Boxes, Boxes, and More Boxes

Stacey, Marlen, I did some free advertising for the church on Sunday as we waited for Lenn and Rod to pick us up in the van. We had a bouncy ride to San Pedro, but hopefully didn't suffer any long-term effects. Loren talked about the Virgin of Guadelupe in his sermon...very interesting. I was so cold from my morning shower, that I sat in the sun the entire service and was still cold. And I'm proud to say that the back of my neck now has some color, unlike the rest of me! Alma sat beside me during the Choix service. I felt like I hadn't seen her in forever. She walked back to my house with me with me and told me about her crushes. Little girls...*sighs*. We went to Mochiqui with the villagers. One of the older boys asked Stacey and I lots of questions, practicing his English. I told him I speak French. "Sabe ingles?" Do you know English? he asked. "Un poquito," A little. I replied. Afterwards, Stacey and I went prayer/strategy walking. We talked about the people we want to reach out to more and ways to do it. We sat down on a rock to talk and soon were offered a ride around town. We decided we'd better keep moving and sit down only when we got home!

Monday morning Stacey left for the orphanage and I walked over to Loren and Donna's. I bought groceries from Don Josecito and then walked over to Vanessa's house. I had a good visit, where I understood most of what they said. But when I got back, my mind was completely tired. I studied Spanish for awhile and helped finish lunch. I was exhausted when I got back to my apartment, but I cleaned up the dishes and sat down to write a few e-mails. After break, Stacey returned and we all went to San Pedro for Kid's Club. The children were so sweet today. I met a few new ones and tried to memorize names. When we got home, we were overwhelmed with a large group of hyper, sleepover girls. Stacey and I had fun with them. I was especially pumped when I went to the store and and understood one of Don Josecito's jokes. Salvador came for a glass of water and Stacey and I talked with him for a little. I know I've asked you to pray for him before, but please PRAY PRAY PRAY. He's letting himself be used by scheming adults because he wants to make some money. Stacey and I were barely home when the landlady walked in with some cooked calabaza (pumkin) and arrozconleche (rice pudding). Although we were stuffed from our Mexican hotdogs, we had to try just a little!

I GOT A BOX, I GOT A BOX, I GOT A BOX! I don't remember much of my Tuesday before Loren came walking in with his arms loaded down with precious items from Illinois. I studied language out in the sun because I was so cold. Then I made cookies and lunch. The sleepover girls were very helpful. I waited to open my box until I was home on break. Then I ripped into it and couldn't stopped smiling for a few hours. I was impressed with the amount of chocolate (my youth group knows me well). After break, I walked uptown to buy material and posterboard for Donna. Marlen met up with me and insisted on joining me. Stacey came back from the orphanage in time to put leftovers on the stove for dinner.

Wednesday was New Year's Eve. I have to admit that I wasn't looking forward to the day, but it was fun (I must be a pessimist). For language study I walked uptown to exchange money and pick up Stacey's box at the post office. Diego, the post office man, spoke only English and I spoke only Spanish. We had a strange-sounding conversation as we both practiced our second language. I also stopped at the dulceria to pick up some paper supplies for the evening fiesta. The cashier acted like I was helpless; sometimes I hate being a gringa. When I got back to Loren and Donna's, I helped Janessa watch three children from San Pedro while we made lunch. I read Jesi a story in Spanish. Frustrated with the big words, I asked her if she was even understanding me. "Siiiii, entiendo!" Yesssss, I understand. she quickly clarified. I had a few accidents at Don Josecito's little store and Lily, the cashier, looked at me and laughed, "No es tu dia hoy." Today is not your day. That made me smile. I should have taken a nap in the afternoon, but I called home and talked all during break. Stacey and I walked out to the orphanage for the big party of both the Choix and the San Pedro churches. I had a lot of fun playing with the kids and picking on Santos (a little neighbor kid who definitely did not get enough spankings but is a softy inside). I'm embarrassed to admit that I left the party before midnight and only managed to stay up until midnight in Illinois. I set my alarm for 11:59 but slept through it. Such is life.

I had the most marvelous first day of the year on Thursday. We had the day off so we did a lot of laundry and cleaning and ate brunch. Then I marched down to the plaza with my journal and a book. I was there for hours, enjoying the quiet. Trucks circle the plaza with music blaring, but hardly anyone was on the actual plaza grounds. The sun was hot, but I relished the relaxation. Very few people bothered me; only a few stray dogs stuck around to keep me company. While I was walking back, I met up with Stacey who yelled, "GRINGA!" across the street to get my attention. We went for a little walk and then went back to Loren and Donna's house for yummy tortas. In the evening, Stacey and I enjoyed a little "girl time" with some of the wonderful snacks from our boxes!

My Friday was OK. I studied with the Rosetta Stone for the first time in quite awhile. Then I made a cornflake version of Rice Krispie bars for Saturday school. Donna sent me uptown to buy groceries for dinner. During break I was restless and took a really long walk. The sun was intense and I was sweaty when I got back...in January! After break, Stacey, Donna, Kyle, and I went out to Mochiqui. As we walked past the V-ball court, a group of little boys and one lady invited us to play. Since the players were pretty unintimidating, we agreed. We had so much fun in the sand, playing with the flat volleyball...and eventually drew an audience of curious Mexicans. Then we went up to MariCruz's place and played with the little girls. We didn't leave until 6:30...well past dark. Stacey and I joined the orphanage crew at Pollos Mayos. After stuffing ourselves with chicken, tortillas, and delicious salsa, we walked to Loren and Donna's for a church plant team meeting. That's when they informed me that TWO BOXES had come for me in the mail that day--one from home and one from my aunt!!!

I managed to save one box until Saturday morning. Then I was on cloud nine for several hours. We went to Saturday school. Stacey and I walked down across a little sewage river and up a ravine to pick up one little boy. Poor thing; he was still sleeping when we got there. But he got up, dressed, and gelled his hair. I held Chuyito during class and he was pretty good for me.After class, we ate leftover for lunch, cleaned up, and came home. I called home to talk to my brothers before they headed off to Bible school. Marlen came over and we took a walk and then came back to our house to watch Chavo del Ocho (an old Mexican TV show). Both Stacey and I skipped supper. I took a walk, enjoying the evening.