A Wonderful Last Mexican Weekend!

What a weekend for the books! Friday night, Sarah and I went with the kids to rehearse for the big Aniversario party on Sunday. It was a wonderful time to spend with the kids, help out, and see all of their hard work pay off! On the way there, we crammed 29 people in a 15 passenger van! (…And that’s just the beginning of the weekend!)

Saturday afternoon, Sarah and I got the chance to go to Erin’s house to bake for the Aniversario! (Along with Fani and Pilar, a few of the older girls here.) It was so wonderful to hang out, help out, and talk about “girl stuff” on a Saturday afternoon. Thank you Erin for welcoming us into your home! Then, after many promises, Sarah and I went to the Brothers Equipo soccer game! (The older boys here have a soccer team!) I’m not quite sure how many people we fit into the 15 passenger van that day… but I can say this- it was a stinky ride on the way back!! Ps, they won! VAMOS BROTHERS! 

And so Saturday seemed like a perfect day. However, as Sarah and I were relaxing watching a movie, Jeremy came banging on our door- okay great, we got to meet Walter  (our new Canadian friend who’s here for a couple weeks!) Back to the movie… Chris calls so I stepped out of the room. Normal right? Until I looked at the floor! Almost the entire floor of our apartment was flooded with about an inch of water! Oh my gosh, it was everywhere, AND it was still downpouring outside! So, we went upstairs for help…to no avail. Sarah found a tiny broom, and I found a bath towel (not much help) and we tried to sweep the water out…Let’s just say that after about an hour and a half with not much progress, we pooped out…and went back to the movie. But seeing as the movie was bought here, it was bootlegged, and froze soon thereafter… yet another failure! By that time, we decided to call it a night and hope for a better tomorrow!  (Needless to say, my phone conversation with Chris was “rainchecked”!)

Sarah and her broom against the flood!

So, Sunday morning, Sarah and I spent a few hours ‘emptying our pool’—thanks to Walter for the help! Then time finally came for the Anniversary party! (On the way there, we fit a whopping 32 people in the 15 passenger van!!)HAPPY 10^TH ANNIVERSARY DULCE REFUGIO! The party was held at a beautiful location, and lots of important people were there. In the states, this kind of party would be a huge bore--- but not the case in Mexico! There was a mariachi band, lots of awards, performances by the kids, a few worship songs, and even a legit gourmet meal! I even got to receive an award on behalf of“Orphanos,” an organization from the States. (I was obviously chosen to receive the award of their behalf because I’m one of the few Americans here!) For the kids, they had bouncy houses and clowns and hot dogs… oh yeah, and TONS of candy! Oh my, what a day! And all throughout the party—God was being given the honor and glory for all the work He has done! God’s hand is hard at work here…and it’s easy to see that He loves to use His people to do His good work!

Below are some pics of the festivities, and a short video of one of the songs the kids were performing! (I had to zoom into the front row...cute factor!)

 

All the kids painted "medals" to give to Marce!

Some of the older girls posing with the masks they were given!

Bouncy house! (Unfortunately, I was wearing a dress... so I didn't get to jump!)

 

Our friend Valeria! (She leads worship at the Orphanage sometimes.)

Past the Half-Way Mark

..I can hardly believe I've already been here for 2 1/2 weeks! It seems like just when I'm about to feel 'at home' it'll be time for me to leave! Anywho, now is not the time to think about that, I'm here and glad to be here :).

What's been going on?
Well, Sarah's here! It's been SO NICE to have someone from home around to share experiences with! Also, it's neat to see and hear things from her fresh perspective. To watch her meet these kids for the first time. To hear her amazement at God's hand at work here. It's refreshing! It's also been wonderful to have someone to 'pillow talk' with at night, to eat breakfast with, and to pray with! 

With the Kids:
The kids have had a bit of a break this week as far as classes go! Yesterday, all the kids were working on a special present for Marce, and today they had a goodbye party for the team! (Needless to day, my job's been a bit easier!) The big kids are doing presentations about different countries this week; my group is researching France! (One thing I'm making them research is about where french fries come from..more details to come!) I want this presentation to be really "chido" (cool) because it'll be my last one ;). Also, this Sunday is the BIG 10th ANNIVERSARY PARTY for the orphanage! I'm very excited that I get to go and witness this great event! During the event, the younger kids will be performing a few songs, the older kids will be reading some things, and awards will be given to some organizations that have helped the orphanage along the way. Through it all, God will be given the glory for all His amazing work here!!

Canadians:
The youth team from Canada leaves tomorrow, and things will change a bit! It's been fun having them around. With them, I got the chance to go downtown and to tacos a few times, and I even got to tag along for the trip to Guanajuato! It's been fun getting to show them around and translating for them....I've also started saying "eh" at the end of some of my sentences!

Jesus:
So, what am I learning from and about the Lord here lately? So many things! For one--giving things to God. There are so many things that I have to give to God everyday to actually get through the day--whether I'm here or back home! If I don't... I'd be in a constant state of overload, worry, and stress!(About what you ask... well, I don't have a job or a place to live in the Fall...I stress about my Spanish-speaking skills...whether r not I'm actually useful here...and sometimes I just miss home!) But when I lift up my worries and thoughts and fears--no matter how big or small--all up to the Lord, He makes all things bearable. He lightens my load. He carries me through. And then, I can live a life that's not about me and my life and my dreams and my worries and my 'ness'...it's about Jesus! How liberating that I don't have to live for me! Praise God for who He is!

