I taught, but they taught me more

I just finished my first children's English class! I count this as entirely separate accomplishment because let's be real, teaching kids is black and white different from teaching adults. It was...an experience. I'm really thankful for how well it went and everyone's excitement to learn. There are few things more gratifying than seeing a student get excited about learning.

We started with the story of Noah's Ark and then we learned the names of some animals, in English of course. I think my favorite part was seeing this quiet little 4-year old girl whisper all of the answers. She knew more than some of the older girls!  

I love the innocence of a child.  They haven't learned yet to dislike new things, different ways of speaking or anything foreign.  They are just curious, they just want to know more.  

  I am so blessed to have this opportunity to teach and serve here.  Not because the people of Mexico are in some kind of dire need for me to teach them.  There are thousands more qualified than me.  But because the life that God breathed into Adam in Genesis 2 can be seen in every single of of these kids.  

I often feel like the people here will bless me more and teach me more about myself and about the love, grace and mercy of Christ than I ever could.  

The love I feel here is truly astounding.  Not only the way they embrace me as a person but also how they help me in ways I didn't know I needed help in.  

I could walk you moment by moment through our English class tonight, but that would miss the point.  God is at work here in Pachuca.  It is a blessing and a huge responsibility at the same time.  

Instead of praying for me, please pray for the bigger picture.  Pray for the spiritual lives of the people in Pachuca, for the Bible churches here (there are few), for the leadership and their integrity as they point people to the truth of Christ and of the cross.

Fiesta de cumpleaños! Birthday party!

Sunday...what a huge day!  Sunday morning was church, obviously. We got to church a bit early to share requests and pray together before the start of the service.  One of my new favorite things is hearing people pray in a different language. There is something truly breathtaking about hearing the words of another person, not entirely understanding but having complete confidence that our God understands in full.   It never ceases to amaze me how God created the human brain with the capacity to communicate in different tongues and in unique ways.

Church starts promptly at 10:30, which is really uncharacteristic because most events here start promptly late. When church starts the room is maybe 1/4 full but then at some point during the worship I turned around for a brief moment only to find almost every seat taken! The church is small and maybe has about 60 people there but these people are alive.  They sing at the top of their lungs, even when they are not good singers. No shame, just praising their Lord who set them free from their sin.  

They have been going through the book of Ephesians and this week we had a guest speaker.  He was a seminary student from the seminary in Puebla.  He was vibrant and dynamic speaker and had some good thoughts on the Ephesians 3:14-21.  He challenged the congregation to reflect on the desires of the heart.  If it isn't God then something askew. 

After church was over, we hung out and talked for a bit and then headed to a birthday party! One week in the country and I already got to go to a birthday party! The party was for little Sara, the granddaughter of one of our neighbors, who was turning 4.  

Sarah's birthday cake!

The delicious meal

I'm not the type of person to post pictures of my meal but this one I felt like it was okay to share.  The green sauce is chicken in salsa verde, it was delicious! I even had seconds of that one. To the left of that are the carnitas on tortilla. Above that is cactus! It was like cold cactus salad, not my favorite but I hear cactus is a lot better warm. I guess I'll have to test that theory. And then below that of course, rice.

Sara's princess piñata

At Mexican birthday parties the agenda is this: everyone eats then all of the kids play while the adults watch them and socialize.  Although simple, some parties last hours.  This particular part lasted about 4 hours, which I hear wasn't too bad. 

The kids played musical chairs, and a bunch of other games.  Somehow I found myself involved in a dancing contest with Abigail. Basically they put a balloon between us and we were supposed to keep the balloon between while dancing.  They tried to disqualify us because we weren't dancing enough! Apparently, it was too gringa for them but we lasted until the top 5 pairs! 

                                                    

                                                                  Me and Abigail, dancing

A fun Mexican tradition is that the birthday boy or girl takes the first bit of the cake without their hands!  

Sarah taking the first bite of her cake!

