Different

Things have been extreemly different for Christmas, just as it was for Thanksgiving.  It really doesn't feel like it has actually happened.  Even though I finally found some Christmas lights for the tree after searching who knows how many stores(Also on December 28th).  They were made in such a way that you can't really hook them together and you have to plug them in seperately, but we now have lights for our tree.  Now that Christmas is "over". 

It's hard to imagine it's Christmas here.  There's no snow on the ground.  Very few Christmas lights up except at the Catholic Church.  A few decorations here and there.  Even some really big nativity scenes, but it's missing something big, family!  It's ironic a few years ago the holidays made me so stressed out.  It was so crazy packing up the kids and we always seemed to have a baby that always got off his/her sleeping schedual.  It wasn't easy driving several hours with the little guys.  They didn't last very long in the car.  There was one Christmas when I had a baby, 2 year old and 3 year old, I didn't want to go anywhere I wanted to stay home and have Christmas with only my immediate family. 

How different it is this year.  I want so desperately to be home with all my extended family.  It's not like all of it has been bad, just really hard to change and get use too the differences.  We even skyped my family to open up a few presents on Christmas Eve.  We managed to keep busy.  Went to a couple friends houses and had people over.  We've had fun.  We've enjoyed the break from school, but it's not the same. 

There is some excitement brewing today though.  The calvary is coming tomorrow!  We really are looking forward to an exciting week with Brian's parents and sister.  Then maybe it will feel a little more like Christmas.

Posada and Piñatas

One of the Mexican traditions Edan, Joelle and I (Joy) recently got to observe is Posada.  (David and Brian were sick)  One of the things I love about Mexico is their holidays like Easter and Christmas are still strongly rooted in the traditional Bible story.  Posada is where a neighborhood will act out Mary and Joseph needing room in the inn before Jesus is born.  You are suppose to knock at different neighbors houses that are participating and they tell you there is no room.  Then the final house that hosts the party lets you come in, but you sing a little song first about it.  Some get even more catholic and say prayers to Mary, but our coto did not.  It was a great way to start thinking about the Christmas holiday.  There was only one thing I would change, I would tweek the song, but it would definately be something that would be fun to do if we ever go back to the USA.  Afterwards you have tamales and of course you have to have a piñata. 

Our coto has parties at what they call a "terraza" our equivalent word is terrace.  It's a large outdoor covered patio, usually has a sink area and a bathroom.  It is very common here, especially since the weather is great year round.  Since we had it at the terraza two groups split one inside the terraza and one outside and they only did the asking once. 

Also I was taught the original story of the piñata coming to Mexico.  When the Catholic Priests came over from Spain they wanted to bring with them a way to convert the Native Americans here in Mexico.  I was told Saint Francis was given the credit for this.  (I tried to look it up, but couldn't find anything to back up which Saint Francis it was.)  The priests used the piñata as an illustration.  The circle part of the piñata was to represent heaven.  Then there were 7 cones sticking out of heaven representing the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, pride, and anger).  A person in his life is to take the stick and through his life try to beat off the deadliest sins.  If he is successful enough the rewards of heaven will break open and be his.  This obviously has been very successful in Mexico seeing the majority of Mexicans are Catholic and have a very similar theology.  

 

I would like to make a note: On my own there is no way I would ever be able to get the rewards of heaven. I could fight all I want, but all I really would be is what is left of the piñata.  You know, the ugly beaten up, falling apart pieces.  Romans 3:20 "No one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."  James 2:10 says I'm guilty of breaking the law.  Not only did I break God's law, but I was enslaved by sin according to Titus 3:3-8 and Ephesians 2:1-10.  But that's when God's mercy reached down to me.  I didn't have to fight off my sins to reach God because I couldn't. I would never had been good enough.  It's not through me it's through Jesus.  In John 14:6 Jesus says he is the only way.  The only way the pinata illustration would work for me is if the stick were a cross and the idea is that it pierced heaven open bringing gifts to men.  The fight was the perfect sacrifice, the laying down of a life to bring me to God.  He was born to die and I need to step out of the way and just trust in Jesus to save me because I sure can't do it on my own. 

Eyes watching.

Today for the first time I felt the very negative feeling of being a minority.  I had a security officer follow me back and forth, back and forth in the store.  I had ran in to get some more medicine for Edan.  This is the first time this has ever happened to me.  I know that this happens to many people all the time because the way they look or the color of their skin.  While I have felt watched many times before because we are the foreigners it has never really been in a negative way.  I thought, wow, so this is what it feels like.  I can't imagine having this happen ALL the time.  I would get pretty sick of it.

Another Ratoncito Sighting!

Last night David lost another tooth.  This time it was a result of growing older and not it cracking.  Late last night David saw "El Ratoncito".  He said he was guessing it was brown and it was a large mouse.  It had wings because he heard him fly away.  He said he might of scared him when he woke up and turned over.  That might be why he got fewer pesos (money) this time.

Here is a picture drawn by the artist Edan Young.  He says that the Ratoncito has white wings.  He may be brown or gray, but was only seen at night time and in the shadows.

Prayer Health Request

We just ask for prayer for Edan. He has some swollen glands in his stomach so he is now on some medication. With the medication he is feeling better, but he is not eating much.

Running for the Border!

There are some days I just want to run for the border and this is one of them.  It's hard teaching Bible to a bunch of kids who have no desire to learn the Bible or care anything about what God cares about.  I try to push and challenge them and I end up at the end of the day exhausted and worn out.  (It doesn't help that Edan is sick again.) 

It's so hard to keep your focus and not flip when you have students that feel like they can come to class and spend it as a time to catch up on all the latest gosip or when you have a student that stands up and shouts, "I love sex!", after you are trying to stress how God wants us to be set apart and pure.  At times I feel like I am beating my head into a concrete wall!  I am reminded so often that I can't do anything to help these kids.  I have nothing personally to give!  I feel at times so in adaquate.  It is only by the grace of God that they will change.  I have these little conversations with God, "Okay, Lord you say in our weaknesses you are strong, I'm feeling really weak right now!" or I quote, "we wrestle not agianst flesh and blood, but against the powers and the rulers of this dark world".  Even as I say it I struggle with smart mouthed children that think they can say, "No offense teacher..." and then say whatever they want and it's hard to realize that they really are not my struggle.  I pray for them that God will pierce many of their harden hearts.

On a lighter note.  Today when Joelle and I went on a short erand in the car she sings to me, "I know more than you, ha ha ha ha!" (referring to how much Spanish she knows).  Then when I asked her to get her seat belt on she said, "Mom, we are in Mexico they don't use seat belts!"  I kept telling her to get her seat belt on she was a US citizen.  She says, "No you really don't, I've seen them in the back of the trucks." 

Video Blogs and Hot Peppers

For those that are intersted, the kids have decided to start doing video blogs on their own blog.  Edan, with his assistant Joelle, started Spanish Lessons on speaking Spanish and the body language of Mexico and David has one on his "equipo de basket" (basketball team).  You can get to them by clicking on the link at the top of our blog. 

