Kata is an older lady who goes to Horizonte church. She walks from her home quite a long ways to be able to catch a bus that drops her off about half a mile from the church. She had been living in a Coke stand (it's like a metal booth like you'd see at a fair where they serve elephant ears or something; here they're used as taco stands) WAY outside the city for a long time. She recently came and said excitedly to another woman at church that a relative had given her a place to live a little (but not much!) closer to the city, if she would be in charge of his land for a while. She accepted. Now Kata lives on a large piece of land with corrugated metal strapped together to make a shelter to live in. It's really cold here this week (drops down to about 45 degrees) and for a place that has no indoor heat, it's really difficult at nights. I'M cold at night because there's no heat in my house, and I live in two story, middle class house with a bed and good blankets and everything! I can't imagine what it's like for Kata. I asked her today if she is cold at night recently and she said that she is. Rebecca and I are going to find a nice warm blanket to bring her.
But the really amazing thing about Kata what happened just a few weeks ago...
Kata never went to school. Ever. There's a lot of poorer people who went through 6th grade and no further, but she never went to ANY school. So, as you can imagine, Kata can't read. She has been part of a womens' small group here at Horizonte for about a year now. It must be frustrating to be handed a group lesson and only be able to hear what the other ladies are saying about it because she can't read for herself. But a while ago, with her Bible in front of her on her lap trying to follow along, she actually understood what she was reading! She looked at the words and was able to read them silently in her head and understand! She couldn't read for all her life and then just one day she could read the Bible! And, from what I understand from her saying is that the Bible is the only book she's been able to read! She wanted sooooo badly to be able to understand the Bible for herself, and God opened her eyes and mind to be able to do just that!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Cake Incident
Ok, this is completely random, but here is a brief, somewhat amusing story with pictures!
The result is pictured above. However, that wasn't the END end result... Martin and Mayte have two little dogs...
who I think were at the cake before it even hit the ground. We tried to hold the dogs back while Mayte tried to scoop up the part of the cake that hadn't touched the floor.
We ended up actually eating the cake! It had no frosting on top (that stuck to the floor and the dogs ate it), but it was still yummy carrot cake!!
The cake above was a wonderful carrot cake from my favorite bakery, made in honor of five members of the Horizonte church staff who all had birthdays around the same time. Lots of us gathered at Martin and Mayte's house to have a hamburger dinner (with fresh cut vegetables and hommade ranch dressing, a surprising treat thanks to Rick and Deyis who used to live in Texas!)
So we pulled out the cake to do the traditional "mordida" (when the birthday person bites the cake, and normally gets their face smashed in it). Since there were 5 birthday people, we decided not to do any face smashing, as there would be no cake left to eat... Two people took a little lick of the cake, and Justin, the third person, was about to take his mordida when Rick decided to do a little face-smashing, but from the other side of the table (note to self, this is a bad idea). Rick pushed the cake, which was sitting on the table, in the direction of Justin's mouth, which was hovering above the cake for the mordida. Justin backed up and the cake didn't stop.
The result is pictured above. However, that wasn't the END end result... Martin and Mayte have two little dogs...
who I think were at the cake before it even hit the ground. We tried to hold the dogs back while Mayte tried to scoop up the part of the cake that hadn't touched the floor. We ended up actually eating the cake! It had no frosting on top (that stuck to the floor and the dogs ate it), but it was still yummy carrot cake!!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Yep, I really AM going to talk about it...
IMMIGRATION
There, I said the... lets see... 11 letter word that no grino wants to mention in front of me.
No worries, I'm not going to get into details of laws, my thoughts on laws, illegals, and the like. Just my personal experience with the INS.
Many of you know that on September 17, Jean Paul and I took a little trip to the US Embassy in Mexico City. It was a loooong day, our bus left QRO at 2:30am, we, along with about 50 other visa seekers, were dropped off at a hotel about 3 blocks from the Embassy, and we waited there for litterally several hours. I slept in a chair in the lobby. I also met a girl from Celaya Guanajuato who is now studying at UW in Seattle. SHE got a visa.