Adorable birthday girl!

After the cake it was time for the piñata! There is actually a song that they sing which determines how long your turn is! They also didn´t blindfold any of the kids, like we sometimes do in the U.S. Personally I think that is a great decision.  There is nothing more terrifying than a small child, hyped-up on sugar running around blindfolded with a solid stick of wood. 

This picture has no real purpose, he was just so cute!
This little guy was chasing the fog from the fog machine!

The tradiational piñata song

This little girl was really goin' at it!

I went to a store called Athlete's Foot and found rip off TOMS

Friday afternoon I went to another missionary couple's house, Mark and Angélica, to help a little with their kids English class.  There were 5 of the most precious little girls that God ever created.  They over furniture and it was adorable to see how excited they were. For a test!  I don't know about you but I can't think of the last time I was genuinely jumping up and down with excitement to take a test!

The best part by far was trying to explain the word loveseat.  In Spanish the word for couch,  loveseat, and chair is the same, sillón, but obviously English specifies which is what type of seat.  It was so funny trying to explain that a loveseat actually has nothing to do with love.  But after the innocent and consequently comedic discussion that followed I know none of those girls will forget the word loveseat again.

Friday night we had an English fiesta! Which is a fun way of saying that we played a bunch of games in English at the church while various levels English speakers tried to understand one another. Basically a regular sitcom.  By far the best part of the people here learning English is the people who unabashedly make mistakes...hilarious ones too. It was a blast.

Saturday morning was the grand opening of English classes.  We had 8-9 students total, which considering it was only advertised by word of mouth was a great turnout! My students are so wonderful and are truly eager to learn and too teach me along the way. That is the part that surprises me the most, the hunger to learn.  Whether it is only a word here and there, for those who want to learn, they will.

  I am going to be teaching a kids class on Wednesday nights during the women's Bible study and possibly another time for classes during the week for those who can't come on Saturdays.

After classes me and the Bakers went to the mall nearby.  Two things surprised me about the mall.  1. You have to pay for parking, everywhere.  And of course there is nothing I dislike more that paying for parking.  2.  There are these mini-McDonals huts everywhere! They only serve desserts but there are like 4 in the mall in addition to the full one in the food court.

Look at the McDonalds hut! They only serve desserts!
 I think Liberty needs a few of these are campus.

Does this conjure images of comfortable tennis shoes?
Probably not!
I had to share this because it is was so funny.

Mexican women love their high heels!
 So I tried a pair...apparently I'll never be a true Mexican.

Ummm...TOMS rip off?

I think yes! Even the tag on the back is the same!

After my mall excursion, I went to the youth Bible study.  Now it is one thing to listen intently to understand one person in a quiet setting but I must say my comprehension level dropped dramatically as soon as I was put in a room full of boisterous, lively college students.  I definitely had moments when, for the purpose of self-preservation, my brain shut itself off which of course were always the worst moments because it was then that I would hear my name and realize that now everyone has earned the right to laugh at me because I no clue what is going on!  But I am so thankful they laugh,  If my lack of understanding brings joy then God surely put me in the right place.

Truly, I am so thankful for their patience.  A few of us, before it got too loud and crazy,  sat around the kitchen table and we got to know each other a bit better.  They even asked me to teach them things in English.  For those who do know English, even just a little, they try and use their few stock phrases with me and it really is heart-warming.

I never realized how much your native language is a part of your identity.  It is difficult and even frustrating when you feel like people will never fully know you because you lack the ability to fully express yourself in another language. Even when I understand them, so many of my thoughts and jokes are colloquialisms in English and therefore do not carry the same meaning in Spanish.

 It makes me even more thankful that the one thing that truly brings us together, despite language and cultural differences, is Christ.  His love for us and the mutual humility, love and acceptance we can all feel despite our differences.  How our differences are minimized in comparison with the love that Christ has for all of us.  One God, one cross, relationship with the same person.  At times when I feel alone,  I dwell on that fact.  In the shadow of the cross, none of us are truly that different.  We are loved by one God, and nothing can separate us form his love.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for your prayers!

