Mexico Missionary Retreat

Last week was a bit different for us because we left Playa Azul on Wednesday, heading for Guanajuato. It was a beautiful six hour drive. We were able to see the scenery of the last three hours that we had missed in the dark when we first traveled into Michoacan in October. Before we left for the retreat, however, we were able to spend an afternoon with Jose, Elvia, Nancy, and Elvis. We bought Huachinango (Red Snapper) early Tuesday morning from the fishermen on the beach as they arrived from their night of labour. Elvia helped me clean them, then she taught me to prepare the fish "moja de ajo" (fried and drenched in garlic). I'm not sure it's so healthy. We drained the bottle of oil, but there was enough garlic in those fish to keep our immunities high for a month!!! Elvia is a master cook because that was the best fish I've ever eaten. Not only did I receive cooking lessons, we also received eating lessons. Jose soundly chastised us for eating fish with a fork. He gave us the finer points of using our God-given utensils. I think the fish did taste better with our fingers! Elvis even showed Logan the art of sucking out the fish eyes. Logan sucked, but he turned a bit green as he tried to chew them. Next thing I knew, Logan was outside spitting his quest into the grass. It's not always easy learning new things. My next lesson is "camerones moja de ajo" (shrimp in garlic).

Now for the retreat--Guanajuato is a beautiful city set in the hills--the city of tunnels. We met with about 10 missionary families and 20 or so AIMers (young adults helping various teams). It was a great way to meet many of the missionaries throughout Mexico. Of course, it didn't take long before we realized that we had many connections with most of them. The majority of the families has come out of Sunset and AIM (Adventures in Missions). Jason and Heather Thornton from Tulsa Oklahoma presented excellent lessons and group discussions. Logan was in his glory. There were about 20 children--many of them his age. He cried when we had to leave. He was enjoying playing and speaking in English!!! It was easy to see that this retreat is a MUST for the missionaries. It was a time of resting, feeding the soul, relating with others in the same situation, and stepping back and remembering what God has done through the year. Although we were the "new kids on the block", it was good for us to rub shoulders with those who have gone before us. It was also humbling to hear so many say that they knew of us through the Mexico City Quijotes team twenty years ago. It was a little over the top when one AIMer said, "Hey, you're legendary here in Mexico!" Yikes! I felt "legendary" noting that we were the second oldest among the missionaries. How exciting that the younger generation has taken on the much needed work here in Latin America. It was a real treat to be with Benjy and Carolyn Brednich and their three wonderful boys. Logan always enjoys playing with Reece.

Going to the "big city" supposedly includes a trip to Costco and Wal-Mart, so when we arrived in Morelia Saturday evening (four hours from Playa) we stayed the night with Sam and Anne Gonzalez. We worshiped with the church there. What a great experience!!! We were blessed and encouraged to continue maturing the baby Christians in Lazaro and shining for the Son in Playa Azul. Had we gone home at that point, the trip would have been a "picture perfect five day get-away". BUT NO!!!! We were compelled to see what all the fuss is over the big box stores in Morelia. What a nightmare!!! There were wall-to-wall people EVERYWHERE!!! Those of you who really know me are chuckling heartily because you remember that crowds and shopping are two things I don't do very well. Later we learned that it was the busiest shopping day of the year-the last Sunday of Nov.--payday week-end. That will teach us to shop on the "Sabbath"!!!

We were glad to get back home Sunday night to our little community and the warmth of the beach. Logan's friends had missed him when we walked him to school on Monday. Many wanted to know where he was on Saturday when he didn't show up for the soccer game. The reported outcome was the same as all the other games--"Perdimos" (We lost). Maybe next Saturday!

Until then...
La Familia Krogsgaard
Bernard, Alicia and Logan