Highlights of our Week

Again, we've had another full week of experiencing the wonders of living in a different culture. There are so many things we love about Mexico. As we grow closer in our friendships with those connected with the baby church and with those in our little community, we again feel so blessed to be a part of the work here in Playa Azul/Lazaro Cardenas.

For the last few weeks, we have been aiming to have a family from Playa Azul in our home each Tuesday. Most of the people in Playa have been here for years, and have relatives in all corners of the community. Our guests come with a wealth of information. I learn to cook a traditional seafood dish while learning about the place and people of Playa Azul. (Now if we can just remember it all!!!) This past week we had Belinda's dear friend, Roxana and her family in our home. Roxana taught me how to cook "camerones, mojo de ajo" (shrimp bathed in garlic). When it was time to put in the garlic, she took my WHOLE bulb of garlic (with at least 20 cloves) and she asked, "Is that all you have?" It was then that I knew we would be sweating garlic for the next week!!! Hmmmmm, was it ever tasty. We enjoyed such a lovely time together. After our meal, we enjoyed the cool evening while the children went in for for a very cold swim. Miguel and baby Belinda enjoyed a little nap. When you come to visit, I'll be sure to cook this dish up for you.
Roxana, Miguel
Alondra, Miguelito,
and baby Belinda




Thursday, as always, was a big day for us. After Logan gets home from school, we head to Feliciano, about an hour from Playa Azul. I was especially excited about this week's study, because I had decided to take the six children aside and have a little class with them while the adults had their study. The children were bursting with excitement when I walked up the hill with a bag full of supplies. I told them we would have our own class; they could hardly wait. Now, you have to remember, these precious children have free reign as they run around their shacks all day with the pigs, donkeys and chickens. I had my doubts that I could contain them for 30 minutes as I spoke to them about the Bible and how we take care of our Bibles. I was in a bit of a panic thinking of how we would make our scrolls. What an amazing class we had! They loved it, and I loved it even more. This "funny-talking woman" was teaching them to take care of their things, learning to be gentle with each other, and learning to wait patiently for their turns. I'm not saying we didn't have some challenges, but I would say it was a huge success! I'll never forget the triumph I felt as they all showed me how to gently open the Bible's pages. Nor will I forget the disappointment in Julio when I took away his Bible and put it back in my bag. Perhaps as they learn to take care of their Bibles, we will be able to give each children his/her own Bible. Until then, Julio will just have to trust that I will bring back his precious Bible each week.

After our study in Feliciano, we head to Lazaro for our evening study at Rigo and Yessy's. Everyone arrived except Rigo and Yessy. Seems they had decided to go to Ixtapa without telling anyone. But, being the ever gracious host, the neighbour, Daisy, comes to the rescue. She hangs a light bulb out of her apartment onto the back porch. We have just enough light to gather together and talk about the things that God has been doing in our lives. Afterward, we spoke of the challenges we have experienced, then we spent the rest of the time in prayer. It was a powerful evening. Daisy, after not being with us the last few weeks, was reminded how wonderful it was to be a part of the home group. We marvel at how wonderfully God orchestrates opportunities for those He is pursuing. Daisy, being pursued by God

We arrived back in Playa Azul around 10:30 pm. We're always tired and ready for rest after our full day. However, as we drove into town, many houses were lit up with Christmas lights. People were walking from one house to another. Large groups of people were "camped" in front of various homes-talking, laughing, and enjoying hot punch. We remembered-The Festival of Guadalupe. Roxana had told us about the upcoming festival, but having to be gone all day, we weren't sure we would be able to observe the pilgrimage to the many home altars throughout the town. As we understand it, this time of the year celebrates the miracle of the virgin of Mexico (Guadalupe) appearing to a monk, miraculously embossing her portrait on his cloak, and expressing the desire for the people of Mexico to be taught away from their indigenous religions into the teachings of God. As a result, Guadalupe is highly revered. In most churches in this part of Mexico, one mayl seldom hear the name of Jesus, but rather the beloved name, Guadalupe. It is she to whom they pray. The belief is, their blessed virgin grants their petitions. As beautiful were the altars; as stirring were the scenes of people enjoying fellowship, we reflected on Paul, in Acts 17, walking through the religious city of Athens.

The rest of the week was filled with daily life here in Playa Azul: repairing a garage door, taking apart a broken washing machine, keeping abreast of the various festive activities taking place at Logan's school, as well as writing and performing our first drama on Sunday. Until next week...

Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard