Photo of the Week: What a Colorful World

The morning was heavy with mist as the sun rose from beyond the mountains.  The dark skies began to turn vibrant colors as everything was touched with a pink glow.  Every moment seemed more brilliant than the last.  And so it was that I scared my roommate while I was taking pictures at daybreak on our back porch :).

Quick question.  How many colors would you say are in the picture above?  Do a quick count.  (I find pink, blue, orange, yellow, purple... white-ish...)

I happened upon an application in my photo editing program that counts the number of unique colors in your photo.  According to PaintShop Pro, this particular image holds 62,425 unique colors.  Incredible.

Perhaps take a moment right now to look up and look around - and be overwhelmed by the amount of colors the world around you holds.  Whether in a bland office or the great outdoors, I imagine there are more than you think.

Tale As Old As Time

I was in a Bible study on prayer when I first heard about praying through the news: when you go through a newspaper and pray about what you find there.  Some people in the study thought it was depressing because the news is depressing, but I found that it brought me hope.  Instead of just hearing about hurting people or evil in the world, I could take some action and put it before God.

So, when it was suggested that for morning devotions we talk to the students about news items, I thought it was a great idea.  Living in a close-knit community where you eat, sleep, work, play, and worship all on the same property, it is easy to lose touch with the world.  And so we are trying this new devotion idea out - bringing news to the kids from the world, from Mexico, from Oaxaca, and from the foundation.

News can be overwhelming - especially world news, which I'm in charge of sharing.  But this week I decided to latch on to an article in the BBC news about another migrant boat sinking as it tried to make the journey from North Africa to Italy.  Immigration is something these kids are well aware of, but I wanted to expand their understanding of it.  So we turned to migrants in the Bible...

Abram - migrated because God told him to

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you... So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. (Genesis 12:1,4-5)

Joseph's family - migrated because of famine/poverty

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?  I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” (Genesis 42:1-5)

Jesus - migrated because of danger and threat of death

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

While immigration is a current news event, it is certainly nothing new.  Through history, both recent and ancient, people have moved about - in hope of a better life, in fear of danger, out of necessity, or out of a call from God.

And so the kids and I prayed.  We prayed for the people fleeing danger in Africa.  We also prayed for the Central American children who are enduring great danger to flee poverty and danger in their countries.  I don't know what the answers are to current immigration issues - but I do know we are called to pray.  May I learn to do it more faithfully.

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

Current Events: Children's Rights

I am surprised to find that many people in the states haven't heard about Mama Rosa.  News came out in July about major abuse that was happening at her children's home in central Mexico.  I won't go into many details here, but there were about 500 kids living in terrible conditions at "The House of the Big Family" with a staff of only around 10 people, as I understand it.  If you are interested, you can read an article on BBC News: 'Abused children' rescued in Mexico.

I share about this because of a special visit we had at the children's home here this week.  In the wake of the Mama Rosa news, a group of people from various organizations are traveling to different homes to inspect whether children's rights are being respected.  I knew they were here, but I was still a little surprised to see them coming through the door with their cameras snapping pictures of everything and their pens writing away on their notepads.

I was very glad that the kids were in their math classes at that moment and were being very studious.  I wished I had swept the mud off the front porch, tracked in by the kids after the morning rain.  But, overall it seemed to go very well.  We were happy to show them everything they asked to see and they even commented that they could tell something was different about this home than other homes they'd visited.

I know I am thankful to live and work in this place.  The beauty of it never grows old.  I feel like God has led me through many experiences that have left me well-equipped to for this job - and I can see areas I need to grow and am growing as well. I count myself blessed to have heard God's call to come here to serve for such a time as this.

In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Photo of the Week: Back to School

Classes have begun at the elementary school this week.  Here I follow the kids back to the school after recess.  I have taken over recess duty for these first few days to give the teachers a break.

Anger Management

A teachers union in Oaxaca has been protesting new government mandated evaluation rules for hiring, promoting and dismissing teachers.  They protest by blockading major roads and camping out in the streets downtown.  This year they also made a major effort to stop one of Oaxaca's main festivals - unfortunately seeming to mainly damage the tourism industry, Oaxaca's main source of income.

