Thoughts in Church when you don’t understand the language...

Sunday, Jan 21, 2018
The little mission church was full.  This is a blessing!  There are children, families and many young people.  The church attracts college students as they live and go to school nearby.
Pablo was preaching today.  He is the Pastor in charge, and comes to cisit or preach about once a month.  Sebastian or an elder preaches on the days he is not here.
There is Praise music, serious and different from that at home.  There is a formality about the music here.  The words and notes are unfamiliar and difficult to sing.  But it is a step forward in making the service more modern, more uplifting.  The hymns are long, with many verses and choruses.  But some of the tunes are familiar!   There is no musical accompaniment.  But with a full church, the singing is louder and more joyful than in days of old.
Pablos sermon was long today....almost an hour.   The “culto” or service was 1 hour 50 minutes.   Wonder how restless people would be at home.  I didnt understand too much today.  He was expressive and people were captivated.  He talked about people following people, and not following God.  About Sunday Christians, professing something on Sunday. And changing their story on Monday.  He stated there are 6000 different churches in Chiapas!  Each believing a little different thing, each convicted in their own way, each  practicing a different manner of worship.
I was distracted, but few of the local worshipers were.  The church is tiny, storefront.  The narrow, rubbly, cobblestone street is just 4 feet from the front door.  There is constant car, truck, and horse traffic.  No one pays attention.  Today there was a parade, a band, on foot and in the back of a pickup truck:  caliope, trombones, drums, etc!  I looked, and smiled.  No one else did...
I love the little church.  It is warm and inviting.  The culture is welcoming.
The service is not necessarily so inspirational, but being here is..
No TV.  No newspapers.  Way fewer responsibilities, obligations, activities.  Time to read, devote,
pray, do a Bible study together.  I am trying to follow the Colossians series that Greg Buel,is doing at home.  I like the theme...learn about and receive Christ, be changed, and then reach out, share, serve.
I am trying to do that!  Grow in the knowledge of Christ and be in service to others.
Have a Blessed Day!
I am having difficutly putting photos in this new version of my Blogger.  Rrrrr.  Paciencia....

JANUARY, 2018. STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!

Well, i am here, safe and sound.  

Flights were excellent!  Easy checking in.  No problems anywhere.  

I was on Interjet, first time, so the procedures and location in the airports was different.  Got one checked bag free, 2’nd one was $25.  

Immigration was a snap.  2 minutes to get thru.  Follow the crowd.  After, I picked up my bag.  Was on the same level and they pointed us to the baggage area for Conexion/flights that will continue.  You take your bag again where they point you to the Banda, the conveyer belt that whisks your bag off. Presumably to Tuxtla!    It was easy.  No customs check or Red light Green lights.  The hardest part for me was after this, finding the Interjet to Tuxtla area.  I was in a different area, a big terminal.  But I asked information and porters that are around.  Have to go thru security again, butEnded up in Waiting Area B, and kept watching the sign for them to post the gate.  They only  post it about an hour ahead of the departure time.   But then....I had 5 hours, plenty of time for bathroom, water and a donut!  

I think he would be a good team member...

Alfredos smiling face greeted me, and off we went to San Cristobal to meet Elias.  Ride was beautiful thru them thar hills.  the vistas into the valleys are stunning. So much better during the day, tho my eyes were a little scratchy.  Slept on and off, but the back of the seats were not comfy, and the sandwich and chips awakened me at 2 AM. 

Lunch was ready at Sara and Elias house, a surprise!  I had a bag of snacks and the sandwich that they served at 2AM.  But the soup was delicious.  First Chiapas meal.  Yay!  When Elias got home, after teaching, we all squished into their little car and again onto the windy, down down road to Oco. 2 hours.  Tired, but good!  

Jan and Pablo followed, arriving at 3:30 AM.  Didnt see them til morning.  Pablo had to get up early to attend Presbytery, 3 days of state wide Presby meetings, policy making, pastoral stuff.  He is an important person in the state wide church.  

