Some Journey

"Sam hit me!"

I'm too tired to load pics tonight, so I thought I'd share a funny kid story. Noah came in to the living room crying. The following conversation took place between he and Stephen:

S: Noah, what's wrong?
N: Sam hit me!
S: Oh, dear. Why would he do that?
N: To keep me from biting him.

Cleaning up my mess

I decided to delete the entry on Santo Domingo for the time being. There were just too many big pics in that entry and I decided it would be just as easy to redo the whole entry than edit/replace the photos right now, and I've had quite a few people tell me that they have missed out on the photo of Ron because their dial up won't load the page. I hate to deprive anyone of that experience, so until I have time to reload all those pics, we will do without. I also want to point out (**blatant advertising**) that there will be plenty more "RON PICS" in the slide show as part of our MT 2005 presentation next Sunday during the Sunday School hour (9:30am) at CVPC. So all you SS skippers, you will miss out if you skip next week! In the meantime, here's another teaser:

Hold your breath

Okay. Downloaded the software Dad recommended. Thought I'd make my first attempt at the new thumbnail uploads one of my most requested pics. . .Sam with corn rows. Unfortunately, they didn't last long, but the look really suited him. He chose an orange and white, "Go Vols" motif.

Now I need to try a pop up. Guess I'll incriminate the rest of the "Braidy Bunch" as Joli called us. Here's Mandy, Tifanny, Joanna
and Me in my sexy sunglasses! I'm sure you all will be glad to know that the sunglasses were lost in the wave incident which broke my nose. They were my back up pair. My first pair was broken in a mad dash to the house during a storm/flash flooding in the village. I spent the rest of the week in Stephen's sunglasses. What a servant to sacrifice his shades for me :)

I was really proud of the fact that I negotiated $15 for each on the corn rows for everyone, down a bit from the $25 I paid the first time, and $20 the second. They weren't happy about doing Tiffany's for that. They said her hair was thick. But they didn't let her walk away, either. However, now I am more proud that I got my images to load at the right file size!! Thanks for all your help and patience Dad and Scott! (You know, funny how these images loaded a lot faster, too. . .)

Confessions of an inadequate blogger

Okay, I've been blogging for a while now. You would think I would have this pretty well figured out. But I don't. I need HEELLLPP.
I can't figure out how to properly upload a photo as a pop up. No matter how small I make the file size when I upload it, when I click on it to pop up, it opens up in the original size, meaning that only a portion of the photo can be seen. Here's an example. I figure I probably need to compress them before uploading, but I don't know how. Anyone??

Why I like my Nikon D-70

This is one of the many shots I took in Mexico that I am sure I would not have been able to get with my CyberShot. This was taken during a water balloon fight we had with the street kids at Sobre El Puente in Acapulco. It followed a fun skit in which we discovered just how good a sport Ron Campbell is:

More Mexico pics and stories to come. . .

Wednesday

Today is our day off and I only have a few minutes because we just got back from the beach and have to walk home and shower before the bus picks us up for dinner in an hour. Sam is doing much better, and I am so blessed by the members of my team and the love they have for both Sam and for me. We had a great time together at the beach, except that we´re pretty sure I broke my nose.
Last night our family and Mandy stayed at Casa Hogar for a little while after the team left. When we got ready to leave we discovered that our bags were locked in a room the key to which only Alejandro had, and he was already home, an hour away. Mandy had to have her medicine which was in the bag, so Alejandro drove back. It turned out to be somewhat of a blessing, because while we waited they let us go up to the little boys´room with them and read to them and help them get ready for bed, which was a special time for us. It also allowed David and Laura to finish their supper, which is usually interrupted by the little boys crying at bedtime.
Jason ran a high fever during the night last night and he and Joli stayed home today, so please pray for him.
Things are great. More tomorrow perhaps.ç

love to all

We´re here

First, let me say sorry to Nelie, since I had hoped to post sooner so that you would know we got here okay. We got in kind late Saturday evening, because the boys both got sick (repeatedly) driving through the mountains Sat morning. Then the internet cafe was closed Sun and the day just got away from me yesterday.
After we got out of the mountains we had an okay drive Saturday and enjoyed being reunited with our team. Sunday was a great day, as we began it with worship at the Jesus of Nazereth Church where the Casa hogar kids were part of a VBS presentation. It is such a blessing to worship there. Sunday afternoon we went to the beach with the kids from Casa Hogar, along with the other team who is here, Susan´s group from CAK in Knoxville. Our kids had a blast getting to know both. They adore the older guys from CAK and UT.
Monday we worked our fannies off tearing down a rock wall. I enjoyed using the sledgehammer for about an hour, but am paying for it today. All four kids did so great yesterday, and all thought it was really fun. After siesta we returned for our first night of VBS, and all went well. Our kids all did really well getting to know the Casa Hogar kids and interacting with them. Reagan has made a good friend, Nadia, and I´ve been pleased that my boys have become friends with Uriel, Giovanni and Osiel. Our boys, Mandy and I joined several of the kids for cards until about 9 pm. It was loads of fun. It amazed Mandy and I to see the change in Uriel. Last year he was so shy and withdrawn. This year he is comfortable and outgoing. It is so encouraging.
Today was an emotionally draining day for me. Sam was constantly upset that he could not operate the sledgehammer full time, and eventually had a total meltdown. But I think it was a good growing opportunity for us both, and once he recovered, he´s been fine since. We´re all looking forward to spending some more time with the kids this evening. Tomorrow is our day off, and while I will miss seeing the Casa Hogar kids, I am looking forward to spending the day fellowshipping with our team. We have such a great team, and we have enjoyed each other´s company immensely. Just don´t play Spoons with us unless you´re serious. . . :)

