My last real week of Mexican summer

Hola a todos, y buenas tardes!

So I can't believe a week from today I'll be almost back to North Carolina! This last week has been much less active, a winding down week if you will, but I have had a lot of fun.

Last Monday was our last official day of rest here in Mexico, and I spent the day doing just that. I slept in a little, spent some much-needed time in prayer and reading the Bible, and then I left for the internet cafe, where I updated you all on what I was doing. Then I went to the big handicraft market again, but this time with the distinct purpose of getting a few gifts for people back home. Then Kelly (who is the only other North Carolinian here) and I went out for a meal and dessert!

Tuesday, we had meetings with our team, and then with our small groups, and then Tuesday night we had the Bible Study. A few girls came and we got to say some things that I think are really good advice, but they are not much for discussing. I think that culturally, it is more common for the people with authority to just say what is "right" and then they just have to go along with it, or at least pretend to agree. Which is pretty much the opposite of how I have been trained to think for the last 4 years at Carolina. Plus, my last four years of leading Bible Studies have been with college-aged girls from the States, attending one of the best universities in the nation (or I might as well say it, the best), who were mostly all raised as Protestant Christians. To go from that to Mexican, Catholic girls around 12 yrs. old who have never even held a Bible is quite a jump!

But I think that was part of God's preparation for me for the orphanage. To begin thinking differently in terms of learning, progress, discussion and "success." For example, the study wasn't exactly what I had in mind; we were having to take several minutes each time for everyone to find the particular passage we wanted to talk about. We had to teach them where the book was, what we meant by chapter (the big number) and what we meant by verse (the little number). And once we did read it and ask some discussion questions, the girls were very hesitant to share what they thought it meant, or how they interpreted a particular verse. But we did end up asking one girl, Tanya, near the end, if she had her own Bible, and or if she had ever read it before. She answered "no" to both, and I was able to give her the Spanish Bible that they gave us Spearheaders last time we were here. (I never use it anyway, because I use my own bilingual Bible.) So at first I was really disappointed that we didn't see tons of lightbulbs going off with all the girls, but then God showed me (partly through my roommate, Karen,) that it was a success, and even if it wasn't, God doesn't necessarily want us to be successful in the eyes of the world, He just calls us to be faithful. Also, we asked Norma, a lady from our church, and Rachel, our mama, to come with us, and we are hoping that we set a spark in their hearts about what an opportunity they could have to positively impact these girls' lives. And I got some good advice from Rachel for future studies (possibly with the girls at the Casa): stick with one very basic truth and commicate it clearly and repetitively for the entire time. That way you are sure they leave with some knowledge they didn't have when they came. All that to say, I am happy with how Tuesday night went, although it was definitely a process getting to that point.

Wednesday, we went to a recreation center outside of the city for the whole day with all the jovenes from our church, and a lot of adults, too. It took about 2 hours to get there, but when we did it was so worth it! It was hot, which is rare here, so I was very grateful for that. We swam, played soccer, took in some sun and had a picnic lunch. We all came back exhausted and sun burnt, but I got a chance to talk with the jovenes and some ladies from our church and we all really bonded! When we got back, all the jovenes went to this coffee shop where you get paper and crayons and you write "love notes" and then they are all posted all over the walls.

Norma and her family invited us over on Thursday for comida and to watch La Bella y La Bestia (Beauty and the Beast), because that happens to be the favorite Disney princess of Norma, Karen and me. Norma's nine year old son, Jose, and I also went and bought pancakes on the street (that is a really common street vendor here), and they were muy rico!

Today we are having a more relaxed day, preparing to say goodbye to the church and family by writing notes to all of them and buying stuff to make some goodbye treats. We have been told by the Spearhead staff that goodbyes are crucially important here, so we are trying to do a good job of saying goodbye to everyone we met here.

I doubt I will be updating again for a while, so I will leave you with my schedule for the rest of the time I am here.

Saturday- Our church's anniversary celebration, and afterwards, a game night with the church! (I am going to make French toast, brownies, and maybe cookies, too!)

Sunday- Our last Sunday at church...we will have to say something, and we might sing a duet, too...so you can be praying for sufficient words to thank them and for pitch...jaja.

Monday- To the pyramids with our team

Tuesday- Closing Conference with Spearhead

Wednesday- Last day with our family...we will probably do something fun with them...maybe go back to Xochimilco and ride the boats...?

Thursday- Goodbye/Thank you Breakfast with our families and pastors, and then more closing/reentry talks...then we stay in a hotel Thursday night

Friday-I will leave around 3:30 AM for the airport for my 6:15 flight to Dallas. I will get home around 3pm, and to the river house by 6pm for a home-cooked meal with my family!!

Then I will return to Mexico on October 12th for the rest of the year (until July 2009).

Ok, I can't wait to see all of you, and as usual, thanks for reading!

Love!