We also learned to day how NOT to cook hot peppers.  Brian cooked up some peppers with zuchini today with a little salt and pepper.  It was delicious!  The only problem was we didn't put the fan on over the stove.  We were all coughing for an hour or so with basically pepper "spray" in the air.  We will make sure we pay attention to that important detail next time!

The NOT so Itsy Bitsy Spider

Today I was in the library grading papers.  I had been grading for awhile so I decided to pack up my things and take a short break.  As I went to put my stuff in my bag their was a huge hairy spider right on top. The spider was around the size of one of those large garden spiders in the Midwest. 

I obviously didn't want it in my bag, but I didn't want it to kill me either.  Not knowing how poisnous this spiders venom was I wanted to be careful.  I had watched a show right before we came here and heard about this deadly Argentinian spider that is moving north in Bananas.  I managed to slide it out of my bag after a few tries with a folder.  Then quickly stepped on him. 

I got a klenex to pick him up, but one of the librarians took the spider from me to someone in the school that knows spiders and collects them.  At least that's what I think she said.  A little later I bumped into her and she said that she was told it was actually a young trantula! 

I had this little thought that maybe I shouldn't of squashed this spider if it were a trantula.  They are pretty amazing little creatures, but at the time I was in extreme defense mode and wanted whatever it was dead.  Now the NOT so itsy bitsy spider is no more. 

You can see the attack here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_5rAuG46ss

Rubbing it in Just a Little Bit!

Although we struggle being foreigners in a new land, learning language and customs, and the many adjustments, there is one thing that we absolutely enjoy...the WEATHER!  It is so beautiful.  While many of your are suffering through the snow we still have flowers blooming.  I took this picture Sunday.  

I thought I would take the time and show you around our little coto.  This is Joelle with "her dog".  She loves Camilo and looks to see if he is outside everyday.  She has really gotten to know the neighbors.  She went over to their house Sunday going in and out.  After around two hours playing play doh, helping them put up their tree and eating snacks I asked Joelle are you ever going to come back home?  She told me she was moving in with them.  I told her she couldn't or I wouldn't have a little girl.  She said I would still be her little girl and that she would come and visit.  If your thinking they must have a little girl she enjoys playing with.  Well, sort of, there are two girls 16 and 20 years old!  But she loves it and it is so good for her Spanish  I hear them constantly talking to her in Spanish.  She is going to be better at Spanish than all of us!

Here is a veiw looking towards the street of our coto.  Their are six houses all conected to each other on each side.  You drive in from the street and then everyone parks in front of their house.  No one has their own yard. 

Although no one has their own yard their is a pool and a yard to share.  This would have probably taken us more getting use to, but since our first house here had absolutely no yard or place for the kids to play we were so excited we didn't care if it was everyones.  Although we have had a couple of problems with a few yappy dogs, it has gotten much better.  Most of the people don't use the yard and we live in the back right by the yard.   This has made it very nice.  We are getting more accustomed to this sharing mentality. 

Here is our house. It's a two story, two bedroom house. What is so nice is the trees keep the house shaded.  I really noticed the difference when we were moving out of the little house.  This new house was several degrees cooler.  This will really come in handy during the hot months with no air conditioning. 

Here again you will see how lovely the climate is right now.  We still have butterflies fluttering around.  It is chilly in the morning and you need to wear layers.  There are no heaters or air conditioning so you just adjust with how many pieces of clothing you have on. 



Progress

On Thursday, I had some really good Bible classes. In all of my classes the kids were really thinking through things. In sixth grade we were talking about the Ten Commandments and how all of us are guilty of breaking at least one of the Ten Commandments. God sees us as guilty for breaking his law and we need to be separated from Him. There is no way to get to God by what we do because we all have fallen short of God’s standard.


After we were done there was a girl in my class that came up and said, “Mrs. Young, I have a question.” She drew on the board as she asked me. “If God is here and we are way over here and considered guilty before him because we broke His law, what can we do? How do we possibly get to God?” She is one of my students that has been listening intently and asking questions. I was able to share with her that was God’s point. We can’t get to Him by obeying his commands because we don’t keep our end of the bargain. That’s why Jesus had to come and become the perfect sacrifice. The payment of breaking God’s law is death and Jesus took that payment. When we repent of the wrong things we do and trying to think we could please God on own and we believe Jesus is the only way then we can be saved and God will see us like we are not guilty. I then saw this light bulb go off in her head as she started to understand.

In my eighth grade class, I am having them make their own doctrine of baptism and salvation. I have kids all over the place on these two topics. I told them I wanted to know what they believed and they had to back it up with verses. They needed to focus on what the Bible said and I didn’t want to know their parents doctrine or their church, but what they believed and why. I have really seen them thinking despite how much they resist, even if I have to bribe them with going outside the next class. (Yes it’s still nice enough to go outside. Mid 70’s every day) My goal especially for the eighth grade is to get them to think and use the Bible as their source for their answers.

I find it also interesting how during these times of great classes Brian and I can feel such huge amounts of discouragement.

Wash Your Vegis!

Today I got a chance to see exactly why we need to make sure we wash all the fruits and vegetables with special Microdyn that kills bacteria.  I was at a Carniceria (butcher/ meat store) and they had a few vegetables I couldn't find at another store.  I grabbed the vegetables along with some chorizo only to watch in utter horror as the lady weighs my vegitables on the exact scale she weighed the raw meat.  No wonder so many people get sick.  I guarantee you I made sure to wash those vegetables an extra long time!

Corruption 101

Now that we have been living here for a while, things here have started to become very "normal". You get used to way things look and operate and they start to feel normal and make sense to you. We were commenting today how blessed we are to live in the neighborhood we live in as it is full of trees and beautiful. Funny enough, the first time I drove into the neighborhood I was not fully impressed, but now that I have been here it is beautiful by my new set of standards.

Every once in a while still something new happens that reminds you that things work differently here. Last week, someone came to our house from the electric company about our meter. We got our next door neighbor who is bilingual to help us with the conversation. Apparently, the meter on our house has a wire on it that slows the meter down. This of course makes it so you pay less every month. Since we didn't own the house, it did not effect us, but definitely the owner.

After the conversation, our next door neighbor explained the situation. He says this happens every once in a while to people in the area and it happened to his sister not to long ago. Workers from the electrical company will come out and put on a new meter and a cable that slows down the meter. They will then return a couple of days later to tell the owner about the problem. The fine from the electric company for this tampering is 50,000 pesos (about 4,500USD). These workers don't want to collect this money. The electric workers want a kickback. They were dissapointed we were not the owners. They told our neighbor to call the owner (which we did) and tell him they would be in the neighborhood for the next couple of hours. They wanted to talk to him and get a small little payoff to fix the meter.

Our neighbor afterwards also showed us some of the signs of corruption. The meter for our house was brand new when all of the other meters were very old. There was no reason for us to have a brand new meter on our house. While I thought the neighbor would express frustration. He really did not. This happens in Mexico and they learn to deal with it.

