loved

let's try this again, i was almost done, and some how i deleted it.

tonight at church it was really good.  our Pastor had back surgery on Thursday so was unable to preach tonight, so we opted for something a little different.  Testimonies, it's always great to hear people's testimonies especially in our church. our church has 4 recovery programs, men's, women's, youth boys, and youth girls.  we see God work in such amazing ways every single day, so the Men of the House were encouraged to get up and say a word, which was nice, normally the ladies take over the stage!  lol... 

anyway, it seemed that something kept coming up today and it was Psalms 139.  this Psalm has very special meaning to me.  a lot of the time i tend to doubt God's love for me.  as Ms. Audrey would say, i think that God got me out of the nickle bin at Dollar General.  so i think that God just tolerates me, not really love me.  but reading this Psalm, making it personal helps a lot.  while i was in Oaxaca a lady saw this in me.  i don't remember her name, or if she even gave me her name, but she knew that i had a hard time with this.  one night after a service in Oaxaca she came and told me "you are special, God loves you very very much and so do i.  i want you to read Psalms 139 and later we will talk about it."  i went to the hotel room and read it, however time did not allow us to get together so she could tell me all the things she wanted to tell me, but the memory lives on in my heart.  i'm going to type out this Psalm, and i know that many of us could quote parts of it, and it so familiar, but i would like for you to read it slow, maybe out loud, and put yourself in it.  make it personal.  think that all the "me's" and "i's" are really talking about you, think that God had David write this just so you would know that you are loved.  and after reading Psalms 139, there are lyrics to a Rich Mullins song called "nothing is beyond You."  if you have never had the privilege of hearing Rich Mullins i'll tell you just a couple of quick things.  he wrote the song "our God is an awesome God", he played the hammered dulcimer, he had a passion for life, and for Jesus and it shows through his music, he died in a Jeep accident in 1997, i cried that day, anyway, you should either 1) buy one of his c.d's or 2) download some of his music from itunes, it's really amazing.  so without any further adue, here is Psalms 139 out of the HCSB:

Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when i sit and when i stand up;

You understand my thoughts from far away.

You observe my travels and my rest;

You are aware of all my ways.

before a word is on my tongue, 

You know all about it, Lord.

You have encircled me;

You have placed Your hand on me.

this extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.

it is lofty; i am unable to reach it.

where can i go to escape Your Spirit?

Where can i flee from Your presence?

if i go up to heaven, You are there;

if i make my bed in Sheol, You are there.

if i live at the eastern horizon

or settle at the western limits,

even there Your hand will lead me;

Your right hand will hold on to me.

if i say "surely the darkness will hide me,

and the light around me will become night"-

even the darkness is not dark to You.

the night shines like the day;

darkness and light are alike to You.

for it was You who created my inward parts;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

i will praise You,

because i have been remarkably and wonderfully made.

Your works are wonderful,

and i know this very well.

my bones were not hidden from You

when i was made in secret,

when i was formed in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw me when i was formless;

all my days were written in Your book and planned

before a single one of them began.

God, how difficult Your thoughts are

for me to comprehend;

how vat their sum is!

if i counted them, 

they would outnumber the grains of sand;

when i wake up, i am still with You.

God, if only You would kill the wicked-

you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me-

who invoke You deceitfully.

Your enemies swear by You falsely.

Lord, don't i hate those who hate you, 

and detest those who rebel against You?

i consider them my enemies.

search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my concerns.

see if there is any offensive way in me;

lead me in the everlasting way.

now for the lyrics:

Where could I go, where could I run
Even if I found the strength to fly
And if I rose on the wings of the dawn
And crashed through the corner of the sky
If I sailed past the edge of the sea
Even if I made my bed in Hell
Still there You would find me
'Cause nothing is beyond You
You stand beyond the reach
Of our vain imaginations
Our misguided piety
The heavens stretch to hold You
And deep cries out to deep
Singing that nothing is beyond You
Nothing is beyond You
Time cannot contain You
You fill eternity
Sin can never stain You
Death has lost its sting
And I cannot explain the way You came to love me
Except to say that nothing is beyond You
Nothing is beyond You
If I should shrink back from the light
So I can sink into the dark
If I take cover and I close my eyes
Even then You would see my heart
And You'd cut through all my pain and rage
The darkness is not dark to You
And night's as bright as day
Nothing is beyond You
You stand beyond the reach
Of our vain imaginations
Our misguided piety
The heavens stretch to hold You
And deep cries out to deep
Singing that nothing is beyond You
Nothing is beyond You
And time cannot contain You
You fill eternity
Sin can never stain You
And death has lost its sting
And I cannot explain the way You came to love me
Except to say that nothing is beyond You
Nothing is beyond You
Nothing is beyond You

now that it's all said and done, i'm glad i lost the first one, this one came out better! :)

oh so American

this is more on a serious note than the last couple I've done. 

