Gracias, Gracias, Gracias

What a privilege it was for my daughter Adrienne and me to participate in the 2007 Mexico mission trip. It was so very uplifting on numerous levels.

I was impressed with the parish leaders who kept the mission trip on track including: Cordelia Gelly, Susan Martin, Tom Napper and Steve Petrie. They shepherded over 30 parishioners (mixture of adults and youth), assuring that we were all safe, well cared for, and that the project moved forward seamlessly. We also took care of each other as a group with our Reverend Scott Stoner sarenading the American and Mexican parishioners helping us find a common ground of communication, music. What joy it was to see people from two different cultures singing and dancing together at the Fiesta.



The group of parishioners worked very hard painting and cleaning a generously sized chapel including interior and exterior surfaces in addition to the pews. It had only been painted once since it was constructed in the 1950s. This was no easy task. Even so, I felt that I didn't work hard. It reminded me of when I gave birth to my two beautiful daughters, Adrienne and Natalie. After seeing each baby's face, like the new face of the church, I forgot about the "work." What a moving experience it was for me to see the beautifully painting white and light blue church. It has the impression of a sky from heaven.

The Bishop from the Anglican Archdiocese in Cuernavaca, Mexico concluding the renewal of the Church with a dedication service. He said the mission was a "miracle from God" and repeatedly said gracias, gracias, gracias to all the dedicated parishioners who gave wholeheartedly to make this project a success.

Gracias, gracias, gracias to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, the Anglican Archdiocese in Cuernavaca, Mexico and the Lord our God for offering me the opportunity to participate in this unforgettable experience that has deepened my faith more than I could have imagined.

-dte

Trip to Teotihuacan

Friday morning began at an early hour, with little conversation during ablutions or a hasty meal. By 7:15 we were on the road, and since our route took us directly through the center of Mexico City and ultimately 30 miles to the NE, we were just in time, it seems, to experience rush hour in one of the world´s most populous urban areas. We arrived at Teotihuacan (Tay-Oh-Tee-Hwa-CAN) by about 10:00.

A few words on the history of the place, which dates to at least 200BC. Two thousand years ago, this city was the largest and most important of the western hemisphere. The name means ¨the place where men become gods.¨ The scale of the place is difficult to convey in words, but the site once covered 8 square miles, with up to 125,000 inhabitants. The site is divided by the Avenue of the Dead - a wide and straight, 2 mile long, boulevard on a perfect North-South axis. At the northern end of the Avenue stands the ruins of the Pyramid of the Moon, one of the largest in the world and dating to 200AD. The Pyramid of the Sun, seven-stories tall, stands to the east of the Avenue and on a base of similar dimensions to the Great Pyramid of Egypt (738 feet - more than two football fields). The site has been excavated and heavily restored, with dozens of stone structures, including a Palace Complex and a heavily-carved Temple dedicated to animist deities.


The archeological evidence suggests the immense structures were once entirely stuccoed and decorated in bright white, reds, blacks, and greens. Underfoot, the enormous plazas were paved and whitewashed. A few surviving murals show highly-stylized animal figures, such as jaguars, serpents and birds.

Without benefit of animal power, the pre-Christian inhabitants hand-built the equivalent of a major modern city, including multi-story stone structures, diverted a large river over several miles, and built thousands of dwelling places, factories, granaries, and shops.

By 650AD, the site was abandoned. Since the culture was apparently without any form of written communication, historians have been mystified by the profound collapse of such a significant civilization. After more than half a millenium, the site, which had reverted to the chaos of nature, was rediscovered by the Aztecs. They held it sacred, believing it had been constructed by a race of long-vanished giants.

The weather was nearly perfect, with sun and cloud. The high altitude and cool breezes meant that our challenges were primarily vertical. Our intrepid band of parishoners (more accustomed to a flat terrain) braved the many hundreds of steep and narrow steps to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. Standing on the summit, a great plain was visible in all directions, encircled with rugged green mountains. From the seven-story peak, we could then grasp the astonishing scale of the place, with its razor straight alignment and perfectly symmetrical structures.

We really know nothing about the creators of this mighty but now-vanished civilization, neither their name nor the reason for their demise. Standing high above the now-lengthening shadows, Isaac Watt´s verses leapt to mind: ("A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone; short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun. They fly, forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day. Time, like an ever-rolling steam, bears all her sons away.")

Whatever spell might have been cast at the summit was quickly broken by the harrowing descent over several hundred feet of unforgiving stone steps, which somehow seemed even more shallow and vertical.

Our late lunch was taken in a superb, hundred-year old restaurant, located at the bottom of a near-by cave, a cool and dry spot to escape the Mexican sun! Everyone overindulged.

Dragging ourselves back to our now-familiar bus, we then drove back through Mexico City afternoon traffic and to the quiet, green Diocesan Center in Cuernava. After a week, the Diocesan Center now feels like home, with the familar welcome sensation upon returning.



When we returned, we found that Bishop Delgado and the family at the Diocesan Center had laid on a great Fiesta, with flower-decked tables, music, and more wonderful Mexican cooking.

