On being single

Today is my friend's wedding.  She is also my neighbor, coworker, former supervisor, and sister in Christ.  Nearly a year ago she came to tell me that Pablo asked if he could court her, and I remain as delighted for her today as I was then.  Everyone here at the home is doing what they can to help - some with floral arrangements, others with special presentations with the children, others with meals, etc.

It seemed to fall to me to do something along the lines of the bachelorette category.  So, I gathered all the women here at the mission together for an evening with the bride to be.  I also took her out for a night on the town - i.e. a night of rest and relaxation.  I hope that today is a blessed time for her and her groom and the many guests who have arrived for this special occasion.

One family on staff provided breakfast for the home and guests this morning.

I think because marriage is on the mind, my roommate told me with concern the other day that she's beginning to think God doesn't want her to get married.  A few weeks ago I heard that another single woman said in distress that she felt like God was playing with her.  And one morning in devotions last week a group member shared with us that he's pretty sure marriage is God's greatest gift to us on this earth...

I am not married and have never been, so maybe my point of view is biased, but I don't agree with the man who said marriage is God's greatest gift.  I do think that the church in both the U.S. and Mexico rarely deal healthily with the subject of being single. So, though this is a day when I will be celebrating a wedding with great joy, I would like to share with you a few words I have to say about being single.

First is my response to my roommate's distress over God "not wanting her to get married."  It may seem a little harsh, but I told her I don't think God cared a whole lot about whether we are married or not.  What I mean is that I think He wants us to love Him and love others - whether we're single or married.  I don't believe there is only one path God has set before us in life, I think there are many paths, and what matters is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength along the way.

Second is a conversation I had in Walmart recently.  An old friend spotted me, and he was very happy to hear that our friend is getting married.  He also was happy to find out that she and her groom would be staying on staff at the children's home, because sometimes getting married pulls people away from their ministry.  He said that he himself experienced something similar.  He was single well into his adult years, and has found that where he was once able to dedicate himself fully to ministry, he now must think of his young family first.  Whether one is in ministry or not, there can be a blessing of more freedom that comes from being single.

Third is what was said after my friend excitedly said to me after sharing with me her news nearly a year ago.  She told me, "Now we'll pray for God to bring you someone!"   I said thanks, but no thanks.  I reminded her of the repeated warnings in Song of Solomon about not awakening love until it so desires.  It was like a dream haze cleared from her eyes and she said, "You're right, I'm sorry."

She recalled how long it took her to finally trust God enough to give him the control over her marital future, and realized that's what she truly wanted for me as well.  Single or married, to trust in God's timing and not obsess over something He has not brought into my life.

As a friend of mine recently posted on Facebook, "Friends, please stop asking people why they are still single. All the question does is say something is wrong with that person and hurts anyone single within ear shot. Being single is not waiting for marriage and failing if you don't get there. Singleness is just a different life stage - one with just as many joys if you live it fully!"  I agree. :)

33

My birthday!  Though, it doesn't really feel different than any other day.  I think it's always been that way... though maybe it's more so now that I am not with my family or maybe it's just a symptom of growing older.  But there are plans to go out to lunch with friends today, that's very thoughtful of them.

I am 33 today.  I am happily single, but still hooked on romantic movies and novels.  I have been the administrator of this children's home for a month now, but it still feels surreal.  I've had a stress twitch in my arm for a solid year from all the responsibilities - and yet my soul feels light and free.

I am thankful for more things than I could ever write down, but this morning I am feeling particularly thankful for my family and that God has shown me through another year of life.  All glory to His Name.

A crepe restaurant downtown with friends. It was a lovely birthday :)

Peace on earth?

I don't talk politics.  It's something that I informally established in college to keep peace between my roommate and myself.  We were (and still are) great friends, but when conversation would take a turn in the political direction, things would become prickly.  She was skilled in defending her views, while I was just stuck in mine and unable to put together words in the heat of the moment to make anything resembling a convincing argument.

I continue to be hesitant to put in my two-cents worth in any crowd, as I watch people knocking others to the ground in a verbal attacks that, in my estimation, don't win over anyone.  It seems that even among Christians these days we do the opposite of what James suggested in his letter to the tribes of Israel.  Instead, we are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry...

During these divisive times, I've watched Facebook friends from both sides of issues post their points of view.   I don't think any of my friends are aware of how many of their articles I've read.  I tend to not "like" or comment on things, but I follow along and try to gain an understanding of the various views and consider them in light of my experience of this world.

And even when I heartily disagree with some people, I still keep them in my newsfeed.  I am not blind to how Facebook caters to people's likes and dislikes, putting us in bubbles of unawareness as to how the other side lives and thinks.  And right now, both sides are quite extreme, and believing terrible things of one another.

But I read something the other day in my devotional book that I wanted to share with people.  It had to do with the poor, and suffering, and Jesus.  I wasn't sure if anyone would even notice it, but it meant a lot to me, so I put it out there.

"Jesus comes from Nazareth, a town from which folks said nothing good could come. He knew suffering from the moment he entered the world as a baby refugee born in the middle of a genocide. Jesus knew poverty and pain until he was tortured and executed on a Roman cross. This is the Jesus we are called to follow. With his coming we learn that the most dangerous place for Christians to be is in comfort and safety, detached from the suffering of others. Places that are physically safe can be spiritually deadly." ~ Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

To me this was a reminder and a challenge for Christ-followers today, that we need to truly act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with our God. And a very interesting thing happened.  Friends from both political extremes liked and even shared the post.  This I did not expect.  But it made me glad.  Glad that despite political differences, we can still agree on something in Christ.

I wish the church didn't look so much like this world when we disagree politically.  I wish we could somehow truly love our enemies (which is sadly what it seems brothers and sisters in Christ have become to each other in some cases).  I wish we would stand out from this world as people who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, marked by the love of Christ.

There is a Christmas song that says, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."  I think this is where we need to start.  So often when we talk of what is wrong with the world, we think of how others are failing.  We forget to consider ourselves.  At the risk of sounding corny, I think we must first "be the change we want to see in the world."

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.  Not easy, but necessary.

Christmas cards some kids at school are making in my elective class.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

And be thankful. 

~ Colossians 3:15 ~

Double the Photos, Double the Fun

It would seem I have entered into busy times again.  Thankfully my phone keeps complaining that I need to make more space, so I have more snapshots of life to share here.  On previous posts I've tried to limit myself to 10, but this time I went with 20 plus one. Hope you enjoy!

One day I had extra time and decided to check out an alternate route to the airport, in case of blockades.  As it turned out, this practice run fell on a day when there was an actual blockade and I seemed to be one of the very few vehicles that made it to the airport.  I don't know if you can tell, but there are people walking up the road with their suitcases.

Payday line in front of the ATMs, a very common sight at the end of each month.

As we approached the highway, my friend and I tried to figure out what we were seeing go by.  It turned out to be hundreds of motorcycles that were traveling down this stretch of the intercontinental highway.  Thankfully we didn't have to follow them the whole way home, as they turned off early head to one of the villages.  Never found out who they were or what they were doing...

This was a special treat on a beautiful evening.  Elote (pronounced "eh-low-tay) - which is corn on the cob with mayonnaise and crumbled cheese.  It also usually has red sauce and chili powder on it, but I get mine "sin picante" (pronounced "seen pee-kahn-tay") - without anything spicy. :)

Furniture shopping here can mean driving around town and hoping that you spot what you need on the side of the road.  We needed bases for two double mattresses I bought recently.  I drove around on Friday, and nothing.  I looked on Saturday, still nothing.  Thankfully on my final run Sunday there were several options set up in the street for me to choose from.

