Bubble Gum

This is a picture of one of the many stands in San Miguel and surrounding cities! Often women and children will sit on the curb and sell dolls similar to these... it breaks my heart to see these children there for hours. Today I walked by a little girl of about 6 years sound asleep on the pile of dolls she was supposed to be selling... precious and heartbreaking at the same time. Seeing so many children on the streets makes me so appreciative of the children's homes that we work with. Sure the job of caring for so many kids is hard, but worth it to see them having a childhood, going to school, learning about Jesus....

Several weeks ago I was calmly sipping my coffee in Starbucks (yes, Starbucks has taken over this part of the world too!) when a little girl, 10 years old, came into the store and asked me to buy bubble gum from her. I have to admit that my first reaction was to kindly deny. After the girl left I began to think about the interaction I had had with her. I began to be convicted that I had brushed her off in the same way everyone else had in this town... here was a girl who in so many ways is exactly like the children I serve in Monterrey. I thought to myself how Jesus would have handled that situation and quickly gathered my things and went out to search for the girl. I found her sitting by her mother on the corner still selling the gum. I asked the girl how much her gum cost and ended up have a beautiful conversation with her. Maria is 10 and was thrilled to know that I was a teacher. She told me which were her favorite flavors of gum and I promptly bought two. After a few more minutes of chatting I said goodbye and began to walk home, feeling a little less convicted.

On the other street corner I ran into an older woman with a small child. Both were sitting in the middle of the sidewalk with their hands out asking for money. I asked the woman if her child could have the gum I just bought and then began to talk to her about her life. Maria Paula and her grandson Erik Julian live outside of San Miguel with many other family members. Maria shared with me that it is hard to provide for all the mouths she has to feed. Currently 4 of her 14 children are still at home. Maria and I talked for awhile and I was able to share with her about how the Lord has provided for me several times when times were tight. Although I am sure I have never experienced what this lady has, she seemed to be encouraged by my stories. I prayed for her. She cried. God's spirit was there. And I wondered why so many times I get caught up in my own bubble, my own goals, my own agenda and forget that I am here not for my purposes but for His. This was a great awakening day for me... with the gift of 3 more friends :)

Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!!!!

My time in San Miguel de Allende is almost at a close. Only three more days of Spanish classes, a quick trip to Queratero, and a 9 1/2 hour bus ride lie between me and Monterrey! During this month in San Miguel I have learn tons of Spanish! Many people have asked if I am fluent yet... sadly the more Spanish I learn the more I see how much more there is to know! Granted I have greatly increased my knowledge and use of the Spanish language, but still have far to go... I'm praising God that I get to continue practicing and learning in Monterrey!

Here are a few pictures from my last few weeks in San Miguel:

This ice cream stand has a special place in my heart... and a special place in my stomach! I don't know if I have ever had such good ice cream. Not only do these men sell the usual flavors (vanilla, chocolate, etc...) they also sell more exotic flavors: tequila, cheese, raisin, .... This stand is in the centro of San Miguel, I have very easy access!

Here is a picture of most of my host family here in San Miguel. I live with Marina and Ernesto (the grandparents) but there 3 children who live nearby frequent the home often. This afternoon we were celebrating Ernesto's birthday with the entire family... it is amazing how big families are the same no matter what culture you are living in!

Cheque, my friend from Monterrey, came to visit me for a weekend. He is originally from a town just a few hours from San Miguel. Cheque and I went on adventures to nearby pueblos. It was great to have a traveling buddy (especially one who is completely fluent in the language!). We had a ton of fun! Cheque introduced me to some of his favorite foods that are made in this area of Mexico. They tasted great... until the next day when my stomach wasn't quite so fond of them. While I might be Mexican at heart, I definitely still have a gringo stomach!

Two days ago San Miguel had their "preview" for San Miguel Day which is in September. There was a huge parade, fireworks, music, native dancing, catholic processions.... supposedly this is just a small smidgen of what San Miguel Day is like. This is a photo of some of the indigenous people dancing in the parade. Check out the video too!

San Miguel de Allende

Whew! I am here in San Miguel and has it been a whirlwind of a week! As most of you know, I am studying Spanish for a month in San Miguel de Allende which is about 8 hours south of Monterrey and just a few hours outside of Mexico City. This next year I am going to continue my work with B2B, but in a slightly different way. The Lord continues to lay the poor on my heart, so this year I will be spending more time in the Rio communities (garbage dump neighborhoods) that B2B works with (and a few days in SMCA as well :) . Because of the increase in the amount of time I am going to be working with Mexicans, I knew that my Spanish had to increase as well... that is why I decided to come to San Miguel to study.

I have been in San Miguel a week! My trip started out with a few hard days of stomach sickness... after I adjusted to the water here however, things have been going well. Every weekday I have classes at a school called Habla Hispana which is about 4 blocks from where I am staying. My class is super small (only one other student) so I get very personalized attention. All the instruction and everything is in Spanish, which is really good for me and sometimes a bit hard. I already feel like I have learned a ton with only being here one week. The funny thing about learning another language, however, is that the more you learn the more you realize how much you don't know! ...that is how I feel almost everyday!

I am staying with a wonderful Mexican couple, Marina and Ernesto. They have lived close to San Miguel's center for most of their lives. They are sooo nice, very hospitable, awesome cooks, and know not a word of English, which is perfect for me! There are also currently 4 other American students staying here as well. I have loved getting to know Marina and Ernesto, and honestly feel like one of their kids!

I will be in San Miguel for another three weeks then I will head back to Monterrey to begin another school year there! Please keep me in your prayers. Pray that God uses this time in San Miguel to help my Spanish develop, but more than that, pray that my eyes and ears are open to what He wants to do in and through me while I am here. Already He has had me share Christ with three people in both Spanish and English and pray for them as well... I am beginning to see that His purposes in me being here are much greater than what I first thought :)... sounds like God, doesn't it?

Thanks for your continued love and support! Below are some pictures of San Miguel! Enjoy!

A scenic view of San Miguel's center! There are TONS of old churches here... for anyone who as been to Europe, the churches are much the same.

San Miguel's famous church lit up at night.

My school!

Flower vendors in one of the many markets that are just blocks from my house.

A typical street in San Miguel... all the streets are cobblestone and all the houses are brightly painted.

My cute orange room in Marina and Ernesto's house! It looks right out onto the street... very noisy!

Marina teaching me and the other students at my school how to make Pozole de Pollo... super fun!