Familia Dyrst

The End

2010-02-17T04:50:00.000-08:00

This is officially the last post on this blog. I have decided to close this blog. It's something I've needed to do for quite awhile, but didn't realize it until a friend suggested it this weekend at church retreat. As soon as he said it I immediately felt the truth deep in my heart.

I haven't been able to post all the incredible pictures from our last week in Olinala due to technical issues with our computer. I've decided to move on. Our ending time in Mexico was very difficult with regards to MCC. Our ending time with our friends in Olinala and our friends in the communities was an incredible gift, and I am grateful to MCC for the opportunity to live and love in that part of the mountains in Guerrero, Mexico.

I'll close with a quote (author unknown to me) a friend sent the other day.

"There is no healing without help.
There is no power as potent as possibility.
There is no transformation without truth.
There is no change without vulnerability.
There is no beauty without struggle.
There is no statement like your life.
There is no end.
There are only beginnings."

Here's to a new beginning.

Ever Again?

2010-02-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

Wow I haven't blogged for a really long time. I wonder if I ever will again. I haven't even posted the incredible pictures from our last week in Olinala, back in November. Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like the 4 months it really is. I can look at these pictures without crying now. But when I do look at them I ever more determined to go back and visit this summer.

Enrique, Lupita and David

2009-11-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

We made a trip to Cuernavaca on Saturday and spent a wonderful afternoon with our former co-worker and dear friend Enrique, his wife Lupita and their son David. It meant so much to us to be able to talk and spend time together again. They are doing well and expecting a baby boy the end of December. Special times indeed.

Basketball

2009-11-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

Still playing basketball.

Farewell/Brithday Party in Teticic

2009-11-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

On Friday our family went to Teticic and had an afternoon of fun, laughter, and great food with friends. These women were part of the "year 1" garden groups. We talked about all kinds of things, laughed so much my cheeks hurt, and shared a delicious meal together. It was a beautiful time of reconnecting and just being together.

Day of the Saints and Day of the Dead

2009-10-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

We were inspired by all the alter making in town to make our own at home for Oma (Martin´s mom) and my grandma. The boys and I worked all afternoon. Isaiah declares this alter our best one yet!

Everyone is setting up alters to remember the saints and those who have died. There was an alter competition between the schools yesterday. Amazing.

Rancho Bonito

2009-10-29T07:30:00.001-07:00

Yesterday all 4 of us went to Rancho Bonito in the afternoon. After a wonderful meal of handmade tortillas, beans and salsa, the adults sat around and talked while the kids played outside. I´ve mentioned before that we´re doing some impact evalaution in a number of communities. So I asked the group some specific questions and then we just talked. The women are very interested in trying to have a small garden during the dry season. They have friends and relatives in nearby Teticic who participated in the garden program two years ago. There was an incredible amount of energy in the room as they talked about what they can do now that they have cisterns to store water and don´t have to spend so much time each day collecting water. More women feeling empowered and thinking about the future.

And this is the time of year when people make alters and remember those who have died. Part of this includes making Tlachcallis, a cornmeal cookie. They were in the middle of making the cookies when we arrived, so we got to each some hot, right out of the oven.

More Chiles

2009-10-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

It´s been very cloudy here for a week or so. While I´m enjoying the cooler weather, the chile farmers are trying to dry out their chiles and it´s not going so well. Earlier in the summer there wasn´t enough rain. Now there isn´t enough sun.

Sitting Pot - Contle Atl Yehuatoc

2009-10-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

There is a group of 24 people in the nearby community of Chiaucingo who got organized and turned in a project proposal for 24 cistern to the Canadian Embassy a few months ago. Last week they found out that their project was approved! They are thrilled. They invited my co-worker Manuel and I to talk with them about the next steps. One of the steps includes opening a bank account for the group. Yesterday the committee came to Olinalá and I went with them to the bank. Here they are proudly signing the necessary forms.
Then we went to the internet cafe to check their email and send the bank information to the Canadian Embassy. (This is their first time using a computer.) Finally they mailed the signed contract.

It´s very inspiring to listen to these women talk about their hopes and dreams for the future. And what they will be able to do both with the water they can store in the cistern and with their increased confidence in themselves and what they can do when they work together.

(Sitting Pot is the name of their project - they chose a Nahuat´l name.)

Happy 8th Birthday ISAIAH!

2009-10-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

We finally got a chance to celebrate Isaiah´s birthday this weekend. (He was sick in bed on his "real" birthday.) On Friday he took a cake to school. And on Saturday we had a birthday supper and piñata. ¡FELCIDADES ISAIAS!

From October

2009-10-26T10:23:00.003-07:00

Martin and Micah in the kitchen.

Isaiah has done a lot of school work this month

People are drying their chiles - this is a common site for me as I visit different communities.

Missionary Month

2009-10-26T10:18:00.001-07:00

October was Missionary Month (in the Catholic Church) and since the boys go to a Catholic school, they got to parade through town last Wednesday. I love how much people here parade through the streets to celebrate. Complete with a band and police escort.

Impact Assessment

2009-10-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

This month we´ve held some community meetings and talked with people about how the appropriate technologies (cisterns, dry latrines, family gardens, fuel-saving stoves) have impacted their lives. We´ve asked them to talk about what changes they have experienced. It´s been a lot of fun.

Cisterns in Tlaquilcingo

2009-10-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

In October, the group in Tlaquilcingo finished their 18 cisterns. These cistens were funded by the Canadian Embassy and the group managed the project. Here are just a few pictures of the finished cisterns and the group working together with our co-worker Manuel on the final report.

Goodbye Kiara

2009-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

In October we said goodbye to dear Kiara. Thanks for everything Kiara. We have been blessed by you and are grateful our paths crossed. God´s grace and peace as you embark on the next part of your journey. We love you!

Our New Home

2009-10-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the inside of our new home.

October Festival

2009-10-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of October, Olinalá celebrates it´s parton saint - Saint Francis of Asisi. Each year there is an art show featuring the traditional craft this town is known for, with prize money. Here are a few pictures from the art show, the boys posing for a "traditional" picture, inside the church, and processing in the street with the saint.

Palenque Ruins

2009-10-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Well I haven´t blogged for some time. As many of you know, we´re wrapping up our time here in Mexico. On November 9th we start our journey back to the U.S. This has been an incredible journey and we will be forever grateful for this experience.

I want to post some pictures from the last while. In September we had team meetings in Chiapas and our family took a quick trip to see some amazing ruins. (Unfortunately our camera stayed in Chiapas, so I only have this picture of a postcard!) We had a great time.

Goodbye Merideth

2009-09-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

Last night our dear friend and co-worker Merideth left Olinalá to embark on her next adventure.
We will miss you greatly Mer. Millions of thanks for everything you have shared with us. We are grateful that our paths crossed and look forward to the next time we can be together.
God's blessings to you.

