Our last day and night here

It has been a long, fun, interesting, exciting, delicious day. We all got to sleep in a little (at least those who wanted to). Then we off to our tourista day. We took a bus to Tepeztlon which is a beautiful little city. Most of the group climbed to the top of the mountain to see the pyramid. It was an approximately 1500 in about a mile; in other words almost straight up a very rocky, rugged, have your best hiking shoes on climb. Those who did the climb said every ounce of energy and effort that it took from them was worth the incredible view from the top. We read that many of the women in this town, walk up and down the mountain daily with their new infants to keep in shape. The infants "add" to the aerobic value.

Those who decided to stay at the base of the mountain (although you had to walk up to get to the base) did some exploring, walked around a tropical lush garden, and took pictures of the birds circling the mountain top. We thought they might be vultures waiting to pick up the bodies of St. Christopher's people who did not make it:-). The good news is they all did.

We had, what we all agreed was probably the best lunch ever at the restaurant at the base of the hill. Unfortunately the name escapes me at the moment. The group tried everything from shark quesadia's to a version of Mexican peppersteak,

We walked around and did some shopping for family, friends and ourselves.

This evening, the bishop treated us to a very tasty chicken dinner, complete with balloons, hats, music, and lots of laughter.
The people who were here for the first time, received their missionary cross. Those who had been here before received hand-crafted really cute mugs. It would be hard to describe and hopefully we can show you.

The Youth made a cross for the bishop earlier in the week. It was a tiled cross and included in the design were stones from the St. C's building...symbolizing our connection. Bishop Delgado really liked it.

We all are pretty tired and anticipating getting back home and seeing all those we left behind. There is so much to take in and think about and it will take some time to reflect on all that has happened this week and how the Holy Spirit might be leading all of us. So tonight, we will get packed, do some clean-up and do all the things one usually does before the night before one returns home.

A part of each of us will always be here. It never ceases to amaze me just how connected we really all are and how God works in the midst of all we do, even when it is just a little. I know I've said this in earlier posts, but I am going to say it again. St. Christopher's has some very, very fine youth....not just the ones who were able to come, but all of them.

We will see you all soon. Thanks to those who did double duty for St. C's and all the loved ones left at home, while we were all here. We could not do this public work, without all the behind the scenes support and love from home.

Blessings,
Jan

Traveling the Unstructured City

Since our work was complete yesterday afternoon at The Church of the Ascension, this morning took a different turn. After breakfast our friend, Erik Friend, came by to pick us up in his van. Thankfully he had a different van than last year when 20 squeezed into a dilapidated, rusting van for an adventuresome drive to his bicycle shop. This year his van comfortably fit the 13 of us who headed to visit a community center and kindergarden at the Squatter´s village. As expected, it was another view into the wider world. Needless to say, once again we were reminded that we live in a land of material abundance. Generally we take our educational opportunities, the food on our tables, and our comfortable for granted. We were reminded that we are continually blessed!!!! Because our day was so full with varied experiences, I will direct you to the youth blog to read what Jordan Napper wrote about the experience from her perspective.

After returning from Squatter´s Village, we took in more of the culture of Cuernavaca via food and travel. We went to the oldest restaurant in Cuernavaca for lunch. I´m not sure anyone had an idea of what they ordered but the food was very good. This restaurant was like an oasis in the midst of chaos. Upon finishing lunch, we took a trolley tour around the city. The denseness of this city amazed me. The constant traffic noise (buses, trucks, car horns) left me longing for just a moment of quiet. The narrow, winding streets made me nervous and the seeming lack of any traffic policy pushed me to prayer quite often. There also seems to be no professional business buildings or at least none that I could readily spot. I saw only one individual in a business suit. Towards the end of our tour, we disembarked from the trolley to walk through a winding steep park. Although it was beautiful, the air held the wiff of sewage which seems to be normal air quality here. The differences between US cities and Mexican metropolitan areas are stark. After riding in this city I consider Los Angeles or New York traffic calm and easy to maneuver!!!