Jean Paul's appointment was at 10am, so about 8:45 we headed over to the embassy. I was not allowed to enter with him at all. However, I unfortunately got to see over a fence at what goes on in the first waiting area. Oh, first, you have to leave everything but your paperwork outside the embassy, can't even bring in a bottle of water, and of course there's none available to you for the 3-4 hours that you're in there. I don't believe there's bathrooms either. (I now understand when my friend Edith said she doesn't want to apply for a visa again because she doesn't like being treated like cattle). Everyone is crammed under a tent for an hour or so with a couple of metal benches to sit on. Officials walk in circles around the tent making sure everyone behaves, while yelling at them with loud speakers (the kind they use at youth camps) about how if their application isn't filled out correctly they'll immediately be turned away.
So, I decided to leave. I walked to Chapultapec park and back to kill time, then decided to settle into the Starbucks for a hot chocolate and to read my book. I honestly think that particular Starbucks gave me the biggest cultural shock I've had since I've been in the country. Ok, I've gone to Starbucks in Salem Oregon, and many other US cities lots of times. Being a 26 year old girl, from middle class USA, and pretty ordinary-looking, I'm the kind of person who goes to Starbucks. Not THIS one though. I was wearing jeans and a sweater (a little causal I guess) and was WAAAAAAAY out of place. Everyone stared at me when I walked in. And I seriously doubt that it had anything to do with my skin, hair, or eye color. Not even with my height. Those are usually the reasons for which I get stared at here. No, all the women, and many men, in THIS Starbucks were white and blonde-ish. (In general, people with lighter complexions here are rich people). It was because I am not part of corporate rich snobby Mexico. It's because I'm the kind of person who cringes to think of paying almost $10 USD for a hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin (is it that expensive in the States now?!) But I stayed, surrounded by tall, skinny, blonde ladies in suits that would make the Hilton family think twice about the price before buying; and tall, in-shape men in pink and purple buisness attire (PLEASE don't tell me that THAT is a fad in the States!) Anyhow, more about this in another post...
Upon returning to the embassy to see if JP was out yet, I saw him exiting the building to look for me. Immediately he told me that they denied the visa! We had EVERYTHING possible for him to take in with him. The embassy wants proof that you're going to return to Mexico. We brought: a letter from his work (which happens to be an international bank), a letter and grades from his college, a letter from our pastor saying that he volunteers at church, a letter of invitation AND ability to pay his expenses from my parents, his bank statements with a rather large sum of borrowed money in it (didn't mention the borrowed part to the embasssy!), the exact address and phone number of my parents saying that that's where he'd be staying, we even brought in MY Mexican documents as proof that, as his girlfriend, I am a leagal resident for Mexico and plan to live here. And he didn't get the visa. The lady in front of him in line, for the question, "Where will you stay in the US?" put, "Maybe L.A. or Miami." We put my parents' address. For the question, "How long do you plan to stay in the US?" that lady put, "However long they let me." That's pretty much TELLING the embassy that she's not coming back!! JP put 15 days, with the exact dates that he planned to be in the States.
No visa.
Why do people go illegally to the US?? For many many reasons of course, but one of those reasons is that it's next to impossible for a law-abiding mexican with a job, who's a student, and has sponsors in the States to actually GET a visa to go leagally. And that was for a TOURIST visa. Imagine if someone actually wanted to WORK leagally there... they might as well forget it. Then there's the issue of how the mexicans are treated once inside the Embassy. If a government agency in the States disallowed US citizens to bring water with them for a 4 hour wait, and didn't provide bathrooms, they'd have a huge lawsuit to deal with. So how about they put a goverment office in a foreign country and treat the people in a way that they could never get away with in the States. Apparently it seemed like a good idea.
Anyhow, pretty much the only way JP will ever go the the States leagally is if we get married... And let me tell you, we'll have a really good immigration lawyer with us every step of the way! (Thanks to Rebecca for free tips and the names/numbers of the laws that we need to be aware of!!)
There, I said the... lets see... 11 letter word that no grino wants to mention in front of me.
