Mexico
Mexico and Katrina
 |
Did you hear? In an historic move, Mexico has sent troops into the USA. Mexican troops haven’t set foot in what is now the USA since 1846, but they’re back because of Katrina. Don’t worry – this time they’re not armed.
This is also a historic move since Mexico has never sent aid to the USA before, though it has helped other Latin American countries. But even the USA, one of the world’s richest nations, wasn’t ready to deal with a crisis of this magnitude. They’ve found themselves in a position where they do need help from around the world.
Mexico’s troops were met in San Antonio by cheering people waving or wrapped in Mexican flags, and honking horns.
The Mexican convoy brought mobile kitchens, each capable of feeding 7000 people a day. They also brought water treatment plants, blankets, medicine, bottled water, and – apple sauce. For personnel they brought doctors, nurses, and military specialists and engineers.
 |
And that’s not all.
A navy ship, El Papaloapan, was sent from Mexico with more drinking water, rescue all-terrain and amphibious vehicles, and helicopters. Mexico may be sending more aid, including a Mexican warship outfitted as a hospital.
Temporary Mexican consulates are also being set up in varies parts of the USA, to help with Mexican citizens who are still looking for family, or who need other kinds of help.
Of course, I write this because of our interest in Mexico, and because it’s news you may have heard less about (in Canada) than Canada’s response. However, Canada is helping too in various ways. For example, the Canadian Red Cross sent a convoy of 20 trucks also with emergency supplies, including 20,000 cots and blankets. The province of Alberta just sent $5 million Canadian for long term recovery efforts.
See my previous post if you’re willing to help with a gift.
The Pan de Vida Team
Yesterday I took a drive down to University Drive Alliance Church to hear a presentation by their Mexico team. Here’s the story – a few days after our team left Pan de Vida, the orphanage near Querétaro, they arrived. A team of 26, they were able to complete a large amount of construction, and also run a vacation Bible school for the kids (about 80-100 of them). The picture above is of the boys’ dorm at the orphanage.
Now, I have to admit, it was absolutely a joy and a delight to hear about what God had done, and to see pictures of what they had accomplished. I was able to talk to a few of the team members, and I wish I could have talked to more. (Actually, if any of you are reading this, please give me a call and we’ll go out for a manzana. Oh yes, I know where to get them. I have connections…) It sounds like it was a great team – ready to serve, excited to see what God would do.
Of course it was wonderful to hear about Mexico and see the pictures, but also painful. Painful because I had to leave it behind, and I’m not there now! But in the mean time, it’s always great to hear from someone who’s been there.
Recently some black top was put down in the loading zone behind our local grocery store. Our living room window faces that direction, and on Saturday night I was watching while a group of skateboarders took advantage of the new surface. This may be a rare event, because I imagine the owners won’t want the back of their store to become a local hangout. However, I was tempted to go out and watch, since I do love skateboarding. But, the dishes were important too, so I kept drying them.
I got thinking about how great opportunities like this come up every day. Opportunities to get together with people who have a common interest. That’s really a big part of church planting, and missions in general.
 |
I was reminded of this again last night, when someone was sharing. They were talking about one
guy on the team who loved skateboarding so much he had dragged his board all the way to Mexico. Everyone thought it was pretty crazy. But then they saw this guy giving rides to the kids in Mexico, and they saw the joy on the kids’ faces, and they realized it was all worthwhile.
What do you enjoy doing? A hobby, a passion, a sport? It just may be that God can use that in ways you never imagined. It’s great to see people connecting with other cultures in creative ways. When they see the joy and love that Jesus can bring through it all, they’re changed and excited and ready for more. What a great God we serve!
Yes, I had Jarritos
Back in early July I wrote this blog about bubble tea and the Mexican soft drink, Jarritos. I was responding to a blog over at Mexico Movies praising the soft drink, but I had never had it.
Well, I don’t feel quite so bad now. Jarritos was amazingly hard to find. The first time I saw it is was warm, so I decided to wait until I could find a cold one. Finally, about 2 weeks into my trip I got one at a grocery store, cold and everything. But, I guess I’m just not an orange refresco kind of guy. So I stand by my original comment on Dennis’ blog entry – it’s Coke or manzana for me! And by the way, there are some wonderful manzana (apple) varieties now. And I’m afraid the new Sour Apple Crush from Cadbury just doesn’t compare.
Yet another reason why I should move to Mexico. 😎
Here in Querétaro
Here we are, at the Smith’s home in Querétaro! Just wanted to drop by and let you know that our trip has gone very well. Probably a couple of the easiest border crossings ever for me. We’re all very tired, but we’re no longer food-deprived, because Lori Smith has served us a delicious meal.
So we have a lot to praise the Lord for! Now, my luggage has actually not yet arrived, but I have high hopes that I’ll see it sometime tomorrow. 😎 Everyone else has everything that belongs to them. And I’m fine for the time being.
It sure is good to be back in Mexico. I’ve been away too long! The whole team is looking forward to a great time here. We had a beautiful drive from the airport, and got to see some of the countryside, as well as lots of city. It’s a beautiful country. Talk to you later!
Spanish word of the day
Learning Spanish? There are a number of sites online that provide a “Spanish word of the day”. One of these is DonQuijote.com, which provides a word of the day as seen below:
StudySpanish.com does the same thing: