Navidad, Menudo, and Alejito

SUNDAY: Only one lady from Auguajito came to San Pedro with us. Rod had the message about the names of Jesus in Isaiah. I enjoyed singing the Spanish Christmas carols; they still made my heart feel the Christmas joy. Jesi sat beside me again and was pretty good compared to other Sundays. She made me laugh: I always shush her with my finger to my mouth when she's being too loud. So she took my hand, carefully folded down three fingers and tapped my pointer finger against her lips, "Shhhh!" I wanted to laugh out loud, but reduced it to little snorts and deep breaths of air. During the afternoon, I read "In the Presence of My Enemies" and realized what an easy missionary life I lead. I was very challenged. I watched Stacey pack and then we trotted off to the afternoon service. After the service we made it to Mochiqui and back before dark. On the way there, Rumaldo made fun of my Spanish. I felt like rattling off something in English, but I politely refrained. I waited with Sam and Stacey for the bus. While I stood there, Salvador came riding up on a bike (I wrote about him in my last entry). I was so excited, because I had been praying for another opportunity to talk with him and then POW there he was in front of me. Let me briefly describe his hair: all pretty short with a long strand in the middle front that hangs in his eyes (some theorize that his hairstyle has something to do with his gang...although no one knows for sure). So I told him that his hair was ugly and could I please cut it for him? He said no, but kindly tucked it up under his baseball cap while he talked to me. He only knows a few words in English, and most of them are not good. I explained that he should learn some good words too, and I taught him to say, "God bless you!". It came out more like: "Cod bess oo!" We talked for quite awhile about him and me and anything else my limited vocabulary dared to explore. After he left and Sam and Stacey hopped on the bus, I prayer-walked my way up to the clocktower. My heart was heavy as I thought about all of the people in Choix who don't know Christ. I took my time (walking like a Mexican). Strangely enough, no one really noticed the lonely little gringa walking uptown by herself. It was marvelous! When I got to the top of the clocktower, feelings of Christmas again overwhelmed me. Colorful Christmas lights were strung around the top of the tower where I was alone with God. I paced, prayed, and practiced my Spanish. I left, feeling that the evening was God's Christmas present to me. On the way home, three little girls stopped me to see if I would teach them English. I talked with them for quite awhile and then we walked back up to the clocktower. I couldn't keep up with three little rapid voices speaking a language I am only beginning to understand. But they were very forgiving. Eventually, I came home and called home to talk with my parents.
MONDAY: Everyone asked me if I was lonely today. I wasn't though; Stacey is coming back on Wednesday. I picked out some tracts at Loren and Donna's and then walked some groceries over to Vanessa's place. Only the grandmother and Gabi (SolAngel) were home; the rest were in Los Mochis, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lupita's baby. So I sat and listened as the grandmother talked and talked and talked. Fortunately she did not ask any questions. While she talked I debated over the best expression to wear. I eventually decided to look concerned at all times. That way, if she was telling me bad things, I would look like I understood, and if she was telling me good things, I would look like I was concentrating on the language. I finally went home, not knowing much more than I knew before I came. Salvador spotted me while playing a video game and yelled out, "God bless you!" We went to San Pedro for Kid's Club. The group was smaller, thanks to a nearby fiesta. I was okay with only having a couple of tables full of children to keep track of. Fransisca cornered me with more questions about the church that I didn't know how to answer. I must look like I want to be a victim. I spent my second evening alone, but this one was better... No pulsating music shaking my bed and rattling the windows!
TUESDAY: I tried to do language study, but fortunately the computer didn't work (!!!). I made chocolate cake instead. Unfortunately, the guys took my cake to the prison for the men. Marlen came and we made a double layer cake for Christmas. For lunch I whipped up some red rice and beans like an old pro...and American pro anyway. When I stuck the mixer in the beans, Marlen freaked out. But she didn't say anything when they turned out nice and smooth. I came home to relax, but suddenly some children burst through the adjoining door to the landlady's house and handed me my Internet bill. Ummm... okay. I guess my landlady's visitors assume that we're one big, happy family. I walked over to pay it without having the exact change. They couldn't give me the exact change right away, but they gave me a plate full of cheese. Yum. Time to buy some chips and throw a party! I barely made it back to the Yoders' in time to jump into the truck with a pile of other people on the way to Aguajito and Colexio. We passed out tracts in those two little villages. I had fun with Miguel and Diego on the windy ride home. I was tired and my hair was a mess when we got back to lovely little Choix.
WEDNESDAY: Christmas Eve with no snow. And no cold. It was strange, but I really enjoyed short-sleeve weather so close to Christmas. Since Rachel was in the States and Bri was in Los Mochis, Donna drove me out to the orphanage to help for the day. The children were delighted to see me. Mostly, I spent the morning trying to figure out the schedule and learning to multi-task efficiently. (I definitely didn't have it mastered before I left that afternoon.) I made bread, roasted pumpkin seeds, fed Chuyito, ate lunch, did laundry, and rode bike back home. The day was uneventful but also refreshingly different. That afternoon I called home, made cookies for my landlady, and helped with making the Christmas dinner for the evening. I was about to walk home and change out of my dirty clothes when the Tucson crew arrived...very travel-weary. My practically spouse (Stacey) jumped out and gave me a homecoming hug. We went home to change and get our gifts. When we returned, dinner was ready. The candlelit table was beautiful and it honestly felt like Christmas. We had green jell-O, clam chowder, crescent rolls, oranges, cookies, and coffee. Kedric had my name for Christmas and he did a very good job picking out my gift. When I got home, I called my family and was on speaker phone as they finished opening their gifts.

