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Dress for the Cold (in Mexico City)

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Our friends from the north may be interested in a recent warning from Mexico City’s Civil Protection about cold temperatures in the area. The warning, sent out yesterday, gave instructions for what to wear if temperatures dropped between 0°C and 3°C (yellow alert), and what to wear if temperatures dropped to between -4°C and -1°C (red alert).

Dress for the cold in Mexico CityIt should be fairly obvious even to a non-Spanish speaker, but for yellow alert it’s 1-2 layers on your legs, and 2-3 on top, a warm tuque/hat, gloves, boots, and a coat that keeps the wind out.

For red alerts, one more layer, and all the same things with a special emphasis on a warmer jacket and a scarf or ski mask.

Canadians will no doubt chuckle. Some of them are breaking out the shorts when the temperatures get above freezing, after a long bout of depressingly cold weather.

But in actual fact, Civil Protection is right.

Imagine this. It’s a chilly summer day, but you still go swimming. What happens? You get out into the wind, and you start to shiver. You get a towel, and you keep shivering. Finally you get into your warm car, or get into your house, get dressed, and you’re fine.

But – what if you couldn’t warm up?

Yesterday was chilly, and cloudy. Many people have no car, and no one we know has central heating. A space heater? Maybe, but the cost of electricity is astronomical.

In other words, a Canadian who leaves a warm house and wander about in -10C is not a danger because their “core” is warm and will be for some time. But if you get cold here, it’s cold everywhere you go. You just won’t warm up.

You’re not generally in danger of frostbite here, but people do struggle to stay healthy. In fact, in many areas, school was cancelled today!

On Monday I had to go to a meeting, and I wore several layers, a fall/winter jacket, and scarf, indoors, all day. And that was good.

So it’s a different world. Canadians wonder what Mexicans are complaining about, and Mexicans wonder how Canadians survive. But this morning, I’m wearing my coat indoors, and I think I’ll go make some tea …

Sunday in Pachuca

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Yesterday we went to the city of Pachuca, north of Mexico City in the state of Hidalgo. Pachuca is a city of over a quarter million people. And the temperatures are a little cooler than here!

Iglesia Bíblica El Buen PastorAnyway, we went to La Iglesia Bíblica El Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd Bible Church). We enjoyed worshipping with our old and new friends there (with lots of Christmas songs – even one or two that were new to me!), and I preached.

Preaching was a little bit interesting this time. I was quite sick yesterday – I don’t think I realized how sick I was until today (now that I’m feeling better). So I was in a lot of pain and – better admit it – I was cold! And I didn’t realize how cold I was until I was done preaching. Added to that, we had some technical difficulties – probably all my fault (they were actually really organized and helpful).

So, let’s say with the pain and cold I was a little tense up in the pulpit. But hopefully it was still understandable! As I have been reminded again and again – and as I actually mentioned in my sermon – it is because we’re weak that God’s power is visible in us.

After the service we split up into groups to hand out tracts and talk to people. Mostly short conversations, because people were generally in a rush. Actually, it was funny. I was trying to talk to an older woman who was selling poinsettias. But she was kind of ignoring me and giving short answers. Because – she was busy trying to read the tract that someone else in the church gave her! 🙂

For some people in the church, it was the first time they had done anything like this. So it was fun to be a part of it.

After than, a couple in the church took us out for some very yummy Mexican food, that made me feel a little better (in case you’re interested, I had enchiladas con cecina, in this case tortillas with cheese and green sauce with thinly sliced and salted beef. Anyway, we very much enjoyed our time with them.

And Shari was kind enough to drive us home!

Pilgrims on the highway near PachucaOn the way there, and on the way home, we saw a lot of pilgrims, on foot, bicycle, or in vehicles. It’s getting close to Guadalupe Day (the 12th) when people honour what they believe is a manifestation of the Virgin Mary. ‘Tis the season to not get a lot of sleep, as the “bombas” explode at all hours (as I write, another bomba just set off a car alarm a few metres away).

This is why now, more than ever, people need to hear the message of Christmas. It’s not a message that we can now do more things to find favour with God – or Mary – or a saint. It’s a message that God has sent His Salvation, a gracious gift.

Thanks for your prayers for days yesterday – and today!