Things like this make you thankful for the rule of the law in the states as you realize that it is missing in many places here in Mexico. You also frequently here of cops asking for payoffs at traffic signals or trying to buy vehicles from people for 50USD when they stop them. We have yet to experience this, but we got our first lesson this week.

Here, We Party Like It's 1999, At Every 6 Year Old Birthday Party!

One thing we have learned about Mexicans and the Mexican Culture is that they sure know how to throw a party. Especially a kid's birthday party. We have now been to about half a dozen birthdays parties between the kids classmates and to this point every one has topped any party we have ever attended in the States.

This last week we had two parties. On Thursday, the parents rented out a large facility with inflatables and other kids toys. They also brought in a full fledged, fully decked out Star Wars cast that put on performances for the kids. Not only this, but they hired several street vendors to provide food. I mentioned to one of my co-workers that I felt like I was at a community 4th of July celebration with all of the food options from lonches, hot dogs, burgers to more traditional Mexican fare. Truly incredible. To top it off, every kid was given a replica light saber that turns different colors with all of the appropriate sounds! (Pictures Below)

Not only do they throw great parties, they throw long parties! On Saturday we had another birthday fiesta. The mom told me it started at 1. We have learned that you never show up on time to a party in Mexico, no one does! We got there at 1:45 and were still the first people there. The mother then told me that yes the party does start at 1, but no one will probably come until 2 or 3. We sat there as they finished setting up. They told us they were having a farm as this was a cowboy themed party. We thought this meant maybe an inflatable barn and toys. No, it actually meant a farm. About 2:15 the door to the garage opened and the farm came in. A donkey, a miniature horse, a full sized horse for pony rides (Joelle took 4), pigs, a goat, a sheep, chickens, roosters, bunnies, and to top it off a llama! All in the backyard of this families house. You ever had a llama in your backyard! Around 7:30 the party was still roaring, but we thought it might be time to go. We went to leave and the host implored us to stay as the pinata had not yet been broken. So we stayed and left about 8 while everyone else was still partying away. They wore the Americans out!

With this being said, these parties have been a great chance for us to be seen time and time again by the same parents so we have started to get to know many of them.

While both of these sets of parents were well off, we were told that even families of low means here will save all year long just to throw a good party for family and friends for a birthday or some other reason. It is an issue of great pride for them. As Americans, after 7 hours we felt we had overstayed our welcome, yet our hostess implored us to stay longer. In the States, we would be ushering people out after 3 hours! They truly are honored that you are able to enjoy what they have provided and WOW do they provide. They have a strong culture of hospitality. This hospitality is something Joy and I have learned from and hope to do a better job duplicating in our lives.

The Power of What You Approve

Recently, a fellow teacher shared with me a conversation that he had with a parent of one of the students at the school. Somehow the conversation moved to the release of the new Harry Potter film that was coming out. As the conversation moved here, the teacher expressed to me the passion of the parent against Harry Potter.



The teacher, not really for or against Harry Potter, listened to the parent. The teacher shared that many American Christians he knew do not have a problem with Harry Potter. She then went on to say "That is because Christianity is "light" in America". She then expressed how amazed she was that people would spend their hard earned money on items that support and promote witch craft and a spiritual darkness.



With this being said, the point of my post is not to give an opinion on Harry Potter, but about what we approve. Mexican believers I have found, do have a real sense of the spiritual world. In many ways, there is a darkness here that exists in few places in the US. (Even though I and many others have seen it in our inner cities). They tend to be very discerning and sensitive to things that deal with dark sprituality like Halloween. They also make judgments on our faith because of what we do approve.



One thing we have learned here is how big an impact that American Christianity has on Mexico. I would have never considered this while in the States, but they know much more about us and our faith then I would have known. Because of the number of Mexican immigrants in the States and the constant movement back and forth over the border, it is rare to find Mexicans who don't have an understanding about America. Not only an understanding, but definitely an opinion!



We realized that as American Christians we have an incredible impact on the growth of the gospel in Mexico whether we know it or not. They seee what we approve and what we do not approve. They see how we behave and they make decisions. The testimony of the American church is ringing loud and clear in Mexico.



Regretfully, the message, while clear, is not clearly of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We Have Joined the Revolution!

Without a doubt, Mexico has a revolutionary spirit. The school every month does what is called a Mexican Flag Salute. Unlike the States, their is no daily recital of a pledge, but rather a monthly culture/revolutionary celebration. The occassion involves students dressed in suits with well choreographed marching orders. The Flag salute is often followed by some sort of culture celebration, either a dance, play or both.

This month Joelle was part of a play and was asked to dress up in traditional Mexican attire. We did as best as we could as you could see by the picture, but still a long way from traditional attire (as you can also see). Not only was she instructed to dress as a Mexican princess, we were also instructed to make armor belts for her to wear over her dress. I was then told that Mexican women are beautiful and tough!

If you ever get a chance to read Mexican History, you will see how the revolutionary spirit penetrates and shapes the national identify of Mexico.

Because a majority of the teachers are American, they at times do also let the American flag be part of the salute. The American flag follows the Mexican flag. This month, Edan was given the honor to be part of this group and give the marching orders. He was nervous, but did a great job!

Something To Think About!

I want to share a story of an encounter Joy had with a couple students in her class. Recently, Joy's students were discussing whether they ever wanted to go the United States. Different students had different opionions on this matter, but one student in particular really got Joy thinking. He emphatically stated that he did not want to go to the States. He said he had visited before for 2 months and no one there was friendly and he made no friends. His exact words were "No one wants to be friends with a Mexican." Joy then shared with him that we have struggled making friends in Mexico. Another student quickly responded, "You don't get it Mrs. Young. There are no Christians in Mexico."

As Joy shared this story with me, we really began thinking. This student was saying as much about American Christianity as he was America. He assumed because the US had many Christians he would find friendly people. On the reverse, the reason why we didn't have many friends in Mexico is that there were few Christians here so people did not have the same focus to befriend us.

This is a story that convicted us and we really think should be considered by American Christians. Throbs of internationals from countries with little gospel exposure enter our country every year. I hazard to say that we interact with them daily in the States and think little about it or them. They judge Christianity by the response they receive in our country. This is both a curse and blessing. We know that many they encounter are not believers and shed no positive light on Christianity. Yet, for believers in the States their is a great opportunity to penetrate the most hardened countries with the gospel. These internationals come seeking opportunity and friendship. Many return to their countries eventually. We have the chance as believers to impact not just them, but countries where the gospel is but a dim light. I would challenge believers to think about this truth.

On the other side of this truth, Joy now understands one of the reasons why one of her students is so resitant to the truth of the gospel. We have the opportunity daily to be a blessing to all we come in contact with. Our witness, even at home, will stretch to the ends of the earth.