And then they asked me about politics...

I wanted to post about this last night but time got away from me and I felt I couldn't do this particular experience with sufficient sleep.

Last night I went with a young woman named Rebecca to a fiesta to celebrate the end of the school year for the college students.  Rebecca is graduated from college and works with InterVarsity now.  She helps raise up potential student leaders and helps them start Bible studies at their universities here in Pachuca.  There are several large universities here in Pachuca therefore lots of opportunities to minister to college students.  We met at the church and about 15 students came.  Several are students who lead Bible studies at their universities and are really strong in their Christian faith.

We played some ice breaker games which was an entirely hilarious experience for me.  Most of the time I couldn't even understand the point of the game but again that is what laughter is for.  One game involved repeating and chanting certain phrases according to the pace of the clapping and of course there were movements and dances to go with it.  I could do the motions and the dancing but when it came to repeating the phrases I had no clue.  So I didn't repeat it.  Naturally, someone noticed and asked me why I wasn't singing and then I had to explain that I had absolutely NO clue what they were saying.  Then they asked me to say what I thought I heard.  I don't think I said anything offensive but it's hard to tell because they just laughed at me.

After the ice breakers and a short promotional video from InterVarsity we had a political discussion.  Mexico is having their presidential elections July 3.  Each president serves one 6 year term.  From what I understood of the discussion last night, elections are always heated and the youth of Mexico are not happy with the current government.  We began by writing what the word "politics" meant for each person and even I, being a bit of a pessimist when it come to politics in the U.S., can honestly say the hostility and disatisfaction that many Mexican students have towards their government is astounding.  Their hurt and complaints run deep, many of them having experienced first-hand, the horrible effects of a sometimes negligent government. I don't want to be some kind of expert on Mexican politics. I am not.  I merely observed that these students are looking for change, for hope, for anything.

The Mexican flag at the center of the Zócalo

However the best part of the discussion was when a lovely student named Lucero, came and shared her thoughts.  She shared from Romans 13 and pointed out that ultimately God has control over the rulers of this world.  We cannot have our faith in the broken, fallen men of this world but rather in our Lord, Christ. Despite the corruption, disappointment and sometimes anguish caused but worldly governments, God does not change.  He will for ours lives does not change.  We are still to be light, no matter how dark.  Loving despite the hate.  Generous despite the greed.

It was a humbling, and eye-opening experience for me.  The pain is real, the desire for change is almost tangible and youth are hungry for more.  My prayer of course is that they would not look to the government to fix their problems and satisfy their needs but instead to the Lord who fulfills us despite the circumstance.

Coloring=Cross Cultural ministry

If I wasn't in truly immersed in Mexican culture yet, I'd say I arrived today.

Last night I had the opportunity to "help" with the kids.  I really didn't do much helping, I mainly just watched and tried to understand what all of the little kids were yelling.  A lovely young woman named Aní taught the kids class while one of the missionaries, Angélica, led a Bible study for the women of the church.  We played ninjas, which is evidently a game that every culture loves.  I also discovered that any child, no matter the age or country loves to color.

Coloring: no better way to connect with children of a different culture

Abi and Camila showing off their coloring pages

      This afternoon I was invited to Mark and Angelica's house for lunch.  They had their neighbors Mari, Monse, and Ani over lunch.  Mari, Monse  and Ani's mother, prepared lunch. A really Mexican lunch.  There was coca-cola and arroz (rice) followed by an unidentified soup made from a spicy red broth, vegetables and chicken.  Ordinarily, I am the kind of person who has to know exactly what I'm eating, otherwise I won't touch it.  If you can't tell me what animal the meat is made from then I am not likely  to bring it anywhere near my mouth.  This has not been my policy with my Mexican friends.  If they tell me something is rica (tasty) then I plan on trying it.  So far nothing too weird has crossed my path but then again, this is only day 4.  