Hi, my name is Laura and I'm very angry at the Oaxacan teachers this year.

...

Maybe it's because I've never seen them camped out with actual camping tents, in gardens and blocking walkways. Maybe it's feelings resurfacing as I remember the extreme all this came to in 2006.  Maybe it's even frustration at the city of Oaxaca in general for letting it get this bad again - but I have found myself very angry with the protesting teachers this year.

But then I took this picture at our school at the home last week:

The teachers here have been anxiously preparing their classrooms for the arrival of the students next week.  I've watched as they make seating assignments and set out materials.  The walls that were bare are now being filled with informational posters and encouraging words.  In the picture above, the teachers are working together on lesson plans.

My mind turned to the Oaxacan teachers who have spent nearly four months protesting and blockading. Surely most teachers look forward to preparing their classrooms in anticipation of classes beginning - yet they are denied that as they spend night after night in a tent.  Whether I agree with them or not, God has a purpose in each of their lives. I feel like they are missing out on such a huge part of being a teacher.

And, so it was, that I felt led to pray for the teachers of Oaxaca.  I'll be honest, it is challenging.  But maybe you can help me out in this.  As I understand it, the state of Oaxaca has the poorest education levels in all of Mexico - so they certainly could use prayers.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions 
with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert and always 
keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18

Current Events: Immigration

When I arrived in the U.S. in July, a dramatic increase in children immigrating illegally from Central America to the U.S. was a huge news topic.  However, people often seemed to hear "crossing the U.S.-Mexico border," and think that these were Mexican kids.  

As I understand it, most of the children are coming from Central America (which is made up of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama).  Beyond the problem that it's been for many years, I hadn't heard any breaking news about the subject while living in Mexico.

However, today in Oaxaca this bus caught my eye and my interest, so I snapped a picture.

"I thought it would be easy for my son to get papers in the north...

It wasn't true." "Our children are the future: Protect them."

I don't have anything profound to say on the subject. I just thought it might be interesting to see a small effort that is being made here in Mexico to curb the growing problem.  I also will share a link to a blogpost I found insightful on the subject - written by missionaries serving in Honduras.

May the church respond with love and wisdom that comes from God.

Photo of the Week: Ancient Ruins

This is Monte Alban - an ancient Zapotec capital.  Founded around 500 BC, it was a political power for around 1,000 years.  Pretty amazing.  And though I enjoy imagining history that has come before me, it is challenging for me to wrap my mind around what it must've been like to be there in its heyday. 

It especially sparks my interest to try to imagine what it was like for the people there at the time when, thousands of miles away, Jesus was changing the world.

Video of the Week...

When this rainbow first appeared in the sky, I had to have it pointed out to me.  It was just a little line of a rainbow above the mountain.  In Spanish it's called an "arcoiris" and I said, that's not an arcoiris -  it's just an "iris" because it's missing the "arc."

A short while later, as I walked back from dinner, this was in the sky.  Guess that rainbow showed me what was what :).  I stood there and watched it for a long time.  With the wind blowing the rain towards us, it seemed to get closer and closer.  When I finally had to go in due to the rain, I think it was the closest I've ever been to a rainbow.  Amazing.

A Walk Through Oaxaca

I took the following photo for my sister, who collects pictures of old lighted signs in Chicago. Looking at the picture, you may not realize I walked 2 miles to take it.  So, I thought I’d try recounting what it was like, in case you're interested in taking a walk through Oaxaca with me. :)

My ride into town stops at McDonalds, so I get out there and begin walking west.  Is this going to be too far?  Hmm... I pass by the baseball stadium and catch a glimpse of the field inside.  I notice gang symbols spray painted on the vendor windows.   I walk on and pass the bus station. I can see Mexicans and tourists, and probably Mexican tourists, sitting inside waiting for their buses.  I consider going in to use the nice restroom, but continue on. 

This may be farther than I thought...  I check out the city buses going by, but none seem to be one I want.  I turn south and pass by the language school I attended in 2006.  I pass by a church I haven’t been in for 8 years, and step inside there.  I can hear a man's voice singing a beautiful song from a side chapel. 