No worries, I'm not going to get into details of laws, my thoughts on laws, illegals, and the like. Just my personal experience with the INS.
Many of you know that on September 17, Jean Paul and I took a little trip to the US Embassy in Mexico City. It was a loooong day, our bus left QRO at 2:30am, we, along with about 50 other visa seekers, were dropped off at a hotel about 3 blocks from the Embassy, and we waited there for litterally several hours. I slept in a chair in the lobby. I also met a girl from Celaya Guanajuato who is now studying at UW in Seattle. SHE got a visa.
Jean Paul's appointment was at 10am, so about 8:45 we headed over to the embassy. I was not allowed to enter with him at all. However, I unfortunately got to see over a fence at what goes on in the first waiting area. Oh, first, you have to leave everything but your paperwork outside the embassy, can't even bring in a bottle of water, and of course there's none available to you for the 3-4 hours that you're in there. I don't believe there's bathrooms either. (I now understand when my friend Edith said she doesn't want to apply for a visa again because she doesn't like being treated like cattle). Everyone is crammed under a tent for an hour or so with a couple of metal benches to sit on. Officials walk in circles around the tent making sure everyone behaves, while yelling at them with loud speakers (the kind they use at youth camps) about how if their application isn't filled out correctly they'll immediately be turned away.
So, I decided to leave. I walked to Chapultapec park and back to kill time, then decided to settle into the Starbucks for a hot chocolate and to read my book. I honestly think that particular Starbucks gave me the biggest cultural shock I've had since I've been in the country. Ok, I've gone to Starbucks in Salem Oregon, and many other US cities lots of times. Being a 26 year old girl, from middle class USA, and pretty ordinary-looking, I'm the kind of person who goes to Starbucks. Not THIS one though. I was wearing jeans and a sweater (a little causal I guess) and was WAAAAAAAY out of place. Everyone stared at me when I walked in. And I seriously doubt that it had anything to do with my skin, hair, or eye color. Not even with my height. Those are usually the reasons for which I get stared at here. No, all the women, and many men, in THIS Starbucks were white and blonde-ish. (In general, people with lighter complexions here are rich people). It was because I am not part of corporate rich snobby Mexico. It's because I'm the kind of person who cringes to think of paying almost $10 USD for a hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin (is it that expensive in the States now?!) But I stayed, surrounded by tall, skinny, blonde ladies in suits that would make the Hilton family think twice about the price before buying; and tall, in-shape men in pink and purple buisness attire (PLEASE don't tell me that THAT is a fad in the States!) Anyhow, more about this in another post...
Upon returning to the embassy to see if JP was out yet, I saw him exiting the building to look for me. Immediately he told me that they denied the visa! We had EVERYTHING possible for him to take in with him. The embassy wants proof that you're going to return to Mexico. We brought: a letter from his work (which happens to be an international bank), a letter and grades from his college, a letter from our pastor saying that he volunteers at church, a letter of invitation AND ability to pay his expenses from my parents, his bank statements with a rather large sum of borrowed money in it (didn't mention the borrowed part to the embasssy!), the exact address and phone number of my parents saying that that's where he'd be staying, we even brought in MY Mexican documents as proof that, as his girlfriend, I am a leagal resident for Mexico and plan to live here. And he didn't get the visa. The lady in front of him in line, for the question, "Where will you stay in the US?" put, "Maybe L.A. or Miami." We put my parents' address. For the question, "How long do you plan to stay in the US?" that lady put, "However long they let me." That's pretty much TELLING the embassy that she's not coming back!! JP put 15 days, with the exact dates that he planned to be in the States.
No visa.
Why do people go illegally to the US?? For many many reasons of course, but one of those reasons is that it's next to impossible for a law-abiding mexican with a job, who's a student, and has sponsors in the States to actually GET a visa to go leagally. And that was for a TOURIST visa. Imagine if someone actually wanted to WORK leagally there... they might as well forget it. Then there's the issue of how the mexicans are treated once inside the Embassy. If a government agency in the States disallowed US citizens to bring water with them for a 4 hour wait, and didn't provide bathrooms, they'd have a huge lawsuit to deal with. So how about they put a goverment office in a foreign country and treat the people in a way that they could never get away with in the States. Apparently it seemed like a good idea.
