First, I have to admit that we did not go to the dental office that you see below. But it is from the same area near us, and it looked so cute I had to take a picture. According to the helpful “writing on the wall”, they even do surgery in there. Nice!
Anyway, we did go to a (different) dentist, for regular checkups and cleaning and all stuff like that there.
I was trying to think about what might be different from your typical dental office up in Canada. Actually, for this kind of thing, the differences were not major. Maybe the biggest thing is just a typical thing for a temperate climate like we have in Mexico City – the office is not sealed in as it would be in Canada. There was a wide-open window (with a screen, I think?) in the room as we had our teeth checked.
The dentist also gave me a good look at my own teeth after she had finished, like a barber showing me the back of my head. I don’t recall dentists in Canada doing that very often. Except maybe showing an x-ray on a computer screen.
Speaking of x-rays, Nathanael and I went to another lab nearby to get his panoramic x-ray done. In a few minutes we came out with a large envelope with a lovely picture of his jaw and teeth. Very fast and efficient. So Shari dropped the envelope off at the dental office, and we’re waiting to hear the official news. But let’s just say, I think Nathanael’s adventures with the dentist(s) are not over yet.
We have some other medical issues we need to deal with in the next few weeks, but that’s not all that’s on our minds. We’re also preparing to get Nathanael’s visa renewed. We’re trying to get Nathanael’s textbooks for the beginning of a new school year (with a little help from our friends!). We have a few things to get done in the city. The van needs some work. Well, let’s just say there are a lot of things that have been piling up that we need to get to!
So I’d better go and get some work done, while we wait for the call from the dentist…
This week we were going back and forth to the city of Puebla, a trip of about an hour and a half each way. The good part was that Hannah had a chance to hang out with several of her MK friends, who “just happened” to all be in Mexico at the same time! So that was pretty cool.
The not-so-fun part was dealing with some medical issues, but of course these things are necessary.
On the second day, we were stuck in traffic for a long time – making us late for a doctor’s appointment. It turned out to be an accident. After we got home, I found out there was another accident right at a toll booth we had just gone through – a truck lost its brakes and ran into a car carrying a family of 3. Thankfully, no one was hurt. But – it’s all a reminder of how God keeps us safe many times when we don’t even realize it.
We also took a trip with some friends to go and say “goodbye” to Tina Barham – a bittersweet visit, of course! Tina hasn’t lived in Ixtapaluca for a while now, but she has at least been in Mexico. But now she’s heading to the USA to take a new job recruiting new missionaries, at our mission’s office there (Avant Ministries). So we enjoyed our time with her, but we’ll miss having her in the country. 🙁
Overall, it’s been a rather tiring and difficult week. But I’m looking forward to our time of worship tomorrow! I even get to teach Sunday school, as we continue our study of the Ten Commandments.
I haven’t written about migraine here for a while, but watching a video yesterday prompted me to post.
Excedrin recently started a campaign known as “The Migraine Experience”. They found four migraine sufferers, and got them together with virtual reality (VR) experts to actually recreate their migraine attacks in VR.
Of course there’s only so much that you can reproduce (legally) with this kind of technology, so the focus was on visual aura (the visual hallucinations such as flashing lights and zig zags that some migraine patients see), and sensitivity to light (which is much more common in migraine) (and yes, I’ve experienced both of these). The result was quite remarkable.
Take a look at this video, a summary of the results. For videos focusing on each of the four stories, check out the Migraine Experience.
I actually haven’t posted any substantial news since last month! So let me give you a quick update on what’s been going on.
First of all, the weather has been a topic of conversation this month. Before the end of February, the weather changed – it wasn’t getting so cool at night, and felt warmer. This brief reprieve was replaced by rain, and howling winds, and snow at higher elevations. One day the entire state closed the schools because of the cold.
I’ve concluded it’s virtually impossible to explain the impact of this kind of cold to a Canadian, who has survived -20C but can always go inside to warm up. No sun, and no heat in the cement block houses simply means some very miserable days. And whatever explanation you care to give (I have a few), it’s very hard to stay healthy in that kind of weather.
Since the season had already changed, when the cold front disappeared it was instantly replaced by summer. Our thermometer was up to 30C yesterday, and the memories of wearing four layers, and gloves, in the house, are quickly replaced by concerns about drinking enough water and using sunscreen. At the same time, pollution levels rose to their highest in 11 years, which means unusual restrictions on vehicle circulation this week.
My bones haven’t quite thawed out from last week. Once they do, maybe I’ll start to complain about the heat. Maybe. Until then, I’m thankful!