And there's my purchase resting in the bed of the truck I brought with me.  I expected the cost to be around $1,000 pesos, so when the guy said it was $500, I said "oh, ok..." and pretended to carefully consider it, when I was really thinking "Great! Put it in the truck!"  Prices already go up when people see Americans - I don't think I need to appear too eager ;)

Watching the final historic game of Cubs the World Series with my omelet and orange juice dinner.  Though it was the stuff of Hollywood underdog movies, I just couldn't make myself stay up for the extra inning and rain delay.  But it was definitely fun to watch from Oaxaca.

Oops, there goes the engine light.  Thankfully I can call our mechanic and get his immediate opinion and help.  In this case we later figured out that the pressure in the gas tank wasn't right - if I understand car mechanics Spanish well enough...

Excited to find Snapple, Apple Butter, and A&W, I decided to splurge on my grocery purchases and made this a "treat yourself" day. It's the little things. :)

I was walking with a little girl when she cried out, "Moose!" I thought surely she had said the wrong word, until I looked up to where she was pointing and sure enough, there was a moose! - stuck atop the laundry.

One day, a certain frustration became the straw that broke this camel's back.  Needing to get away, I caught a bus into town and went to a coffee shop where I quietly cried out my issues and calmed down enough to gain perspective and see clearly again. 

This may look like my private jet, but it is not. :)  The United flights from Houston to Oaxaca are on a pretty small airplane - so small that you can make awkward eye-contact with your pilots before boarding the plane. ;)

I'm not sure what condiments McDonald's serves in other countries, but here the ketchup is accompanied with jalapeno sauce :).

Sunday School class.  The kids and I are really enjoying our journey through the parables.  Sometimes the lesson they learn from the parable isn't the answer I would've given, but I suppose that makes it even more special.

These kids can be pretty adorable - here an older little boy helps our youngest boy as he learns how to ride a bike.  They're cute when they're cute ;).

I was amazed at how high the dollar exchange rate was that day, however it turned out that the rate has continued to stay high since November.  From my limited understanding of economics, I'd say this is good for the U.S. and not so good for Mexico.

Evidence of an army of ants working hard overnight to move leaves.  While I don't love ants, I find these little trails pretty precious.  I'm not sure why they just abandon their work in the morning, but I guess when the whistle blows, they're outta there.

In Mexico, unhealthy things tend to be accompanied with a healthy message.  For example a commercial about beer has a subscript suggesting that you live with moderation.  This vending machine at the gas station would like you to exercise. :) 

Anyone else see PacMan in that cloud? 

Prayer walk with the staff around the border of the property.  We try to do this once a month.

I was delighted to find poinsettias growing outside our office in late October.  In Spanish the name for poinsettias is Noche Buena - which also happen to be the same words used to say Christmas Eve :)

Faithful in Prayer

I approach the tree in the dark and inquire as to whether I need to climb it for the prayer meeting.  The teen boys answer down "no," as their housefather walks up and tries to count heads.  "Who is in the tree?" he asks.  Eventually half a dozen young men drop out of the tree to join the rest of us on the ground.

I've been invited once more to join the teenage boys for their Tuesday night prayer time.  Some have brought a light jacket on the chilly night, others are shivering in shorts, flip flops and a T-shirt.  We begin with prayer requests and sing a song.  They finish with a prayer for me, laying their hands on my shoulders and arms as they thank God for my life and pray for my family.  In a world full of fear and conflict, I stand under the stars with a group of ten young men and find hope in prayer.

And I pray for them, that they would be set aside from this culture of self-absorption and living just for the moment.  That they would be strong and courageous, and discover the gifts God has given them.  I pray that they will truly get to enjoy their youth, but, additionally, that they would realize that their decisions now have consequences and affect their future.  May they learn how to love and respect God, themselves, and others.

I walk home, feeling the memory of the weight of their hands on my shoulders.  Their prayers have challenged me to be more involved in their lives and to make more use of the gifts God has given me.  I need to pack for my upcoming trip to the U.S. for Thanksgiving, but I pause once more to pray for these young men.  Something I should do much more often.

God with us

I recently finished reading the book, With by Skye Jethani,  Its subtitle is "Re-imagining the way you relate to God," and I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to do just that.  I shared a "book report" at morning devotions the other day, and I thought it'd be good to share here as well.

