Wednesday, July 18, 2007
We're Home!
After six long, amazing weeks we are home and it feels great to be back. Last night we were greeted by Jess's mom and the Schwein family which was so special. Thanks Jake and Carol for showing your love by coming to the airport so late! We have so many fun, beautiful pictures and stories that we would love to share with all of you. Please pray for our adjusting back to the American lifestyle and that we would be able to process so many of our experiences. We look forward to seeing all of you, and please don't be offended if we don't call right away because things are already a little busy. We'd love to hear from you too. Thank you for everything!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Goodbye Guadalajara!
We are back in Izcalli now and we'll be leaving the day after tomorrow- WOW! It was so hard leaving Guadalajara because we had become so close with Fer, the son of the Pastor at the church we worked at. We are so thankful that we met him and are really confident that our new friendship with him plays an important role in why we came to Mexico. Guadalajara was amazing, there were so many hard moments and those helped make it so special. We were able to see life change in the home where Jessica stayed and even within Fer. He is going through a lot right now between problems with his girlfriend, not knowing if he'll be able to pay for school this term, a job falling through, and taking care of 12 of us. Please pray for Fer, he said he's really lonely now that we've left. Please pray that he would be able to find the resources to pay for school this term.
We'll update more on Tuesday. We don't fly out until 4:30pm but other people are flying out at 7:30am, so we'll be there all day! We'll try and better explain the amazing things God did in Guadalajara then. We have church today, then we're handing out fliers for the Kid's Club they have this week. Tomorrow we have team debriefing, and then we go home! We are sooo excited to see all you and want you thank you for your prayers and support. This trip has changed our hearts in so many ways.
We'll update more on Tuesday. We don't fly out until 4:30pm but other people are flying out at 7:30am, so we'll be there all day! We'll try and better explain the amazing things God did in Guadalajara then. We have church today, then we're handing out fliers for the Kid's Club they have this week. Tomorrow we have team debriefing, and then we go home! We are sooo excited to see all you and want you thank you for your prayers and support. This trip has changed our hearts in so many ways.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Busy Days and One More Week!
We have been crazy busy here in Guadalajara and I'm sure you can tell because we've haven't made a post in a long time!! Things have been going really well here, beside the constant feeling of exhaustion. It's hard to believe that we are close to leaving Guadalajara (in four days) and we are so glad that we had the opportunity to come here. This city is very beautiful and a lot different than Mexico City. This weekend we went to downtown Guadalajara and it was very European and very beautiful.
Going to a Mexican orphanage was a really good experience. All of the children that live in the home have been abused and it was evident that these children struggle with anger. All of their parents are either from the streets or are in prison. I (Jessica) was playing with a little girl and having a hard time with her constant "noooooo" every time I did or said anything. It was hard to try to relate to her and play with her, being that most 4 year olds are nothing like that. However, later that day one of the women that works there told me that Natalie, the little girl I was playing with, saw her father commit suicide. At that moment it was so overwhelmingly obvious to me that this beautiful four year old has seen and experienced harder things than I ever have and probably ever will. But the question I continued to wrestle with is, "How do you love these children?" I will not forget Natalie and her siblings that lived in the Casa de Hogar. Sitting in the white plastic chair I realized the significance of pursuing the hurting, the broken, and the unloved. None of those children deserved to be beaten, burned, abused, or even neglected. We have a responsibility to use our lives to help better others, to pour out Christ's love on those who deserve it, and Natalie now has an opportunity to break a generational pattern of hurting and despair and really live.
We have been so overwhelmed by the family that is taking care of us. They are living in a very small house that is connected to their church due to a church split a couple of years ago. They have 2 sons living at home, the grandparents, and their daughter who is 15 and has cerebral palsy, no to mention feeding and caring for 12 needy Americans . I have never once heard them complain or grumble, but instead smiles and hugs every time I walk into the house. Please pray for Luz and Fernando as the continue to take care of us. Fernando and a group from their church are leaving for a mission trip to Oaxaca on Wednesday, so please pray that Luz doesn't feel a heavy burden and that their time in Oaxaca goes well.
This week the schedule looks like:
Monday:
that's today, not important
Tuesday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
night: Dinner out
Go see the Mexican wrestlers (Luchadores)
Wednesday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
3:00-5:00 Work Projects
Spend time with our families
Thursday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
3:00-5:00 Work Projects
Spend time with our families
Friday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
3:00-5:00 Work Projects
6:00 Dinner and closing celebration at the church
During the last week it has felt like all we were doing at our host homes was sleeping in their beds and using their showers! So.... this week we tried to make more time to be able to spend with the families and we're excited!
This is us with the group in downtown Guadalajara. The two girls in the white shirts are my roomies Jessica (the tall one, aka Francesca) and Melissa. Fer, Jordan's new best friend, is well.. the only guy in the picture so hopefully you can find him!
This is Jess and Natalie playing outside at the Casa de Hogar. I was shocked she actually sat in my lap!
Going to a Mexican orphanage was a really good experience. All of the children that live in the home have been abused and it was evident that these children struggle with anger. All of their parents are either from the streets or are in prison. I (Jessica) was playing with a little girl and having a hard time with her constant "noooooo" every time I did or said anything. It was hard to try to relate to her and play with her, being that most 4 year olds are nothing like that. However, later that day one of the women that works there told me that Natalie, the little girl I was playing with, saw her father commit suicide. At that moment it was so overwhelmingly obvious to me that this beautiful four year old has seen and experienced harder things than I ever have and probably ever will. But the question I continued to wrestle with is, "How do you love these children?" I will not forget Natalie and her siblings that lived in the Casa de Hogar. Sitting in the white plastic chair I realized the significance of pursuing the hurting, the broken, and the unloved. None of those children deserved to be beaten, burned, abused, or even neglected. We have a responsibility to use our lives to help better others, to pour out Christ's love on those who deserve it, and Natalie now has an opportunity to break a generational pattern of hurting and despair and really live.
We have been so overwhelmed by the family that is taking care of us. They are living in a very small house that is connected to their church due to a church split a couple of years ago. They have 2 sons living at home, the grandparents, and their daughter who is 15 and has cerebral palsy, no to mention feeding and caring for 12 needy Americans . I have never once heard them complain or grumble, but instead smiles and hugs every time I walk into the house. Please pray for Luz and Fernando as the continue to take care of us. Fernando and a group from their church are leaving for a mission trip to Oaxaca on Wednesday, so please pray that Luz doesn't feel a heavy burden and that their time in Oaxaca goes well.
This week the schedule looks like:
Monday:
that's today, not important
Tuesday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
night: Dinner out
Go see the Mexican wrestlers (Luchadores)
Wednesday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
3:00-5:00 Work Projects
Spend time with our families
Thursday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
3:00-5:00 Work Projects
Spend time with our families
Friday:
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
3:00-5:00 Work Projects
6:00 Dinner and closing celebration at the church
During the last week it has felt like all we were doing at our host homes was sleeping in their beds and using their showers! So.... this week we tried to make more time to be able to spend with the families and we're excited!
This is us with the group in downtown Guadalajara. The two girls in the white shirts are my roomies Jessica (the tall one, aka Francesca) and Melissa. Fer, Jordan's new best friend, is well.. the only guy in the picture so hopefully you can find him!
This is Jess and Natalie playing outside at the Casa de Hogar. I was shocked she actually sat in my lap!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Arrival in Guadalajara
We are here! Yesterday we traveled by bus with the rest of the team here to Guadalajara, which is very beautiful. The bus ride ended up being only 7 (we were expecting 9) and the bus was by far the NICEST one we've ever been on. We had tons of space between us and the people around us and could practically lay down. Yesterday we had a spaghetti dinner, total comfort food! Then we met our families and went to bed! Jessica is staying with a family that has 3 girls (10, 7, and 6) and they are all so sweet and fun to play with. The house she´s staying at is very nice and there are 3 other girls from the team staying there as well. She´s really glad with the girls she is staying with. Poor Host Dad Ivan though, it´s him, 8 girls and a girl dog too! And dad you thought you had it hard with the 3 of us! :)
Jordan is staying with a great couple Mariano and Margarite who have 3 kids also but they are quite a bit older (17, 21, and 24). Jordan can´t remember the girls names but one is studying art in Indiana and one is in Paris for a month. Their oldest son Andres took the boys in Jordan´s house out last night to hang out with his amigo´s and see the town, which was quite the experience. Jordan has also made friends with Fernando the ¨computer guy¨at the church in Guadalajara. He is pretty much the Mexican version of Jordan and they are both pretty excited to get to know each other better.
