“It’s just a fluffy chalupa!”
“You’re a fluffy chalupa!”
(John / Laynie about the strange but delicious evening meal)
For the last few days we have been in the city of San Juan, which is about eight hours south and east of the MITC in Cordoba. We spent most of Monday traveling through a maze of Mexican streets and highways and finally arrived in San Juan around two in the afternoon. Several families from the local church had collaborated to prepare a delicious lunch for us and after chowing down we began painting the church building. In about three hours we painted and double coated half of the inside of the church. Since we are significantly closer to the equator, the climate is significantly more hot and humid, but God knows our needs and just when we were getting a little hot and a little discouraged, the church ladies brought us cups of ice cold coke. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a more beautiful drink in my entire life! That evening we ate another delicious meal and then the girls traveled 15 minutes by bus to the home of two elderly sisters where the girls would be staying in while the boys prepared to sack out in the church we had just painted.
Some of us had a harder night than others between the hard floor, strange bugs, humidity, and many things that go bump in the night, but we all awoke in the morning to a beautiful sunrise and refreshingly cool breeze. We ate breakfast and then started painting the rest of the inside of the church as well as the unpainted outside walls. A few of us decided that the colors we were using could best be described as “Macaroni & Cheese Yellow” and “Beach House Turquoise” and when all was said and done the church looked amazing. Everybody worked so hard, kept a positive attitude, and constantly encouraged each other.
About half way through the morning John decided that he wanted to take a few pictures of a beautiful Catholic church up the street, so a group of us accompanied him on his expedition. The church was amazingly beautiful with a huge open entry way and a painted domed ceiling over rows of pews and an elaborate crucifix. We ambled quietly through the church, admiring the statues of the saints and the wooden prayer railings and taking a few pictures. An elderly woman, presumably the caretaker of the church, came up to us after a few moments and as the Designated Speaker of Spanish I asked if it was ok for us to be in the church. She said that we are always welcome in God’s house, so I asked her about some interesting garlands leading to the crucifix at the center of the front wall. She said that they were the prayers of the people and were meant to lift the people’s eyes to Christ, and I replied saying that they were beautiful. The lady asked where we were from, and I told her that we were from the US and were here on a mission trip. The old lady gestured to all of us, said that she wanted to pray for us, and led us past the wooden railing and up to the altar. The domed ceiling and the images of the saints and Christ made me feel so small compared to the awesome power and majesty of God as we all kneeled down before the cross. The old woman lit a candle from a collection of burning lights at the foot of the cross and began to chant and pray over us. She prayed mostly in the native dialect, Mije (Mee – hay), with a smattering of Spanish. From what I could make out, she addressed all the saints and the virgin Mary and prayed for our group, our work, and our return trip in the airplane. She passed the candle over each of our heads as she prayed for each of us individually in Christ’s name. Her prayer had an exotically beautiful rhythm to it and she prayed for at least fifteen minutes as we all kneeled before Christ in the church. When she was done we thanked her, took a few more pictures, and ended up standing in a huddle at the back of the church, humbled and encouraged by the whole experience. We came here to serve the Mexican people, but in so many unexpected ways they continually serve us and remind us that God is intimately involved in our lives. I don’t have the words to describe what I was feeling, but I know that I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life.
After our adventures at the Catholic church, we returned to finish the painting job, eat lunch, and hang out with the Mexican children until the church service this evening. While we were waiting for church to begin, a delegation of Mexican girls came up to a group of us with the attitude of those on a mission from a higher power. After much back and forth (they were using words I didn’t know and were rather excited) I realized that their mothers had seen Kaitlyn unbraid her hair and had sent their little girls to ask us if we would let them braid our hair for us. Kaitlyn hesitantly accepted the offer, and before we knew it every girl on the mission team had multiple beautiful Mexican braids running through her hair. The older women of this village are very reserved and it was so cool for all of us to connect with them through hair braiding. They were so happy to share this part of their culture with us and there’s nothing that brings girls together like a little beauty shop session. ☺ After my hair was braided, several of the Mexican women came up to me and shook my hand and stroked my new braids and said that now I looked like a proper Mije girl. Gestures like these continually amaze and humble me – these people have next to nothing, yet they graciously and generously share everything they have and express their love for Christ by loving us through little things – the cold Coka Cola, fresh pineapple, hair braiding, hand shaking, opening their homes to us, and so many other things. We who seemingly have so much have so much yet to learn from these people who are poor in possessions but rich in the love of Christ.
When the last braid was plaited, the church service began and as we have done in previous churches, we sang a few songs in English for the Mexican congregation and then us students went outside to play with the children while Mike taught the sermon with the help of a translator. Playing games with the children was a little wilder than usual but was so much fun. Since I speak the most Spanish, I’m in charge of explaining and directing games and songs, but it’s those who don’t speak Spanish that amaze me. Hannah has such a sweet spirit and is so loving with the little girls – she always has a loyal following of giggling Mexican girls. John doesn’t speak Spanish but definitely speaks the language of hugs, tag, and candy and it’s so cool to see the children’s eyes light up around him.
As I write this our day is winding down with our last Bible study before we leave for Cordoba in the morning. Philipians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We have definitely seen that when we rely on Christ’s power instead of our own, He uses our hands to accomplish His work in amazing ways. I’m so grateful to be here and to have the opportunity to see God’s power in the world around me and I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for all of us!
I love you Mom, Dad, Amber, and Emily.
Everyone sends their love to all of yall at home!
~Amy Parsoneault
p.s. out of time to proof read this – please forgive any errors!
We returned to the MITC at about 4:00 pm today and had some downtime before another delicious meal. Some hoops were shot on the court, others caught up on 'warm fuzzies' (our notes of encouragement to each other), but ALL cleaned up after our wonderful trip to San Juan...
More updates to come. Thanks for all your prayers. Send special notes to mike.mc@woodcreekchurch.com
Mike
