Holy Week

The kids receive 2 weeks break from school, there are re-enactments of the crucifixion, palm branches are tied to light posts, and everyone goes to church. Holy Week in Mexico does not include chocolate eggs and pink bunnies. As we sang the lent songs and kneeled in repentance and humility before the Lord, cannons sounded from the catholic churches in town. The whole country it seemed was aware of Jesus’ sacrifice, and celebrating or grieving, or both. It began on Palm Sunday with the whole congregation singing Hosanna and waving the branches as we entered the bodega. We danced, sang, waved the palms, and worshipped Jesus as King! Then on Friday we spent the day reflecting on our own sin, our need for salvation and forgiveness, and the incredible Gift God the Father has given us in His Son. Resurrection Sunday was a day of celebration like nothing I have experienced. We sang Alleluia, danced, and beat tambourines to celebrate that Jesus has risen indeed!

I don’t have a photo of the image that would explain the atmosphere, but I will tell you about it.
Doug our pastor in his traditional white robe, and Sammy, his 3 year old son who has wandered to the front of the church. They are dancing and singing Cristo no esta muerto, él esta vivo (Christ is not dead, he is alive). Sammy holds his toy guitar and strums in perfect rhythm as they jump up and down praising God. Half of the congregation is also jumping and dancing, everyone singing to our God. Kids, teens, adults, teachers, factory workers, missionaries, are filled with real joy as we worship our Risen King. It was a fiesta - a real celebration

vacation

Vacation was wonderful. I had 2 weeks in the states. I spent most of it in MD with a trip to Raleigh and one to Pittsburgh. SO relaxing and refreshing. My family and friends took such good care of me. I got fed everywhere and driven all over. I am so blessed.

Wow! God has been teaching me so much! Being a missionary is hard work! I continue to learn so much every day- about Mexico, mission work, and about me. Learning about me is the hardest part. I am being so humbled over and over.

I will leave it at that for now and write more later.

Que tal del aire. (How ´bout that wind?)

Here I am in semi-desert central Mexico, 7,000 feet above sea level and I am just in awe. (coming from the rainy, cloudy, humid, east coast) I love sunshine, and Fresnillo, Mexico has lots of it. In the past 6 months, we have had about 8 overcast days. I am also enjoying the heat, at least for the moment.

On Tuesday we finished our team meeting standing out on the patio under the cover of those rare dark clouds in order to escape the heat of the dining room. When rain started to fall, no one moved. We just let it fall on our faces and praised God.

Two months ago it was already getting warm. Well, for the whole winter the sun was super strong. Even when it was 50° in my room, the sun beating down on the patio brought the temp outside up to 80°. I know 50° does not sound cold but when you are working on the computer for an hour, not moving, you loose a lot of body heat. The great part was that all we had to do was step out of the room into the glaring sun and soak up the rays like Meredith’s turtles.

Shady areas and indoors started warming up just as the wind came. Wind means dust. We get a thin layer of dust over everything- inside and out. After a day of walking (or biking- usually with my eyes closed) around the colonia, I would have dust in my hair, ears, nose, eyes, mouth. We also get remolinas – little tornadoes. When they come by you stick your head inside your shirt, and hold onto any small children nearby. Just kidding, they aren’t that strong but they do slam doors and ruin a recent mopping job.

So its still windy, but the HOT season has begun. I just checked the thermometer. 98.5° in the sun. Apparently this is just the beginning. Sleeping outside, eating lots of ice cream, and playing water games with the kids. That’s how we will survive.

So! Anyone want to come visit?