Tomorrow we start English classes and Jordan will also be doing music time with the kids which will be fun. Our tentative schedule as of now is as follows:
Monday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
6:30 Group time
8:00 Dinner
Tuesday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
4:00-8:00 Visit an orphanage, dinner at the orphanage
Wednesday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
6:30 Group time
8:00 Dinner
Thursday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
4:00-8:00 Visit an orphanage, dinner at the orphanage
Friday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
evening: Youth Night
Saturday:
Trip to the City
Next week we´ll be teaching the same hours that we are this week and have some other little things going on. More to come soon, we love you all!
Jordan is staying with a great couple Mariano and Margarite who have 3 kids also but they are quite a bit older (17, 21, and 24). Jordan can´t remember the girls names but one is studying art in Indiana and one is in Paris for a month. Their oldest son Andres took the boys in Jordan´s house out last night to hang out with his amigo´s and see the town, which was quite the experience. Jordan has also made friends with Fernando the ¨computer guy¨at the church in Guadalajara. He is pretty much the Mexican version of Jordan and they are both pretty excited to get to know each other better.
Tomorrow we start English classes and Jordan will also be doing music time with the kids which will be fun. Our tentative schedule as of now is as follows:
Monday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
6:30 Group time
8:00 Dinner
Tuesday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
4:00-8:00 Visit an orphanage, dinner at the orphanage
Wednesday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
6:30 Group time
8:00 Dinner
Thursday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
4:00-8:00 Visit an orphanage, dinner at the orphanage
Friday:
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-1:00 English Classes
2:00 Lunch
evening: Youth Night
Saturday:
Trip to the City
Next week we´ll be teaching the same hours that we are this week and have some other little things going on. More to come soon, we love you all!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Off To Guadalajara
Well we have officially been at the Williams for 3 weeks and in Mexico for 3 1/2 weeks! Guadalajara, in the beginning, seemed like the "home stretch" and now it's here and we've been surprised it came so quickly. Today we'll get on a bus with the team and travel 9 hours to Guadalajara. All we know about it is that there is a Mexican family and church out there that we'll be working with and teaching English classes with. We will either be 2 to a house or all the girls in one and the guys in another. We don't know if we'll have internet access as frequently so we'll try to let you know as soon as possible!
Last night was our last night teaching English with the Sanchez Family (our next door neighbors). We brought over some cupcakes and soda and played Uno for a good hour and a half. It was fun to laugh and celebrate with them. They have taken the last 3 weeks very seriously and have learned a lot of English, so it was nice to just have some fun. We also brought them some small gifts as a thank you and we were very surprised when they out to large gift bags. They got Jessica a really nice scarf/shall and Jordan a authentic Mexican Indian Llama vest. We will upload some pictures as soon as we can. It has been wonderful getting to know this family and we will definitely miss them.
Since last night was our last night here the kids decided to send us off with some pranks. A firecracker (more like an M80) at 1:00am, Vick's Vapor Rub on the toilet seat, saran wrap on the toilet, fake poop outside Jessica's door, a walkie talkie hidden in Jessica's room and others that did not succeed. Apparently Josh was going to throw a peach bomb filled with firecrackers into Jordan's room, good thing Jordan planned ahead and locked his door! However, we are no fools! We put salt and pepper in Alicia's tooth brush, cayenne pepper on Josh's pillows and sheets, and set an alarm for various times throughout the night in Josh's room. Let's just say we didn't sleep a lot last night so hopefully we'll be able to on the bus.
Well we're off to Guadalajara, we miss you and will try to post soon!
Last night was our last night teaching English with the Sanchez Family (our next door neighbors). We brought over some cupcakes and soda and played Uno for a good hour and a half. It was fun to laugh and celebrate with them. They have taken the last 3 weeks very seriously and have learned a lot of English, so it was nice to just have some fun. We also brought them some small gifts as a thank you and we were very surprised when they out to large gift bags. They got Jessica a really nice scarf/shall and Jordan a authentic Mexican Indian Llama vest. We will upload some pictures as soon as we can. It has been wonderful getting to know this family and we will definitely miss them.
