Pictionary in Spanish

Last night our friends came over for supper and then we play Pictionary in spanish. It was a hoot! (And something I've wanted to do for a long, long time. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.) We laughed and laughed and laughed!

Our Friend Ruthy

Our friend Ruthy came to visit this week. We a wonderful time - riding bikes, fixing bikes, talking about all kinds of things, hearing about pedal people, fixing bikes, and just spending time together.
Thanks for coming Ruthy!

A Bit More

Last week we hosted Dan and Adam - two MCCers from Canada. Dan heads up the Water and Agriculture Fund - this is the fund that our Plan 500 money comes from. It was great to show them around, ask questions and talk.


On the way home from somewhere the other day I saw this guy.


The other week I was in Chiaucingo and stopped to see how the greenhouse is doing. (It's government sponsored.) I found out that they sold 59,000 trees last year!

Once a Sewing Group, Always a Sewing Group

Or better said, Once a Sewing Group and STILL a Sewing Group. God's hand at work again. I went to a meeting with the sewing group in Zacango last night that lasted 4 hours. I went ready to hear them say that they all want out of the group. That's it's been too much work with little results - no take home income yet. I've been praying about them a lot. And I've been praying for me too - asking for wisdom as I discern what my role is with this group. Reminding myself that in the end, I will go home, this is their group, and how can we work together to make this sustainable for them.

I went to the meeting knowing that I couldn't/shouldn't/ wouldn't take on the "cheer leader" role this time. I've done that before, for better or for worse. God sent a different cheer leader. Bernadina's husband came and participated in the meeting, and he was awesome! He is officially a member of the group, but he doesn't sew. He does other things to help the group like set up shelves, help with the electrical installation, and like last night - show up just when he is needed. Last night he was very encouraging and offered to help buy material (a huge offer and very much needed as this requires a 5 to 8 hour bus trip to a bigger city and NO one else wants to go), work on a "what we need" list, and visit local government organizations to share the needs list with them.

We went around the room and each person was (FINALLY!) able to say whether their preference was an "informal" group where they sew whatever whenever, or a "formal" group where they have set hours and everyone works together. EVERYONE said they want a formal group. They liked the group how it was a year ago when everyone would work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (You can imagine what's going on inside of me, listening to them say exactly the opposite of what I was prepared to hear....of course I would love to see them stay together - but I know it will only work if THEY want to stay together. They have to do it for themselves, not for me, I keep reminding myself.)

Almost 4 hours later we decided to say goodnight and agreed to meet again the very next day to continue working on the organizational aspect of the group. More to come, thanks be to God.

Another Sewing Group?

Last week I had a meeting with a group of women in Teticic. This is the same group of women that had cooking classes with Ana (an MCCer that was here when we first arrived) and then participated in last year's garden group with Merideth and Kiara. I did a post-garden workshops evaluation with them awhile ago and from that came the idea that they would like to form a sewing group. "Now that we can grow our own vegetables year-round, we'd like to learn to make our own clothes" they said.
So we set up a meeting to talk more specifically about what that would look like.

At the meeting I asked them to think about why they want to form a sewing group. We brainstormed a list of reasons. I asked some more questions - like whether they want to form a group with sewing machines in one space that would be more like a business, or did they each want a sewing machine in their own home just for personal use. They said they wanted to learn to sew for themselves, but they also wanted to do what the sewing group in Zacango is doing, selling products to generate income. Well, for those of you who know about the sewing group in Zacango - the group is really struggling and does not have steady buyers and certainly has very little income. But I didn't want to completely douse their enthusiasm, so we started another list of what all is involved with having a sewing business. The list included things like a space for the machines, sewing machines, material (who will buy the material, where will they buy the material, can they buy in bulk to save money), learning how to sew, selling their products (what will they make, who will take their products to the market, where will they take their products)......etc.
We did all this over a course of 2 hours with lots of discussing, questioning, answering on their part. In the end, they decided that they needed some time to think about all this. They hadn't realized everything that was involved, were grateful for the poster paper with all their ideas and brainstorming, and could we meet again next week. We set another date and I left the poster paper with them so they could continue talking.

I was very excited to go back yesterday. (Isaiah got to go along with me - it was really fun. He played with the younger kids in the middle of the circle of women as we talked. Later on when the older kids got home from school, he played tag and climbed trees with them.)
When we arrived we first ate some scrambled eggs with chile sauce, beans and tortillas, as we always do at Emilia's house in Teticic. Then back to the circle of women.

