Surprise Visits of Friends and Soccer Balls

First, we send New-birth blessings to Ashley as we celebrate three years of her new life under the authority of her Master, Jesus. It was Nov. 2005 that Ashley came home from school and announced that she was ready to claim Jesus as her Saviour and her Lord...ahhhh...the sweetest news to a parent!!! November 23 marks the day she died to her old self and became a new creature in Christ...a clean and willing vessel of God's purposes for her. Ashley, you are a fragrant aroma to our God as you shine for your Master through good times and bad. We are so very proud of the beautiful and sweet young woman you are becoming. We love you!!!



SWEET MEMORIES OF THREE YEARS AGO...



We have enjoyed another wonderful week here in Playa Azul. It started off with a bit of a disappointment...We had made plans for Jose and Elvia and their son to join us for dinner on Tuesday evening. Elvia had volunteered to teach me how to clean and cook Huchinango (Red Snapper). Bern and I had planned to take Logan to school, then slip by the beach to buy the huchinango from the fishermen who had been out all night fishing...very fresh!!! However, late Monday night when I called Elvia, she informed me that she had to work unexpectedly...BUMMER...Soooo, I woke the next morning unenthusiastically deciding to work on a few chores that no one likes to do. However, midway through my work, a knock at the door changed our whole day (and my attitude) as dear friends from Mexico City came to visit us. Jesus and Paulina Torres, their daughter, Sara and her Italian husband, David, plus his parents (visiting from Italy) spent the whole day with us! We enjoyed a Mexican breakfast cooked by Jesus, then we took a ride around the surrounding area. The crocodiles put on a good show for us as ten were sunning themselves around the banks of the lagoon. We enjoyed the beach (the one WITHOUT crocodiles), then returned home to cook Huachinango!!!! After hearing our story of changed plans, David's parents surprised us with 10 beautiful fish. Sara cleaned and cooked them. It was quite the feast we enjoyed! As our dear friends drove away at 9:30 pm Bern and I continued to bask in the full day of laughs, talk of 20 years ago when the DF church was just beginning, memories of mutual friends...and all this in a mixture of Spanish, English and Italian...It surely must have been a glimpse of what heaven will be like.


Logan's highlight of the week came on Thursday when he awoke to a box sitting on the table with his name on it. He tore into it discovering ten red and white Upward soccer balls!!! The global director of Upward heard of Logan's attitude when he had loaned out his favourite soccer ball to his team. When the ball was returned, it was faded and ragged. Rather than become angry, Logan reasoned that his friends were more important than even his favourite soccer ball. Upward gave him the gift to share with his team and friends. I don't know which has been more fun, watching Logan open the box or watching him give away the balls to his friends. He's very proud to let the recipients know that Christian friends gave him these balls and they want to bless other people's lives....I believe our lives are even more blessed as onlookers!!! We took a ball to Feliciano where we have our home Bible study. These three families have six children...five are boys!!!! Their eyes were as big as saucers as Logan gave them their very own soccer ball. We had a great time teaching them to play...and even more, share!!! But by the time we left, they were playing quite well. It was a challenge to keep the ball away from the pig and the barbed wire, but the boys became proficient at directing the ball. Even their mom, Erica got into the action.

EVERYBODY GETS INTO THE ACTION....


Logan's best buddy, Israel, did not have a ball, so when he came over to play on Friday, Logan presented him with one of the balls. Israel could hardly believe it. He was so proud to put his name on his ball-his very own ball!!! Thank you, Upward for giving us this opportunity. Thank you, Blair Roberts for passing on Logan's story to Upward. We have been praying about wisdom in sharing the balls. We want to bless others with the balls; we don't want to cause problems in the distribution of the gifts. Images of the movie, The Gods Must Be Crazy, keep playing in my head. For those unfamiliar with the movie: Life is happy in an African village. The people share all their possessions and live in harmony one with the other...until the fateful day that an empty glass coke bottle is dropped from an airplane. The bottle is found and brought back to the village. Others see the great value of this bottle as a useful tool and begin to covet it. The people turn to fighting, stealing, and all other sorts of bad behaviour in order to possess the bottle. Finally, the tribe elder decides the evil thing must be thrown over the edge of the world... We certainly don't want the balls to become the "evil coke bottle"...so we pray for wisdom in distributing them...for a blessing, not a thing to be coveted.

Our family will be traveling 8 hours to Guanajuato for a country-wide missionary's retreat this Wednesday through Saturday. We look forward to meeting others who are labouring in this great country. Our blog will be a few days late, but we look forward to telling you about our time in Guanajuato. Until then...
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

You Know the Honeymoon is Over When...

