Cajeta and Hotcakes

Sometimes for Mexico Mondays I feel like I just want to focus on FOOD! I mean, the food in Mexico is one of our favorite things! Last week we had a missions team here and I was able to introduce them to CAJETA, which is a caramel made from goat's milk. It's super sweet and delicious on pancakes. It's also good on ice cream! Go to the latino section at Wal-mart or your local grocery store and pick up a bottle. You'll be surprised!

Concept of Time

I was already pretty laid back about time, or so I thought, when I moved to Latin America... but now that I have lived here for four years I realize that I am just not driven by the clock. I mean, I HAVE to be on time here at school for things, and I usually am, but for the most part I am not driven by a schedule any more.

One thing that I LOVE about this culture is that it is relationship based. If you want to go to someone's house and hang out for a couple of hours, you can. Even if they have something to do they will drop it or they will ask you to go along. You don't pencil people in to your agendas (daytimers in the old days, palms now, right?).

We have some new Americans living here and going to language school and I realize that they are having a hard time adjusting to not knowing the plan and not really having a concrete plan all the time. I am seeing myself four years ago and realizing the things that have changed as a result of living out of my homeland.

Pastors

When I first arrived on the mission field, I will be honest that I thought that I wouldn't learn much from the Latino pastors. I don't know why I was so proud and thought I knew so much. I think it was the way that we as Americans are brought up. We think that when we go on a missions trip we have so much to offer and that we have a handle on theology and the things of God. If you would have asked me, I don't think I would have put it that way, but deep down inside I think I had that belief. I was going to the mission field because they NEEDED me and that was that!

I remember meeting some other American missionaries and telling them that we attended a native church and they basically said that if we wanted to get fed then we should come and visit the American church in town.

Now, four years later, I see how much God has humbled me. I find myself in awe on Sundays as I listen to my pastor, David, preach and teach from the Word of God. His insights are amazing, and I am learning so much... especially from the Old Testament, which Latinos tend to focus on more. I feel so humbled and I am grateful for both him and our pastor in Nicaragua, who sowed things into us that were from God and that have challenged us to move closer to Christ and be transformed into His likeness.

Got Game?

Last week we were in a physically challenging activity with the students. We worked hard all day, meeting physical challenges until they thought they were going to drop. After eight hours, they finally had lunch, and then someone grabbed a soccer ball and they were immediately re-energized! One of the Mexicans asked me what games we play in our culture even after a physically hard day and a full lunch. I had to think about that one! So, what do you think? Baseball, basketball, volleyball, football? We are so diverse, and I think that it also depends where you live. One thing I love about soccer is that it's a sport that almost everyone here loves and they are very good at it! For you who are living in the US, just go and cruise the parks on Sundays and you will probably find some good games being played by the Latino community.