They had talked during the week. What they really need is to do something that will generate income. Also, they eat a lot of eggs and the price of eggs has gone up recently. So instead of forming a sewing group, now they are thinking that it would be better to raise chickens and produce eggs - both for self-consumption and to sell.
"Great!" I said. I was really impressed with how they had analyzed the situation and come up with a solution. Since I know nothing about chickens (collecting 3 eggs every other day from our 3 chickens just isn't enough), we set yet another date for them to meet with our co-worker Manuel who does have the kind of experience that will be helpful to them.

So no, another sewing group is not in the works.

Update on the Dry Latrines for the Primary School in Chiaucingo

Awhile ago I posted something about "well it happened again, I went to a meeting and did nothing." And wrote about how the parent committee at the primary school in Chiaucingo. They know how to (many of them built one at their house with Martin in March), they just need money for the materials. When they asked if MCC could provide the materials and I hesitated, they quickly said that's fine, they would ask the municipal president for funds.

Well, to continue the story, on Sunday I went with them to Cualac to visit the municipal president Rolando. (PRI party for those who care.) There were about 12 of us all together. We rode in the principal's truck and when we got there, completely filled the president's office. The principal explained why there were there, one of the reasons being that they needed funds for dry latrines. He gave Rolando a list of materials (fortunately I had thought to print one up in the morning - it had MCC's contact info at the top of the page). "Mennonite Central Committee?" Rolando asked. The principal then introduced me, the president said yes, he's heard about the work we're doing, and asked if I could come back on Saturday to share more about what we're doing at a meeting he's hosting with other government organizations. He has invited all the mayors in his municipality to come and learn about what government organizations are around, and what they have to offer. I immediately accepted and looked at the parent committee, most of whom were grinning at me. I'm very excited to attend this meeting, as I too would like to know more about what organizations are in this area, what they are doing, and if there is a possibility of partnering with any of them.

Irma, the parent committee's president, started to explain how dry latrines work, using a small model I had brought along. "Oh, that's okay. I've been to Aquilina's house. I've seen her dry latrine and I know how it works" Rolando replied. Again, more smiling from the rest of us. And to end the meeting, Rolando told Irma to come back next Sunday to pick up the money for the materials!!! Yes, more grinning. (*Aquilina is a key promoter and community organizer that we work with closely in Chiaucingo. Her husband Placido makes all the toilets for the dry latrines.)

Needless to say, we had a great trip home, talking about dry latrines, cisterns, gardens, and how to work together to ensure the success of each.

To be continued after Saturday's meeting.

P.S. And....while I was waiting to catch a ride with the parent committee in the morning, the mayor of Chiaucingo, Claudio, invited me to come to a community meeting on Tuesday to talk about building more dry latrines and energy efficient stoves in Chiaucingo. So I will, and now we know who to talk to about funding!

Our Friends Zambia, Hizee, and Ziko

The kids (plus Enrique and Miguel from Zacango) with masks on at our house.


Everyone (except Micah) with their new "Cruz Azul" soccer jerseys. (Our Christmas present to Zam, Hizee, and Ziko).


Showing off the jerseys to Bruce and Jaime at their house in Zacango.


Swimming in the rain-filled water-hole (what do we call that in English?) near their house in Zacango.


Warming up after the swim.


Here's a few pictures of our new MCC friends - Zam (7yrs), Hizee (4yrs), and Ziko (2yrs) along with their parents Jaime and Bruce, live in nearby Zacango (one of our favorite communities). We've having fun getting to know them and hanging out together. They been here almost 3 months. We're grateful our time is overlapping.

Chocolate and Bananas

(thanks Zam for the name idea ;)

We have a new addition to our family. For a few days we had two new additions, but the cats got one. Our MCC friends gave each of the boys a guinea pig for Christmas. (For those of you who know my allergy issues...well, when Jaime said that guinea pigs have a calming effect on kids, I was all for it.) A cat got Micah's on day 3. I thought he would be upset and sad. As I tried to comfort him in his loss, he calmly said, "That's okay, you can by me another one. Besides, it had lots of meat on it that the cat liked."
Isaiah holds "guinea" a lot, kisses her, and as you can see, even takes naps with her.
Thanks Zam, Hizee, and Ziko!

Garden Group Convivio

(Oh how I love to pick and choose from both languages as necessary, as fitting.)