hola de tlaxiaco

We left Mixtepec today and drove into Tlaxiaco where we will spend the night at El Portal, then leave early in the morning with hopes of arriving in Acapulco by 4.
Wednesday evening Alejandro and his wife, Jessica came over with their two children and ate dinner with us. It was such a nice visit, but a sad reminder of the reality that they are two of the three or four evangelical Christians in the village. The corruption of the catholic church has created disillusionment regarding Christianity, and there is little interest in truly embracing the Gospel and the truth of scripture.
Thursday was a neat day. . .it was sort of a sampler of village life for the boys. They spent an hour or so in the morning helping Demetrio cut corn stalks and leaves to feed his oxen. Sam asked me "hey mom, do you think this is a good way to share Christ with Demetrio?"
Later the boys and I helped Lina wash clothes in the river. It was fun, and Lina tried to teach me Mixteco words as we washed. She is so sweet and has a delightful laugh. She giggled at the boys as they tried to wash socks, and she kept grabbing them back out of the "finished" bucket to redo them.
After lunch we walked up to the community fields and watched the men working. They have a couple of large fields that are owned by the town, and people are either required to pay taxes or help work in the fields on town work days. The people work together to plow, plant and harvest corn, and the proceeds from the sale of the corn goes to the town for roads and things. Pretty neat, and the boys enjoyed watching the oxen pulled plow. Alejandro took them out in the field and let them help plant corn (nooni).
Later we walked up to the older Alejandro´s house to visit and give him the photo I took of him last year. He was delighted with it. Samuel´s sister, Petra, visited with us for a while. She told Nelie that it meant a lot to her that she has not forgotten their language in the years she has been away from the village.
Stephen and I tried to drive in to San Juan to have the tire fixed, but a huge storm came in and flooded the streets and all the power in San Juan and Santa Cruz was out for the remainder of the evening, so we had to wait to have the tire fixed until we went to market in San Juan this morning. That was a very interesting experience. I am looking forward to seeing the market in Tlaxiaco tomorrow as we leave. It is the second largest market day in the state of Oaxaca.

Pray for Nelie as she is now in the village alone. I am not the least worried about her, though. There are so many people there who would do anything to take care of her. They are so delighted to have her back.

Well, I am off to wander Tlaxiaco with Stephen and the boys. Can´t wait to see our team tomorrow. Please be praying for both them and us as we all travel tomorrow.

Sana ca a

A cuu cue e ni de mixtepec

We arrived safely in Santa Cruz Monday evening, but couldn´t find the internet cafe on Tues, and the power has been off most of today. The boys are already talking about next year when they come back. They are loving it. We couldn´t believe how nice the toll road from Oaxaca was, and the road from Tlaxiaco into Mixtepec is paved for a long section, so we made great time. We did find yesterday morning that we have a flat tire on the jeep now, so pray we are able to get it fixed before leaving Friday afternoon.
The boys have played in the creek and wandered all over the village. They have met lots of people, many of whom are kids who spend part of the year in the States, so they speak English. Ethan is speaking more and more Spanish, and has actually been more bold about trying Mixtec than Sam. He was fascinated listening to Lina talk to Nelie this morning. He said she sounds like she is singing when she speaks, which is such a good description of this tonal language.
We have met lots of people who remember with fondness Stephen´s dad, the man who brought the water to the village, whom they call Tamaxi. Everywhere we go people ask Stephen if he is Esteban or Pablo. It amazes me the way they all remember to ask about el angelito Daniel, and Timoteo y Julian as well.
I have learned a great deal about missions, and about evangelism in general, from meeting and listening to the stories these people have to tell. They do not want to be regarded as a project. They want someone who will call them friend and address the needs they see as real, not the needs the rest of the world dictates to them. Universal needs, perhaps. Respect and compassion.
One man stopped us and thanked us for coming to the village and caring enough to learn their language and know their people. I will have so much more to write when I return, but my time is somewhat limited and I´m not sure how great the connection is here right now. I fear I might lose this entry before it posts, so will not spend too much more time.
We will spend tomorrow visiting some more, probably take the kids to meet Alejandro, Samuel´s father. And hopefully get the tire fixed.
Friday morning we will go to market in San Juan before packing up and driving out to Tlaxiaco. We will spend Friday night in Tlaxiaco, then drive to Acapulco Saturday morning.
Those of you who know Ethan will understand the significance of the following: Ethan has not had access to a tv or computer in five days, and I have not once heard the words, "I´m bored". He loves this place. Sam loves these people.
Nelie is feeling a little better, though her stomach is still not quite right. She has enjoyed sharing this with the boys. She had a great visit with Lina today. Lina was her housekeeper and translation helper when they lived here. They both enjoyed each other´s company immensely.
But it has been hard at times, too. Everyone talks about how much they need someone like Tamaxi back here.
Well, I´m going to log off for now. Keep praying for us, and for the rest of our team as they prepare to leave in a few days to meet us in Acapulco.