Feeding Chuyito.
Roxina, Deanna, and MariChuy having fun with my camera.

Me with my Christmas gift.

I just love Kyle's expression as Janessa opens her gift!

THURSDAY: Navidad, Navidad, hoy es Navidad! This morning was not my favorite. All of the landlady's company (11 grandchildren and many adults) celebrated Christmas at midnight with yelling, screaming, gifts, and music. I knew I had no hope of sleeping until they settled down a little. So I got up and showered and would have thrown in a load of laundry if the water would have been on. They quieted down by 1:30, but were up before 7:00. I wonder if they even need any sleep. Determined to have a good day despite the lack of sleep, I got up and did laundry and cleaned up the house a little. Stacey told me to stop thinking about home because it was only making me homesick. She was right, of course... We walked over to Loren and Donna's to help with the Christmas lunch. On the way, I stopped by one of the archades to talk a little with Salvador. He was a little gentleman and left his game to come to talk with us, despite the fact that he was losing points. Later, he stopped by Loren and Donna's with his friend to see what we were up to. We helped Donna get things ready for the day, ate lunch, did dishes, and went home. I went for a walk to get my exercise for the day. Soon after I got back, Stacey, Donna, Janessa, and I went to see Lupita's new little baby boy, Alejito. We ended up taking Lupita to the hospital because one of her stitches from the C-section had come out. Stacey and I walked to the orphanage for the Christmas celebration. We watched the children's drama of the first Christmas. They did a wonderful job of adding unintentional humor to the Biblical account. Afterwards we had lots of delicious snacks and sang Christmas carols in English and in Spanish.

FRIDAY: I spent most of today in Loren and Donna's house, putting my perfectionist/organzing abilities to use. They bought a big shelf (with five stories...or whatever you call them) for all of their ministry materials. My job was to organize everything. I enjoyed it, although I didn't see much of the outside world all day. Stacey was helping at the orphanage all morning, so I didn't see her until siesta time. She came back over with me to organize the piles and piles of tracts. Then guess what we had for dinner to reward us from a hard day of work...Menudo! My favorite! I just love tasteless soup with miscallaneous cow parts and corn floating around in it. No, it wasn't terrible; Donna picked out the meat and seasoned it. Plus, we had bean burritos too (ah, safe Mexican food). That night, Stacey and I had our own little party with cheese and wine (er...sparkling grape juice). It was fun to hang out after a LONG day of being separated!