so i started teaching class again.  it's on the Sermon on the Mount, and i started it last summer, but i haven't taught since October, so i thought i would just start over b/c most of the ladies have not even been in one of my classes.  so we started the journey on the beatitudes last week, well, the introduction.  and today we talked about "Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven."  we ended up talking quite a bit about Oaxaca and about seeing poor beggars, and we talked about indigenous people groups.  the ladies tonight could not fathom not having an economic system, no written language and not being able to read and not having currency and such as that, and not even knowing about it.  

so i told them the story about meeting a man from Wycliffe Bible Translators and how it amazes me.  it takes 15 years to see any fruit of the work, and the problem that they are having now is that no one wants to learn how to read.  they weren't amazed at that part, just at not having a written language.  i had to get back to teaching, but we talked more about it after class and trying to figure  out how they did it.  i still don't know.  i told them if it were up to me,  i would give them the American alphabet and make it easier on everyone.  after i said it i found out once again how Western i am, and how i think everything should be like America.  oh, i have so much to learn.  anyway, i told them i had no idea what so ever how things like this worked. i told them that i thought that they would try to figure out what language it is closest to and to write it like that.  then i told them that it's not about translating words, but ideas.  just like you would translate an idea to a 3 year old so they could understand but you would word it differently to someone who is 30.  we really  got into this conversation.  then i told them that they would have no idea who Jesus was, or what He did, or what the cross meant, or who God was.  the ladies were floored (i knew reading those missionary books would pay off some day!) i told them that God is so cool that He has these stories, or myths, or something to that effect that helps to translate the story of Christ so that there is a way to relate, but it may take years and years to find out.  like i said, i know next to nothing about it, but it does boggle my mind to think about these things.

well, that's it for the deep stuff.  i am no allowed to get any financial aid, i think it's b/c i "make to much" and I'm only going to take 1 class, but I'm sure it'll work out.  and for those of you that read, but aren't "following"  me, you can click on the "follow me button" so i can see who is keeping tabs of me.  also, i think it will send you an e-mail when i post something new.

thanks for reading.

Oaxaca

here are my pics from Oaxaca if you are interested.

public speaking

Hello all my fans (Esther and Shawn...)  just thought i would share with you what happened tonight.  Tina and i got asked to speak at church tonight about our trip to Oaxaca.  actually, on Monday we had to go for a video interview thing which turned out to take a long time b/c Tina wanted to say exactly the right thing, so it took like an hour and a half or so.  but anyway, we didn't really have much time to talk about what we were going to talk about tonight.  i'm more of an imprompto person anyway, to much time to plan gets me all stressed out.  anyway, before church we prayed. several people asked me if i was ready, i told them i didn't have much of a choice, i had to be.  so we watched the movie that the wonderful camera man put together, and then i spoke.  the ladies were giving me a hard time before church b/c i like to talk alot and can ramble on quiet a bit, espically about my experinces in Oaxaca.  anyway, it went really really good.  and it fit right in with what Tina had said.  afterwords, Kathy, a lady who is a wonderful speaker and a published author, told me i was elequent.  wow!  i took that as a huge complement.  anyway, it was fun and not so bad once i got up there.  just thought i would let ya'll know how well my "first public speaking engagement" went.  did i mention there were about 400 people?  i'm going to try to upload a pic or 2 of Oaxaca

me again

well, i guess it's time i write something.  i'm sitting at my "new" desk with a fresh coat of Old English on it.  it's great, i love this desk.  my dad gave it to me.  it's big and roomy, and i suppose when i take my whopping one class at Liberty online, i'm going to need it :)  not much has gone on i guess.  well, it's been busy, but nothing to note worthy.  

Tina and i went and did a video testimonial this afternoon for something on the web.  that was interesting.  it took a little while.  we are going to share in church on Wed. evening, talk about nerve wracking.  i thought devotions with the kids were bad....hmmmm.

well, honestly not to much else.  saw my mom and my bro today that was nice.

i'm really boring tonight, but i am going to try to post a video or something to see if i'm "techy" enough to figure out the video button on this thing..... here we go

this is a video that i made out of pics that i had of him.  it was quiet fun, but very time consuming.  soon i will make one of Oaxaca and i'll post it.  enjoy watching.

 

and Mary hid these things in her heart

I am actually home now, on Friday night i had my last thoughts all typed out and went to publish them, but something happened and they didn't get published. maybe it was God.

God did so many great things in my heart. but, i can't really tell you what they were. they were/are very intimate things. things I'm not sure i want to tell everyone about, but they are wonderful. it really made me think of the verse that says, "And Mary hid these things in her heart." something to be cherished. those few days in Oaxaca are very much worth cherishing. i will forever and always hold them very dear. God taught me that despite language barriers, He can speak through people. and He calls and confirms all the time. you don't have to be in a special place doing a special thing. just seeking Him and He will speak. i think the thing that amazes me the most was how much i could love a people that i didn't even understand. i mean i really loved them. i was so sad to leave, i wasn't ready to leave yet, but it was time. God orchestrated so many wonderful things. i am forever changed.

the flights were great. God was with us the whole way, it took maybe 45 min to get through customs, and we flew through them. all of our luggage was always off of the carousel every time we had to go get it. when we got to KCI the shuttle was already there for someone else, so we didn't have to wait at all. the guy that drove packed all our luggage for us both into the shuttle and into my car. it was such a sigh of relief. come to find out he is a pastor at a non-denominational church there in KC and he just shuttles to help make ends meet a little bit more. he was so very nice. then when it came time to leave i was a little concerned that i wouldn't be able to find my way home. so i went in and the hotel staff printed me off a whole other set of directions and and gave me an easier way to Liberty. God was all over the place. the Hotel place people even said "if you get lost, just give us a call and Joe will be more than happy to help you." i cannot express how much i really appreciated it, and it was so God from step one to the last step. God showed me how faithful He really is.