Our experiences are difficult to translate and encapsulate in the written word. Each one of us goes to bed at night with different thoughts and images running through our heads but I am sure each one of us goes to bed at night praying for the welfare of the wider world and thanking God for the gifts we have been given.

Adios and peace and see you Sunday, Hannah

common purpose and prayer

Tom, Steve and I drove with the bishop to look at a possible next work site. It is a beautiful little church, with a wonderful courtyard, and community space. What was interesting, though, was the conversation we all had along the way.

The church has the same struggles in so many ways....and a people trying to find a connection and purpose with each other in the "Holy". It was a privilege and a joy to be invited to co-preside with Bishop Delgado and Fr. Tony. I sort of joked with the bishop about job openings down here, of which there are a few:-). The politics and arguments of the Anglican Communion are far removed, when survival is front and center. It was a new and very meaningful experience to co-preside with colleagues and people from another country, in a liturgy that is common to all. I don't have words for it and maybe never will. It was just a good and right Holy Spirit moment.

St. Christopher's can be so very proud of all of the youth...the ones down here and the ones at home. They have a spirituality and willingness to serve and do their part, that is a stunning example for us all. They also have great wisdom to teach us about what being a community in this time and place in history is about.

I did learn today that the bottles on top of the metal rods that are part of the foundations of what might be second floor additions are to act as lightening rods. I wonder if we should put a Coke bottle on the St. C's steeple:-)

Blessings

Jan

cinequains--part 2

Today

productive, fun

paint, clean, work

turning hot, tiring, happy

today.

Doors

black, coppered

swing, open, close

needed, moving, holy, human

portals

Work,

right, fulfilling

dispacio, rappido, contendo

according to buddha right work

is necessary to reach enlightenment

contemplation

Seed

freshly planted

sprouting out of the ground

the water makes it beautiful

flower

Mexico

Historic, beautiful

work, play, smile

we are lucky helpers

rewarding

Present

open, honest

listening, sharing, caring

valued and respected, loved

authentic

tuesday responses part 1

we had a scripture verse each day, followed by some sort of creative response. each day was very different. these are the cinequains from the tuesday response.

Water

resources of life

pure, clean, fresh, soiled, dirty

drink, wash, hydrate, clean, sweat

water

Working

tiring workday

work, music, cards, friendships

a memory we will never forget 

Mexico

Serve

generous, dedicated

working, sharing, caring

all together in God

fulfillment

Peace

abiding, surprising

resting, transforming, rising

peace that passes understanding

light

more later.............

Jan

Day 4

Today was our third day of work, but our fourth day here. The weather was great as always, not overly hot, but nice. Although it did rain at the end of the day on the way back. We had a long day of work, but it was all worth it in the end. We knew today was our last and we had to touch everything up. Walls needed second and third coats of paint, and corners needed touching up. But before all this, we started off our morning with a prayer service led by the youth. We said our own peoples prayers made by the kids and dedicated our day to Diane Evans and her family. As we touched up the walls and started to clean the benches the Church really started to shape up. The beuatiful art work by the local artist was in the final stages as the peach really stood out on the bottom in the church. The outside transformed very well as the white paint sprakled on the walls. Claire and Ellen turned Father Tony's office from messy to a fresh peace color. It looks great! Me Jordan and Mary Martha painted our bench and even got to initial it. After lunch the busy work started. We moved pews and dusted them down. This was tiring and the church was filled with body heat as we readied it for the service. We moped and swept, and even the adults got on their hands and knees to chip paint off the floor. After a whole group effort the beautifully transformed church was ready for service. We then had a very nice serivice led by the Bishop as many mexican locals piled in the church. The bishop gave the people a lashing on keeping their church nice [thanks to Jordans spanish skills], but gave us a wonderful sermon in english. He thanked us for all our hard work not only this year but the past 3. He hopes to see us back next year and blessed us with all his heart. It was very sweet and was greatly appriciated by us. Then Father Tony called all the locals up to the front and gave us a round of applause. All that hard work payed off right there for me. Then we took a photo will all them and present the church with a homemade cross the youth made. We then waited at the church in anitciaption as the locals hurried off. Father Tony led us to a open area and to our surprize, kind of, there was a feista waiting for us. They had a small orchestra and tons of food waiting. The kids showerd us with confetti as we walked in. The food was great and there was even some interesting local music. The second singer played all love songs and won over the ladies. Sammy, Mary Martha, and Jordan even danced with him! The party ended with them presenting us all with roses and gifts. We all said our good byes and danced to one last song. We returned to our nice cold bus after a long, but wonderful day. The ride home was great even though it rained. Today was what we had come here for, and it was everythign and more than i expected.