SATURDAY: Before Saturday school, Stacey and I walked down the street to see if we could find the neighborhood boys who mysteriously disappear every Saturday morning. We didn't find them, but we stopped by Vanessa's house to make sure that Vanessa and Gabi were coming. Saturday school was very small; a little disappointing actually. Afterwards, we made lunch, ate lunch, and went home. Marlen came over around 4:00 and we walked up to the plaza to study English/Spanish. We had lots of fun discussing languages, taking pictures, and being silly. Stacey and I dropped off Marlen and walked around Choix, passing out tracts. Mexicans are so open to literature that I was shocked to find someone who did not want the tract and refused to accept it. We witnessed a minor accident, decided that we weren't needed for witnesses, and headed back to Loren and Donna's to help with dinner. We cut up vegetables and I read stories to Kyle until Brianne and her family came. We ate delicious pizza together and sat around like borring adults and talked.

Having fun at the plaza.

Rosary Beads, Baby Clothes, and Popcorn

Baby Chuyito

Lucky Kedric got a chicken from Ian.

Watching and waiting their turns....

Nice handkerchief, Rod.

The kids put on a program for us.

Fighting over the leftover popcorn.

Diego and Miguel with their stashes...

Hey, it's me again. It's Sunday night and I'm bored. After a long and basically relaxing day, I don't have much that I need to do. This morning I enjoyed the trip to San Pedro. The mountains are stunning this time of year: a little green lingering amidst the ruggedness. The people at the San Pedro service always act delighted to see me whether they are or not. Days like today make me wish that we didn't have a language barrier. I took a nap this afternoon. It was delicious except the obvious pillow creases I carried all of the way to the 4:00 Choix service. I had a headache during the service and walked home for some ibruprofen. I talked to the little boys on my street and overheard them discussing me as I walked away: "Ella dijo 'Broma'!" I walked right back over after swallowing my pill and then Stacey and I prayer-walked around town. What a refreshing end to a relaxing day!

Monday. I wanted to smash my alarm clock like Garfield always does. But I knew that taking my anger out on an inanimate object wasn't the answer. As soon as we got to Loren and Donna's, I ran to the store to buy some groceries. Stacey and I studied language a little and then headed over to Vanessa's house to drop off groceries and show off the pregnancy photos of Lupita. We spent most of the morning there visiting. When we came back, we finished preparing lunch, ate, and had siesta time. We left for San Pedro at 3:00 for Kid's Club. Forty-two children came. Rod forgot the guitar so we sang a cappella with children who didn't even know most of the songs. When we got home, Donna had greenbeans, potatoes, and bacon-like meat waiting for us. (I guess you always want what you can't have; I LOVE American food since I've been here.) I managed to squeeze a cup of hot chocolate between dinner and verb class, trying desperately to stimulate my tired brain.

I'm tired again. I'm always tired. Today was a long day. Loren and Donna went to Los Mochis so Stacey went to work at the orphanage and I went to help Christa for the day. The "muchacho" came to sweep our lawn. He asked us for our broom, but Stacey indignantly told him to use the broom "afuera!" outside! Stacey left on the bike, and Rach came for her day off. I spent the morning finishing a quilt, sewing on a few buttons, and making muffins for Christa. I felt very appreciated although I am one of the most inexperienced seamstresses. In the afternoon I got to see some of the children I don't see much anymore-- Jesus, Jose, Amaris, Adryan, and Rojelio. I wrote out verses and worked on Christmas gifts for Christa's children. I was walking home alone in the semi-dark when I heard "Watzup, Baby?" I didn't turn around right away, but I couldn't help but grin because I knew the little voice was coming from Salvador. We stopped and talked at the intersection. That's a 14-year-old boy who desperately needs Jesus; please pray for him... I was barely home when Marlen walked in and wanted me to walk her home. I did. Stacey and I went out to eat together, and found a lot of things to talk about since we had been separated ALL DAY! As we walked, we met up with the "muchacho" who insisted on giving me rosary beads. I have no idea what to do with them...any suggestions? We ate at a little out-of-the-way restaurant and found a little girl who spoke perfect English. And hurray for tacos dorados!

I did my Spanish verb test today. Ian stopped by in the morning and sympathized with me, but wouldn't help me conjugate "leer" to read. Then Donna sent us uptown to go baby clothes shopping. I thought it would be a fun adventure. Fun? No. Adventure? Yes. Each store sells every item separately and hides them behind counters and far out of reach so that you have to ask for assistance when you're not even quite sure what you're looking for! But we found diapers; lots and lots of diapers. In the afternoon we wrapped up baby bundles for new and expecting mothers. After prayer meeting, I tried to take care of a fussy Chuyito. I called home and talked for a nice long time. When I went to bed, Stacey and I were both up coughing and coughing until late. Grrr...