Anyhow, pretty much the only way JP will ever go the the States leagally is if we get married... And let me tell you, we'll have a really good immigration lawyer with us every step of the way! (Thanks to Rebecca for free tips and the names/numbers of the laws that we need to be aware of!!)
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Faith Like Rafa
There's a 23 year old guy at Horizonte church named Rafa who I think has more faith and perseverance than anyone I know.
Five years ago, Rafa graduated from high school, and went out with a few of his friends in the new car that one of them received for graduation. You guessed it, they got in a really bad wreck, and Rafa was the only one who survived (there were either 2 or 3 other guys who died). Rafa was in and out of the hospital for a year, and ended up in a wheel chair with no use of his legs, and very limited use of his hands and arms. His condition is degenerative, meaning he's gotten worse over the past 5 years, and will likely continue worsening as time goes on.
Rafa came to Horizonte with his mom and cousin Hector (Hector goes everywhere with Rafa and takes care of him) a little less than a year ago. He loved the sunday service and youth group, and began coming regularly. He made quick friends with Dany (who's always gone to church, not the Dany mentioned below) and Jean Paul.
We began to learn more about Rafa, and found out that he's very artistic and attends art classes at one of the universities. He also does quite a bit with computer graphics. When I said he has limited use of his hands, I mean he has REALLY limited use - like it's hard to hold a pencil! And he does art by hand and computer!! Then in one small group time for the college guys, he mentioned to Dany and JP that he'd like prayer... not that he's one day walk again, but that God would give him patience to be content how he is now until God lets him walk again. Wow.
Here's some pictures from Rafa's 23rd birthday party a couple weeks ago:
Taking the traditional "mordida!" (Biting the cake)
Great sense of humor: posing for the picture arm-wrestling with Juan! Juan is the biggest guy ever (for a mexican)! And look, Rafa is winning! :)
Five years ago, Rafa graduated from high school, and went out with a few of his friends in the new car that one of them received for graduation. You guessed it, they got in a really bad wreck, and Rafa was the only one who survived (there were either 2 or 3 other guys who died). Rafa was in and out of the hospital for a year, and ended up in a wheel chair with no use of his legs, and very limited use of his hands and arms. His condition is degenerative, meaning he's gotten worse over the past 5 years, and will likely continue worsening as time goes on.
Rafa came to Horizonte with his mom and cousin Hector (Hector goes everywhere with Rafa and takes care of him) a little less than a year ago. He loved the sunday service and youth group, and began coming regularly. He made quick friends with Dany (who's always gone to church, not the Dany mentioned below) and Jean Paul.
We began to learn more about Rafa, and found out that he's very artistic and attends art classes at one of the universities. He also does quite a bit with computer graphics. When I said he has limited use of his hands, I mean he has REALLY limited use - like it's hard to hold a pencil! And he does art by hand and computer!! Then in one small group time for the college guys, he mentioned to Dany and JP that he'd like prayer... not that he's one day walk again, but that God would give him patience to be content how he is now until God lets him walk again. Wow.
Here's some pictures from Rafa's 23rd birthday party a couple weeks ago:
Taking the traditional "mordida!" (Biting the cake)
Great sense of humor: posing for the picture arm-wrestling with Juan! Juan is the biggest guy ever (for a mexican)! And look, Rafa is winning! :)
Dany and Ili
(See blog below for more details...)
Jean Paul and I are going out with Dany and Ili this sunday after church. They've been coming every sunday since I mentioned about independence day and everything, and I think they started taking the beginning Bible class! I'm excited to get to know Ili better, and to be a part of God's impact on their lives!
Jean Paul and I are going out with Dany and Ili this sunday after church. They've been coming every sunday since I mentioned about independence day and everything, and I think they started taking the beginning Bible class! I'm excited to get to know Ili better, and to be a part of God's impact on their lives!
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