Matt

Wednesday in Cuatla

Third day of work. Fourth day of trip. We're getting our rhythm down.

The wise youth began our day with a prayerful dedication to Diane Evans. The role of the young folk on this trip cannot be understated. They are wise and wonderful leaders with spirited insight that imbues the rest of us with meaning. This day has been dedicated to Diane's memory at the request of our young people. Thank you, kids.

Our task today was to finish all the details of painting the church, then clean the entire space, put away all the supplies, and make order of what had been a big mess, all in time for church to begin at 4pm. We actually finished in time for a few of the grownups, Laura, Lynne, Hannah and Martha to be exact, to venture out into the market place in quest of the local newspaper. A nearby shopkeeper had shown Matt our picture gracing the front page of the local newspaper due to our visit with the Presidente of Cuatla. That's the Mayor of the local town. We were determined to find copies to bring home to show our families. We were successful only through the kindness of this same shopkeeper who left her store and walked with us directly to the Newspaper Office to purchase copies of the paper. Lesson learned: always be kind, patient and generous with foreigners. It is the greatest gift of hospitality one could give a visitor.

And hospitality did indeed rain down upon us. Father Tony organized a Fiesta to end all fiestas. We were ushered to a nearby location, one of those hidden courtyards that you never see from the street, but only through an unnoticed gate. At least 80 parishioners had shown up for the church service and all stayed for the Fiesta. We were seated like dignitaries before a small chamber orchestra of youth from a nearby music school. The food was fantastic. A potluck extraordinaire. Tamales. Mole. Menudo. Salads. Nopales. Watermelon. Taquitos. Skirt steak grilled right on the spot. Pineapple Cake. And of course plenty of Coca Cola. While we ate, the Presidente arranged for us to be serenaded by two of his top singers. One aging Mexican pop singer and one very young, very animated, very talented, tall, dark and handsome young man that the teenagers will be talking about for some time to come. Ask Sammy, Mary Martha, and Jordan-- they all danced with him. In fact he was still singing and waving and laughing when we walked back to the bus at 7pm to climb aboard our trip home.

We will each carry fond memories of Iglesia de Ascension in Cuatla, Mexico. Peace and grace are indeed with us.
mdk

First day of work

For me there is nothing like the first day of work in Mexico although this year it was at an altitude of approximately 7000 feet. After a beautiful ride to La Ascension we were greated by Fr. Tony as well as a band. After a few pictures in front of the church we surveyed the work site, got into small groups, and began the physical part of our journey. We worked until noon, took a break for lunch and then walked with Fr. Tony to the President´s (Mayor of Cuautla) palace (City Hall) and were welcomed to the city by Presidente C. Sergio Rodrigo Valdespin Perez. After some words of welcome, a short history of the city and area, and group and individual pictures in his office we returned to the church and our work.


As the weather was sunny and about 80 the work went quickly even with a number of miscommunications on my part due to my extremely limited grasp of the language. A number of local school children dropped by towards the end of the day and to our suprise Fr. Tony had taught them some English and introductions were made. Before we knew it our first day of work was complete and it was time to board the ever comfortable and air-conditioned Volvo bus for the ride back down to Cuernavaca.


