It has been an interesting Christmas season so far. We've had a couple of opportunities to hand out gifts, food and clothing to some very poor people. We've experienced the church's Christmas program, the communities firecracker fiesta and some traditonal and not-so-traditional Christmas festivities.
We found out on Christmas eve that Mexicans celebrate Noche buena (Beutiful Night) more than Christmas day. Noche Buena is on Dec 24th. It started for us with Church from 2-5 (that was the advertised time, the reality was 3-6!). We had about an hour long service with songs, skits, a short messag and some dances followed by supper. Supper was a North American version with turkey, instant mashed potatoes, dressing and vegies. There was also Birria (a soup made from a cheap cut of meat, tomatoes, garlic and Chili peppers- you season it with lime, onions and cilantro just before you eat it). Traditonally folks will have Tamales (corn flour dough placed on rehydrated corn husks or banana leaves, filled with meat, a slice of potatoe, sometimes an olive, or peppers and / or cheese. You tie the husks together and steam them for quite some time until done. One family we visited with had made a pot of them. The pot was too big to fit on a burner on the stove ( it would likely sit on all 4 burners) so they cook it outside over a fire. They had probably over 100 of the tamales cooked. It being too big for a fridge (besides they had 2 more huge pots filled with birria and Atole (sauce for the tamales made with milk, chocolate and cornflour) they just kept everything out and warmed it up as they needed it. These huge pots of food would feed their family of 4 for a week as well as anyone else who came by to visit.
Noche Buena is about families being together, usually around a bonfire (you wouldn't believe how many bonfires we saw!) and fireworks, with firecrackers. Traditionally the group hangs out until midnight when they will have a huge meal of turkey, tamales, birria, pozole etc. etc. And at midnight the bulk of the firecrackers and fireworks go off... it was quite loud!
We did not know this until that night, so we had invited a family over to our house for Christmas day supper, which seemed odd to them. This is a family from Southern Mexico who are here because of their daughters ailment. they can receive better medical treatment here, and have even been helped by hospitals in the USA. So we had 6 folks over (gramma, grampa, momma, daughter, aunty and cousin) and enjoyed tamales, turkey and the trimmings.
We also had Mexican fruit ponche. I found a couple of recipes on the internet and mixed them together to make my own. It is a hot punch with crabapples, granny smith apples, guavas, raisins, dried plums, orange peel, piloncillo (processed sugar cane) brown sugar, cinnamon sticks and jamaica (dried hibiscus flowers). It was good. Really good. They could not believe that a gringo had made this ponche. The one lady says to us- "It's better than mine!" to which her sister replied-" She's right- it IS better than hers!!" We had some good laughs, shared recipes and dessert until it was time to take them home.
About a week ago, Elijah woke up one day with flea bites (Click here to read that story) And we had quite the flea killing ceremony afterwards. Well, on Boxing Day (Dec. 26 for Canadians) Jacob woke up with similar spots, only with a cold too and a very tired- sick feeling. It was chicken pox (Jake calls them his polka-dots). It turns out this is what Elijah had, only he had such a mild case, it didn't seem to us to be chicken pox. He went about life as usual without even getting very itchy! If it wasn't for some spots on his face, you'd never know anything was different with Elijah. Jacob, though, has a pretty bad case. He spent most of this afternoon in bed, has a cough and drippy nose and it covered with the little itchy spots from head to toe. We can only assume that Caleb is next. We just hope it isn't until after the new years! We were given some free passes to Legoland that expire that day and we were going to go celebrate legoland new years eve- they have fireworks etc at 6pm (new years in LEGOLAND!). We're praying for healthy kids for that day- the kids have been looking forward to this...
SCHOOL.
I haven't found out yet. if enough donations have come in for us to register the kids in school by January 8th. If you could be in prayer with us for that. We are going to need about $1000.00 to pay for the registraiton fees, school uniforms and tuition for the first month. We appreciate your prayers in that regard, I'l update you by January 8th!
LANGUAGE LEARNING
We've hit kind of a wall with the language learning. We've got enough to "get by". Language learning is always done on a "need to know" basis. Meaning if you NEED to learn more, you will. Which is why new immigrants to Canada get by on so little English when they live in little communities of their fellow ex-pats. They get enough language to do day to day stuff and then coast by on the rest. Frankly, we need to need to learn more. With the kids in school for 8 hours a day, it'll give us the opportunity to be more involved with people somewhere, we just need to find out where! There are some possibilities we are going to be looking into for the new year.
Here is a list of specific prayer requests!
PRAYER:
- School. $1000.00 by January 8th for tuition, uniforms, and registration fees.
- Pray for the boys if they do get to go to the school- new school, new friends and the issues surrounding that!
- Language. Pray as we examine options that we would have wisdom to know what to do.
- Ministry opportunities- Pray that we'd have the opportunities to be a blessing as we are learning Spanish.
- Homesickness- We've been away from family at Christmas for years, we've lived in Victoria so lived through green Christmases, but being in Mexico means no familiar carols, no Christmas sermons (that we understand well enough yet), no Advent and not much "familiar" about our holidays. That has caused a wee bit of homesickness here. Please pray with us about that!
- Chicken pox- Pray for Jaob as he gets through them, pray for Caleb that he doesn't get them till after Dec. 31- or that he gets a mild case. The boys have been looking foward to using our free tickets to Legoland!
Thank you for partnering with us! We appreciate you and the part you play in this ministry!
Until next time,
Mike for the family
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Projecy Joy 2
Elijah and Mike went out today to help a group of Mexican Pastors hand out "Project Joy" Christmas gifts to needy families.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Are you sure this is Mexico?
Yup... Northern Mexico.
I've been sitting on this post for a few days, wondering how do you communicate this to people- espescially those of you in Canada and Northern US.
I must admit, I was ignorant of the fact that it gets cold here in the winter time. Not Saskatchewan cold... Not Ontario at it's coldest cold, but cold nevertheless.
It wouldn't seem so cold if we had heat in the houses, but most places don't. We are very fortunate to have a mobile home. It is not Concrete Block construction. We have friends here who have a nice home of concrete block walls with tile floors. And their house is cold- almost all the time these days. The other day when they woke up- they could see their breath. The morning temperature (and likely their house temperature) was about 5C or 41F. Most homes here are concrete block walls, which take longer to heat up in the milder parts of the day. Our house was about 50 (10C). We have a small oil-radiator heater which is most needed in the mornings, but you cannot have the heater and either the kettle, microwave or toaster on at the same time or else our main outside breaker busts and we need to reset it. It can only really heat up one small room adequately, but cuts down the chill a bit in the living room/ kitchen/ dining room area. People here are a bit surprised that we are feeling cold- "aren't you from Canada" they say "where it is REALLY REALLY cold?" .... and we are... the difference being that in Canada we go from our heated homes to our heated cars to our heated churches and heated grocery stores. Whereas here- for all but about an hour a day (12:00-1:00) it is 13C or usually less in the house, in the church or in the store.
We are by no means complaining, we are just incredibly surprised a the depth of the humid cold and the effects of cold ocean winds too. We expected a lot of different things here in Mexico, but to be cold was not one of them!
SCHOOL STUFF
I registered the boys in the private school yesterday. We pay for it on the 9th of January, but in the meantime need to purchase about $400.00 worth of uniforms for the 3 boys. We are looking forward to this new venture in schooling with the hopes that our kids will learn Spanish as well as core subjects. The public school was not equipped to help our kids out in this way. We still need to have an additional $250.00/ month for tuition raised and are trusting the Lord for that! The other blessing is that the schools go full day (8:00am-3:00pm) which give us better opportunity to learn Spanish. We are looking at Spanish lessons 3 days a week for an hour a day at a language school we found here in Rosarito. The cost is CANADIAN$300 / month total for Shar and I, if you could remember that in your prayers as well!
The kids classrooms are just concrete block rooms with concrete floors and a tin roof. In the morning it is about 6-7C outside and in their classrooms too, which makes learning a bit difficult! It makes writing almost impossible with such cold hands!
THAT FLEA BITTEN VARMINT!
We brought our cat from Canada down to Mexico with us- His name is Rosie. Rosie the Boy-Cat. Rosie has fleas. Rosie has lots of fleas! Rosie, like most cats, loves comfortable, warm places to sleep. So Rosie the flea-bitten Canadian boy-cat has been sleeping in with Eljah, our oldest son. The other day, Elijah woke up with a bunch of red spots on him! No fever, no lethargy, no sore throat- just red spots. So we took him to the Cruz Roja (Red cross). What I never knew before is that red cross doesn't just provide emergency medical relief, they are the main provider of medical services and ambulance services in developing world countries. Tijuana has one main large hospital and some red cross stations across the area. This one in Rosarito requires you to pay $7.00 to use it. The Doctor looked at Elijah, prescribed some antibiotics for possibly infected flea bites and sent us on our way.
That's when the fun started...
On the way home, I found a pharmacy on a side road. I took the corner at the light and as I was travelling up the road a police pick-up truck passed me. I saw in my rear-view mirror that he was turning around and I needed to turn around too, because the pharmacy was on the other side of the road. Soon enough the lights went on and I was being pulled over.
This is the first time I have been pulled over in our 4 months here, but not the first time a policeman has checked my ID. Ocassionally ( 3 times in last week and a half) there have been "roadblocks" by police in various parts of the city. When they see I don't have a front plate (SK no longer requires front plates) I get stopped and asked for license etc. These guys at the road blocks are armed to the hilt with machine guns and high powered rifles.
Once the policeman realized I live in Rosarito and am a missionary, he sent me on my way. There was no explanation as to why I was pulled over. I am glad my Spanish has progressed to the point that I can converse with the locals and explain where I live. I think it might help that I drive a 12 year old rusty vehicle and don't live in a condo or mansion by the ocean, but live in the "hills".
After that we went to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions. It was a topical anti-biotic cream, a no-perfume soap, an a penicillin-type suspension.
The issue was that the penicillin suspension was a powder in a jar with Spanish instructions. I read and re-read it several times, but still wasn't sure how to do it. So I "called a friend" as the old game show used to say... and it turned out that you add boiled and cooled water to the bottle and shake vigorously to make the liquid suspension. In Canada the Pharmacist does the mixing. They must cut down on drug costs here by letting you mix it yourself. And now we were good to go.
Remember- this all started with the flea bitten varmint.... let's get back to that...
We were over in the States early this week and got some flea spray and house spray for fleas at the pet store. so Shar took Rosie the Canadian flea-bitten boy-cat and thoroughly (and I mean THOROUGHLY) sprayed him and massaged into his fur the oily, flea kiling spray. After about 45 minutes of oily-dousing and massaging, the cat had had enough. ( actually he was done much earlier, but Shar is feisty and she handled that cat with gusto!) She finshed him off and let him go- this oily, stinky cat with attitude, hoping to hop into one of our beds to rub off the stinky flea oil. It is made from peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil and some other oils. It basically smells like one of those cheap dollar store plug in room fresheners on steroids after a massive power surge. You can imagine this wet, oily cat walking around shaking his legs after every step, twitching relentlessly and rubbing on everything so as to share the joy of the smell.
We put him outside. Next time we saw him, he'd been rolling around in dirt. So now we have this wet, oily, stinky cat covered in fine clay dust- our previosly orange and white cat now looked like the stuff you pull out of the bagless vaccuum cleaner! Sharlene must love that cat, because now, rosie our canadian flea-bitten boy-cat was getting a bath. They both came out of it ok.
Only now it's almost like the cat is avoiding us for some reason. He doesn't come around much anymore... hopefully he'll get over it and hopefully, the flea business will be done with. Until next month when we need to do it all over again!
Thank you for partnering with us! We appreciate the part you are willing to play in this ministry. Have a great Christmas- May God bless you and keep your family this year, may you renew your sense of wonderment about the coming of God to earth to set us free!
Until Next time,
Mike for the McDonald's
I've been sitting on this post for a few days, wondering how do you communicate this to people- espescially those of you in Canada and Northern US.
I must admit, I was ignorant of the fact that it gets cold here in the winter time. Not Saskatchewan cold... Not Ontario at it's coldest cold, but cold nevertheless.
It wouldn't seem so cold if we had heat in the houses, but most places don't. We are very fortunate to have a mobile home. It is not Concrete Block construction. We have friends here who have a nice home of concrete block walls with tile floors. And their house is cold- almost all the time these days. The other day when they woke up- they could see their breath. The morning temperature (and likely their house temperature) was about 5C or 41F. Most homes here are concrete block walls, which take longer to heat up in the milder parts of the day. Our house was about 50 (10C). We have a small oil-radiator heater which is most needed in the mornings, but you cannot have the heater and either the kettle, microwave or toaster on at the same time or else our main outside breaker busts and we need to reset it. It can only really heat up one small room adequately, but cuts down the chill a bit in the living room/ kitchen/ dining room area. People here are a bit surprised that we are feeling cold- "aren't you from Canada" they say "where it is REALLY REALLY cold?" .... and we are... the difference being that in Canada we go from our heated homes to our heated cars to our heated churches and heated grocery stores. Whereas here- for all but about an hour a day (12:00-1:00) it is 13C or usually less in the house, in the church or in the store.
We are by no means complaining, we are just incredibly surprised a the depth of the humid cold and the effects of cold ocean winds too. We expected a lot of different things here in Mexico, but to be cold was not one of them!
SCHOOL STUFF
I registered the boys in the private school yesterday. We pay for it on the 9th of January, but in the meantime need to purchase about $400.00 worth of uniforms for the 3 boys. We are looking forward to this new venture in schooling with the hopes that our kids will learn Spanish as well as core subjects. The public school was not equipped to help our kids out in this way. We still need to have an additional $250.00/ month for tuition raised and are trusting the Lord for that! The other blessing is that the schools go full day (8:00am-3:00pm) which give us better opportunity to learn Spanish. We are looking at Spanish lessons 3 days a week for an hour a day at a language school we found here in Rosarito. The cost is CANADIAN$300 / month total for Shar and I, if you could remember that in your prayers as well!
The kids classrooms are just concrete block rooms with concrete floors and a tin roof. In the morning it is about 6-7C outside and in their classrooms too, which makes learning a bit difficult! It makes writing almost impossible with such cold hands!
THAT FLEA BITTEN VARMINT!
We brought our cat from Canada down to Mexico with us- His name is Rosie. Rosie the Boy-Cat. Rosie has fleas. Rosie has lots of fleas! Rosie, like most cats, loves comfortable, warm places to sleep. So Rosie the flea-bitten Canadian boy-cat has been sleeping in with Eljah, our oldest son. The other day, Elijah woke up with a bunch of red spots on him! No fever, no lethargy, no sore throat- just red spots. So we took him to the Cruz Roja (Red cross). What I never knew before is that red cross doesn't just provide emergency medical relief, they are the main provider of medical services and ambulance services in developing world countries. Tijuana has one main large hospital and some red cross stations across the area. This one in Rosarito requires you to pay $7.00 to use it. The Doctor looked at Elijah, prescribed some antibiotics for possibly infected flea bites and sent us on our way.
That's when the fun started...
On the way home, I found a pharmacy on a side road. I took the corner at the light and as I was travelling up the road a police pick-up truck passed me. I saw in my rear-view mirror that he was turning around and I needed to turn around too, because the pharmacy was on the other side of the road. Soon enough the lights went on and I was being pulled over.
This is the first time I have been pulled over in our 4 months here, but not the first time a policeman has checked my ID. Ocassionally ( 3 times in last week and a half) there have been "roadblocks" by police in various parts of the city. When they see I don't have a front plate (SK no longer requires front plates) I get stopped and asked for license etc. These guys at the road blocks are armed to the hilt with machine guns and high powered rifles.
Once the policeman realized I live in Rosarito and am a missionary, he sent me on my way. There was no explanation as to why I was pulled over. I am glad my Spanish has progressed to the point that I can converse with the locals and explain where I live. I think it might help that I drive a 12 year old rusty vehicle and don't live in a condo or mansion by the ocean, but live in the "hills".
After that we went to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions. It was a topical anti-biotic cream, a no-perfume soap, an a penicillin-type suspension.
The issue was that the penicillin suspension was a powder in a jar with Spanish instructions. I read and re-read it several times, but still wasn't sure how to do it. So I "called a friend" as the old game show used to say... and it turned out that you add boiled and cooled water to the bottle and shake vigorously to make the liquid suspension. In Canada the Pharmacist does the mixing. They must cut down on drug costs here by letting you mix it yourself. And now we were good to go.
Remember- this all started with the flea bitten varmint.... let's get back to that...
We were over in the States early this week and got some flea spray and house spray for fleas at the pet store. so Shar took Rosie the Canadian flea-bitten boy-cat and thoroughly (and I mean THOROUGHLY) sprayed him and massaged into his fur the oily, flea kiling spray. After about 45 minutes of oily-dousing and massaging, the cat had had enough. ( actually he was done much earlier, but Shar is feisty and she handled that cat with gusto!) She finshed him off and let him go- this oily, stinky cat with attitude, hoping to hop into one of our beds to rub off the stinky flea oil. It is made from peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil and some other oils. It basically smells like one of those cheap dollar store plug in room fresheners on steroids after a massive power surge. You can imagine this wet, oily cat walking around shaking his legs after every step, twitching relentlessly and rubbing on everything so as to share the joy of the smell.
We put him outside. Next time we saw him, he'd been rolling around in dirt. So now we have this wet, oily, stinky cat covered in fine clay dust- our previosly orange and white cat now looked like the stuff you pull out of the bagless vaccuum cleaner! Sharlene must love that cat, because now, rosie our canadian flea-bitten boy-cat was getting a bath. They both came out of it ok.
Only now it's almost like the cat is avoiding us for some reason. He doesn't come around much anymore... hopefully he'll get over it and hopefully, the flea business will be done with. Until next month when we need to do it all over again!
Thank you for partnering with us! We appreciate the part you are willing to play in this ministry. Have a great Christmas- May God bless you and keep your family this year, may you renew your sense of wonderment about the coming of God to earth to set us free!
Until Next time,
Mike for the McDonald's
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Mommy's Home!
Yeehaw- No More Toast for Supper!
We were very happy to meet Shar at the airport at about 9:30pm Saturday night. I had originally planned on getting a sitter for the boys, but they were very excited to see mommy, so we all went and braved the 1 hour + border line wait and made it in plnety of time to explore the airport and meet mommy at the right time.
She was surprisingly alert for someone who had gotten up at 4am pacific time and arrived after one layover and an almost 5 hour flight at 9:17pm our time. We were all excited to see her come down the escalator and into our arms.
We made it home around 10:30pm and all had a good sleep!
Shar's mom is doing well. She is progressing, although a bit slowly. Please continue to pray for her as she recovers and as the Lord brings her to mind. It really was a blessing for Shar and her mom to be able to spend that time together this week. It's one thing to hear about how shes doing, it's another to be able to go and help do her nails and hair, to take her for coffee, just hangout and see her progression as she goes through rehab. They had a chance to talk a bit about housing options when they release her. She is due to be set free sometime near Dec. 23rd.
Thanks for praying,
Until next time,
Mike for the McDonald's
We were very happy to meet Shar at the airport at about 9:30pm Saturday night. I had originally planned on getting a sitter for the boys, but they were very excited to see mommy, so we all went and braved the 1 hour + border line wait and made it in plnety of time to explore the airport and meet mommy at the right time.
She was surprisingly alert for someone who had gotten up at 4am pacific time and arrived after one layover and an almost 5 hour flight at 9:17pm our time. We were all excited to see her come down the escalator and into our arms.
We made it home around 10:30pm and all had a good sleep!
Shar's mom is doing well. She is progressing, although a bit slowly. Please continue to pray for her as she recovers and as the Lord brings her to mind. It really was a blessing for Shar and her mom to be able to spend that time together this week. It's one thing to hear about how shes doing, it's another to be able to go and help do her nails and hair, to take her for coffee, just hangout and see her progression as she goes through rehab. They had a chance to talk a bit about housing options when they release her. She is due to be set free sometime near Dec. 23rd.
Thanks for praying,
Until next time,
Mike for the McDonald's
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
School Issues
One of the things we are learning first hand is that a major issue for missionaries with school age kids, is the school issues.
When we first came down, the idea we had was to homeschool. That worked out OK at first, but we found ourselves wondering how they were going to learn Spanish if they were with us all day, and how we were going to learn Spanish if we spent the majority of our time homeschooling. There were also some issues with the material that wasn't appropriate for where our kids were at.
So now we have the kids in the public school system. Lots of Problems have come with that. Caleb was set back a grade and Elijah is struggling in every area. Believe it or not, the Mexican school system is further ahead than the Saskatchewan one, at least in mathematics. Elijah is having trouble learning the concepts because he's almost missed 1/2 a year of foundational stuff that would have been taught last year in Mexico. that and he can't understand the instructions. So all of the other classes he has are suffering terribly because he can't understand Spanish. We knew there would be struggles like this for the boys, but we were willing to go through them until Christmas holidays in order for them to get a good grasp of the Language.
They are still lost in Spanish. Really lost. We have a tutor coming over now to help out, but that is a longer term project.
So are kids are in school, not learning much, not advancing at all in Spanish. We have spent a lot of tears over the school situation. I'm afraid that learning is becoming a curse to them.
So I've been doing a bit of investigating. There is a private school about 5 minutes drive from our house. We saw it today and they have small classes ( 15 or so in primary, only 5 in Jacob's kindergarten). they have gym, computers, art as well as the regular subjects. They are a bilingual school so ALL of the students will speak at least some English and understand lots. They have 2 hours of instruction in English each day, and they have teachers aids for their English-only students ( they have about 5, our guys would make 8) and they have extra instruction with the aid one on one for 1 hour each day.
When I think of private school I think "fancy". This is not that at all. The classes are rudimentary, the "library" has about 200 books. The playground is small with older equipment, and it is in a working class neighbourhood. This is not a school for the rich, it is a middle class school whose facilities would not pass the grade in Canada. The difference is the teachers are paid better (Elijah's current teacher drives taxi after school to supplement his income) they are better educated, they have smaller classes (15 as opposed to 35) they have individualized attention and they have a bilingual goal.
Would you please pray for us that we would have wisdom to know if this is the place to go.
If we do , we'd need to raise an additional $450.00/ month for all 3 kids to go. We are praying that God would raise up the partners needed to do that, if it's his will.
Please pray with us!
Thank you for partnering with us!
We appreciate you!
Mike for the McDonald's
When we first came down, the idea we had was to homeschool. That worked out OK at first, but we found ourselves wondering how they were going to learn Spanish if they were with us all day, and how we were going to learn Spanish if we spent the majority of our time homeschooling. There were also some issues with the material that wasn't appropriate for where our kids were at.
So now we have the kids in the public school system. Lots of Problems have come with that. Caleb was set back a grade and Elijah is struggling in every area. Believe it or not, the Mexican school system is further ahead than the Saskatchewan one, at least in mathematics. Elijah is having trouble learning the concepts because he's almost missed 1/2 a year of foundational stuff that would have been taught last year in Mexico. that and he can't understand the instructions. So all of the other classes he has are suffering terribly because he can't understand Spanish. We knew there would be struggles like this for the boys, but we were willing to go through them until Christmas holidays in order for them to get a good grasp of the Language.
They are still lost in Spanish. Really lost. We have a tutor coming over now to help out, but that is a longer term project.
So are kids are in school, not learning much, not advancing at all in Spanish. We have spent a lot of tears over the school situation. I'm afraid that learning is becoming a curse to them.
So I've been doing a bit of investigating. There is a private school about 5 minutes drive from our house. We saw it today and they have small classes ( 15 or so in primary, only 5 in Jacob's kindergarten). they have gym, computers, art as well as the regular subjects. They are a bilingual school so ALL of the students will speak at least some English and understand lots. They have 2 hours of instruction in English each day, and they have teachers aids for their English-only students ( they have about 5, our guys would make 8) and they have extra instruction with the aid one on one for 1 hour each day.
When I think of private school I think "fancy". This is not that at all. The classes are rudimentary, the "library" has about 200 books. The playground is small with older equipment, and it is in a working class neighbourhood. This is not a school for the rich, it is a middle class school whose facilities would not pass the grade in Canada. The difference is the teachers are paid better (Elijah's current teacher drives taxi after school to supplement his income) they are better educated, they have smaller classes (15 as opposed to 35) they have individualized attention and they have a bilingual goal.
Would you please pray for us that we would have wisdom to know if this is the place to go.
If we do , we'd need to raise an additional $450.00/ month for all 3 kids to go. We are praying that God would raise up the partners needed to do that, if it's his will.
Please pray with us!
Thank you for partnering with us!
We appreciate you!
Mike for the McDonald's
Nosotros Enfermer
We are sick!
Saturday night Jacob woke up in the wee hours with an upset stomach. He was sick to his stomach a few times in the night and early morning, but felt better by church time. I started to get light headed and headachey at that time and as soon as we got back home, I went to bed to rest. We went to the evening service at church, came home, and daddy was beat. Ill, I got everyone to bed early. "Why do we have to go to bed early when YOU are the one who is tired???" was a valid question that night.
Monday seemed ok until early evening when Elijah complained of a splitting headache. He went to my bed with a tylenol and a plastic baggie of ice for his head. The baggie was not closed entirely, and he (and my bed!) got soaked. But when he woke up, he was feeling great and went to the bottom of my bed, leaving me to avoid the cold wet spot at the top!
Tuesday night was the kicker... Middle of the night Caleb got up- He needed a new blanket and his floor cleaned, if you catch my drift. He then spent the next 2 hours hugging the toilet bowl. His poor little stomach was hurting him really bad, and there was really nothing we could do! We tried internet- inspired home remedies including honey and hot water with lemon. That didn't work.
Then we tried 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Apparently it's equally bad entering and exiting. Finally we tried a "tums" for the tummy, and that either helped, or he was just plain done- and he went to bed. Today he's been feeling OK, but didn't really eat anything of substance till tonight.
Elijah woke up sick and found the bathroom early. He has just been lethargic all day- getting worse as the day went on. He went to bed tonight at about 5:00pm. VERY unusual for Elijah.
And I have not yet needed the bathroom as often as the others, but just have a general malaise about me, tired, headachey, sore...
I sure wish Shar was here...
Saturday night Jacob woke up in the wee hours with an upset stomach. He was sick to his stomach a few times in the night and early morning, but felt better by church time. I started to get light headed and headachey at that time and as soon as we got back home, I went to bed to rest. We went to the evening service at church, came home, and daddy was beat. Ill, I got everyone to bed early. "Why do we have to go to bed early when YOU are the one who is tired???" was a valid question that night.
Monday seemed ok until early evening when Elijah complained of a splitting headache. He went to my bed with a tylenol and a plastic baggie of ice for his head. The baggie was not closed entirely, and he (and my bed!) got soaked. But when he woke up, he was feeling great and went to the bottom of my bed, leaving me to avoid the cold wet spot at the top!
Tuesday night was the kicker... Middle of the night Caleb got up- He needed a new blanket and his floor cleaned, if you catch my drift. He then spent the next 2 hours hugging the toilet bowl. His poor little stomach was hurting him really bad, and there was really nothing we could do! We tried internet- inspired home remedies including honey and hot water with lemon. That didn't work.
Then we tried 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Apparently it's equally bad entering and exiting. Finally we tried a "tums" for the tummy, and that either helped, or he was just plain done- and he went to bed. Today he's been feeling OK, but didn't really eat anything of substance till tonight.
