Dear friends,
I hope this email finds you well and relaxed after a good Christmas. I feel that a measure of the busyness of my last four weeks has been the lack of spare time in which to write to you. This is definitely a good thing because I'm in Mexico to serve and I've been able to help out with so much recently. Thank you to those of you who emailed me asking if I was still ok. This one'll be a little longer than normal because I'm covering all of December and rounding off the year. No weather report this time I'm afraid.
As I've hinted, the last weeks have been amazingly busy; I think I had about 25 hours sleep over the 5 nights before the 23rd Dec (when Armonía closed down for Christmas). Those of you who know me will recall that a lack of sleep does funny things to me; I start going a bit mad (well, more mad), mixing up words in my sentences and losing things. My Mexican list of mis-laid stuff now runs at: 1 Sigg drink bottle, 1 penknife (Widge, Ferg and Pike - no comments please), 1 USB-SD card reader and some other things that I can't recall at the moment! As Mum would say, 'the massive pile of stuff in the sky' (representing all the things I have lost in my life) may have some Christmas additions. I am reasonably confident that I will be able to locate some of them. "Vamos a ver", as we say here…
2 weeks ago, we all took a trip south to Oaxaca City (pronounced 'Wa-ha-ka'). I was quite excited by the prospect of reliving my 2004 Venezuela overnight bus experience (best travel I have ever had) when I saw that the overnight bus seats reclined to a comfortable 50 degrees. However, I hadn't reckoned for a combination of the atrocious Mexican roads with a coffee maker just behind my head. 7 hours of bounce, rattle, bounce, rattle, bounce, rattle meant I arrived somewhat sleepless. Nonetheless, what I found out about the Armonía project gave me renewed energy. At the risk of lengthening this letter, I want to tell you about what Armonía is doing there because I'm very excited about it.
Oaxaca state is one of the poorest and less that 5% of the remote villages surrounding Oaxaca City offer anything beyond primary school education. If students want to progress to secondary, they have to come to the city. The problem is, where do they stay? In answer, Armonía has built a students' residence (very similar in concept to Alheli) and then admits hard-working students. They support them, get them into the best schools in the city and give them broader life skills training (for instance, through Bible Studies and training in carpentry/manual labour tasks). The house is overseen by three 'older siblings' who have already progressed through school and devote a year to this project before entering the Armonía university scholarship program in Mexico City. The project in general is maintained by Dani Vargas, the Armonía lawyer whose story of a life changed by the gospel will have to wait for another email. The students' residence used to provide for 100 kids from many different indigenous tribes but due to political instability Armonía were driven out of their original location in February. The current one holds 12 but we are in the process of constructing a new dorm for 200 by June! It's a huge vision.
This provision affects the students in three ways. 1) Almost all of them decide to put their trust in God and live life as the Bible dictates, in the light of the cross of Christ. The state needs committed Christians living out their faith and these students will be leaders amongst their peers because: 2) The students are well fed, wisely disciplined and carefully looked after so they get much better grades. 3 of them recently took the top three places in their final school exams. This isn't a coincidence and so the scheme is very popular. 3) This opens up a vast range of opportunities including university. Joaquín, who I live with, graduated in electrical engineering 10 days ago with the Mexican equivalent of a Cambridge first, a $30m (USD) grant to patent and produce a new style of vending machine which he and 3 other students designed and, to top it all, we're pretty sure he is the first person from his tribe to get a degree. Ever. And he's only 20 years old! Perhaps this shows why I am so excited about this project - he came through the whole system. We visited, held a Christmas party for the students and local supporters and looked back over the year – a great time of fellowship with lots of amazing food (Pilar was in charge of the cooking).
I returned to Mexico City excited but shattered in time for the Armonía Christmas celebrations. There was one at each of the three community centres this year. Everyone from the community is invited to come. There is singing, praying, drama, a short Christmas address and much celebration. Impressively, everyone who comes is fed and each family is given the elements for a basic Christmas meal (cooked chicken, bread etc) so they can celebrate the birth of Christ however poor they are. At Santa Cruz, I was a modern-day wise man in the drama, delivering lines in my weird Spanish accent to the 200 people present, and a true caballero (gentleman) as I took part in traditional dances too. There is video evidence but I won't tell you where it's being kept. ;)
The preparations for our trips and the celebrations took up most of our time so there isn't much else to report. Last week I had my volunteer evaluation; it was challenging because it lead to the vocalisation of some cultural differences which have caused the odd hiccup ( e.g. expectations of performance, communication etc). Saul and I have been very honest with each other and I found it very useful to learn how to work more effectively for Armonía in Mexico. God timed the visit of Andrew Widgery and Jim Houghton well so that I could take spend time with them digesting my experiences as well as have hours of good old British banter. Poor Liz seemed somewhat bewildered by the whole experience.
And so my time with Armonía in 2007 is coming to an end. I have learnt so much, been excited by almost everything and been challenged beyond what I expected. Thank you to those of you who prayed for me and kept in touch – it means a lot to know there are supporters back home. My first newsletter had some specific prayer points on it so I'd like to end with some things to praise God for:
§ That we have a Saviour to celebrate at Christmas – God didn't have to come but He loved us so much that he entered the world in the person of Christ just over 2000 years ago. He has been faithful and trustworthy whilst I have been away. In Him I trust.
§ For the strong relationships with Armonía staff that I have developed, especially with the Cruzes, Dani, the ladies at the centre and the kids in the homework club.
§ That I have learnt so much Spanish and now even have enough confidence to speak in public as a representative of Armonía.
§ That He has kept me safe, healthy and active in His service
§ For the way we in Armonía have been able to apply the Christian gospel to people's lives and see the radical difference it makes.
Happy New Year to you all. Well done for getting this far.
God bless,
Chris Güero
P.S: I'm just gathering more information about Tabasco but I'll include an update in the new year. I know many of you are interested to hear more about the water filters.
Monday, 31 December 2007
Friday, 14 December 2007
Marrying in Mexico?
Being one of only two white people in the area has a number of implications... Amongst them is the universal assumption that Liz and I are either husband and wife, engaged to be married or boyfriend/girlfriend. The people that know us obviously haven't quite compared that against the fact that we had never met before coming to Mexico as volunteers!
The assumption in question seems to be entirely based on the fact that we're both white. And increasingly we're being asked when we're going to get married. Now I chuckle when I think that before I went many people suggested that I was going to come back with a Mexican girl. In the eyes of the Mexicans, that prediction is close but actually it'll be an 'Americana'.
It has now got to the stage where they don't feel like they have to ask us individually. We were walking to the centre and three of the girls who come to the homework club (aged 9-10) were standing in the road. I greeted them and was met by the question: ¿Cuando te vas a casar con Liz? (when are you going to marry Liz?). Not 'how are you?', not even 'hi'. They just jumped straight in with what they saw was the most important issue.
Now I ought to confirm that this isn't going to happen. I have no intention of returning with neither a Mexican nor an American in my suitcase. For one, how will I fit my things in there with them? Liz and I get on well but not too well (if you know what I mean). And I'm grateful to God that we work well together even our Mexican friends miss-interpret that.
The assumption in question seems to be entirely based on the fact that we're both white. And increasingly we're being asked when we're going to get married. Now I chuckle when I think that before I went many people suggested that I was going to come back with a Mexican girl. In the eyes of the Mexicans, that prediction is close but actually it'll be an 'Americana'.
It has now got to the stage where they don't feel like they have to ask us individually. We were walking to the centre and three of the girls who come to the homework club (aged 9-10) were standing in the road. I greeted them and was met by the question: ¿Cuando te vas a casar con Liz? (when are you going to marry Liz?). Not 'how are you?', not even 'hi'. They just jumped straight in with what they saw was the most important issue.
Now I ought to confirm that this isn't going to happen. I have no intention of returning with neither a Mexican nor an American in my suitcase. For one, how will I fit my things in there with them? Liz and I get on well but not too well (if you know what I mean). And I'm grateful to God that we work well together even our Mexican friends miss-interpret that.
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Teaching little kids: you never know what might happen...