Today Tina was sick. we think that she had what i had. yuck! i came back to work. the ladies were so nice to cover for me so i could sleep in. last night when i got home i just walked around my room for 20 min trying to remember where things were, and why i had so much stuff! I'm really disorientated today. i tried explaining to Ms. Audrey and Ms. Jan that while i was there if i wanted to be able to comprehend what was going on i had to push everything from here to the side. i wanted to take it all in. there was no way that i would have survived if i didn't. Ashlee leaves for vacation tomorrow so I'd better get this show on the road.

oh, i forgot to mention, Sister Rositta gave me a job offer for one year in Oaxaca, to come and teach at their school, and they would give me a place to stay and pay me for working, and this other lady that lives on the beach said the same. my new friend from Indiana told me that i could come and live with her on the beach b/c she has a big house and an extra bed.

well, all my stuff laying all over my bedroom floor is begging for attention, so I'd better pick it up.

until next time....

you wouldn't believe it

there is no way on earth that words could ever describe yesterday. there just simply isn't, but i will do my best to describe it. it was total chaos. safe, but total chaos.

yesterday morning we had to switch hotel rooms. we were both sad about it. both the room, the atmosphere and the people in the other hotel were all so wonderful. don't get me wrong, this hotel is very nice, but it lacks the character of the other one :( this one has a swimming pool, a softer bed and an amazing view. right now the leaders are in a breakfast meeting. i did eat, but i wouldn't be able to understand anything that is being said, so Tina told me that they would understand and wouldn't want me to feel uncomfortable. so many people are so sad that i don't speak Spanish. i mean like really sad. not like it's an inconvince like we would in the States, but "i really wanted to be able to talk to you and find out about you" sad. people trip over eachother to make sure that everything is fine. when they found out i was sick they all make sure they ask me how i'm doing, every time they see me. to be diplomatic Tina had to tell them why she couldn't come and visit. okay, enough about that. for this mad house crazy story from yesterday.

Tina talked to the lady at the front desk of our old hotel to see if we could get 2 taxis across town. we would have to ride seperatly b/c we had so much luggage. how much you ask? 4 large suitecases, 2 small ones (carry ons), 1 backpack, 1 purse, 1 briefcase, and 1 laptop case. so, that's a lot, oh yeah, they were full too. so we had to get them loaded up into the taxi. at first the taxi cab drivers weren't to excited, but once he found out that Tina had lived here for a long time he didn't mind. so we were on another exciting taxi cab ride across town. we forgot that the parade started early. something for something political. the taxi cab drivers wanted to drop us off as close to the hotel that they could b/c they couldn't get us right up front b/c of the parade. so they thought they could get us about 1 block from it, well, the police lady had another idea. so the taxi cab driver tried and tried to talk to her, she was sticking to her guns (per sey), that meant all of our luggage had to be CARRIED 3 blocks. and it was down hill, and we couldn't find anyone to help us. we got it about 1/2 way and Tina told me to wait where i was and she was going to go get a bell boy. i must admit, i was a little scared. i knew there was a police woman up the street, Tina told me even though she was being ugly and wouldn't help us get down the street, that she would still protect me if i needed it. there was this guy with a stocking cap and sunglasses on (now remember, it's "cold" here), he didn't really do anything, but i really think that God sent him to make me feel safe. and it did make me feel so much safe. then this lady that i saw Tina talking to came down the sidewalk and talked to me in English. ohhhh how i needed that. you would not believe how exhausting it is trying to understand people you know that you can't understand. it's nuts! she came and told me about the sports parade, and that it was a long parade and told me what it was for. she also said "to bad you aren't staying at my house, you just passed it, i did ask my husband if we were expecting company." then she stood at the door and waited for Tina and the bell boy. i was so happy to see them coming! so we got here to the hotel and got checked in, and then we had to take all of the luggage up 4 small flight of stairs. talk about gruling. i will never complain about taking a new lady's things up the stairs again!!!!!!! with the alitutide it is very difficult to breath at times, but we made it with all of our suitecases. none of our little treasures were broken. (i don't think there was one suitecase that didn't hit the sidewalk at sometime during our escapade. whew, we made it.

