10 Memorable Moments in Oaxaca, Mexico (from Days 1, 2, & 3)

On past missions trips, our team would meet together at the end of each day to regroup & decompress, with what we called "Highs and Lows" ~ this was a chance to share what God had taught us that day, what really made us smile, OR what made us cry, or was bothering us.  Then, we'd pray for each other & for the ministry, praising God for the things that were the HIGHS & asking for help with the lows.

I decided that I'm going to share with you my HIGHS & just keep the "lows" to myself (only to be shared with God & with those of you who ask).

So, these posts of HIGHS are for:
     * those who want the "short" version, instead of reading each day's diary page I've posted.
     * those who are interested in the HIGH points of my trip so far
     * those who just want a quick glimpse of what it is like being a volunteer missionary here in Oaxaca, Mexico

HIGHS of Days 1, 2, & 3:

* that God helped both of my laptops get here safely & Roy was able to fix the power cord that was irreparable (there are 2 because one is being donated to SIL)

* meeting the famous author of beloved children’s books, Harry Allard (I LOVE the Miss Nelson books!!!!)

* enjoying fellowship with 3 teachers from Oaxaca Christian School (toured a museum together that used to be the governor’s palace where we learned and played an ancient board game & saw beautiful murals, then went to lunch where I had my first taste of authentic Oaxacan food)

* sitting on a bed in Oaxaca, Mexico listening online to Pastor Joe’s Sunday morning message just a few hours after he had preached it at Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia = PRICELESS!

* visiting an impressive English Lending Library & ending up buying Thai food inside the library & enjoying it for supper (my first time eating Thai)

* relaxing with an iced mocha at The Italian Coffee Company, next to the beautiful Park of the Lions

* answering all of Rosa’s questions about my immigration paperwork in Spanish (It’s been 3 years since I’ve even attempted speaking Spanish & I was only a beginner even then…to say that I NEED PRACTICE is an understatement!!!)

* the encouragement and smiles that come from being able to chat online with Facebook with family, friends, & former coworkers  (IF you see me online on FB, FEEL FREE to open a chat ~ it's great to hear from "home" when I'm out of the country!)

* trying to keep a straight face when I got my pictures taken at a professional photographer for my immigration papers (He instructed me to be solemn, but I was giggling inside that I was an unattractive, sweaty mess with a swollen face and eyelids!)

* relaxing with feet up & watching the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood with Julie & Roy (Although I’d seen it several times before, it was so much fun to watch it with people who’d never seen it before!)

Day Three Diary Page ~ A Day Like None I’ve Ever Had Before

Monday, April 19, 2010
Today was a day FILLED with new experiences: riding a public bus in Oaxaca, visiting an English lending library where famous authors hang out & they sold Thai food, enjoying a yummy iced drink that looked like art, visiting the SIL office, & seeing the biggest mountains my eyes have ever seen!

I woke up this morning before the alarm clocks again, at 7 something. This is two days in a row this has happened & it’s cracking me up because at home, it takes like 3 alarms to pull me out of bed! Well, it’s better to be up early, then to sleep through the alarm, so it’s all good! I stayed in bed till 8, & was downstairs by 8:30. I had oatmeal, a piece of toast, & milk. The milk here is the ultra-pasteurized kind that is in a box & is sold on a shelf instead of refrigerated.

Julie drove the 3 of us into the SIL office. She introduced me to several of the members & also showed me a wall with pictures of about 100 members, telling me where they were ministering. It is all really interesting!

Then, we walked to the ATM, walked to the bus stop, took the bus, then walked a few more blocks to get my picture taken for my immigration visa. By the time I arrived, I was “glowing” ~ I knew it wouldn’t be an attractive picture, because my hair was all pulled back, my face & eyes were still all puffy, & my face was still dripping from the exercise & the heat. But, I figured, at least I still have my winning smile! So, the photographer placed me on the stool, tilted my head one way, then another, pushed back my shoulders, & nodded approvingly. As he stood behind the camera, adjusting the lens, I was smiling my widest smile. He was shaking his head & speaking in Spanish…all I caught was a word that sounded similar to “solemn” ~ sure enough, he didn’t want me to smile! By now, I was giggling inside, just imagining what this picture would look like ~ a sweaty, white girl with apparently no hair, puffy eyes, and no smile. It was so hard to keep a straight face, because I was laughing about the unattractive picture that would portray me on my official documents!

Then, we walked to a nearby English Lending Library. Imagine my surprise when I once again saw the world-famous author, Harry Allard! Julie bought a movie that I suggested (for 5 pesos) and I bought a non-fiction book about the survivors of the 1930s dust bowl (for 30 pesos).

I was also surprised to find a lady selling Thai food right there inside the library! Joy bought a shrimp & rice dish and spring rolls for us to eat for supper.

As we walked back to the bus stop, Julie suggested that we take a break by stopping at The Italian Coffee Company.  I knew I wanted something iced, to refresh from the heat. After I decided what I wanted, Joy told me she & Roy both liked that one too. I guess great minds think alike. It was an iced mocha with chocolate syrup, and topped with super yummy whipped cream, jimmies, & an Oreo. It was SO good! They also had nice comfy chairs & a great view of the beautiful park across the street!

We took the bus back & then walked a couple blocks uphill to the SIL office.

Boy, walking back up that hill was tough!

After drinking a bunch of water, I sat with Rosa (the SIL office receptionist) to do final paperwork that would be needed to apply for my visa. This was my first attempt at speaking and reading in Spanish.

Julie made us yummy ham & cheese quesadillas for lunch at 3:30. We had an interesting conversation over lunch where I learned about a couple of enlightening topics. We left the office at about 5 & drove over a mountain to get back to the house. It was really neat to get that view of the valley! Man, those mountains are HUGE!

We all watched The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood together when we got back. (This was the movie I had recommended from the library.) I had already seen it more than once, but it was such fun watching it with people who hadn’t seen it before. Good times, many laughs…

At 8 I had a small plate of the Thai food for supper. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not, as I had never tried Thai food before, but it was really tasty.

Julie went to aerobics class then & I spent time chatting on Facebook & editing & uploading pictures. I also had good conversation with Roy on & off during this time ~ I so enjoy learning about this area & the people of this area from both the English speaking Mexicans and from others who have spent many years here! In my opinion, it’s better to hear the facts from those who’ve experienced it than just reading about these things online or from a book.

I went to bed at 12:15, but didn’t sleep well...