So. In my short life, lots of people have told me that I should be a teacher. And it's true, I do like teaching. But I've always known that it'd be secondary. I just can't cope with small children - they do my head in and you can't talk to them like a normal human. Plus, you never quite know what's going to happen.
Take this example: I was teaching English yesterday to the preschool class at Santa Cruz. Now, this isn't something I normally relish, although it's made easier if Liz is helping. But Liz is sunning herself on the beach so I was on my own with 18 of the little darlings. I'm not convinced that I could hold a class of 18 two to five year olds in English. I know that I can't do it in Spanish. Betsi came to help and we were playing a game to learn about fruits. "Cierran sus ojitos" (close your eyes) - "Hmmm - huelo un 'carrot'. Que es un 'carrot' en español?" (I smell a carrot, what is 'carrot' in Spanish?). The game continues: "huelo un 'orange', Que es un 'orange?".
And then something happened. hmmm - I smell... something else. We look up and one of the little girls had just pooed herself. Well, not herself so much as the floor. Just standing there she had, if you excuse the expression, curled a log out. And then proceeded to walk it around the classroom. Now, not to mention the apparent lack of underwear, this is not normal classroom behaviour. We just looked at each other and laughed at the impeccable timing of the whole situation. It was made more funny by the fact that the day had already been a manic disaster (and this was something extra that we didn't want) and because when I texted Liz she said she laughed so much she felt ill. I'm still smiling as I write this now.
I don't know quite what tickles me about the whole thing but here's the moral of the story. Don't teach little kids. You never quite know what might happen...
Take this example: I was teaching English yesterday to the preschool class at Santa Cruz. Now, this isn't something I normally relish, although it's made easier if Liz is helping. But Liz is sunning herself on the beach so I was on my own with 18 of the little darlings. I'm not convinced that I could hold a class of 18 two to five year olds in English. I know that I can't do it in Spanish. Betsi came to help and we were playing a game to learn about fruits. "Cierran sus ojitos" (close your eyes) - "Hmmm - huelo un 'carrot'. Que es un 'carrot' en español?" (I smell a carrot, what is 'carrot' in Spanish?). The game continues: "huelo un 'orange', Que es un 'orange?".
And then something happened. hmmm - I smell... something else. We look up and one of the little girls had just pooed herself. Well, not herself so much as the floor. Just standing there she had, if you excuse the expression, curled a log out. And then proceeded to walk it around the classroom. Now, not to mention the apparent lack of underwear, this is not normal classroom behaviour. We just looked at each other and laughed at the impeccable timing of the whole situation. It was made more funny by the fact that the day had already been a manic disaster (and this was something extra that we didn't want) and because when I texted Liz she said she laughed so much she felt ill. I'm still smiling as I write this now.
I don't know quite what tickles me about the whole thing but here's the moral of the story. Don't teach little kids. You never quite know what might happen...
Monday, 3 December 2007
Drug Trafficking?
In clarification to a reply to my recent newsletter, I would like to deny rumours that 'I was able to courier packages to and from Mexico' is a Rimmer euphemism for drug trafficking.
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Newsletter 6: Not much about Mexico because I've been in the UK!
Dear friends,
It's almost December and already Spanish Christmas music is playing in the local supermarket. It's strange to hear Jingle Bells and other similar tunes blaring out in a different language although it has to be said that the translation doesn't improve them one bit.
The obligatory weather report: it's warmer than when I left 3 weeks ago and wandering to lunch at Santa Cruz is considerably more comfortable than a long winter walk in the Cambridge fens (brrrrr). Still dry here and it's getting a bit dusty. However, as I write, ominous storm clouds are gathering which is a sure sign that I'll get wet on the way home. Of course I didn't bring a coat; I'm British, male and I don't rust.
Anyway... the last 2 weeks feel like they have been spent mainly in transit from somewhere to somewhere else whilst clearing my US visa situation (all good now). As annoying as it was to be forced to make this extra trip in addition to an already-booked trip in January, I feel like God made it a very useful time for Armonía and me. I was able to courier packages to and from Mexico. I took part in a whole load of meetings with the Armonía UK people, looking at what they're trying to do in our green and pleasant land. I was given time to promote what Armonía's doing around Mexico City and in Tabasco, and am returning with almost enough money to buy 4 new water purifiers and a whole stack of medicines for that same flooded region. I spent some great times catching up with friends (mostly in warm coffee shops) and hanging out at church in Norwich and Cambridge. I think the measure of my busyness was driving just under 800 miles in 9 days (much of it up and down my favourite A11)!
And so Tuesday I returned to Mexico pretty tired (which seems to have contributed to being taken down by some annoyingly potent foreign bug until friday). I have now decided that flying West is tedious (going east is just tiring) - 12 hours in a plane is enough to drive anyone mad, especially when you're sitting next to an over-enthusiastic person who wants to talk Spanish the whole way and beat you at Mexican card games you don't understand. On any other day, I would have appreciated the company but surely you've got to get to the point where you realise when to stay quiet. Unfortunately, Iberia aren't exactly world-renowned for their entertainment systems so I undertook to read a John Grisham novel and a series of Martin Lloyd Jones lectures entitled 'What is an evangelical' in a desperate effort to stay sane. No wonder I was ready to return my room in Alheli to subzero temperatures and go to sleep when I landed. Alas, we had to get through the Mexico rush hour traffic and being hit hard by the car behind certainly wasn't conducive to good sleep (we're all fine, don't worry Mum)!
Not much else has changed whilst I've been away. Pilar is getting better so she and Saul went to Oaxaca to have a recuperation holiday. Todd has spent the week getting ready to go home. Liz has spent the time bantering with the guys at Alheli, redoing her list of medicines and being stalked on numerous occasions. It's good to be back to my old habits of winding her up with my excellent sense of humour (so I like to think). The list of things we have to do has changed subtly and next week I'm going to become some sort of dental expert as I sort through the equipment in the Armonía dentistry at Santa Cruz. The thought of handling dental drill bits - argh! Around this, I'm doing things for Armonía UK, starting to plan the UK celebration with Saul (for the second time), preparing for the Christmas period here, trying to get the Cruzes into New Word Alive 2008 and looking at the prospects and initial details of a student visit out to Mexico (more on that another time). I can't wait to get started again, particularly now that I'm feeling better.
I was going to try to keep this short but I've failed again. Not to worry; I'm off for lunch and to give some good ole Colman's English mustard to the ladies at the centre. Maybe they'll understand the agony I suffer every time I eat their salsa; it has the potential to be amusing (and, of course, culturally informing).
Thank you so much for all your interest in what I've been up to, your support for me and the work of Armonía, and your prayers. I had a lovely time back in the UK and am looking forward to more Mexican madness. :)
Chris / Güero
It's almost December and already Spanish Christmas music is playing in the local supermarket. It's strange to hear Jingle Bells and other similar tunes blaring out in a different language although it has to be said that the translation doesn't improve them one bit.
The obligatory weather report: it's warmer than when I left 3 weeks ago and wandering to lunch at Santa Cruz is considerably more comfortable than a long winter walk in the Cambridge fens (brrrrr). Still dry here and it's getting a bit dusty. However, as I write, ominous storm clouds are gathering which is a sure sign that I'll get wet on the way home. Of course I didn't bring a coat; I'm British, male and I don't rust.
Anyway... the last 2 weeks feel like they have been spent mainly in transit from somewhere to somewhere else whilst clearing my US visa situation (all good now). As annoying as it was to be forced to make this extra trip in addition to an already-booked trip in January, I feel like God made it a very useful time for Armonía and me. I was able to courier packages to and from Mexico. I took part in a whole load of meetings with the Armonía UK people, looking at what they're trying to do in our green and pleasant land. I was given time to promote what Armonía's doing around Mexico City and in Tabasco, and am returning with almost enough money to buy 4 new water purifiers and a whole stack of medicines for that same flooded region. I spent some great times catching up with friends (mostly in warm coffee shops) and hanging out at church in Norwich and Cambridge. I think the measure of my busyness was driving just under 800 miles in 9 days (much of it up and down my favourite A11)!