Since last night was our last night here the kids decided to send us off with some pranks. A firecracker (more like an M80) at 1:00am, Vick's Vapor Rub on the toilet seat, saran wrap on the toilet, fake poop outside Jessica's door, a walkie talkie hidden in Jessica's room and others that did not succeed. Apparently Josh was going to throw a peach bomb filled with firecrackers into Jordan's room, good thing Jordan planned ahead and locked his door! However, we are no fools! We put salt and pepper in Alicia's tooth brush, cayenne pepper on Josh's pillows and sheets, and set an alarm for various times throughout the night in Josh's room. Let's just say we didn't sleep a lot last night so hopefully we'll be able to on the bus.
Well we're off to Guadalajara, we miss you and will try to post soon!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Four More Days in Izcalli
We have officially hit the half way point of our trip. Yesterday we had been here for 21 days and had 21 days to go. We are having a good time, but it is good to know that from now on we will have been here more days than days that are left. We leave for Guadalajara on Sunday, and are getting excited to meet back up with the team and get the chance to see another part of Mexico. We aren't really sure what we'll be doing there yet, but we'll let you know when we find out!
Today was supposed to be the last day of our English classes at the Elementary School, but when we arrived this morning there wasn't a single student there! The teachers planned a teacher conference day and probably decided that yesterday! We are getting used to going with the flow and spent some time with the teachers before we caught a bus back home. We are planning to go back tomorrow or Friday to say goodbye and give out some presents. We had a great time at the school and seeing so many young faces was refreshing and fun for us- we'll miss you Benito Juarez Elementary!
Sunday we went Tepozatlan after church because there is a big market there. It was a great "cultural experience" and we found these super cute gifts that Jessica is obviously still very excited about! Jordan has bought some strange gifts and Jessica is learning to just walk away when he gets captivated by Mexican action figures, etc... Tepozatlan is more like a Puebla and was very beautiful. Alicia and Josh were somewhat (okay, very) disinterested in the souvenir shopping due to the Mexico vs. US soccer game- we were somewhat fearful when we found out US won being that Jessica is VERY Gringo.
We have been somewhat discouraged because one of our English classes keeps getting canceled and we are having a hard time getting a hold of anyone. We are really praying that the relationships we and the Williams have made with them will allow them to get involved with the great things the Williams are doing and are hoping they aren't pushing away for specific reasons. We are trying very hard to respect cultural and spiritual boundaries and simply do whatever we can to love this family.
Jordan just finished Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and has been raving about it and all the things he's learned while reading it. Jessica has had to shush him a few times because she still wants to read it! It's been great though because it has really encouraged him in the ways he loves people and his perspective of the Bible. He is learning not to just take it at face value but to really search out the meaning of the Bible for him personally. Christianity was never meant to be about religion, but rather a way of life and who we are. Jessica has become attached to a Message Bible she found at the Williams because it is so relevant and easy to follow and has been going through Matthew. She has been praying a lot about wisdom and read today that when we cry out to the Lord for Wisdom and call out for Insight that the Lord will provide generously without finding fault when we ask in confidence (James 1:5-6, and Proverbs 2:1-6). There are so many questions about the next steps and she is excited to search it out.
Being that we are a little over half way done, we are starting to miss home and are becoming more deeply thankful for all of you, and for the things we have. The more places that I (Jessica) go, the more I realize that Wilsonville is the right place for us for this stage of our lives. But also because we are right in the middle I've noticed it being easier to get irritated, worn out, and wanting to be home. God has been faithful in reminding us of purpose and that there is more to learn and do here in Mexico. Please pray for our attitudes and perspectives to stay in check as time continues to pass.
We love you and appreciate your prayers! Enjoy some new photos...
Tepozatlan - This is the Catholic church in Tepozatlan right in the middle of the big market.
La Michoacana - On Saturday Jess and I walked up to a very popular ice cream chain down here and got some of the best ice cream we have ever had. We quickly became with the shop owner Luis and say hello every time we pass.
Jess helped out around the house on Monday and did her fair share of painting. Isn't she cute! Her painting clothes are circa 1989.
Today was supposed to be the last day of our English classes at the Elementary School, but when we arrived this morning there wasn't a single student there! The teachers planned a teacher conference day and probably decided that yesterday! We are getting used to going with the flow and spent some time with the teachers before we caught a bus back home. We are planning to go back tomorrow or Friday to say goodbye and give out some presents. We had a great time at the school and seeing so many young faces was refreshing and fun for us- we'll miss you Benito Juarez Elementary!
Sunday we went Tepozatlan after church because there is a big market there. It was a great "cultural experience" and we found these super cute gifts that Jessica is obviously still very excited about! Jordan has bought some strange gifts and Jessica is learning to just walk away when he gets captivated by Mexican action figures, etc... Tepozatlan is more like a Puebla and was very beautiful. Alicia and Josh were somewhat (okay, very) disinterested in the souvenir shopping due to the Mexico vs. US soccer game- we were somewhat fearful when we found out US won being that Jessica is VERY Gringo.
We have been somewhat discouraged because one of our English classes keeps getting canceled and we are having a hard time getting a hold of anyone. We are really praying that the relationships we and the Williams have made with them will allow them to get involved with the great things the Williams are doing and are hoping they aren't pushing away for specific reasons. We are trying very hard to respect cultural and spiritual boundaries and simply do whatever we can to love this family.
Jordan just finished Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and has been raving about it and all the things he's learned while reading it. Jessica has had to shush him a few times because she still wants to read it! It's been great though because it has really encouraged him in the ways he loves people and his perspective of the Bible. He is learning not to just take it at face value but to really search out the meaning of the Bible for him personally. Christianity was never meant to be about religion, but rather a way of life and who we are. Jessica has become attached to a Message Bible she found at the Williams because it is so relevant and easy to follow and has been going through Matthew. She has been praying a lot about wisdom and read today that when we cry out to the Lord for Wisdom and call out for Insight that the Lord will provide generously without finding fault when we ask in confidence (James 1:5-6, and Proverbs 2:1-6). There are so many questions about the next steps and she is excited to search it out.
Being that we are a little over half way done, we are starting to miss home and are becoming more deeply thankful for all of you, and for the things we have. The more places that I (Jessica) go, the more I realize that Wilsonville is the right place for us for this stage of our lives. But also because we are right in the middle I've noticed it being easier to get irritated, worn out, and wanting to be home. God has been faithful in reminding us of purpose and that there is more to learn and do here in Mexico. Please pray for our attitudes and perspectives to stay in check as time continues to pass.
We love you and appreciate your prayers! Enjoy some new photos...
Tepozatlan - This is the Catholic church in Tepozatlan right in the middle of the big market.
La Michoacana - On Saturday Jess and I walked up to a very popular ice cream chain down here and got some of the best ice cream we have ever had. We quickly became with the shop owner Luis and say hello every time we pass.
Jess helped out around the house on Monday and did her fair share of painting. Isn't she cute! Her painting clothes are circa 1989.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Two Weeks With the Williams
As of today we have been at the Williams for two weeks. Time has passed quickly and we are excited to see what this next week has in store. Yesterday Jordan did a family portrait for the Williams and is making them a website/blog right now. Here's the photo of their family: (left to right) Josh, Denise, Craig and Alicia
Josh is 13 and he is very much a boy. He will eat anything (I mean anything) and goes to great extents to gross out anyone and everyone at the dinner table. He also is currently addicted to Lost Season 2, which has been fun for us to see old episodes!
Denise is a wonderful mother and wife, and it didn't take long for us to see that. She cooks amazing food: cornbread, chicken pot pie, bran muffins, and so much more! She is so loving and the way she interacts with the Mexican people is so natural.
Craig is often walking throughout the house singing songs like "The Muttley Family" and "Scooby Doo Be Dobbey Do" and is hilarious. He can strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere, and it has been great to watch how he can so easily start a relationship with a perfect stranger.
Alicia is 15 and loves soccer and music. She is often the victim of Josh's gross moments and pranks. She is a great help at our English class when Jordan and I need some translating!
Josh is 13 and he is very much a boy. He will eat anything (I mean anything) and goes to great extents to gross out anyone and everyone at the dinner table. He also is currently addicted to Lost Season 2, which has been fun for us to see old episodes!
Denise is a wonderful mother and wife, and it didn't take long for us to see that. She cooks amazing food: cornbread, chicken pot pie, bran muffins, and so much more! She is so loving and the way she interacts with the Mexican people is so natural.
Craig is often walking throughout the house singing songs like "The Muttley Family" and "Scooby Doo Be Dobbey Do" and is hilarious. He can strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere, and it has been great to watch how he can so easily start a relationship with a perfect stranger.
Alicia is 15 and loves soccer and music. She is often the victim of Josh's gross moments and pranks. She is a great help at our English class when Jordan and I need some translating!
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