Hot or Cold?

For those of you who know me really well this probably won't surprise you for a second, but for those of you who don't, I am a little embarrassed to share.  For the first week and a half I was at language school the water in my shower would only get cold, and I  was convinced that the water would never be warm.  I kept turning the "F" knob, as it normally means "Hot."  Every morning I could only stick my head in the shower to wash my hair because the water was cold.  I would finish my "shower" by washing up in the sink everyday.  Out of that week and a half I was only brave enough to immerse myself in the shower once. 
The water was freezing!  
One morning I FINALLY thought to myself, "Why can I get warm water in the sink and not the shower?"  Well, that is because I was turing the knob that had the "C".  After a week and half of bathing in my sink I finally realized I could actually have a WARM shower.  It was one of the best showers I have ever had, & let's just say it was not one of my proudest moment's I have ever had.  This was not the only time I have realized things may not be as they appear (or what I am used to) during my time in Mexico.  Although I have been turning the "F" knob to get warm water my entire life, I should not have assumed the "C" meant cold.  

Getting to the point.... 

Meet the clowns of San Miguel

This past weekend I was walking around the plaza where they were having some festivities for Mexico's independence weekend.  Although their Independence was only for one weekend, San Miguel has actually been celebrating the whole month of September.  As I was walking around, there were families with children laughing, playing, and getting involved with the clown acts.  I was thinking to myself, "I wish everyone who thinks ALL of mexico is dangerous, could see what I am seeing at this moment."  While talking with one of my teacher's, Enrique, the topic about media in both the States and Mexico came up.  He told me that the media in Mexico talks about the United States being dangerous.  

The Headline's Reading: "Don't go to a Movie Premier in the States", or "Don't attend a public school in the State's."

They are obviously saying this because of the shootings that have occurred as of lately.  It was interesting to me only because I don't live in fear while living in the States, even though I am aware of these events happening.  Yes, this is probably because it is my home and I feel comfortable, but the other is because I know God will protect me.  It is weird to think that I wouldn't give it a second thought to go to a movie premier in the States, even though other countries are saying not to do so.  But, while planning to come to Mexico to serve, I had some fear because of all I had heard.  Why had I been so fearful?  Wouldn't God protect me away from home also?  After talking with some of the people who live here, I know that I have to be smart  and careful when being in certain parts of this country.  Especially, not going certain places alone.  But, I also know I would not walk down a dark ally way alone in New York City either.  Yes, I understand that Mexico is not all clowns and laughs, neither is the rest of the world, but it made me realize how often I don't see things for what they might actually be.    

While I am here in Mexico, and when I return home after this year, I hope God keeps showing me things that will help me learn.  Help me learn about different cultures, people, and places.  I pray that my blinder's would come off of what I may have been used to/know, so that I can maybe see thing's as God intended them to be.  If I would not have tried the opposite knob, the one I thought meant cold, I may have never had a warm shower for 3 week's.  I hope God gives me the strength and peace to know that it is okay to try and turn the other knob.  Sometime's we have to step out of what is comfortable so that we can learn, see, or do what He want's for us . 

If we are never willing, or trusting enough to try & turn the other "knob", we may never know if the water is hot or cold.    

One of the streets with flags to celebrate Mexico's Independence

Some people in the parade

At the restaurant we went to they made crepe's right in front of us for dessert. So good!

