¡VIVA MÉXICO!

  LONG LIVE MEXICO!

Outside of church decked out with Mexican flags

September 16th is the day Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spain.  This year marked the 203rd anniversary.  The celebration begins on the evening of the 15th as families and friends gather to share a feast of traditional Mexican dishes. "If the food can be red, white and green (like the Mexican flag) so much the better!" (Quote from "about.com Latin America History.")

 In Mexico City thousands gather in the main square, the Zocolo, to see the president as he comes out on a balcony.  A 11:00 p.m. he gives the "Grito" (shout) "¡Viva (long live)  Hidalgo!...¡Viva Morelos!" (Mexican heroes of the Independence) and finally "¡Viva México!" The crowds roar and cheer their response "¡Viva!" and fireworks light up the air. Every village, town and city across the nation celebrate in much the same way. 

Many evangelical churches also have their own celebration with a "Noche Méxicana" (Mexcian Night), to celebrate not only the freedom as a nation, but the freedom we have in Christ.  Sometimes the pastor himself will dress up in red, white an green and give the "Grito" to his congregation.

The inside of the church is also decorated

Last night I went to the "Noche Mexicana"at the Methodist church I sometimes attend.  It began with a

Daniela and Valerie in their Mexican finest!

service of worship songs and testimonies of God´s goodness in the lives of some of the members this past week.  A "trio" mimicked a  "Norteño" (Northern) style song complete with a paper accordion, and a broomstick guitar! Pastor Arturo challenged us to pray for Mexico and her president. "Anyone can post a critical remark about the goverment.  Anyone can criticize the president. Only a true Christian will pray for and seek God´s blessing on the nation and it´s president." May we take his words to heart!

Afterward the service we spilled out onto the church lawn to enjoy typical Mexican dishes such as: corn on the cob slathered in mayonnaise, cheese and chili powder, tostadas (fried tortillas) with beans and chicken on top, pampazos (thick rolls dipped in chile sauce with meat and lettuce on the inside), a sweet dessert of vanilla crackers slathered in condensed milk, and other delicacies.  After the service and food, some went to downtown Tuxpan to hear the "Grito" and see the fireworks. I decided to head home to talk to my family on the phone and wish them a "Happy Independence Day!"

With my friend Carmen and her grandson Johan

Today is the official holiday so all schools and goverment offices were closed.  I invited the kids from the children´s home over to my house with some other friends.  We had fun making pizza (no, not typical Mexican!), dong crafts and playing games.  We were going to go out to the camp but the recent storms and threatening rain clouds convinced us we had better stay put! 

It has been a special Independence celebration with my brothers and sisters in Christ as we thank Him for so many blessings and enjoy the abiding friendships we have in Him.  

HAPPY MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Valle de Chalco

Valle de Chalco Solidaridad  (Chalco Valley) 

Chalco Valley as seen from sewage canal

Last week I returned to my former "stomping grounds" Chalco Valley, where I lived for about 15 years.  The purpose was to visit friends and my Mexican mama, Oceila Soto, as well as clean things out of the house I used to live in.  I figured it it´s stuff I haven´t used in nearly three years, it´s time to get rid of it!         

The bus ride from Tuxpan to Mexico City is about 6 hours.  For a few extra pesos I got the premier class bus complete with men´s and women´s bathrooms and  individual T.V. screens, that way you don´t have to watch the trashy movies they often show!  I arrived in good time Friday evening and called a friend, Araceli who lives in Valle and works in the city.  She suggested I go to the house they own near the metro stop and she would meet me there.  Afterwards  she and her husband could drop me off at my former house on their way in to their Chalco house.   

She got home around 6:30 and we headed into Valle.  Arriving at my former home I discovered no one was home.  That was not surprising because the pastors, Danny and Maru,  who live there now are extremely busy people.   Felipe (Araceli´s husband) suggested they leave me at his mother-in-laws house just a few blocks away.  Ociela was so glad to see me and,  as any good Mexican mama does, she made sure she fed me right away.   Yum, I was hungry!    Shortly afterwards I get a text message from  Maru saying they had situation at church and would be delayed a couple hours.  At the point it seemed best to stay with Ociela.  Since her husband died last year, she and Erika, the youngest daughter who has down syndrome, live alone so she has plenty of space.  It brought back many memories of my first years living in Mexico when I used to spend weekends at their house.   I enjoyed sleeping under blankets that night.  It was a welcome change from Tuxpan heat.   