By the way, the weather is EXCELLENT,  Hope it stays.  Warmish air, hot sun, clear skies.  I sat in the sun this AM, and am outside now.  The house is cement and dark and cold.  Good in the summer.  But I love being outside. 

We’ve been talking, talking, catching up.   I dont know why, but talking seems to be at the heart of all my friendships!

People at their house, Pastors, people living there, family.  Pablos brother, Santiago, is there now too, living with his daughters in an outer part of the house. He is severely diabetic, has refused over the years to treat it.  He looks terrible .  They just amputated 3 toes this week.  Sad.  Pablo is doing well with his diabetes, thank goodness.  

They got a new shower head in the shower I use, and water was hot!  Nice...   My little room is cozy and i organized my stuff. We will move up to the Bible School when the caravan comes.  We are going to walk up the crowded street through the crazy market now.  I love buying avocados, tomatoes, melons and huge bunches of fresh flowers for $1.  Also love the fresh popped popcorn made on the street over a charcoal grill.  

So!  Here I am.  I have stopped to smell the roses!  And they smell good.  

Love you all.

More later 

Mom (Carolina)

Sent from Carolyn's I Pad

THIS IS THE DAY.....

And a fine day it was!   And a fine week.

CHIAPAS OCTOBER2017

Got thru immigr. and customs in record time!   NO lines.  No red light green light.  I think they are scanning bags ahead somehow.  So you just pick up the bag and drag it to the conveyor belt and you are done!  And then we had 6 hours to sit and wait!  Watching for earthquakes... wondering where to get out fast.   Didn't really see any obvious damage.  Lights across the city beautiful as we landed at 4:20 am.  Tall buildings noted.  I guess a lot of the damage was to new buildings , but built without approval, or up to current codes.  Esp. the school.  Lots of lawsuits.  350 now dead.  

Flights were good.  Pretty smooth, on time.   Sun out in Tuxtla @ 12 noon and for the 6 pm flight of the other folks.   Seeing Jan's face  and Sebastian's big smile, quelled any anxiety.  

It is good to be here. It is rainy season and Jan said it has rained hard the last 10 days.  It has washed away smaller bridges, including the one we have to cross over going from dorm/Bible School living space to the clinic.  And more than normal pot holes, lake like puddles, and topes.  Things like, running water, drainage, sewers, garbage, building codes, rules of the road....are not things Mexico does well....

There was a huge Mexican cargo plane that just arrived at the Tuxtla airport, with Army guys.  Filled with supplies for the earthquake victims.  Very cool.

We did feel a small temblor while sitting at Tuxtla waiting for the others...  I am trying not to be unnerved all the time.  However, I KNOW that God has been with me, for sure.  Too many "coincidences" and moments of grace and mercy.  

The 3 hour road trip went well, tho it began to rain harder and harder as we got down closer to Ocosingo.   The pouring rain did not stop the joyous Bienvenidos from the rest of our friends and crew.   

Home at last !  

Hard rain all night, and my blow up mattress blew down....   flat...not much cush for the hard bare wooden slats.  But what a good sleep!  

And this morning, stunning.  The mountain views are still a sight .  Very reassuring.  

Day of rest...walk down, down the hill a mile or 2 to the little storefront church:  prayers, greetings, songs, traditional  introductions of us Gringos, and sermon by Elder Martin.  Pastor Pablo's prayer for the victims of recent disasters was touching.  

These humble people have collected 7 TONS of rice, beans, building supplies, etc, which will be driven to Oaxaca by Pablo and the other brothers and men of the Presbytery this week.  All can pray.  All can give.  All can go.  

Jan's good chicken, rice, beans, carrots and tortillas for lunch.  A quick swing in the hammock and then we met at the clinic to re-orient ourselves, and prepare and count meds, etc.  

Not sure what tomorrow will bring!   Pablo's radio station has been very effective!  

It is forecast to rain 90% of the next 2 weeks.

Te Amo

Carolina!