tina said that if we wanted to go see the big catherdrial that the city was didicated to we had better hurry before people found out we were here, so we jetted out. this cathedrial was massive. it was to the virgin of solidad (something like that, it means solitude and something else very sad. she looked sad. she was all dressed in black. and her face was very sad. it made me cry. she really is an idol. people are in so much bondage to the catholic church here. tina said it is like this in Lousianna too. i took as many pictures as i could. her crown of jewls is worth 1/2 million dollars and has been stolen twice. people give their best of everything to her, just in hopes that her prayers will be answered and they will be forgiven of their sins. it's was massive. people in there saying their roseries. we saw more confesssion booths. i guess me always being from the midwest have never seen things like this. it's really mind blowing. it's so very very sad. we went into the museum and the lady asked me kindly not to take pictures, so i couldn't. there were things from the 1700's that were given to her. there were amulets galore. i asked tina where they buy their amulets and she said from the witchcraft store, or the religious store. it just doesn't line up in my mind. but i guess i can't see what they see b/c i'm in the light as He is in the light. i'm so greatful. my eyes have been opened to a darkness darker than i've ever seen before. it's really crazy. in the museum, they had Jesus in a glass and gold casket again. oh, how that grieves me. i took a picture (in a different place where they had the same thing) and i hope it turns out so you can see it a little. it's so demonic. i was talking to tina and i said that this city is beautiful demonic. that's the best way to describe it. i asked Tina how many times do they have to show Jesus in a casket like that, she said as many as they can. she also told me that they have this parade where everyone dresses up their baby Jesus and carries Him around all day. all the time, no matter where you see Him, He is helpless, i know that is not what my Bible says. He rules and reigns. He is bound up with ropes, or hanging on a cross, or laying in Mary's arms. but never do you see Him free. and He always looks sad. i really greives my spirit. so very very much. ugh.....

we decided we would to go to the zocolo again (really, my favorite place in Oaxaca.) and the silver man was there again. we were excited to see that. oh, by the way, Tina thinks she may have figured out who the sliver man was. the other day when we went to the other side of town, this guy stopped to say hello, and his name is Johnny, and he is a pastor and has a clown/mime ministry. and Tina woke up yesterday morning and said "i think Johnny is the silver man" she said it's so hard for pastors to get support here, and that it is a good way to raise money. she said the way that he treated her the night that she put the coin in, he took his hat off, and he did the bless you sign almost proves it. she said that her and Mark kinda took in this boy. he was a street boy and they helped him get saved. we noticed that night that he kept looking our direction, and she thinks he was trying to figure out if it was really her or not. makes sense to me.

i meet some nice ladies last night. after church we went out to eat. and these women love God so much. this one lady name LuLu has a vision just like Heartland for Mexico. she loves kids and is in the process of starting a street ministry. here no one wants anything to do with the poor or the kids, they are a social disgrace. no one will even cast them a second look. anyway, there is this one lady, i like her a lot. besides knowing how to speak English, she is a "kindered spirit" she reminds me of Iva Coots. she wanted so badly to take care of me last night. she asked me if i was getting food, and i told her yes, and she waited to eat hers until i got mine. she's so sweet. i think all of us are going to go to Montel Alban (the ruins, which will be sad b/c of the events that happened there, but it's well worth seeing.) so i'm excited about that. i feel comfortable with them. there is this other lady who speaks fluent English....ahhhh a sigh of relief! Tina will be doing some visiting that she was not able to do while i was sick. she didn't want to go to far away incase she felt like she needed to come back to the hotel and check on me. i could not have imagined being this sick in this hotel. there is just no way, the other one felt more like home.

it seems like there are so many more things that i want to say, but there is no way to remember them all. i will try to update tonight, but i can't get wifi in our room, so check agian in the morning.

i miss you all. God bless America (but i'm not sure if He will keep doing it if we keep acting like heathens.)

fun day

i felt so very much better today. thank you so much for all your prayers. they really helped. we decided today would be a fun day. so, naturally that meant shopping. for breakfast i had this wonderful starwberry, pineapple juice. it was all natural. then we went shopping. got a whole lot accomplished. i won't have a whole lot of Christmas shopping left (which is a very good thing). super cute things for such great prices. we went all over town. survived 2 more taxi rides. ate some American food, it was so good. no more torillias for a bit.

we went to the zococalo again and our sliver man was there. i wish i would have had a video camera there. it was so much fun. we didn't put any pesos in his bucket though.

we went to a cathedrial, it was so very sad. i hope my pictures turn out. people are in such bondage to the "church" here. when we went to the indoor market they were paying homage to the virgin of jequila she's the one that was to bless the market. it was demonic. they had a merichai band singing to her and everything. it was this little bitty head with this huge, and i mean huge dress. then as the congregation passed they kissed the little window in hopes to be blessed by it, and to have their prayers answered, and there were amulets all over the back of it. i could not believe the bondage that was in it. there is no way to describe it at all.

we were walking home and there was a whole bunch of people under an awning on cardboard mats. i asked what it was, and then we realized that tomorrow is a parade for political things. their election is getting ready to come up. these people sleeping under the awning are going to protest the politicians. like anarchy sort of thing. i thought that was rather interesting. it's like 50 some degrees if not cooler (that is super cold here, it would be like our 0 degrees).

