::Two Months!
Thursday, April 21, 2010 marks two months that I’ve been in Mexico!
::Spanish Study & Current Life
I have finished two weeks of Spanish study. Right now we are only covering simple nouns, and soon we will move into verbs and full sentences! I have also learned driving directions in Spanish! Our friend, Esmerelda has been helping us learning Spanish, and we help teach her English. Esme & her family have been super helpful with us! They have helped us with setting up Internet, fixing the problem with the natural gas, helped us get our Visa papers, grocery shopping, and helped us pay bills here – it’s very different than what I’m used to! The natural gas bill was paid at the gas company through an ATM/Coke looking machine. Her family has also adopted us! Esme has helped us understand so much more about Mexico. They have been a huge answer to one of my many prayers! Every day Esme is able to tell us something that we had never heard before. I really do some days feel like such a child in this huge city. There are so many things to learn including a different culture & language!
::My Weekly Schedule
Usually includes church on Sundays from 10-2 give or take a bit! Some Sunday afternoons we hang out with the Jóvenes. Monday includes 1-2 classes: Grammar & CLA at the NTM Office. Then in the afternoon we meet with someone from the Leadership Team & discuss different topics: how NTM functions in Mexico, Culture Shock, etc. This week we have started a Spanish & English class with three brothers. We teach them English, and in return they teach us Spanish. This class will be two to three times a week.
Tuesday – Friday mornings we plan on Spanish with our friend Esme between 11 am – 2 pm. Then in the afternoon we try to get a session or two in with two of our friends that attend the NTM Mexico Bible School. Wednesday evenings include prayer meeting. Thursday afternoons is Women’s Bible Study at our Church. And Friday & Saturday nights is our time with the Jóvenes.
Then when I’m not busy with all of that, I have to fit in listening, mimicking, & practicing Spanish. Of course there is also grocery shopping, paying bills, running errands, cooking meals, cleaning, personal devotions, driving around the city to the different meetings, sleeping, trying to stay connected with people back home, and just living life! I do have some very full days here in Mexico!
::Jóvenes = Young People
I am involved with a Young People group at my church. We meet on Friday nights for Bible Study & Saturday for Outreach, Ministry, or Games! I have had a great time meeting with these young adults. We definitely have a great time hanging out & just chatting. I’m even getting in on some of the inside jokes!
Two weeks ago Amy & I went with the Jóvenes to a congresso in a city three hours south of Chihuahua. I had a blast with all of my friends. And it was a great opportunity to learn some more Spanish.
In two weeks we have a retreat with our church. I’m really looking forward to this time of just spending with them for three whole days!
::Praises & Prayer Requests
- – Praise:: for Esmerelda & her family in my life. The blessing that she is to me every day.
- – Praise:: my church here. They help me not miss home & they also take great care of me!
- – Praise:: for the great amount of friends that I have already made here in Chihuahua!
- – Prayer Request:: as I continue to learn Spanish. That my mind would understand & soon that my mouth can pronounce the words well!
- – Prayer Request:: time management. There are so many things that have to get done & I need wisdom in know what is a priority and what is not!
Thank you so much for all your prayers, encouraging emails & notes!
Here are some recent pictures of my time in Mexico!
Flor’s Birthday Party 
Cathedral in Parral, Mexico
Rachel & I at a Rodeo
colored Easter eggs
with the girls sightseeing
Rose in Parral!