Ramblings of Thankfulness

As I click the "post new blog" button, I have so many things in my heart and head that I want to write about, but I know I can't get it all out...who wants to read all that anyway? My thoughts, however, continue to trail back to our little guy, Logan. What a blessing he is as we work to become part of this little community here in Playa Azul. He has had so many good experiences these last 3 1/2 weeks...but it isn't always easy for him. Because Logan has been created with a gift of contentment, he goes along with the flow quiet well, but after our family devotional, when the lights are out and we are lying in his bed, the tears begin to well up in his big eyes. "I miss Canada. I miss my room. I miss my bed...and I don't like the bugs here." We assure him that we miss those things too, and more...and that's okay. Again we talk about the blessings we have gained as we have relocated in Playa...It isn't long before he's again content and secure in our new life here...and ready for another night's sleep.
Although we tell him, he really doesn't understand just how vital he is to our work here. We have met so many people because of him. I am 100% convinced that God surprised us with this little guy later in our lives just for THIS time in our lives!!! Let's see how many people we know because Logan is part of the work here...
*Durazo-the coach of the soccer (futbol) team. Logan saw the team playing soccer and put in that he wanted to play. Not speaking a word of Spanish, he joins the team for practice three times a week. They had their first game today...lost terribly, but had a great time doing it!!
*Marlo, Rolando, Dani, Max, Miguelito...and all the other kids on his soccer team. We don't walk down the street that we don't hear, "LoGAN" being yelled from across the street. Two of the boys came over to swim today. It blesses my heart as I hear them trying to teach words to Logan...and Logan talking to them in his limited Spanish vocabulary.

*Maestra Rosa Lena Reyes-Logan's teacher at school. We have been waiting until Logan has felt safe and secure in being in Playa Azul before we looked into the possibility of getting him into school. Last week, out of the blue, Logan said he was ready to start school. So...Tuesday morning we were off to visit with the director. He spoke to the teacher and the next day Logan was at school at 8 am!!! What a ruckus we caused!!! Nothing but stares from all the kids and parents as these "guerros" bring their little "guerro" to Mexican school. His friends were so excited to see him. They couldn't believe Logan was at school. He stayed 2 1/2 hours for the first day, and loved it. He had lots of tales of his day to share with us when we picked him up at 10:30. We'll see how next week goes for him.
*Lena-as we were walking from the school, after talking to the director, we chatted with Lena, the owner of an enramada along the beach. We told her we had been talking to the director of the school. After a bit of a chat, we promised to stop back by. It was a hot day, so after our errands we peaked into her enramada and bought a coke. We sat and visited at least 45 minutes. We met her neighbour, Jimi who then showed us how to gut and dress a fish. Logan taught Lena's grandson how to ride a bike. Lena made us promise to come back to see her...that's a promise we won't have any trouble keeping!!!
*Israel, Zula and Rosa-three children just a few doors down from our house. Israel and Zula live in LA and are here just visiting their family. It's nice to have children with whom Logan may speak English. Of course the kids wanted to swim in the pool soon as we met them, so Logan and I went over to get permission from the parents. We met the g'ma, Tomasa, along with about 5 other family members. We learned all about "chicilicis" which are used to catch the delicacy, Red Snapper. We met the mom and dad, Luz and Israel, whom we were able to help later by calling the States and asking for the school info for the children. The kids have had a blast exploring the beach and swimming in the pool.
*Marlan and Claudia-As we were walking on the beach tonight enjoying the beautiful sunset and greeting people as we went by, Logan found a baby sting ray. We had heard there were sting rays in the afternoon, so Bern brought two passerbys to Logan's find. We asked about sting rays, scorpions (which we found in Logan's bedroom two nights ago...eek), and other things that crawl in the night. We were assured that these things are rare, then Marlan told us how to treat the bites of such creatures...she also told us about the Health Centre here in Playa. We told them we would find their enramada one day.
*Jesus-the owner of the bike shop. One day as I searched for marbles for Logan to give to Miguelito for his birthday, I came across a bike shop. I stopped and chatted about getting a bike for Logan. This week we all passed by his shop and introduced ourselves. Jesus said he would keep an eye out for a perfect used bike for Logan. Jesus just might be our first LST (Let's Start Talking) reader when we get ready to "open shop" for English conversation classes in the future.

We are so very thankful for Logan's attitude and willingness to embrace our new lives here in Playa Azul. We continue to be amazed at his growth in his understanding of our purpose here. I'll close with a story that touches our hearts...
The coach had asked to use Logan's soccer ball today for the game. After the game coach asked if he could use the ball for other games later today. Logan was very willing. In fact, we all gave a chuckle to see Logan's Upward Soccer ball, all the way from Regina, SK, being used as the "official" ball of the game. Now, you need to understand, this was no ordinary soccer ball. This was Logan's favourite ball...the one he chose to bring to Mexico when he had to choose just one. Later this afternoon we heard a shout for Logan from the street. The coach's son had a faded ragged soccer ball in his hand. It took us all a few seconds to realize that it was Logan's once beautifully coloured ball. What had happened to it?? We guessed it had been used for ALL the games that day, from the little kids to the big boys. Logan laughed a bit, but I knew he was sad about the condition of his ball. Later, after his friends had left I asked him how he felt about his ball. His big eyes filled with tears as he held the deluge from falling, then he uttered the most godly words I have ever heard, "I'm really sad. That was my favourite soccer ball, but my friends are more important than my ball. God made my friends, but it was just man that made that ball." Now who was holding back the tears?...God had and continues to have plans for this little boy who loves Jesus so very much. What an honour to be a part of Logan's work!!



The before and after pictures of Logan's soccer ball. Who knew God would use this ball to teach us all an important lesson about how much more He loves people than things...Thanks, Logan for teaching us!!!

Until next blog, blessings to you as you let God use you in your corner of the world!!
Bernard, Alicia and precious little Logan Krogsgaard

Krogsgaard Adventures in Playa Azul

As I have stated before, I'm sure that there are less hours here in Playa than there are in Canada. Time goes by so quickly, yet when we look at the day's activities we wonder if we really got much done!!! We had a teary good-bye with Belinda on Thursday, the 16th. We felt a bit lost for a few hours, but we set ourselves to make the Moore house into the Krogsgaard Casa. Bernard's first project was to put up mosquito screening over the windows...This is quiet a chore when we have no tools...We're very thankful for our team members from whom we borrowed several things. We're not sure how much the screens will help since we keep the outside doors open wide, but at least Logan will be able to move into his bedroom and hopefully not get too eaten up by mosquitos...they seem to like his tender young skin.


Two of our goals each day are to improve our Spanish and become known here in Playa Azul. We walk the streets of the town meeting and greeting all those we see. If anything, we will be known as the friendly "Grueros" (white people). We visited again with our first
friend that we wrote about, Rosa Elena. She is a real sweetheart!!


We have also been blessed by Belinda as she introduced us to many of her and Billy's friends. Today we visited with one of Billy's dear friends, Sergio. What a sweet and gently man who has endured many things in his many years. He graciously accepted us into his house. We drank a cafecita (little coffee) with him while he spoke of his life. Just with our hour visit, he has already taught us much about life. Logan ran into one of his "futbol" buddies so they played a little game while we visited with Sergio. It was a wonderful morning.

This week-end gave us many opportunities to visit with people because Playa Azul hosted its annual Save the Turtles Campaign. The centre of the town was buzzing with activity as booths offered games, activities, and food. We took in the festivities each day which gave us opportunities to speak with people we knew and meet others. One of the highlights was visiting with Jose, who is Belinda's yard man. As we chatted with Jose, he introduced us to others and we learned many things about living here on the coast. Belinda has already given Jose a bible, so we pray he will be open to attending a home group when we start one.



