The Tarahumara waiting for their monthly stipends…
Can you already believe that it is June?! After I got home from the Practicum, my calendars were still set for March, so I have no idea how we are already in June!
Thank y’all so much for your prayers for our language & culture practicum. In the history of the Mexican Training Center, they have never had an actual practicum in the tribe (I’m talking like 12+ years)! It’s a wonderful time for the students to see the reality of learning a language & culture in a different context, and seeing if they have the abilities to learn a language!
Enjoy the photos!
Crystal
Hanging with Arimeyda, one
of the students at the Ranch.
Practicum
We started our Practicum time with the Pima Indians, but because the people in the town didn’t want us there, we left after a week. Then we spent a week recuperating & planning to head to another location – we found one amongst the Tarahumara Indians. The Tarahumaras are probably the most famous Indians here in Chihuahua state. We were able to spend almost 4 weeks with them, while the students worked on using a method to learn an unwritten language & their culture – the same method that I used to learn Spanish. One of my main roles during the practicum was being a resource for learning a language, I helped with giving ideas and hints for learning Tarahumara. Our students were split into two groups, and I was with the Grangers & 7 students. We finished the three & a half weeks in the mountains, made it back to Chihuahua one week before the students’ graduation!
The Graduates
Graduation
On May 25th we had a graduation for 9 students from the Missionary Training Center, and for 8 students from the Bible Institute. It was a huge celebration, and a beautiful graduation ceremony. There were so many people that came from the city to the Ranch for the celebration (which hardly ever happens) that we ran out of seats for them!
The mid-night visitor
Snake
In the middle of the night a few weeks ago I was heading to the bathroom when I saw something on the floor. To me it looked like a wadded up shoelace. But on closer inspection it was a snake! A snake!! Really? In my bedroom too!! Almost immediately I realized that it wasn’t alive, that probably Quito had eliminated him, then left him in my bedroom. One of my biggest fears is snakes. I have never liked snakes! I’m super thankful though for the cats that eliminate the threat of snakes!
New Apartment
Moving
After the graduation, on Monday afternoon, I moved apartments! I got it all done in like 2 days. And now I’m enjoying one apartment instead of two apartments connected. 🙂 The apartments includes a small storage area with hook-ups for my washing machine, a covered parking area, and a bath tub!!!
Mr. & Mrs. Hector Flores
Hector & Amy’s Wedding
On June th, Hector Flores married Amy Heckman in a civil ceremony, and on June 9th in a religious ceremony with family & friends in attendance. All of Amy’s immediate family was able to be here for her special, including friends from Michigan. Here are more pictures for you to look at (link).
Tarhumara Church Service
Summer w/ Tarahumara Church
After spending almost a month with the Tarahumara church in the mountains, they invited me to spend a month with them this summer while they put on a one month Vacation Bible School for the kids. My role in helping them would be to assist with preparing a lunch each day for the 30-50+ kids. I’m still working on travel plans, but it looks like I’ll be going out there next week until the 20th of July or so. Please pray for all the workers, kids, and the Bible lessons, that they would all be glorifying to God & that more Tarahumaras would come to know Him!
Missionary Team to the Triquis
Triqui Teaching
This month, Eduardo Melendez started teaching Chronologically through the Bible to the Triqui people. After learning the Triqui language for 7 years, and over 1 year working on Translation, they began teaching. Please pray for the team (Eduardo & Veronica, Griselda, Amelia, & Miguel) for their health, their walks with the Lord, and safety from any opposition. As of last week, Eduardo & his family left the tribe because his aunt (a very close relative) passed away. Please pray that they can settle things with her estate & head back to the tribe to continue on with the teaching! Please pray for the 30 Triquis that are listening, that their spiritual eyes would continue to open as they hear more about their Creator.