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.