I walk through a park with shooting fountains.  I see a policeman keeping an eye on a pedestrian who is shouting as he walks down the street.  I stop at a corner store for a bottled water and a package of donuts.  My sister calls, but the street is noisy, and we end our conversation quickly.

I walk and walk.  Have I missed downtown?  I don’t think so.  I’ll go a little farther.  Ah ha, teachers blockading the streets – yup, definitely downtown.  Though I wish to avoid the teachers, I cut through them get to the market.

Stop for some hot chocolate.  The employees are mouthing words to each other over my shoulder as I wait for the milk to warm up.  Hard not to imagine they’re talking about me.  How often do I do that to others when I speak English?...  Hot chocolate ready.  On to the marketplace. 

The woman who sold me fruit before seemed kind of pricey, I’ll try a different stand.  The man helping me only has 3 fingers, but is very skilled in his job.  While he calls to someone for change, I clumsily struggle to get my fruit into the bag I brought along.

On towards the photo goal.  Oh, I did not know there was another chocolate store there. Nice.  Oh, there’s that tourist market with high prices.  I was wondering where that was.

Was the sign this far? Have I passed it?  Hope not.  Ah ha!  There it is!  Casually step aside, pretending interest in something so the people behind me go by, and then take pictures until I get the money shot.

Now... will a bus go by me?  Probably not.  Walk on. I see a sign for the main road. I get there and realize this is about the point I would walk from as I came home from church many years ago.  A walk down memory lane, if you will :).  Turn back east and head to the grocery store where I can take a taxi back home.

Tiring, but successful day.

I once was lost...

It has been my experience that people who are fairly good with directions struggle to understand how someone could get lost so easily as us "directionally challenged" folks.  Though I know the city of Oaxaca quite well, it is taking me a long time to figure out the streets of the small town nearest to the children's home.  After being here for 6 months, I am only just now beginning to get my bearings when we go to town.

I am finding it to be a similar experience in my readings of the Bible.  I think this is my fourth time reading through the whole Bible, and it is only now that I feel like I'm beginning to get a handle on which king did what.

And so it was that I was very disappointed in Jeroboam.  He started out with such promise: "Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the tribes of Joseph."  But then when he became the first king of divided Israel, he decided to set up, not only one golden calf, but two, for the Kingdom of Israel to worship.  Really?

And then, even when the following kings "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord," they also unfortunately "did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan." Over and over again I read it, and each time remembered my disappointment in Jeroboam.

But then the other day I came to 2 Kings 23:15. King Josiah was tearing down and destroying all the evil things previous kings had built and worshiped.  With each one, my spirit felt relieved.  But I was especially glad to finally read, "Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin—even that altar and high place he demolished."  I smiled as I sat there reading that.

How did I miss this before?  I've read all of this at least three times already.  I think it might be for the same reason I get lost easily in a new place.  I need to focus really hard to figure out what's what, and repetition helps me find my way.  Thankfully I've been able to read through the Bible numerous times, and hope to continue doing so all my life.

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"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105

Photo of the Week: School Days

It happened when I was sorting through donations and organizing crayons -
I got very excited for school to start :).

Prayer for Meriam Update

Some may remember that in May I asked you to join us in prayer for Meriam, a Sudanese woman who was imprisoned for her Christian faith.  She was pregnant and due to receive 100 lashes upon giving birth, and death after her child grew to be two years old.

I am careful of what I ask the kids here to pray for, but I did ask them to pray for Meriam.  I was especially moved one morning when an older girl prayed for Meriam, asking God to spare her life, but also asking that God help Meriam remember that if she did die, she would be with Him.

An update on that story is that Meriam has been freed from jail.  She was not, however, allowed to leave her country.  But articles report that two weeks ago she and her family were secretly flown to Italy (Church Prepares to Receive Sudanese Woman Who Refused to Renounce Her Faith), and last week they arrived in the United States (Sudan 'apostasy' woman Meriam Ibrahim arrives in US).

Of course, there are more cases of persecution throughout the world today.  This case has renewed my awareness of that and my desire to pray for Christian brothers and sisters.  This website might be helpful in that endeavor: Voice of the Martyrs, if you'd like to join me.

Rejoice always, pray continually, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18