Camp Mayto Final Day

Saddly enough, we knew the experience had to end. Surely enough day 4 came and the time for our trip home as well. None of us were looking forward to the bus ride home, but we all were ready for a good shower and a long night sleep in our own beds.


During the trip, the students did a great job embracing the kids. Since we both teach middle school, we really didn't know the 12th graders before we left. Despite this, they made us feel part of the group and many of them fell in love with the kids. It was not uncommon during the day to see David and Edan playing board games or card games with the kids while Joelle sat cuddled on some teen girls lap or found herself being buried in the sand by a group of teens. The students were great!

Before we left, Marilyn and Jon Bennett (A wonderful British couple that we met at the camp who had lived there the past 3 months) took the kids down to the beach to release turtles one last time. During these times, Joelle would often hold up the turtles and yell "Fly away baby turtle". They never did fly away, but these last couple of turtles all made it to the water safely. This week as a family we released over a 100 turtles and as a group we released around 1500.

We then packed our stuff, took a group picture, and made sure we got a seat up front near the bus TV's so the kids could be pacified by the movies on the long trip home.

The bus ride home, while long, because it was during the day allowed us to really appreciate the scenery of the trip. The whole trip was up and through mountains. We made a half way stop in Puerto Vallarta to grab some lunch, ironically at McDonald's. (It was the worst meal we had the whole trip). We arrived home about 8 o'clock and were all happy to be home. We spent some time reflecting, knowing that we had just embarked on a once in a lifetime experience. (Unless we go next year!)

One last funny thing about the trip I missed. One of the teachers said today that Edan was overheard saying to another one of my kids, "We are not here to have fun. We are here to save baby turtles!"

Camp Mayto Day 3

Day 2 was absolutely overwhelming. We didn't know how day 3 could follow it or if we would have enough energy if it did. While it was a little more laid back day, it still succeeded in wearing us all out.

The day started with a great traditional breakfast of Chilaquiles and Frijoles. Chilaquiles are tortilla chips that have been cooked in sauce and turned into this incredible spongy, delicious meal. As I said before, the food was incredible. This started a string of 4 straight meals with frijoles. While a dream for Edan and I, not so much for our weak stomached, non bean eating family members.

Right after breakfast, we took a 30 minute pickup ride. After stopping, we hiked a short way through some hills until we came to a waterfall pool. Here we spent the morning swimming and hiking along the rocks.

We then headed back to camp for some incredible, fresh shrimp and fish tacos. As in the states, I can define many of my experiences by the quality of the food. Still the same in Mexico!

We then were given the afternoon to relax. The camp actually had a sand volleyball court, a trampoline, and a traditional backyard circle swimming pool. On another note, the beach all along the coast in front of the camp was unswimmable. The waves came in at 8-12 feet and the under current was so severe they would not let us swim. Even the camp staff, most devoted surfers, would not surf the waves, only bogey board the surf and then run in as the next wave came crashing down. While we couldn't swim, it made for some beautiful evenings watching the sun set on the Pacific with the waves crashing in. As we slept each night, the waves sounded like a continual thunder rolling in against the shore.

That evening we got to partake of a special event. There were 22 turtle nests that had to be dug up. To give you a little background on the turtle preserve. The camp staff goes out every night to collect turtle eggs as they are laid or to find the nests and dig them up. They then bring the turtle eggs back to camp and bury them in the sand just as the mother turtle does. In the wild people estimate that only 1:100 to 1:1000 turtles make it to full growth. Their most vulnerable time is from the moment they are laid through their first few months at sea. Not only do dogs and other animals dig up the eggs. Mexicans also dig up the eggs and eat them or sell them at market. This has been a difficult balancing act for the staff as they have to coexist with the local community with no law enforcement. They diplomatically try to run off all poachers, but they do at times have to deal with hostile poachers. Last week they were threatened by Machete one evening and their families threatened to be killed who lived locally. Rural areas of Mexico like this generally govern themself so the staff does many things in the community to build good will. They have removed a food source and a way to make money. They try to replace this by also helping with building projects in the town and bringing money in through the school trips.

That day we also got to see another danger to these baby turtles. We had to release some turtles in the morning on Day 3. While they were being released, a pack of scavenger birds made their way over. The boys fought valiantly against the birds, throwing sand balls, running, and yelling at them. Despite their efforts, the resiliance of the birds showed the difficulty these small turtles have in making it to the ocean just 30 feet from their nest.

As I mentioned earlier, they had 22 nests to dig up that evening. The turtles incubate for 25 days and then hatch. It is an exact science. 22 nights earlier they had their biggest find ever as they had found 22 turtle nests in one evening. Each nest has about 100 eggs. The students entered into the pen and by hand dugg up the nests and sure enough pulled up the hatched baby turtles as the staff took counts for their records. In all, the students brought up 1500 baby turtles in that one evening. It was incredible to watch them pull up handful after handful of baby turtles.

That evening we had another incredible releasing of 400 turtles into the sea as the sun set. As we released them, Joelle spontaneously and adorably began to sing "Happy Birthday" as they crawled to the sea. She then broke out into the traditional Mexican chant "Alabio Alabao Alabimbomba, tortugita, tortugita ra ra ra". We here this chant all over Mexico. We still don't know what it means. Traditionally tortugita is replaced with Mexico, but at David's basketball games overexcited moms put the team name in as well as they scream the chant!

Also that evening, we got the opportunity to go out again on the 4X4 ride. This night, while we again saw no turtles, we did find a nest. We dug up the 99 eggs and brought them back. Also, because we had so many turtles that evening we realeased several more by moon light. It was quite an experience to sit under the stars and watch them waddle to the sea by the light of the moon. As we watched, Edan humorously suggested as each turtle found its way to the ocean that they now officially had become "sea turtles".

By the end of day 3 the kids were dead. On the way back in, as they sat nestled in a box on the back of a 4X4 they each had fallen asleep. We were a little nervous as we watched them bob side to side with each hill that they would fall out. Luckily, they all survived the way back to camp!

Camp Mayto Day 2

By the beginning of day 2, the worries of the trip were long gone and the excitement of what was to come dragged us along. Despite Brian's battle in the night with a bad hamburguesa(though delicious on the way down), we were all ready to go in the morning.

After seeing and releasing the baby turtles the previous evening, we were excited to come into contact with some of the full grown sea turtles that morning. We took a ride in the back of a pickup truck 15 minutes to the quaint fishing harbor of Tehuamixtle (google it if you want to find our location (Mayto is the road just to the north so small its given no name on the map).

On a side note, the pickup truck rides were an experiencing in themselves. Every day the Camp Staff took us to different locations rather quickly in old trucks across bumpy dirt roads. We actually joked about feeling very Mexican at these moments as truckloads full of people driving everywhere in Mexico is extremely common. Something like this would be deemed very dangerous in the US, here you would be laughed at for such a notion, it is a necessity.