Another highlight of the turtle festival was being a part of the crowd as hundreds of baby turtles were released back into the sea. It was quite a sight!!! Logan even got to hold one and send it on its way.




Lots and lots of baby
turtles.














Good-bye baby turtles Good-bye mama turtles

We would love to hear from you. Until next blog. Que Dios les bendiga!!!
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

Storms All Around Us

One of the first things Belinda has shown us here on the coast is a weather watcher on the internet. Little did we understand just how important it is to know about the weather patterns around us. Saturday we woke up to a rainy day. (That was the day Logan's first soccer game was rained out.) Later that day the wind began to pick up. We commented several times on the size of the waves and the dip of the coconut trees. As lunch time approached, we decided to go to the fish market close by. While we were out, signs, leaves, and part of houses and businesses began to fly through the air around us. We decided we had better get back home...and it was none too soon!!! As the garage door opened, debris began to fly into the garage. We could barely get the car doors opened through the force of the wind. Bernard valiantly pressed through the wind to the front door and got it open, only to be greeted by a flood of rain water that had blown under the door. Poor Logan could barely stand as we ran the 5 meters to the door. Lightening flashed and huge claps of thunder roared. We directed Logan to the staircase where we felt there was less glass should it shatter. We ran through the house closing the windows and placing buckets where the roof is known to leak. I ran out on the balcony where our clothes were flying through the wind. Logan, white as a ghost whimpered, "I think it was a mistake to come to Mexico." Poor little guy...I remember hurricane winds hitting our house in Alabama. It's a scary thing. The storm didn't last long. It became eerily quiet and we ventured out into the street. Debris cluttered every direction, but as we looked across from Belinda's house, we noticed our neighbour's whole enramada (outdoor restaurant) had collapsed. It will be a big clean up job...perhaps a good way to begin our "Christian Philanthropy". Perhaps we'll learn how to put up the "palapas" (palm branch umbrellas) that make up the enramadas.


La Enramada del Ozo blew down




Belinda suggested that we walk the beach because amazing things blow up on the sand during a storm...sure enough...up walked two huge turtles looking for a place to lay their eggs. It was an awesome sight!!! Unfortunately right behind one of the turtles was a man robbing the many eggs, which is illegal. Belinda, always one to speak her mind made it clear that she was not in agreement with what this man was doing. The Mexicans count the turtle eggs as a real delicacy; most slurp them down raw...a real sign of manhood, so they say. With the storm behind us, the clean up begins. We've swept the street and cleared the debris...time to bag it all up and leave out for the trash.















BERNARD AND LOGAN HELP CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOUR'S ENRAMADA

Another storm has taken place this week. The movers came in on Monday to pack up Belinda's possessions. It was a sad day. Her heart wants to stay here. There are so many people with whom she has formed meaningful relationships. It seems that just when we leave, people seem to open up as they never have before. The movers have been swift and thorough. As I write, the house now echos. The trucks have headed out toward Texas. Belinda leaves tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 16) What a sad day for us all.

People we have met in Playa Azul

LOTS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

We've had a great week here in Playa Azul/Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico. No doubt it's a sharp learning curve, but we've having fun riding along with the curve!!!

Sunday was a great day as our first worship time with our new baby family. We saw several faces we recognized from our visit here in Dec of 07. The praise time was uplifting and beautifully done by three of the baby Christians, one of the team gals, and a fellow who was visiting for the first time!!! What a way to get folks connected right away!!!! There's no doubt that Mexicans love their music...what a great way to share their God-given talents!!! It came to our attention that there were many visitors. The children's class was running over. Logan had a great time, and connected with several of the little boys who were visiting.