And so Tuesday I returned to Mexico pretty tired (which seems to have contributed to being taken down by some annoyingly potent foreign bug until friday). I have now decided that flying West is tedious (going east is just tiring) - 12 hours in a plane is enough to drive anyone mad, especially when you're sitting next to an over-enthusiastic person who wants to talk Spanish the whole way and beat you at Mexican card games you don't understand. On any other day, I would have appreciated the company but surely you've got to get to the point where you realise when to stay quiet. Unfortunately, Iberia aren't exactly world-renowned for their entertainment systems so I undertook to read a John Grisham novel and a series of Martin Lloyd Jones lectures entitled 'What is an evangelical' in a desperate effort to stay sane. No wonder I was ready to return my room in Alheli to subzero temperatures and go to sleep when I landed. Alas, we had to get through the Mexico rush hour traffic and being hit hard by the car behind certainly wasn't conducive to good sleep (we're all fine, don't worry Mum)!
Not much else has changed whilst I've been away. Pilar is getting better so she and Saul went to Oaxaca to have a recuperation holiday. Todd has spent the week getting ready to go home. Liz has spent the time bantering with the guys at Alheli, redoing her list of medicines and being stalked on numerous occasions. It's good to be back to my old habits of winding her up with my excellent sense of humour (so I like to think). The list of things we have to do has changed subtly and next week I'm going to become some sort of dental expert as I sort through the equipment in the Armonía dentistry at Santa Cruz. The thought of handling dental drill bits - argh! Around this, I'm doing things for Armonía UK, starting to plan the UK celebration with Saul (for the second time), preparing for the Christmas period here, trying to get the Cruzes into New Word Alive 2008 and looking at the prospects and initial details of a student visit out to Mexico (more on that another time). I can't wait to get started again, particularly now that I'm feeling better.
I was going to try to keep this short but I've failed again. Not to worry; I'm off for lunch and to give some good ole Colman's English mustard to the ladies at the centre. Maybe they'll understand the agony I suffer every time I eat their salsa; it has the potential to be amusing (and, of course, culturally informing).
Thank you so much for all your interest in what I've been up to, your support for me and the work of Armonía, and your prayers. I had a lovely time back in the UK and am looking forward to more Mexican madness. :)
Chris / Güero
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
England
Usually when Christians return from the foreign mission field, they say it's great to be back. I agree with this - and I love being able to catch up with so many of you beautiful people (particularly you Fergusson) - but to be perfectly honest I'd prefer to still be Mexico. It's annoying to have this extra trip back to the UK just because of my US visa situation; i was getting really excited about the work assisting Christians in Tabasco after the floods and to top it off, it's cold and rainy. Brrrr.
But I'm not letting it worry me because God has a plan. Perhaps I'm here to aid the work out in Mexico, at a time when Saul and Pilar can't travel. I have been given many opportunities to speak to people about the situation in Tabasco and many have responded generously in prayer and money. I'm also making new contacts for Armonia and spreading the word about the radical approach of Integral Mission which permeates all that they do. And it looks like I might have some job interviews scheduled in the middle of all this so it's exciting to see whether God would have me come back to the UK next academic year to start work in London.
So it's not all bad. In fact, i'm alive, healthy, saved and have much to thank God for. Not least all of you supporting me. :)
But I'm not letting it worry me because God has a plan. Perhaps I'm here to aid the work out in Mexico, at a time when Saul and Pilar can't travel. I have been given many opportunities to speak to people about the situation in Tabasco and many have responded generously in prayer and money. I'm also making new contacts for Armonia and spreading the word about the radical approach of Integral Mission which permeates all that they do. And it looks like I might have some job interviews scheduled in the middle of all this so it's exciting to see whether God would have me come back to the UK next academic year to start work in London.
So it's not all bad. In fact, i'm alive, healthy, saved and have much to thank God for. Not least all of you supporting me. :)
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Newsletter 5: Coming home, flooding and Mexican songs!
Dear friends,
It's been a little while since I wrote to you so I thought it would be good to provide you with an update of what's going on here in the United States of Everywhere/Mexico.
The first thing to write is the weather report. The climate has now settled for cold and dry - it hasn't rained for a while and I'm now waking up with a cold nose. Reminds me of England in many ways. We had frost this morning and Todd's starting to dislike my preference of windows open. I remember my friends in 24 Oak Tree Avenue (Cambridge) refusing to enter my room (aka 'The Fridge') in the winter; I guess when you sleep in the same room as someone else one its a bit cruel to force them to live in sub-zero temperatures. But when he returns to the States in December I'll have my wicked way...
Ahem.
The other major news (apart from the weather) is that I'm coming back to the UK this coming Thursday. As much as I would like to come home to catch up with some of you, it's a little annoying that I have had to invest in extra transatlantic travel; however, there's not much I can do about it because my hand has been forced by my American visa situation. God willing when I arrive back in the UK the whole fiasco will be behind me. I had hoped to tie it in with Saul and Pilar's trip to the UK to make it a bit more than just returning to get through immigration but since Pilar is still not better, they're not coming (more on that below). I will have a bit of Armonía business to do but hope to spend some time in both Cambridge and Norwich before returning home on the 27th. I look forward to seeing some of you within the next fortnight. :)
Things have started to become a bit busier since my last newsletter. Pilar came out of hospital and is now recovering at home. Saul wisely decided to cancel all his engagements in the UK, to stay and look after her. Although this is frustrating from the point of view of my forthcoming trip, it has meant he's been at home to give us work to do and it's taken the pressure off those who were about to become subject to a series of major last minute changes to the UK Armonia 20th anniversary celebrations. Unfortunately the Cruzes discovered on wednesday that the salmonella (or whatever caused the serious problems) has not been eradicated and she's had to be put on antibiotics and antimichotics. I have no idea what the latter are (neither has google helped much) but Saul keeps mentioning them in the emails I write for him so they must be important. We're all praying that Pilar will be better for the Christmas period (14th to 23rd in the Armonía calendar) because this is usually a bit of a manic time. In fact, whilst i've been writing this, Pilar has just appeared having walked unaided across from her house. It's great to see her again!
Josias is better and we have rejoined him at Alheli. I think he prefers having people around. In many ways this is better because there's no internet so we all sit and talk. For me, it's not too much of a problem because you guys are all asleep when i finish work so there's no one to chat to but it means I see a bit more of my American friends! We've been trying to teach the Mexicans how to play the board game 'Settlers' - resulting in the formation of many new Esp-Ingles words. Maybe the phrase: 'Quiero un Sheep-cito' (I would like one little sheep) will be heard around Mexico for many years to come. I feel like they're getting the hang of losing to me but we're going to need more expansion packs because: three new students have arrived to study on the Armonía scholarship. Lupe, Eric and Renaldo are all from Oaxaca, they're all a little bit overwhelmed by the mix of English, Spanish, Mihe, Chino and Zapotec spoken at Alheli but they seem like cool guys. I've been helping them study algebra for their upcoming exams - something which is surprisingly (and thankfully) translingual. Liz is now living with 7 guys which has made her room something of a double x chromosome safehaven, i think.
Relations with my friends from across the pond have improved since my email a while back. Both Liz and I really feel like we can banter or insult each other without lasting damage and so it's nice to know we've reached the stage in our friendship where we don't have to tiptoe around each other for fear of what might happen. That's a real answer to prayer. However, i still feel a bit distant from Todd. This is unlikely to change much because I'm here for 3 days before being in the UK and then he's only here for another 4. It's a bit of a shame that we've not connected - the negative relational problems of early on have gone but it hasn't switched to being particularly positive. I think part of it is that he's been frustrated by the way his time here has gone and it's sad for me not to feel able to talk to him about it. Yet i feel really positive about Liz and my ability to work together for Armonía once i am back from the UK.
