Offering from the heart

Though I really had little to do with the offering North Park University gave for the Women's Banks here in Oaxaca, I was asked to video tape the news being delivered - and in so doing, I was privileged to witness the work of the Holy Spirit.

----

Also, here is a NPU article regarding the offering:

Student generosity overflows in chapel service

Mexico Current Events

A friend recently asked me about what is going on in Mexico right now, as she heard that weird things were happening. Well, that's one way to put it :).

Mexico has experienced a lot of violence recently, as Mexico's president focuses on taking down the drug cartels. The resulting violence is mainly that of drug cartels fighting back, and at the same time, turning on one another. Oaxaca really hasn't seen much of this violence, and those of us living here don't see a change in life nor have experienced fear in being here. The bulk of the fighting is mostly in northern Mexico, and Michuacan, and most of the deaths are people who are involved in the drug cartels.

Though the scale of the violence is very sad, I think most people realize that the president cannot stop fighting now. I liken it to disciplining a child - you lose more by just saying, "Ok, I'm sorry - you do what you want", when the child throws a tantrum.

It is sad that so many have lost loved ones to the war in Iraq, but what I think most people don't realize is that many more people are dying right here in Mexico. Yahoo reports that U.S. military deaths due to the war are at around 4,000 total since 2003 - that's a 6-year total. In just 2008, there were between 6,000 to 8,000 drug related deaths here in Mexico. And in the first 2 months of 2009, 1,000 are reported to have already died.

I do not share this information to worry you. I more share it with you for two other reasons. First is to let you know that, thankfully, we here in Oaxaca have not experienced the increase in violence that is making the news and feel safe. The second reason is to ask for your prayers for Mexico. She certainly could use them right now.

If you would like more information, here is a link to the BBC article Q&A: Mexico's drug-fuelled violence.

Shopping Adventures

While I'm in no way a big shopper, I've encountered several interesting circumstances lately while shopping.A Cyclone... My fan finally gave up on me. It was in the apartment when I got here 2 years ago - none of buttons worked, the face of it was sliding off so the propellers hit it, and when it oscillated, it would lose strength on one side and just couldn't get back up - poor thing :). Then this weekend it finally stopped working altogether - and I immidiately felt the need for the new one, as it is so hot lately and this is the only the beginning of the hot season.
.
Now my kitchen is scattered with little plastic bags, an instruction manual, and a big fan box - as I bought and assembled a new one! I think I should have been more observant though - this fan is blowing me away even on the lowest setting and now I see on the box that it is called the Cyclone :). Ah well, with the heat wave just beginning, I think I'll appreciate it.
.
Wait for it... This morning I arrived at the grocery store bright and early. I did some quick shopping, then got in line around 7:15. It was about 5 minutes later when I realized that not only was my line slow, it was not moving at all (I know, very observant, eh?). And not only that, but the other two open lanes were not moving either. After 10 minutes I deducted that the computers were not working - and I was thankful to have Katy Dockter, another short term missionary, there to chat with me. But, after about 25 minutes, she ended up taking off to do her shopping at the local market
.
After 30 minutes they came around with tasty bread from the bakery for us. By this time the line behind me was about 15 carts long. The whole time, I was looking around and marveling at how patient people were being. There were a few getting a little antsy - but most seemed to have nowhere to be anytime soon. I fell into the latter category, and so followed suit by just standing there pondering life.
.
45 minutes later, they began suggesting people go to the pharmacy or the electronics section to make non-produce purchases. At that point I did discover that not everyone was feeling patient, as 2 ladies broke into a light jog to get there before me :). In the end, though I lost some time, I had the chance to learn and practice some calm patience :).
.
.
Clothes for her... Let's just say, I'm not the same size as most Oaxacans - and going shopping for clothes here further reminds me of that fact. I was shopping with a Mexican friend, and she suggested we go to the huge marketplace because they sell American clothes there. I was feeling kind of shopped out, but I knew this might be my only opportunity to find such places, so I took her up on the offer.
.
To save time, my friend would ask the owner 'Where are clothes that would fit her?' They would both then glance over at me, and direct us to an appropriate rack - as I tried not to look as self-conscience as I felt :). I chuckled to myself as I found clothes with Walmart tags still on them, and wondered what kind of journey it had been on to get from a store in the U.S. to this marketplace in southern Mexico.
.
I'm very happy to report that I did find a great pair of pants, and for only $5 at that. I may have to find my way back to that market...

Randoms

Today is Samaritan's Day. It is celebrated here in Oaxaca by people giving each other 'aguas', or different flavored waters. My landlady gave me rice-milk with cantaloupe and pecans in it, one of my favorites :).

(Last year I wrote a post about the traditions of this day, so if you'd like to read about that, you can follow this link.)

---------------------------

As I rode the bus, the club music boomed from the speaker on the ceiling. The lights on the ceiling were turned on - two red bulbs giving a little extra light. When I got on, there were several seats remaining, but as we went further, the bus filled until it was packed, and mostly with young people. Sounds like a party bus, but the funny thing was, it was 7:15 in the morning and we were all headed to school. Ah, public transportation in Mexico :).

---------------------

Recently when a missions group came to Oaxaca, they brought some special gifts along for us. I had mentioned that I would really appreciate if I could get a bottle of the conditioner that I use. What I didn't count on was that they would bring me two big bottles! What they didn't count on was how excited I would get over two simple bottles of conditioner :). I tried to make sure they knew how thankful I was :).
--------------------

That was an especially nice night for me because I also got my tired old shoes shined! I had been wanting to for so long, but never wore them when I went downtown. Well, I made a point of wearing them that night. It cost less than a dollar - and they looked like new! Well, from the outside at least :).

Familia

The following is a commercial that I have enjoyed lately. It's purpose is to bring awareness to 'Family Day' here in Mexico. I like the simplicity of the message.

It is in Spanish, but I think you'll catch on if I just translate the first part. It begins with the narrator saying, "It's clear that having a piano does not make you a pianist..."

Full Translation: It's clear that having a piano does not make you a pianist. Having a wrench, does not make you a plumber. Having a ball, does not make you a soccer player. Having a bike does not make you a cyclist... nor does climbing on a diving board make you a diver.

Does having a child make you a parent?...
(You are a father/mother every day that you promote your child's education and values. Education, a family responsibility. First Sunday in March, Day of the Family).

Riddles

Camp meant no school at Oaxaca Christian School this past week, but I still went in to process books. I can get a lot done in the library sometimes - but when it comes to sitting down to process non-fiction books, hours speed by without me realizing it.

~

This is partly because non-fiction books take the extra time-consuming step of needing to know exactly what the topic of the book is in order to catalogue it - but it is also slow because, as I read parts to figure out the topic, I get interested in the content and have to remind myself not to spend too much time just reading :).

~

For instance, I was suddenly very interested to find out how the game of baseball first began, and studied maps and photos of the Great Chicago Fire. I even spent a fair amount of time smiling over a book of old riddles.

~

I thought for kicks I'd share a selection of riddles from the book pictured above. Warning: some of them are groaners - but even groaners tend to get a little smile from me :). Also, they are old/classic ones, so you may already know the answers...

Which side of the chicken has the most feathers?

The outside.

.

What do you call a 2,000 pound gorilla?

Sir.

.

How can you tell if there's been an elephant in your refrigerator?

You can see his footprints in the butter.

.

When is a bicycle not a bicycle?

When it turns into a driveway.

.

How do you keep from getting a pain in the eye when drinking chocolate milk?

Always take the spoon out of the glass.

.

Why is 2+2=5 like your left foot?

It's not right.

Love one another

Almost every Sunday Jorge has something to give me. If he has two pieces of gum, he gives me one. When I give out stickers for learning the memory verse, I usually end up with one of his stickers on my arm. If our snack is cookies, he eats a few and saves the remaining ones for me. And he always does it with a huge smile on his face.

-

Jorge lives in a poorer neighborhood, in one of the poorest states in Mexico, and yet he still gives me half of what he has whenever he gets the chance. He is an amazing example of the love language of giving gifts. God has blessed him with a huge heart, and I pray that as he grows older, his joy for giving will not diminish, but that he will continue to bless others - and receive an abundance of love back :).