Blog 20 03 Nov 2015

More Candid School Shots

Here are a few shots in the class room.  Many of the students speak English and most days I have a volunteer helper who is bi-lingual. 

 

Jenny teaches music on Tuesdays; Jon oversees chapel on Fridays.  They each stay to help on their day. Other days my helper is a parent or a college student.

Soulwinning = 25 Tracts!

(But, still, the silent partner)

Although I thoroughly enjoyed going soulwinning with the college girls, I must admit that it is nice to be back with the ladies group and be at home on Friday nights. (Yes, I am that old.) 

This week I partnered with Jenny in a busy downtown area. There were a few houses between the shops on our street. Mrs. Carrie and some ladies in her group went on the streets behind the shops.  Jenny and I were not able to talk long to anyone, but we did pass out a lot of tracts.  I handed out a stack of 25; Jenny handed out all of hers as well.  We went back to the van and scrounged some from the door panel or the glove box.  We did have one man refuse the tract and shut the door.  This was only the second time that I have seen that happen since I have been here.

Thirteen ladies went visiting on Friday.  The six ladies in our van led ten individuals in the sinner's prayer.

New Food of the Week:

Roast Beef Enchiladas

Made with roast beef and guacamole, these enchilladas were absolutely delicious! Roast beef is my all-time favorite meal and this is what Jenny "whipped up" from the leftovers. Obviously, none of her culinary skills were learned from me. And, of course, we had home-brewed Jamaica tea!

Language Update:  

True, but funny story:  I made up some certificates for the students to earn which would allow them to wear denim or casual clothes to school.  I was told that here it is called a "free clothes" day.  Not "free of clothes" but free from the rules about the clothes.  Well, I misspelled the words -- I know, you are totally shocked, right? -- For my Spanish-speaking readers, the certificate said 

"Ropas Libro -- 2,000 Merits."  

For my non-Spanish-speaking readers, 

"Bookish Clothes -- 2,000 Merits." 

(Literally translated, "Clothes Book") 

No one bought any of these. :/

Just a reminder to my friends in Arkansas that we are once again on the same clock!

Prayer Corner

Thank you for continuing to pray for the needs listed in detail in Blog 13.

1. For students to be influenced through the Christian school.
2. For me to learn the language so as to be more effective.
3. For finances.

Blog 19 27 Oct 2015

Candid School Shots:

Here are a few shots of recess and PE; the students having a good time on our large soccer field.

   

PE Fridays
Team Tag @ Recess

Also Featuring the Large Soccer Field:

Sorry pic is a little blurry; they were running fast.

Here is a shot of a church youth activity Saturday night. 

K & PreK Have PE:

Can you see Samy's Ohio State shirt? Proof of Jenny's far-reaching influence! I told him if he would pose for a picture for my blog, I would give him a candy.  As soon as Javi heard that, he ran over and posed, too.  So, this cute pic cost me two candies; it was well worth it! 

   

Interesting Note:

Here in Mexico, our time has already "fallen back" one hour as of Sunday, October 25.  That makes a on-hour time difference with my friends in Arkansas until the US catches up with us.

Soulwinning (still silent partner)

The weather is much cooler now, so Ladies' soulwinning is now at 2 pm on Fridays. We had a little luncheon to invite new ladies to come out soulwinning for the first time.  There were 3 first-time soulwinners and 13 ladies altogether.  I was privileged

to partner with Mrs. Brenda this week, who led one man to the Lord. The 8 ladies in our van saw 11 saved.

New Food of the Week:

Apple Pie Tacos! My neighbor, Jessica

(pictured next to Jenny), created this new dessert and brought some to the soulwinning luncheon.  I think they are my new favorite tacos!  Think apple pie filling then wrap a fajita around it, & top it with cream cheese! 

Mmmmm! Mmmmm! Good!

Jonathan & Tommy

We love to paint and color!

Can you see my blue mustache?