A Quick Update from Windy Ixtapalcua

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Hello from windy Ixtapaluca! I feel like I’m on the Saskatchewan prairies, except that there are leaves everywhere. 🙂 I suppose it’s part of “Winter Storm Benji”, which seems to stretch from the Maritimes in Canada down to Mexico. It will likely be below 0C here over the weekend (lows overnight), a bit low for December here. And rather chilly in houses with no heat!
repair shop for bicycles and unicycles!
A random picture for you – Hannah was able to get her unicycle repaired the other day. We have a repair place that sets up shop on the street every Saturday near our home, and for about CA$7 for parts & labour Hannah was good to go! So here’s a quick pic of the repair place.

It’s starting to feel like Christmas here. We actually sang some Christmas carols on Sunday – certainly not a given for our churches around here. And I’ve been meditating on Luke 2:1-20, which I’ll be preaching on soon. It’s been fun to learn some new things from such a familiar passage. I hope I can share them clearly!

So this Sunday we’ll be travelling up north of Mexico City to the city of Pachuca, where I’ll be preaching. And it really feels like “north”, being 4-5 degrees cooler there than it is here. 🙂

The church is Iglesia Bíblica El Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd Bible Church), so we’ll look forward to visiting friends there.

In other news, we’re busy getting home school done for the holidays. And we’re continuing with services and studies. We have our normal study tonight, and Shari and Hannah finished up a study they’ve been having with another mother/daughter on Wednesday.

I won’t get into the earthquake relief stuff here, but that is still going on. Hopefully I can write more, either here or by mail for those who have donated to that project.

We’re also putting together our upcoming visit to Canada – next spring/summer. Although it’s a short visit, there is a lot of preparation involved (actually, sometimes shorter trips require more preparation!). But some things are starting to take shape.

We are still looking for a place to stay while we’re in Canada – preferably in north Calgary. If you know of anything we could rent/borrow/etc, please let us know. We need to find a place soon, preferably before Christmas.

We appreciate those of you who have been praying for our family, and our church. Our church is facing a lot of major challenges right now, so keep praying!

If I wrote here more often, I wouldn’t be writing such a random collection! Well, it’s me end-of-year resolution to try to write more. 🙂

The Day of the Dead, Coco, and the Bible

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The Hallowe’en/Days of the Dead celebrations are in full swing here in Mexico. And immigration and media are bringing the celebrations to the world, like never before.

In 2015, the James Bond movie Spectre opened with a huge Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City – a parade that didn’t exist until the movie came out. Now the parade is a new tradition, bringing the customs and beliefs into the open for Mexicans and tourists alike.

In 2017, Coco from Pixar/Disney is bringing Day of the Dead traditions to the children – and adults – of the world. With music, colour and humour, and much that is beautiful about Mexico and its traditions, something dangerous will be smuggled into local theatres.

I’ve had some time to think about these traditions, and to hear the perspectives of my Mexican friends (by the way, if you need an introduction, check this post – Days of the Dead (information to check out)). The beliefs connected with the celebration today are a mix of pagan, Roman Catholic, and secular ideas.

Day of the Dead AltarWhat can the Bible tell us about the beliefs that surround the Days of the Dead? Certainly it’s not wrong to remember our ancestors, and to recognize our connection to them. But should we give offerings to the dead? Should we try to communicate with them? Should we bow before the offerings and welcome spirits into our homes? Are the dead really on a journey through the underworld? How should we view death? How should we seek to conquer it – or should we embrace it?

Here are some of the thoughts I’ve been sharing on my blog in Spanish. Maybe if you’re talking to your kids about these traditions, this will be a help.