Many other things have happened but the most significant development has been in the state of Tabasco. Thank you to those of you who have sent messages concerned for my safety. Mexico City has not suffered any rainfall and thanks to God we remain safe here. However, the south of the country has been battered, leaving all the capital city of Tabasco, Villahermosa, underwater. I've attached the letter Armonía is sending out to its supporters regarding the situation in the south for those of you who are interested. Without wanting to replicate what is said there, we're sending a team consisting of a doctor, a pastor and some helpers to try to assist with the emergency relief and recovery. I've spent much of this week constructing and demonstrating a water purifier which can bring water to a whole community. If this trial goes well, we intend to purchase and send many more - both to alleviate the immediate suffering and to improve their future prospects. If you have a moment, please pray for the people who are suffering in Tabasco and for our response to it. This is a real chance for Armonía to play a very strategic role in these communities.
That's enough for now, i've got to start an slideshow to update UK supporters so i'd better stop writing and start working.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
God bless
Chris
It's been a little while since I wrote to you so I thought it would be good to provide you with an update of what's going on here in the United States of Everywhere/Mexico.
The first thing to write is the weather report. The climate has now settled for cold and dry - it hasn't rained for a while and I'm now waking up with a cold nose. Reminds me of England in many ways. We had frost this morning and Todd's starting to dislike my preference of windows open. I remember my friends in 24 Oak Tree Avenue (Cambridge) refusing to enter my room (aka 'The Fridge') in the winter; I guess when you sleep in the same room as someone else one its a bit cruel to force them to live in sub-zero temperatures. But when he returns to the States in December I'll have my wicked way...
Ahem.
The other major news (apart from the weather) is that I'm coming back to the UK this coming Thursday. As much as I would like to come home to catch up with some of you, it's a little annoying that I have had to invest in extra transatlantic travel; however, there's not much I can do about it because my hand has been forced by my American visa situation. God willing when I arrive back in the UK the whole fiasco will be behind me. I had hoped to tie it in with Saul and Pilar's trip to the UK to make it a bit more than just returning to get through immigration but since Pilar is still not better, they're not coming (more on that below). I will have a bit of Armonía business to do but hope to spend some time in both Cambridge and Norwich before returning home on the 27th. I look forward to seeing some of you within the next fortnight. :)
Things have started to become a bit busier since my last newsletter. Pilar came out of hospital and is now recovering at home. Saul wisely decided to cancel all his engagements in the UK, to stay and look after her. Although this is frustrating from the point of view of my forthcoming trip, it has meant he's been at home to give us work to do and it's taken the pressure off those who were about to become subject to a series of major last minute changes to the UK Armonia 20th anniversary celebrations. Unfortunately the Cruzes discovered on wednesday that the salmonella (or whatever caused the serious problems) has not been eradicated and she's had to be put on antibiotics and antimichotics. I have no idea what the latter are (neither has google helped much) but Saul keeps mentioning them in the emails I write for him so they must be important. We're all praying that Pilar will be better for the Christmas period (14th to 23rd in the Armonía calendar) because this is usually a bit of a manic time. In fact, whilst i've been writing this, Pilar has just appeared having walked unaided across from her house. It's great to see her again!
Josias is better and we have rejoined him at Alheli. I think he prefers having people around. In many ways this is better because there's no internet so we all sit and talk. For me, it's not too much of a problem because you guys are all asleep when i finish work so there's no one to chat to but it means I see a bit more of my American friends! We've been trying to teach the Mexicans how to play the board game 'Settlers' - resulting in the formation of many new Esp-Ingles words. Maybe the phrase: 'Quiero un Sheep-cito' (I would like one little sheep) will be heard around Mexico for many years to come. I feel like they're getting the hang of losing to me but we're going to need more expansion packs because: three new students have arrived to study on the Armonía scholarship. Lupe, Eric and Renaldo are all from Oaxaca, they're all a little bit overwhelmed by the mix of English, Spanish, Mihe, Chino and Zapotec spoken at Alheli but they seem like cool guys. I've been helping them study algebra for their upcoming exams - something which is surprisingly (and thankfully) translingual. Liz is now living with 7 guys which has made her room something of a double x chromosome safehaven, i think.
Relations with my friends from across the pond have improved since my email a while back. Both Liz and I really feel like we can banter or insult each other without lasting damage and so it's nice to know we've reached the stage in our friendship where we don't have to tiptoe around each other for fear of what might happen. That's a real answer to prayer. However, i still feel a bit distant from Todd. This is unlikely to change much because I'm here for 3 days before being in the UK and then he's only here for another 4. It's a bit of a shame that we've not connected - the negative relational problems of early on have gone but it hasn't switched to being particularly positive. I think part of it is that he's been frustrated by the way his time here has gone and it's sad for me not to feel able to talk to him about it. Yet i feel really positive about Liz and my ability to work together for Armonía once i am back from the UK.
Many other things have happened but the most significant development has been in the state of Tabasco. Thank you to those of you who have sent messages concerned for my safety. Mexico City has not suffered any rainfall and thanks to God we remain safe here. However, the south of the country has been battered, leaving all the capital city of Tabasco, Villahermosa, underwater. I've attached the letter Armonía is sending out to its supporters regarding the situation in the south for those of you who are interested. Without wanting to replicate what is said there, we're sending a team consisting of a doctor, a pastor and some helpers to try to assist with the emergency relief and recovery. I've spent much of this week constructing and demonstrating a water purifier which can bring water to a whole community. If this trial goes well, we intend to purchase and send many more - both to alleviate the immediate suffering and to improve their future prospects. If you have a moment, please pray for the people who are suffering in Tabasco and for our response to it. This is a real chance for Armonía to play a very strategic role in these communities.
That's enough for now, i've got to start an slideshow to update UK supporters so i'd better stop writing and start working.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
God bless
Chris
Mexican Composition
Yesterday, I was approached by one of the teachers at Santa Cruz who was doing some singing lessons with her preschool class. She wanted to know if I knew any short songs which were easy to learn. The catch was they had to be in Spanish. I immediately thought of 'three blind mice'. Unfortunately, the third line is brutal to sing and I seem to remember that it involved being chased by a farmer's wife with a knife (I think?). Additionally, I don't know the word for 'blind'. So, in the interests of 4 years old and political correctness, this was dumbed down in translation to: There are three blind mice, see how they run, they run there and over here, there are three mice. Sorry, couldn't be bothered to type all the repetitions out.
However, it struck me that twinkle twinkle little star / baa baa black sheep / the alphabet song (all basically variants of the same tune) would be appropriate. So we stuck our heads together and came up with:
Armonia es un lugar (armonia is a place)
Donde vamos a jugar (where we go to play)
Hay maestros y gueros (there are teachers and 'pale people')
Aprendemos de Dios (we learn about God)
Nos gustan estar aqui, (we like being here)
En communidad asi. (in this community)
Now my Britishness tells me not to say anything but i'm quite pleased with it so i thought you might enjoy singing it. Altogether now: Armonia es un lugar ....
However, it struck me that twinkle twinkle little star / baa baa black sheep / the alphabet song (all basically variants of the same tune) would be appropriate. So we stuck our heads together and came up with:
Armonia es un lugar (armonia is a place)
Donde vamos a jugar (where we go to play)
Hay maestros y gueros (there are teachers and 'pale people')
Aprendemos de Dios (we learn about God)
Nos gustan estar aqui, (we like being here)
En communidad asi. (in this community)
Now my Britishness tells me not to say anything but i'm quite pleased with it so i thought you might enjoy singing it. Altogether now: Armonia es un lugar ....
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Culinary/culinery Adventures
So, it's taken me about 5 minutes to decide on how i should spell the first word in the title. Honestly I haven't got a clue. So I've given up and decided instead to start writing in the more important larger box...
I've been here almost 60 days and in that time, I've had a few alimentary adventures. Here's four to start:
Observation 1: Tortillas, beans, rice and salsa. That’s the basis of every meal here. It's so predictable that it's worth saying again. Tortillas, beans, rice and salsa. Funnily enough, I'm not getting bored of it. I wonder what would happen if that was all they served at the Quinta (CICCU houseparty) or at Sizewell (SChapel houseparty)? That would make an interesting experiment. Whenever one of these ingredients is not included, I somehow feel like the food is less Mexican. How will I cope when I return to the salsa-less plains of Norfolk/Cambridgeshire? I guess i'll find out soon.
