"Sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want, and just see what happens."
I just read this quote somewhere and it seems like I may need to adopt it for my time here. I came to San Luis with ideas of what I was going to DO....it seems that God, so far, is having other plans...BEING and LEARNING.
Yesterday in the morning, Lisa and I went for a hour long walk and just talked about life and about what God is doing here in San Luis. Listening to Lisa and hearing about the work here was so encouraging.
Later, while Lisa and I were enjoying some huevos made by their cook, Naty, Lillian, a friend of Lisa's came over. She is 29 and teaches English and recently has come to know the Lord. We were immediate friends and spent the day together here with Lisa, talking and just enjoying being together. We talked for almost 2 hours after breakfast and then had a sweet time of prayer together.
I am challenged by Lillian and her desire and hunger for the Lord, and I am very happy to have a friend here!!! Last night we hung out with her cousins after her English class.
This morning, Lisa, Lillian, and I went to an Assemblies of God church that is preparing for their VBS that will take place in July. This church loves the Lord and has such a heart for evangelism. They have divided San Luis into 9 zones and have a great program planned for the kids. At the end of VBS, children and parents from the 9 zones will come to a big celebration at the church.
Today they were preparing for day 1....we learned songs with movements and the lessons for the day: Honesty! These ladies were so well organized! God is really using them to reach their community for Christ.
Lindsay and Trish
The field and the fans.
We did four nights of basketball camp in the community. The first night was very interesting....it didn't go quite according to our plan, but it DEFINITELY went according to God's plan! What looked like a bunch of intimidating young men who didn't looked interested in doing anything with us turned into a crowd of over 50 kids and teens playing and throwing balls around (football, futbol, basketball, volleyball) and just enjoying being outside.
An amusing translation..
Here is a picture of our team: 3 teachers + 2 seminary students + 1 High School student = great teamwork!
On the first day we went with Eraclio Conde, the pastor of Iglesia Bethel, and Carol Oban, Short term teams coordinator for MTW, to visit a lookout that had an incredible view of the city.
On the last day of English class we made animal masks :)
The "federales" or Federal Police were staying at our hotel. A month before we arrived there had been a standoff between the federal police and the local police in MTY after 80+ local officers had been fired because of corruption.
Brian and the "three amigos +1"....the three on the right were quite a handful, but a lot of fun :)
This is a view of Monterrey's most famous landmark, the Cerro de la Silla, or Saddle Back Mountain. The picture was taken from the Paseo Santa Lucia, a river walk located near downtown.
Angel de Independencia
Lillian and I took a walk to the Centro.
Plaza de Armas
Our really amazing lunch!
Agua de Coco!
Jaime, Lillian, Mario, and Melissa
Lillian and her new friend Christina.
Patrick and Lisa....Lisa was the first one of us to brave the horse ride.
Luis and his little puppy....they both had scratches on their noses.
Jose and Antonio added their special, super secret ingredient to the asado.
Jim had quite an audience as he shared pictures.
Antonio used to be the McTighe's gardener. His family (meaning his immediate family, cousins, sisters, aunts, nieces, nephews, etc) were so kind to us!
La Luna
This is one of the 22 rooms at Palacio San Augsutin. Each one is unique.
Lorena, Rodrigo and I look down the Spiral Staircase.
Karla, Lorena, and I.
Patrick McTighe hangs out with monster, my new favorite kitty!