Between the weather and the school cycle here and other factors, attendance at the community centre has been down, but not quite non-existent. Shari is looking forward to her last baking class of the semester on Thursday – fruit pizza – who would want to miss that?! Plus, the closing program is on Thursday – fun times! Oh – AND we have a soccer tournament coming up on Monday. 🙂
On the 5th we connected with David Radlowsky, who is here from Canada for a couple of weeks. We went site seeing at the beginning of last week, doing some orientation along the way. And eating, of course. (By the way, I have a good restaurant in Mexico City to recommend when you come visit…)
David has been joining all of us at various times, visiting – what has he visited? A nearby rehab centre – I think an orphanage and senior’s shelter. He helped put clean the church property and put sod down. Yesterday we visited some friends in various parts of Ixtapaluca. Last night he was a guest teacher at my English class. Today we’re heading to Puebla to join our friends Chalo and Beth in their ministry there.
On Sunday we had our 6th anniversary service at the Path of Life Bible Church of Jesús MarÃa (Iglesia BÃblica Sendero de Vida Jesús MarÃa), which was a real blessing. Lots of people were involved in the service, the temporary sanctuary was full with lots of poor people stuck outside, but we enjoyed good times of fellowship afterwards. Nathanael and Shari were both in two different choirs.
Our family has been struggling with some health issues – all four of us – which has made things a little interesting. As always we appreciate your prayers in that department.
In other news, I’ve been working with our Coordinating Team to update and clarify some of our orientation requirements and tips for new missionaries. How in the world do you introduce new missionaries to Mexico and ministry here? Big topic! But I think we’re making progress.
The kids are busy with projects and things as they finish up another section of school. And we’re getting ready for their big birthday parties coming up in April and May. I’m organizing some of the delegation of funds to the ongoing construction on the church property (almost done that project – help us finish!).
Well, I could go on and on. Busy days!
But if you want to pray over the next few days, we would appreciate your prayer for health issues, for wisdom as we share with many people in various ways, and strength as we try to get so many very different things accomplished.
Some of you have also been praying for Alan, a fellow Camino Global missionary (working north of Mexico City) who had a heart attack. God graciously spared him, and he is home. However, his recovery is being hampered by a lack of sleep right now – I know he would appreciate your prayers. He has a long road to travel still.
You made it to the end of this post! 10 points for you! Have a great day. I’m off to Puebla…
The last three weeks or so have been pretty … “interesting”.
So Nathanael had a pretty bad cold, which means he missed some school (not too much) and some other activities. But slowly, he started to get better.
Then, of course, Shari was diagnosed with tennis elbow, and got her sling.
For some reason my back and neck suddenly went crazy, and I could hardly sleep and for a day or two and I could hardly move around the house. That also meant more migraine attacks. I think it’s starting to get better – I hope so – some sleep would be great, and the pain is actually pretty bad.
But there’s nothing like someone else’s pain to make you forget yours, right? Hannah had a major wipe-out on her bike. Thankfully, her face and head were untouched, but she got 7 pretty significant scrapes all down one side of her body. So Shari has been faithfully changing bandages every day to try to make sure everything heals properly. But there’s a long way to go.
So – why not start the cycle again? Nathanael got hit in the head with a soccer ball today, and after that his skateboard was stolen.
Ok, I think it’s time for the cycle of disaster to end. A little recovery time would be great…
But there have been some great times of ministry lately too. Please pray for those who are hearing the Gospel in these days – may great things happen!
Let’s face it – the last three weeks in particular have been pretty difficult. Both Shari and I have been sick off and on – well, in Shari’s case, pretty much “on”. So it’s made me reflect – what have I learned? Or maybe I should say, what should I have learned – or what do I want to learn?
We sure help each other (normally): When we’re not sick, or when just one of us is sick, Shari and I help each other – a lot. All of a sudden, when you can’t help as much as you want, or the other person can’t, you sure notice it! But it’s a reminder to be thankful for the other person.
We still help each other a lot: So when we’re sick, we can’t do as much – but even then, we can help each other a little. And I’m especially thankful for those little things. Shari is awesome.
Those little things sure pile up! I mean, those little things (or big things) that we do every day. Sure, we haven’t been in bed all day (most days), but when we’re up we’re dealing with the urgent things – and, boy, do those little non-urgent things add up! I guess I already knew this one. Just thought I’d complain about it.
We’re sinners: Er – – mostly me! Sure enough, when you’re sick and tired, you can try to be kind, considerate, and to smile – but it sure ain’t the natural inclination! And who knows? Maybe this post is just an opportunity to complain and try to sound “spiritual” about it!
God can still use us: God is gracious – even in times of sickness, He still uses us. When we are weak, he is strong. If I can’t go to the whole activity, I can go to part of it. If I can’t go, I can prepare for a study at home. If I can’t, I can lie in bed and pray. Yes, He can use us.
Everyone gets along fine without us: No, we’re not indispensable. It’s not fun to know things are happening when you can’t be a part of it. But – lo and behold – everything functions fine without us. God really does have everything under control, even when it feels like it’s going out of control.
Heaven is better: All these things in life are big signposts, pointing us to something better – Heaven! Being close to the Giver of Life, having left death and sickness far behind.
Maybe this is only a small trial – or maybe it really doesn’t count as a “trial” – but still these words of Peter seem to apply:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.