  1. Do our dead relatives come back to visit us? No. The Bible teaches the death is a permanent separation from life on earth (until the resurrection) (Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28-29). David knew that his dead son would never return to him (2 Samuel 12:23). Job also knew that the dead did not return to their houses (Job 7:8-10). The resurrection of the dead is a future event, when our bodies will be raised. Unbelievers will face judgement on that day, but believers will enjoy eternal life, with no more death. (1 Corinthians 15:42; John 5:28-29)
  2. Should we communicate with the dead? No. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 tells us that consulting the dead was a serious sin for all nations. The prophet Isaiah also warns us about looking for help from the dead (Isaiah 8:19). It’s the Holy Spirit who guides and comforts us. He can use living people, and even the example of those who have passed away. But we should never try to communicate with the dead (John 15:26).
  3. Are the dead on a journey? The Bible teaches that we die once, and then face judgement. The dead are not on a journey to Heaven. They are with Christ, or awaiting condemnation. (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 2:9) Jesus once spoke of a “great chasm” between those under judgement and those in paradise. There is no possibility of redemption after death. The Bible teaches that we will be judged by our works done in our bodies. You should look for forgiveness in Jesus Christ now, before it’s too late. (2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Isaiah 55:6-7)
  4. Should we celebrate death? The Bible teaches us that death is something bad, a result of sin. But there is Someone who came back from the dead victorious, who will finally destroy death itself. We celebrate the Sinless Conqueror, Jesus Christ! He is the resurrection and the life. There is no other escape, and no other hope. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26; John 11:25; John 14:6) It is certainly appropriate to cry and mourn when someone we love dies. But as believers in Jesus Christ, we have hope even when we are grieving.
  5. How is death conquered? The only way that we can have victory over death is to be united with the Author of Life. When we come to Him in repentance and faith, we discover that He is a Perfect Saviour. (Acts 3:14-15; Romans 8:2; John 14:6) If you’re not following the Saviour, I have to ask. Do you know that God offers you forgiveness in Jesus, His Son? Turn your back on sin and come to Him today. Don’t rely on your own works, or on any other person, alive or dead, to save you. Put all of your trust in the Perfect Saviour. (Hebrews 7:25; Acts 4:11-12)

It’s hard to talk about death. Death is a terrible thing. But it doesn’t help to sanitize it and bring in non-Biblical beliefs to make it “easier”. The truth is not a Disney movie. God’s Word shows sin and death as realistically horrible, but it also glorifies our Conquering Saviour.

Retro: Elements of the Offering

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This is a bit of an unusual retro post, but it does say something about what life was like ten years ago today.

The poster below was put up at our language school in Cuernavaca. It lists the “essential elements” of the ofrenda, the offering to the dead that you’ll see at most schools, homes, churches, and even at many places of business, during the Day(s) of the Dead.

The list itself, which I’ll translate for you below, says a lot about the mixture of pagan, Roman Catholic, and secular ideas that were a part of the celebration then, and now. (Examples: the images of saints – Roman Catholic. The “journey” of the dead – Aztec. The “Catrina” (skeleton figure pictured) – originally a political cartoon, although now has taken on religious meaning.)

It was at language school that we learned that this was for many people the most important and most “Mexican” celebration of the year. We were under tremendous pressure (as were our kids at school) to take part in the offerings to the dead. As far as cultural pressure goes, this is one of the most difficult times of year for Mexican believers.

Essential Elements of the Ofrenda

TRANSLATION: Essential Elements of an Offering and their Significance

  • The Altar: Becoming the most important part of the house, it is the table where bread, wine, food, salt, altar candles, incense, toys, candies, fruits, candlesticks, and other elements are placed by family members for the spirits.
  • The Altarpiece: Here there are images of saints and a cross, which represent the resurrection and life.
  • The Water: Representing the beginning of life.
  • Incense: Uniting us to God with prayer.
  • The Salt: Because one day we will be salt.
  • The Altar Candles: Which guide the steps of the spirits in their journey to eternity.
  • The Flowers: Representing the brevity of life.

Earthquake Aftermath Update

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This week, for the first time after the recent quakes, many students finally returned to school. It took a long time before many schools were either repaired or declared safe. (Our church was finally able to meet at our normal location on the 8th, after scrambling for two Sundays to find other options.)

As you might guess, the kids are being slammed with make-up homework now, so everyone will be very busy for a while!

Meanwhile, many people are having their homes demolished, because the buildings are structurally unsafe. Aftershocks continue in Oaxaca. And some buildings still haven’t been inspected.

As a part of the ministry of our community centre and church, Rod will be going to Oaxaca today (along with another man from our Camino Global team – Chalo Sandoval). They will be making the 11 hour each-way trip to deliver tarps, hearing aids, tracts, and other items. They will be returning tomorrow, Lord willing. I know they would appreciate your prayers.

I heard that some from the church in Jesús María may also be planning a trip to Oaxaca, but I’m waiting for details.

Another friend is going with a group from his church on the 21st, Lord willing, to Ecatzingo, where I’ve been a couple of times. I would like to get back there maybe later in the month, but we’ll see how things progress.

On Sunday, we challenged our church to continue to reach out using the new tracts that have been printed. Please pray that God would use us as a church to bring hope to people around us in this difficult time.

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