Observation 2: Salsa. It comes in three flavours. Hot, extra hot and explosive. Rumour has it that the latter type is being used by the Mexican army against the clandestine armies in the south of the country. Every mealtime the community centre staff delight to see our watering eyes and slightly pained expressions. Saul tells me that Mexicans can't cope with English mustard so this will be my counter-attack once i've returned home for supplies. We'll see if they can cope with 'hot' then.
Observation 3: Eating foreign food sometimes results in a gastro-intestinal phenomenon best described as 'Occasionally Inconsistent'. Todd coined that one. Say no more.
Observation 4: I don't like 'chicharon'. Vegetarians look away now. The particular case i'm referring to was pig's skin, all goose-pimply and dead, marinaded in something which is best described as vomit. No need for exagerration here - imagine drinking a litre of water, throwing it up and then using it to marinade pig's skin. Et voila: chicharon. The moment I smelt it I felt ill and Liz had to do all in her power not to chunder there and then. I managed about half of it by dousing it with copious amounts of salsa. The pain of the hot salsa removed any sense of taste from my mouth for the whole afternoon, leaving me queasy and with a runny nose. Lovely. Never again.
I've been here almost 60 days and in that time, I've had a few alimentary adventures. Here's four to start:
Observation 1: Tortillas, beans, rice and salsa. That’s the basis of every meal here. It's so predictable that it's worth saying again. Tortillas, beans, rice and salsa. Funnily enough, I'm not getting bored of it. I wonder what would happen if that was all they served at the Quinta (CICCU houseparty) or at Sizewell (SChapel houseparty)? That would make an interesting experiment. Whenever one of these ingredients is not included, I somehow feel like the food is less Mexican. How will I cope when I return to the salsa-less plains of Norfolk/Cambridgeshire? I guess i'll find out soon.
Observation 2: Salsa. It comes in three flavours. Hot, extra hot and explosive. Rumour has it that the latter type is being used by the Mexican army against the clandestine armies in the south of the country. Every mealtime the community centre staff delight to see our watering eyes and slightly pained expressions. Saul tells me that Mexicans can't cope with English mustard so this will be my counter-attack once i've returned home for supplies. We'll see if they can cope with 'hot' then.
Observation 3: Eating foreign food sometimes results in a gastro-intestinal phenomenon best described as 'Occasionally Inconsistent'. Todd coined that one. Say no more.
Observation 4: I don't like 'chicharon'. Vegetarians look away now. The particular case i'm referring to was pig's skin, all goose-pimply and dead, marinaded in something which is best described as vomit. No need for exagerration here - imagine drinking a litre of water, throwing it up and then using it to marinade pig's skin. Et voila: chicharon. The moment I smelt it I felt ill and Liz had to do all in her power not to chunder there and then. I managed about half of it by dousing it with copious amounts of salsa. The pain of the hot salsa removed any sense of taste from my mouth for the whole afternoon, leaving me queasy and with a runny nose. Lovely. Never again.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Whistles for Me?
It seems that nearly every day we get whistled at on our way to lunch at Santa Cruz. Now, this is something that doesn’t happen much in the UK so I can only assume that the Mexican people are stunned that an Adonis with my ruggedly good looks, incredibly chiselled features and sculpted abs could simultaneously be so white. Cue whistle.
However, I feel that it’s something of a coincidence because it only happens when I’m walking with Liz and that it’s only the men who whistle [on behalf of the women?]. Apparently I should ‘dream on’. I’m wondering what might happen if I turn around and thank them…
However, I feel that it’s something of a coincidence because it only happens when I’m walking with Liz and that it’s only the men who whistle [on behalf of the women?]. Apparently I should ‘dream on’. I’m wondering what might happen if I turn around and thank them…
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Newsletter 4: Hornos, illness and breaking stuff
Well hi everyone,
I remain alive and well in the now more English climes of Mexico. To get the obligatory weather report out of the way, it's cloudy, wet underfoot and a bit nippy on the old toes. I'm considering some sock-and-sandal action but I apparently that's still "such a fashion fopah" (I think that phrase works best when said in a Heather Lindsay-like Irish accent). Unlike the weather, things are going well and, if I can work out how, I should be able to post some photos of what I've been up to on the old blog ( http://mexicanchris.blogspot.com/).
First up, I am pleased to announce that I think I have solved my visa problems. And this means I will be back in the UK from the 15th Nov to 3rd Dec. I'm tying my trip in with Saul and Pilar's planned tour to celebrate 20 years of Armonía so it's likely that I'll get a chance to catch up with some of you although I'm busy all the weekends with church visits.
In our preparation for the trip back, we've been producing a PowerPoint presenting the recent story of the Hornos Community, it's an interesting work which came to a head over the summer. Armonía has been working with a community called Jalalpa for many years now and through them, came into contact with Hornos. These people are the poorest of the poor and lived on precarious steep slopes and sand cliffs above disused mining works in the lower part of the Jalalpa Ravine. The photos, which some of you will see in November, show houses literally built from whatever they can find (mainly cardboard) and almost piled on top of each other because of the gradient. In July a mudslide prompted the authorities to evacuate them and the people were given 30 minutes to move. Armonía mobilised food, clothes and blankets and started community consultation to work out how further to support them. They have now been moved from the sports centres where they were kept to hastily constructed chipboard homes. I say 'homes' but each family has just one room and for 2 more weeks the building fabric was so flammable that they were not allowed to cook inside. Over the summer, teams from the States took part in a carpentry project to build new tables and benches to give to the families. At the service of thanksgiving when they were handed over, over 30 people became Christians; the result of many years labour, love and witnessing for the gospel. Please do be praying for the new faith of these people and that, in partnership with Armonía, their poverty (in all forms) might be transformed into abundant life. A new bible study group is starting in a few weeks for them.
However, off the back of such excellent progress over the summer, it seems like the ministry is currently taking a battering. Josías has now come out of hospital (after a month inside) although he has to recover from his still unknown illness in isolation at Alheli. As a result, we (the volunteers) have moved to Casablanca, the Armonía hotel, as a result so we don't get infected or pass anything onto him. Yet, no sooner had he come out than Pilar Cruz was admitted with a suspected serious allergic reaction. She has been in Intensive Care for almost two weeks now and there remains some uncertainty over what exactly she has caught although they think she's not contagious. All this has meant that Saul hasn't been at work for 2 weeks and most activities dependent on him have ground to a halt. After such a positive summer, it really does seem like Armonía is under attack (I say this with some caution) – please be praying for our health as a team and that we can resume the activities soon. It's been difficult but we want to trust that God's way is best and he will work all things for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28). Nothing is outside of his control. One thing that has been affected badly is planning for the UK trip. It's three weeks away and very little has been set in stone. Maybe it's Mexican planning but I'm getting a little nervous because lots of people are emailing me asking for information and I don't know! :s
For me personally, things have continued to chug along nicely. I spent most of last week trying to teach some kids the numbers 11-20. I think they are getting it but it's slow work. Thankfully, I'm on English 2 this week so we'll be doing descriptions of people. Fun. :) My relationships with my friends from across the pond have settled down. Thanks for those of you who prayed and sent thoughts. I guess we get each other better now but we still have to be sensitive. Those of you hoping for a transformed sense of humour (from poverty to life?!?) when I return might be disappointed, I'm afraid to say. As a result, I seem to have sub-consciously moved onto trying to break other things and as a result I'm getting good at fixing stuff. I completely ruined their internet connection whilst trying to get my laptop to connect wirelessly. It's sorted now. [what a geek]. Last week I managed to delete all the contacts from the Armonía database. Thankfully I had the information from which to back everything up (although there was one heart-in-mouth moment!). I've also busted the door handle to our bedroom and I'm currently looking for something new to break. I can already hear Dad's response: "you're not at Scout camp anymore"!
There's a few more tales to tell (including eating pigskin in a vomit-tasting sauce) but I'll leave that to the blog. Well done for getting this far. Thank you to everyone who has been sending emails and thoughts etc. I'm sorry if I haven't had time to answer them all but now I've got wireless internet :) my response rate should improve.