We have lived in enough cultures, mentored enough LST (Let's Start Talking) workers, and taught enough cross-cultural classes to know that there are several stages through which one goes when living in a culture that is not one's own. The first stage is the "honeymoon"stage. Everything is exciting and new. The day is filled with adventurous experiences. The sites and sounds...even the smells usher in new learning. One wonders why he/she did not move to the new culture years ago. THEN, without warning, those new and wonderful things of the culture become irritants. One wonders why the people of the culture do things the way they do...after all, don't they know there is a better, more efficient...and certainly smarter way of doing it????? Yep...that's the clue...the honeymoon is over!!!!
The gas truck with the amazingly loud recording of the "charge" theme bellowing out its front megaphone speakers used to make us chuckle....Gloooooooobal Gaaaaaas...dadada, da, da da.....Now it's just loud and obnoxious...and do they have to be sooooo loud, sooooo early in the morning?
The 15 minute drive from Playa Azul to Lazaro Cardenas is a gorgeous drive. The first part of the drive runs along the coast so the ocean view is great, all the while traveling through a continuous coconut tree grove...I love this drive, always hoping to catch a quick glance of one of the crocodiles in their lagoon or a darting iguana as it scurries across the road. Seven weeks later, when we have to make the all too familiar trip, I inwardly groan...all those "topes" (speed bumps) and the rough washed away parts of the road...ugh... The groan is even more exasperated when the trip has to be made to buy groceries. When we first walked into Soriana or the Bodega, I couldn't believe all the things we could buy. It wasn't like that 20 years ago. I was pretty excited to be able to buy the things I couldn't fit into our few suitcases when we traveled here. (Everything except muffin pans and cookie sheets!!! sigh) Now, after numerous trips to the store, I hope that we don't get yet another jug of sour milk...and I walk away wondering how the Mexicans can afford the prices in these supermarkets. How is it that a little plastic portable table could cost the equivalent of 82 Canadian dollars??? Who will pay that??? Not to mention having to check the prices on half of the contents of our basket because the prices are not posted on the shelves...truly frustrating for these two Canadians!!!!
Remember how excited we were about Logan starting school here in Playa Azul? We finally found where to buy his uniforms, the shoes are purchased (that was quite the ordeal), and his one, comprehensive school book has been secured...but now we never know when he has school!!! How is that efficient??? We're up at 7:00 and out the door by 7:40 for our 15 minute walk to the school, only to be met by school children who tell us there is no school today. "Will there be school tomorrow?" "We don't know...we'll see." Well, there was no school all this week...we'll see what happens next week!! sigh...
Now about those roosters...No, Belinda, I have NOT gotten used to them, and they don't know their day from their nights. They crow at bedtime, and they crow at daybreak...Anyone have a recipe for a good rooster stew???...Yep, the honeymoon is over,
BUT WE LOVE THIS PLACE...AND EVEN MORE, WE LOVE THESE PEOPLE!!!!
No, I still don't like fish that much, even though several Mexicans have helped me clean, gut, and cook them. I always give it "one more try", and I still don't like having to spit out the bones...and I'm still hungry after a meal of fish.
No, the screens do not keep out the geckos. I'll never get used to their beady little eyes, but we have an agreement...If they stay up on the wall rather than in my bed, they can live...but if I ever find one in my bed, they ALL go!!! (We did find some gecko eggs under our mattress; some had hatched, some had not, but I'll not count that experience against them.)
No, I still don't like the fact that I don't always understand the conversation that is around me...especially when all eyes are suddenly on me, and I know I have been asked a question, yet I have absolutely NO idea what I have been asked...humility is a wonderful thing to have in another culture!!!
No, I do not like being so far away from our twins. I miss them and wish everyday I could be with them...
BUT IN ALL OF THIS...WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM, THIS LITTLE COMMUNITY AND THIS BABY CHURCH!!!!
We have passed from the honeymoon stage to the "looking beyond the inconveniences" stage. We thank God everyday that we have been chosen for this work. This little community now knows we are here. We are meeting more and more people. Now we need to nurture some of those relationships by making opportunities to have our new friends in our home...to enjoy deeper dialogue...to allow them to see within us the Master whom we serve.
Would you like to join us as we grow closer to our new friends? Join us in prayer that God will lead us to those who are searching for Him...that we would have a keen eye to see people as God sees them...that we would recognize and discern the opportunities that God brings to us...that we would create opportunities to have people in our lives.
Thank you to all who are partnering with us in this work. We are humbled by your trust in our integrity to carry out the work God has planned for us in this corner of the world. Thank you to all who are following our blog and pray on our behalf. We know your prayers are covering us here, because we are totally inadequate to do this work on our own. Thank you for all those who are checking out ticket prices so you can come see us (wink wink). We would love for you to come see the work that God has started here...and experience the beauty that He has created, as well. We are excited to have found some economical tickets for Ashley on Northwest the first of January. She plans to be a part of the week-long medical mission planned for the second week of January. We are also excited to announce that the team has decided that we will request a Let's Start Talking team for this spring (before it gets too hot). Exciting things are happening...and we love being a part of it!!!
Until next blog time...
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

"Es Asombroso!!!"