Another day off. The week comes around so fast. We cleaned and did laundry as usual. I walked uptown to the post office and to finish my Christmas shopping. The man at the post office loves to practice his English. He kept offering me the peanuts he was eating. I told him my address and he pointed to a box on the counter. "Tree-see-uh Kay-nell," he said. I was so excited! Thanks, O'tilia! He went through the long process of having me sign papers multiple times. In the meantime another man stepped inside, and the post office man proudly told him that I spoke Spanish although he had yet to hear me speak it. I finished my Christmas shopping and came home to finish laundry and cleaning. Then, feeling restless again, Stacey and I went for a long walk. Dinner and then bedtime.

Studying verbs actually made some sense today, despite the fact I'm working on compound tenses. Phrases like "he decidido" and "hubiera sido" are starting to make sense! We left for Mochiqui this morning because we couldn't go in the afternoon. Stacey and I planned to play with the little girls, but they had their school Christmas party. So instead, we visited the adults like normal adults (despite the fact that Donna did most of the talking). Then we wandered off to watch a nearby volleyball game. Soon Salvador and his son Jaciel came to watch too. Salvador volunteered us to play, but we quickly declined. He claimed he could not play because he was holding Jaciel. When I offered to take care of the baby while he played, he guiltily admitted that he didn't like to play anymore. I was content to sit in the sand and watch the Mexican youth interact. Afterwards, we walked up to MariCruz's and I pushed Uriel around in a box on the ground until all of my blood rushed to my head. We came home for spaghetti and then time off. Marlen came over so we went for a walk around town and almost got attacked by scary dogs. Of course, I was the only one who thought the dogs were scary and the only one who took off running and the only one who almost got ran over by a car in the process and the only one who got stared at... Such is life. We went back to Loren and Donna's to make pizza and then loaded up to go to the orphanage for our Christmas celebration. The children's gift exchange was the highlight of the evening. They were so excited to get their cheapy, plastic toys. The adults did a grab bag with a vicious twist that included stealing gifts back and forth. Fortunately I liked the gift I ended up with. After all of the gifts were opened, some of us had a popcorn battle which included stuffing our mouths full of leftover popcorn and making little kids hyper. Johan marched the boys out saying, "It's going to take six months to undo what you guys just did!" We laughed.

It was so hard to get up this morning! Stacey and I went over to set up for Saturday school and then picked up some kids. During Saturday school, I got my first Mexican kiss-- a big, slobbery one from Chuyito. Yuck! We made lunch early and had the afternoon off. We chose to go for a walk to pass out some tracts. Several men and a lady tried to talk to us. One guy even acted surprised that Stacey knew English...lucky girl. The most encouraging part of my day was handing a tract to a man and returning down the same street 20-30 minutes later and seeing him still standing there, reading. In the evening we helped Janessa babysit for the Yoder and the Schwartz children. Mac 'n' cheese, games, mud, high energy, and no tears made for an interesting evening!

Fish, Pictures, and Cookies

Sunday, December 7, 2008
I can't believe that December is here already. Some days I'm positive I've only been here a few weeks and other days I'm sure it's been years. I was going to save my Christmas outfit for Christmas...until I realized how close Christmas really is. So I wore my Christmas outfit today and somehow it made rapidly-approaching Christmas feel like more of a reality. Our van was full as we headed to San Pedro for the morning service, PTL. Loren talked about forgiveness and dealing with anger. The bugs swarmed. Jesi sat between Stacey and I (and it takes two adults to keep her straight). In one hand, she clenched a few pesos while the other hand was constantly pestering me. I don't think I'm ready to have children of my own...and keep them straight during church! Spontaneous discussion ensued. Since I only understood part of the conversation, I resorted to tuning it out and praying for words for Loren instead. Stacey and I fasted again today, which meant no lunch. I think the hardest part of fasting is boredom. I know that sounds strange, but when you cut out meals, you are left with a lot of extra time...especially in Mexico where you don't generally buy prepared foods. So I read my book and made a few phone calls...extreme relaxation. During the afternoon service, I had a hard time keeping four little girls straight; in fact, I wasn't very successful. I felt mean, but something had to be done. Stacey and I went along to Mochiqui although the evening was extremely chilly. As I climbed in the back of the truck, I noticed strands of Christmas lights wound around the light poles all of the way down main street. My heart warmed up to another reminder of Christmas. Stacey and I walked uptown before coming home and trying to keep our energyless-selves awake until bedtime.