One Sunday

2009-09-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

As I´ve mentioned before, our friends Chuchi and Malena have a shoe shop. Every Saturday afternoon they set up their stand in the town square (along with lots of other merchants) for Sunday´s market. They spend all day Sunday in the zocalo. Isaiah has helped them in the past. The other day he decided he wanted to ¨work¨for them. He told me this on Saturday night before he went to bed. Sunday morning he got up at 7am all by himself. Got dressed, made breakfast, and rode his bike to their shoe stand. He worked well into the afternoon. He helped set up, ran errands and according to them was helpful. He came home proud as a peacock with $25 pesos in his pocket.

Our Latest Favorite Cookies - Thanks Tia Su!

2009-08-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

The original recipe for the mint chocolate chips comes from Mollie Katzen's Still Life with Menu, but I've adapted it a little. These cookies also freeze very well, and make great ice-cream sandwiches.

Double Chocolate-Mint Cookies

1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup/6 oz) butter
1/2 cup (packed) brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg and extracts. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together. Stir flour mixture into butter, then add chips. Drop spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet, and bake 10-12 minutes.

Organizacion Pubelo Indigena - Chiaucingo

2009-08-21T15:36:00.001-07:00

This week some people in Chiaucingo formalized their work group and chose a name for themselves, wrote up a constitution, documented their internal rules, and applied for funds from the Canadian Embassy to build 24 cisterns. The committee invited me to share about the application process, as a consultant. We also talked about what makes a strong group and I help them verbalize/document their group's mission, objectives and potential problems. We did some "group dynamics" games, worked in small groups, worked as a whole group, brainstormed, listened to each other, and laughed together. I was so impressed with their participation and willingness to spend a significant amount of time working together. Will be interesting to see what happens.

Another Birthday

2009-08-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Thursday we celebrated Chelly's (Malena's younger sister) birthday. All the traditional birthday songs, cheers and shoving your face into your cake as you take the first bite rituals. And a pinata of course. Micah had fun moving it around, making the whole game more fun for everyone.

What to do after the pinata is broken? Use the rope and jump! This was a first - and everyone was really into it. We all jumped rope the rest of the evening :) Just one of the many things I love about this family...

House Blessing

2009-08-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Our friends Chuchi and Malena had a house blessing the other day. The padre (priest) came over and led the ceremony, sprinkling holy water all over the house. Afterwards we ate and laughed.

Malena, the Padre, Malena's brother Pepe

Hanging out afterwards

Making Seed Murals at Home

2009-08-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

So we were inspired to make our own seed murals after our trip to Tepotzlan.

Tlaquilcingo

2009-08-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I took this picture on my way home from Tlaquilcingo the other day. They mountains are still amazing to me. Something about growing up in Kansas.

Creating at Home

2009-08-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Liam, we thought of you the other day when the boys came home with treasures they found on a walk and got busy.

Time with Friends

2009-08-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures from our time with Ian, Caitlin, Anita and Michael. Our friends Aquilina, Placido, and their son, Placido, were able to travel with us for a few days. We first stopped in Cuernavaca for a bit, then on to Tepotzlan. The next day we saw some Diego Rivera murals and the pyramids at Teotihuacan.

We said goodbye to our friends after a wonderful time together.

Then Aquilina and I went to the Canadian Embassy to meet with Jillaine, the person in charge of Canada Fund. Aquilina was excited to meet Jillaine. And Jillaine glad to meet Aquilina too. I see this as a bridge-building / sharing of knowledge / working myself out of a job kind of thing.
And on the way home we stopped for a quick swim at Paplutla of course! It was Aquilina's first time to be in that much water.

Papalutla

Meeting Jillaine at the Canadian Embassy

Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan

Each year they make a new seed mural in Tepotzlan. We watched them for awhile.

We saw some Diego Rivera Murals

The main cathedral in Cuernavaca

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY CAITLIN!

2009-08-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Our friend Caitlin was here for her 16th birthday and we celebrated all day long starting with "Las Mananitas" in the monring and a paper curtain decorating her bedroom door, followed by lots of confetti on her head. She opened some presents in the morning and then we headed back to Chiaucingo where we finished making the mole, ATE LOTS, broke the pinata, lit off fireworks, ate cake, and danced. Feliz Cumpleanos Caitin!

Making Mole

2009-08-16T11:52:00.001-07:00

Filling the pinata

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Making fruit drinks - pineapple, melon and watermelon.

This was fun to do with lots of hands.

Drying the chiles

Roasting the chiles

Grinding the chiles

Mixing...

and mixing the mole sauce.

Tlaquilcingo contract signed

2009-08-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Last week the president of the work group in Tlaquilcingo - Mateo - signed the contract from the Canadian embassy so the group can receive money to buy the materials for 18 cisterns. We had to end the meeting quickly as a storm moved in!

More Visitors!

2009-08-16T11:40:00.001-07:00

We were honored to have our friends Anita, Michael, Caitlin and Ian from Chicago Community Mennonite Church come visit us in August. Again we spent time relaxing, drinking tea, and talking. We also spend two days in nearby Chiaucingo with friends and learned how to make tortillas and the traditional mole sauce. It was a two day process - drying, roasting, grinding. While cooking we also played cards and soccer.

Pepe's 15 going on 33 birthday party

2009-08-03T08:08:00.001-07:00

August 2, 2009, our friend Pepe turned 33. But he says he feels like he's still 15 :) So his enthusiastic family acted out the traditional turning 15 birthday party - usually reserved for females. It was all improvisational.
So much dancing. So much laughing.

Tlaquilcingo - August 2, 2009

2009-08-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have to say that it was really hard for me to head out to Tlaquilcingo this Sunday afternoon for a meeting. But I'm so glad I did. Of course I was the first one there and it took about an hour before we started the meeting. This time the secretary passed around the attendance list without me saying anything. I asked a few questions about how they're doing. Group members shared about opening an email account and how later in the week they went to another town and checked their email. They were excited to report that they could actually remember how to open their account on their own. The secretary made a trip to Chilapa during the week to get quotes for building materials. They spent awhile talking about prices. They found better prices in Chilapa than in Olinala. So much better that they might have some left over. They are going to contact the Canadian Embassy to see if they can use the leftover money to buy some or all of the gravel for the project. (In the original project proposal, they community was going to buy the gravel.)
The discussion went well. People listened to each other and let each other talk.
And we ended the meeting with a "light and lively" called Elephant & Giraffe. Much to my surprise, everyone participated - even the "I'm pretty cool" mayor. Lots of laughter and energy. They said they're going to practice during the week. I think that means they liked it and they want to play again.

Ramis reading the contract from the Canadian Embassy to the group.

Elephant and Giraffe

Just Us

2009-08-03T07:44:00.001-07:00

So now it's just us at home. The boys got busy coloring the BIG pages abuela sent. Thanks mom!

And here is a picture of Martin talking via Skype to our next guests who will arrive (God willing) on Wednesday. YIPPEE!!!

Day Four

2009-08-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

On our last day together, we again had time to drink tea and talk while the kids played. I really can't say enough how helpful all the talking was. Paul and Laurel were in Mexico with MCC many years ago. (They were my advisors while I was in Mexico with Bethel college in 1995.) They now live in Bluffton, where Martin's dad, brother, sister-in-law, and our good friends Jan and Jonathan live. So we could talk about our MCC experiences, transition back to the states, and how to decide what to do after MCC. Lots of helpful counsel for sure.