As I reflect on our first day of work, being part of this group, and what has brought me to Mexico I continue to be thankful for these opportunities to serve and how privileged I am to receive these gifts. I am truly blessed. Steve Petrie

Sunday in Cuernavaca

We started off the day with a beautiful service at St. Michael's, which is a small church right next to the Diocesan Center. In addition to our group, there was another group from a Lutheran church in Minnesota. As a result, we more than doubled their numbers for a typical service, and the tiny church was packed. The atmosphere was one of welcome and thanks. The Peace was joyous as we all hugged and passed God's blessings.

During St. Michael's announcements, as they mentioned a couple of outreach efforts that they've recently undertaken, I realized how similar we all really were. Each of us, in our own way, is reaching out to spread Jesus' teachings and the Word of God. Today's Gospel was very timely and spoke to each of us as a call to serve as disciples of Jesus. Words from today's Offertory anthem said it best, "Here I am Lord. Send me. Send me."

After church and coffee hour, we went out to lunch in Cuernavaca at a place that Martha found called Tia Licha. Lunch was the beginning of our journey for the day as we all blindly ordered off the menu not knowing what in the world we'd be eating but trusting that it would be good. Indeed it was - however, some of us still didn't know what we were eating??? Either way, lunch provided the much needed sustenance to help us through the "Trek through Cuernavaca"...

It started off innocently enough, a nice walk to the center of the city to visit the Zocolo and participate in the afternoon's festivities. However, we naively thought the walk was about 1 mile or so. As we continued walking and walking (keep in mind Cuernavaca is hilly, hot, humid AND much higher in elevation than Milwaukee), we realized that our estimation of distance was WAY OFF! As we arrived in the center of town, we also realized that there were no more sidewalks and absolutely NO rules for traffic. (And, we still didn't know exactly how far or in what direction the Zocolo was.) As we sliced through the traffic with our machetes (kind of like a concrete jungle metaphor), we finally made it to our destination with a lot of red faces, dirty feet and tremendous sighs of relief! The kids estimate that we probably walked 6 miles or so - all up hill, of course (I would say in a blinding snow storm but you wouldn't believe me). Thankfully, we all had faith, and when we finally made it to the Zocolo, it was packed with people and families enjoying a beautiful day - enjoying community - celebrating life.

After much people watching and a little shopping, we returned to the Diocesan Center (in a taxi this time!). After a little rest and some dinner, we had time for reflection and prayer. We're all looking forward to working tomorrow and serving in our own little way. Here I am Lord. Send me. Send me.

God bless and Happy Father's Day.

first day and first time in Mexico

We left right on time this morning and travel went really smoothly. Most of us got some sleep or at least rest on the plane or bus. My (Dennis) first impression is that Mexico is a place of beauty and contrast...poverty and wealth all mixed together. I am looking forward to just getting to know what Mexico is like, getting to know some of the people one to one.

The adults have learned that ATM machines in Mexico are slower paced and not used to us fast moving Americans. It took us a while to figure out that we need to leave our cards in the slot for several seconds (probably about 10) so the machine can read it. We are so used to just sliding the card with a quick in and out and off we go.

We were warmly welcomed by the bishop, like old friends, with whom it was good to reconnect. Fr. Tony, one of the priests down here, had a conversation with the mayor of Cautala about us. The mayor has invited us to his palace (city hall) on Monday at 1 p.m. We will work in the morning and then be his guests for a time in the afternoon. He is going to give us a proclamation, thanking us for the work our groups have been doing. After that, it will be back to painting.

Our group is relaxed and going with the flow....that it the only way to go.

We each did an ball point pen ¨tattoo¨¨ on ourselves this evening as part of the reflection time....just a symbol to remind us of what we bring, what we hope to learn, any image that will help keep each of us remember what we hope this week is about for us. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Dennis (scribe---Jan)