Another old Church

Inside one of the markets

Language School

I arrived in San Miguel last sunday, and I have been here a week already! San Miguel was founded in 1541, and it contains many old colonial homes & buildings.  The city is small and the roads are made of bricks & stones.  I actually love walking on the old roads, and hearing the church bells throughout the day.   I have not enjoyed hearing fire works almost every night this week though. The staff at the school have been nice enough to take me around, and tell me all the history of the city.
     I have two more weeks to go before returning to Monterrey.  I have class M-F, 9a-1p.  Although it is only 4 hours of class, my brain feels packed with information after.  I feel overwhelmed at times & think things are never going to catch on.  At the end of week one, I think I am improving, BUT I still have so much to learn!  Everytime I think it gets better, I go out to buy something from a tienda (small store) and think "I have no idea what you are saying, can you please slow down!"  I have 3 teachers, A woman whose name is Socorro.  She is very conservative, stern, and often confused why I am here alone.  My other teacher's name is Miguel.  He is younger, but he is also stern at times.  He is always quick to correct me, which I am grateful for, but at times I crack a smile out of him for saying something really embarrassing.  My last teacher, martha, is also an owner of the school.  She is so kind hearted, patient, and is always trying to help in any way.  I just keep hoping that I will have a good base after leaving here.  I still tend to freeze up when someone outside the school talks with me, so I hope it gets better. :) The rest of the day after class, I either walk around San Miguel to practice my spanish, go to a market, study & do homework, or spend time with Paula.  Paula is the only other student here right now.  She is staying in an apartment off campus, so we often meet somewhere.  She is from California, and is a mother of her own.  She is retired (I believe) and she is here to learn the language to work with a company.  She got connected with an orphanage here that is about 15 minutes away from the school.  She found them just by searching on the internet.  She took it in her own hands to connect with the orphanage & ask what she could do for them.   As they were talking they explained to Paula that they can only celebrate birthdays once every 4 months.  Paula had a great idea and asked if she could sponsor a fiesta for them over the weekend for Mexico's independence day.  They loved the idea and Paula began to plan&prepare throughout the week.  I was able to go with Paula during the week to pick out a piñata, hair bows/bands, candy, etc. for the girls.  I am so grateful for Paula to ask me to join, and for her gracious heart.
    The orphanage "Casa Hogar Santa Julia" contains 33 girls. I believe the range is from 2-18 yrs old.  The 18 year old, Cassandra, is the first to graduate high school from there.  They are all very excited for her & they hope she can get some scholarships to attend College.  Some of the "Madres", the nuns, came to pick us up at Paula's apartment.  As we reached the orphanage, the youngest girls ran to great us with hugs,kisses, and excitement.  Paula passed out some of the gifts she had got them as they surrounded her with excitement and wonder. I helped put some of the bows in the girls hair & they could barely wait for me to finish before they wanted to touch it to see what it felt like in their hair.  One of the nine year old girls gave her gift to one of the other orphans.  The other orphan is a thirty year old who is mentally handicapped.  She was not able to make it outside in time, so this girl gave her gift to her.  Me and Paula were amazed by this girls generosity, and the fact that she was so willing to give up her gift.  Luckily, Paula had something to replace this kind girls gift. :)
    I had so much fun running around with them, picking them up, hugging them, talking with them (well trying to), and just loving on them.  I even enjoyed dancing with them to the music they hd playing outside!  They were over joyed with the snacks Paula bought them, and they loved the fruit salad she made.  They aren't used to getting things like chips & pop, so they were really excited.  They were able to buy meats, potatoes, cake, ice cream, and much more with the money Paula graciously gave them.  It was also a blast to watch them crack open the piñata!  It was out of control when all of the candies and toys dropped to the floor.  Before the time was over, I was able to talk with an american man who has lived in San Miguel for 2 years, and who volunteers time with them.  He began telling me stories of the girls there and my heart began to break all over again.  Many of the girls were there because their parents have issues with drugs, alcohol, and money.  Many of the girls had been beaten or sexually abused from their mother's boyfriends.      

One of the roads all ready for Independece Day!

They Loved the Face Paint...maybe too much! 

All of the girls,some of the madras, Paula, and me

    Last night was a great reminder of why I am here, and it made me excited to get back in Monterrey.  I still don't know what my role will be quit yet in Monterrey, but I am excited to find out.  My time yesterday at the orphanage encouraged me to learn spanish, in hopes that I won't just be able to pick up children and love them, but be able to explain to them how much God loves them too.

I arrived!

This is part of the campus I will be staying at in Monterrey, Mexico. Yes, these mountains are real!

          On Saturday the 8th of September I left my house in Tallmadge, Ohio for the Cleveland airport at 5:00am.  It was a rainy,cloudy morning with a long car ride of my mom backing into a ditch, a lot of silence, many yawns, and a few tears.  My sister, mom, and boyfriend were all there to say their "we will see you later's."  My dad had to work that day, so I woke him from his sleep to give a quick hug.  I really hadn't slept the night before, and that night I had been thinking how blessed I am to have so many people in my life who love me enough to support me to make this happen.  If it was not for my monthly supporters, and all the donations from family,friends, and my church of Whipple Heights in Canton, I would not be going.  As I said my final "byes" I walked through security a ball of mess, and not able to think.  I didn't even remember to take my shoes off before walking through the metal detector's.  
       As I sat waiting for the first of 3 flights, I cried because I was overwhelmed with so many emotions.  I cried because I realized I was leaving my friends, my family, my sister who is pregnant, my boyfriend, my job, and all the things I have made a comfort in my life.  I cried because I had so much joy.  I had joy because I was given this awesome opportunity that God has been calling me to since my Sophmore year of college.  I cried because I was scared....scared of the unknown, scared I was going to a new place, scared of being alone, scared of not knowing a language and culture, and mostly scared I would not have a purpose.  I would not be used.  Then I thought of a verse that sat on my desk, given to me by a friend, through my last year of college.  Jeremiah 29:11. I have used this verse on many of my support letters, and I often pray this verse many time's.  The week I left for Mexico my boyfriend's grandmother passed away suddenly from cancer.  Although I have only known her for 2 years, she was an amazing woman of Christ, and she became a part of my family.  This verse was her favorite and was even written on the white board in her hospital room.  As I sat there in the airport, this verse gave me peace, because I knew He had a plan for me.....just as He had used her for so many years.  As this made me cry a little more, and as more people looked at me, all I could do was pray to God that this was all Him, and He would take care of everything else.  
      I flew through Atlanta, San Antonio, and then finally got to my last flight to Monterrey.  There were only a hand full of people on the flight, and it seemed to be the longest flight ever.  We were having some issues during the landing where we circled the airport numerous times.  I was one of a few people on the flight who had to use those nifty white bags they keep in the seats.  The ones where I often think, "who actually has to use those."  I began to cry after becoming overwhelmed with anxiety.  Again I had to think of the verse, Jeremiah 29:11.  I prayed that God could use me somehow with this organization, this staff, these people, and these orphans of mexico. Yes, I pray that I can be used somehow in the clinic, but I pray I can be used in any way that is needed.  At 4:00pm I finally arrived in Monterrey, Mexico.  My dear friends who are on staff with Back2Back, Courtney&Michael picked me up at the airport.....and I could not be more grateful for their smiles. :)