now for something sad. we were passing by and they have posters plastered to the wall. it was for a concert. it said "kill the Christians, in tribute to Satan." there was even a band named "Herepes" it even had the "f" word on it. it was so greiving. i just couldn't believe my eyes. perversion and profanity was/is everywhere. i really can't believe it. you know how in the States these things are hidden, like idol worship and perversion and profanity, but it is so blatent here. it's out in the open and it's very much accepted, no not accepted, embraced. it's so horrible. but this city is so beautiful. there is no way to explain it.

well, tomorrow morning we have to leave our little house. we're sad about it, but we are moving across town to the hotel that is hosting the confrence speakers. that will be nice as well.

that's it for the night.
until tomrrow,
voya con Dios

Tuesday

okay, here's the rest of today. we got up really early this morning (6:30) that's like our 4a.m. here. and talked a bit and decided what we were going to do. i felt well enough that i decided to go to breakfast with Tina and her friends. we went to the market first just to look for purses. it was to early yet, so we went to her friends practice. Dr. Elizabeth is a doctor. Tina told her what had happened yesterday so she said i needed a shot. she also looked in my mouth and told me i was dehydrated and needed to drink bunches of fluids. i went in the back and got a shot, then we were off to breakfast.

it was a beautiful place. it was in a garden, it had a sweet almond tree growing in it with a poinsetta bush (it was huge) and a lime tree. we ate with the lady that will be hosting us for the confrence (the hotel owner) and her best friend who is a nurse. i heard some very touching stories about a trip to a village for a medical mission and how they thought they had lost everything, but it turns out that everything was fine. the truck had turned over into the river and all of their stuff, medical stuff and clothes were in there, they were sure that it was all ruined. but God worked it out for everything to be recovered. the nurse wanted me to pack her in my purse and bring her back to Heartland. she said that she wanted to come to the States so badly. at the resturant i had carrot cake (without cream cheese frosting, who would have ever thought) and fresh squeezed orange juice. both were really good.

after breakfast we went back to the market, i would do okay as long as we weren't by the food. which was raw meat laid out and one place even had raw seafood (you know how i feel about that). i didn't last very long and left without a purse. went back to the dr. office and got another shot for being so nausiated. and then i went to sleep. i bet we were there for 2 hours. the Dr. just wanted to make sure that i was okay to get into a taxi to come home. i got sick there. i was forced to drink more. we went to lunch and had some brothy soup. but nothing sounded as good as Campbells soup. (ummm, ummm, good). i kept it down until we got home. i really don't think i've ever been this sick. i've been in bed all afternoon. tina and i were talking and i said there has to be a spiritual application somewhere in this. there just has to be. i'll let you know when i figure it out. what i did figure out today was that i am now experincing culture shock. it's horrible. there is no way to describe it and i don't know that i would want to describe it.

tomorrow we are going to try to go to the ruins b/c it's something that you just have to see when you come to Oaxaca. i hope i am better to do it. the owner of the hotel and her friend that is a nurse wants to come with us, so that should be fun. people really do try to kill you with kindness here.

well, that's it for the night.

blog this

hello all, it's me reporting again from Hotel de Principel. it's still beautiful here. we are reccomending this hotel to everyone we talk to. it's wonderful. yesterday the maid asked if we wanted clean sheets and we declinded. they have to wash everything by hand. and i do mean everything. and we even have good toilet paper. okay enough about that.

yesterday, i don't think i will ever forget in my entire life. it was humiliating. oh my goodness. we went to the market for breakfast and for some shopping. we wanted to treat Mari Belle to a day where she could do whatever she wanted to do. we went and had a nice breakfast, i had fruit and yogurt. the fruit is fantastic here. and then to the market. while we were there i started not feeling so hot. i told Tina and we came back to the hotel and i crawled into bed for a nap. i slept for 2 hours. Tina and Mari needed time to themselves anyway and didn't need to fuss over me. so they went back out and did some more shopping. they told me that they would be back around 2 so we could go to Mari Carmen's house for lunch. i told Tina i really wasn't hungry, but that i was feeling better. we went on a safe car ride (i wish you all could see how they drive around here, it's crazy!) to another little town called XOXO (pronounced hoho). anyway, it was a beautiful home. Tina told both the mother and Mari Carmen that i wouldn't be eating, but thanks so much for the offer anyway( they had salad, chicken molele, it's this stuff with 27 ingredinets in it. it's very very rich and spicy, i don't know of anything that we have like it). Her mom wanted to go to the market and get me something else to eat, i told her thank you but i'm really not hungry. my lunch was a glass of Coke. i got the chills during lunch, but i pressed through so Tina could visit with her friends. then it got to the point that i couldn't handle it anymore. i told Tina, and she explained that i really wasn't feeling well. Mari Carmen's mom wanted to pray for me. so they laid hands on me and it felt like they were calling down Heaven for me. it was really specail. they treated my not feeling well like cancer, and fervently prayed for me. she gave me a shawl and we went home. we pulled up to the hotel and started to come in. i told tina we needed to hurry, but it was to late, i got sick on the top step. it only got worse afer that. it seemed like none of my food digested since i had come here. tina said "when you blog, you need to say think of the worst kind of sickness and go one step further, and that's what you had.

after the shower it was straight to bed. and i haven't really been out of bed since then. but i am feeling so much better. tina went to the drug store and told the lady what was going on and wanted to buy some maylox, but the pharmasist told her now, gave her some meds, sprite, and gatorade and crackers. tina did have the maylox in her bag, but when she got home she had discovered the pharmsist took it out b/c she knew it would make me sick again.

i don't care who you are, but people treat you like royalty around here. if you are at the silver shop, then they make sure they polish the silver before they give it to you. Tina and i have both recieved incredibal deals, so many times we have gotten something for free, or it was a real steal. it's so different from America in so many ways. we both could learn a thing or two from eachother.

well, have a great day.

Oaxaca

Today was another day that was full. both of us slept so well. the beds are fairly comfortable, but there is no box spring. i guess when you're tired it doesn't really matter. i love our hotel room so very much. did i mention that Oaxaca is extramly loud???

a cold front moved in last night. it's like in the 50's here. everyone is bundled up in thier warmest winter clothes. it's kind of funny. people kept asking me if i was cold. i just told them no, that the weather was beautiful. on the street people were saying it's so cold, we're going to feeze. my favorite was this old man on the street saying "you'd better buy chapstick, it's so cold, you're lips might crack and freeze off." tina told me what he was saying and we got a good laugh.

we went to breakfast with a small family in the village where the church was. i'm trusting Tina with my entire life, she's even been ordering food for me, which has all been very very good. i had an empada with cheese and squash flower. it was pretty good. i had some really good coffee again, and sweet bread. yummy, oh and handmade orange juice, it took about 10 oranges for a 16 oz. cup. the little boy had a jello mold shaped like a cocker spaniel puppy on green jello (it looked like grass.) then we went to church. it seemed pretty good, i couldn't understand most of it and meet a whole bunch of people and half of them we meet on the way to the bathroom.

there was one little girl, she was so beautiful! but i could tell something was wrong with her. Tina told me it was b/c she had fluid around her brain. and she also told me this was common. she also told me that a child with this handicap would only live until about 12 years old. as for the cause, it goes back to a lot of incest and such as that. it broke my heart. i was sitting in church and i was choking back tears. i was thinking that i would give them all the money in my purse. then the Holy Spirit said, it's not money they need, Mexico doesn't need money, it's not to get out the economic cisis that America needs. what both Mexico and America needs is to be loved. to know what Christ did on the cross so we could be reconsiled to a right relationship with the Father. the only thing that is going to make Mexico or America better is a lasting revival. i was so overwhelmed.

the driving today was much better. after church we went to lunch and it was really good. i didn't eat anything that i didn't like. Tina said that we were going to do something fun tonight. just to relax somewhat. we decided to go shopping. i was tired of being sad. it takes so much out of you. but one thing i do know is that i'm going to love like i've never loved before. i know that i have taken so many things for granted. one thing is family. families here are so very close. they spend as much time together as they possibly can. walking through the streets you see whole families holding hands. it's just so they can be touching. America has traded families for materializm, and Mexico has traded materializm for families (yes, i know there is a balance). it's just so sad. during lunch the Pastor's wife was trying so hard to talk to me. she thought if she spoke Spanish slower that i would understand. i gave Tina a desperate look and Tina translated for me and said that she said "if i talk real slow will you understand me?" i told tina no matter how slow or loud she spoke i would not be able to understand her. it was so funny.

okay now for the fun stuff. we went to the Zocolo (the main plaza in the city). it was so very much fun! there is no way that i can explain this. you had to be there. i don't know of anything in the States that is like this. there are places to eat all around, and shops and street acts. there are so many things i want to tell you, but there is no way i can do it. it's something you would have to come and see for yourself. i got some super cute things today at the market. we will go to the big one on tuesday i believe. anyway, i have to tell you about my favorite thing that happened all day. on our way to somewhere we saw a group of people. i wanted to know what was going on so we stopped to see. it was a street performer, he was all silver like a statute (i forgot to mention that Oaxaca is one of the largest art capitals in the world, all sorts of art, good and bad). anyway, he was dressed up as a construction worker, had the boots, hat, and shovel and anytime anyone would put a peso in his bucket he would move like a robot. and then he would stop until someone else would put in a peso. and man was he good! we both were mezmerized. we went to have coffee and went walking around some more, we saw another gathering of people so we stopped, it was some people doing Mexican folk dancing. the song was so long and there was so much foot work. it was crazy. but all of the people did a great job. they traveled very far to come and dance in the plaza. it was a great honor for them to be able to do that. so we were going to go into a catherdial, but they were having mass and didn't want to disturbe them. so we went back to where the man in silver was. this time there were so many more people there. tina and i sat and watched in amazement and kept asking oursleves what would he do if one of us went and put pesos in his bucket. some ladies he would kiss their hands, others he would shake their hand, it was hard telling what he was going to do. this one little boy was so scared to go put in a peso, but finally his parents convinced him it was going to be alright. so he went up and dropped in the pesos and ran back to his mom and dad, and hid behind a stanger. the silver man was trying to get him to come back up but he wouldn't do it. finally the silver man waved at him, and the little boy waved back and gave a thumbs up. it was so much fun. tina and i continued to talk about what he would do to tina. she said i just don't want him to do anything embrassing i told tina that she would never know if she didn't go and if she didn't go she would always want to go (i told her this b/c i knew that she would go and i would be to embrassed lol). so she finally went. he just looked at her and did something and then did a bless you sign. it was really cool. he even took off his hat for her. this little boy came up and put in a peso and the man wanted to shake his hand, so he shook it, then the man put his hand on the little boys head, now every time the sliver man touched anything he got silver paint all over whatever it was he touched. this little boy with black hair had silver all over his head. one boy started to cry when he couldn't get the sliver off. it was funny. anyway, enough about the silver man.