In the evening our friends Chuchi, Malena, Andrea and Alondra came over to say goodbye...they had connected.

Day Three - La Cienega

2009-08-03T07:24:00.001-07:00

We had time to talk and drink tea with our friends. And play cards. They taught us some new card games and shared lots of helpful advice. Thank you!

In the afternoon we headed out to La Cienega. The community had invited us to celebrate the completion of 10 cisterns. (The municipal president donated all the cement for this project.) When we arrived they asked us to wait at the entrance to the community. A few minutes later some community members arrived with leis/malas and stretched a ribbon across the road. They showered us with confetti, we all shook hands, I cut the ribbon, lots of clapping, and then we all walked to another house for lunch. We had the traditional celebration meal - goat, salsa, beans, tortillas and coke. Delicious. The kids ran around and played freeze tag while the adults talked and tried to learn more Nahuat'l.

Micah turns 5!

2009-08-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

At 9 a.m. on July 28, 2009 Micah turned five years old. He was a bit unsure of the day's plans when he woke up. He put on his favorite shark shirt and agreed to open some presents. That sure helped! Thanks everyone who sent special packages with Paul and Laurel! Then we packed up the truck and headed to the natural hot springs in Papalutla 2 hours away. There were about 30 of us all together. We were actually celebrating three birthdays: Micah, Mari Carmen, and Laurel. We had an awesome day swimming, playing water polo, water volleyball, swimming, catching minnows, swimming, and then eating grilled meat and veggies, chocolate zucchini cake, breaking a pinata and finally a bit of dancing before driving back to Olinala. We got home around 11 p.m. A full day of celebrating.

Last Day to be Four and with Friends

2009-08-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Micah sleeping in late on his last day being four years old.

Our friends Paul, Laurel, Erin, Justin and Ana came to visit us.
Day One
Hanging out at home and visiting places in Olinala.

Tlaquilcingo - July 26, 2009

2009-08-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

The working group in Tlaquilcingo now has an email account. This is a picture of them emailing the Canadian Embassy their first bank account information - another big step for them. (Our co-worker Manuel is in the middle.)

Tlaquilcingo - July 12, 2009

2009-08-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

I came to Tlaquilcingo today for a meeting about the 18 cisterns that the group wants to build in September. The project is 100% funded by Canada Fund, through the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City. When I got there for our scheduled meeting, everyone was in a community meeting for the changing of the "mayordomos" and organize the planting of over 800 mango trees they recently received.

Mayordomos
Evidently there are four families chosen each year to be in charge of and sponsor the town's fiesta. The meeting turned ceremonial when the outgoing "mayordomos" presented the incoming "mayordomos" with a bottle of mezcal (traditional cactus alcoholic beverage). The incoming "mayordomos" then proceeded to offer a shot of mezcal to everyone in the circle, men and women. Most of the men accepted, a few of the women did too. This too quite awhile. Then they passed out soda pop to everyone.

Finally they tried to set a date to plant the mango trees. The trees are part of a project with three different government organizations, though no one could tell me exactly which organizations. There is a community field that is fenced off. They have already planted cactus in the field. Each citizen has a 10 meter by 200 meter section.
During the discussions a woman turned to me and said "this is why I don't come to these meetings. I always leave with a headache." Lots of men talking at the same time. When a woman wanted to say something to the group, she address the mayor and then he repeated it to the group.

Needless to say, by the time they were done and ready to meet with me, many of the men had had a fair amount to drink. But we were able to talk about the next steps in the process and set some more dates. So the meeting didn't go as I had planned (don't worry, I don't plan much anymore) but I did learn a lot about the community.

Basketball and Yoga

2009-08-03T06:20:00.001-07:00

We finished another basketball league last week. Merideth's team came in second and my team third. I've really grown to love basketball and the time I get to spend with other women. The next league starts in two weeks.

A group of around 15-20 women have started meeting for yoga classes again. Actually, we've been meeting for two months already. Twice a week for an hour. Another wonderful connection to the women in this community. I really treasure seeing people on a regular basis.

New Blog Link

2009-08-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out how to add another link - so now you can easily look at our friends and fellow MCCer's blog - Jaime, Bruce, Zam, Hizee, and Ziko who live in Zacango, a community that is about 15 minutes from Olinala. Check out "Friesen Pankratz Mexico Blog" when you have a chance. The link is on the right side of this page. (Merideth and Kiara'a blogs too :)

Trip to Oaxaca

2009-08-02T09:07:00.001-07:00

In July we went on a trip to Oaxaca. Our friends Chuchi, Malena, Andrea, Alondra and their extended family had invited us to join them. We were around 80 people all together.

Day One
We got on the bus at 9am, Monday morning.

We drove all day and all night.
In the middle of the night we stopped in Oaxaca City to buy flowers for the Virgin. Isaiah got two dozen roses.

Day Two - Virgin of Juquila
This is known as the second holiest place in Mexico, after the Basillica in Mexico City where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. As I understand, the Virgin of Juquila appeared to some young people who were tending their animals (goats?) and told them to build a church for her. They constructed a chapel for her. Soon after that, the chapel and surrounding town burned down. Juquila's icon did NOT burn, just had some smoke damage. This is why her icons show her with dark skin and black hair. This was a miracle. The people decided to build her a larger church in nearby town and took the icon there when the church was finished. Evidently this was not okay with the virgin, who returned to the original chapel sight. Three times the people took her icon back to the church, and three times she returned to the chapel. In the end, she stayed at the church. She as know as a miraculous virgin. People bring their hopes and wishes to her, tell her what they will do for her if she will help them. And we heard story after story of how what she has done.

Getting off the bus, everyone making sure they had their flowers for the virgin.

Processing through the streets to the church.

The Virgin of Juquila

The site where the Virgin first appeared.

Special mud used to create your desire/wish.

Here Clara is spreading the mud on Jose - the mud has special power. At the time, Jose was thinking about heading to the states. The last year has been hard for him.

Waiting at the end of the day to get back on the bus.

Day Three - at the beach
We had an awesome time at the beach. In the water and sand all day. Great food. Very relaxing. We swam further out and did some snorkeling. Here is an end-of-the-day waiting to get on the bus picture.

Day Four - tour of a Mezcal factory
I thought of my brother and sister-in-law .....we went to a mezcal factory and did a bit of tasting. (Mezcal is an ancient beverage made from cactus.)

Then back on the bus, heading to the next stop. (Did I mention that we traveled at night, every night?)

We stopped in Tule to see the world's largest tree, between 2000 and 3000 years old.

And the last stop of the day was Monte Alban - which, according to the guidebook is one of the most impressive ancient sites to be found in Mexico. Monte Alban means "white mountain". Monte Alban was first occupied around 500BC, probably by Zapotecs. It likely had early cultural connections with the Olmecs to the northeast.

