Monday, June 16, 2008
Some things I wanted to say...
1. Hi, Jeffrey! And bye, I guess... Do good at the academy. I'm sure you will anyway, but I might as well wish you good things. Then I'm on the winning side, right? Also, thanks for the 200 pesos. I'll probably buy you something and hold it until thanksgiving, so be ready.
2. Hi, Allyson! I think you're awesome. I wanted you to know that, and tell you that the whole team is praying for you. We love you, and we'll all hang out when we get back or something, okay? Get well, keep up your strength, and we're all behind you.
3. Hey, mom. I forgot my sleeping bag, and if you already found out, I'm sure you worried about it and dearly hoped that I had found something to sleep on. Well, I did, we bought stuff at Walmart. I wanted to let you know that (so you could stop worrying) and tell you and the rest of the family that I love you guys.
4. To America, I just wanted to let you know that I don't really miss you. Mexico is different, but not wrong. I'll be glad to get back when the time comes, but for now, I'm perfectly happy being where I am. Try not to miss me, okay?
And last, but not in any aspect whatsoever the least,
5. To God, thank you for this trip, and the Mexican people, and your goodness, and Spanish 2 Class, and confidence. At least the little I seem to be able to conjure up.
-Ian
(Also, Steph F. wants her dad to know that she didn't forget on Father's Day, but had no chance to call. And that she thinks she is turning into her mother because she drank coffee the other day and really liked it.)
(And everyone else loves their dads more than they can adequately communicate, too.)
2. Hi, Allyson! I think you're awesome. I wanted you to know that, and tell you that the whole team is praying for you. We love you, and we'll all hang out when we get back or something, okay? Get well, keep up your strength, and we're all behind you.
3. Hey, mom. I forgot my sleeping bag, and if you already found out, I'm sure you worried about it and dearly hoped that I had found something to sleep on. Well, I did, we bought stuff at Walmart. I wanted to let you know that (so you could stop worrying) and tell you and the rest of the family that I love you guys.
4. To America, I just wanted to let you know that I don't really miss you. Mexico is different, but not wrong. I'll be glad to get back when the time comes, but for now, I'm perfectly happy being where I am. Try not to miss me, okay?
And last, but not in any aspect whatsoever the least,
5. To God, thank you for this trip, and the Mexican people, and your goodness, and Spanish 2 Class, and confidence. At least the little I seem to be able to conjure up.
-Ian
(Also, Steph F. wants her dad to know that she didn't forget on Father's Day, but had no chance to call. And that she thinks she is turning into her mother because she drank coffee the other day and really liked it.)
(And everyone else loves their dads more than they can adequately communicate, too.)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
PENGUINO!!!!!!!
First of all, I would like to dedicate this post to Allyson Hartman. This trip would be a whole lot better if she could've come and all of us are praying for her.
Hello all. If I am not sounding (sounding?) coherent in this post, blame it not on me but the heat, ants, and the time in which it is right now. Anyways, this is Stephanie posting; I'm not going to tell you which one (let's see if you can figure it out). All I can think to write at this time is that origami saved my life today. No, really! OK, maybe not literally, but it did make it easier for me to interact with the kids at the VBS in Matamoros.
In my opinion, today's VBS went significantly better than yesterday's did. We (the team if you want me to clarify) got across the border without any problems... (insert foreshadowing moment for the trip back, here) and arrived there on time. The whole group visited this time, and all of us pooled out of our conspicuous white van and waited for the kids to arrive. Many of the boys that came yesterday did not come today, which was disappointing, but a substantial group showed up so there's plenty of praise for that. Many (all) of the newly purchased bubbles were taken out of the box and used as well as the jump ropes and chalk and etc. The dilemma began when I wanted to try double dutch jump rope, which was taken up by Ian, Al, and a boy named Alexis along with a few others joined in. A large chunk (mischievous smile) of our group focused their attentions on the jump rope and I noticed that there were many VBS attenders that were just sitting there. Not knowing what to do, I calmly (hysterically and in a panicking way) looked around and tried to think of what I should do. That is when a girl walked up to me and tried to ask me something about the construction paper. Somehow this lead to me showing a group how to make an origami fish. They seemed to really enjoy it and I didn't have to be kicked in the buttocks the whole time we were there (will explain later).
Other than that, the drama and crafts went smoothly and very well and the team soon left (though an hour late). We had a little bit of complication getting back in the United States, which I and many others indirectly blame on Rebecca (don't worry, we love her anyway), then ate at Moonlight this is me murmuring the last part of the restaurant's name. One thing to note is how well the older siblings took care of their brothers and sisters at the VBS.
