Thanksgiving Agur Style

There are three reasons for thanksgiving; actually four we want to give thanks to the Lord for during this season: the gift of a precious family, a Thanksgiving bounty with turkey and all the fixin’s, the cross of Christ through which we have been reconciled to God, family visiting for the holiday.

There are three gifts we have received; yes four we would never have thought we would be given in Mexico: a bottle of wine for Christmas, a rosary after a confirmation, a pedicure for the girls’ birthdays and incense from the fortuneteller to whom we gave a Bible.

There are three traffic realities I’ll never grow accustomed to; four that we find hard to understand: parking in the street to run an errand thus funneling all traffic into one lane, on coming vehicles on one way streets, huge potholes in the interstate, left hand turns from right hand lanes.

Three things break my heart; four that are just too difficult to accept: beggars and their babies on the streets, affectionate caressing of an image, small children spending the day in the median of the road while their parents work the traffic lights, friends who are devotedly and sincerely wrong.

There are four things in which we are blessed; yes four that require a word of appreciation: family and friends who encourage us in immeasurable ways, laughter in our home, finding cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner, not knowing what’s around the corner but knowing God is in control and we will not be forsaken.

There are three things we would never be able to do on Thanksgiving Day; well let’s say four that would be impossible in West Virginia: watch the sun come up over a palm tree, serve camote for dinner, pick flowers for a Thanksgiving bouquet, go out to the street for ice cream cones.

Leonor Gallery – A Photo Journal

What is the extent of your art appreciation? Do you think as Francis Schaeffer observed that good art is a thing of beauty to the praise of God and can be a doxology in itself? On a recent retreat we stayed in a home that displayed the early original work of Leonor. He is a Mexican artist whose paintings have become well known especially around Puebla where he has a gallery in the art district of the city. We really appreciate his portrayal of life in traditional Mexico and want to share it with you.

Market Café

It’s Friday morning. After brewing four thermoses of coffee and restocking supplies, I’m off to the market. It’s been an on again off again proposition, but when someone like José or Karen asks, “When are you going to bring coffee?” it seems like as good a time as any to start over. You never know who you are going to meet or what response you’ll get, but reaching out to others with a free cup of coffee is just one more way to put a stone in someone’s shoe. Let me introduce you to some of my “customers”.

Daniel is my shoe repairman. He always asks for the verse of the day when I forget. His enthusiasm for his first cup of coffee was a spirit lifter for me, especially when he launched into a mini sermon on doing good for others. I look forward to continuing to connect with him.

Eugenio has a devotion and fervor for the Lord that is matched by few. Today when I brought coffee he lifted his eyes to the heavens and said, “Coffee for me? Thank you Lord, you knew I wanted a cup of coffee.” Later I returned to his shop of cleaning supplies where he drew me up a chair and we talked about Psalm 51, Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9.

Tere has a shop that specializes in plants, incense and all other sorts of medicinal herbs. Over the months she and her daughter have become more open and friendly. Last week when I offered her a cup of coffee her face said, “Yes, I really want a cup of coffee,” but instead there was a moment’s hesitation and then a gracious refusal. Interestingly enough later in the day I gave her what I like to call “a coin of hope” with John 3:16 imprinted. The next week she asked if I had more coins and was bubbling with thanks.

I don’t know Luis, but see him around the market frequently. He looks to always be wearing the same filthy clothes, carries an overstuffed backpack, and has a hood pulled over his head regardless of the heat of the day. I feel leery of him and notice that when he’s around others cast apprehensive glances his way. The other day we came face to face as he chewed on his long matted hair. No backing down today, “Permit me to give you a cup of coffee in the name of Christ, it’s free.” A shake of the head told me I would have to wait for another day.

Alejandro and I have quite an interesting relationship. We are both still trying to figure each other out. I’ve given him a verse of the day for months and he often asks “What is the gospel for the day?” Today I served him and his helper coffee. Later when I returned to purchase vegetables, he was full of questions. “Why are you giving away free coffee? Did you do that in the United States? How much do you pay for rent? Do you like baseball? Which team do you like in the playoffs?”

Elias is the potato chip guy. He slices potatoes into a huge vat of oil and makes the best potato chips, especially when you add salsa, a dash of salt, and a twist of fresh lime. I served him up a cup of coffee and later passed his stand again. By then his wife had arrived and he said, “Is the coffee finished? I told my wife that my friend came by with coffee and she didn’t believe me.” It was a joy to serve her a cup of coffee at the Market Café.

Catching The Currents

Catching you up on some “currents” happening in our lives:

Maria and I are assistants in an afternoon English class for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the park. The class is led by Dave and Willie Koning, a retired Canadian couple who come to Puebla twice a year to help out. The class is filled with precious children like Itzma, Anna and Mario who steal your heart in a moment.

Well, it’s that time of year again. We’ve written about it before in Day of The Dead and Day of the Dead – Round Two. Friday the market was a buzz of activity. Everything pointed to preparation for the return of the spirits. Sales of fruits, vegetables, ceramics, incense, candles and paper tissue banners were brisk. Marigolds which are used for decoration and to mark the path for the spirits’ return flooded the market. Later in the evening our neighbors gathered on the lawn beside our home to build an altar. It’s kind of eerie knowing it’s there and see the candles flickering in the night. I should ask Diana what she thinks about all this. “If you ask me this is not funny to them. I think they are really scared.” Well said, Diana, well said.

On to fun “currents”, our team had a “Get Away” last weekend. I can’t tell you how enjoyable it was to start a camp fire in the evening after a delicious grilled chicken dinner. We sat around the fire soaking up the smoke, enjoying the flames, roasting marshmallows and just unwinding. The biggest hoot of the evening came later when we pulled out of our sleeve some old youth group games like Gooney and the Ancient Number Game. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good hard belly laugh. Saturday was filled with more good stuff. The kids spent most of the day on the trampoline or in the swimming pool making the most of their opportunity.

Today we met with the church at the Africam Safari where Pastor Steve encouraged us that we have an amazing God and He has given us an amazing creation. Frank and Tracy Camacho attend El Puente (the Bridge) and own Africam. Their generosity and hospitality gave us opportunity to spend the day soaking up His great creation while appreciating the wildlife from around the world. Picnicking with friends, petting the animals and hanging out together was all part of the adventure.