I found myself using the same adjective over and over again this week..."Wow, that's AMAZING!" I went to my handy-dandy Spanish/English dictionary and found out how to express myself in Spanish..."Hijole, es asombroso!!"

We've had some pretty big coconuts fall to the ground these last few weeks. They say more people die from falling coconuts than from shark attacks. Since we have inherited four huge coconut trees, we thought we were pushing our statistical luck, so Bern had been on the hunt for someone to harvest the coconuts. On Monday three "strapping young guys" sauntered in to cut down our "cocos". I wondered how that was going to happen since all they had with them was a rope and a machete...Where is their ladder? Where is their machinery to harvest these dangerous nuts??...A bit leary of their intentions, I sat back and watched..."Hijole, fue asombroso!! You would not believe how they scampered up our 12+ meter trees barefoot, and protected only by a single rope tied around their waists. All this happened in about 10 seconds flat. While they sat on the crown of the tree, the rope was untied and wrapped around a bunch of coconuts. The machete created a huge whack and the bunch was lowered to the ground. The rope was pulled up and the exercise continued until about 30 coconuts were hauled away as their great spoils. I have NEVER seen anything so amazing. I asked if one of them had ever fallen out of a tree. A sheepish grin came over him and he said, "Not yet, but I've sliced my leg with the machete a few times." When asked if they would sell the cocos they said, "No, we'll drink the water. It's very good for the body." Ivan whacked one open for us, and it was YUMMY. Some cocos are sweeter than others. They left us with three to enjoy, which I'm sure is more than enough. I gave strict orders for Logan NOT to try their tricks at home!!!!The next amazing adventure of the week came as we hunted down Logan's school uniforms. It would be JUST TOO easy to go to one store for the two uniforms. NOOO, we have to travel to two different TOWNS!!! You must remember, street signs are useless, even if they are on the corner. So...off we go to La Mira, about 10 minutes from Playa. Bern's excellent homing instincts got us right where we needed to be...Amazing. Buying Logan's Physical Ed uniform, we met Fernando who was labouriously studying his English text book as we walked in. He was delighted to get to practice his English with us. We plan to visit again and invite him to our FriendSpeak classes when we get them going...which we are thinking will be very soon!! Next, we head for Lazaro Cardenas for the daily uniform. Again, Bern got us there with little problem, but we walked out amazed...We spent the equivalent to $42 Canadian on two shirts and one pair of REALLY ugly pants. How do the Mexicans afford that??? They must have a system of hand-me-downs...Wish I were in on that system...perhaps next year!!
Actually, we are fairly amazed every time we go to the store. Most of the weekly items we buy cost around the same, or more than what we paid in Canada...so much for living cheaper in Mexico. We have found a nice veggie stand where we get some of our produce cheaper than what we can get in the supermarket. I often wonder how these blue collar, working class Mexicans afford the prices.

The most amazing experiences of this week have been the home groups. Bern attends the Wed evening group led by Malcolm where Salvador and Georgina are mentored to lead the Thursday group in Feliciano. We travel an hour to Feliciano to be with a clan of three families in Pedro's home, what most of us would call a shack. We are heartily welcomed as everyone comes out freshly bathed and clothed...It's a chance to worship their God!!! We begin with song after song. The children take turns standing in the center leading their song. Salvador and Gina lead the study to which they had been exposed the night before. Good discussion and encouragement abound. We close with heart-felt prayers as this "poor" family thanks God for all their personal blessings...AMAZING!!! We've just about decided that they don't really need us for long. With a bit of mentoring and teaching, they will be able to continue this work on their own. Santiago told us about his dream to build a place of worship on his land. I couldn't help but think of David and his son, Solomon. We go to encourage them, yet we are the ones who walk away amazed!!!
After our study in Feliciano, we head back to Lazaro Cardenas for an hour of shopping, then we head to Rigo and Yessy's home study. Rigo and Yessy were the first Christians of the baby church. They have been Christians for a year, and THEY study and lead the discussion each week. We are amazed by the wisdom and faith that come from their hearts and mouths. They yearn to know their Master better, and share Him with those around them. Again, we go to encourage, and walk away amazed.