The town, we assumed, was home to no more then 100-200 people, a collection of families who made their living off the ocean and the handful of brave locals and tourists who made the long dirt road trip. At first, the excitement of the trip for us and the kids was tempered, as the entry to the small harbor contained a replica 20 foot Great White with teeth blazing. Other pictures around the port showed the Great White attacking the same sea turtles we were about to swim with. We wondered if we were entereing our very own Jaws movie! Despite this, we all agreed we were going in!

We took a 20 minute ocean boat ride around the harbor to an area in front of the camp beach. Here in a short period of time we found 5 large sea turtles. We weren't sure how we were going to swim with these wild creatures. They weren't in a cage much like our previous experiences with dolphins. We soon found out. We would come up to a turtle slowly, and the fearless environmental leader of the camp, Israel, would jump off the front of the boat on to the back of the turtle. He and the creature would dissapear below the water only to immerge moments later with Israel victoriously holding a large turtle in his arms. We all then jumped into the ocean and swam with the turtles. We took turns holding the turtles as one by one a student or teacher would lose hold and the turtle would dart away into the ocean. We had loved swimming with dolphins, but I enjoyed this even more as there was something beautful about being a mile out in the ocean, swimming with these great creatures, wondering if a Great White was about to attack!

Joelle and Edan wanted to get out in the ocean so Joy jumped in the fridged water and another person handed down Joelle first. The moment her toes touched the water she started screaming to be pulled out. Not only was the expanse of the ocean overwhelming, it was COLD. Edan was next and his response was very similar. They were releasing the second turtle when Joelle and Edan jumped in and Joy tried to quickly coax them to the turtle so they could at least say they swam with the turtles. They also swam with a dog as Chata was swimming right next to them trying to get someone to let him back in the boat. Edan eventually did jump in, Joelle tried once more and the result was the same, back in the boat.

We then went back to harbor and were given two hours to relax and enjoy. Their wasn't much to do other then swim as this remote town contained no tourists shops. We swam the waves with the kids and took turns napping on the beach. We also watched a fisherman pull up a 100 lb fish and fillet it on the dock. Later as we partook of an incredible feast of shrimp (fried, sauteed, cocktail, and ceviche) as well as fried and broiled fish, we couldn't help but wonder if this was the same fish we had seen filleted just and hour earlier. Here there was not menu, just catch of the day! This was confirmed as one man walked in with 5 lobsters in his hand and 30 minutes later the cook brought them out to him and his friends!

If this wasn't enough, we then embarked on a 30 minute hike to a completely isolated, rock strewn bay. On the wall of the bay we were led to a bat cave. Here we took turns heading into the cave. We were greeted by bats flying all around us as the flash lights disturbed their peaceful slumber. The kids were fearless, but on more then one occassion I (Brian) was found to be hovering in the corner of the cave! Joelle on the other hand was begging to hold the bats. She didn't quite get to hold it, but got to pet one.

We then headed back to the camp to for a dinner snack and some down time before our night time excursion.

That evening it was our turn to go out on the 12 km 4by4 ride to find nesting turtles and recover their eggs. From 10 pm to 12pm we rode up and down the beach, flying over small dunes down the beach. The only light of the night came from our vehicles, the moon and the stars. While we failed to locate a turtle that night (only group to do so on the trip), we were treated to one of those very special evenings where the stars are bigger then you ever imagined. We stopped for a while just to stand and look. While there was some dissapointment over not seeing a turtle, the remote beauty of the beach and night made up for it.

Day 2 was definitely unforgettable.

Day One in Mayto, Mexico

After weeks of excitement and idyllic expectations, we headed out with a group of 12th grade students on a long trip down to the reomte Mayto beach, home of the Sea Turtle Restoration program. This was a Science field trip for the students and a much needed opportunity to explore Mexico for us



As we headed out on the 10 hour bus trip with 3 small children we still couldn't help but wonder, is this potion going to be combustible! We tried to keep the kids up until midnight so they would sleep the entire trip, regretfully Joelle couldn't handle this and fell asleep at 10:30. We got to the school and the bus was late, Joelle slept outside on a pile of pillows and the boys, while practicing their karate chops, almost woke her up.


We knew the success of the trip depended on how we would negotiate the kids sleep at the beginning. Brian and I always struggle sleeping in moving buses and we wondered how the kids would do. The bus came, we loaded everything and tried desperately to find seats together as the excited 12th graders quickly staked their claims. Joelle slept on me and David slept on Brian for a good part of the trip. The difficulty was all of the winding, mountain roads leading both David and Edan to feel sick during the trip. Luckily the boys didn't get sick, but regretfully with 3 hours to go Joelle couldn't hold it in. At this point we were really wondering what we were doing as we were then told the final two hours were the worst! We stopped right after Joelle threw-up and we were able to get some kids Dramamine. I think this helped us complete the journey.



The last 37 KM (About 22 miles) took us over 2 hours. We were on a single lane dirt highway up and through rolling mountains. It was beautiful and intimidating at the same time as we came to both beautiful vistas and small turns we never thought a bus could make! After a tense 2 hours, we rounded a corner and there it was, the Pacific Ocean! We had quite a walk to the camp site, but we were all happy to tumble out of the bus and take in the beauty of the remote beach.



We set up camp and ate. (The food was 4 days of incredible traditional Mexican dishes) The 12th graders headed out to a reforsetation project, we actually stayed behind to get the kids a much needed 3 hour nap. It is amazing how comfortable a tent is after 10 hours in a bus! After this good nap, we actually felt the kids had navigated the early sleep challenge.



Later that day we took a camp tour. Our Spanish is getting better so we understood most of it, but as you can see from the pictures above the kids were distracting us with their new found friends, hermit crabs!


Joelle had to go to the bathroom and that's when we saw the turtles hatching out of their eggs for the first time. "Ah, que bonita baby turtles!" Joelle shouts. She was really into ALL the animals we saw on the trip. The snake at lunch, "Chata" the dog, bats, crabs and especially the turtles. (We also had a lemur run through camp and a tarantula that was crossing the road.) With all of the exotic wildlife (and some not so exotic as the camp had a chicken coup with a very loud early morning rooster) , Joelle most frenquently could be heard yelling "Ven Chata" summoning the camp dog!

In the evening as the sun was setting we each got to release baby turtles on the beach. This was highlight for everyone on the trip. After everyone released one they let my kids release most of those that were left. I was a little nervous about the kids not being gentle enough or stepping on one, but then I was told that they sometimes just dump the bucket out. It was absolutely majestic as we watched the 30 min sunset trip of the turtles to the sea!



Day one started with a lot questions and ended with a lot of incredible expectations for what was to come on the rest of the trip!

Heading to the Beach!

We are headed with the 12th grade class to camp on the beach! We are really excited about this trip. We are going out to find the turtles in the ocean and watch baby turtles hatch, see bats, and maybe even go to a crocodile farm.

What will make or break this trip is SLEEP! We are leaving in a few hours, at midnight, for an 8 hour drive down there. My kids are already showing signs that they need to go to bed, but we have kept them up because of the hope that they will sleep better on the bus. As for me I usually do not sleep well unless I have a bed. Thinking about taking some type of sleeping agent.

Brian and I have said before that we love all the many things you do while you camp except the sleeping part. On our first anniversary we went camping only to pack up everything around midnight due to the fact we couldn't sleep. We have camped before with a futon matress we put in the back of a van, but now that we are getting a little older we don't do so well on the ground. We perfer camping in a cabin or visiting a park and checking in the motel, but this is an awesome opportunity. As long as we can get some sleep it will be a great trip!

After we get back and have a little time we will try to add some pictures. I tried the other day, but our internet connection was too slow. Hopefully that won't be the case.

How are we adjusting?

I get asked a lot how Brian, the kids and I are adjusting. I thought I would give you a bit of an update on just that.

Joelle (4 years old)

Joelle practices and speaks the most Spanish. While she doesn’t quit understand everything and makes up half of her Spanish words she’s not afraid to practice. Her Spanglish is getting excellent. The other day at the store she was asking for Christmas presents and she said, “Este para Christmasa!” (her attempt to say “this for Christmas”)

She has her moments of disobedience in the classroom at school. She is also adjusting going to school along with moving to a new country. I have been told that many of the times she is disobedient, because she HAS to jump out of line to give all her friends in the other classes hugs and tell them she loves them. Her teacher told me that all the kids have learned the English words “I love you” because of Joelle. After school you will see Joelle running up to people both teachers and students and giving them great big hugs. Joelle is very well liked!

She also has been known to repeat like a parrot everything her teacher says. It’s understandable when she is trying to learn the Spanish, but she does it when her teacher is speaking English as well. She also corrects her teachers English and tells her if she doesn’t think she is saying something right. She is a stinker! We never had bad reports given to us by our boys’ teachers, but Joelle walks to the beat of a different drum.

Joelle generally loves being in Mexico, but one day when she was really cranky whatever I said her response was, “I want to go back to Indiana!” I couldn’t reason with her until she woke up the next morning.

Edan (6 years old)

Edan is not like Joelle and doesn’t go around trying to speak in Spanish all day, but occasionally he will say something in Spanish and you will realize he is starting to understand.

Edan’s taste buds are slowly beginning to adjust, he likes candy with chili, mango, beans, tamales and a few other things. He was already some what picky in the US so I didn’t expect miracles here.

Edan likes school and has a lot of friends. He is playing basketball at the school and really enjoys that. He is reading like crazy now! He doesn’t really have the discipline problems that Joelle has in the classroom. The one thing that is still tough on him he says is that “we can’t speak Spanish”. But occasionally he will speak up and you might hear him say,“Como estas? Bien Y tu?” (How are you? Good and You?) and he has learned how to ask the other kids if he can play with them at recess. (The most important phrase to learn for a 6 year old!)

Edan has also solved the mystery of the “Tooth Fairy” verse “El Ratoncito”. The secret is now out…it’s a mouse! A couple of nights ago David lost his tooth and Edan said he saw a light gray mouse leaving after he left the money. But the silly mouse forgot the tooth. Oops!

David (7 years old)

David learned right away if you play soccer in Mexico you have friends. Everyday for recess that is what he does, play soccer! He also really likes that they have a basketball team at the school that he is on and he is old enough to go play other schools.

I asked David what he misses about the US and he said, “I don’t know what I miss?” Things are becoming normal to him. He feels like almost everything feels normal to him right now except the language and some of the food. But he like Tamales and tacos as long as they are without peppers and onions. He goes to Special Spanish everyday with basically a tutor and him, sometimes another student is with him. David and I (Joy) play against each other and see who can get his Spanish vocabulary the quickest. He usually wins on his older words and I beat him on the newer ones. He has helped me out on a few occasions when I am trying to come up with a Spanish word to say in public. (But I still know more than him and I am trying hard to not let him pass me!)

As for me and Brian

We have our up and down moments. Even today I actually called, in Spanish, the gas company and also got up on the roof to try and fix our water. After about an hour waiting for the gas company I started getting really discouraged that I wasn’t understood on the phone and they weren’t coming. I was also having problems getting the water to work. (Which it’s still not the greatest.) After about five minutes of doubt the door bell rang and the gas people showed up. I’m not completely incompetent! I was encouraged once again. The encouragement didn’t last long as I was discouraged because I could get the cold water to work, but not the warm water. That is an example of the up and down’s of adjusting to a new country. Sometimes you feel progress and success, then the next minute feelings of failure and discouragement. Preferably, Brian and I are not both down at the same time.

What do you do?

We have been experiencing one of those situations where in the states handling it would be easy, but here is much more difficult. Our neighbors across the street have 4, luckily little dogs, that are very aggressive when let out. They do not put them on leashes and let them run freely through the cotto. The problem we have is that they are overly agressive with our children. They run right at them, surround them and begin barking. One even bit joy on the ankle 2 weeks ago. In the states, you would try to handle this in a civil manner. You would go over and talk to the neighbor and express your concern. Regretfully, our language skills, while growing, are not at the level where you could express yourself in a very respectful, loving, converstaional tone as you would need in this delicate situation. We speak in sentences still, not conversations. Of course, we could possibly get a bilingual neighbor, but then you create a hostile, multi-neighbor situation. We want to be sensitive.

Then this morning, Joelle was out petting our other neighbors 14 year old, floppy eared beagle, who adores children. While she is out doing this I hear the lady across the street let out their dogs. You always know as you can hear the annoying cacophany of yapping. Then the door bolts open and Edan has run in to escape them. Joelle is not so fortunate. I hear a hysterical scream, I run outside and Joelle is surrounded by several dogs yapping at her. I pick her up and begin to leave. At the same time, the neighbor across the street heard the scream and comes out to get her dogs. Do to my anger at that point, I just give her a look of frustration. This is not the first time this has happened. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a pretty intense look of frustration. No doubt my point is not lost on my neighbor.

I walk in and I immediately feel horrible. What do you do? On one hand, you have a little girl who keeps getting terrified by these horrible little rats, but on the other, I am hear to be a witness. I can only imagine the witness my glare conveyed. I am convinced one of these days that I am going to have to kick one of these rodents as they nip at Joelle which will only exasperate the situation. As a dad and witness, you are torn between the intense desire to defend your little girl when she is horrified and the knowledge that the truth of the kingdom of God is so much greater then the headaches of little dogs. At least it is for me, for Joelle I doubt this is so. Throw in the inability to have a real adult conversation and you have a constant tension as this issue has to be dealt with several times a week. What do you do?

Beginning to See the Light!

I finally feel like we are coming out of a very difficult transition for our family. We have now been here three months. I still face culture shock and culture stress, I still struggle with the language, but we are moving past many things that were such a head ache to us.

It's been so nice to be in a house that has a little more space for the kids to play and Brian and I to have some time alone. When we were struggling with living in a noisey little box house, with bars on the windows and no place for the kids to go outside; I would struggle with such mixed emotions. I would have feelings that I should be content, bitterness for the sittuation, an overwhellming desire for peace and many more!

The other day I was reading in my Bible and this verse stood out to me and made me laugh. Isaac had been digging wells and people from that country would come and tell him it was their water and he would move on to dig another well. Finally he finds a place where there was peace and room and no one fighting over his water. He says, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land" (Genesis 26:22b).

I feel very similar. Now that LORD has given us room, we will flourish in this land. Sometimes you need a little space, especially in a big city. It's not like we live in a mansion now, it's only a two bedroom home. We don't have a yard, but we have one that's shared that we can use. I can tell you that it is night and day different to where we were. We can actually have a refreshing weekend and get ready to minister the next week.

Things that are different in Mexico by Edan

This is a list Edan, age 6, made about things that are different in Mexico. He is also going to put it up on his blog.

1. The streets are made out of rocks.

2. There are people that don't have jobs so they go on the road and sell stuff.

3. Most of the roofs are flat and some you can go out on top of them.

4. The food taste different. They put chilli on a lot of food, even fruit.

5. You have to only drink from a water container because the sink water has "bugs" in it.

6. You need matches to turn on the oven.

7. We don't have fall and the leaves don't fall down and we have no winter.

8. In our coto (community) you can pick up fruit when they are on the ground and eat them.

9. At "Daniel's Tacos" you can only get one type of taco. You don't get to pick.

10. They only have two flavors of creamer. (He's talking about for your coffee)

11. There are a lot of palm trees.

12. When you walk by a house with dogs they bark at you and sometimes the dogs are on top of the roof.

13. There are little shops, some with a little tent, some that have a bike on the street. We buy fruit from one of those persons.

14. A car goes by and he has donuts in the back and a song that says (bread) "pan". Everyone knows to go out and get donuts.

15. There are a lot of people on the road begging for money and they don't even sell anything.

16. There are a lot of "Slug Bugs". (Volkswagon Beetle)

Busy Times

Still no internet yet, but we are totally prepared, this time, that it might even take longer than 10 days. When we get up and running again I'll have to post a blog that Edan wrote about the differences he has seen here in Mexico verses where we lived in the USA. You will get a picture of Mexico from a 6 year olds point of view.

It has been a crazy week! We had grades due, parent conferences, and an accredidation team coming next week. What did we decide to do on top of it? Move! We are now all in our new house. I really believe that this will help us feel more rested and renewed on the weekend. While our house is still in the busy city, it's tucked in a much quieter neighborhood.

Joelle also has her "very own" dog. Okay, so it's not her's, but it's even better, it's the neighbors. She looks out the window waiting to see if "Camilo" is out and the second she sees him she asks, "Can I go pet Camilo?" The boys love the neighborhood yard to play in. The ten houses share a yard. Apart of that yard is a little soccer field the perfect size for a 6 and 7 year old. They are certainly getting their fill of "futbal" here.

Of course I have had many ideas to post, but then when I come to actually posting I can't think of much significant to say. So I'll sign off for now until I can.

Flying in the Furniture

As many of you know, we have moved into a new place. We really appreciate being able to have a little more space. This house has two floors which allows us to send the kids up! One interesting thing about many multiple story homes in Mexico is that the staircases are often not made to accomadate carrying up items. The beauty of a spiral staircase often outweighs its utility! We have a spiral stair case which does not allow us to carry up the beds. Also, the laundry room is upstairs so we can't get the washer and dryer up. So we are, flying in, the furniture. I have been told this is common here as many of the Mexican teachers have done it or seen it many times. Basically we are going to use the old rope and pulley system tonight as we hoist things through an upstairs window. We hvae a roof ledge above our door. We will hoist things to the ledge and then through an large window on the second floor. This should be quite an experience. You can pray that no one gets a washer dropped on them!

With that being said, we are excited about our new place as it has beautiful traditional Mexican craftsmanship. We will post pictures when we get settled. Since it is a new place, the phone company said they would be out in 2-10 days to set up the internet. You may not hear from us much in the next week. If so, you will know why! Thanks again for all of your prayers and support.

Mexican Roosters and Other Thoughts on the Country

Even though we don't live in the country, we wake up to what we call Mexican roosters every morning. Between 6:30 and 7:30 am on any given morning we hear between 10-20 car alarms go out in front of our house. Most people here, like most cities, have car alarms. I am not sure on this, but I assume that many people who have car alarms here can't disarm them remotely. They open their doors and for about 5-10 seconds their alarm goes off until they turn their car on. As I have watched, his tends to be the way that most people deal with car alarms. For the rest of us, this practice has pretty much gotten rid of the need for an alarm clock. We just wait for the alarms to start!

One thing I am still struggling to adjust to is the lack of turn signals used. Rarely if ever do I see someone use a turn signal. More then not, you see hands stuck out windows letting you know they are merging in. Because of the nature of traffic, merging in and out is a constant. I still have not yet got used to looking for hands and not turn signals.

One other thing that is taking time to get used to is the lack of clocks. We have both moved a bit away from technology. We often fail to carry our cell phone and neither of us have watches. We know that needs to change because you can't find a clock in Mexico. Whether a restuarant, shop, or government building. I do not believe I have ever seen a clock on a wall. On the nice side, I think it is reflective of the more laid back attitude of people. Sometimes it is frustrating, sometimes it is rather conforting.

On a different type of note, it is saddening to see the number of children during the school day out at street lights selling random items. I understand that this is part of survival for many families, but I also understand that without an education this cycle of poverty will continue within this family. I find myself continually buying things at stop lights in the desire to support so many who have so little. At first I found myself bothered by the constant street light requests, but now I look for things to purchase that I can use. I think it is one way I can use what I have to support those trying to have something.

Tough Questions

In my eighth grade Bible class we are memorizing Proverbs 3 this year. Our verses for this week is Proverbs 3:9-10. As I have gotten to know these kids I have seen in many of them a tremendous desire for wealth. I decided to pause and really talk about it with them. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." We have been talking about being a fan of Jesus verses a true follower of Jesus the last few weeks. Being a true follower of Jesus is allowing God every aspect of our lives because you realize what He has done for you. We don't just give God Sunday or Bible class, but he wants all of us, including our wallet. Giving our first and best to God can be a symbol that we trust God in the area of our money.

I challenged them with a couple of questions, that I think challenged me more than it did them. (Especially when they were super-hyper that day after a flad ceremony!)

I asked, "If God asked you to be poor when you got older would you be able to follow Him then? Why or Why not? What would be the most difficult part of that request?" and "Name something that gets in the way of Jesus being first in your life?" They were suppose to write the answers down on a card without a name. Of course a student asked me, what my answers were, but the bell rang and class was over. I honestly struggled with my answer. I think I would ask the question back, "How poor? Poor where?" I would struggle. Our house here is small and I have struggled here feeling no peace.