Skye Jethani starts by pointing out that we live in a scary, messed up, and chaotic world.  He proposes that all religions in the world start from the same place - fear and a desire for control.  Then he defines four positions that are taken in response to our fear of danger and attempt to control it: life OVER God, life UNDER God, life FROM God, and life FOR God.

LIFE UNDER GOD is traditional religion.  Basically, if you obey God you will be blessed, if you disobey God you will be cursed. People in this position think: "Are you greatly blessed?  You must be doing something pleasing to God.  Tsunami? Terrorist attack? Death of a child?  You must have done something to displease God."   This position does not resolve our fear of the world, it just makes us afraid of God in addition to his creation.

Jesus spoke of people like this when he talked about the Pharisees and experts of the law.  He called them hypocrites, who tied up heavy burdens for the people and put them on their shoulders. (Matthew 23).  The irony with this position is that, rather than submitting to God, we really end up trying to control him through morality and ritual.

LIFE OVER GOD is similar to atheism or deism.  This position sees the world as controlled by science, laws, and principles that we just need to manipulate to get the results we want.  With life over God, Christians see the Bible as a divine instruction manual.  If we follow find basic principles, we'll be fine.  In this case, we feel like we have direct control over the universe and God doesn't even need to be involved.

Moses tried to live this way when he put his trust in a proven formula of getting water out of a rock, rather than acknowledging God (Numbers 20).  This move kept him from entering the Promised Land.  We exchange a relationship with God for applicable principles, and end up with a life without God at all.

LIFE FROM GOD sees God as a divine genie who exists to fulfill our every desire.  We are driven by our desires for comfort and we consider ourselves successful if we have identified and fulfilled each one.  We only value God as far as what we can get out of him.  Taken to an extreme, this is the prosperity gospel.

This approach doesn't take away our fears, it just distracts us and insulates us from them, but they're still there.  Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is a good warning about this kind of thinking.  The son didn't want a relationship with his father, he just wanted what he could get out of his father.

LIFE FOR GOD is a popular position in ministry communities.  It is when we feel significance not in God's love for us, but in how much we can do for him.  In this position, missionaries and those involved in ministry are seen as leading lives of more value than others.  We try to remove fear by accomplishing great things for his kingdom, and we end up putting God's mission ahead of God himself.

This is the story of the brother of the prodigal son.  He also missed the point, thinking that everything he did for his father would win him favor.  Both sons were focused on what they could get from their father.  Both sons were using their father, one just did it in a more socially acceptable way.  But what brought the father joy was not his son's service, but simply having his son with him.  (Luke 15:25-32)

But there is another position we can take, that of LIFE WITH GOD.  Skye Jethani defines life with God as treasuring, uniting with, and experiencing God in a way that allows faith, hope and love to flourish.  The coming of Jesus Christ has set Christianity apart from other religions.  He is Emmanuel, God with us.

God himself came to be with us.  "Life under, over, from and for God each seeks to use God to achieve some other goal.  God is seen as a means to an end... But LIFE WITH GOD is different, because its goal is God... God himself becomes the focus of our desire...  He would cease to become how we acquire our treasure, and he would become our treasure."

FAITH:
When we pursue a life with God, we can accept the simple fact that control is an illusion.  Faith is the opposite of seeking control, it is surrendering it.  When we live in communion with the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23), we feel safe and no longer live in fear.  We break the danger-fear-control cycle of this world

When we experience the goodness and love of God, we are no longer afraid of the danger and chaos of this world.  We realize that with God, this world is a perfectly safe place to be,  And we become free from fear, Jesus' teachings finally make sense.  We are free to give rather than hoard, free to enjoy each day rather than worry, free to forgive, free to love our enemies.  "Life for those who live with God never ends.  A Roman cross or an assassin's bullet may destroy our body, but our life, our true self, is hidden forever with God in Christ."

HOPE:
The hope we find in uniting with God means that we no longer need to flounder in the stormy waves of the chaos of this world.  The Bible tells again and again of God's power over water, a symbol of chaos in this world (Genesis 6 - Noah's family surviving the flood, Exodus 2 - Moses surviving the genocide of infants being thrown into the Nile, Exodus 14 - God saving his people by parting the waters, Matthew 8 - Jesus calming the storm).

  Instead we can trust that God has power in the chaos.  "What brings a person value and significance is not what he does, but with whom he does it.  The call to life in continual communion with God means that every person's life, not matter how mundane, is elevated to sacred heights... No condition in life is more honorable than another, because nothing God does lacks value."

LOVE:
Love is what Jesus said would distinguish his people.  "Once we experience the undeserved rain of God's love, it sets us free from the striving for love that enslaves others.  It allows us to ignore the voices of the world telling us to seek power, success, beauty, and relevance."  We are already unconditionally loved by God.  It is not earned.  It was there before you were born and will be there after you die.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul famously speaks about love.  "In these short verses Paul deconstructed so much of what we build our lives on... How could Paul say that love is greater than gifts, knowledge, faith and service? Because 'love never ends...'"  Fear and control will be undone when God restores his creation.  But hope and faith will cease as well.  Our hopes will eventually be fulfilled and one day we will see what we have to have to rely on in faith now.   But love will remain always.

It is true that we are sinners (LIFE UNDER GOD) and God has given us moral instructions that it may go well for us.  It is true that we are managers (LIFE OVER GOD) who must steward resources and abilities with wisdom. It is true that we are consumers (LIFE FROM GOD) with needs and desires that can only be satisfied by God and others.  And it is true that we are servants (LIFE FOR GOD) called by God to accomplish things in this world for his glory.  But "disconnected from a LIFE WITH GOD, each of these can lead to a dangerously flawed understanding of Christianity."

The true message of the Gospel is a divine message of invitation into love and relationship with God.

Choosing Hope

I try to avoid talking politics, but since I haven't posted in a while and the elections are this week, I thought I'd share a journal entry from a few months ago.

Woke up to news that the Broncos won last night, and that North Korea says they successfully conducted their fifth nuclear test.  With the upcoming elections, the political future of this world seems mighty uncertain, helping me to remember to trust in God and not in man.

Last night another player took a knee during the national anthem - choosing not to honor a flag that represents a country where police brutality still exists, where racism is still so clear.  After being reminded of the danger of North Korea this morning, I am thankful for that freedom to peacefully disagree.

Some people are outraged at how unpatriotic it is - how disrespectful it is to those who fight for our freedom.  But what is freedom for if we cannot peacefully take a stand against something we perceive as wrong?

I grow weary when I consider the state our world is in, so I will turn my eyes to my Creator and Redeemer - the author of Salvation and the author of my future.  May my peace and hope be found in him alone.

I pray for North Korea, for our Christian brothers and sisters there.  But I also pray for the enemy, for the leaders, that the Holy Spirit give them dreams and visions.  May that country be transformed by the light of Christ's love.

I pray for the USA.  May we stop reacting in anger and hate towards those who are different than us.  May we respond to one another with love and compassion and mercy.  These times are revealing whether we trust in God or in man, whether we will follow Christ's example of love and sacrifice, or cling to our comforts and ideals.

May we see what is being revealed in ourselves and be able to change what we need to change, with the help of God's greatest gift, the Holy Spirit.

I don't know what this election week will bring, and I am a little afraid of what is to come.  But I will continue to confront my fears with prayer and follow the example of the psalmist and say:

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11

Jubilee

It is the last day of September and five of us from the staff in Oaxaca have traveled to Baja California to celebrate of the 50th Anniversary of the children's home there.  The weekend is full of events and we are only halfway through.  I am growing to better understand and appreciate the organization I've been a part of for nearly three years now.  Though I've already read the founder's book, Charla's Children, it is amazing to take a tour of the mission with Charla herself as our guide.