Elijah woke up sick and found the bathroom early. He has just been lethargic all day- getting worse as the day went on. He went to bed tonight at about 5:00pm. VERY unusual for Elijah.
And I have not yet needed the bathroom as often as the others, but just have a general malaise about me, tired, headachey, sore...
I sure wish Shar was here...
Monday, December 04, 2006
Project Joy- YUGO's version of Operation Christmas Child
We had a great opportunity this weekend to help out an a "Project Joy". Our church, Grace Bible Church, in Lomas de San Antonio was the location for this project. What happens is YUGO partners an American or Canadian Church with a Mexican one in a needy area and the Mexican Church hosts the event, gets word out, and does alot of organizing of the event on our side of the border. What the American or Canadian Church does is collect the items for the shoeboxes ( good, new items- clothes, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes etc.) and then they come down either as a group or with a small contingent of representatives to hand out their gifts to the kids of the neighbourhood. It is a blessing to the kids, because without these, they may not receive any gifts this Christmas. It is a blessing to the Mexican Church because it gives them the opportunity to reach their community. It is a blessing to the North American churh because they get to experience giving to some of the most needy in our area.
Our boys participated in some of the events and then did some of the helping out as well. It was a real blessing to be able to help. It was good for me to be seen at the church heling out, because many of the folks who were there were the same ones who see us at school dropping off and picking up kids. I've wondered who they thought we were or what we are doing there, now most of them know and they all will by the end of the week! (the taco telegraph).
Thanks for browsing- Lots new on the site today- keep scrolling down. I finally figured out how to get video on this via www.blip.tv. I get unlimited videos and it's actually pretty easy to do, once you get the hang of it. Let me know if you want more info on that- no sense all of us going through the elongated learning process...
Until Next Time,
Mike for the McDonald's
CLICK BELOW TO PLAY A VIDEO ON PROJECT JOY
Our boys participated in some of the events and then did some of the helping out as well. It was a real blessing to be able to help. It was good for me to be seen at the church heling out, because many of the folks who were there were the same ones who see us at school dropping off and picking up kids. I've wondered who they thought we were or what we are doing there, now most of them know and they all will by the end of the week! (the taco telegraph).
Thanks for browsing- Lots new on the site today- keep scrolling down. I finally figured out how to get video on this via www.blip.tv. I get unlimited videos and it's actually pretty easy to do, once you get the hang of it. Let me know if you want more info on that- no sense all of us going through the elongated learning process...
Until Next Time,
Mike for the McDonald's
CLICK BELOW TO PLAY A VIDEO ON PROJECT JOY
Sunday Drive...
Here is a typical Sunday Drive in Mexico. the building ahead of us is the Grace Bible Church. It is the church that will be planting a new church in Porticos / Santa fe where we will be working.
CLICK ON THE PIC TO SEE OUR DRIVE!
CLICK ON THE PIC TO SEE OUR DRIVE!
It cut out on me almost near the end, but this gives you an idea what we drive on and how you can pray for our vehicle situation!
Christmas Decorating
We decorated our tree the other night before Shar left to Canada-
CLICK HERE TO GO TO blip.tv AND WATCH THE VIDEO
CLICK HERE TO GO TO blip.tv AND WATCH THE VIDEO
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Not an Ordinary Day
Not by a longshot.
La Tribu de Jesus (The Tribe of Jesus) is an orphanage in one of Tijuana's poor valleys. Edith and Fernando are the parents to 50+ kids. They have one regular helper, Cindy the missionary, and a few ladies from the neighbourhood who come and wash dishes or clothes, or clean up in exchange for food for them and their kids. They can have as many as 75 kids hanging around as parents who work from7am to late at night leave their kids there, otherwise they'd be home alone.
The kids were looking a little dirty today. The reason being that their "bathtub" is a trench in the middle of the barn that serves as laundry room, kitchen, storage and living room. The water comes from a rain barrel that is outside temperature at best, and it has been pretty cool here (lows of 7C highs of 13C). I would have said room temperature, except that room temperature IS outside temperature. The barn they live in has a roof (that doesn't connect at the crest) but no walls below- just fencing and plastic over 70% of it. It is personally overwhelming to see the hordes of kids running around with so little adult help- and so little personal attention. Make no mistake, Edith and Fernando love these kids- they have given over their lives to help those in need- but 2 parents can only give so much personal atention when spread out amongst 50+ kids.
So as soon as you get there, the kids come flocking to you to see if you will hold them, talk with them, love them, push them on a swing- anythign really.
Shar and I started off pushing 4 kids on swings- back and forth, back and forth. Then one little girl and one boy gave us a tour.
It's a huge property that they are renting right now, but 60% is unuseable as is because of the slope it's on. We went first to the boys cabin. they have 5 bunk beds and 2 queen sized beds and this cabin sleeps 20 boys. It looked ok for a cabin and at least the roof does not leak. The girls rooms do leak- so 30+ of them are packed into 2 rooms with 4 beds. One girl told us she had 6 kids on her bed last night.
We also went to the "bathroom". It is 3 walls with 5 toilets in it. No roof, no door, nothing separating toilets.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belin is about 3 years old. She must have some sort of allergies or something because she has a perpetual leaky nose. She also has eczema on her face and it look very "chapped". Almost as soon as we got there- and for most of the time we spent there- Belin hung around with me. She came to me with arms wide open and said something about a "papa" or daddy. I don't think she was calling me her daddy, just asking if I was one or if I knew where hers was. Either that or she was asking me about potatoes cuz the words sound almost the same. Either way, I got all choked up, picked her up and she smiled and hung onto me or around us most of the rest of the day.
You know, I've watched the "Compassion" commercials on TV and felt sad. But I was able to change the channel. We can't change the channnel here. The need is so overwhelming. I kept thinking to myself- what can we do? This is not even the ministry we are called here to be primarily involved with, but the need is so HUGE! So, personally, we're going to go visit regularly. I'm bringing them a Christmas tree tomorrow (you can buy real douglas fir trees here!) I'm going to start doing a Blog like this for them to post pics of the kids- regular updates as to their needs (They don't always have enough food to eat or soap, or toothpaste or toilet paper etc.). Beyond that, I thought what can one family do? The little we could give financially would not be a drop in a bucket to cover the needs.
But then I thought... we are not here alone. We have partners at home who are with us on this field in a very real sense.
Will you pray with us for La Tribu?
Pray that the kids would have enough food to eat.
Pray that they would have a useful bathroom built soon.
Pray for walls for their home.
Pray that the kids would experience the Love of Jesus through His people.
Pray for many of the parents who are addicted to drugs and alcohol and cannot care for their kids.
Pray for those parents who are so self-absorbed that their kids get woefully neglected and need La Tribu.
Pray for Edith and Fernando, for strength, stamina and unconditional love for their kids.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers into His fields.
Pray that we would be a blessing to the children and the workers.
Thank you so much for partnering with us. It is an incredible privilege to represent you here. Your part in this ministry is invaluable. Today, we loved orphans together in Jesus Name.
Until next time,
your partners, the McDonald's
La Tribu de Jesus (The Tribe of Jesus) is an orphanage in one of Tijuana's poor valleys. Edith and Fernando are the parents to 50+ kids. They have one regular helper, Cindy the missionary, and a few ladies from the neighbourhood who come and wash dishes or clothes, or clean up in exchange for food for them and their kids. They can have as many as 75 kids hanging around as parents who work from7am to late at night leave their kids there, otherwise they'd be home alone.
The kids were looking a little dirty today. The reason being that their "bathtub" is a trench in the middle of the barn that serves as laundry room, kitchen, storage and living room. The water comes from a rain barrel that is outside temperature at best, and it has been pretty cool here (lows of 7C highs of 13C). I would have said room temperature, except that room temperature IS outside temperature. The barn they live in has a roof (that doesn't connect at the crest) but no walls below- just fencing and plastic over 70% of it. It is personally overwhelming to see the hordes of kids running around with so little adult help- and so little personal attention. Make no mistake, Edith and Fernando love these kids- they have given over their lives to help those in need- but 2 parents can only give so much personal atention when spread out amongst 50+ kids.
So as soon as you get there, the kids come flocking to you to see if you will hold them, talk with them, love them, push them on a swing- anythign really.
Shar and I started off pushing 4 kids on swings- back and forth, back and forth. Then one little girl and one boy gave us a tour.It's a huge property that they are renting right now, but 60% is unuseable as is because of the slope it's on. We went first to the boys cabin. they have 5 bunk beds and 2 queen sized beds and this cabin sleeps 20 boys. It looked ok for a cabin and at least the roof does not leak. The girls rooms do leak- so 30+ of them are packed into 2 rooms with 4 beds. One girl told us she had 6 kids on her bed last night.
We also went to the "bathroom". It is 3 walls with 5 toilets in it. No roof, no door, nothing separating toilets.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belin is about 3 years old. She must have some sort of allergies or something because she has a perpetual leaky nose. She also has eczema on her face and it look very "chapped". Almost as soon as we got there- and for most of the time we spent there- Belin hung around with me. She came to me with arms wide open and said something about a "papa" or daddy. I don't think she was calling me her daddy, just asking if I was one or if I knew where hers was. Either that or she was asking me about potatoes cuz the words sound almost the same. Either way, I got all choked up, picked her up and she smiled and hung onto me or around us most of the rest of the day.
You know, I've watched the "Compassion" commercials on TV and felt sad. But I was able to change the channel. We can't change the channnel here. The need is so overwhelming. I kept thinking to myself- what can we do? This is not even the ministry we are called here to be primarily involved with, but the need is so HUGE! So, personally, we're going to go visit regularly. I'm bringing them a Christmas tree tomorrow (you can buy real douglas fir trees here!) I'm going to start doing a Blog like this for them to post pics of the kids- regular updates as to their needs (They don't always have enough food to eat or soap, or toothpaste or toilet paper etc.). Beyond that, I thought what can one family do? The little we could give financially would not be a drop in a bucket to cover the needs.But then I thought... we are not here alone. We have partners at home who are with us on this field in a very real sense.
Will you pray with us for La Tribu?
Pray that the kids would have enough food to eat.
Pray that they would have a useful bathroom built soon.
Pray for walls for their home.
Pray that the kids would experience the Love of Jesus through His people.
Pray for many of the parents who are addicted to drugs and alcohol and cannot care for their kids.
Pray for those parents who are so self-absorbed that their kids get woefully neglected and need La Tribu.
Pray for Edith and Fernando, for strength, stamina and unconditional love for their kids.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers into His fields.
Pray that we would be a blessing to the children and the workers.
Thank you so much for partnering with us. It is an incredible privilege to represent you here. Your part in this ministry is invaluable. Today, we loved orphans together in Jesus Name.
Until next time,
your partners, the McDonald's
Monday, November 27, 2006
Bathroom Stuff etc....
If the foreign bathroom talk isn't your cup of tea, then scroll on down a bit...
Some of you know I have adverse reactions to dairy products that is cause for some embarrassment and much consternation (NOT constipation...). Sunday we celebrated American Thanksgiving in Mexico with a majority of Canadian Missionaries. Odd I know, but we love turkey and pumpkin pie, so any excuse...
Just before we left, the lady of the house gave the kids a last pumpkin tart for the road before we went to church in the evening. I got one for Shar and myself. All of them were topped with that whip cream in a can, and I got the biggest tower of White stuff.
Well, earlier in the day I had noticed that it was made with real cream and milk instead of the "edible oil product" it's usually made from, but of course I had forgotten this as I was gorging on a 4 inch tower of whip cream on top of my pumpkin tart. Baaaaad, Baaaad news....
25 minutes later at church My stomach is kicking up a fuss and I need to leave to go "downstairs". Having used the bathroom at church before, I remembered that the water does not work in the men's room- and there is no soap anywhere. So I whispered to Shar for some hand sanitizer and trotted down the stairs.
What I didn't remember (MUST REMEMBER THIS!) is that a lot of public bathrooms in Mexico do not come equipped with toilet paper (Take note of this if you plan on coming down...) It's a "bring your own" system. So here I am, quite concerned as the time is becoming urgent, with no TP. I search throughout the kitchen area for something- but no TP, no kleenex, no paper towels, no newspapers- Nothing!
Upstairs I gently canter, looking for my wonderful, beautiful and resourceful wife whose job it is to remember to bring some sort of soft paper product in her purse for times such as these. It seems as if her supply was exhausted at an earlier juncture, and I am left empty handed with an even greater sense of urgency. Out to the van I saunter, keys in hand, hand sanitizer in pocket wondering if I'll need to risk the 15 minute drive home over exceptionally bumpy roads. But, to my extreme joy I discover some soft paper products in the back of the van seats! "are they new or used" I ask myself- "Don't ask questions you don't want answers to" I remind myself of an ancient piece of wisdom. Thankfully all the paper was free of evidence of previous use and I was able to relax, after a quick jaunt to the proper room...
I have heard of some people in foreign countries who have little more than a hole in the floor to use for this purpose, so we are thankful for Canadian style toilets, with or without the TP.
BATHROOM STORY ENDS HERE!
Near Future....
Shar is heading to Hamilton Saturday December 2 for 1 week to visit her mom in Hamilton ON. Gramma Nelson is in the hospital recovering from a broken hip and surgery. We were able to find a plane ticket into Buffalo airport for under $250CDN return- taxes all included. We have a College friend (Rev. Dr. Prince Conteh) pastoring in St. Catherines, ON (close to Niagara Falls Border) and he and his new wife will be picking up Shar from the airport and taking her back a week later. Please be in prayer for Shar as the family and gramma will need to make some decisions about her long term care and accomodations.
I'm working on an introduction video.
I'm trying to make a small video to put on the blog site bar that introduces us as a family and the area we live in and the ministry we'l be involved in. I'm hoping to have that up by the end of the week...