We did a lot of waiting on this trip. Being such a large group and all. But there was always something to do, a race to be won (Martin with his compadres Pepe and Chuchi raced, so did Malena and I, and then a bunch of the kids), another joke to tell, another prank (Tony tied Martin's shoelaces together while he was sleeping. When Martin woke up and tried to walk, he did a dramatic somersault), another snack....Never a dull moment.

And of course we got caught in an afternoon rain shower.

And when we got home around 9am Friday morning, people were waiting to greet us with confetti. We processed through the street and ended the trip with a mass and pozole to eat.

Summer Days

2009-07-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Micah made Mariachi paper dolls

Isaiah made a soccer team of paper dolls.

Ah summer. First week off of school. Sleeping in. Staying in pajamas all morning. Playing with friends. Building elaborate lego creations. Playing card games (Skipbo and Go Fish), watching movies. Staying up late.

Party Times

2009-07-19T17:24:00.001-07:00

Last week was full of graduation ceremonies, wonderful meals and birthday parties. The boys are actually done with school, so we can party away. Martin and I have also managed to get out and do some planting and weeding in a number of corn fields. Welcome Summer!

Tlaquilcingo

2009-06-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Tlaquilcingo. Together we submitted a grant proposal to Canada Fund, part of the Canadian embassy in Mexico City. The project for 18 cisterns was approved ($150,000 pesos). Now we'll work together so that the group can manage and run the project themselves. Exciting times.

Water collected from the nearby water hole.

Containers used to haul water.

Site for future cistern.

Another site for future cistern.

Cienega

2009-06-24T12:32:00.001-07:00

Some pictures of from La Cienega. The municipal president, Luisa, contributed 200 bags of cement to the project.

At Home

2009-06-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from our home.

....the boys' science table

.....flowering cactus

Happy Birthday Merideth!

2009-06-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

We had a surprise birthday party for Merideth in June.

Isaiah and Micah helped get the house ready.

Friends came over. We sang, ate, laughed....
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS MERIDETH! We´re thankful to be on this part of the journey with you.

Friday, June 5

2009-06-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Today we spent time with friends and celebrated their deceased father's birthday. We started by attending mass at the Catholic church. Isaiah' school was there as well. They attend mass the first Friday of every month. Then we went to the cemetary with flowers, confetti and sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Later on at the house we ate goat, salads, and flan. The priest came over for awhile. Then the municipal president. And a few other extended family members. All the cousins (of which they include Micah and Isaiah in) played really well together. We stayed into the wee hours of the night talking and laughing. Everyone shared about his or her struggles, and we all supported one another. Happy Birthday Eloy.

Why Garden?

2009-06-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

I harvest very little from my garden. Compared to the time I put into it. So I feel, most of the time. So why do I keep trying? Well, I do find it very thearaputic. The oregano, basil, thyme and mint are growing well. And now lots of zinnias have come up. Enough that I was able to take a small bouquet along to a lunch invitation the other day.

AND because Isaiah often cooks eggs (from our chickens) in the morning and always asks me to bring him some oregano and basil from the garden to add to his eggs. For now, that's enough reason to keep trying.

The Big Necessity - Adventures in the World of Human Waste

2009-06-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

Martin recently read The Big Necessity Adventures in the World of Human Waste by Rose George. A fascinating book that he highly recommends. (We heard an interview with the author on NPR awhile ago.)

From the back cover:
"Prepare to embark upon an eye-opening and unprecedented tour through the world of human waste - one of the biggest unchallenged causes of death worldwide, and, for many, to their immense cost, the last remaining taboo."

I, Liz, just started the book. And just from the introduction I want to post all kinds of quotes.

From pages 2 and 3:
" ....2.6 billion people don't have sanitation. I don't mean that they have no toilet in their house and must use a public one with queues and fees. Or that they have an outhouse, or a rickety shack that empties into a filthy drain or pigsty. All that counts as sanitation, thought not a safe variety. The people who have those are the fortunate ones. Four in ten people have no access to any latrine, toilet, bucket or box.

One sanitation specialist has estimated that people who live in areas with inadequate sanitation ingest 10 grams of faecal matter every day. Poor sanitation, bad hygiene and unsafe water - usually unsafe because it has faecal particles in it - cause one in ten of the world's illnesses. Children suffer most. Diarrhoea - nearly 90% of which is caused by faecally contaminated food or water - kills a child every fifteen seconds. The number of children dead from diarrhoea over the last decade exceeds all people killed by armed conflict since the Second World War. Diarrhoea, says the UN children's agency UNICEF, is the largest hurdle a small child in a developing country must overcome. It is estimated that 2.2 million people - mostly children - die from an affliction that for most Westerners is the result of a bad take-away. Public health professionals talk about water-related diseases, but that is a euphemism for the truth. These are shit-related diseases."

From page 7
"90% of the world's sewage dens up untreated in oceans, rivers and lakes, and a fair share comes from the sanitary cities supplied with sewers and treatment plants."
"Despite the technology, the engineers and the ingenuity of modern sanitary systems, despite humans still don't know what to do with sewage except move it somewhere else and hope no-one notices when it is poured untreated into drinking-water sources. And they don't."

Okay, that's all the quoting I'll do. For now. :)

36 Dry Latrines in Chiaucingo

2009-06-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

Distributing the last few materials to complete the dry latrines in Chiaucingo.

Micah Lion

2009-06-07T09:38:00.001-07:00

The other day I wrote how Micah enjoys being a tiger. Here he is in his colorful mane.

Blocks

2009-06-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Isaiah being creative with the camera after building with the dominos that his aunt and uncle sent him last year.

Jan, Jonathan, Isaac and Seth come to visit!

2009-06-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Our very dear friends Jan, Jonathan, Isaac and Seth came to visit us in May! It was wonderful to be with them.

More Cistern Detail Pictures

2009-06-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

Martin took these pictures to show the mold improvements that have been made - the standing platforms and the inner cross supports.

May Pictures

2009-06-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

If I can't keep up with stories, at least I can post some pictures!
A Work-And-Learn group came in May and helped build 4 cisterns in Rancho Bonito. I posted a video of everyone working on facebook. Here are some more pictures from our time in Rancho Bonito.

Thursday

2009-05-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Today Micah asked me why he was born a boy and not a lion. Each evening he gets in lion mode and prowls around growling.

Still No School

2009-05-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

The boys are trying to catch another horse to ride. Then they rode down the mountain side to a well and watered the cattle.

Supposedly the boys will go back to school on May 18th, but I'm not holding my breath. Actually it makes life so much easier for all the other learning that is going on. On Tuesday, all four of us spent the whole day in Rancho Bonito. There is a "Work and Learn" group from Chihuahua here for the week helping build cisterns. It was wonderful to be able to spend the whole day with the 4 families and group and not have to worry about getting homework done or getting to bed by a certain time. Isaiah really got into helping build the cistern. Micah had fun playing with all the other kids there. I helped one women gather and prepare local materials (crush and sift rock for dirt, collect, crush and sift donkey manure) to build a stove. (see earlier post.) The base for the stove was too small, so we collected rock and mud (mixed with donkey manure and water to make adobe) and expanded the base. It was SO much work! I've helped build stoves before, but never helped this much with the collection and preparation of the materials. Now I have a much deeper appreciation for the stoves! I didn't take any pictures as my hands were covered with mud and manure all day.
And Martin. He glowed with contentment.