Prayer Corner

Special Note: Thank you for your prayers for the country of Mexico in general during the onslaught of Hurricane Patricia.  Though areas around Monterrey experienced only heavy wind and rain, a few of our church members have family on the West Coast, and several graduates of our institute serve in churches in these areas.

Thank you for continuing to pray for the needs listed in detail in Blog 13.

1. For students to be influenced through the Christian school.
2. For me to learn the language so as to be more effective.
3. For finances.
4. For wisdom in the timing of bringing my car across the border.

Blog 18 20 Oct 2015

Columbus Day!

Mrs. Juani, the Spanish teacher staged a reenactment of Christopher Columbus' discovery of North America.  King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, as well as Columbus and his crew all made an appearance. It was interesting as well as fun. And, every teacher knows that doing is the greatest part of learning!

Interesting Note:

Here in Mexico, our time will fall back one hour this coming weekend, Sunday, October 24.

Soulwinning (still silent partner)

When we left the church, we had 13 people in the van.  On the way, we squeezed in 10 more who worked in the bus division we were visiting.  The 23 people in my van won 51 people to the Lord! My partner, Esther, won six 12-14 year old boys who were outside playing American football.  They said the sinner's prayer together, and expressed the desire to come to Sunday School, if their parents would let them.

While Esther was talking with the boys, a lady across the street motioned with her hands and yelled over, "Hermana, Hermana; tu eres Christiana?" in English, that is: "Sister, sister; are you a Christian?" I went over to her, and explained in Spanish that I only speak a little Spanish, but I would get my friend to share the Bible with her.  I went to get one of the other soulwinners on the street, who had the privilege of leading this lady to the Lord.  

Yes, I am still  the silent partner, but tonight I met a lady who speaks English! She lived with family in California for eight years and so speaks both languages.  She accepted Christ as her Saviour while living in CA and gave me a definite "maybe" as to coming to church Sunday.  An interesting note: we were visiting on USA Street.  The son (and SW partner of the driver), proclaimed, "Finally, my teacher has grown enough in the Lord to talk to people about Jesus!"
*Thisis the fifth week in a row that the ladies have beat the men.*

New Food of the Week:

Caldo de Pollo  y Fruta con Leche

"Broth of Chicken" (Chicken Soup) and "Fruit with Milk"

But, as you can see, there is much more to it than just broth.   Whole chicken breast, carrots, cabbage, peppers, and other vegetables.  The fruit was gone before I could get a picture.  Hna. Laura also made mashed potatoes rolled up in a tortilla.  I forgot the name of those. AND there was Jamaica!

Learning Corner:

The Metric System . . . I did not pay enough attention to this when it was being taught to me in school.  I have even taught the metric system, but I don't really know the metric system. And, now, I live in country in which all measurements are expressed through the metric system.  Gas is bought in liters, speed is determined in kilometers per hour, buildings are measured in meters.  But, like in the states you can buy 2-liter cokes, milk is still sold in gallons and half gallons.  The label on my half gallon of milk does not say half-gallon, though; it says "1.89 litros" ("litros" is the Spanish spelling of "liters"). So the lesson for today is to pay attention and learn everything you have the opportunity to learn because you never know when you might need it.

1 meter = 1,000 milimeters     10 meters = 1 decameter

1 meter = 100 centimeters      100 meters = 1 hectometer

1 meter = 10 decimeters         1,000 meters = 1 kilometer

1 centimeter = 0.39 inches      1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
1 meter = 1.09 yards               1 yard = 0.91 meters
1 kilometer = 0.62 miles          1 mile = 1.61 kilometers

1 liter =   .26 gallons                    0*C =  32*F     -40*F = -40*F
2 liters = .52 gallons                100*C = 212*F

A Little Excitement for This Week:

It seems there was an electrical problem with the water pump.  Half of the campus was without water or electricity for two days and the entire campus was without running water for an entire day!  Of course, no one drinks the water, so there were gallons of water and "garrafones de agua" (large jugs) around for use.  And, of course, things like this happen no matter where one lives.  Praise the Lord the problem was able to be corrected quickly!