With love and prayers,
God bless,
Chris
I remain alive and well in the now more English climes of Mexico. To get the obligatory weather report out of the way, it's cloudy, wet underfoot and a bit nippy on the old toes. I'm considering some sock-and-sandal action but I apparently that's still "such a fashion fopah" (I think that phrase works best when said in a Heather Lindsay-like Irish accent). Unlike the weather, things are going well and, if I can work out how, I should be able to post some photos of what I've been up to on the old blog ( http://mexicanchris.blogspot.com/).
First up, I am pleased to announce that I think I have solved my visa problems. And this means I will be back in the UK from the 15th Nov to 3rd Dec. I'm tying my trip in with Saul and Pilar's planned tour to celebrate 20 years of Armonía so it's likely that I'll get a chance to catch up with some of you although I'm busy all the weekends with church visits.
In our preparation for the trip back, we've been producing a PowerPoint presenting the recent story of the Hornos Community, it's an interesting work which came to a head over the summer. Armonía has been working with a community called Jalalpa for many years now and through them, came into contact with Hornos. These people are the poorest of the poor and lived on precarious steep slopes and sand cliffs above disused mining works in the lower part of the Jalalpa Ravine. The photos, which some of you will see in November, show houses literally built from whatever they can find (mainly cardboard) and almost piled on top of each other because of the gradient. In July a mudslide prompted the authorities to evacuate them and the people were given 30 minutes to move. Armonía mobilised food, clothes and blankets and started community consultation to work out how further to support them. They have now been moved from the sports centres where they were kept to hastily constructed chipboard homes. I say 'homes' but each family has just one room and for 2 more weeks the building fabric was so flammable that they were not allowed to cook inside. Over the summer, teams from the States took part in a carpentry project to build new tables and benches to give to the families. At the service of thanksgiving when they were handed over, over 30 people became Christians; the result of many years labour, love and witnessing for the gospel. Please do be praying for the new faith of these people and that, in partnership with Armonía, their poverty (in all forms) might be transformed into abundant life. A new bible study group is starting in a few weeks for them.
However, off the back of such excellent progress over the summer, it seems like the ministry is currently taking a battering. Josías has now come out of hospital (after a month inside) although he has to recover from his still unknown illness in isolation at Alheli. As a result, we (the volunteers) have moved to Casablanca, the Armonía hotel, as a result so we don't get infected or pass anything onto him. Yet, no sooner had he come out than Pilar Cruz was admitted with a suspected serious allergic reaction. She has been in Intensive Care for almost two weeks now and there remains some uncertainty over what exactly she has caught although they think she's not contagious. All this has meant that Saul hasn't been at work for 2 weeks and most activities dependent on him have ground to a halt. After such a positive summer, it really does seem like Armonía is under attack (I say this with some caution) – please be praying for our health as a team and that we can resume the activities soon. It's been difficult but we want to trust that God's way is best and he will work all things for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28). Nothing is outside of his control. One thing that has been affected badly is planning for the UK trip. It's three weeks away and very little has been set in stone. Maybe it's Mexican planning but I'm getting a little nervous because lots of people are emailing me asking for information and I don't know! :s
For me personally, things have continued to chug along nicely. I spent most of last week trying to teach some kids the numbers 11-20. I think they are getting it but it's slow work. Thankfully, I'm on English 2 this week so we'll be doing descriptions of people. Fun. :) My relationships with my friends from across the pond have settled down. Thanks for those of you who prayed and sent thoughts. I guess we get each other better now but we still have to be sensitive. Those of you hoping for a transformed sense of humour (from poverty to life?!?) when I return might be disappointed, I'm afraid to say. As a result, I seem to have sub-consciously moved onto trying to break other things and as a result I'm getting good at fixing stuff. I completely ruined their internet connection whilst trying to get my laptop to connect wirelessly. It's sorted now. [what a geek]. Last week I managed to delete all the contacts from the Armonía database. Thankfully I had the information from which to back everything up (although there was one heart-in-mouth moment!). I've also busted the door handle to our bedroom and I'm currently looking for something new to break. I can already hear Dad's response: "you're not at Scout camp anymore"!
There's a few more tales to tell (including eating pigskin in a vomit-tasting sauce) but I'll leave that to the blog. Well done for getting this far. Thank you to everyone who has been sending emails and thoughts etc. I'm sorry if I haven't had time to answer them all but now I've got wireless internet :) my response rate should improve.
With love and prayers,
God bless,
Chris
Friday, 19 October 2007
Ahorita
One thing I really like about the culture here is that at any point, you can interrupt someone, say the word “ahorita” (accompanied by showing them a pinched finger and thumb) and walk away without saying anything else. However, if someone says it to you, it means that the task you want doing could be done any time over the next 3-4 hours! “In a little while” really is a flexible word here.
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Josías
Josías is home! Praise God. It's been a full month that he's been in the hospital and at last the kind Armonía staff can relax a bit from their 24-hour rota of care (Mexican hospitals do not employ many staff at nights or the weekend and so relatives or friends of the sick person have to be on hand to buy or administer medicine).
We arrived back to find him cooking for his Dad and Nico. He looks thin and after such a boring time locked away was slightly overwhelmed by all the people. But several moments last night, a wide grin moved across his face in response to the mad Esp-ingles lesson taking place. At last, Alheli was full: Nico, Joaquín, Josías, Mr Josías, Todd, Liz and myself.
Please pray for his full recovery and for Pilar. No sooner has one Armonía person come out of hospital than another is in. Again, the doctors don't know what's up with her. First it was a headache, then suspected severe allergic reaction to dust in the house, then the medicine damaged her oesophagus but now they don't know again. I'm praying hard that I won't get ill here because the medical care seems a bit hit and miss. :s
We arrived back to find him cooking for his Dad and Nico. He looks thin and after such a boring time locked away was slightly overwhelmed by all the people. But several moments last night, a wide grin moved across his face in response to the mad Esp-ingles lesson taking place. At last, Alheli was full: Nico, Joaquín, Josías, Mr Josías, Todd, Liz and myself.
Please pray for his full recovery and for Pilar. No sooner has one Armonía person come out of hospital than another is in. Again, the doctors don't know what's up with her. First it was a headache, then suspected severe allergic reaction to dust in the house, then the medicine damaged her oesophagus but now they don't know again. I'm praying hard that I won't get ill here because the medical care seems a bit hit and miss. :s
Sunday, 14 October 2007
What was that? You know I don’t speak Spanish Baxter:
Speaking Spanish is difficult. My speaking of Spanish is compounded by 4 things.
1) When I did my one year of Spanish at school, my teacher was French.
2) I learnt Spanish Spanish 5 years ago, not Mexican Spanish.
3) My weird ability in English to think one thing and say a totally different word seems to be manifesting itself here. It results in some interesting sentences.
4) Mexicans speak really quickly and slur their words together. Sometimes I have no idea what they’re saying.
As a result, my apologetic vocabulary is broadening rapidly. I now have a million ways of saying – ‘I haven’t got the foggiest idea what you’re saying’. I’m also getting good at interpreting body language and pretending to understand what they’re saying. I then ask Todd what they were saying. It’s amusing when he doesn’t know either!
If I have the unfortunate pleasure of having to communicate back, at the moment, I employ my own brand of ‘Esp-inglés’. That is, if I don’t know a word I think what it might sounds like when pronounced in Spanish and go for it. You’d be surprised just how many words you can guess that way.
1) When I did my one year of Spanish at school, my teacher was French.
2) I learnt Spanish Spanish 5 years ago, not Mexican Spanish.
3) My weird ability in English to think one thing and say a totally different word seems to be manifesting itself here. It results in some interesting sentences.
4) Mexicans speak really quickly and slur their words together. Sometimes I have no idea what they’re saying.
As a result, my apologetic vocabulary is broadening rapidly. I now have a million ways of saying – ‘I haven’t got the foggiest idea what you’re saying’. I’m also getting good at interpreting body language and pretending to understand what they’re saying. I then ask Todd what they were saying. It’s amusing when he doesn’t know either!
If I have the unfortunate pleasure of having to communicate back, at the moment, I employ my own brand of ‘Esp-inglés’. That is, if I don’t know a word I think what it might sounds like when pronounced in Spanish and go for it. You’d be surprised just how many words you can guess that way.