So the other Sunday we had a party at the MCC office for everyone who is participating in the garden project. (Family gardens using drip irrigation, compost, worm castings, crop rotation, companion planting, organic......on and on.) About 30 people from 4 different communities came. I had a wonderful time. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and it finally did! (THANKS Merideth and Kiara!!!!)
We talked about our gardens, about failures and successes. We talked about using the compost from the dry latrines, worm castings, saving seeds...it went on and on. We played a "light and lively" game called "elephant and giraffe." We laughed, looked at Merideth and Kiara's garden at the office. I shared some marigold seeds I harvested from my garden. Other talked about bringing seeds to share next time. We ate food with ingredients from Mer and Kiara's garden. All in all, it was beautiful. Our next convivio (gathering) is scheduled for Feb 15th.

Time in Cuernavaca

On our way back from the MCC retreat in Nicaragua, we stayed in Cuernavaca with our good friend Sister Kathy at CCIDD. (We know sister Kathy from Chicago days. Check out their website, they do some pretty cool stuff.)
Anyways, the boys and I were able to spend time at Jardin Borda, one of our favorite spots in Cuernavaca. We spent time in a row boat, fed the ducks and just enjoyed the luscious green gardens. The manger scene with large paper mache figures was still up too.

Christmas Cookies

I have no idea how many dozens of Christmas cookies we made this year. We decided to take a plate of cookies to all of our immediate neighbors. About 30 or so. It was a wonderful chance to say hi and continue connecting with them.

At Home

Almost two years later we (I) have finally accepted MCC's offer to have someone help with house work. Irene cleans our office and our house twice a week. She often brings her 3 kids with her. I am grateful for her help, and for this gift from MCC.


Art project with Ana and Rosa - Irene's two daughters - while Irene sweeps and mops the floors and cleans the bathroom. Bless her.


Boys taking a ride on their chair-ship

School in December

Team Time in December

The whole MCC Mexico team came to Olinala the first week of December for meetings. We did lots of talking, eating and were even able to squeeze in some water balloon volleyball (that turned into exercise ball volleyball when we ran out of water balloons). We celebrated October and November birthdays too. I'm doing the traditional bite the cake and if you look closely, am trying to hold back Isaiah who has really taken on the responsibility of "helping" (pushing face into icing as is the tradition here).

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2008

I want to write just a bit about these two events. I'm realizing that we don't carry our camera around as much as we used to. I don't have any pictures to post, but hold the memories close, none the less.

Christmas eve we spent with our dear friends - our adopted family Clara, Pepe, Tony, Liz, Guerro, Pelon, Rosa, Mari Carmen, Chuchi, Malena, Andrea, Alondra, and Paula and Andres. They told us to come over around 5pm on Christmas eve. We went at 7pm and were still early. We had an amazing supper. It was also Pelon's 15th birthday. We had fun celebrating and laughing together.

Then on Christmas day we had a relaxing morning and pulled things together to go to the antenas at the top of a nearby mountain with our neighbors. We were 5 families all together. (Same people and place we went last year.) It was a beautiful and relaxing time on top of the mountain, eating, talking, telling jokes, hanging out, being together. Afterwards everyone came over to our house for christmas cookies, coffee and a pinata. We hung out some more, laughed some more, and enjoyed just being together.

Turtles, Beach and Relaxation

We took a vacation! So much happened during the month of December. On the 29th we packed up and headed to the beach for a week. We stayed with our friends Javier and Lucy who have a turtle sanctuary, a few rooms to rent and amazing food! It was fantastic!
We spent lots of time in hammocks, playing in the sand, and jumped a few waves as well. Oh, and the fish quesadillas (pescadillas) deep fried tortillas with fish inside, were marvelous. Let's just say we played well, ate well, and slept well.
There were a few other people on the beach, but not many. We only had to explain 2 or 3 times what we're doing in Olinala. :)
Javier is really excited about dry latrines. We actually took him 4 of our toilets and 3 urinals. He wants to come to Olinala in February and learn how to build the dry latrines, so he can go back to the beach and build 100 along the coast. It was fun to talk with him.
On New Year's eve our hosts set up tables and chairs by the water and we ate pozole (traditional corn soup) at midnight. Made some toasts, looked at the incredible night sky and went to bed grateful for family, friends, health and this experience. Happy New Year to all of you. May we all feel God's presence as we travel this journey.

Fish and Lobster Feast



Kuku for coconuts



Sand Art



Digging to China



Traditional Sand Burial



Serious Hammock Time



More serious hammock time





Little darlings




Javier - Turtle expert



The great moment of release....



Heading out to sea




On their way....



Goodbye and good luck!