Bible Studies...
We will start to be going to Bible Studies at Grace Children's Home on Thursdays. there are about 15 new Christians and seekers getting together for Bible study and prayer time. They will hopefully be the core group for the church plant in that neighbourhood. YUGO is in the process of purchasing a plot of land across the road from the Children's home that will be home to a babies facility (for the children's home), seniors apartments (for destitute seniors with no family to help them) and a Community-Centre / Church building with a multipurpose room, gym and seating for 1000. We will be hosting medical clinics, feeding programs, community outreaches from this site, as well as a sanctuary and Kids ministry facilities for 1000. We are in a brand new community of about 200,000 people with 1 other church right now. Please be in prayer for us as these plans progress. We are asking God for $65,000 to purchase the land (a really good deal for this land!) as well as the needed professional services to build a building of this magnitude.
In the very near future we will need a mobile home we can convert into a meeting place to be put on the existing property at Grace Children's Home.
Thanks for praying.
Merry Christmas!
It does not feel like Christmas, even though the calendar says it is a month away. Irv, Mari and Leah Penner gave us some Christmas Chocolate countdown calendars while I was in Swan River, MB. that start soon and is a tradition with us. This coming Thursday we'll get a tree (likely fake, though, surprisingly, you can buy real trees here for a similar price to Canada). and do some decorating around the house. Stay tuned for pics! All of our Canadian Missionaries here are going back to Canada for Christmas this year, and lots of the American ones go back home too if they are close, so we are keeping our eyes and ears out for some Mexican folks who are far from family with whom we can celebrate and share traditions with. We'd love to see how Mexicans celebrate the birth of our Saviour! We will not be giving lots of gifts this year to each other. Last year we got 1 big family gift (a portable DVD player) and 1 or 2 gifts each because we were going to Mexico for an evangelistic outreach. It went really well and the kids were very thankful and less overwhelmed by the barrage of things. This year we'll have the added blessing of being here for the pre-Christmas "Project Joy". We'll be able to help give out shoebox gift packs and / or blankets to kids who would normally get little or nothing for Christmas. A way we can tell them that we love them, Jesus loves them and that God's gift of his Son restores a relationship with the Father that we've lost. Our church ( Grace Bible Church) hands out about 400 in the church's neighbourhood. We do more at the Tijuana Dump where families have built houses and live and work scavenging through the garbage. we count it a blessing to be able to serve those on the fringe of society. We often have churches send boxes down with or without a representative to hand out the gifts. If you are interested in something like that- contact me here: pastrbuzz@yahoo.ca .
Thank you for partnering with us! We value your part in this ministry.
God Bless and Keep you until next time,
Mike for the family...
Some of you know I have adverse reactions to dairy products that is cause for some embarrassment and much consternation (NOT constipation...). Sunday we celebrated American Thanksgiving in Mexico with a majority of Canadian Missionaries. Odd I know, but we love turkey and pumpkin pie, so any excuse...
Just before we left, the lady of the house gave the kids a last pumpkin tart for the road before we went to church in the evening. I got one for Shar and myself. All of them were topped with that whip cream in a can, and I got the biggest tower of White stuff.
Well, earlier in the day I had noticed that it was made with real cream and milk instead of the "edible oil product" it's usually made from, but of course I had forgotten this as I was gorging on a 4 inch tower of whip cream on top of my pumpkin tart. Baaaaad, Baaaad news....
25 minutes later at church My stomach is kicking up a fuss and I need to leave to go "downstairs". Having used the bathroom at church before, I remembered that the water does not work in the men's room- and there is no soap anywhere. So I whispered to Shar for some hand sanitizer and trotted down the stairs.
What I didn't remember (MUST REMEMBER THIS!) is that a lot of public bathrooms in Mexico do not come equipped with toilet paper (Take note of this if you plan on coming down...) It's a "bring your own" system. So here I am, quite concerned as the time is becoming urgent, with no TP. I search throughout the kitchen area for something- but no TP, no kleenex, no paper towels, no newspapers- Nothing!
Upstairs I gently canter, looking for my wonderful, beautiful and resourceful wife whose job it is to remember to bring some sort of soft paper product in her purse for times such as these. It seems as if her supply was exhausted at an earlier juncture, and I am left empty handed with an even greater sense of urgency. Out to the van I saunter, keys in hand, hand sanitizer in pocket wondering if I'll need to risk the 15 minute drive home over exceptionally bumpy roads. But, to my extreme joy I discover some soft paper products in the back of the van seats! "are they new or used" I ask myself- "Don't ask questions you don't want answers to" I remind myself of an ancient piece of wisdom. Thankfully all the paper was free of evidence of previous use and I was able to relax, after a quick jaunt to the proper room...
I have heard of some people in foreign countries who have little more than a hole in the floor to use for this purpose, so we are thankful for Canadian style toilets, with or without the TP.
BATHROOM STORY ENDS HERE!
Near Future....
Shar is heading to Hamilton Saturday December 2 for 1 week to visit her mom in Hamilton ON. Gramma Nelson is in the hospital recovering from a broken hip and surgery. We were able to find a plane ticket into Buffalo airport for under $250CDN return- taxes all included. We have a College friend (Rev. Dr. Prince Conteh) pastoring in St. Catherines, ON (close to Niagara Falls Border) and he and his new wife will be picking up Shar from the airport and taking her back a week later. Please be in prayer for Shar as the family and gramma will need to make some decisions about her long term care and accomodations.
I'm working on an introduction video.
I'm trying to make a small video to put on the blog site bar that introduces us as a family and the area we live in and the ministry we'l be involved in. I'm hoping to have that up by the end of the week...
Bible Studies...
We will start to be going to Bible Studies at Grace Children's Home on Thursdays. there are about 15 new Christians and seekers getting together for Bible study and prayer time. They will hopefully be the core group for the church plant in that neighbourhood. YUGO is in the process of purchasing a plot of land across the road from the Children's home that will be home to a babies facility (for the children's home), seniors apartments (for destitute seniors with no family to help them) and a Community-Centre / Church building with a multipurpose room, gym and seating for 1000. We will be hosting medical clinics, feeding programs, community outreaches from this site, as well as a sanctuary and Kids ministry facilities for 1000. We are in a brand new community of about 200,000 people with 1 other church right now. Please be in prayer for us as these plans progress. We are asking God for $65,000 to purchase the land (a really good deal for this land!) as well as the needed professional services to build a building of this magnitude.
In the very near future we will need a mobile home we can convert into a meeting place to be put on the existing property at Grace Children's Home.
Thanks for praying.
Merry Christmas!
It does not feel like Christmas, even though the calendar says it is a month away. Irv, Mari and Leah Penner gave us some Christmas Chocolate countdown calendars while I was in Swan River, MB. that start soon and is a tradition with us. This coming Thursday we'll get a tree (likely fake, though, surprisingly, you can buy real trees here for a similar price to Canada). and do some decorating around the house. Stay tuned for pics! All of our Canadian Missionaries here are going back to Canada for Christmas this year, and lots of the American ones go back home too if they are close, so we are keeping our eyes and ears out for some Mexican folks who are far from family with whom we can celebrate and share traditions with. We'd love to see how Mexicans celebrate the birth of our Saviour! We will not be giving lots of gifts this year to each other. Last year we got 1 big family gift (a portable DVD player) and 1 or 2 gifts each because we were going to Mexico for an evangelistic outreach. It went really well and the kids were very thankful and less overwhelmed by the barrage of things. This year we'll have the added blessing of being here for the pre-Christmas "Project Joy". We'll be able to help give out shoebox gift packs and / or blankets to kids who would normally get little or nothing for Christmas. A way we can tell them that we love them, Jesus loves them and that God's gift of his Son restores a relationship with the Father that we've lost. Our church ( Grace Bible Church) hands out about 400 in the church's neighbourhood. We do more at the Tijuana Dump where families have built houses and live and work scavenging through the garbage. we count it a blessing to be able to serve those on the fringe of society. We often have churches send boxes down with or without a representative to hand out the gifts. If you are interested in something like that- contact me here: pastrbuzz@yahoo.ca .
Thank you for partnering with us! We value your part in this ministry.
God Bless and Keep you until next time,
Mike for the family...
Saturday, November 25, 2006
LockDown
We had visitors over for supper tonight and afterwards it was a regular occurrence here at Casa McDonald's... Lockdown.
Our place is not the most secure home in our Colonia, but it has fences and gates and they need to be locked at night. So every evening when it looks like we're done coming and going, someone goes out and locks the gates. We have a front gate that the car comes in and a side or back gate that is a walk-thru one.
We haven't had any issues with snakes or scorpions yet, but this is the time of day you are most likely to see them, so even the most boring of tasks can have a sense of heightened interest.
Tonight an added feature of lockdown was the bikes. We've had the kids bikes over at the place where we stayed in the RV. It seemed like when we just got settled and had a chance to get them, we'd either move or someone would go away (language school or deputation) so today was the day.
The boys were ecstatic to get the bikes back, though poor Jakey's having some trouble. He learned to ride a 2 wheeeler a couple days before we moved to Mexico and hasn't had a bike since. He lost a bit of knowledge and some nerve too. Not only that but he's outgrown his bike (GROWTH SPURT! Eating like a horse!) and that makes it more difficult- not to mention the hilly clay, rutted roads. We'll have to rectify the bike situation sometime soon...
Our "gardener" spent another day here at the house. He has only worked for us, technically, 2 times. The rest of the week he's been working for the landlady forming a driveway for us. Our yard is a fine, clay powder that gets incredibly muddy in the rain. So the cement parking pad will help to allow us to get in and out of our place.
Could you pray for Alphonso the worker-guy? He is really hard to understand so it's difficult to have a conversation with him in Spanish. He must have an accent I am not able to comprehend. he likely says the same about me!
Tonight I spent about an hour negotiating pay with him. The landlady gave me the amount needed to pay him when the job was finished. After he finished tonight, the job still was not done. So Alphonso began to ask for money for materials he brought over. The landlady had told me she paid for them already. What followed was an hour of him writing his demands, me taking them and translating them online at www.freetranslation.com and me responding. He was adamant that he needed $20 of his $70 pay tonight. We went back and forth for the whole time until someone came by who could translate. I gave him the $20 for the materials, but told him he'd not get the full amount for his wages, because I did not have it and i didn't have authority to give it to him. So he discounted his wages and he'll negotiate the rest with the landlady.
I'm concerned that he may not come back and finish the job, or that he needed the money for more nefarious reasons. He also comes back to the house with wood each day from an undisclosed location- not sure exactly where it's coming from, though I do know of a house nearby that is under construction...
Please pray for wisdom for us and for Alphonsos salvation. Please also pray for good communication to develop!
We appreciate your prayers and partnership with us! Hope you like the new design of the website! I'm hoping to be able to figure out how to get video on here soon. When that heppens, we'll have some video clips of life in Mexico!
God bless until next time,
Your McMissionaries
Our place is not the most secure home in our Colonia, but it has fences and gates and they need to be locked at night. So every evening when it looks like we're done coming and going, someone goes out and locks the gates. We have a front gate that the car comes in and a side or back gate that is a walk-thru one.
We haven't had any issues with snakes or scorpions yet, but this is the time of day you are most likely to see them, so even the most boring of tasks can have a sense of heightened interest.
Tonight an added feature of lockdown was the bikes. We've had the kids bikes over at the place where we stayed in the RV. It seemed like when we just got settled and had a chance to get them, we'd either move or someone would go away (language school or deputation) so today was the day.
The boys were ecstatic to get the bikes back, though poor Jakey's having some trouble. He learned to ride a 2 wheeeler a couple days before we moved to Mexico and hasn't had a bike since. He lost a bit of knowledge and some nerve too. Not only that but he's outgrown his bike (GROWTH SPURT! Eating like a horse!) and that makes it more difficult- not to mention the hilly clay, rutted roads. We'll have to rectify the bike situation sometime soon...
Our "gardener" spent another day here at the house. He has only worked for us, technically, 2 times. The rest of the week he's been working for the landlady forming a driveway for us. Our yard is a fine, clay powder that gets incredibly muddy in the rain. So the cement parking pad will help to allow us to get in and out of our place.
Could you pray for Alphonso the worker-guy? He is really hard to understand so it's difficult to have a conversation with him in Spanish. He must have an accent I am not able to comprehend. he likely says the same about me!
Tonight I spent about an hour negotiating pay with him. The landlady gave me the amount needed to pay him when the job was finished. After he finished tonight, the job still was not done. So Alphonso began to ask for money for materials he brought over. The landlady had told me she paid for them already. What followed was an hour of him writing his demands, me taking them and translating them online at www.freetranslation.com and me responding. He was adamant that he needed $20 of his $70 pay tonight. We went back and forth for the whole time until someone came by who could translate. I gave him the $20 for the materials, but told him he'd not get the full amount for his wages, because I did not have it and i didn't have authority to give it to him. So he discounted his wages and he'll negotiate the rest with the landlady.
I'm concerned that he may not come back and finish the job, or that he needed the money for more nefarious reasons. He also comes back to the house with wood each day from an undisclosed location- not sure exactly where it's coming from, though I do know of a house nearby that is under construction...
Please pray for wisdom for us and for Alphonsos salvation. Please also pray for good communication to develop!
We appreciate your prayers and partnership with us! Hope you like the new design of the website! I'm hoping to be able to figure out how to get video on here soon. When that heppens, we'll have some video clips of life in Mexico!
God bless until next time,
Your McMissionaries
Monday, November 20, 2006
Interesting happenings...
I have a couple of collected thoughts and experiences I'd like to process with the blogosphere tonight...
We continue to struggle a bit with the whole school thing and the communication that happens (or mis-happens) there. Last friday was their rendition of "Mexican revolution Day". The grade 4-6 classes all dress in their school uniforms (of which there are 2 types, we only have the cheaper type- the other one consists of special track pants and jacket- that totals about $70 for each uniform / child...) or some period costume (some kids were dressed up with bullet straps across their chests (fake mostly) and sombreros etc. They were to march in downtown Rosarito.
We got as much info as we could muster, but it was not enough. We weren't able to participate because of the incorrect uniforms, so went to go see the parades... only we couldn't find them. We didn't have proper directions or misunderstood them. We drove around rosarito, occassionaly seeing kids dressed up in costume, but with no idea where they were coming from!
It will be nice when we can communicate fully. There has been progress though...
We invited a couple we know from church out to Sunday dinner. You should have sene the look on Jose's face when I told him we could get together at "Doce"(12:00 noon). It was 11:30 and he wa sshocked. Who on earth would eat at such a crazy hour- it's 2 hours before lunch! I immediatley saw his look and corrected myself by saying "Dos" (2:00pm)- the look of relief was evident on his face. So off we went for "Comida China" at 2pm (or so).
We actiually fared quite well in a conversation with this totally Spanish Mexican couple- finding out about work, family, homelife. It turns out that Jose is a "Sculptor" who carves concrete, granite, etc. He'll do whatever other work comes his way, but that's his trade.
I preached at the church a few weeks back. I was talking about Paul's secret to Contentment. In the message I used an illustration about contented cows (just like the carnation milk ad says...). Anyway, Solidad (the wife from the couple we were having dinner with..) says she liked the message, espescially the illustration. we laughed about it a while when Shar said (in English) to Solidad "Milk must make you contented too!" I "translated" for Shar and said (apparantly) "Do you make contented milk?" I turned about 5 shades of red when I realized what I had said--- To Solidad and Jose's amazement- "Your husbands turning pink!!!!" they said!
I think i accidently hired a gardener last weekend...
I was outside watering my palm trees and cacti and other trees when a forlorned looking man came walking up the hill. He almost walked by, but instead asked if he could do some work for a bit of money. I said he could weed and even out some ground outside the fence- He said he'd charge $6.00 for about half a days work. So we did some work together (kids included) hoeing, watering, collecting rocks as a water barrier around the trees. We had pancakes all together for breakfast too. after being about 2/3 finished Alphonse said he needed to go do some more work for someone else and may be back monday to finish it up. I offered him $10.00 if he stayed till it was done. So we finished about 12:30, I paid him a bit extra because of a fantastic job he did-well above what was expected and agreed upon, and he went off with the offer of another job from our landlady to lay concrete down for a driveway and a porch for us. He'd be back Wednesday. This Was Saturday all this happened.
Then at 8:30am today (Monday), Alphonse showed up for work at the house, but we were leaving. I figured he was going to form the driveway while we were gone, so we left him water and some food too.
When we came back home, our trees in the yard were all pruned, hoe'd with water gullies around them and even a bit landscaped- he had raked and collected stuff- he even made sure our garbage was picked up (it was a holiday- we didn't know they'd have pick-up!). I didn't ask for any of this work, but he still did it! We can't afford a Gardener! We don't need a gardener!
I may have to lay him off...
One thing we deal with here a bit is the question of giving money to people. There aren't many people begging here- but lots of people become part of the informal work sector. They'll dust your car in the border lineup, or kids will juggle balls, or adults juggling burning things in the intersections. Or an older man playing harmonica or guitar for coins, or a kid or adult packing groceries as volunteers (not paid by store) for tips.
We were in the line for the border today (for 2 hours and 20 minutes in 31C heat) when a fella came walking by- extremly unkempt with barefeet, no shirt and ragged hair. I began to pray- "God do you want us to give to this fella? - if so, bring him by". He walked beside the row next to us for about 20 cars then came back in our row. He came right to the car ahead of us- looked right through us and then went to another row. Then he came back to the car right behind us completely missing us.
next was an older man with a harmonica. Here in Mexico there is no social security or old age pension for folks. You work till you die, or have a family member take care of you. Some folks just can't work and just don't have someone to take care of them (kids in jail, addicted, in extreme poverty, early death etc.) so they guard cars in parking lots, play guitar/ harmonicas, pack groceries and sometime even beg as a last resort. This harmonica fellow came by and we gave him about 50cents, and another older woman came by, and we gave her 50 cents too. We talked about it, we debated internally and externally, we prayed... shouydl we or shouldn't we??? in the end our total giving for the day turned out to be $1.00. We were that concerned about only a buck?
So our pryaer now is that Jesus would give us wisdom to handle each case individually and that he would direct us to those we can help, knowing that although our resources are limited, they ar enot too limited for a little generosity...
I just want to leave you with a Scripture I read today and saw something new in the context...
Luke 12:22-34
We continue to struggle a bit with the whole school thing and the communication that happens (or mis-happens) there. Last friday was their rendition of "Mexican revolution Day". The grade 4-6 classes all dress in their school uniforms (of which there are 2 types, we only have the cheaper type- the other one consists of special track pants and jacket- that totals about $70 for each uniform / child...) or some period costume (some kids were dressed up with bullet straps across their chests (fake mostly) and sombreros etc. They were to march in downtown Rosarito.
We got as much info as we could muster, but it was not enough. We weren't able to participate because of the incorrect uniforms, so went to go see the parades... only we couldn't find them. We didn't have proper directions or misunderstood them. We drove around rosarito, occassionaly seeing kids dressed up in costume, but with no idea where they were coming from!
It will be nice when we can communicate fully. There has been progress though...
We invited a couple we know from church out to Sunday dinner. You should have sene the look on Jose's face when I told him we could get together at "Doce"(12:00 noon). It was 11:30 and he wa sshocked. Who on earth would eat at such a crazy hour- it's 2 hours before lunch! I immediatley saw his look and corrected myself by saying "Dos" (2:00pm)- the look of relief was evident on his face. So off we went for "Comida China" at 2pm (or so).
We actiually fared quite well in a conversation with this totally Spanish Mexican couple- finding out about work, family, homelife. It turns out that Jose is a "Sculptor" who carves concrete, granite, etc. He'll do whatever other work comes his way, but that's his trade.
I preached at the church a few weeks back. I was talking about Paul's secret to Contentment. In the message I used an illustration about contented cows (just like the carnation milk ad says...). Anyway, Solidad (the wife from the couple we were having dinner with..) says she liked the message, espescially the illustration. we laughed about it a while when Shar said (in English) to Solidad "Milk must make you contented too!" I "translated" for Shar and said (apparantly) "Do you make contented milk?" I turned about 5 shades of red when I realized what I had said--- To Solidad and Jose's amazement- "Your husbands turning pink!!!!" they said!
I think i accidently hired a gardener last weekend...
I was outside watering my palm trees and cacti and other trees when a forlorned looking man came walking up the hill. He almost walked by, but instead asked if he could do some work for a bit of money. I said he could weed and even out some ground outside the fence- He said he'd charge $6.00 for about half a days work. So we did some work together (kids included) hoeing, watering, collecting rocks as a water barrier around the trees. We had pancakes all together for breakfast too. after being about 2/3 finished Alphonse said he needed to go do some more work for someone else and may be back monday to finish it up. I offered him $10.00 if he stayed till it was done. So we finished about 12:30, I paid him a bit extra because of a fantastic job he did-well above what was expected and agreed upon, and he went off with the offer of another job from our landlady to lay concrete down for a driveway and a porch for us. He'd be back Wednesday. This Was Saturday all this happened.
Then at 8:30am today (Monday), Alphonse showed up for work at the house, but we were leaving. I figured he was going to form the driveway while we were gone, so we left him water and some food too.
When we came back home, our trees in the yard were all pruned, hoe'd with water gullies around them and even a bit landscaped- he had raked and collected stuff- he even made sure our garbage was picked up (it was a holiday- we didn't know they'd have pick-up!). I didn't ask for any of this work, but he still did it! We can't afford a Gardener! We don't need a gardener!
I may have to lay him off...
One thing we deal with here a bit is the question of giving money to people. There aren't many people begging here- but lots of people become part of the informal work sector. They'll dust your car in the border lineup, or kids will juggle balls, or adults juggling burning things in the intersections. Or an older man playing harmonica or guitar for coins, or a kid or adult packing groceries as volunteers (not paid by store) for tips.
We were in the line for the border today (for 2 hours and 20 minutes in 31C heat) when a fella came walking by- extremly unkempt with barefeet, no shirt and ragged hair. I began to pray- "God do you want us to give to this fella? - if so, bring him by". He walked beside the row next to us for about 20 cars then came back in our row. He came right to the car ahead of us- looked right through us and then went to another row. Then he came back to the car right behind us completely missing us.
next was an older man with a harmonica. Here in Mexico there is no social security or old age pension for folks. You work till you die, or have a family member take care of you. Some folks just can't work and just don't have someone to take care of them (kids in jail, addicted, in extreme poverty, early death etc.) so they guard cars in parking lots, play guitar/ harmonicas, pack groceries and sometime even beg as a last resort. This harmonica fellow came by and we gave him about 50cents, and another older woman came by, and we gave her 50 cents too. We talked about it, we debated internally and externally, we prayed... shouydl we or shouldn't we??? in the end our total giving for the day turned out to be $1.00. We were that concerned about only a buck?
So our pryaer now is that Jesus would give us wisdom to handle each case individually and that he would direct us to those we can help, knowing that although our resources are limited, they ar enot too limited for a little generosity...
I just want to leave you with a Scripture I read today and saw something new in the context...
Luke 12:22-34
Do Not Worry
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I've preached on this passage, but missed the context of it. The last paragraph finishes off the context. Basically Jesus is saying - don't worry about your daily needs, your Heavenly Dad will take care of them if you are concerned about the things that concern Him in his world and in your own life... and- don't be cheap... give to the poor and God'll keep track of the books...
wel, thanks for sticking around this long... if anyone has any ideas what to do with Alphonse, I'd appreciate your insight!
God bless and Keep!
Until Next time,
Mike for the family...
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Back Home Now...
I was gone for a total of 17 days, and it sure is good to be home. I started missing my family right away, and noticed after a week or so that I really missed Mexico (and it wasn't just the foot of snow that did it to me!!). I really began to miss the sights, the smells and the sounds- so it is good to be home.
Shar held up well as a "single-mom" for the over 2 weeks I was gone. She got sick the last week before I came back and that added to the struggle of single parenting, but all in all they all came out of it well. Shar's Spanish improved immensly in that time as she was forced to use it to get by. She also took the opportunity to visit with some of the ladies at the school as she waited there between dropping off Elijah and Caleb (at 8:00am) and Jacob (at 9:00am). There is a lady there who is interested in learning English, so they are going to try to help each other out during that hour or so between the kids classes. I bought us each a cheap digital spanish English translator to help with the communication, hopefully that will accellerate our learning!
While I was gone Grace Children's Home hosted a number of families for a televised Billy Graham Crusade in Spanish. At the end of the weekend 20 people were interested in exploring a relationship with Jesus Christ more through a Bible Study. This seems to be the start of a core group for the church plant we will be working with!! It is exciting to see the Lord working! We are looking forward to joining Him in what He is doing!
While away I had the opportunity to share a video report in Martensville Baptist Church, our sending church. I also spoke at a youth rally in Swan River, MB as well as at the church service at Little Woody Baptist Church on that Sunday. I had some pretty good reponse with a few people interested in hearing more from us and another interested in bringing a youth group down. From there I spent a couple days at my old Bible College (Nipawin Bible Institute) representing YUGO at there missions conference. It's kind of a tough gig because you have 20+ representatives all deseperate for missionaries and there are only 45 students or so. It kinda seemed like a bear pit sometimes! I had the opportunity to give a seminar on the Monday about Short-term missions and whether or not it is worth the money we invest in them. There were about 15 out and it seemed to go well.
Travelling back was about the most eventful of the time I had on these 2 weeks away. Tuesday I drove back to saskatoon and finished last minute errands. I had to do a bit of repacking of my gigantic luggage and weigh it. It seemed to come out at 50 pounds exactly, so I took a book out to make sure it came under that limit. ( more than 50 pounds is an additional $25.00). I had trouble getting to sleep- (all excited!!) and finally dozed off at midnight- and got up at 5:15am to be at the airport for 5:45.
After checking in, waiting and then getting on the plane, we were asked to de-plane because of a light on the dash that would not go out. They rebooted the plane- which did not work- they powered it all the way off and restarted it from scratch, which didn't work,(sounds like a Windows computer...sure hope microsoft doesn't program planes... I got worried about that "blue screen of death"...("Your DC9 has registered an error and has entered an infinite loop from which it cannot escape, press CTRL-ALT-DEL and pray that it starts up again before you crash")... anyway they deplaned us and called some mechanics to come fix it from minneapolis. We rescheduled our flights and I got out the next day- and got to fly to San Diego instead which is 2 hours closer!
So I spent that day at the Sandman hotel- with no winter coat, hats or mitts, and had a small swim, lunch and chatted with shar for a good part of the afternoon. I ended up falling asleep at 5pm while watching TV only to wake up an hour later, but unable to fall asleep again till after midnight that night!
4:12am- and I was wide awake and ready to catch my 7:00am flight- showered etc. and caught the shuttle tothe airport- hoping that there was no loight on the dash.
There wasn't and off we went- did I mention that in the rebooking I got bumped up to first Class?? the only problem is that I was flying with NorthWest Airlines. The morning first class flight consits of such luxuries as free apple juice in a glass (as opposed to coach where the free apple juice comes in a plasic cup) and a banana (or muffin or granola bar, your choice...). The best part of it was the larger seat, but for those guys who actually bought the seats for an additional $300.00- I can't see the banana and extra leg room being worth it.