Also, I'm just joyful and grateful to be here. I thank God everyday that He has given me the privilege to come here and do His work.

That's all for now!! God Bless!
Tara

Mas Fotos :) Some from the orphanage, some from our day trip to Guanajuato :)

 

 

No need for driers in the desert!

My little parrot, Lupita!

Sarah's first Mexican meal--- Fajitas at "El Rey de Tacos"

The actual 10th anniversary of Dulce Refugio was last Thursday... Marce received flowers from the DIF, if you know anything about the history of this place--this is a BIG DEAL!

Sarah and I in Guanajuato!

Slimey Limey Nuts...our appetizer at lunch.

I'm not sure exactly how they were cooked, but they were delicious!

Our delicious Guanajuato lunch!

Sahar and I found a neat museum that was less that 50 cents to enter!

Yes...this is what you think it is...

Photos of La Clase and Other Happenings!

The 2nd graders reading :)

I LOVE it when kids are into books :)

Practicing writing their names and numbers 1-20!

Third graders working on math :)

My hair has been "peinado" a few times this week by the little girlies!

The lunch crew :)

All the dogs were laying the exact same way... I couldn't resist taking this pic!

Some of the teenage girls working on their project presentations :)

The girls fixing up the Canadian's hair!

More math work :)

The kida are practicing a song for the anniversary!

Practicing the motions...

Putting up the roof on the boy's dorm!

...A Lone American on Independence Day....

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

This is my 1st Fourth that I've been out of the country--away from my family and friends...and it's a bit anti-climatic! I heard what sounded like fireworks (?) last night at midnight coming from somewhere around here, but it could've been purely a coincidence! Anywho--Happy 4th Everyone...eat a few hot dogs and play some cornhole for me!

Anyway, the Mission Team from Canada has arrive, so I no longer have an apartment to myself... but I surely don't mind! It's nice to have people my age who speak my (first) language around here... and... SARAH ZORKO COMES TOMORROW NIGHT!!! Yay, I am SO EXCITED for her to finally arrive :)...so in the span of five days, my bathroom has gone from 1 user to 8! AY.

So, my main duties around here have been "guardia"-- playground supervision, "clase"--reading and math class with the elementary kids, and tutoring a few of the teenagers in reading and math, as well as the continued group projects.  I'm truly enjoying being able to be a part of these kids' education... although some of the high school math is proving to be a challenge for me as well... (I've been outsmarted a few times!)

Something I've been thinking about... 

Remember in the New Testament when Paul was in prison, and for a few years, some of the early Christians just took care of him? That's what they did-- day in and day out. They just took care of Paul: giving him food and water...They weren't out 'saving lives' and 'changing the world' per say, but they were just humbly serving a brother in need.  That's what daily life can be like, ya know? We're not always out there on the front lines living adventurously. Sometimes, we're just 'living'. Whether it's just working, or just going to school, or just staying at home taking care of kids... The thing is, none of these things is just living if we are living purposefully. 1 Corinthians 10:31:  "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  That's it... life is about bringing glory to God. And even though I'm down here having an "adventurous mission trip"... it's still life. It's hanging out with the kids day-in-and-day-out. It's building relationships and trying to bring glory to God through it all.  A big difference I've noticed between my role in ministry down here compared to at New Life, is that I haven't specifically been discipling anyone, or been purposeful about having meaningful conversations. But, teaching and loving these kids in Christ's love IS MINSTRY! Ha... and how I can so easily forget that. Why do we teach?  Why is education so important? In my opinion, education brings opportunity, and it better equips us to do whatever work God has in store for us. Personally, I am MUCH BETTER EQUIPPED to be a teacher because of the education I have received. (Thank you, OSU!) And, I know that this is the work God has called me to. So, what I'm saying is that 'ministry' isn't always going to look like 'ministry'. There are many parts to the one body. We are a community! We all have our roles!... and give God the glory He deserves by doing everything you do for His glory and not your own!

Pfew, sorry if that was a lot, but it's something that I've really been trying to process, and I believe it's an important lesson I will continue to learn! I'm learning A LOT about myself, my Jesus, and the world down here, and I wish I could write it all down, but I'll spare you all for now!

..For some reason, blogger isn't allowing me to upload my most recent pics, but hopefully I'll have them up soon!

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!

Some Pictures!!

Joan playing around.

Some of the chiquitos playing freeze tag :)

A few of the girls after finishing their chores of cleaning the vans.

Playing with the pup!

This is a scene you can see very often, the benches are a popular spot to hang out :)

Ariana and I :)..Mana Fe--She says hi and she's excited for you to come back!!

In the Comedor. There was a birthday party last night for all of the April, May, and June birthdays! There was 'posole' (a DELISH Mexican soup!) cake, and presents for the birthday kids!

All the birthday boys and girls and the sweet cake!

Martita stuffing her face with 2 cupcakes!

Some of the 'chido' boys posing for a pic :)

Fernanda...stuffing her face!

The teenage boys are ALWAYS playing soccer if they're not doing chores!

...Scrounging the last little bit of icing from the cake :)

Regalos (gifts) for the birthday kids :)

Saira and me hanging out watching the boys play soccer.

72 and rainy... so in Mexico, this means winter coats!(...for Daniel anyway!)

The littlest ones (except baby Mia) playing around...and Jose in the foreground doin' his thing!

Ximena and I took some time to do some FB stalking ;)