Well, I now have to pack and take a shower and wage war on over sized, evil, mutated, ants. They are tricky, fast little buggers. Signing out.
Stephanie
P.S. Do you know which Stephanie I am? You never know, you might get it wrong on your first guess.
Hello all. If I am not sounding (sounding?) coherent in this post, blame it not on me but the heat, ants, and the time in which it is right now. Anyways, this is Stephanie posting; I'm not going to tell you which one (let's see if you can figure it out). All I can think to write at this time is that origami saved my life today. No, really! OK, maybe not literally, but it did make it easier for me to interact with the kids at the VBS in Matamoros.
In my opinion, today's VBS went significantly better than yesterday's did. We (the team if you want me to clarify) got across the border without any problems... (insert foreshadowing moment for the trip back, here) and arrived there on time. The whole group visited this time, and all of us pooled out of our conspicuous white van and waited for the kids to arrive. Many of the boys that came yesterday did not come today, which was disappointing, but a substantial group showed up so there's plenty of praise for that. Many (all) of the newly purchased bubbles were taken out of the box and used as well as the jump ropes and chalk and etc. The dilemma began when I wanted to try double dutch jump rope, which was taken up by Ian, Al, and a boy named Alexis along with a few others joined in. A large chunk (mischievous smile) of our group focused their attentions on the jump rope and I noticed that there were many VBS attenders that were just sitting there. Not knowing what to do, I calmly (hysterically and in a panicking way) looked around and tried to think of what I should do. That is when a girl walked up to me and tried to ask me something about the construction paper. Somehow this lead to me showing a group how to make an origami fish. They seemed to really enjoy it and I didn't have to be kicked in the buttocks the whole time we were there (will explain later).
Other than that, the drama and crafts went smoothly and very well and the team soon left (though an hour late). We had a little bit of complication getting back in the United States, which I and many others indirectly blame on Rebecca (don't worry, we love her anyway), then ate at Moonlight this is me murmuring the last part of the restaurant's name. One thing to note is how well the older siblings took care of their brothers and sisters at the VBS.
Well, I now have to pack and take a shower and wage war on over sized, evil, mutated, ants. They are tricky, fast little buggers. Signing out.
Stephanie
P.S. Do you know which Stephanie I am? You never know, you might get it wrong on your first guess.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Something old, something new
I have been accompanying students on mission trips for more than 15 years, yet I am still surprised when God teaches me something new. Today I drove the gas golf cart for the first time. I was a little afraid until Al said "Punch it." Suddenly I was transported back to driving lessons with my father. My first car was a manual transmission Toyota Tercel, and my dad taught me to clutch like a pro. Since I still drive a 5-speed, I have to "punch it" every day at home. How hard could it be? Before I knew it I was flying through Rio Grande Bible Institute waving at staff members as they passed in the opposite direction.
In the afternoon we drove to meet our friend Enrique, and traveled to his home for VBS. There were approximately 30 children and they enjoyed making masks of some of the animals on Noah's Ark. Birds, sheep, and lions paraded through the front yard and into the surrounding neighborhood. Games of jump rope and soccer were scattered in the street and everyone watched for cars. Again I was transported back to a time when I played outside with my friends. Nancy, one of the VBS children, insisted I jump rope with her. I kept thinking I was too old to jump rope, but I have to admit it was fun. At least it wasn't double dutch. I haven't done that since 1991.
I am grateful once more for a God who cares to teach us new things, and remind us that we are never too old to have fun. Thank you all for praying for us.
---Kathy Rochester
In the afternoon we drove to meet our friend Enrique, and traveled to his home for VBS. There were approximately 30 children and they enjoyed making masks of some of the animals on Noah's Ark. Birds, sheep, and lions paraded through the front yard and into the surrounding neighborhood. Games of jump rope and soccer were scattered in the street and everyone watched for cars. Again I was transported back to a time when I played outside with my friends. Nancy, one of the VBS children, insisted I jump rope with her. I kept thinking I was too old to jump rope, but I have to admit it was fun. At least it wasn't double dutch. I haven't done that since 1991.
I am grateful once more for a God who cares to teach us new things, and remind us that we are never too old to have fun. Thank you all for praying for us.
---Kathy Rochester
Pictures from Day 2
There are more pictures here, on the Mexico Photobucket.
UPDATE, as of 10:55 p.m.:
Some of Steve Fly's pictures are up in the bucket now, too.
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