The 2nd flight from minneapolis to San Diego was over lunchtime and I was treated to a fruit and lettuce salad. after a few errands we came back to Mexico- I love crossing the border... the sights of Tijuana, the smells, the sounds... it felt like I was finally home...
Thanks for praying for us during this time- we appreciate it!
Anyway, we're off to church here right away, may God bless and keep you!
One more thing.. Shar's mom broke her hip last week and is in the hospital after having had surgery. We are praying about Shar going back for a week to be with her mom during this time to be a comfort and support to her- could you please pray for us in that regard, that God would give us wisdom in that decision- please also pray for Shar's mom as she is recovering in hospital and the decisions that the family may need to make about her long term needs.
THANK YOU! YOU ARE A BLESSING TO US -
until next time, mike and shar and kids
Shar held up well as a "single-mom" for the over 2 weeks I was gone. She got sick the last week before I came back and that added to the struggle of single parenting, but all in all they all came out of it well. Shar's Spanish improved immensly in that time as she was forced to use it to get by. She also took the opportunity to visit with some of the ladies at the school as she waited there between dropping off Elijah and Caleb (at 8:00am) and Jacob (at 9:00am). There is a lady there who is interested in learning English, so they are going to try to help each other out during that hour or so between the kids classes. I bought us each a cheap digital spanish English translator to help with the communication, hopefully that will accellerate our learning!
While I was gone Grace Children's Home hosted a number of families for a televised Billy Graham Crusade in Spanish. At the end of the weekend 20 people were interested in exploring a relationship with Jesus Christ more through a Bible Study. This seems to be the start of a core group for the church plant we will be working with!! It is exciting to see the Lord working! We are looking forward to joining Him in what He is doing!
While away I had the opportunity to share a video report in Martensville Baptist Church, our sending church. I also spoke at a youth rally in Swan River, MB as well as at the church service at Little Woody Baptist Church on that Sunday. I had some pretty good reponse with a few people interested in hearing more from us and another interested in bringing a youth group down. From there I spent a couple days at my old Bible College (Nipawin Bible Institute) representing YUGO at there missions conference. It's kind of a tough gig because you have 20+ representatives all deseperate for missionaries and there are only 45 students or so. It kinda seemed like a bear pit sometimes! I had the opportunity to give a seminar on the Monday about Short-term missions and whether or not it is worth the money we invest in them. There were about 15 out and it seemed to go well.
Travelling back was about the most eventful of the time I had on these 2 weeks away. Tuesday I drove back to saskatoon and finished last minute errands. I had to do a bit of repacking of my gigantic luggage and weigh it. It seemed to come out at 50 pounds exactly, so I took a book out to make sure it came under that limit. ( more than 50 pounds is an additional $25.00). I had trouble getting to sleep- (all excited!!) and finally dozed off at midnight- and got up at 5:15am to be at the airport for 5:45.
After checking in, waiting and then getting on the plane, we were asked to de-plane because of a light on the dash that would not go out. They rebooted the plane- which did not work- they powered it all the way off and restarted it from scratch, which didn't work,(sounds like a Windows computer...sure hope microsoft doesn't program planes... I got worried about that "blue screen of death"...("Your DC9 has registered an error and has entered an infinite loop from which it cannot escape, press CTRL-ALT-DEL and pray that it starts up again before you crash")... anyway they deplaned us and called some mechanics to come fix it from minneapolis. We rescheduled our flights and I got out the next day- and got to fly to San Diego instead which is 2 hours closer!
So I spent that day at the Sandman hotel- with no winter coat, hats or mitts, and had a small swim, lunch and chatted with shar for a good part of the afternoon. I ended up falling asleep at 5pm while watching TV only to wake up an hour later, but unable to fall asleep again till after midnight that night!
4:12am- and I was wide awake and ready to catch my 7:00am flight- showered etc. and caught the shuttle tothe airport- hoping that there was no loight on the dash.
There wasn't and off we went- did I mention that in the rebooking I got bumped up to first Class?? the only problem is that I was flying with NorthWest Airlines. The morning first class flight consits of such luxuries as free apple juice in a glass (as opposed to coach where the free apple juice comes in a plasic cup) and a banana (or muffin or granola bar, your choice...). The best part of it was the larger seat, but for those guys who actually bought the seats for an additional $300.00- I can't see the banana and extra leg room being worth it.
The 2nd flight from minneapolis to San Diego was over lunchtime and I was treated to a fruit and lettuce salad. after a few errands we came back to Mexico- I love crossing the border... the sights of Tijuana, the smells, the sounds... it felt like I was finally home...
Thanks for praying for us during this time- we appreciate it!
Anyway, we're off to church here right away, may God bless and keep you!
One more thing.. Shar's mom broke her hip last week and is in the hospital after having had surgery. We are praying about Shar going back for a week to be with her mom during this time to be a comfort and support to her- could you please pray for us in that regard, that God would give us wisdom in that decision- please also pray for Shar's mom as she is recovering in hospital and the decisions that the family may need to make about her long term needs.
THANK YOU! YOU ARE A BLESSING TO US -
until next time, mike and shar and kids
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Week in Review...
Well this past week was a good one, if not tiring and a bit on the cool side...
Friday night I Spoke to about 50 youth from the swan river area about missions encouraging them to consider going on a mission trip sometime. Sunday I preached in the church there and that seemed to go well, lots of folks coming afterwards to ask questions and sign up for regular updates.
Sunday Afternoon I listened to the the Roughriders get blown out of the water by the BC lions to finish off the season and keep the roughies out of the Grey Cup..again. The roads were quite icy and the trip took much longer than anticipayted to Nipawin, but I arrived, set up my YUGO Booth and listened to the speaker.
It was good to get reaquainted with former profs, some former fellow students and other folks we met while living in Nipawin. All in all a good weekend.
Now it is Wednesday morning. I slept the sleep of a person who has to get up at 5:15am to catch a flight... restless and intermittent. Wes Long drove me to the airport for at 5:30 and I checked in, got onto the plane and then got off of the plane. Turns out there were some mechanical issues with the plane I was on and it was delayed until a mechanic could fly up from minneapolis. Flight should take off at 3pm.... and arrive at 9pm -then it's a 2.5-3 hour drive back to mexico...
I am now taking a different flight from saskatoon to San Diego instead- the airline put me up in a hotel with meal vouchers. Am I ever glad I packed my swimsuit in case i got bumped off a flight!
So today I'm going to catch up on sleep, swim a bit and read. I gave my winter coat back to the people I wa sstaying with so they could store it till next time I'm up, so I will not be doing any outside activities today...
tha nks for reading!
Prayer request...
1. Shar's mom is in hospital recovering from hip surgery, it's tough on Shar to be so far away during this time- we also need to be exploring what she will need after surgery (homecare etc...)
2. My flight tomorrow- for safety and good timing...
3. Getting back into life in mexico again- shar will need a days rest (at least- 3 boys by herself for 2 weeks!!!) and we'll need to run some errands etc...
Until next time,
mike
Friday night I Spoke to about 50 youth from the swan river area about missions encouraging them to consider going on a mission trip sometime. Sunday I preached in the church there and that seemed to go well, lots of folks coming afterwards to ask questions and sign up for regular updates.
Sunday Afternoon I listened to the the Roughriders get blown out of the water by the BC lions to finish off the season and keep the roughies out of the Grey Cup..again. The roads were quite icy and the trip took much longer than anticipayted to Nipawin, but I arrived, set up my YUGO Booth and listened to the speaker.
It was good to get reaquainted with former profs, some former fellow students and other folks we met while living in Nipawin. All in all a good weekend.
Now it is Wednesday morning. I slept the sleep of a person who has to get up at 5:15am to catch a flight... restless and intermittent. Wes Long drove me to the airport for at 5:30 and I checked in, got onto the plane and then got off of the plane. Turns out there were some mechanical issues with the plane I was on and it was delayed until a mechanic could fly up from minneapolis. Flight should take off at 3pm.... and arrive at 9pm -then it's a 2.5-3 hour drive back to mexico...
I am now taking a different flight from saskatoon to San Diego instead- the airline put me up in a hotel with meal vouchers. Am I ever glad I packed my swimsuit in case i got bumped off a flight!
So today I'm going to catch up on sleep, swim a bit and read. I gave my winter coat back to the people I wa sstaying with so they could store it till next time I'm up, so I will not be doing any outside activities today...
tha nks for reading!
Prayer request...
1. Shar's mom is in hospital recovering from hip surgery, it's tough on Shar to be so far away during this time- we also need to be exploring what she will need after surgery (homecare etc...)
2. My flight tomorrow- for safety and good timing...
3. Getting back into life in mexico again- shar will need a days rest (at least- 3 boys by herself for 2 weeks!!!) and we'll need to run some errands etc...
Until next time,
mike
Friday, November 10, 2006
What is all this white stuff falling from the sky?
oh yeah... SNOW!
I had an interesting trip from saskatoon to Swan River. It started out with ice rain that day and really slick roads, but once the salt trucks came out and a little traffic too, the ice was melted and it was time to go... so after 6 hours of driving on slippery roads, i finally found the funeral home where I'd be staying. Funeral Home? you're saying.... Yup- that's where I'm staying for the 5 days I'm here in swan river, MB. It's much cheaper than a hotel- and the beds are REALLY comfortable!
I guess I'm more "Above" the funeral home in my friends apartment. It's a nice place- and the downstairs neighbours are quiet, despite the fact that it seems like they can't keep tenants for more than a few days...
Tonight I'll be speaking at a YOUTH RALLY for 40-50 kids and their leaders- please pray that God would speak to hearts and move some folks into exploring short-term missions...
Sunday I speak at the Little Woody Baptist Church. Please be praying that God might raise up partners for this ministry in Mexico...
Couple of prayer requests...
1. School-- The boys are all in a public Mexican school. For the most part it is going well, with the exception of Elijah's class. Elijah is one of 32 students and the only non-spanish speaking one. In Canada if a kid comes in needing to learn english we hire a Teachers assistant /ESL teacher and they get lessons and help. In a developing country, they don't have the resources to do it- and with an overtaxed teacher, Elijah is not exactly thriving. We're not sure what to do right now- and to make matters more stressful, Shar is dealing with it herself while i'm shovelling snow in Canada- Please pray with us in that regard.
2. Partners-
- Our support level has been good since we came down. Please continue to pray that God would raise up prayer and financial supporters so our monthly support can equal the amount needed for us to stay long term!
3. Church Planting
- This weekend the children's home in Tijuana that we will be working with on the church plant, will be hosting a Billy-Graham Crusade via TV friday- Sunday. Shar says it was a busy place getting ready last week. They have been a great witness of the love and power of Jesus as a small church and a few missionaries have been loving people to Jesus this last few years they have been there. We are praying for many to put their trust in Jesus as their saviour and fort that to be the catalyst of a church plant on the orphanage property.
Thanks for praying!!
Until next time,
Mike
I had an interesting trip from saskatoon to Swan River. It started out with ice rain that day and really slick roads, but once the salt trucks came out and a little traffic too, the ice was melted and it was time to go... so after 6 hours of driving on slippery roads, i finally found the funeral home where I'd be staying. Funeral Home? you're saying.... Yup- that's where I'm staying for the 5 days I'm here in swan river, MB. It's much cheaper than a hotel- and the beds are REALLY comfortable!
I guess I'm more "Above" the funeral home in my friends apartment. It's a nice place- and the downstairs neighbours are quiet, despite the fact that it seems like they can't keep tenants for more than a few days...
Tonight I'll be speaking at a YOUTH RALLY for 40-50 kids and their leaders- please pray that God would speak to hearts and move some folks into exploring short-term missions...
Sunday I speak at the Little Woody Baptist Church. Please be praying that God might raise up partners for this ministry in Mexico...
Couple of prayer requests...
1. School-- The boys are all in a public Mexican school. For the most part it is going well, with the exception of Elijah's class. Elijah is one of 32 students and the only non-spanish speaking one. In Canada if a kid comes in needing to learn english we hire a Teachers assistant /ESL teacher and they get lessons and help. In a developing country, they don't have the resources to do it- and with an overtaxed teacher, Elijah is not exactly thriving. We're not sure what to do right now- and to make matters more stressful, Shar is dealing with it herself while i'm shovelling snow in Canada- Please pray with us in that regard.
2. Partners-
- Our support level has been good since we came down. Please continue to pray that God would raise up prayer and financial supporters so our monthly support can equal the amount needed for us to stay long term!
3. Church Planting
- This weekend the children's home in Tijuana that we will be working with on the church plant, will be hosting a Billy-Graham Crusade via TV friday- Sunday. Shar says it was a busy place getting ready last week. They have been a great witness of the love and power of Jesus as a small church and a few missionaries have been loving people to Jesus this last few years they have been there. We are praying for many to put their trust in Jesus as their saviour and fort that to be the catalyst of a church plant on the orphanage property.
Thanks for praying!!
Until next time,
Mike
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Off to Manitoba
I've been here in Martensville for almost a week now and it's been a good time! I had the great fortune of staying with Wes and Jan Long at their "Bed and Breakfast"! It was really a blessing to get to know them better and to share their company over hearty breakfasts!
I've had the opportunity to meet with some of the folks here as well as get caught up on some business and errands that needed to be run while I was here. The weather has been chilly, but not as cold as it can get in November (about-5C each day). Sunday I shared a small video/ slide presentation at our sending church (Martensville Baptist). It was good to get reacquainted with so many of the folks there. they have been on the growth curve upwards again and there were around 140 out. Lots of young families in the area are discovering this great church- and they are doing a fantastic work in the Kingdom!
Today, after the ice rain melts, I'm off to Swan River MB. I'll be staying at an old (VERY OLD!) friends house over top of a funeral home. Irv Penner is a cremationist / funeral home chaplain training to be a funeral home director. I'm not looking forward to seeing where he works!