Friday, 12 October 2007
Latest update on Josias
Background Info: Josias is one of three students on scholarship to the university of Mexico City. He is from Oaxaca (South Mex) and is, I think, the first person from his village to ever get beyond basic secondary eduction. He was admitted vomiting blood the day after I arrived.
>>>>>>>
Dear friends,
It is with joy that I write to inform you that Josias is due to leave the hospital tomorrow. However, he will need to be under a very strict treatment regime as an out-patient for seven months. A clinic near Casablanca will be in charge of the treatment because the doctors want the lesion in his left lung to close up completely. Josias is very happy with this news and has decided to submit himself to the treatment although it saddens him that he won’t be able to attend classes at his university for a while. Doctors advise that he should not go over the next 4 to 5 weeks because he remains too weak.
We praise the Lord for the outcome of his medical care and thank you for all your prayers. We ask you to consider helping us with the medical expenses because we will need to contribute in buying some of the medicines. I spent the morning at the hospital talking to the social worker and nurse who are in charge of a government subsidy programme and they have been convinced that Josias’ parents cannot afford to pay. Armonía is a civic association and has not budgeted for this outlay so the hospital will cover the important and expensive medicines. We still need to finalise the details between the clinic and the hospital, and it is probable that we will have to provide blood donations as a type of payback for the services provided. But if everything goes smoothly, we can bring him home tomorrow under this new arrangement. If not, we will have to wait until Monday.
You will also be pleased to hear that Pilar is improving slowly having fallen ill last Sunday. Her stomach was seriously hurt by the medicine prescribed; we had to return to the doctor for more tests and to change the antibiotics and painkillers. Thank God that they’re now working and that she slept better last night. This morning, she was able to have some food which indicates that her stomach is mending. Her fever is lower and I thank everybody for your prayers for her health.
I ask also that you pray about Armonía’s resources because the last month has been a difficult time with many unexpected expenses for doctors and medicines. We hope we can recover soon whilst continuing to support our other projects around Mexico. An update on the summer’s activities is coming and we remain thankful in the Lord for the creation of the new Armonía blog, a new administrator in the UK, your prayers, your phone calls and your love.
With love and blessings in Christ.
Saul Cruz
>>>>>>>
Dear friends,
It is with joy that I write to inform you that Josias is due to leave the hospital tomorrow. However, he will need to be under a very strict treatment regime as an out-patient for seven months. A clinic near Casablanca will be in charge of the treatment because the doctors want the lesion in his left lung to close up completely. Josias is very happy with this news and has decided to submit himself to the treatment although it saddens him that he won’t be able to attend classes at his university for a while. Doctors advise that he should not go over the next 4 to 5 weeks because he remains too weak.
We praise the Lord for the outcome of his medical care and thank you for all your prayers. We ask you to consider helping us with the medical expenses because we will need to contribute in buying some of the medicines. I spent the morning at the hospital talking to the social worker and nurse who are in charge of a government subsidy programme and they have been convinced that Josias’ parents cannot afford to pay. Armonía is a civic association and has not budgeted for this outlay so the hospital will cover the important and expensive medicines. We still need to finalise the details between the clinic and the hospital, and it is probable that we will have to provide blood donations as a type of payback for the services provided. But if everything goes smoothly, we can bring him home tomorrow under this new arrangement. If not, we will have to wait until Monday.
You will also be pleased to hear that Pilar is improving slowly having fallen ill last Sunday. Her stomach was seriously hurt by the medicine prescribed; we had to return to the doctor for more tests and to change the antibiotics and painkillers. Thank God that they’re now working and that she slept better last night. This morning, she was able to have some food which indicates that her stomach is mending. Her fever is lower and I thank everybody for your prayers for her health.
I ask also that you pray about Armonía’s resources because the last month has been a difficult time with many unexpected expenses for doctors and medicines. We hope we can recover soon whilst continuing to support our other projects around Mexico. An update on the summer’s activities is coming and we remain thankful in the Lord for the creation of the new Armonía blog, a new administrator in the UK, your prayers, your phone calls and your love.
With love and blessings in Christ.
Saul Cruz
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
The crazy bus in the crazy world
The other day we went to a new shopping plaza in Tecámac. Unlike such places in the UK which are finished before they are opened, this was still being built and we had to negotiate builders, reinforced concrete pillars and ladders but we finally made it to … wait for it… Wal-mart. It felt horrible to enter such a mecca to Mammon surrounded by such poor shanty towns. Nico accompanied us and looked quite shell-shocked. Maybe it will be economically beneficial to the area, growth pole-style, but part of me thinks it won’t benefit those who need it. It seemed crazy to have my first Wal-mart experience in Mexico.
My spirit was lifted by the trip home. We caught this run-down old bus with no dashboard manned by a 15 year old driver and his 20 year old brother. Both smoked enthusiastically as we careered around the streets of Ojo de Agua. You just have to love this country. Mum, you may have to pray a bit harder for my safety if we take more public transport!
My spirit was lifted by the trip home. We caught this run-down old bus with no dashboard manned by a 15 year old driver and his 20 year old brother. Both smoked enthusiastically as we careered around the streets of Ojo de Agua. You just have to love this country. Mum, you may have to pray a bit harder for my safety if we take more public transport!
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
The United States of Everywhere
Many of you will be aware that I have had problems with my visa. Paradoxically, not my visa for Mexico but my visa for the USA. As a UK citizen, I can enter the USA for 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) but there are certain rules I have to fulfil and I now know the regs inside-out. I have to have a machine readable passport (tick), be travelling for business, pleasure or transit (tick), be in the possession of a completed IW-94 (tick), not stay inside the US for more than 90 days (uh oh) and, if my ticket is onward and terminates in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or any Caribbean Island, I must be a permanent resident of these countries (hmmm). It is unknown exactly how US immigration define their interpretation of the rules, but basically my current plans mean that I will overstay my welcome (despite only being inside the USA proper for a total of 5 hours between September and January) and will probably never be able to enter the USA on the VWP again. A bit inconvenient really.
More surprising is that my Cambridge Geography degree failed to inform me of the existence of this huge new country – the United States of Everywhere (USA, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean Island). Next time I fly here, I’m going via Spain. In the meantime, i'm probably coming home sometime this term to clear this up.
More surprising is that my Cambridge Geography degree failed to inform me of the existence of this huge new country – the United States of Everywhere (USA, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean Island). Next time I fly here, I’m going via Spain. In the meantime, i'm probably coming home sometime this term to clear this up.
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Newsletter 3: What am I doing here?
Hola Amigos,
Firstly, I must apologise to those who did not receive my last message. As a male of the species, I'm going to do the only thing I can and blame the tool rather than the workman. Something was up with Gmail… I don't know what. Hopefully this one will be more successful (or else this apology will be somewhat redundant!).
So, it's been 3 weeks since I arrived and I'm glad to report that I'm really enjoying being here. Since I last wrote, we volunteers have met with Saul a few times to discuss what he's trying to achieve with Armonía (best summed up by 'walking alongside the poor with the gospel') and how we fit into this. Our involvement has manifested itself in two main ways so far (hopefully these can give you an insight into what Armonía does and what I've been up to).
1) Doing small tasks for the community centre and Armonía in general. We've transcribed prayer update emails from Saul, organised the mass of books and CDs in the Armonía office and helped with whatever's going on at the Santa Cruz Community Centre. For instance, on Wednesday we cleared out the 'Bodega of doom' (bodega = cupboard) – a massive room full of 20 years of Armonía stuff. It was a bit like an archaeological dig! Amongst other things we found 7 sewing machines, 2 slide projectors, files and files of paperwork on kids who have attended community centre projects (including copies of their birth certificates) and a 70cm (24 inch) machete! I'm also teaching a basic English class although sometimes I think that I learn more Spanish than my students learn English!