    Mari an incredibly vivacious woman who clearly derives her joy from serving others and of course, hugs.  Lots and lots of hugs.  Unfortunately, she did not realize that I am no fluent speaker.  She began asking me questions at a mile a minute only to receive what must have been the blankest stare in the whole world.  Then her daughters said "Mama, necesitas hablar muy lento" (Mom, you need to speak really slowly).  To which she responded "You mean now I can't talk!"  Thankfully, laughter is the one language that everyone speaks and every time there were an awkward moment of misunderstanding everyone at the table was more than forgiving.  

     After lunch, I returned home (the Bakers house) and after only being home a few minutes one of the neighbors came over to personally invite me to their daughters birthday party.  It is part of Mexican custom to hand deliver invitation and the couple wanted me to feel like I was invited rather than just tagging along with the Baker family.  It was an humbling and kind gesture and everyday I am reminded of how warm and welcoming the people of Mexico are.  

     God is blessing me so much with wonderful people and the beginning of beautiful relationships! Thank you for your prayers!

Bienvenidos (Welcome!)

Bienvenidos a Pachuca!  (Welcome to Pachuca)

I've been hearing this phrase quite often the past few days and it couldn't be more true.  The people of Pachuca have been so wonderful and welcoming and yes, forgiving of my Spanish.  I find that the rapid pace at which the people speak often leaves me in a state of mental paralysis where I can only muster a smile or a simple yes or no.  Which has sufficed so far.

The past few days, I have spent mainly with the Baker family and have gotten to help Barbara around the house a bit and with the kids as well. I've been working on some planning for English classes and making sure all of my ducks are in a row before my life as a méxicana  begins.

Today I got to go with the Bakers to la escuela de natación (swimming school) where Josiah (10) and Abi (7) have their swimming lessons.  Yes, even missionary kids have swim lessons.  On the way back we took the scenic route and I got to see the Centro of Pachuca which is the main plaza and  the city center where most of the shopping is located. Today at the Plaza there was some kind of political rally because the presidential elections are coming up on July 3.

 By far the most striking feature of the city is the color.  Every single building pops with different hues of yellow, orange, blue, green and even pink.  Every sign begs for attention as its colors threaten to dance the words right of the wood. The streets are narrow and the driving is nothing short of chaos as cars flow like rivers from the smaller calles (streets) onto the main avenidas  (avenues). But Pachuca has an energy and a life that is almost palpable. The streets are busy with shoppers and men and women socializing.  It is custom for friends to greet each other with a light handshake and kiss on the cheek.  Everything from the colors of the buildings to the way they greet one another is evidence that there is nothing cold about the typical Mexican.

Neighborhood next to the church at dusk

Although Pachuca is distinctly Mexican, the western and especially American influence is undeniable.  Pachuca is the captial of the state of Hidalgo so it is a large city by any measure. Pachuca has a Walmart (of course), a Chili's, Starbucks, Home Depot, Burger King, McDonald's and I believe I heard  there is even a Krispy Kreme.  I laugh every time I see an American chain here because it is just a gentle reminder that we live in a very small world despite how different ours cultures may be.

I'm looking forward to exploring the city and getting to know the people and the culture better.

     Please continue to pray for my Spanish and give thanks to the LORD that the people here are so forgiving of my lacking skills.
      Pray for my relationships with the members of the Church and especially with the young adult group that I hope to get to know better.
     Pray for continued good health. I haven't had any kind of stomach illness since being here which is wonderful because many often do.

Thank you for all of your prayers because it really does make a world of difference here.

       

Day 1: Mexico City

The day started at 3 am mountain standard time with a groggy and bleary-eyed trip to the airport.  A quick flight to Dallas, a short layover and another flight I found myself in the Mexico City Airport.  After being herded like cattle through a maze of dimly lit hallways, I emerged from customs unscathed.

Jonathan Baker, his children Josiah and Abigail, another couple named Mark and Angelica and a young woman named Priscila were there to greet me at the airport. They even made a sign for me! I instantly felt welcome and home with all of them.

Straight from the airport we drove to Palacio de Bellas Artes.  It is Mexico City's cultural center.  The outside is ornate and embellished with intricate stone statues. Simple incredible!

Palacio de Bellas artes

Just a block down the street is a restaurant in a building called La Casa de los Azulejos (The House of Tiles).  The building is known for it's unique blue tiles which line the walls, staircases and doorways.  Originially called the Blue Palace, it was built in the 16th century.  Throughout it's odd and sometimes haunted history it has served as a house to nobility, a jockey club, a political headquarters and now a restaurant and department store.  

 Notice the Blue tiles around the doorways

The Main dining room of Sanborns, the restaurant now in La Casa de los Azujelos

From there we walked toward the central Plaza of Mexico City.  The streets, filled with bustling business men,  mothers shopping and teenagers up to no-good were an incredible sight of life, activity and color.  Street musicians trying to earn spare change,  well-dressed men and women stand in the doorways of boutiques in the hopes of luring in easily influenced high-rollers and street vendors lay out blankets selling small items as means of making a living.

Despite what many people think, begging is very rare in Mexico. Especially in the more urbanized areas.  Men may not have regular jobs but they will do just about anything to make a bit of money on the streets so they can bring home something for their families.  They take great pride in providing for the families and going home empty-handed is a deep form of shame. 

At the center of the city is Catedral Metropolina (Metropolitan Cathedral).  It sits caddy-corner to the government building of the president.  I will comment more on that later, but it is very interesting that the Metropolitan Cathedral is only a stones throw from the President's office.

The Cathedral itself is stunning.  Even on a Monday afternoon the inside of the Cathedral was busy with people praying and worshiping.  Again, I will write more about this later but first I wanted to share a few pictures.

 This is the Cathedral organ,  much more impressive than ours in the States!

 This is the front altar, it is about 45 ft tall and everything is made out of real gold.

This is a shrine dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe who often becomes the focus in Mexican Catholicism rather than Christ.

And that was my day in Mexico City! After that we drove to Pachuca, about an hour north of Mexico City and I settled into my new home with the Bakers! 

I got to have tamales for my first dinner here in Pachuca and they were delicious! 

God is truly moving in incredible ways here and I am so blessed to be a part of it for this summer.

Keep praying for wisdom, energy, and of course the language skills for me. We start planning for English classes tomorrow and have lots of big plans in the works.  

Gracias por sus oraciones!

Pre-Trip Terror

I am safely in Mexico! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! I'm going to backtrack a little and share with you a bit about everything before my trip.

As with any adventure there is a certain amount of preparation and planning and packing etc.  However,  this past week has been a whirlwind of activity and emotion and mixed feelings.  Don't get me wrong,  nothing has lessened my excitement however I have certainly felt my fair share of anxiety about being in a foreign country by myself for two months where I am lucky to understand half of what is being said around me. Thankfully my God is strong when I am stupid and lost and no amount of earthly worry could overcome God's plan for my trip.

The past week I spent at home with my family.  It was wonderful to be with them and feel their love, support and encouragement before I embarked to a foreign land. I also spent a few days preparing my curriculum for the English classes that I will be teaching and training others to teach. 

However, I can honestly say that  I was truly humbled when I saw the generosity of everyone around me.  I am not just talking about financially, although there were moments was I was truly astounded by the support given to me.  I have been infinitely blessed by the notes, letters, facebook messages, and texts that I have received over the past couple of weeks.  There is nothing more humbling than realizing that so many people are praying for me and my ministry in Mexico.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support and I will continue to share more specific requests as I become more immersed in the culture. 

Gracias por sus oraciones!

Thank you for your prayers!