Monday, December 8, 2008
I wasn't hungry all day. That was almost worse for me than being sick. Actually, that's a good sign that I was sick. Since I've come to Mexico, I don't know when the last time was that I was completely full (besides Thanksgiving). I feel like a bottomless pit. This morning, I was blessed to have Rena working at Loren and Donna's. Donna merely shrugged at my verb tense questions and told me to ask an expert...a true Mexican. So I did my best to ask Rena. She was honored and I was helped. Later, I was cutting up two pumpkins and she tried to show me the best way to do it. She left to sweep the floor and I guess I was unconsciously not following her advice, because she came back and asked if she could trade jobs with me...I happily agreed... Gringas can sweep floors without supervision. Stacey was out planting flowers and Donna was gone, so I finished the beans and rice for lunch. We had part a short break before we headed off to San Pedro, enjoying the dazzling view of the mountains. In San Pedro, Fransisca delightedly bomarded me with her questions about church. I had no idea how to express myself, let alone answer her questions, so I put a good word in for Donna and Christa (watch out, ladies!). The children were a little noisy, but they had fun and most of them recited their verses for candy. I said two of my verses too! For dinner we had the pumpkin Rena and I had cut up. She'd made it truly Mexican-style with lots of sugar and piloncillo. We peeled it, mashed it, and covered it in milk. Yum! But oh so sweet that I had to eat a bean burrito when I was done with it. Rod picked us up for Spanish verb class which became a Mexican culture when no one arrived anywhere close to on time.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Today was really different. We unsuspectingly walked to Loren and Donna's. With Lenn and Debbie in Los Mochis, we assumed that our Rosetta Stone computer wouldn't arrive. Hence Christmas shopping plans came about...until Sam arrived with our computer. We went uptown anyway and had a relatively unsuccessful shopping trip. We came back in time to make lunch. Stacey ran to one part of town and I walked down to Abarrotes Lily with coffee in hand. Don Josesito, the elderly and very gruff store owner, was fascinated by the fact that I was drinking coffee and was even more surprised when I told him that coffee was a necessary part of my diet (of course, I didn't say it that fluently...I only thought such eloquent words). Stacey and I made lunch, ate lunch, and went back to our house for siesta time. The muchacho (who gave me flowers a few weeks ago) was outside painting the landlady's fence. He called out Stacey's name as we walked past. I inwardly gloated as we unlocked our gate... He knows her name and doesn't know mine! Suddenly he asked my name, and Stacey gleefully answered his question. Subdued, I decided not to tease her. In the afternoon we walked back to Loren and Donna's to plant flowers. I enjoyed getting a little dirty, but digging in sandy Mexican soil is much different than digging in black Illinois soil! Kyle helped to keep the cat out of the holes I was digging. A random parade was starting uptown so Donna sent us out to watch it. Watching several hundred students file by without formation was not my idea of a parade. In fact, the most exciting thing that happened was that a horse spooked and fell right in front of us tossing its rider onto the street. Marlen met us as we stood on the street corner watching the parade. She took us across the street for churritos- like funnel cakes except fatter, greasier, and more delicious. We walked around town a little before heading back to Marlen's house to help her with a school project. Eventually, we ended up at Loren and Donna's with Magda and Mari too. We ate soup and retired to Janessa's bedroom for some crazy evening activities with a bunch of energetic girls.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday was empanada day. Empanadas are another one of those authentic Mexican foods. The dough is a mix between bread dough and pie dough. It's a little sweet and you fill it with pumpkin, bake it, and brush the outside with sugar water. So Loren drove us out to Mochiqui with the ingredients and we started our little adventure. After we "helped" MariCruz finishing her tortillas, we started the long empanada-making process. We pressed and rolled out 80 little balls of dough until they [vaguely] looked like tortillas. Then we put a spoonful of warm pumpkin in the middle, folded it, and pinched the sides closed. They raised on a cot out in the sunshine despite the roaming canines. The baking process in the outdoor oven was a drawn-out affair that forced us to sit back and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of true Mexican living. But we were rewarded when the golden empanadas emerged from the oven---YUM! We didn't get home until 2:30 and opted to skip lunch for a longer break. I took an empanada to our landlady and she must have been impressed because soon she came knocking at our door with some fried fish with decorative condiments. We tasted that before rushing off to visit Vanessa's house and take them some empanadas. Six-year-old SolAngel greeted us at the door wrapped in a towel and dripping wet. She invited us in and we talked for quite awhile, once again discussing my light hair and light eyes which they are completely fascinated with. They gave us fish as a parting gift. That was the second time we received fish that afternoon. We took it to Loren and Donna's promptly, not willing to skin and fry it at our own apartment. We went prayer walking and ran into Marlen, who followed us back for the evening prayer meeting.

