If I left Mexico right now I would already be full of God's goodness and have so much to tell.
Our journey down was truly blessed. Though the forecast showed storms on both sides of our route, our path was all clear blue skies.
Friday morning we stopped by an indigenous coffee shop and when we talked with the owners we discovered that they were Christians! We prayed with them and they gave us a few Spanish/English Bibles to take with us. We were both very blessed, and these are just a couple of the blessing from the road trip. The fellowship and singing were very great and encouraging.
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| With Linda and Carl, who own a used book store and coffee shop |
Friday afternoon we arrived at the church and had a family reunion. The hardest part of documenting this trip is trying to describe the atmosphere. Unless you have been here, it's hard to understand that this is home away from home. People whom I can barely communicate with are truly my family in Christ. Even though I can't understand Spanish, we greeted each other with hugs and kisses and large smiles, which are universally understood. We love each other because Christ loves us.
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| Ismael and Mark, good to be back |
After we arrived and unpacked, some folks went shopping and the rest walked through town and invited people to the Medical Clinic, which we ran Saturday.
My favorite memory of Friday was as I was walking, preparing my sparse Spanish for my next encounter, I saw a face light up. A couple moments later and my little amiga was hugging me around the waist. I was so pleased that she remembered me! Not only remembered me, but remembered me enough to run up and give me a hug. It made my day!
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| Berta and Angie, two of my good friends |
Saturday we got up early and after a great time of devotion we set up the Medical Clinic.
We must have been good at inviting people, though I wouldn't have guessed it while handing out the flyers.
While people waited in line to see "Dr. Stephanie," I invited the kids to get their face painted and color fuzzy posters. We also played with water balloons, and just water in general. All morning I ran back and forth. (It was hard not to, I have having so much fun.) Draw on this kid, hug this one, ask for this name, throw a balloon at this one, play hide and seek with this one, play volleyball with this one, and from several I learned the words for "up" "down" "here" "there" and of course my colors. It was a good day!
After lunch, where I learned the Spanish word for "potato" "meat" and "rice" we went to the green area to play soccer. A crowd of young men were already gathered around and warming up for the big tournament. Not only are these guys super athletic and fast, they would sacrifice their neck to get the ball. So with some fast moving Mexicans and some Gringos thrown in, we had a good time. I didn't sit and watch the whole time, I played a miniature game with the younger kids and a couple older ones who joined in.
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| John helps us teach young people, and he played some good soccer |
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| Gringo "Shaggy" the Ninja goalie |
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| Russo |
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| Mark, the other Ninja goalie |
We also gathered the kids around in a circle and Sarah told the story of the Prodigal Son and Ismael translated.
Before the very last game of the tournament, we fathered the young people around and gave them the gospel and prayed over them. Then after the last game, we awarded prizes to the winning teams.
I am constantly convicted by the people I am working with. They serve without complaining and volunteer without being asked. They take the initiative to say hello, and they love without condition.
Like I said at the beginning, I have been so blessed through it all, and I can't wait for more. I think my eyes glow when I think about the rest of the week.
And if I keep learning Spanish this quickly, I'll be Mexican in no time!
Signing off from Tamalipas Mexico,
Ellie
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