More Random Stuff!

Well! It's been a beautiful day. Sunny but cool, slightly windy, and fresh. Autumn is great.

And today was our big cleaning day! Though I felt a bit tired at the outset, my motivation increased as I started helping to clean the stove. Actually, it's a big conventional stove, with two ovens and a large griddle. I felt a sense of ownership as I cleaned it because of the fact that I use it everyday.

After the all-day cleaning event, I got to help our cook make frijoles charros and tacos de res. I'm really going to miss working in the kitchen when we leave!

One of the things I enjoy about being in the kitchen is the conversations I get to have with the Hermano. (Which in Spanish means "brother," but is a commonly used term for addressing people in an informal way, rather than using their first names. So, "Hermano" is the way we address our cook). Aside from his job as our cook, Hermano Heriberto is a pastor at a small local church here in Sauzal. Some of the ministries that his church participate in include: hospital and prison visits, events for neighborhood children, outdoor worship services, and prayer meetings.

We got the chance to attend Heriberto's church two Sundays ago, and the singing was beautiful! It was definitely from the heart, in worship to God. I love the music at Spanish-speaking churches because oftentimes it's got a Latin flare - the rhythms and melodies are contagious.

I have to let you know that, unfortunately, I will not be able to update the blog while on outreach, due to our schedule and computer availability. But when I come home for Christmas, you can ask me about how it went!




The biggest thing that God has taught me while I've been here is probably the extent to which he wants to have a relationship with me. He wants to hear my thoughts, and take on my questions, and understand my heart.

Knowing God is an amazing thing, but it can't happen without grace and forgiveness. Why? Because I need grace and forgiveness! And that's what Jesus died for - to make a way for me to intimately know God. The cross is what I deserved. But relationship with him is what I am given instead. And what a wonderful gift it is!

I hope that your day has allowed for some enjoyment of whatever it is you like to do. Be blessed, and see you later.


Above:
- Flags used for worship at Iglesia Centro Vida (bearing the Hebrew names of God!).
- In the park in downtown Juarez.

News and random stuff

Above is a picture of me and Ben, as we are waiting outside of a health center to get shots (for our outreach trip to Southeast Asia). But as it turned out, this particular center did not have the particular shots that we needed. So we went somewhere else.

And, as it turns out, we will be leaving on Friday Nov. 7 for outreach, not Monday, as was previously arranged. But all is good! We are very excited about going, and even though there is still a lot to get done beforehand (tomorrow, for instance, is "deep cleaning day," which takes place once every three months, and since we are still here, well, you know), getting on the plane will make up for all of it.

I don't have any deep things to talk about at present; though I would like to enter into a discussion about something more thoughtful, at the moment, I have to go clean my living space (I would call it my "room," but it's not just mine). It's funny how disorganized and cluttered one small bunk bed area can become.

I am currently reading a book called The Search for Significance, by Robert S. McGee. It is worth reading, and has made me think through some things that I'm not sure would have occured to me otherwise. Perhaps later, I will write more on the subject.

Until later. Hope everything is going great.

Food

Above is, obviously, a Wendy's. It's located in the downtown Juarez area. And among the other American food chains that can be found here are: McDonald's, Starbucks, Krispy Creme Doughnuts, Papa John's Pizza, and Apple Bee's. Among those not found here: Taco Bell.

We ate dinner at a taco place called El Cometa several weeks ago, and if I was to mention the closest thing to it in Fort Collins, it would probably be the Taqueria Los Comales, located on the corner of Prospect and College. Most definitely authentic, as far as local tacos go.

I think one of my favorite things to eat here is the Mexican torta, a type of sandwich that is made with hot meat, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. It is also eaten with either jalapeños or some kind of salsa. It's really good.

On a similar subject, one of the things I've enjoyed about my time here has been working in the kitchen. It's gotten me more motivated about trying to cook new things when I go back home (for those of you who know, my main experience in the kitchen is with baking cookies. A good skill, but not enough to survive on . . . ) As far as Mexican cooking goes, it would be easy to read out of a recipe book, but there is something special about watching an experienced person cook and learning first-hand. Oh yes, and that reminds me. Our cook here is a native Mexican, and his name is Heriberto. He is also a pastor at a local church.

What else can I say about Mexican cuisine? It definitely varies depending on where you are in Mexico. For instance, if you live near the ocean, you will find a lot more seafood dishes, of course. The south of Mexico has the corn tortilla as its staple, while the north leans more toward the flour tortilla. In the border cities, you find somewhat of a blending with the American culture, and for that reason, there are more pizza and hamburger places than in other cities. Also, you might find variants on typical dishes (such as mole or tamales), depending on where you are in the country.

Yeah, so there's a bit about Mexican food. I'm no expert, but that's a little of what I know.

I hope you are enjoying your day! Hasta luego, till next time.