Sunday afternoon had us visiting with some of Belinda's precious friends. We ate at Jose's enramada (palm covered restaurant on the beach, near Belinda's house). Jose is Belinda's gardener and handyman. We have been visiting with him and his wife so that we can become a part of their lives and Shine the Son before them when Belinda leaves next week. We ate several things that we knew had come from the sea because of their purple and bumpy tentacles...hummmm...another spike in the learning curve. We met Jose's wife, Elvia, who has offered to teach me to gut a fish and cook it. Looking forward to that!!!
After lunch we came back to the house and the kids took a little swim. I first thought inheriting a pool with Belinda's house was a little extravagant, but I'm seeing how she uses it as a real relationship-building tool. Logan has already benefited from having children come swim in the pool.

Belinda and best friend, Rosi. Logan and new friend, Hector.














Our daily goals are fairly simple: provide for our daily needs, assure that Logan feels save and secure, provide for Logan's academic needs, and become known in our little town by meeting people at their businesses, at the same time building on our Spanish skills. Our first "amiga" is Rosa Elena who we met while we walked on the beach. She owns an "enramada". After a conversation, she offered us breakfast. We met her husband and two children. We thanked them for being our first friends at Playa Azul. We will return to their enramada for lunch or supper soon.
Another walk led us to our neighbour, Chavelo. He was a little reserved with us at first, but it wasn't long before he was showing Logan his two pet turtles that he will be releasing into the sea in Oct. during the Tortuga Festival. He, too, invited us to his enramada. (Guess I won't be cooking for a while!!)

Our walks take us throughout the town of Playa Azul. We went out once in the heat of the day and quickly learned that was not the time to go. The practice of "siesta" is alive and well in this hot coastal town. However, the town begins to buzz about 5 pm. We do a bit of shopping in the various shops and try to engage in conversation with the shop owners. I'm sure they wonder why three white Canadians have ventured to Playa Azul. We're praying that once the folks see us around town enough, they'll venture to ask us about ourselves. The trick for us right now is to remember everyone that we meet...Julisa from the Playita corner store, Laura from the "tortilleria", Sol from the internet pizzaria, Tony from the salon where I got my first haircut!!!

There's no doubt that Logan will be our best resource. We ventured to the "campo"(sports complex) around 5pm one evening. It didn't take us long to realize that this was the place to be. People were playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Kids were shooting marbles and climbing trees. Logan was right in there like he belonged!!! It wasn't long before a group of boys called him over and started speaking to him in broken English. They exchanged English for Spanish, laughing and having a great time.


Logan meets a few of the guys from "el campo". Hopefully these will be the same kids with whom he will be attending school. We think he's about ready for us to go see the director to ask if Logan may attend an hour or two a day. Don't think he will have any problem getting Spanish under his belt.


Logan's MOST exciting news came Thursday night when he and Bernard walked over to the campo. There were boys Logan's age playing. Bernard inquired if Logan might join a team. He was told to return Friday at 6:30. For a seven year old boy, 6:30pm took forever to get here. He passed the day working on his school work, making shell necklaces to sell, among other things. FINALLY, it was time to head for the campo. He was a bit apprehensive, but soon joined in with the other children who were kicking the ball around. We spoke with the coach and he heartily welcomed Logan and introduced him to the rest of the team. Plans were made for Saturday's game, Logan received his uniform, and he scampered off to play with a few of the boys. The next morning met us with a tropical storm closing in, but Logan and his dad were off by 8 am, in the rain. Unfortunately, the other team didn't show up, so the game was forfeited, but Logan's spirits weren't dampened as he and a few buddies kicked the ball around for a while....next week!!!

As I write this blog, Belinda continues to pack. The church will have a "despedida" (good-bye) for her this Sunday. The moving truck comes and loads on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 13 & 14. She'll then head out the next day. How much we will miss her!!! This big house will seem terribly empty without her. It's a loss for this little corner of the world. Blessings to her and her family in this next stage of their lives.

Until next week...Que les vayan con Dios!!
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgsaard






Team mates, Malcolm Pointon and Belinda Moore.
We'll miss you, Belinda.

We made it to Mexico

We have so many emotions happening within us right now that it's hard to get it all put together in words, but here's where we are...
Leaving Kresten from the Oklahoma Christian campus on Sunday, Sept 28 was one of the hardest things we have ever done...just as we had to leave Ashley from the Regina airport on Sept 11.




But...as we told them, we wouldn't have left them if we felt that they couldn't do without us. Still, it's hard to say good-bye knowing we wouldn't see them for a very long time. We tried to get them to Mexico for Christmas, but it's a tough time to get flights. We did get a flight for Kresten to head to Regina for the holidays, so he and Ashley will be together.
While we were in Oklahoma, we had the joy of staying with Ernest and Joyce Andreas. They hosted us for three nights and we were throughly blessed. We also got to see some folks we haven't seen in a while. Kresten seems to be adjusting well to his new life at OC...He does miss his Canada, though.

Our newest dear friends/family in Edmond, Oklahoma-Ernest and Joyce Andreas





We then headed to Ft. Worth, Texas for the night and enjoyed a too short visit with Mark and Sherrylee Woodward. We heard all the exciting details of the Let's Start Talking Harvest Call week-end. Logan loved swimming in their pool and said their guest bed was the BEST EVER!!! We found ourselves in San Antonio on Monday night where we enjoyed a brief visit with some of our Mission Alive buddies, Bob and Patti Griggs who have just begun a church plant in that huge city. They were a blessing and encouragement!!!
Tuesday, Sept 30 We were up early to make our way to the Mexican border. We crossed the Rio Grande around 1:30. Logan was so excited that we were "almost there". We hated to break the news to him that we had two more very full days of driving ahead of us. We were amazed at how much easier the travel had become (as opposed to 20 years ago) because of the toll roads. The scenery was absolutely breath-taking. We made it to Matuala by 10:00 pm...a little later than we had wanted, but glad we were "on schedule". We were up and on the road by 6:45 am and rolled into Morelia about 4 pm. We stopped and visited with Sarah Holland as she prepares to return to Texas after six years in Mexico. It was hard for us to get back into the car, but we were encouraged that we had only 2 1/2 hours left to drive. Again, the senery was beautiful and the drive quite daring as it was downhill ALL the way to the coast. As night began to fall and three hours passed, we realized we had underestimated our time of arrival into Lazaro Cardenas. The 2 1/2 hour trip became a 4 hour trip, but finally, at 10:00 pm we rolled into Playa Azul and had a sweet reunion with our team mate from Mexico City days, Belinda Moore. We plopped Logan into his bed and tried to carry on a coherent conversation with Belinda, but gave up and plopped ourselves into bed,too.
Thursday morning came all too early as the first rooster crowed the hour around 5:00 am. It wasn't long before we heard Logan answering him out of the window...we knew it was time to get up.
We have been in Playa Azul for five days, and we have experienced a whole range of emotions from uncontainable excitement and expectation to feeling completely overwhelmed by the task that is ahead. For now, our days are filled with getting settled into our new home, exploring our surrounding community, helping Logan feel safe and secure, while firing question after question toward Belinda before she heads back to the United States. We have been so blessed to be with her again. We will miss her and Billy as they take leave of the work they have started here in Playa Azul. Belinda has already introduced us to many people in Playa Azul, and we have met a few as we have explored the village. Stay tuned to our next entry when we write about some of our newest friends.
We are blessed to have a Vonage phone from the Moores. You can call us anytime and it is if you are calling Lubbock, Texas...so no high international fees. Those in Canada with the bundle can call for free if you have US calling. Our number is: 1-806-853-9935...Things sure have changed here in the last 20 years!!!! We couldn't even be contacted by phone in Mexico City!!! Until next time, Que vaya con Dios.
Bernard, Alicia and Logan



Beautiful scenery

Logan thought this cactus was pretty neat!!!!