we were having coffee and these little boys came up and wanted us to buy gum from them. tina asked how much. the first little boy said 2 pesos. tina said "my prices have gone up." the little boy said "yeah they really have." he was so sincear about it. it was like a 30 year old in a 7 year old body. then the other little boy wanted us to buy gum from him as well. tina asked how much, the little boy said "one peso, uh, i mean 2 pesos." tina said it's funny that you would say one, and then change it to two." the little boy said "i made a mistake, it's 2" tina gave him the 2 pesos and got one thing of gum, the little boy looked at her and then gave her the second pack.

we were walking down the road and in the market and Tina greeted so many people. they were so happy to see her. this one guy came up to her in the market and greeted her. both of them were so happy to see eachother. then he introduced some other people to us. they were Americans. they were speaking ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!! oh how excited i was. i've only been able to talk to Tina and one or two other people, but never to very much extent. oh, to hear English. you wouldn't understand unless you've been in the same position. wow, it was just really good.

we were walking around and this one little old lady. she was soooo sweet. she greeted Tina, she had sweet bread in her hand and went to shove it into her pocket to show us her wares. when she did this her sweet bread fell out of her pocket. i asked Tina if she would pick up the bread and eat it and Tinas said she thought she would. my heart shattered into a million peices. i eneded up buying this beautiful shawl thing from here. Tina said that she was 1/2 the size that she was the last time that she saw her and that she had told Tina that she was trying to recover. i want to see her again to buy something else from her. my heart was so broken. for like the 5th time today i cried.

well, it's 11:00 i guess i should call it a night. until tomorrow.

Day One

Well, what to say... the events of the last 2 days have been absolutly amazing. i'm blown away. this superceeds any expectation that i had of Oaxaca, or even international travel. not that i am expericed by any means, but i do have one under my belt yet. there have been so many things that have happened, so be prepared for a long entry.

the flights were pretty routine, when we were getting ready to board for Oaxaca in Houston this guy came up to Tina and asked if it was really her. she said yes and he re-introduced himself. he works with Wicliff Bible translators here in Oaxaca. so they got reaquanted, and i remembered someone from Esther's letters. so i asked him if he knew them, he said he did and he was good friends with the husband. so that was cool. very cool. something was wrong with our orignal plane, so we had an extra 15-20 min so i picked his brain about his work. i find it so very interesting. i can't even go into all the details now. way to much.

while on the flight we had to fill out the immigration paper work, well, both of us messed the paper work, so the guy picked on us somewhat. anyway, that is neither here nor there and it's one of those things that you would have to be there for. we landed and the airport was just a little bit bigger than Quincy. it was funny. Tina has been so gracious with me taking so much time to explain so many things to me, like when you get off in Oaxaca you have to go through this line and put all of your luggage on a conveyer belt and walk through and show your papers and then push this button. the button will either flash red or green. tina went through and pushed the button and it was green, i come right behind her and i didn't push a button or hand in paper work. it was so crazy. tina told me it was a good thing. so we find the pastor and his wife and we head to the hotel.

traveling inside the city is a whole trip inside it's self. we crammed into the van (did i mention that we had 4 large sized suitecases, 2 cary-on's one back back and one briefcase?), so we are on our way. it was night, but i could see shadows of the huge moutains. they were beautiful. so we head through the city. i have no idea where we are going or anything to that effect. the only thing that i do know is that we speed up and then slow down for speed bumps, a whole bunch. it didn't seem like there was any rhyme or reason for them, that's just where they wanted them to be. the traffic was straight up crazy. i don't think i'll ever complain about Broadway in Qunicy being busy again. you have to be a super agressive driver here. all the roads are one way, and LOOKS like there is only room for 1 car, but they prove you wrong in a hurry. infact, there are parking spots all along the side of the road, and 2 lanes of traffic. like bumper to bumper. crazy drivers, crazy passengers, people just getting out of the car while they stop for a second. we finally got to the hotel after i was sure i was "going to meet my Maker", it didn't seem like we were in a parking spot, but everyone got out.

we walked into the hotel, it's absolulty beautiful. it's like a 400 year old building, it's so amazing, it has an open-air court yard inside the door. the rooms are pretty big, and really high celings. it's plaster/concret rooms, tera cotta colored tile, it's just great. the first room that we looked at was facing the street and music was blaring, tina asked for a room on the back. both of us slept like babies last night.

