'Tis so sweet...: The B-I-B-L-E

This Saturday I had the opportunity to be in the audience of a New Testament Bible dedication. Several people in the village, along with Wycliff missionaries, gave testimony to how they worked 20 years to complete this translation.

I caught a ride to this northern village with people I know from Oaxaca Christian School. To be completely honest, it was a draining experience - spending a total of 7 hours in a car to get to and from, and sitting on a small metal chair for 4 hours listening to speakers and songs. Although I complain some, it was a very interesting experience that I probably won't forget.

As we arrived in this small town, the main street was clogged with cars there for the dedication. Standing out among the indigenous Mexicans were many white missionaries (mostly Wycliff Bible Translators). In that moment, when we first arrived and I was taking it all in, I felt aware that I was part of something really big.

A beautiful church on the drive there.

The crowd of hundreds there for the dedication. Many were missionaries. In front of me sat a Mennonite family. Others in the crowd had come from other Oaxaca villages that speak a dialect of the Mixtec language. There was even a Oaxacan state delegate in attendance.

This was after about 2 hours - halfway!

Cute kid :-). Can you spot a non-Mexican in the picture?

Examples of the written Mixtec language. It sounded kind of like Chinese. Interesting...

Handmade fans hanging along the tent ropes. I was walking around because I had gotten up to use the facilities. Even though they were just small stone structures out back, with a sheet as a door, I was very pleased that there were any bathrooms at all ;-).

A vendor sitting at the back. Just after I took this picture a nice breeze lifted my skirt and nearly caused me to put on a show. As I gathered my skirt in my hand, I looked back to find the line of people waiting for dinner watching me. I'm really hoping I didn't put on a show ;-).