Hi friends!!
I have been a horrible blogger but am going to try and do better. We have a lot going on in the next few months so I should have plenty to tell you all about.
Every year in March our kids have the opportunity to go to a spiritual emphasis camp. They have always loved it! This year Jerod was a counselor during the elementary camp and then a camper during the high school camp. During the week while the kids were at camp, Greg and I did some research of another people group. We saw how they lived and are praying about working with them in the future. There are a lot of pictures to look at, but I always think pictures tell a much better story than I can. So, enjoy the pics!
The people group we were investigating were the Nahuatl people.
When we first drove into this village I noticed there were many homes like this one all sitting up on the mountainside. I started taking pictures and noticed a woman in this house washing clothes where you see the blue barrel. We were quite a distance away but she was very interested in the white people who had come to town. She didn't want to be seen and could tell by our looking at her home that she had been spotted. So... this is what she did..
She ran to this house beside the one she was in and I saw a little head in that hole. I switched lens so I could get a good zoom and the I saw this.....
Don't you just wonder what she was thinking. I am sure we were probably the first white people she had ever seen and boy was she curious.
These were some other homes on the hillside beside her home.
Love this couple!!
People walk everywhere.... we are spoiled!
The views we saw throughout our trip were amazing and reminded us both of the mountains in Boone, and Asheville.
Most of the older women were all barefoot.
There were many houses built in the valley and many were built up on the side of the mountain.
This is Sergio. He is an awesome little man with a huge heart for Jesus. He goes around from village to village carrying this backpack. It weighs about 70lbs and is filled with everything you need to show the Jesus film to a large group of people. He enters a village, makes friends and asks the leader of the village for permission to show the Jesus film in their language. He then sets up his projector and screen and all that is needed for many to watch the story of Jesus. He is a great contact to have and is reaching many people with the gospel of Jesus!
Some of the places we went had many suspicious people in it, that were not exactly happy to see a car full of Americans driving through their village. In case you are wondering, they could not see me taking a picture, I used my zoom lens from inside the truck, and I was in the backseat.
Hard at work!
Many people find it hard to believe that there truly is idol worship here. Well... trust me, it's here and it is alive and well. This idol house was built for Guadalupe. (Mary) They bring her flowers, and money and pray to her for all of their needs. The picture on the right is a different saint that they pray to and the only thing that has Jesus on it, is the cross.
We thought this was funny. They were giving flu shots on the street. Just walk up and they would give you a shot.
Annie had a lot of fun with her 'cousin' J'Lee.
One city we visited had these really cool cable cars that would take you the top of the mountain. Greg was not a fan of the heights!
Inside the car. We were joking saying this would be our last photo taken before we plummeted to our death. We were very optimistic! Annie and Greg with our friend, and colleague Alan.
Me with my friend, Melodie.
Orizaba
Our friends the Conners in the car behind us.
These are the friends that make this job so much easier!
I may not have a big house, or fancy cars, I may not wear the finest clothes or know what is in style.... But what I have, are really awesome friends. They kind that love me for me. I am blessed!
Greg thought this was funny!
Micah and Melissa
Annie and J'lee enjoying the view.
going down the mountain.
This is J'lee's daddy, Jon.
I just thought he was precious!
This is how they heat water in the village..... wanna try it?
Anthony speaking Nahuatl (Nawat) to a sweet little lady we passed by.
Somehow, I think the little boy looked cuter eating his corn! ;o)
While we were seeing all of those awesome sights... this is what was happening at camp....
This first half of the week, Annie had a great time with her friends.
That is Micah listening to the message.
They were dancing to a song.
This is Taylor and Alex. They were ready for their camp to start.
But... they were enjoying the closing ceremony of the elementary camp.
This is Zach. He was the speaker for the week.
Jerod giving piggy back rides during elementary camp.
Our friend, Jon. He works in a different part of Mexico and we don't get to see him often. It was great seeing him, even if it was just for a little while.
Celebrating the end of elementary camp with a big treat... Little Caesars! You may have them all over where you live, but for us, the closest one is 7 hours away. So...it is a real treat!
We had one day of bad news during our week. The day before the last day of camp, Jerod dislocated his shoulder. He was wrestling with some other guys and came down on his shoulder the wrong way. They put him to sleep and popped it back into place. Due to the torn ligaments all around his shoulder, he is not supposed to move his arm for 3 weeks. Although he had to stay one night with us at our friend's home, Annie was very happy to have her brother home. She missed him.
We went to the high school camp closing ceremony and it was a little different than the elementary one.
I noticed right away that I have one child who is very much like his mama, in many ways. He was singing, and jumping and generally being a social butterfly in every way. Love my boys! (and girl!)
After spending one night with us, Jerod wanted to go back to camp and spend his last night there. So, that is what he did. This is his last year as a camper. He is now looking forward to a job and college.
Saying good-bye.
Alex was in a good-bye sandwich hug.
Then he hopped over to talk to the ladies! ;o)
Girls say good-bye in such a different manner!
This is mainly the staff and the team that came from Cedarville University to be counselors for the week.
We were on our way to a follow-up Dr. appt. when we saw the bus that was taking many of the campers back home.
It was a great week all around and we have returned home feeling extremely blessed. Please pray for us as we prepare for another camp this weekend with the boy's youth group. This will be a little different, as we will be sleeping in tents and will have no showers for 4 days! Could get smelly! Thank you for following us on this journey! I promise to post more soon! love you all, Missy