I have a youth rally this friday that I'm speaking at and then at church on Sunday morning- then I'm off to Nipawin Bible Institute to represent YUGO at the missions Conference there. I'm also giving a seminar on short-term missions. Please pray that I would be effective in sharing the heart of Jesus that all people in all nations have the opportunity to hear of His grace and love.
I'll be in touch, Lord willing, this week to let you know how it's going. But please keep the following dates in mind as you pray:
Tuesday Nov 7th- Travel to Swan River
Friday Nov 10th Swan Valley Youth Rally (Speaking)
Sunday Nov 12th Little woody Baptist Church (Speaking)
- Travel to Nipawin Bible Institute
Monday Nov 13th NBI Missions Conference (Seminar/ representing YUGO)
Tuesday Nov 14th Travel to Martensville
Wednesday Nov 15th- Fly to LA- drive back to Mexico.
Thursday Nov 16th- Give Sharlene day off to regain energy and sanity after daddy's been gone for 2 weeks.
Please be praying for Sharlene as well as she tackles issues at home alone. Espescially concerning our kids schooling. More details on that may be to follow!
Until next time,
Mike for the family!
I've had the opportunity to meet with some of the folks here as well as get caught up on some business and errands that needed to be run while I was here. The weather has been chilly, but not as cold as it can get in November (about-5C each day). Sunday I shared a small video/ slide presentation at our sending church (Martensville Baptist). It was good to get reacquainted with so many of the folks there. they have been on the growth curve upwards again and there were around 140 out. Lots of young families in the area are discovering this great church- and they are doing a fantastic work in the Kingdom!
Today, after the ice rain melts, I'm off to Swan River MB. I'll be staying at an old (VERY OLD!) friends house over top of a funeral home. Irv Penner is a cremationist / funeral home chaplain training to be a funeral home director. I'm not looking forward to seeing where he works!
I have a youth rally this friday that I'm speaking at and then at church on Sunday morning- then I'm off to Nipawin Bible Institute to represent YUGO at the missions Conference there. I'm also giving a seminar on short-term missions. Please pray that I would be effective in sharing the heart of Jesus that all people in all nations have the opportunity to hear of His grace and love.
I'll be in touch, Lord willing, this week to let you know how it's going. But please keep the following dates in mind as you pray:
Tuesday Nov 7th- Travel to Swan River
Friday Nov 10th Swan Valley Youth Rally (Speaking)
Sunday Nov 12th Little woody Baptist Church (Speaking)
- Travel to Nipawin Bible Institute
Monday Nov 13th NBI Missions Conference (Seminar/ representing YUGO)
Tuesday Nov 14th Travel to Martensville
Wednesday Nov 15th- Fly to LA- drive back to Mexico.
Thursday Nov 16th- Give Sharlene day off to regain energy and sanity after daddy's been gone for 2 weeks.
Please be praying for Sharlene as well as she tackles issues at home alone. Espescially concerning our kids schooling. More details on that may be to follow!
Until next time,
Mike for the family!
Monday, October 30, 2006
On my way to Canada
I'm leaving this morning for Los Angeles and will fly out Tuesday Morning for saskatoon for 2 weeks of deputation. When we came down, we came without full support promised. We were able to do it with the promise to YUGO Canada's Board that I would come back to Canada twice in our first year for speaking engagements to help raise support so we can get to full support by Next summer, otherwise we will be taken off the field.
So this is round one of that- I'd appreciate your prayers as I do some visiting, speaking and representing the mission.- Here is my Itinerary in a nutshell...
Oct 31 11:50pm Arrive in S'toon
Nov1-7 in S'toon / Martensville area. Short report to Martensville Baptist Church ( our Sending church) Nov. 5th. Visit supporters and potential supporters in Saskatchewan this week,.
Nov 8- Travel to Swan River, Manitoba.
Nov 10 swan River Valley Youth Rally. I'm speaking to a number of youth in the area (maybe 50-65+) and challenging them to consider missions.
Nov 12- Speaking at Little Woody Baptist Church, BGC church in Swan River Valley, MB
Nov 12-14 MissionsFest at Nipawin Bible Institute
Nov 15 Return to Mexico
I doubt I'll get achance to visit with everyone I'd like to, but if you'd like to hear about what's going on, see some pictures or want to consider becoming partners with us- I can be Reached on my Cell phone at:
1-780-872-4338 (Lloydminster, AB number)
Looking forward to seeing you!
NEW CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
After church last night I was invited downstairs to eat. It was just a snack-type meal (like supper usually is..) Imagine this combination, if you will..
Take Boiled Corn on the cob... Jab a stick into the bottom of it (so it looks like a lollipop). Spread ample amounts of mayonaise all over the corn. Then sprinkle shredded monterry Jack Cheese on it. Squeeze some lime over it- and add Hot chili pepper sauce if desired...
Never would I think of doing this on my own. How someone came up with this combination is a mystery to me, but let me tell you- is it ever GOOD! The hot sauce is the crowning achievement of this- it just makes the rest of it sparkle!
Give it a try sometime!
Gotta go get ready to fly,
Blessings until next time,
Mike
So this is round one of that- I'd appreciate your prayers as I do some visiting, speaking and representing the mission.- Here is my Itinerary in a nutshell...
Oct 31 11:50pm Arrive in S'toon
Nov1-7 in S'toon / Martensville area. Short report to Martensville Baptist Church ( our Sending church) Nov. 5th. Visit supporters and potential supporters in Saskatchewan this week,.
Nov 8- Travel to Swan River, Manitoba.
Nov 10 swan River Valley Youth Rally. I'm speaking to a number of youth in the area (maybe 50-65+) and challenging them to consider missions.
Nov 12- Speaking at Little Woody Baptist Church, BGC church in Swan River Valley, MB
Nov 12-14 MissionsFest at Nipawin Bible Institute
Nov 15 Return to Mexico
I doubt I'll get achance to visit with everyone I'd like to, but if you'd like to hear about what's going on, see some pictures or want to consider becoming partners with us- I can be Reached on my Cell phone at:
1-780-872-4338 (Lloydminster, AB number)
Looking forward to seeing you!
NEW CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
After church last night I was invited downstairs to eat. It was just a snack-type meal (like supper usually is..) Imagine this combination, if you will..
Take Boiled Corn on the cob... Jab a stick into the bottom of it (so it looks like a lollipop). Spread ample amounts of mayonaise all over the corn. Then sprinkle shredded monterry Jack Cheese on it. Squeeze some lime over it- and add Hot chili pepper sauce if desired...
Never would I think of doing this on my own. How someone came up with this combination is a mystery to me, but let me tell you- is it ever GOOD! The hot sauce is the crowning achievement of this- it just makes the rest of it sparkle!
Give it a try sometime!
Gotta go get ready to fly,
Blessings until next time,
Mike
Friday, October 27, 2006
Pictures of Rosarito
It's hard to get a feel for this one, but this is a house in the landfill community. All around the Tijuana Landfill a community has sprung up. A lot of the people who live here make their living by collecting things for recycling at the city dump. The folks have built homes, largely out of recycled material, in the area surrounding the landfill. During Christmas, YUGO brings christmas shoeboxes to the children here.
This is a picthure of the graveyard around the dump. A lot of the sites are encased in concrete to avoid getting washed away in the rainy season. There were quite a number of crosses that had been washed out and were now down or almost on the ground. A large amount of the graves are small, like they were for kids.
This is another one of the homes in the dump community.
Here are som pics of places we see regularly in Rosarito. It is a touristy area, mostly locals from Southern California coming to do stupid things in a foreign country. So it is has that aspect to it as wel as the area of business for the local residents as well.This is in a plaza area. Michoacana is a state in S. Mexico apparantly famous for helados- cold snacks. These shops will sell ice cream, juice (rice juice, tamarind juice amonth others) and a frozen popsicle unlik eany other you've ever had. Literally frozen fruit on a stick. mmmmmm...
This is our favourite Tamale Shop in the same plaza as the Michoacan place. A Tamale is a dish made with masa dough (kinda like corn flour dough) stuffed with either pineapples, beef and chile peppers, chicken, potatoe and salsa, pork and chile peppers or beef and cheese.Very good, very filling. Usually about $1.30 a piece and one is usually enough. Sometimes we'll split a pineapple too.
This is a typical street scene in DowntownRosarito. This in particular is a pharmacy. There are dozens here catering to Americans. It is much cheaper than the US and a prescription is not necessary.
This is just a Bathroom sign in the plaza. It is free but it costs 3 pesos (30 cents) for a few pieces of toilet paper and a paper towel.
This is a picture of an abbarrotes (corner store) and a taco stand. The rule of thumb here for eating out is, if it has plumbing, it's probably ok. If No plumbing? Where do they wash their hands? Avoid places without a visible sink.This is another pic of a food stand- "Mariscos" is seafood. So you'll likely get fish tacos (like fish and chip breaded fish in a taco with cabbage, salsa, mayo-type sauce and lime) Marlin tacos or shrimp tacos.
This is a key-cutting stand. these are all over the place. You can get a key cut for a buck. Some have emergency locksmithing too- 24 hours a day.
This is the "Market on Wheels" . There are 4 of these within a 10 minute drive of us. They are open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Basically a place to by used things, new things, basic groceries, meat, fish, tacos ,pizza, churros, tacos, pigs head, deep fried pig skin (chicharron). Mostly it seems to be a place to gather together and do business, visit, eat and enjoy. The pictures don't do it justice, you need to see, smell and hear the place to get the full effect!
This is a flower vendor in the market. You can get pretty inexpensive plants here for your house or garden.
We see this sight regularly. It is the "road" into Lomas san Antonio- the colonia where the church is we are working with. It is a fairly poor place, though there is evidence of lots of contruction going on as people add on to their houses bit by bit as they have money.
And this is the newest member of the family. For security issues, it's pretty important to have a dog here. This guy picked us to be his pack before we left the old house and seems to fit in well here, despite his incessant flea infestation. Here he is chewing on part of a seatbelt he found near our landlord broken down car which lives with us in our yard.
This is the boys favourite tree in our yard. I'm not sure if you will be able to see it, but it looks like it is several trunks interwoven with each other.cool.
Here are those boys, gathering aorund their favourite cactus. It has no thorns, unlike most everything else around here.Thanks for sticking around this long!!
Until Next time,
Mike, Shar and boys
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Weehoo- Phone service and Internet!!
After about 10 Days of silence, we are back connected to the world Wide Web and the land of telephone service.
We've moved into our new Casa. It comes complete with a covered "porch" area for Carne Asada's (BBQ Tacos). It has some cacti and palm trees lining the property and even a mandarine tree in the yard. We have 3 bedrooms, kitchen, living room and dining room and it 2.5 times bigger than our last place. It has a large fenced lot, complete with it's own broken down car, fridge and stove!
It does however some with some drawbacks...
In the week we've been here we've seen no large colonies of ants,
And No Huge Hairy Spiders!!
But other than that, it's great!
The boys have lots of room to play in our yard and the empty lot next door and enjoy hunting for lizards and playing with our new dog " Moose".
Before we moved, Shar took a week of Spanish lessons in Ensenada.
She came back with a newfound confidence and the tools necessary to begin learning the language in earnest. Now she spends about an hour or more each day on the computer learning off of a spanish CD we have. She takes lessons once a week with a lady from our church and has started to attend a Spanish Bible Study. She is looking forward to understanding and Speaking more Spanish!!(Shar's Homestay Family in Language school in Ensenada)
The boys are all in school now. Elijah and Caleb are both in the grade 1 class because the teacher speaks English. They will stay there for a while until they understand Spanish well enough to learn in their own classes. They go from 8:00-12:15 each day and we'll do some homeschooling- espescialy in English in the afternoons. Jacob has been in Kindergarten for about 3 weeks now, but still doesn't seem to have much of a grasp of Spanish- at least to speak it. But he doesn't seem to mind! He is blissful despite his inability to understand or make himself understood! He does have a cute song he really likes- and seems to pronounce things well, although he tells me he has absolutely no idea what it means...
As for me, I'm learning vocabulary from our CD's and going out and about during the day trying to use it as much as possible. I'll be going to Saskatchewan and Manitoba from October 31st until November 15th. During that time I'll be in Martensville / Saskatoon area from Nov 1-7. I'll be doing a short report at Martensville Baptist Church (Nov 5th) and would love to be invited out to people's homes (espescially for meals!!) that week to share a bit more about what's been happening with us here.
Here are a few more pics of stuff around here. I was talking to Irv Penner tonight and his wife, Mari, said that she wanted to see a few more pics of what it looks liek aorund hear, some street pics etc. so I toook a few before dark, and a have a few others I'll share here and will have some more soon!
Thanks for caring!!
Mike and Shar McDonald.
PS- I get snickers everytime I say my last name to someone here and they understand it... "McDonald?" they say "ahhhh Hamburgesa!! - hee hee hee".
This is "La Bufadora" . Just outside of Ensenada, it's basically a water cave with a hole in the top. As water comes in and fills the cave, it eventually spouts out the top in a "poof". It is supposed to be more impressive at high tide, which we weren't therre for... but it was a beautiful drive and I'm glad we were already in ensenada and didn't take a special trip for it. It was cool, but not drive for 1 1/2 hours and pay high tolls both ways cool.
Now this stuff was kinda cool. This was a shop in the plethora of tacky tourist shops lining the street up to La Bufadora. This one was cool cuz of the shark jaws and puffer fish and stuff like that...by the way, if you are a bit sqeamish, you might want to quickly scroll past the next pic...
These are real, dried Mako Shark heads. They put glass eyes in them, but the rest is real..
kinda gruesome up close, but still pretty cool.
This is just a typical street scene in our area. very coulourful signs painted right on the buildings- very typical of the area where we live.This is a typical poorer neighbourhood in Our area. The church we are going to now is in this neighbourhood, about 10 minutes form our house and down the hill from YUGO's Outreach property. the community is called "Lomas de San Antonio"- or Hills of Saint Anthony.
