First full day in Mexico

Well once again the majority of the team has gone to bed.  We had a full first day and have a sense of accomplishment for all that got done today around the church. The churches name is Arbol de Vida, which means "Tree of Life" literally. Interesting enough about the only sign of life in the compound beside the church is a beautiful large green tree. Kinda like how Arbol de Vida has been in this community as we have heard how barren and empty it has been around them for years, with just a big garbage pile across the road from them. But now their whole area is being developed and new 'condos' are being built where the garbage used to be.  Anyways just thought that was an interesting parallel to the work they are doing here. 

Back to our day!  It started with our team eating breakfast together and being ready for orientation. One of the first parts of orientation that was a surprise to all of us was Shelly (Corina) renaming us with Mexican names that the locals will be able to comprehend better. So some names worked like 'Garry' as long as it is said with different emphasis. But then some of our names are similar or completely different. Rick is Ricardo of course. Bev is Beverly. Terrace is Fa (short version of her middle name Faith). Of course neither of my names worked so logically Dwight becomes Pedro!!  I didn't include everyone but it gives you and idea of the fun we are having.  

The rest of orientation consisted of Greg and Shelly sharing about who they are and their ministry here in Mexico over the past 13 years. We also covered all kinds of information that will help us to know more about the culture and how to interact. Again we all feel so incompetent with our Spanish and are trying to learn some real basics!  Orientation ended with going over our schedule for the next week and a half. The Neufeld's  have done so much work in preparing our schedule to try and make our time here productive both with work projects and cultural experiences. It appears we will have a lot of fun adventures over the next days!  I promise you will hear about some of them as they happen!

So finally we headed out to start some hands on work. It entailed our whole team working to shovel out some areas at the main gate and an old retaining wall. We also knocked down a portion of a wall that will someday be an archway to a new sanctuary. We also got to see how the Mexican construction workforce operates. Greg managed to talk to a man working on a backhoe nearby in the neighborhood and convinced him to come help us move some dirt near the gate. The work he did in half an hour likely saved us the rest of the day shoveling.  What a blessing and a deal for 500 pesos' ($42).  We also assisted two Mexican men to change the height of the gate to better match the street level now that they have a paved road outside the church.  That was a job that entailed some heavy lifting by Canadians and skilled welding by the Mexicans. 

So with a lunch break in the middle that was a long day of manual labor until supper. After supper Greg led their usual Spanish Prayer Meeting. Several of our team attended this as well. Even though most of it we could not understand it was wonderful to see the love for our Heavenly Father and the passion and participation both in songs and prayer for one another. We had a wonderful English speaking young man who quietly interpreted a good portion of the prayer time for us. In general, the theme was that we have no reason to fear man or what he can do to us but to rather fear God because He is in control of all our circumstances and is worthy of our fear!  Psalm56. I was so amazed at how well they participated in the study by including scriptural references related to the topic when making their own comments. We all should learn to know our Bibles in that way. What a difference our prayer meeting would make as more of us learned to encourage and pray for one another using specific scriptures!  

Just a couple other highlights would be watching my girls work hard to be involved with a lot of difficult shoveling and other tasks. Good job Jaelyn and Terrace! Spending the day in plus 25ish weather. Jaelyn getting to join Annelise (Greg's daughter) to watch her play in a school basketball game. The ladies going grocery shopping. Trying to use some of our Spanish greetings with the people at the Prayer Meeting.  Good food and a hot shower!

So that is plenty long enough and it is time to get some sleep!  God bless you all! 

Dwight or Pedro