Thursday, December 11, 2008
I simply love having days off. With our relaxed schedule, sometimes I wonder why I need more time to myself. The truth is that I probably don't, but it's so nice to have a day where I can do laundry and clean the house without interruptions that I don't want. (Hmm...maybe that wasn't stated right.) In fact, our first interruption was a man who came to check the water in the bathroom...before we cleaned it. We made ourselves scarce. Later in the morning, Stacey and I practiced posing for pregnancy shots, trying to get an idea of pictures for Lupita, Vanessa's 8-month pregnant sister. Some of them turned out pretty humorous, causing neighbors to peer curiously into our front yard at the wildly guffawing gringas. Brianne and Marlen came over in the afternoon. Marlen accompanied us to Vanessa's house for the pregnancy photo shoot. Lupita was all dressed up when we arrived and looked just as huge as ever. She was a bit hesitant at first, especially when we insisted on some strange angles. But she warmed up to us eventually and our amatuer photos turned out refreshingly well. We went home and edited them. Marlen stuck around until dinner time. And guess what we ate for dinner! FISH!

Stacey looking a tiny bit embarazada.
Me looking a tiny bit loca.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Grandpa turned 77 today. I tried calling him in the morning, but I talked with Grandma for awhile instead. I made cookies while I "studied" my verbs. The cookies turned out perfectly round and looked like we got them straight from a carton. We cleaned out Donna's craft box, inhaling much dust and finding many interesting things. Then we had tostadas for lunch. I'm glad no one had a camera when I tried to eat mine piled high with all things bright and beautiful! During siesta time I went through pictures again...very addicting indeed. I called Grandpa on his cellphone and he nicely pulled over to the side of the road to talk to me. Aww! The cookie bake at Loren and Donna's started at 3:30 (Mexican time...at least 4:00 American time). I didn't do much except help with the chocolate crinkles and entertained baby Chuyito (the 9-month-old from the orphanage). I tried to coax smiles rather than fussy cries, and wasn't all that successful. After the cookie bake, Stacey and I went back to the orphanage for dinner with the crew and then for the "single's night" in the bodega. We played some fun games... Question: How do you describe Santa Claus with one word? Lenn and Debbie's phone didn't work so Lenn drove us home.

Saturday, December 13, 2008
Today I didn't not want to get out of bed. I always hear about "ungodly hours" but I never really quite understand how an hour can be ungodly. But this morning I came pretty close to understanding. We got around late, but were on time for Saturday school. The class was pretty uneventful, I think. After class, I had fun riding in the back of Loren's truck with a bunch of little kids I had never met before...except Alain (somebody please correct my spelling!). I was proud of of how easily my Spanish was coming. But I was humbled when Alain started talking to me in English. He's just way too smart...and way too cute! Stacey and I made potato soup, crescent rolls, and Kool-Aid for lunch. I talked to Michelle and Mom for a long time in the afternoon. The wind picked up like it might storm, but it didn't, of course (this is Mexico, not Illinois). Pepe was dashing around the yard, excitedly dragging the hose around and running in circles, oblivious to my withering scowl. Marlen came and played games on our computer and talked with us. We finally decided to go for a walk up to the "Bienvenidos a Choix" arch. Partway there, Marlen decided that our walk was pointless and we turned around to walk uptown (which was also pointless). She was in her "Ah'm crai-sie" mood so we were being weird and having fun...attracting some attention. LOL. We dropped Marlen off at Loren and Donna's, stopped at the tienda, and walked home. I made the Oreo pudding that Grandma sent to eat after our evening pizza. Life is good and God is even gooder.