Alongside canal

Canal is now under this cement casing

Mamá Ociela, Rebekah and Erika

Rebekah with Mamá Ociela

Early Saturday morning Ociela, Erika, a neighbor and I headed out for a morning walk. I was eager to see the progress that had been made in enclosing the open sewage canal that ran through most of Chalco Valley.  Sure enough, the canal had been tubed in and covered in cement casing.  After many years of contamination and often flooding nearby houses with black sewage water, it was good to see it contained.  As we walked alongside the canal, we had to keep getting out of the way of cars that were driving there.  It also made walking difficult as they caused huge mud puddles.  We heard from other walkers that there had been a serious accident on the highway so the cars were finding any path they could to get around the traffic.  On the way back we decided to walk along side streets to avoid traffic, but they were also clogged with cars.  I was getting nervous because I had a noon appointment in Mexico City and it usually takes about two hours to get there from Chalco.  How would I ever get there with all this traffic?  Two hours after we started out we finally arrived back home.  Araceli and Felipe were waiting outside the door when we arrived. Ara had to get to work so they were trying to figure out the best way to get her there.  By then the traffic seemed to be moving better so they decided to try the highway.  I asked to go with them and Ara and I would get off at the nearest metro stop.  As we drove down the highway we eventually passed the accident site.  A tractor trailer had crashed into a passenger van and crushed a car also.  I started praying for those who had been in the vehicles I was sure no one had survived.  We heard later that no deaths were reported, God had mercy!

Houses alongside canal are slowly sinking

Unusual traffic for a side street

Dogs watching from ledge of house.  Many houses keep dogs on the roof.

Traffic Jam

About an hour and a quarter later we made it to the metro.  Thankfully I made it on time for my noon appointment with my namesake, Rebeca.  Her aunt picked me up at a metro stop and we spent a lovely afternoon together.  Rebe turned 11 in August and is still a little girl.  She loves to play, especially tag (hard for me to keep up with her) and had fun opening the gifts I brought her.  I was pleased to see her father, Jacob, looking well.  He was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  His attitude is good and he is asking God to extend his life to see Rebeca grow up.  We do pray fervently for God´s mercy especially since Rebeca´s mom died several years ago.  May God´s perfect will be done.

Jacob and Rebe took me back to the metro in the late afternoon and I headed back to Chalco and Ociela´s house.

Rebeca and Rebekah

Rebeca with dad Jacob

Sunday I visited the little church I used to work in.  Of course the kids are all growing up and it was good to see many of them in the worship band.  There hasn´t been much growth in the church due to problems among the members and lack of solid leadership. Maybe these kids can make a difference and bring unity where the adults have failed. The pastor asked if I wouldn´t be able to come back and help them.  No,I replied,  I labored there for many years and now it is time for others to take over the work.  God has opened ministry for me in other places and I must follow His leading.  

After another refreshing night´s sleep at Ociela´s house, I went back into Mexico City Monday morning  to visit Rebeca´s maternal grandma, Eva.  It was raining so traffic was heavy and even the metro was stop and go. I arrived safely about two and a half hours and enjoyed brunch with Eva.  Afterwards I  headed over to our mission office in Mexico City before I returned to Chalco.  

Back at Ociela´s house I packed up my stuff to spend the night with Danny and Maru. I wanted to get an early start at sorting though my stuff the next day.  However, just as I was about to head out the door, it stated to pour rain. 

 I called Maru and said I better wait till the next morning. 

Early Tuesday morning I took my suitcase and walked the four or five blocks to my former home.  Pastor Danny received me warmly and shared  about the exciting things God is doing in his ministry.  He also told me how crime and violence are on the increase in Chalco Valley and many people are afraid.  Stories of kidnappings, stolen cars and extortion  of average citizens made me ache for friends who live there. However, he said it has caused many people to be open to the  Gospel and they´ve had opportunities to present Gods message of salvation in unlikely places like government offices and public schools.  

Around 9:00 my friend Enriqueta arrived to help me with my sorting.    We opened and unpacked boxes, dividing into piles what would be given away, what I would take to Tuxpan and a few boxes I would store with Felipe and Araceli.  It didn´t take long before everything was re-packed and ready to go.  I took Enriqueta out to eat and then spent the evening with Danny, Maru and their little daughter, Lesly.  A neighbor who drives a taxi agreed to take me to the bus terminal early Wednesday morning so I said goodnight to my friends and turned in for my last nights´sleep under blankets!  The taxi arrived at 7 in the morning and, fighting the "normal" early morning traffic we arrived at the bus terminal in about an hour and a half.  I paid the driver (about $15) and bought my bus ticked to return to Tuxpan.  

Once on board the bus, I marveled at God´s goodness and provision during these days in Chalco. I was so thankful to reconnect with old friends and hear testimonies of God´s working in their lives.  It was also good to clean out my stuff and not be tied anymore to Chalco Valley. I will always love and pray for my friends there and be thankful for their impact on my life and the opportunity to minister to them. Now God has moved me in new and exciting directions.  Praise Him for all He has done and is doing!

Black squirrels in Mexico City 

Princeton N.J. (contrary to popular belief) is not the only place in the world with black squirrels!