Beach Day

Today was set aside as a 'touristy beach' day. Our hosts for the trip today were Ed and Cornielius.  We headed west to the Pacific to the town of Kino. It is on the Gulf of California. On the way there several thing happened. First after getting outside of the city we decide to have our team devotions while driving. Today this included singing a couple praise songs and then Garry sharing his testimony with the group. For me, a key element to Garry's testimony was about the call of God on our lives. For each of us it can manifest itself very differently!  But when we are seeking His will it  will be revealed to YOU, and before acting should likely be clear to you!  It was refreshing to see how this has played out in his life at different times and his obedience and attention to this call. We are all called to something, and for Garry his example of someone called to be a theologically educated layperson is very refreshing!  In our church I know I see how Garry has blessed others with his ability to teach, as just one example!

Another highlight that happened on our trip to the beach was making a few quick stops along the hi-way to look at orchards, vineyards, and melon fields. At one stop where workers were very close to the hi-way they instantly were waving Ed over to give him four fresh water melons straight from the field. These people are so happy and seem full of pride for what they do, even if it is just picking watermelons!  They smiled and waved as Ed walked back to the van with his arms full. When was the last time you reached out to someone who passed by you while you were working to share in a similar way!  Give it a try...you will be blessed for being a blessing! Perhaps it was just their way of celebrating the Rider Nation victory and providing the Saskatchewanites with hats on their way to the beach!

The most stunning stop of our trip to the beach was in the town of Miguel Aleman where a portion of the Trique tribe live (possibly spelt Triki, it's a little 'tricky' to spell). They are a very short in stature people group who are the lowest of the low. Some of the poorest people of Mexico would discriminate and treat them poorly by cheating them out of wages, stealing the little they have, and shunning them publicly. Driving through their village brings another whole meaning to the word needy or poor! I would guess that you keep your shovels and garden tools in a better place than they live. It was even difficult to take pictures from the van because of how bad the roads were (yes, worse than Regina roads).  We have no clue how blessed we are!  Count your blessing about where you were born and what God provides for you!  It was nothing you did to deserve it!!  So much of the world has so little, but it is even harder to believe it can be this way in a place so close to a big city, within a hour drive of a WalMart. I think that shows just how rejected these people are. It was an eye opening experience to see and hear of their battles to stay on the land where they are squating. To hear that they are paid the equivilant of $5-10 US funds per day for their hard labor is baffling. They are known for working in the fields and orchards long days.  We will try to attach some pictures of their homes and their elaborate power system but it may be a day or two as I didn't have any on my phone to send. 

Before heading out for a lunch of sea food we stopped at a museum to learn about the Seri people who are an indigenous people to the coast and Isla de Tiberon. Our lunch was a beautiful chance to enjoy some sea food and the spectacular view of the Gulf with huge mountainous islands in front of us. We then enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on the beach with some wading and swimming. It was a good unwinding time with lots of joking and fun!  It was also a cool opportunity for a few of the team to do some bartering with the locals who came around with authentic Mexican Hammocks to sell. Needless to say some naps were taken in hammocks in the cabanas on the beach. 

On our drive home we drove to Old Kino to see some of the shell fish trapping, fishing and shrimping   work that takes place there. It would be interesting to have someone explain that industry further as it was difficult to figure out everything that was going on there.  Seems like quite a labor intensive process. Again, the Shanty towns stand out in my mind as these people live with so little. 

Once we arrived back at the church Jack and Lucy Hildebrand took us for supper for stuffed potatoes. Stuffed is a good word to describe how I felt after our meal. We have been spoiled with local knowledge on where to eat and what to order. Good thing we are getting back to work tomorrow to work this all off!

As a team we are excited about our opportunity to help out the orphanage. We have been thrilled to accomplish what we have here at the church so far but it has been hard being here for so many days without being at the orphanage, at least for our family!  Please pray we will be a blessing to them as a team. Pray that the kids will accept us and be excited we are there. Pray for safety travelling on the roads back and forth each day. Pray especially for Greg and Shelly as they lead the ministry here. Pray that God would encourage them and strengthen them and give them wisdom to know how to best spent their time ministering to the endless needs around them!

God bless,

Dwight