligent for a woman on the mission field. He's definitely agreeing. Look what I've learned in the past month-- how to build a house, how to fix the sound system, how to clean drains, where to go to get the broken glass slats fixed... various other lessons. I may become a Ms. Rose someday.

11:07am-- Back up the hill I head. You wouldn't believe the junk we pulled out of the pipes. The church is back in order. Everything is set up for service, the sound system and cords all back in their places (Aaron came down to do that)... the leak upstairs taken care of.

12:50pm-- I'm walking through the tianguis (market) that's set up outside of my house. There are a million sounds-- the whiny music northern music, hard rock music, the hot new pop songs, people talking, the lady at the corner yelling out, "Ajo, Señorita, hay ajos!" I go to the bread store and the friendly lady sells me the card to put more credit on my cel phone. Then 3 blocks up the street and one block over to Aurrera.Aurrera always makes me feel more American. It's a department store that you can get even some American things there. There's real Kraft Mac 'n cheese, croissants, and various other things that you normally couldn't find here about 6 months ago. So, I like to go there. I have come to know a variety of people there, by chatting with the cashiers and other youth who work there. While going through, I scour everything looking for things which are at the best deal. Even with the light bulbs, the off-brand is 65 centavos cheaper (that's about 6 cents cheaper). While looking at light bulbs, I browse to see what other things they have in this aisle. I've never stopped just to look. I turn around and my eyes go wide. I exclaim, "They have duck tape here!" What novelties! Checking out, I chat with a youth, and say my goodbyes to others I know, and then carry my bags 3 blocks back down and a half-block over to my house in the rain. I'm already pretty wet. But soon, I can change into dry clothes again...

3:00pm-- My alarm clock goes off again. Of course, I'd only slept like 15 minutes... but I did need a cat nap to get going for the rest of the day. I know I don't have time to hit snooze-- so I get up and make it downstairs to heat up the left over chilaquiles sauce and make lunch and then get read for church-- which is at 4.

6:07pm-- We stand up as the preaching is done. The pastor calls Chris and me forward to pray for the youth. I go up and stand behind them. They drop like flies. It was amazing. Even teens who normally don't come to church or who are just hard-hearted are dropping and cry. Everyone except one went down. And then like half the adults. It was amazing-- I feel the Spirit of God moving through me as I prayed for them-- and I'm just astounded. This is the first time I've seen anything like it happen here in church. Anything close.

7:07-- Finally, I'll be out of the Club for some 36 hours. I had the meeting that I needed to have and it went better than I expected, though I was cautious. Another person who doesn't want to recognize my leadership here insulted me with a smile--twice actually. I smiled back and replied intelligently to the comment(s). Oh well. You'll get those people everywhere you go. Grin and bear it.

8:22-- Japanese time...

9:15pm-- Making my banana yogurt. I buy natural yogurt from the store, and then I buy bananas from wherever. Chop the bananas, put them in the blender, a bit of vanilla extract, a tbsp or 2 of sugar, blend, then mix the banana puree and the yogurt in a bowl, and I'll have yogurt that's good for 2 weeks. Add a little water, mind you, before blending the bananas. I pour some over the cheap corn flakes that I buy. Why? It's healthier-- I don't put much sugar-- and it's equal parts of yogurt and banana puree. It's good for breakfast to get me going. And it's cheaper. I'd pay the same amount for flavored yogurt (which I don't really care for) and this way it's made just the way I like it. Well, I could get the yogurt at a different shop and it would be cheaper-- but it comes in a bag and without an expiration date. I'll pay the extra 80 cents to the other store for the peace of mind that I won't food poison myself.

Now, I've heard from seasoned missionaries that in order to stay healthy and not get sick very often, that you're supposed to eat at least a tablespoon of plain yogurt everyday (or, with a banana puree mix). Has something to do with the bacteria that you need. Plain yogurt-- not the flavored and messed with yogurt that they have in the stores. And not frozen yogurt either. Now, I've also heard a tablespoon of vinegar everday. I think I'll stick with my banana yogurt (apple yogurt is good too-- though that's a lot of extra work).

9:39pm-- The water heater is ready to shower and I'm going to get ready for tomorrow. I'm going to Xalapa to get a guitar from the Club fixed (hopefully) at the music store. and go to the eye doctor since I've been having headaches. I'm pretty sure I need a new prescription. I lucked out in that both places are on the same street. Maybe I'll run by Walmart and see what they have there. In any case, I need to get my stuff together... documentation and everything so that I can be ready to get on the bus at the station at 8am. It's a 2 hour ride, so I'll take a book along with me. I'm praying it'll be nice tomorrow.

What a weekend this has been...

First Two Weeks

April 6, 2008Altotonga, Mexico -- Ay-yi-yi. Wow. It's been kinda fun these last two weeks, but really tiring as well, being in charge. I remember the first time I got behind the wheel of a car, and I exclaimed, "Wow, it's like you feel everything!"

It is! When you're on the passenger side, you do notice things, and you're aware of what's going on. But, when you get behind the wheel, it's a whole new level of awareness. You're suddenly aware of all the little noises that are going on under the hood and where other cars are and how they are going and you're a whole lot more responsible than you were in the passenger seat. That's how I feel now. It's like wow. So, I've been praying A LOT that God would direct me and give me wisdom for all the various things going on. I feel like I'm moving where and how God wants me to move, but wow-- it's a new and exciting adventure. I've been relishing more in my times of prayer. I believe it was Katherine Koolman who used to pray desperately for the Holy Spirit to be with her during her meetings and not to leave her. That's always stuck with me. It's the feeling of, OH, Lord! I need you!

Tonight, we change times-- Daylight savings. Yeah, we're a few weeks behind ya'll. Tomorrow, we're going to have a get-together with the families of the youth who went to Oaxaca, and we'll show the videos and slideshow and talk about the trip and how it impacted lives. Tonight we had same kinda thing for the youth at the club.Yesterday, we did a typical tradition-- we went to a youth's house to wish her a happy birthday at 5am. She lives out in a rancho called Champilico. So, we went there to throw fireworks and then have tea and cookies for breakfast with her and her family. When we went there, there was a most incredible sight. Being out where there were very, very few lights, we had the luck of there being a very clear night. There must have been at least 3000 stars. Now, I love to go on my rooftop on a clear, nice night and look at the stars... and I remember the coolest night sky I've ever seen up to this point was in Peru (and that was a spectacular sight, I still remember it vividly). I think Peru was because it's a whole new set of stars-- being in the southern hemisphere. But this was truly amazing. I've NEVER seen so many stars. Some closer, some far away. But thousands of stars-- not hundreds-- thousands! I wish I could download the pic in my mind's eye onto the computer, but alas...

That day, I had to go find a glass place to get new slats for the book holder thing that we have at the club. While going through the books on Thursday right before closing, I discovered apparently someone had broken 2 of them. So, I had been looking for a while on Friday for a glass place... I knew I had seen places, but I couldn't remember where... and I felt kinda dumb carrying a glass slat (had to have a model) around town, but I've done weirder things around here. Anyway, I finally remembered one place and got that taken care of. It was a cheap fix. Well, it's like a quarter till 1, and I've got a cold and it's been a tiring week. I'm hoping the weather will be nice tomorrow so I can get some laundry done... but I may end up putting that off until Monday. I don't have much time tomorrow.