2) Assisting Saul with the strategic efficiency of Armonía. Currently Armonía is very dependent on the income generated by visiting mission teams staying at the Armonía 'hotel' (Casablanca). The demand for contact with Saul and the need to be looked after leaves all the Armonía staff exhausted by the end of the summer (this year they received 13 groups). Unfortunately, contact is often lost with those who come here. One of my tasks for the next few months is to reassemble the Armonía contacts database and start to improve the flow of information out of Mexico, primarily to the US and the UK. It is hoped that this will raise Armonía's profile, increasing the flow of resources in and allow Saul to be more flexible in rejecting or accepting foreign groups.
It has been nice to develop a routine over the last 3 weeks. I usually find myself in the office in the mornings, then walking over to Santa Cruz for lunch (tortillas + beans + rice + some sort of fruit) and to assist with a homework club they're running every afternoon. It's great that we're being kept doing useful things and I really feel like I am contributing to this ministry. For the first week or so it was frustrating to spend lots of time sitting around because the illness of one of the Armonía students threw the usual arrangements into disarray – I would have preferred to throw myself into whatever was going on. However, by God's grace it gave me a chance to adjust to the pace of life here, start to get to know my housemates and spending time reading and thinking. Josias is now getting better too which is an answer to prayer.
Personally, things have been a bit more difficult. It's been quite an eye-opener to have to operate in this culture. Crossing boundaries is a old funny process made more difficult when a foreign language (that I studied for a year 5 years ago) is involved. It's frustrating not to be able to communicate properly and, even though I can see that I am learning, I really want to be able to talk to anyone I meet. (Plus, how can I make puns when I don't know the language?!). I am grateful that the staff members now speak slower and clearer when they give me instructions and I'm starting to develop relationships there. :) God has been very gracious in providing me with a good friend in Nico, one of the students on the Armonía scholarship to the local university. Spanish is his second language so I understand him much better - we've really clicked and it's great to hang out with him.
However, I have found my relationship with my co-volunteers harder to develop. Although we all speak English, many colloquialisms and even words are different and cause confusion. We have found that our intonation and humour is different – what is funny in, say, British humour is taken as offensive to the Americans; similarly I often find it difficult to distinguish between normal calm American expression and frustration. I guess it's a good thing that I'm discovering this with Liz and Todd rather than the local people but it doesn't make it any easier. I really need the humility to think others better than myself and to let things slide when I'm not sure. I can also see that I'm going to have to learn cultural sensitivity and spot my errors before I commit them (not necessarily one of my fortes).
But although this gives a slightly downbeat tone to this letter, I am alive and well. I am sure that this is where God wants me this year and I relish the challenge of cultural learnings. I am happy in my work and God has blessed me already in many ways. There is much that I do not yet know about taking the whole gospel to the poor but I want to learn.
Thank you for your continuing thoughts and prayers.
Love Chris
P.S: Although something in me hates this concept, I've started a blog. Urgh – even the word makes me shudder deep inside. However, I think it'll give a place to record amusing moments or observations about things that happen here. For those of you who want to stay more informed about my time here, you can keep up-to-date by reading it; for those of you content with my occasional newsletter, hopefully it'll reduce their length. Plus on my side I won't get so confused about what I've told to whom. :) http://mexicanchris.blogspot.com/
Firstly, I must apologise to those who did not receive my last message. As a male of the species, I'm going to do the only thing I can and blame the tool rather than the workman. Something was up with Gmail… I don't know what. Hopefully this one will be more successful (or else this apology will be somewhat redundant!).
So, it's been 3 weeks since I arrived and I'm glad to report that I'm really enjoying being here. Since I last wrote, we volunteers have met with Saul a few times to discuss what he's trying to achieve with Armonía (best summed up by 'walking alongside the poor with the gospel') and how we fit into this. Our involvement has manifested itself in two main ways so far (hopefully these can give you an insight into what Armonía does and what I've been up to).
1) Doing small tasks for the community centre and Armonía in general. We've transcribed prayer update emails from Saul, organised the mass of books and CDs in the Armonía office and helped with whatever's going on at the Santa Cruz Community Centre. For instance, on Wednesday we cleared out the 'Bodega of doom' (bodega = cupboard) – a massive room full of 20 years of Armonía stuff. It was a bit like an archaeological dig! Amongst other things we found 7 sewing machines, 2 slide projectors, files and files of paperwork on kids who have attended community centre projects (including copies of their birth certificates) and a 70cm (24 inch) machete! I'm also teaching a basic English class although sometimes I think that I learn more Spanish than my students learn English!
2) Assisting Saul with the strategic efficiency of Armonía. Currently Armonía is very dependent on the income generated by visiting mission teams staying at the Armonía 'hotel' (Casablanca). The demand for contact with Saul and the need to be looked after leaves all the Armonía staff exhausted by the end of the summer (this year they received 13 groups). Unfortunately, contact is often lost with those who come here. One of my tasks for the next few months is to reassemble the Armonía contacts database and start to improve the flow of information out of Mexico, primarily to the US and the UK. It is hoped that this will raise Armonía's profile, increasing the flow of resources in and allow Saul to be more flexible in rejecting or accepting foreign groups.
It has been nice to develop a routine over the last 3 weeks. I usually find myself in the office in the mornings, then walking over to Santa Cruz for lunch (tortillas + beans + rice + some sort of fruit) and to assist with a homework club they're running every afternoon. It's great that we're being kept doing useful things and I really feel like I am contributing to this ministry. For the first week or so it was frustrating to spend lots of time sitting around because the illness of one of the Armonía students threw the usual arrangements into disarray – I would have preferred to throw myself into whatever was going on. However, by God's grace it gave me a chance to adjust to the pace of life here, start to get to know my housemates and spending time reading and thinking. Josias is now getting better too which is an answer to prayer.
Personally, things have been a bit more difficult. It's been quite an eye-opener to have to operate in this culture. Crossing boundaries is a old funny process made more difficult when a foreign language (that I studied for a year 5 years ago) is involved. It's frustrating not to be able to communicate properly and, even though I can see that I am learning, I really want to be able to talk to anyone I meet. (Plus, how can I make puns when I don't know the language?!). I am grateful that the staff members now speak slower and clearer when they give me instructions and I'm starting to develop relationships there. :) God has been very gracious in providing me with a good friend in Nico, one of the students on the Armonía scholarship to the local university. Spanish is his second language so I understand him much better - we've really clicked and it's great to hang out with him.
However, I have found my relationship with my co-volunteers harder to develop. Although we all speak English, many colloquialisms and even words are different and cause confusion. We have found that our intonation and humour is different – what is funny in, say, British humour is taken as offensive to the Americans; similarly I often find it difficult to distinguish between normal calm American expression and frustration. I guess it's a good thing that I'm discovering this with Liz and Todd rather than the local people but it doesn't make it any easier. I really need the humility to think others better than myself and to let things slide when I'm not sure. I can also see that I'm going to have to learn cultural sensitivity and spot my errors before I commit them (not necessarily one of my fortes).
But although this gives a slightly downbeat tone to this letter, I am alive and well. I am sure that this is where God wants me this year and I relish the challenge of cultural learnings. I am happy in my work and God has blessed me already in many ways. There is much that I do not yet know about taking the whole gospel to the poor but I want to learn.
Thank you for your continuing thoughts and prayers.
Love Chris
P.S: Although something in me hates this concept, I've started a blog. Urgh – even the word makes me shudder deep inside. However, I think it'll give a place to record amusing moments or observations about things that happen here. For those of you who want to stay more informed about my time here, you can keep up-to-date by reading it; for those of you content with my occasional newsletter, hopefully it'll reduce their length. Plus on my side I won't get so confused about what I've told to whom. :) http://mexicanchris.blogspot.com/
And now I have a blog...
So this is my new blog. Something in me hates the idea; even the word makes me shudder. However, this will give me a place to record amusing moments or observations whilst I'm in Mexico. All being well, it'll reduce the length of my prayer emails back home without reducing the amount of information available to those who want to stay in closer contact.
I also hope that as well as giving me a place to demonstrate my written wit and general dubious sense of humour, you too will be challenged by the ministry I am involved in.
I also hope that as well as giving me a place to demonstrate my written wit and general dubious sense of humour, you too will be challenged by the ministry I am involved in.
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