Fifty years ago a couple, Chuck and Charla, from North Hollywood California decided to drive down the peninsula in Mexico for Chuck's birthday.  As the day drew to a close, they realized they were lost and running out of gas, but thankfully a stranger dressed in white guided them to an old hotel in the middle of nowhere and then disappeared into the night.  The next morning, as Charla walked around, praying about what to do about their predicament, she had a clear vision of fields of wheat ready to harvest and clearly heard the sound of children laughing.  They thought that perhaps one day there would be a children's home there and prayed together for whoever would do that work, not realizing that those workers would be would be them. (Video Presentation of the Mission)

It is repeated over the course of the weekend that, biblically, the 50th year is one of jubilee - a time of freedom and celebration, of forgiving debts and enjoying the abundance of the Lord's blessing.  I am impacted by the numerous testimonies I hear that attest to the movement of the Holy Spirit in bringing people to this work.  It makes me reflect upon my own conviction in my call to come here, and the perseverance I found at the start of it, when everything in me wanted to go back home.

I am also deeply touched during the Sunday morning English worship service at Rancho de Cristo, a men's rehabilitation center by the sea.  We hear testimonies from former drug addicts and alcoholics, from men covered in tattoos who tell of the time they spent on the streets of L.A.  I look at them and wonder how often people see them only as a threat, with no idea that one day they would timidly stand up in a chapel and give testimony to the power of God's transformative work in their lives.  And I wonder how many troubled young men are still out there who God will call to Himself.

"I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
    saying, ‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
    and will not throw you away."

One of the founders of this "house of restoration" shares a message as well.  He cautions us that "bad things happen when good people do nothing."  He challenges us that "it is not enough to evangelize.  We need to disciple."  And he reminds us that our final commission from our Lord was to make disciples, and that when we meet the Lord on that great day, he may look behind us and ask "Where are your disciples?"

This visit to the rehab center is truly the highlight of the trip for me, but what impacts me the most is standing beside my friend and coworker during the time of worship.  As we sing "Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord," it is the first time in nine years of knowing her that I have ever heard her speaking English.  It touches my heart deeply to hear her worshiping the Lord in my native language and I tear up as we sing together.  How beautiful it will be when every nation praises the Lord altogether.

We attend a few days of board meetings, and then finish up our visit with a sunset on the coast and a dinner with old friends.  The next day is filled with last minute activities - turning in reports the accountant sent with me, talking with the printing shop about some things we need with the home's logo on them, and going to the warehouse for peanut butter - something that does not exist in abundance in Oaxaca.  Finally we set off on the journey home. With a four hour drive to Tijuana, a four hour wait, and a four hour airplane ride, we have miles to go before we sleep.

To Tell the Truth

There is an old TV show that I like to watch on YouTube.  It's called To Tell the Truth.  Three people come out on stage and one says something like, "My name is Rosa Parks."  The next woman then repeats, "My name is Rosa Parks."  The third then also claims to be Rosa Parks.  A panel of famous people then have the opportunity to quickly question the three and then vote on who they believe is telling the truth.

Why do I like this show so much?  I'm not exactly sure.  Maybe because it's fun to guess along with them.  Maybe because I am continually surprised at how well every-day people can pull off the deception.  Maybe it's because, as I step more into leadership roles, I hope to be better able to discern when people are telling me the truth.

But to tell you the truth, I have a YouTube addiction, and my recent discovery of this old program is not helping at all.  I can waste hours on YouTube, jumping from clip to clip.  I tell myself that it's my way of keeping up with the American culture while living abroad.  I tell myself that it's the way I rest at the end of a long day - some people watch TV, I watch YouTube.  But every so often, as I turn off my computer after watching videos for much longer than I intended, I ask myself, "What are you doing with your life?"

And so this morning, during the gap of time between breakfast and staff devotions, I decided that I would change my behavior and pick up the book I've been meaning to finish.  It is called With, written by  Skye Jethani, and has shifted my understanding in a simple but profound way about how we relate to God.