oh, i forgot to mention we got to eat real nachos. it was at an open air resturant. it took for ever to get our ticket, but Tina said to remember that the culture is totally diffrent here. in the States we would think that they are trying to get us to buy more food, she said that they wanted us to feel welcome. the streets were packed with people. it was something like 10 at night, but people were just eating supper. so we walked and looked around and just saw some cool things. when we came back to the hotel we had to ring the doorbell to get back in. this was very comforting.

this morning we got up and walked to the Catholic church down the street. this is not your tpyical American Catholic church, it's huge, all built with slave labor. the inside is all gold. it's huge, it was so very sad. i didn't take pictures b/c Mass had just gotten out and i didn't want to be disrepectful. there were people everywhere saying their roserys, it was breathtaking, but yet so opressive. Tina told me about some of the history that is so very sad. i had to choke back tears. it was so opressive. we went to a friends house, and stopped at a couple of stores along the way. it was very nice. the 12 block walk wasn't that bad at all.

we went to her friends house and it was good. i felt so welcomed. even in the midst of all of this, i feel a peace, i feel safe, i feel apart of it. it's quiet amazing. Mari's (our friends) mom was so concerned about me hitting my head. we had breakfast and this coffee that was ground really really fine, and boiled with vanilla and cinamon. it was pretty good. had beans and cheese and tortillias for breakfast.

we went to the market and my heart broke. it's a 40 acer markets. there were dead chickens everywhere, i need to try to remember to take a picture. the people are absolutly beautiful, but absolutly lost. there are skelletons everwhere. they celebrate the dead, like some morbid obsession. there was a big trash heap and Tina told me that is where they go to get food. it was crazy.

we got back to Mari's house for us to go help with the childrens ministy. and then decided to come back to the hotel for a min. now this was a trip. we had to catch a taxi. i've never ridden in a taxi in the States, this was a trip all together. the taxi cab driver had music blaring, it was English, and not very good stuff. it was really sad. and i was sure i was going to die at least 2 times. i now see why so many people like to walk instead of ride. i think it's much safer! but it was an experince. then we went to the childrens ministry.

it was so very touching. we got there and i got introduced to more family. it was so poor. the roads were poor. we went into the little shed where we were going to have the class. about 11 kids came in. i got to looking at them and my heart broke. they have nothing, no body wants them. their parents don't want anything to do with them b/c they are to big of an inconvince, and the church doesn't want anything to do with them b/c they are "pretty". i looked at them and had to leave the building. i couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Tina came to check on me to see if i was okay. i was just so overwhelemed. These kids needed to know that they were loved, that God loved them. they may never get out of that poverty stricken area except if they get into drugs or prostitution. i was so overwhelemd. i have the vision that God has for the church. to reach the lost, sick and dying. to spend time with the least of the least. to be His hands and feet. to be His love. to show them Jesus. i just broke. even right now i cannot sit here without being moved to tears, not out of piety, but out of love and compassion. these kids are so beautiful and they deserve to have a future better than what they are being set up for. it's so sad. they sang a song, and heard a story, and did a craft. then they had a treat. even an American sucker (thanks mom for the tootise roll pops!) after that we went to do the exact same thing again in another neighborhood. the kids were just as beautiful. there were more of them. it was like in the mid to low 60's and the kids had on stocking caps, sweaters, and hoodies, they were cold. it was kind of funny. but the people that were doing it had to the kids not to be afraid of my camera. that i was taking pictures b/c i love kids, not b/c i wanted to take pictures of them so i could kidnap them and try to sell them or their organs (these are some of the rumors that were going on about this ministry), so most of them complied. some of the kids were still scared of me. but that's okay. i loved them the best that i could.

when we got back and washed all the glue off of us we went to supper and did some light shopping. it's now 9:27 and we both are ready to pass out.

oh, i forgot to tell something funny, sad, but somewhat funny. i found out the meaning to "waking the dead". Tina had told me that here they celebrate the dead. witchcraft runs rampied here (there was this place in the market that Tina said that is where you bought all of your witchcraft supplies, and you can talk to the lady and the lady can tell you what your recipie is, and then for another small price you can pay here and she will mix the potion and cast the spell for you. it was so very sad). so she was telling me somewhat about it and we were getting ready to leave for supper and there was this huge bang, and i asked her what it was and she told me it was fireworks to wake the dead. and she really meant it.

well, i guess that wraps it up for the night. hard telling what tomorrow will bring. please pray for us and Oaxaca!

airports

i don't know if i've ever expressed to you how much i love airports. this one today, has been very exciting, after we found out how to get on wifi, it's been good. we thought the whole school of UT and every alumni was here. there was longhorn orange EVERYWHERE!!!! and i happen to be wearing the hoodie justin got me a couple of years ago for Christmas. we are anticipating our flight, had a great nights rest at the Fairfield Inn here in Kansas City, and now we are at the airport. i'll do more later... have fun... hummmm, here we come Houstion, then oaxaca! p.s. the fortune cookie we had last night afater supper said "YOU are headed for a land of sunshine".
later

This is where Oaxaca is located. 29 days and counting!