At the conclusion of the meal, Bishop Delgado presented each of us with a personal note of thanks and a gift. While the tranformation of the church at Alejandra was dramatic, and the Fiesta given by Father Arturo´s congregation was heart-warming and fun, Bishop Delgado´s simple and immediate words of heart-felt thanks were very deeply moving. At that moment, the many miles of travel and long hours of work vanished, and I was struck by how glad I am to have found myself in this place, in this moment, with these people.

Ode to Ran

On Friday we boarded the Habitat Express (toot, toot Ran!). I can not express the eye-opening that I experienced. The leaders of Habitat here in Cuernavaca are volunteers and they build homes for people that are approved based on a "need" point system. The recipients live in shacks made of metal and carboard very often and may have a tarp for a roof.

First, the recipients must either purchase land or attain it through a gift. Then a 7 meter by 6 meter house is build primarily of concrete brick and morter. It may have running water and a toilet in the city but rural homes typically do not. The recipients have 8 years to pay off the loan with no interest. I believe the cost of the home was roughly $3000. Even though they have a home to with a roof, it is nothing the likes of what we call homes ... or even garages.

One thing I noticed was the amount of garbage everywhere in the poorer areas. Refuse collection must be expensive and as a result, the cultural mindset over looks the trash that is so prominent. Their surroundings would be so much more palletable if they just cleaned up their area. It would be the difference between how you feel before the kids room is cleaned and after. They don´t see it though.

After the servie at the church in Alejandro, the members of the church threw us a fiesta! Children, food and tequila really broke down the barriers and brought the adults together. Oscar, Alfred and I became good friends as the evening progressed and the party spirit took over. Such wonderful people who were so thankful for a group of Americans to come and freshen up their church. We were given greeting cards and handkerchiefs to remember them by. It is amazing how people get along so easily when we share from the heart. Will and I taught some boys how to play Futball Americano and they picked up on the half-back option after one example. The boys wanted to play today but we went to the Temple of the Sun but the football was left behind.





As I heard the call for us to board the bus, I stopped and looked around me. I was in the valley of a gorgeous surrounding mountain range with the setting sun of dusk. That moment struck me as a God moment. My moment was perfect. As we boarded the bus, there were tears from the little girls who befriended our girls and the boys were left with our football. Who knows if they will remember us. I know I won´t forget them or the new friends I made. Father Arthuro has a real task on his hands keeping the 45 members coming back. I told him that if he believes, is tenacious and patient that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. He gave me a big hug. His issues and the bishops issues are about the survival of their mission here in Cuernavaca ... not the contemporary issues the church in the US deems so important. Acceptence and love are the equation, not determining barriers.

The temple of the sun was incredible but I can´t wait to see my family and sleep in my own bed.

I love you too Jen. Yes we can say that!

Dejo

Wed -- Another Point of View

As we boarded the bus for Alejandra, I noticed how quiet everyone was. It´s much harder to work on the third day than on the first. I am getting back some of that high school Spanish -- and appreciate the puzzlement as we try to communicate with the parishioners. Father Arturo is very pleased with his newly painted and cleaned sacristy (I worked mainly in the sacristy all day yesterday and today). It has only been painted once since 1952, and I chased many spiders out with a broom when we began. Team Gelly did an amazing job on the windows and the floor of the sacristy. They scraped and scrubbed with water and paint thinner on their hands and knees -- according to James in a way he has never done at home. Darryl led the rest of us in painting -- painting more than just the walls :) (the pants my husband wants left in Mexico).

We made a last-minute decision to clean out the closet holding the vestments and to give it a fresh coat of paint. I was very frustrated when I went to get more blue paint. A new bucket was opened and I hoped to paint the closet in one coat. The custom here is to water down the paint from the Comex store. That meant at least two coats -- more work for me. I am still asking God what the message is for me here. I picture Father Arturo in his new office, clean, smiling, pondering his sermons. He can now see clearly out his window. My view is not clear. What are God´s intentions here -- for me, for this project, for the future of la iglesia, for the Anglican Catholica Church in Morales?

Tonight some of us attended Spanish classes to prepare for our fiesta with the parishioners tomorrow. We divided into two groups -- those with minimal and conversational Spanish skills. We learned a few phrases to converse during the fiesta. ¿Como se dice -- no habla Espanol?
The teachers are part of the new language school here at the diocesan center. The center hopes to become more self-sufficient with this new program. We pray for its success. The teachers were energetic, knowledgeable, and are certain to help get the program off to a great start.