I also asked myself, "what get's in my way of me keeping Jesus centered and focused in my life?" I knew that answer right away, safety and comfort. I want my family and I to be safe. Nothing wrong with that unless it get's in the way of doing something that God would have me to do. So far I don't think it has. Unfortunately comfort can and at times has taken center place. I really desire to be comfortable. I like a comfortable and peaceful house. I would wear comfortable clothes over fashionable ones. I don't like getting outside of my comfort zone and feeling uncomfortable. I really hate going to a party or anywhere where I know no one! Here I am constantly being stretched and forced to go beyond what I am comfortable with. Whether that is in my thinking, language, culture, house, whatever. Sometimes I force myself to embrace being uncomfortable. I need to grow and I am here for a reason. If we are going to be used by God then we are going to have to be uncomfortable sometime. Then other times I resist it "kicking and screaming". I have a bad attitude about being stretched too far. I try whatever I can to get comfortable agian. I don't do things I should because of the work it might take. I choose comfort over doing what God would desire me to do.

I was listening to sermons from our church back in Indiana. The pastor used this example of a string that he had someone stretch all the way down the aisle and out the door. The string represented eternity and on it was a tiny flag that represtented our life. Whatever we have to face in this life is so short to the comparison of eternity. I put it this way to my students. We could spend all this time trying to be comfortable in this life, collecting wealth, living for ourselves, and rejecting God, but then forever being punished in eternity. Or option number two we could believe Jesus and show that through our actions. We might face trials, strugles, and uncomfort in this life, Jesus never said it would be easy, but then we will be rewarded for it for eternity. In 6th grade they are memorizing Matthew 5:10-12 this week that I felt it fit really well with these ideas. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my immediate comfort and enjoyment I forget that this life is so short. I get distracted by things that are really insignificant compared to what I should be focusing on.

I guess that leaves me with a challenge for you to answer the same questions, but I warn you they might be dificult to answer.

"If God asked you to be poor when you got older would you be able to follow Him then? Why or Why not? What would be the most difficult part of that request?" and "Name something that gets in the way of Jesus being first in your life?"

What I am learning about God and Missions.

On a regular basis this thought pops into my head. If I spent as much time in my community in the states praying, working to do good, and speaking about works of Jesus Christ, there is no doubt that I would probably make a bigger impact there then what I do here. While I have the unique situation of ministering to Mexican students who speak English, I still do not know enough of the language to build any real relationships with anyone other then my students and my English speaking foreign counterparts. I do know this will change if we work long enough here.

If we would have so chosen, we could have gotten a job in a State side Christian school, minister to similar students, and build real focused relationships with our English speaking friends and neighbors as many noble minded believers in the states do. It's hard not to think that the fruit of your efforts couldn't be greatly multiplied within your own people group. With that being said, why do some feel a call to go overseas and why does God call some? Why do some spend years laboring over a language and a people for years before they see their first fruit? Surely people with such passion and energy could reap a fruit much greater at home if they expended the same energy.



John Piper in his book "Let the Nations be Glad" had a great illustration that addresses this situation and thought. He talks of a captain leading two large passenger boats through the rough seas. Simoultaneously both boats begin to sink. The captain has 5 trained rescue crews, but they are all on the same boat. These rescue crews work tirelessly to rescue people from that boat. While they are doing so, they hear the cries of those from the other boat. Why would they go? There are more people on the first boat then they could possibly rescue if they worked until the end. Does it not make sense to rescue as many people as possible not mattering what boat they are on. Will not many total lives be lost if two of the rescue boats spend an hour rowing all the way over to the other boat. In that time many from the first boat who could have been saved will drown and only a few will be left for the saving from the second boat.



That in many ways is the story of World Missions. Some countries have a good number of devoted Christians (Still never enough to reap all the fruit available), while others have few or none. It would make sense that these Christians would labor hard amongst their people where they would be most effective instead of going elsewhere where they might labor long and see little fruit. Despite this truth, this does not seem to be God's ultimate plan. While he does desire the salvation of as many as possible, it is clear he desires to call his own people from every nation "ethnos" or people group in the world. For that reason, he sends one or two of the rescue crews to the other boat. In his great compassion, he has a purpose and a desire for those people as well.



Does this make logical sense? I don't know, but I do believe Scripture confirms it's truth. And this truth has helped me, because I still find myself often thinking the same thing. Could I not have been truly more effective helping on the first boat then I am here?



Below are just a couple of the verses which Piper shares that support this often vexing truth.



Rev 5:9 By your blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and languange and people and nation.

Gen 12:2-3 "And I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless him who blesses you and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Rom 1:5 "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations."

Lesson Learned #1 (Ministering to the Ministers)

I thought I would start a lessons learned blog to go along with our life blog. As we all know, whether missions trip of any length or really any other dramatic experience in life. The lessons we learn during that time tend to be enduring. I wanted to start to collect these enduring lessons. I thought this was a good one to start with.



No one comes to Mexico to minister to Americans. That is pretty much obvious and fairly clear without actually verbalizing it. Those who are here are so to minister and spread the gospel amongst the people groups of Mexico. That is their passon, their desire, and the primary reason they came. Regretfully, for the school we teach at, where I would estimate 60-70% of the core teaching staff is Foreign (American or British), there is no one here who genuinely desires to minister to them. The range of the teachers varies drastically, but most of the teachers are energetic, passionate 20 somethings passionate to spread the gospel of Christ. As most missionairies we have previously encountered also share, transition to another country is not easy, and support is so important.



Here again is where we find the problem. No one comes to Mexico to minister to Americans. As we have personally experienced, and we hear time and again in their stories, they feel alone hear. I think for all who go overseas a time comes when you hit rough patches and just feel desperately alone. One Baptist missionairy website I found said that 75% of all missionairies go home with 3 years of leaving and never return. These statistics should not be surprising as we find similar statisitcs for state side pastors and youth ministers. From what I have seen, those statistics seem to be fair or even low for the percent who make it beyond their two year commitment here in Mexico. With that being said, I do not think any of these groups lack passion, maybe just support.



The question is then begged? Why are we not seeing the obvious need to minister to the ministers. Just as no one comes to Mexico to minister to Americans. Rarely does anyone go to a church to minister to the ministers. Being involved also with an inner city mission, college ministry, and youth ministry. I have seen the same thing. Regretfully, from my own selfish experience I realize that we are often so pulled by our own needs that we fail to ever minister to any one at all. If we do get up the heart to minister, we want to do it to those in a situation we consider to be struggling or inferior to our own in some sense. By doing this, we garner a certain sense of satisfaction out of it. When I look up information on those ministering to the ministers, I generally find it to be solely retired missionaries or pastors ministering to their counterparts. Regretfully, as the numbers above show, their are very few pastors, para church ministry leaders, or missionaries who really make it to retirement to do so. With that being said, I think the church as a whole and individuals believers within it always need to be more cognizent of this need. We yearn for leaders and servents, but then regretfully take so much from them that they run out of things to give.



While they are our leaders, now as always, those who minister need desperately to be ministered to. I encourage you to think about this and consider it where you find yourself.