Going Camping

2009-05-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

For Isaiah's 7th birthday, Merideth and Kiara gave him some coupons. One of them was a coupon to go camping. Isaiah has been thinking about this for awhile (!!!!) and cashed in his coupon Saturday night. To read more about their time, check out Merideth's blog (on the right ) "Weekend Camp out" (sorry I can't seem to post the like right here, right now.

Mother's Day

2009-05-14T05:24:00.001-07:00

Micah fell asleep on the kitchen floor with mama cat Canela and her kittens.

Mother's Day started Sunday morning at 1am and lasted till midnight on Sunday. They call Sunday morning (1am ) "noche libre" - the night is free time when young people get together, go to houses and wish their mother's a happy mother's day by playing some traditional songs on their car stereos. One group walked around town accompanied by a live band. We could hear music during the night (very common here), but fortunately our friends waited until 6:30am to blast the music outside our bedroom window. Lots of confetti on the head, roses, and gifts. The bouquette of flowers they gave me was incredible! I did have to work a bit on Sunday, but was still able to hang out with friends, laugh, and eat some delicious food. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY - and THANKS MOM for all you do.

Rancho Bonito - Stove Building

2009-05-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

On Friday I had the priveledge of accompanying Bernadina and Saturnino to Rancho Bonito to watch them teach a group of women how to build the wood-saving stoves we promote. They (Bernadina and Saturnino) were AWESOME! They both have lots of experience building and using these stoves. (It's MCC's mold.) They not only showed the women HOW to build the stove, they talked about WHY they do things as they do. And the importance of DOING while learning, so the learning sticks. Another wonderful and fulfilling day. We'll do this again next week in Teticic where a group of 15 people want to build stoves. I learned a lot and really enjoyed being "out".

Thursday in Chiaucingo - Part 2

2009-05-09T17:43:00.000-07:00

After we ate pizza and tacos, Filomena said, "What will I do with the rest of this yeast? Can we make donuts? Do they call for yeast?" I had the More-With-Less cookbook along, and there is a good donut recipe in it. But I had never made donuts before.....well, no school tomorrow, Martin was still in Tlapa (gone all day getting supplies and a truck fixed), so we had time. The boys were having a great time with their friends. It seemed like the thing to do, so we did! The recipe made more than 100. They fried them outside. The sun set. The donuts were so good that Rosa and Julie decided to fill a bucket and sell the donuts in town. They made $73 pesos and came back with just a few only an hour later.

Again, it was wonderful to spend so much time together and be a part of the family.

Thursday in Chiaucingo - Part 1

2009-05-09T17:30:00.001-07:00

On Thursday the boys and I went to Chiaucingo. They played with their friends, and I played with mine :) We made pizza, tacos dorados and pineapple drink together and had a wonderful time. They are so creative. I appreciate the way they welcome us into their home and their lives. We stayed ALL day!

Norma made a pineapple drink using the pieces that we didn't use for the pizza.

Prayers from Pastor Megan in Chicago

2009-05-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

our pastor megan sent these poems the other day. i want to remember them. thank you, megan.

"a prayer for returning to God after enduring a difficult time"

god, I need to know that you are with me, that you hear my cry. i long to feel your presence not just this day, but every day. when i am weak and in pain, i need to know you are beside me. that in itself is often comfort enough.

i do not pretend to know your ways, to know why this world you have created can be so beautiful, so magnificent, and yet so harsh, so ugly, and so full of hate.

the lot you have bestowed upon me is a heavy one. i am angry. i want to know why: why the innocent must suffer, why life is so full of grief.

there are times when i want to have nothing to do with you. when to think of you bring nothing but confusion and ambivalence.

and there are times, like this time, when i seek to return to you, when i feel the emptiness that comes when i am far from you.

watch over me and my loved ones. forgive me for all that i have not been. help me to appreciate all that i have and to realized all that i have to offer.

help me to find my way back to you so that i may never feel alone. amen.

and now something else, because it just occurred to me that you'd enjoy it. i used this as the call to worship this past sunday when i was leading worship:

Poems can’t be translated; they can at best be approximated in a different language.
In a poem the language counts as much as the message.
God is the poet.
If we want to know what God says in a tomato, we must look at a tomato,
feel it, smell it, bite into it, have the juice and seeds squirt all over us when it pops.
We must savor it and learn this tomato poem “by heart.”
But what God must say can’t be exhausted in tomato language.
So, God gives us lemons and speaks in Lemonese.
Living by the Word means learning God’s language, one by one, a lifetime long.
--Brother David Steindl-Rast (senior member of a Benedictine community in the finger lakes region of NY, Mount Saviour Monastery), Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer

Still No School

2009-05-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

When schools closed in April, there was talk that they would reopen May 6th. On May 5th we heard over the town loudspeaker that the date was changed to April 11th. We'll see tomorrow if that is true or not :)
Meanwhile, we keep doing all kinds of out of school stuff. We getting ready for summer vacation I guess. Here are some pictures from our time in Chiaucingo on Thursday.

No School

2009-05-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

So the boys has been out of school since April 28th, due to the swine flu. (Oh, just to clarify, Isaiah and Micah are well. Schools across the country closed down to prevent the spread of the swine flu.) We've done all kinds of things. Some afternoons our friends Alondra and Andrea come over. Micah spent one night and one day at their house. Our tree has mangos and the kids love to have a mango with lime and chile on a stick treat.

May2, 2008

2009-05-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

Did I write this last year?
from the 365 Ways to Peace calendar:

"The Old Testament word for peace (shalom) includes healing, reconciliation, and well-being. Peace is more than the absence of war; it includes the restoration of right relationship."
-"Commentary" on Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective

Swine Flu

2009-05-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone who as written and expressed concern for us and the people with whom we live and work. As far as I know, everyone here is okay. The nearest confirmed case is 2 hours from here in Chilapa. School closed last Tuesday and will be closed until May 6th, as far as we know right now. Schools throughout the country are closed. A number of people in town are wearing surgical masks. Events are being postponed and cancelled.

Work is still moving forward. We are sad that the Bluffton University group that was scheduled to come next week had to cancel their trip, but we understand.

We're doing fine. Juggling work and kids who are unexpectedly out of school. Helps us get ready for summer schedule :)

If you want to read more, check out our co-worker Kiara's blog. She is living IN Mexico City right now. There is a link to her blog on the right hand side of this page.

Mistake. O sea, Chance to Learn.

2009-05-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

So I made what felt like to me, a big mistake this week. I've written about Aqulina before. She and her husband Placido live in Chiaucingo and are major promoters there. Aquilina helps us with all kinds of things, organizing meetings, contact person for projects, I could go on and on. Placido makes the toilets for the dry latrines and is also very helpful with the projects. So recently Aquilina helped get 100 bags of cement from the municipal president for 36 dry latrines in Chiaucingo. She continues to help out all the time, even though she already has her dry latrine. She has mentioned a number of times recently how much work it is, looking for funds, organizing groups, distributing material, helping with the construction, answering questions etc.