Time for bed -- eucharist service at 7:45 a.m. Hasta mañana.

clp

Wednesday

Today we woke, had breakfast and then were off to Alejandra for our third day of work. I was particularly excited today because we got to go and visit the school across the street. The teachers and principal of the school invited us to come and share in a fiesta for a teacher who was retiring after 29 years. The celebration was beautiful- an enitre school assembly in the courtyard filled with student speeches and dancing. I can only understand Spanish up to a point, but from what I could get out of the speeches, it seemed like she was a very popular teacher who made a great impact on her pupils. The school itself was a surprise to me... there were lots of kids, but it did not seem overcrowded. Because of the nice weather the school children and teachers used the central courtyard a lot, and the school did not need any sort of heating system. Moreover, many of the classrooms were outfitted with SMART Boards. This came as a surprise, but I was really excited to see cool educational technology at the school. Mary and I got the address of the school and hope to continue correspondence with the teachers and principal who were so nice to us in hopes of fostering a connection in our classrooms in the future. After our visit we painted some more and I had the opportunity to play whiffle ball with Eric (a 6th grader from the school whom I've befriended) and his amigos Cruz and Enrique. Eric had the same shoes I had on, and at the end of the day I gave him a Chris Cappuano bobble head that I brought along on the trip. He was most grateful and really enjoys baseball. Who knows, this kid could be the next baseball star from Mexico! I am greatly enjoying my experiences here, particularly with the people of Alejandra. It is amazing how regardless of language and cultural differences, you can see the joy of working with children. My visit to the school today really helped me realize this. Hoping the Brew Crew is doing well and that everyone back in Milwaukee are doing well.

Will

Tuesday

Today is only Tuesday and this trip has been a full spectrum of experiences already. We have had wonderful thunderstorms for the last few nights that have prompted some of the girls to hold hands and say prayers while their parents enjoy the heavy rumbles and rains. We have had rumbling tummies and also accompanying pains as well!



We saw the number of locals adults and children show up at the church in growing numbers. The adults want to be a part of the change that the "gringo brigade and the bishop" have triggered. Their was one little girl that came to the church yesterday. Today there must have been a dozen. The kids are so welcoming and warm. They don´t have the reservations that we grow into as we become adults. Futball and the hand games that the girls like to play seem to be the catalyst that brings these friends and our girls together. Some of the kids really like to try their English also. They say the words repeatedly until they get it correct. What wonderful curiosity.




Their were about 4 people who were members of the church who helped yesterday. Today we had about 8 locals who worked with us. I can´t wait to see how many join us tomorrow. There is not much conversation between us because of the difference in language, but I wonder what they are thinking and talking about. "What do the gringo´s get out of this?" Regardless, we work together and what we or they will get out of this may not be apparent today or ever. Our expectations are so different than theirs. Even with one coat of paint on the interior, one lady said in Spanish that it looked like heaven.

Today the priest was 6 feet up on a ladder painting the interior and singing some gorgeous songs. The local and visiting ladies talked. The men gringo and local seemed more intent on silence.

We had a wonderfully reflective meeting between adults and kids this evening. The number of insights is amazing and spectacular of what we will take from this trip. Hopefully we can maintain this contemplations upon our return for a long time to come.

I can´t wait to see the Temple of the Sun on Friday!

DWF

First Day at San Juan el Teologo

After a fitful night sleep due to several thunderstorms, our team of thirty-three enthusiastic workers from St. Christophers arose to greet the first working day of our trip. Following breakfast of local fare, we boarded the bus at 9:00 am with lunches, water and sundry painting supplies in hand.

The drive through the mountains to the church which was to be our workplace, San Juan el Teologo, was beautiful. Through many small villages, we were able to get a glimpse of the lives of the people who populated the villages, farms and mountain homes. Among the many farms, we could not locate a single piece of farm machinery. Cars were scarce, many farmers road through their fields on horseback. Most of the homes were stucco and many painted with beautiful bright colors. After skirting the mountains for a several minutes, we began to climb and traverse the lush green hillside, winding around endless twisting roads and descending to a valley where we were to begin our work.

The church was quite majestic, an obvious landmark for the surrounding area. We were immediately struck by the beautiful stained glass window high above the entrance and by the bell tower as well. Our supervisor, Steve, quickly scoped out the work and began to assign adults and kids to various areas inside and out. He even ran a brief workshop to teach the kids the basics of painting! Within a short time, we were manning the paintbrushes, rollers, poles and scrapers. The inside of the church was about three to four stories in height. Thanks to some prep work done before our arrival, the majority of the remaining painting could be done without the aid of a ladder. Most of our team worked inside and a few outdoors. It was clear that we were an industrious and driven group!

A few of the day´s experiences were especially memorable. Scott seranaded the group with several Spanish and English hymns and some old folk songs. He was later joined by the parish priest who played and sang as well. Throughout the day, the kids took breaks from their work to play soccer in a field across from the church. After lunch, the kids took a walk to a nearby abandoned orphanage, also owned by the diocese, and explored the building and grounds.

Most took a lunch break around noon enjoying sandwiches, fruit and water (lots and lots of water). By afternoon, the sun was at full strength and the morning breeze had waned. The day ended shortly after we had exhausted the supply of white paint at about 3:30 pm. The crew was happy to re-enter the bus and return to Cuernavaca for some showers, repast and relaxation.

After dinner, we heard an inspiring talk from the Bishop of Cuernavaca, who thanked us for our support and told us of his vision for the diocese. He asked us to consider how we could continue to serve Jesus Christ in our work here and at home. Scott thanked him for the opportunity to serve that he provided for us and asked how we could assist the diocese next year!

We are all well and enjoying our spiritual journey. God bless you.