Independence Day, Part 1

So, September 16th is Mexican independence day, and we at Horizonte took the opportunity to have an outreach event on the night of the 15th (which is when everyone starts celebrating). We held a traditional Mexican carnival, complete with lots of games, piñatas, and a TON of FOOD!

We did have a little glitch though... Here's me in the kitchen about an hour before the event started:
Yeah, you know you have problems when you are in the kitchen, under the roof, and are getting rained on! We had a small waterfall of water coming in the wall behind the stage in the auditorium too...

Here's the enterance to the church, with Schultz attempting to unclog a drain: (you can't really tell that there's a step up where the pillars are...)

We had a smaller turn-out than we had hoped, but it was still great!

Here are Justin, Lluvia, Nadia, and Adiel in their Mexican garb (wow, can you tell who is the gringo?):

Me, Micaiah, Whitney, and Nadia looking cute!

So we decided to have a "throw a pie at a member of the pastoral staff" area, not knowing if people would pay money to do that. We sold tickets for 5 pesos (like 50 cents of $), and they sold like hot cakes!! (we are raising money to buy a drum set for the church - we have been borrowing one for a long time, but now have to give it back)

I personally think that this picture of me throwing a pie at JP is priceless... especially since, after I posed for the picture, I totally cheated and ran up to smash the pie in his face! It was a big scandal because it was the rule that you HAD to stand behind a certain line to throw... heehee! He deserved it!

Schultz after getting pied - look, he's a reverse Michail Gorbechev... white spot on dark head instead of dark spot on white head!

Soon it was my turn...

JP, Schultz, Kike, Joanna, and Dani all ganged up on me and got me good.

Here is Mauricio giving "el grito" which is a long string of one person saying "Viva Miguel Hidalgo!" and the crowd says "VIVA!" "Viva Ignacio Zaragoza!" "VIVA!" Viva Morelos!" "VIVA!" and "Viva Mexico!" "VIVA!!" There are a lot of names that they go through. It is in rememberance of the people who had a part in the Independence of Mexico.

And several guys in costume prancing around on stage.

So, that was Independence Night for me this year, it was a blast! And I ate wonderful home-cooked food, including corn on the cob covered in mayonaise, grated cheese, chile, and lime - very traditional, tostadas, arroz con leche, taquitos, and jello.

Next to come - pictures of the PICNIC of Independence Day!!