Well another group of people in Chiaucingo would like to build 40 cisterns. Aquilina helped them fill out and turn in the forms to us awhile ago. Last week I had a meeting with the group, and I told Aquilina that she didn't have to come, I could work with the group and the group could elect a committee and, well, we'd see what happened. (Aquilina already has a cistern.) I thought I was giving her a way out. I thought I was helping take some responsibilities off her plate. I thought it would be a good opportunity for other people to take on more responsibility and share the load.

But after the meeting, Aquilina pulled me aside and told me how much I had hurt her, that she felt like an old dishrag tossed aside and forgotten. (While I had the cistern meeting, Aquilina was at a garden meeting nearby. She was listening with one ear to the cistern meeting and one ear to the garden meeting. Both meetings were at the local clinic.)

I felt horrible. Later I was able to celebrate the fact that our relationship is such that she was able to tell me that I had hurt her. She said that she should have been at the meeting. Last year's committee should have been there to "hand off" the responsibilities to the new committee. She said she wants to keep helping out. Yes, it's a lot of work, but she wants to do it.
So we talked and talked. And cried and cried. And hugged.

Later at the office I talked with my coworker Manuel and together we came up with the idea to invite Aquilina to work with the group in a different capacity - as a "bridge" between the group and MCC. Manuel talked with Aquilina. She said she would think about it. Then I talked with her, and she said yes. Together we made an agenda for the next meeting and we co-facilitated the meeting. A new committee was elected. So now the committee from the community, Aquilina, and me - all 5 of us are working to find funds for the cisterns. And so the learning continues.

Around Home

2009-05-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from around home.

TOO HOT! It gets really hot (around 100f) in the afternoon these days. The mornings and evenings are still pleasant.

I found these bags under the bed during the week. When I asked Micah about them he said he had packed up his clothes because he's moving to Chuchi and Malena's house for a few days. "Well" he said, "I'll be here for 5 days and then I'll go live with them for 1 day. It's just hard for me to be with Isaiah."

I took this picture the same day Micah decided to move out.

Hang in there!

Kittens

2009-05-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago I wrote that our cat Canela had kittens. They are in an out of the house (shocking, I know) and, yes, adorable! We're having lots of fun with them (mostly the boys :)
Isaiah and I both took videos of them recently. Will post them on facebook.

Huge Disappointment

2009-05-02T11:06:00.001-07:00

We are so sad that the Bluffton University group that was planning to come visit us next week had to cancel their trip. We TOTALLY understand and agree with their decision to cancel, with the swine flu situation as it is. We were very excited and looking forward to being with them.

I took this picture when I went to Rancho Bonito last week. I was arranging homestays in the community for the group. The plan was to stay with families and help them build some cisterns. It's an absolutely beautiful place. The variety of pig markings caught my eye.

To The River Again

2009-05-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to the Ixcamilpa River again. This time with Chuchi, Malena, Rosa, Guerro and a whole bunch of cousins. Despite the first news of swine flu, we piled into the back of Chuchi and Malena's truck and headed out. It's so awesome how much fun everyone can have in just a bit of water. And how delicious food tastes afterwards. We bought some really sweet locally grown watermelon. And on the way home, stopped to pick ciruelas (small, native plums). Ahhhh......

How to use a Dry Latrine

2009-04-21T18:54:00.001-07:00

Today I went to the primary school in Zacango to talk with the students about the new dry latrines at their school. We talked about how the dry latrines work, the correct way to use the toilet with seperator (sit forward to pee, sit towards the back to poop). They learned they dry latrine song that Isaiah and Micah and I made up the other day. To wrap up, everyone had to act out how to sit to poop, where to deposit the toilet paper (in the back as well) and remember to cover their poop with dry material. They are all "cats" now, instead of dogs :) Next time I should take cat stickers for everyone. Next week I'll do the same thing at the preschool.

I walked some and then hitched a ride back into town. I had time to notice the cactus in bloom, and the countryside. The mountain is the one we climbed with my dad during Holy Week.

Tadpole to Frog

2009-04-21T18:52:00.001-07:00

Micah caught some tadpoles at the Ixcamilpa river when we went on Easter Sunday. Today we saw that one is now a frog!

English Class in Zacango

2009-04-21T18:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had the priveledge of sitting in on one of Jaime's English classes in Zacango. It was great fun! She's doing a wonderful job. The students were totally into the activities. Way to go Jaime!

Sun Rain - Written by Katey Feit

2009-04-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

Our family visited friends living in a small town in the mountains of Guererro, Mexico. It was the middle of the dry season- which lasts 9 months long. The rolling, tumbling land all around us was dusty and brown. We learned to shower standing in big plastic tubs and to turn off the water while soaping up. That water in the big tubs would be used to flush the toilet. Dishes were washed using a small bowl of soapy water and a small bowl of rinse water. If the dishwater was relatively clean after dishes were done it was used to wipe tables, chairs, floors, the porch and even a kid’s face. Under the kitchen sink was a bucket to catch all the drain water. This was used to water the many house plants. The washing machine drain hose was hooked into a barrel. Rinse cycle water was reused on the next soapy cycle. This soapy water was delivered bucket by bucket to the trees lining the dirt road. Their daily lives were shaped by the lack of rain. Now home in Chicago I cringe when I flush my toilet with potable water. My son scolds me when I leave the water run until it is hot. Filling the bathtub seems an appalling indulgence. Watering the lawn is out of the question. I reuse the dish soap water to wash my kitchen floor and rinse water goes to the houseplants. We are working to install rainwater collectors at our down spouts. It seems their lack of rain has affected our daily lives, too.

Some thoughts

2009-04-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

The other day I read a book about Mother Teresa called "A Simple Path".
Two of the many thoughts I had while reading the book:

When asked how she can go on day after day and do what she does when there are so many problems she replied,
"We are not called to be successful, we are called to be faithful." p.153

And from Brother Geoff, Missionaries of Charity Brothers,

"We are constantly asked, "Instead of giving a man a fish, why don't you teach him to fish?" and we answer that most of our poor people wouldn't have the strength to even hold a fishing rod. And I often think that this is where there is confusion - and sometimes criticism - about our work, because no distinction is made between our kind of poor and other kinds of poor." p.128

Another Birthday

2009-04-18T06:07:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went up to the church on the hill behind our house to celebrate Chuchi's birthday. Good food. Lots of laughter.

And of course the "try to push your face into that cake as you take the first bite" tradition.

At Home

2009-04-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

Isaiah and Rosi "riding" the wheelbarrow.

Gabriel

Micah and Ana playing on the front porch.

Birthday Party in Zacango

2009-04-17T08:28:00.001-07:00

Thursday evening we went to a birthday party in Zacango. Leonardo turned 50. It was interesting to talk with him about his work in Mexico City and Los Angeles. He also shared about his interest in Lucha Libre (wrestling), his secret recipes for cooking fish, and cerviche with soy. Fun times and delicious food.

TODAY it RAINED!