Monday

All is well. We got a jeep liberty this morning, it even has a-c and a cd player. We are traveling in luxury this year. WE ended up taking a taxi to Monte Alban because it rained all day, and we didn{t want to stand in the rain waiting for the bus. The rain let up enough that the boys and Stephen and I were able to enjoy walking around the grounds for about an hour and a half in just a mist, not downpour. The boys enjoyed walking around and speculating on what the various buildings might have been used for.
Ethan is acclamating much better. He ordered his own food in perfect Spanish last night at dinner and the waiter was so pleased with he and Sam both. Sam continues to meet and greet.
We enjoyed a siesta yesterday after returning from Monte Alban. I napped while Stephen and the boys made use of the upstairs porch with hammocks. We walked to the zocolo for dinner with is several miles away, but the rain had let up and it was a pleasant walk and allowed us to really see the city. We were disappointed to discover that the zocolo is closed and boarded up for reconstruction. We did find a nice little restaraunt where the boys were able to get some delicious hamburgers.
After dinner we walked to the Cathedral where we just sat and watched people for a while before walking back to the hotel.
We will be heading out in a few minutes for Tlaxiaco, then on to San Juan Mixtepec where we will stay until Friday night. I hope to find internet access there, but we will see.

Please pray for Nelie. She is not feeling well this morning. Also for traveling safety. Its about a four hour drive.

I think that is it for now. I know I will think of something as soon as I log off.
Sydney, Joseph and Noah, we love you so much and we are so proud of how you are behaving for Nana and Grandpa. Joseph, I can´t wait to see you jump off the diving board!! Sydney, please continue to be a brave helper. I feel so much better leaving the little boys knowing you are there to help take care of them. Noah, say hi to Blue and Steve for us.

TaTa for now.

Hola de Mexico

We arrived safely in Oaxaca yesterday and are staying at the Casa Arnel, a private home turned hotel with a lush courtyard full of plants. The boys have each responded in exactly the way I expected. Sam has fully embraced and enjoyed every minute and every aspect of the culture. Well, he wasn´t fully impressed with the repeated church bells at 6 am, but other than that he loves it. He is meeting people and taking frequent opportunities to speak in Spanish to locals. He´s doing very well and loving it all.
Ethan, likewise, is responding the way I expected and went into total culture shock at dinner last night. He felt completely overwhelmed by not being able to understand anything anyone around him was saying, not being able to read the signs, and being in a totally different environment. When we asked him what he wanted for dinner and he realized that he could not even order food because not only did he not know how to ask for it, but he had no idea what was on the menu, he fell apart. However, after his taquitos arrived looking and tasting like what he expected from a taquito and a real, normal Sprite in a bottle arrived with it, he began to recover and is okay. Please continue to pray for him, though, as this trip combines so many things that he has trouble with. . .operating on little sleep, new things, new people, new food. . .the works. I am confident that it will grow him and he will be so glad that he came when it is all said and done. I am also glad that we are here the week before Acapulco rather than the week after as we did last year, because hopefully he will adjust and get more out of his week in Acapulco this way.
Our flights were all good. We enjoyed a good dinner at a local restaraunt, then a walk to El Llono, a park nearby. We collapsed into bed around 10 pm. A few minutes later we had a large group from a nearby church singing and playing music for us outside our open window. Viva Mexico.
We were not able to get a rental car yet. Hertz says they will have something for us tonight or in the morning. Please pray that they do.
More later.

Last Call

I am far too exhausted to blog, but felt I should anyway. We will leave in about five hours to drive to Atlanta to catch our flight to Mexico. I hope to be able to blog some from Mexico, but if I am unable, will write while there and post when I return.

Please pray
. . .for our safety
. . .for our children, that God will use this trip to deepen their roots and ground them in their faith
. . .for my mother in law, who will be in the village alone while we are in Acapulco. I don't fear for her safety, but it may be emotionally challenging because of the memories that lurk there. It will be hard for her to leave.
. . .for the children at Casa Hogar. That God will prepare their hearts to be moved by the lessons we bring and the love we share. Pray that they will see Christ in us.
. . .for our team. That we will be overwhelmed by Christ, not the children. That we will be of one mind, knit together, that they will know we are Christians by our love.

. . .and for all the many things I am sure I will remember as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Hasta luego. . .