On the lighter side of amazing things...Have you ever seen about 200 HUGE roaches crawl out of the sewer??? It indeed is an amazing sight. Even MORE amazing is watching my husband kill them all as he does the Cucharacha Dance!!!! Before Belinda left, she off- handedly said, "Oh, you'll have to lift off the sewer caps every now and then and spray." I dismissed the thought as something to do "later". Well,"later" came today as hundreds of roaches came crawling out of their nasty little holes....Don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight.


ROACH-BUSTER BERN


Until next time,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

It's All About People!!!!

Having traveled and worked in many parts of the world, it is easy to see that people are people wherever you go...We may speak different languages, live in different cultures, even believe in different gods, but we all share the need for relationships and to feel loved. Our week has been all about people...getting to know them, being interested in them, and loving them.
We have joined a wonderful team that has vision and insight to the needs of the baby church. Home groups have been a part of the church from the beginning. There are three groups that meet during the week. We have been trying to attend all three so that we can come to know those who attend, as well as be a help to the leaders.

Wednesday night group is with Salvador and Georgina. Logan's soccer is on Wed. so we've only been able to attend this group twice. It is a group of lively talkers. Salvador and Georgina, although only baby Christians, are learning well how to share Jesus with others as Malcolm leads the study.

The Thursday afternoon group meets about an hour from Lazaro Cardenas in a village called Feliciano. Salvador and Georgina take the lesson from the night before and present it to a clan made up of three families: Pedro (g'pa), Antonia (daughter), Santiago (son) and wife, Erica and their six children. The dogs, chickens, roosters, pigs, and donkey are around too, but don't know how much of the study THAY are comprehending!!! Sometimes there's quite a ruckus around us. We enjoy a lovely time together. It was Sol's birthday last week so we shared cake, and I was able to take some photos. We are quickly realizing this poor family is so very happy and love to have visitors to their hill-top shack to sing praises to God and spend time in His Word. How did we get to be so privileged to be chosen to be a part of their lives??? It's an honour!!!

The men in deep conversation
Precious children enjoying a rare treat

Leaders of the group teaching many skills

Soon as we leave Feliciano, we head for Lazaro Cardenas to a 7:30 study at Rigo and Yessy's house. This a young couple that first met Malcolm through the land business. Rigo is the architect for many of the land buyers. He and Yessy lead the praise team...What a gift they are to this baby church!!! They are full of talent and love for the Lord!!! Daisy, their neighbour, has been coming to the study, as well as to our celebration times on Sundays. Oni, well on his way to becoming part of God's family, spoke publicly, for the first time about his addiction problem and how difficult it has been to change habits and friends. He knew the first time the Holy Spirit had touched him...it was a turning point in his life. He desires more than anything to know God and follow His ways...Extremely encouraging!!!! We pray that our groups will touch many people as we continue to invite our friends and neighbours to join us.


The other highlight of the week, especially for Logan, was Halloween. It has only been in the last 10 years or so that Mexico has adopted the North American tradition of trick-or-treating. The traditional festive days are Nov 1 & 2 when the dead are honoured by their family members. Flowers, food, and superstitions are plentiful. We decided to plunge in head first and have our first fiesta at our home. We invited the church and walked around Play Azul inviting some people we have met within our first month of being here. We had a howling time!!! Kids came out of the woodwork!!!! People brought food, decorations, and their swimsuits!!! The kids went around the town asking for candy, then had a great time busting the pinata. We thought it was a good start in bridging our church and community. Logan said it was more fun here than in Canada on Halloween. That's quite a compliment since Halloween trick or treating has always been one of his favourite holidays.

Our final highlight came this afternoon as we visited the enramada of our friend, Rosa Elena. We had promised her that we would come and eat at her place...after a month of living here, we decided that today was the day. She was so very excited when we walked into her outdoor beach restaurant. We were treated royally. We ate the most wonderful fried and garlic shrimp we have EVER eaten!!! I'm sure she must have loaded our plates higher than what she gives to other customers. It was a real treat for us...(and not something we can do very often because, contrary to most people's thinking, it's not an inexpensive meal...It cost our family about $30 for our two plates). We feel it was time and money well invested to see Rosa Elena's face light up when we told her it must be the best food on the beach. Afterward we strolled down the beach and watched the sun set. Logan met a friend and they swam in the waves a while. Now all is quite. The geckos are scurrying, the mosquitoes are buzzing, the music is blaring from the enramadas down the street, and the boys are snuggled, all too warmly in their beds....AHHHHH...we love it here!!!! Until next blog...We love you. Ya'll come see us now, ya hear????