Still enjoying my Saturdays with 

Jonathan & Tommy

Actually taken on Sunday: but it's such a good picture

Prayer Corner

*Praise: Enough unexpected money came in this week to pay the fees and taxes to bring my car across the border!!*
Will let you know the details of this adventure as we plan it :)
Thank you for continuing to pray for the needs listed in detail in Blog 13.
1. For students to be influenced through the Christian school.
2. For me to learn the language so as to be more effective.
3. For finances.

Blog 17 13 Oct 2015

Sports: The True Universal Language!

School continues to go well.  It was my turn to teach PE this

week, so we learned about the Great American Passtime, Baseball.  We actually used a softball because everyone did not have gloves.  The regular PE teacher, who was out of town, has been teaching futbol, or soccer.  Although most of the kids here are already very good at dribbling and kicking the soccer ball, he is teaching the rules, positions, and fundamental drills. The students do a lot more running than actually playing.

Soulwinning (still silent partner)

This Friday a few people were out of town but the eleven ladies in our van led 29 people in the sinner's prayer.  My partner, Rosa, led two young adults at the same house who were brother and sister, and also a teenaged boy farther up the street.  Mrs. Brenda and the ladies in her van saw 5 souls saved earlier in the day.  I am not sure about the second van of ladies or the men's totals.  And once again, the college ladies beat the college men!

New Food of the Week:

Lemonade made with chilla seeds

While visiting Cola de Caballo (see below), we enjoyed a picnic lunch.  It looks like I am just eating a sandwich . . . but in Mexico, it is rarely just a sandwhich.  There is almost always avocado and peppers.  One of the ladies brought homemade lemonade with chilla seeds in it.  I did not know that chilla's had seeds.  It was very good. (The lemonade is in my water bottle.)

Running out of bread did not keep me from having seconds!

Language Update:  

I am learning many words from my students.  They are helping me with the pronunciations of different animals and sports words.  Occassionaly, the students get a chuckle at my pronunciation attempts, as several unrelated words can have similar sounds. As both Spanish and English stem from Latin roots, many of the mathematical terms are very similar, so I am picking those up rather easily.  Overall, I am progressing; maybe not quickly, but at least in a forward direction.

Cola de Caballo Cascada:  

This was a pleasant outing to a very beautiful waterfall not at all far from my house.  Mrs. Carrie Suhl drove for this outing, which included the picnic pictured in the food section. 

Maybe you can see that the falls look like a horsetail? The name of the waterfall in English is 

"Horsetail Falls" 

literally translated, 

"Tail of the Horse Cascade."

 

The Boys Are Back!!

I really, really missed these guys.

You may have seen my FB post regarding our conversation.  I mistakenly attributed the punch line to Jonathan, when it was actually all Tommy. Tommy was telling me how much bigger Lucas is and asked Mama to show Lucas to me.  After a few minutes of talking to Lucas, I asked the boys: "Do you know who else is getting sooooo much bigger?" Tommy's reply: "You?"

The top pic of the twins was taken by their Mama. Then there is Lucas, always with the expressions.  The bottom pic of the twins is playing with sand at Aunt Emmy's house. 

Prayer Corner

Thank you for continuing to pray for the needs listed in detail in Blog 13.
1. For students to be influenced through the Christian school.
2. For me to learn the language so as to be more effective.
3. For finances.
4. For the family of Kris Hall: sometimes the week after the funeral, when everyone else returns to their lives, and all is quiet on the homefront, is the hardest.

Blog 16 6 Oct 2015

New Students in Christian School!

Another family has enrolled their three students in Mount Hebron Christian Academy!! All of our desks are occupied now.  If we continue to grow, we will need new desks; and eventually, hopefully, a new learning center.

I would like to someday see churches or families in the states offer scholarships for some of the families who truly cannot afford tuition.

Church News! 

Dr. W.L. Smith from OK City, OK was with us for the past week.  He has been a special guest speaker here for 25 consecutive years. We had over 35 first-time visitors on Sunday and the altars were filled at invitation.  He spoke in church two Sundays and taught in our Bible Institute the week in between. Excellent thoughts on the importance of forgiveness.  And, I will admit, though I love and respect my new Pastor greatly, it was nice to hear a sermon in English.

Soulwinning (still silent partner)
There was a tremendous turnout this week for soulwinning in general.  On the Friday night ladies' van there were sixteen ladies, the driver and his teenaged son.  These 18 soulwinners led 13 people to the Lord.  We were in a middle-class neighborhood close to the church.  My partner, Esther, and I encountered a few birthday parties and one cookout, but still she led one man to Christ.  The men's group took a bus instead of a van.  In the morning soulwinning group, there were 19 ladies.  Mrs. Ashcraft and those in her van led 5.

New Food of the Week:

Mrs. Brenda, {my Pastor's wife} treated me to a frozen yogurt this week!  Think TCBY only better! They come with three fruits / candies and I chose pina, zarzamora, and oreo, which translates to: pineapple, blackberry, and oreos.  It was really good!

*Sorry; I did not have my camera.*

Language Update:   

I continue to work with my Rosetta Stone, though not as much as I did before school started. I have progressed to Level 2, Lesson 15.

Learning Corner:

I posted about the coins used in Mexico in Blog 5, and thought I would share about the paper money this week.  I think it is interesting that the bills are all different colors and sizes.  

Although the exchange rate fluctuates daily, it has remained between 15 & 17 pesos to the dollar since June.  I will use the same rate as I did when talking about the coins, which was 15.7.  So . . .

500 p = @ $31.85

100 p = @ $ 6.37

 50 p = @ $ 3.18

 20 p = @ $ 1.27

Sometimes I feel rich carrying around a couple hundred pesos, but even 800 pesos is only roughly $50.  I spend around 500 pesos, or about $35, a week on groceries.  A pineapple water or Jamacia tea bought at a market stand is 15-20 pesos, or around $1.  A medium yogurt with 3 added fruits or candies is 40 pesos, or less than $3.  All are well worth it! 
See if you can figure out how much the locksmith cost in dollars:

Around the House:

I am including pic of door lock because I don't think I could quite describe it with words.  The lock broke.  The lock broke stuck on "locked" not "unlocked;" fortunately while I was  outside with my purse.  One of the men of the church tried to open it with the keys, tried to jimmy the lock, had four teenage boys try to get in through the windows, all to no avail.  My house is basically impenetrable, which is nice to know. The locksmith came and spent about two hours. First, he took about 1.5 hours banging out the metal deadbolt from the metal door with a hammer and medium sized crowbar. (The screwdriver in the pic did not help!) Finally, the lock landed inside the house with a THUD! Then the locksmith took a mallet and banged the metal sideposts back into place.  Lastly, he installed the new lock, one side at a time, then screwing either side to the other.  Maybe you are thinking, as I was, however in the world is she going to pay for all of that?! Well, believe it or not, it only cost 400 pesos!  You can see the Learning Corner above to know just how much that cost in dollars.

Prayer Corner

Thank you for continuing to pray for the needs listed in detail in Blog 13.
1. For students to be influenced through the Christian school.
2. For me to learn the language so as to be more effective.
3. For finances.

A Personal Note:
My college cohort for trouble-making;
My sounding board for teaching techniques;
My confidant through every boyfriend breakup;
My "person;" My friend:
Kristen Hall was always there for me.
I miss you, and I love you!

My long-time friend, Kristen Hall, took her flight to Heaven this week.  On Saturday, aroung 1:40 pm, her two-year battle with cancer ended, and she is now enjoying the victory.  

We have been friends since our days together at Hyles-Anderson College in the 80's.  She was a good friend and a wonderful teacher.  In her almost 30 years of teaching she influenced hundreds of students, many of whom are faithfully serving the Lord today.  Her investment in the next generation is an example and admonition to us all.  

She will be greatly missed!

Kristen, with her buddy, Samuel Perryman

Me, Cathy Brown, her daughter Julie, and Kristen