Mexico

I don't know how I always end up waiting so long between posts. A lot of times I am waiting on pictures from other people so I can include them in the blog but I never seem to get them soooo I should stop waiting (and start bringing my own camera)
~We were able to go to Mexico! This was my first experience going out of the country and not staying in a tourist region. I was shocked at the poverty! I have seen those sad lil commercials on TV that look like they take place in an Africa tribe but this was right across the border in Mexicali. It was amazing to see the shacks that the people had put together. One thing that really struck me was the animals. The dogs were so incredibly emaciated that the owners would be arrested in the States. Now, that's an odd thing to focus on, you might be thinking.....Well, remember my animal loving background and I think when you compare it to home it really shows the poverty. Here people carry their dogs in purses, have them groomed, nails trimmed, a wide variety of dog food including premium brands, collars, clothes, leashes, dog houses, dog bowls, veterinarians and most of our are FAT! It shows the extreme difference. We followed a church and shadowed their visit and observed how they served the Mexicali church. It was a great learning experience for our team who will be going down again in 2 weeks to serve on their own. The Mexicali church has gone through some amazing growth...they built the church brick by brick. Every time they had the funds, they walked across the street to the brickyard and purchased another one. Also the government just built hundreds of track homes all around the church building which provides them PEOPLE! Their main goal is to get the children's building up before Jan. which is the coldest month. Right now the 45 + children are outside during Sunday service.

Nate was able to practice his soccer skills and Spanish....both need work! The kids LOVED that he was so bad at Spanish and found it amusing to have him try to repeat after them. He has a strange Asian accent when he tries to speak Spanish....puzzling isn't it? Nate did a wonderful job keeping up with all of the 8 year old professional soccer players though despite having a nasty cold. He was able to teach one of the High Schoolers how to play a song in English on guitar. The boy played the guitar and sang in Spanish while we sang in English. He was able to help fix a guitar also :) One of the best parts was worship on Sunday~ as Nate puts it " It's amazing to think of our God listening to us worshipping Him in our language and the Mexicali church worshipping in Spanish" It's all for the glory of the same God. What an incredible bond we have with them even though we cannot communicate to each other! Oh and Nate taught our friend Carlos (about 12 or 13) that his name was Senor Rapido~ Nate's Spanish name and they actually called him by that! My name became "I don't know" Carlos and I could talk some but he always found it funny when I would just look at him strangely and say "I don't know" One thing is for sure, he can now say that perfectly in English!

Overall, it was a great experience to see how we can really serve them. They are so thankful for everything, they are sound in Biblical teaching and really serving the Lord with all they have. I pray that the building goes up soon!!