The Trivial & The True

I refuse to let this journal become a running commentary on language learning. However I will say this, after having completed three weeks of language school I have discovered I need only overcome three small problems – pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar.

By the way how many people can you get in a small VW van? Answer:22 How do I know? I counted them.

Reality of the spiritual flourishes here in Mexico. It’s hard to turn around without being confronted by the Virgin of Guadalupe, rosaries, Jesus’ image, crosses or someone headed to mass. While some are devoted followers many are simply following the traditions of their fathers and the Mexican culture. On the missionary side of things we live only a few blocks from a Jehovah Witness church and attend class with two women whose husbands are leaders for the Mormon Church. Today on campus a group from Ananda Marga came to campus to give a concert and recruit. “The mission of Ananda Marga is to help individuals achieve complete self-realization and… contributes to the process of individual development by providing instruction in meditation and other yoga pracitices." As in many countries of the world Ephesians 6:12-17 comes clearly into focus.

Just to let you know the original idea for rope-holders came from William Carey. When Carey, the Father of Modern Missions, was leaving for India as a missionary, he told a group of interested friends, "Saving souls can be likened a to a man drowning in a deep well and a volunteer can do nothing unless there are people who will hold the rope for him to be lowered till he reaches the drowning man, and then pull them up to safety." Carey adds, " I will go to India as a volunteer to seek sinners drowning in the well of SIN. But I can't do it alone. I need rope holders. Will you be my rope-holders?"