This is the neighbouring lot next to our house. It's kinda filled with garbage and this old truck, which I'm sure would sell for cheap if you're interested.
This is us at our old apartment, just after moving in. I'll have some pics of our new place soon, along with our dog "Moose" and some other pics interesting sites , the school and whatever else I can find!!Blessings!
Mike and Shar and kids!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Some Cultural Differences We've Noticed...
It stands to reason that goint to live in a new culture, in a new country that there will be a few things done differently here than at home. Here are a few of the things we've noticed and are learning to appreiciate.
1. Everything Starts at 7AM
- Yeah, just about everything! The major grocery stores are open from 7am-11pm at night. Some smaller stores aren't open that early, but even this morning (and this is not unusual) we heard the car repair guy with his bullhorn coming by at 7am. The buzz of the day begins at 7am
2. Door to Door Delivery of Stuff is Big Business.
-In the morning it can be the car repair guy with his bullhorn shouting out "Radiators, electrical, auto repair, batteries etc. etc." Apparantly if your car has stopped working, he'll come by and fix it at your house. so all you do is go out when he comes by and flag him down.
- Sometimes it's the propane guy with his catchy song playing. i can't sing it or even hum it here, but when you hear it- anytime from 7am till 7pm, you can get a new, full propane tank for your hot-water and stove. Some other propane companies just honk , one truck has a siren he wails as he goes around the neighbourhood
- The Tamale guy comes around at about 7-9am and then again at 7-8pm. apparantly people liek tamales for breakfast and late suppers! He has a bullhorn that announces the different kinds of tamales he's selling today- "Beef and pepper, chicken, pineapple, pork." There are 2 of these guys in our neihgbourhood.
- Seems liek everyone's favourite is the "Pan Dulce" guy. He comes around in the evenings and sells sweet breads to be eaten as a snack. Danish-like pastries, donuts, empanadas. They sell from about 20 cents to 45 cents each depending on the size and if they are filled.
- Finally it's the Helados truck/ cart. Ice cream and these fruit pops that are popular here. These fruit pops are pure frozen fruit- sometimes with cream or coco milk too. The watermelon one, even has seeds in it! Not like our imitation juice popsicles at all.
3. Driving Rules
- At first glance, it seems there are none here. But there are- they are just different then Canada. For instance, a 4 way stop. (There are tons of these!) You can make a U-Turn here- and it is expected that one will. People Rarely come to complete stops. Just enough to see who goes next and whether it's your turn, but in order to facilitate the efficient running of the system, you need to creep your way into the intersection, even if the guy coming the other way is turning nin front of you- you go slowly anyway and then clear the intersection when you get the chance. At streetlights- the greenlight blinks first to let you know that it's about to change yellow- then very quickly it becomes red. A yellow light shoudl be treated as red- cuz chances are good someone else is jumping the green!
- Some roads are very obviously 4 lanes, but at some places, that can expand to 5, 6 or even 8 lanes, depending on the presence of pedestrians, the amount of traffic and whether or not it seems safe to do that! Shoulders are sometimes for parking, sometimes for walking, sometimes for driving, sometimes for selling stuff- sometimes all 4 at once!
- In the USA (souther California anyway) people seem to be in a hurry and courtesy is rare. Here in Mexico, they drive "Crazy (to us) but it's a courteous crazy- if you inch into the lane of the next guy and cut him off- he doesn't give you the "Trudeau wave", he jams on the brakes, lets you in and then rides your tail so that noone else gets in in front of him. Sometimes with a wave of a hand you can change 3 or 4 lanes at once with the permission of the other drivers!
4. Even though everyhting starts at 7am- it goes late too!
- the busiest time for grocery shopping seems to be from 8pm-10pm. Not only is there alot of shopping going on, but the taco stands, the corner stores and the streets in general are filled with people, the smells of BBQ meat, the sounds of music. It slows down after 10pm- then revs up again at 7...
5. Mexicans are the some of the hardest workign people I know.
- We tend to have a preconception in Canada of the "lazy Mexican"- sitting under the cactus having a siesta. While some still do have a siesta between 3-5 or so- its cuz they were up at 5 or 6 am and they'll work till 10 or 11pm. Some have regular jobs during the day then open a taco stand out of their homes at night. Owners of places work all day and night 6-7 days a week. People without "jobs" will sell, buy, dig, do almost anythign to make some money for the day. Exceptionally hard working folks, resourceful and ingenius.
6.It's a day to day culture.
- in Canada (esp. the prairies) we have learned to store away in times of plenty for times of need. I.E. Plant a garden for the 3 weeks without frost and 22 hours of sunlight and then can, freeze, sell, trade your zucchinis till you seem to have enough to do you as long as you can. Modernly it looks like shopping at the superstore or costco and having enough in the house so that if you can't get out for some reason, (lose the electric garage door opener) you can still survive for a week to a month.
- In Mexico, where you rarely have enough money to buy 2 weeks worth of groceries, people buy for a couple days at a time- so the grocery store is always full with people having only a few items in ther carts. there are several "10 items or less" lanes in some places. So our house has virtually no cupboards. Nowhere for us to store our 2 weeks worth of groceries. So we shop almost daily!
- What''s needed for today takes precedence over what's needed for the long term. I heard of a story where some people were looking for a stick to whack their pinata with. After much searching, the missionary came back with a broom he had found in the church. Much to the delight of the people, they took the broom, busted it, and used it as the stick. The missionary was shocked. Why not just use it as it was? We wasted a broom! Today's need takes precedence over tomorrows.
7. Fate determines my life...
- This one is a tough one to swallow sometimes. In Canada our culture tells us that we have control over our circumstances. We buckle our seatbelts, because that saves lives- We have governments inspect our playgrounds and give us new lifesaving gudelines (which change every 5 years- when we realize that a child got hurt under the old guidelines), we regulate everyhting with the hope of controling our destiny. We deny death, we ignore the ill and the aged, in hope that we can avoid both for us. We also tell ourselves that we can be anythign we want to be- anyone can be the prime minister (despite the fact that very few of our modern prime ministers come from the middle or working class). We expect the government to prevent hurricanes and ice storms and are raged when they cannot fix massive diasters by Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. in Short, we beleive that, with few exceptions, we have control over our lives.
- In some developing world cutures, they beoleive that the heavens determine our lives paths. In other words, poor people will always be poor, so why get educated when you can help put food on the table. Why wear seatbelts? If it's your time to die, it's your time! Safety is not number one. People don't expect to live forever, they don't expect to get out of their circumstances. If God is in control, what can I do?
8. There is an openness to talking about God and a desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, rather than follow a religion.
- not everyone, of course, but there seem to be lots of peole who are no longer willing to settle for religion. They want Jesus. They want to know Him, to follow Him and to be loved by Him.
It's an interesting time to be a missionary here. Thanks for partnering with us so we can be here.
Please pray for us espescially in relation to language learning and acculturation. These things mentioned above which can be interesting and even admirable, can become an irritant too during the different phases of culture shock. Pray that we won't do or say anything that would hinder our ability to serve the people here with the Good News of Jesus- espescially while in the culture shock phases!
thank you and Bless You!
Dios la Bendiga,
Until Next time,
Mcdonald family
1. Everything Starts at 7AM
- Yeah, just about everything! The major grocery stores are open from 7am-11pm at night. Some smaller stores aren't open that early, but even this morning (and this is not unusual) we heard the car repair guy with his bullhorn coming by at 7am. The buzz of the day begins at 7am
2. Door to Door Delivery of Stuff is Big Business.
-In the morning it can be the car repair guy with his bullhorn shouting out "Radiators, electrical, auto repair, batteries etc. etc." Apparantly if your car has stopped working, he'll come by and fix it at your house. so all you do is go out when he comes by and flag him down.
- Sometimes it's the propane guy with his catchy song playing. i can't sing it or even hum it here, but when you hear it- anytime from 7am till 7pm, you can get a new, full propane tank for your hot-water and stove. Some other propane companies just honk , one truck has a siren he wails as he goes around the neighbourhood
- The Tamale guy comes around at about 7-9am and then again at 7-8pm. apparantly people liek tamales for breakfast and late suppers! He has a bullhorn that announces the different kinds of tamales he's selling today- "Beef and pepper, chicken, pineapple, pork." There are 2 of these guys in our neihgbourhood.
- Seems liek everyone's favourite is the "Pan Dulce" guy. He comes around in the evenings and sells sweet breads to be eaten as a snack. Danish-like pastries, donuts, empanadas. They sell from about 20 cents to 45 cents each depending on the size and if they are filled.
- Finally it's the Helados truck/ cart. Ice cream and these fruit pops that are popular here. These fruit pops are pure frozen fruit- sometimes with cream or coco milk too. The watermelon one, even has seeds in it! Not like our imitation juice popsicles at all.
3. Driving Rules
- At first glance, it seems there are none here. But there are- they are just different then Canada. For instance, a 4 way stop. (There are tons of these!) You can make a U-Turn here- and it is expected that one will. People Rarely come to complete stops. Just enough to see who goes next and whether it's your turn, but in order to facilitate the efficient running of the system, you need to creep your way into the intersection, even if the guy coming the other way is turning nin front of you- you go slowly anyway and then clear the intersection when you get the chance. At streetlights- the greenlight blinks first to let you know that it's about to change yellow- then very quickly it becomes red. A yellow light shoudl be treated as red- cuz chances are good someone else is jumping the green!
- Some roads are very obviously 4 lanes, but at some places, that can expand to 5, 6 or even 8 lanes, depending on the presence of pedestrians, the amount of traffic and whether or not it seems safe to do that! Shoulders are sometimes for parking, sometimes for walking, sometimes for driving, sometimes for selling stuff- sometimes all 4 at once!
- In the USA (souther California anyway) people seem to be in a hurry and courtesy is rare. Here in Mexico, they drive "Crazy (to us) but it's a courteous crazy- if you inch into the lane of the next guy and cut him off- he doesn't give you the "Trudeau wave", he jams on the brakes, lets you in and then rides your tail so that noone else gets in in front of him. Sometimes with a wave of a hand you can change 3 or 4 lanes at once with the permission of the other drivers!
4. Even though everyhting starts at 7am- it goes late too!
- the busiest time for grocery shopping seems to be from 8pm-10pm. Not only is there alot of shopping going on, but the taco stands, the corner stores and the streets in general are filled with people, the smells of BBQ meat, the sounds of music. It slows down after 10pm- then revs up again at 7...
5. Mexicans are the some of the hardest workign people I know.
- We tend to have a preconception in Canada of the "lazy Mexican"- sitting under the cactus having a siesta. While some still do have a siesta between 3-5 or so- its cuz they were up at 5 or 6 am and they'll work till 10 or 11pm. Some have regular jobs during the day then open a taco stand out of their homes at night. Owners of places work all day and night 6-7 days a week. People without "jobs" will sell, buy, dig, do almost anythign to make some money for the day. Exceptionally hard working folks, resourceful and ingenius.
6.It's a day to day culture.
- in Canada (esp. the prairies) we have learned to store away in times of plenty for times of need. I.E. Plant a garden for the 3 weeks without frost and 22 hours of sunlight and then can, freeze, sell, trade your zucchinis till you seem to have enough to do you as long as you can. Modernly it looks like shopping at the superstore or costco and having enough in the house so that if you can't get out for some reason, (lose the electric garage door opener) you can still survive for a week to a month.
- In Mexico, where you rarely have enough money to buy 2 weeks worth of groceries, people buy for a couple days at a time- so the grocery store is always full with people having only a few items in ther carts. there are several "10 items or less" lanes in some places. So our house has virtually no cupboards. Nowhere for us to store our 2 weeks worth of groceries. So we shop almost daily!
- What''s needed for today takes precedence over what's needed for the long term. I heard of a story where some people were looking for a stick to whack their pinata with. After much searching, the missionary came back with a broom he had found in the church. Much to the delight of the people, they took the broom, busted it, and used it as the stick. The missionary was shocked. Why not just use it as it was? We wasted a broom! Today's need takes precedence over tomorrows.
7. Fate determines my life...
- This one is a tough one to swallow sometimes. In Canada our culture tells us that we have control over our circumstances. We buckle our seatbelts, because that saves lives- We have governments inspect our playgrounds and give us new lifesaving gudelines (which change every 5 years- when we realize that a child got hurt under the old guidelines), we regulate everyhting with the hope of controling our destiny. We deny death, we ignore the ill and the aged, in hope that we can avoid both for us. We also tell ourselves that we can be anythign we want to be- anyone can be the prime minister (despite the fact that very few of our modern prime ministers come from the middle or working class). We expect the government to prevent hurricanes and ice storms and are raged when they cannot fix massive diasters by Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. in Short, we beleive that, with few exceptions, we have control over our lives.
- In some developing world cutures, they beoleive that the heavens determine our lives paths. In other words, poor people will always be poor, so why get educated when you can help put food on the table. Why wear seatbelts? If it's your time to die, it's your time! Safety is not number one. People don't expect to live forever, they don't expect to get out of their circumstances. If God is in control, what can I do?
8. There is an openness to talking about God and a desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, rather than follow a religion.
- not everyone, of course, but there seem to be lots of peole who are no longer willing to settle for religion. They want Jesus. They want to know Him, to follow Him and to be loved by Him.
It's an interesting time to be a missionary here. Thanks for partnering with us so we can be here.
Please pray for us espescially in relation to language learning and acculturation. These things mentioned above which can be interesting and even admirable, can become an irritant too during the different phases of culture shock. Pray that we won't do or say anything that would hinder our ability to serve the people here with the Good News of Jesus- espescially while in the culture shock phases!
thank you and Bless You!
Dios la Bendiga,
Until Next time,
Mcdonald family
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