2009-04-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

It rained today in the form of gifts of love! Thank you so much family and friends for thinking of us and sending treats our way. We got two packages today - from the Dyck Family and our Church Family. We are excited about every treasure. !Muchas Gracias! Hugs to all of you.

Dry Latrines in Chiaucingo

2009-04-17T08:02:00.001-07:00

The first load of block for the dry latrine walls was delivered on Thursday. Everyone is anxious to finish their dry latrines before the big festival the first weekend of May. There are 36 dry latrines in the works this time around.

The Roads We Travel

2009-04-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

Wednesday I drove almost 2 hours through the mountains to meet with municipal president Francisco en Ahuacotzingo. (I didn't get lost!) I accompanied representatives from Rincon de Cozahuapa (they would like to build 61 dry latrines), and representatives from El Planchado and Vista Hermosa who want to build 13 cisterns between the two communities. It was an interesting day for me. It was my first time to meet this municipal president. I was in a room full of men, talking about poop and pee. Well, explaining how the dry latrines work. And talking about MCC, who we are and what we do. The president said he does NOT have any money now to help with the cisterns, but he will have money in October to help with the dry latrines. So the group decided to wait until October. We actually have enough funds right now to build all the cisterns. Any mix of funds helps our money reach further. So the cisterns will be build in May and ready to catch and store this year's rains.
President Francisco invited me back in December so we can do some budget planning for the following year.

Four of the guys from Rincon took me out for lunch. At lunch I met Teresa, a university student who has traveled to Cuba and each summer helps organize 23 to 30 people who go to Costa Chica, Guerrero for a month. They run a literacy and health campaign. She was very enthusiastic and excited to tell us about their work. Inspiring.

Another Cooking Class

2009-04-17T06:50:00.001-07:00

One more cooking class the other month. This time we made chocolate chip cookies. And tried to set a date for them to teach me how to make some traditional Mexican dishes. I'm excited! (Delicious mutual learning :)

Rincón de Cozahuapa

2009-04-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

The other week Merideth, Kiara and I went to Rincón de Cozahuapa to talk about dry latrines and family gardens. The group would like to build 61 dry latrines. I tried to explain how the dry latrine works and then we made plans to visit the municipal president and ask for some financial help with the project. On these long drives (Rincón is just under 2 hours away) I have time to look at the landscape. It´s really dry here right now!

GRANDADDY!!!!!

2009-04-13T20:16:00.001-07:00

We had a most incredible surprise visitor last week - MY DAD! It was absolutely wonderful to have him here with us for the week. THANKS DAD! The days were filled with spending time together, being with friends, some work, and remembering the events leading up to the crucifiction. Here is some of what we did together:

Saturday
Drive back to Olinala. Good time to talk and catch up with recent events as we drove. Caught the last quarter of my basketball game.

Sunday
To market in the morning.
Birthday party in the afternoon the lasted well into the evening.

Hanging Out with Grandaddy

A New (used) Bike for Micah!
We lost Micah's bike a month ago. Mom and Dad found a used one and stuck it in Dad's suitcase. Everyone had fun putting it together and then RIDING! THANKS!

Monday
Grandaddy went to work with Martin to build a dry latrine in Cualac. The muncipal president recently donated 100 bags of cement to build 36 dry latrines in a community. As part of that, he asked that we help build two demonstration dry latrines in the municipal head - Cualac. The president contributed all the material. Martin and Grandaddy went to explain how to use the mold.

Monday evening
We went to a cultural event downtown with traditional dancing, singing and food. (See video on facebook.)

Tuesday
Back to work finishing the dry latrines in Cualac. They were reminded of the benefits of working with a group of people instead of individuals.

Some of the kids at the house where they worked.

Tuesday afternoon
Grandaddy, the boys, and I went swimming at the local pool. In the evening we watched a movie and ate popcorn.

Wednesday Grandaddy and the boys hung out while Martin and I did some work.

In the afternoon and evening Micah, Grandaddy and I went to Chiaucingo to visit our friends Aquilina and Placido. Grandaddy and Placido talked for quite awhile about how to make the toilets.

Thursday we hiked up a mountain! 20 of us climbed 3 hours up and 4 hours back (lots of rest stops on the way back.) The view was incredible and hard to capture with the digital camera.

Thursday evening
Grandaddy and I went to the re-enactment of the last supper and procession downtown, We walked around some afterwards and I got to introduce Grandaddy to a number of our friends. The downtown square (zocalo) is packed during Holy Week.

Friday morning
We went to Dona Mari's again to visit. Friday durnig the day we watched the procession downtown.

Friday afternoon we drove to Mexico City and Saturday morning we took Grandaddy to the airport. It was really hard to say goodbye. We had a wonderful visit. Thanks so much for coming Dad. It meant alot to all of us.

Ixcamilpa - Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

We spent Easter Sunday at the Ixcamilpa River with our friends and neighbors. 12 of us spent the day in the water, eating, talking and hanging out together. I had some interesting conversations with Mari about the local governments and their budgets. (See if this helps me on Wednesday as I have an appointment with the municipal president in Ahuacotzingo.)

As we drove home I marveled again at the mountains and thought of the miracle of Christ's resurrection. And how much I will miss this place.
Another way to celebrate.
In the water.
In the back of the truck amongst friends, corn, and watermelon.
I am truly grateful.

House Blessing - Monday April 13, 2009

2009-04-13T19:59:00.001-07:00

We went to a house blessing this afternoon. We were told to arrive between 2 and 2:30pm. We arrived around 3pm and were painfully early. But we all got to work, even Isaiah. Wiped down chairs, got food ready, washed dished. It was fun. I was really proud of Isaiah for the way he pitched in. (As we were heading home he said "I was a hit today.")

The priest finally arrived around 4:30pm. He read some blessings and then we said the rosary as grandmother and mother took holy water and sprinkled/sprayed it on the walls and especially in the corners of each room with a flower. Then we had a delicious meal - goat, beans, cabbage salad,pasta salad, tortillas, and salsa. From my experience, the standard celebratory meal. After the meal we sat around and talked until 9:30pm when Micah got very concerned that it was way past his bedtime and he needed to go home. (The boys are still on Spring Break.)

The conversation was all over the place. We sat across from the priest and had a chance to talk during the meal. Mostly about exercise and basketball. The rest of the evening was spent telling jokes, talking about religion, local politics (This went on for a long time. I learned that the govoner of Guerrero is coming tomorrow. I hope I can hear him speak.) raising kids, UFO sightings, family fueds, conflicts with neighbors, stories of growing up and raising cattle. It was wonderful and relaxing to hang out. Something I hope to really make time for this year.

Friends

2009-03-31T20:25:00.000-07:00

Friends dropped by this evening. We had such a nice time talking on the porch, holding the baby, and then playing card games and more talking inside. I got a few photos. When they came over Marcie said "When the people don't go to the mountain, the mountain goes to the people." A kind way of saying "why haven't you dropped by our house for awhile? And since you haven't, here we are to visit you. Thank you friends.