I sat at my kitchen table, sipping hot chocolate, listening to the birds wake up, grateful for the beauty of this day  Then I glanced out the window and noticed the clouds in the west were touched by a glorious golden light.  I put a bookmark in my spot and abandoned my hot chocolate to go to the  front porch and see the sunrise.  And I stood in awe.  I fought the urge to go grab my camera, and instead strained my neck around to take it all in.

As the dark clouds moved into the sunlight, they took on the beautiful light as well.  I reflected on how the clouds weren't necessarily what was beautiful, but it was the way the sun was shining through them that caused awe and wonder - perhaps similar to when God's light and love shines through his children.

As I pondered that thought, a question came to mind.  How many of these grand displays do I miss, glued to the glow of a little screen that, more often than not, dulls and pollutes my mind?  Habits are hard to break, but I know which one I want to choose.

Lord, forgive us for everything we've missed and help us all to put down the technology more often to enjoy your creation around us - whether that is a spot of green in a city, a glorious sky in the country, our neighbors, our family, or those who we still call strangers.

This beautiful pre-sunset was my bonus for staying late at work today :)

Picture This... Again.

This weekend several of us traveled from Oaxaca to Baja California to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Foundation For His Ministry.  It was a special experience for each of us, and I want to share more about it.  But while I compose my thoughts, I thought I'd leave you with a few more photos from my cell phone.

On the first Friday of the month, during our morning devotional time, we do a prayer walk.  This was over the summer, so the children came along as well.  Sometimes we go from room to room, building to building.  Other times we walk along the border of the property.  It is a blessing to be on a staff with people who believe in the power of prayer. 

Seeing the kids bored in church, I wanted to teach Sunday School, but couldn't because I was needed to translate for the visiting groups.  Now we have come to an arrangement where I don't need to translate, so I get to go out with 15-20 of the children and learn about the Bible with them.  During this lesson, we were learning about how the priests had to wash at the bronze washbasin before entering the Tabernacle.  I was happy with how my drawing on the whiteboard turned out. :)

This oasis is only about 45 minutes from where we live.  It is a beautiful natural rock formation in the middle of a mountain range that gives the appearance of a petrified waterfall.  At the top, pools have been carved out and are filled with the water that still bubbles up from the ground.

During a teacher protest, we were driving through a parking lot and this taxi backed into our car.  They wanted us to move our cars out of the way of traffic, but I said no because traffic was easily able to get around us.  They then leaned in closer and said that they didn't want to draw the attention of the nearby police.  I still said no.  But before I realized it, they had convinced our driver to move the car, and soon after that they took off without resolving anything.

Another photo that shows that life is not all sunshine and roses here - after a meal with a visiting group, we came back to find the car lock like this.  One of the visitors had left a backpack in the front seat, and someone tried to force the lock.  Thankfully they didn't get in.  Unfortunately this lock is still broken and you can only unlock the vehicle via the passenger side.

Rainbow on my way to breakfast.  Sometimes as I walk so far to take out the trash or to go to a meal and I compare it to how short the distance is for most people to get to their dining room or trash cans.  But I like to imagine that I live in a mansion and then the distance I have to walk makes me smile.  Plus, exercise. ;)

Oaxaca went through a challenging time when major highways were blocked and buses and trucks were not allowed through.  This is apparently what happens when your supplies are cut off - an entire fruit display at Walmart covered in kiwis...

For years I've seen these ruins at the base of a hill on the drive home.  One day on impulse we finally went over to see them.  The road was rough, but the ruins were so much more extensive than I expected - with multiple levels and staircases and tunnels - it was a nice surprise.

For their closing ceremony this year, the school decided to hold it outside and rented a giant tent.  It was interesting to see the process of putting up such a large canopy - almost looked like a circus tent going up.

Also from the time of the blockades and strikes, I saw this man downtown selling literature next to some interesting graffiti.  It says, "Education will not be a privilege of those who can pay ...and the police will not be the curse of those who cannot."  One reason the teachers have been protesting is a fear that all schools will become privatized.