Pumpkin, Prayer Walking, and Coricos

Guillermo from San Pedro Kid's Club.
Guillermo taking Brian for a ride after class.
Fransisca's baptism.
Julian, Fransisca, and Loren.
Julian peeking in the window and telling us to hurry up!

MariChuy holding Jaciel.

Vanessa and Sol Angel's grandmother.

A gringa stirring the Mexican version of hot chocolate.

Stacey and I with Fransisca.

Julian and Fransisca's entire family.

Sunday. All day fasting for Stacey and I. Didn't know toothpaste tasted so good! No lunch made a long afternoon. Phone call from Mom. Yea! Vanessa, SolAngel, and their grandmother came to church. Definitely more friendly than usual. Cleaned up after the service. Watched piles of children play on Loren and Donna's front porch. Hot shower.

Monday. Two bowls of cereal. Tomato Basil Wheat Thins and cherry tea (which we couldn't taste until we brushed away the tomato basil). Enjoying the warmth of boiling water. Tea too hot to drink. Talks about the ministry in Choix. Holding a clothing customer's baby. Rena admiring "my baby" and telling me that she looks just like her mother--me! Watching Heidi in Spanish. Making pumpkin bars. Making pumpkin bread. Making pumpkin muffins. Making pumpkin whoopie pies. Kid's Club in San Pedro. Hot sun in a bouncy van=not feeling good. Jesi in a dreadful mood. Walking...er...running Marlen home after dinner. Verb class and eating pumpkin whoopie pies. No water.

Tuesday. Chili and cornbread for lunch. Spicy chili. Sleeping during siesta time. Paying our rent so promptly that we surprised the landlady. Stopping by Vanessa's house and feeling like my Spanish was being ridiculed the entire visit. Passing out tracts in Choix. Prayer walking the streets of Choix and climbing the clocktower to pray overlooking the city. Mac 'n' cheese. No water. Showering at Loren and Donna's.

Wednesday. Baptism today. Walking uptown to buy paper supplies for 200 people. Making jamaica drink. Walking Choix for 45 minutes down streets we've never been down before. Chowing down on junkfood. Meeting at Loren's to go to the baptism. Leaving an hour later than planned (typically Mexican). Short and emotional baptismal service for Julian's wife, Fransisca. Helping Fransisca do her hair to match her elaborate dress. Julian complaining out the window to hurry up because he was hungry! Meal in San Pedro. Another short service. Cake and the Mexican version of hot chocolate. Lots of pictures. Mom calling again just to talk to help make my day. Still no water.

Thursday. Water back on. Loads and loads of laundry. Cleaning very dirty little house. Hotcakes for brunch. Junk food too. Writing lots of e-mails. Leaky toilet. Christmas shopping with Marlen. Decorating my gift at her house under close supervision of her grandmother. Delicious "leftover" soup for dinner. Pedicures with Stacey. Falling asleep listening to an English sermon on the computer.

Friday. Waiting for the "muchacho" to come fix our toilet. Studying verbs verbs verbs (Ian would be proud). Making dessert for Saturday. Cutting up onions (and crying while I handed a glass of water out the window to a boy). Taking a long walk down during siesta time. Playing with the girls in Mochiqui. Lots of jump-rope. Coaxing the little girls across the fence to join us.

Saturday. Waking up way too early. Walking uptown. Coming back to find the visitors from Ahome. Finishing the desserts. Saturday school. Rowdy kids having fun (as always). Trying to make friends in another language. Lunch at the orphanage. Dusty volleyball. Dust. Dust. Dust. Walking home in the dying daylight. Making yummy almost-yeastless pizza. Playing I Doubt It and consuming a whole bag of coricos. Eating pizza. Going to bed very early...