Time in My Garden

2009-03-29T08:18:00.001-07:00

It's so good to spend time at home! We continue to enjoy the wonderful outdoor space around our house. I was able to work in my garden all morning. I'm trying to grow cilantro and swiss chard even in this heat.....so I made some shade. I've decided to train the Maracuya plant to grow over the cilantro and shade it. And I made a cloth shade for the swiss chard. (Remember Filomena's shade cloth? It's the most "quilt-like" sewing I've ever done :)

Micah was in the garden too. Here he is sitting by the onions and basil.

Our strawberry plant has a few berries again. We'll see who gets to eat them this time, us or the grasshoppers.

Tomatoes, a bit of dill, and nasturshims. The yellow plastic has oil on it to attrackt white flies. Some things ARE growing. I reflected AGAIN on how much work, time, and water goes into growing food. And give thanks for those who are doing it. And pray that true organic gardens can flourish.

Graduation in Zacango

2009-03-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Friday evening we attended the graduation ceremony in Zacango for the water-science workshop. Our MCC co-worker Dr. Bruce taught a 10-week course and people were really excited about it. He's hoping to replicate it in other communities.

Handing out certificates and documenting the moment.

It was great to be in the classroom. The community rehabbed the room - cleaning it up and putting on a new roof. Jaime is teaching ESL classes here too. Many people practice their English with us now when we come to Zacango and say how much they are enjoying the classes.

To continue the graduation celebration we watched a movie in the room - on a sheet on the wall, and a projector. With popcorn and chile powder.

We had a fun evening in Zacango.

Carrot Cake

2009-03-29T07:44:00.001-07:00

Aquilina, Filomena, Bernadina and I met Thursday morning to bake a carrot cake together. It's been really fun for me. The group is small (technically, we work with groups of 6 minimum) but I've decided to let that go for now. Origionally there were more people. I often feel like I don't "get out" much, that the majority of my work is in the office, or visiting government offices, or having one or two meetings with groups to get projects started and then one or two meetings at the end of the project. This little cake/cookie baking gig gives me a chance to meet regularly with the same people (whom I really enjoy being with).
Filomena's birthday was March 22nd and she excitedly reported that she had made the milk sponge cake for her birthday party (see earlier post) and it turned out very well.
I couldn't stay to taste the carrot cake, but it sure smelled good in the oven - which Filomena was also proud to report that she now knows how to use.

Grinding the spices outside by hand. (Check out her shade - she patched different pieces of old clothes together - I just had to bring up Mennonites and quilts.)

Shredding carrots

Mixing

So while they were making the cake, someone turned on the t.v. to a cooking show (alsabordelchef.com) and I got interested in what they chef was making. We talked as a group about going to the computer lab sometime so they can learn how to access and download more recipes. Yum!

In case you're interested, here is the carrot cake recipe from Cook's Illustrated (thanks for introducing us to Cook's Illustrated, Steve!)

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4tsp. powder
1 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. clove
1/2 tsp. salt
6 -7 carrots, pealed (3 cups)
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil.

Mix dry ingredients together.
Mix wet ingredients together.
Add all together. Add carrots last.
Bake.

Some thoughts

2009-03-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

I've been reading "Rilke's Book of Hours - Love Poems to God".

".....I yearn to belong to something, to be contained
in an all-embracing mind that sees me
as a single thing.
I yearn to be held
in the great hands of your heart-
oh let them take me now.

Into them I place these fragments, my life,
and you, God - spend them however you want."

I connected to this particular part of this poem today. There have been many fragments over the last number of months. Times have been hard. Conversations have been difficult. We have spoken out and shared, maybe too loudly and too much at times. Maybe, maybe not. From the fragments - talking, resolving, and I believe, healing. Yes, healing is happening. I want it to happen slowly, so it can be more complete.

One more poem from Rilke:

"Only in our doing can we grasp you.
Only with our hands can we illumine you.
The mind is but a visitor:
it thinks us out of our world.

Each mind fabricates itself.
We sense its limits, for we have made them.
And just when we would flee them, you come
and make of yourself an offering.

I don't want to think a place for you.
Speak to me from everywhere.
Your Gospel can be comprehended
without looking for its source.

When I go toward you
it is with my whole life."

On Anger

2009-03-25T14:04:00.001-07:00

Here is and excerpt from an article I read sometime last week - I think form YES magazine online. Looks like I forgot to copy and paste the source. I'm going to post it here anyway. Two weeks ago I made some commitments - this article speaks to them (the commitments) very well. More life learning.

"Take the example of malevolent anger. We usually identify with anger. Anger can fill our mental landscape and project its distorted reality on people and events. When we are overwhelmed by anger, we cannot dissociate from it. We perpetuate a vicious circle of affliction by rekindling anger each time we see or remember the person who makes us angry. We become addicted to the cause of suffering.

But if we dissociate from anger and look at it with mindfulness, that which is aware of anger is not angry, and we can see that anger is just a bunch of thoughts. Anger doesn’t cut like a knife, burn like a fire, or crush like a rock; it is nothing more than a product of our mind. Instead of “being” the anger, we understand that we are not the anger, in the same way that clouds are not the sky.

So, to deal with anger, we avoid letting our mind jump again and again to the trigger for our anger. Then we look at anger itself and keep our attention upon it. If we stop adding wood to a fire and just watch, the fire will die out. Likewise, anger will vanish away, without being forcibly repressed or allowed to explode.

There is no question of not experiencing emotions; it’s a question of not being enslaved by them. Let emotions arise, but let them be freed from their afflictive components: distortion of reality, mental confusion, clinging, and suffering for oneself and others.

There is great virtue in resting from time to time in pure awareness of the present moment, and being able to refer to this state when afflictive emotions arise so that we do not identify with them and are not swayed by them.

It is difficult in the beginning, but becomes quite natural as you become increasingly familiar with such an approach. Whenever anger arises, you learn to recognize it right away."

Team Retreat

2009-03-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend the whole MCC Mexico team got together for a spiritual retreat. Our family had a good time. Isaiah and Micah love being with the other MCC kids. (and adults too.) Here's lots of kid pictures (not in order).

Camp fire one evening with our Mexican version of smores - marie cookies instead of graham crackers. We sang lots of songs too.

I took the face painting book that tia Doris and tia Su sent. We painted faces after the swim.

Some of the team members put together a beautiful and meaningful worship service. Thank you!

The sandwich.

After the sandwich.

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Merideth singing with the girls.

This is the wall at the ice cream store.

Dependencia - Dependency

2009-03-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

I took this photo on my way to a new community to talk about stoves and cisterns. I've been thinking a lot about how MCC is referred to as a "dependency" here, not a "Non Governmental Organization". Signs like these are all over the place. The government hands out, gives out all kinds of stuff. Here they are sharing the number of cement floors they have poured in people's kitchens. Now that more people have cement floors, the number of people living in poverty have decreased. Just like that?
We don't want to be just like the government, giving handouts. We want to be different. For example, the people who want cisterns have to participate in the construction process. And now they have to help find the funds to buy the materials as well. We're trying to work ourselves out of a job, not create more dependency. We're trying. But are we really doing it?