After a long night of sleep (that was frequently interrupted by my waking up and frantically brushing imaginary bugs off of my bed) I woke to sunlight shining though the window, and the sound of birds singing...really loud birds...a lot of them. There had been a great deal of lightning that night, though I couldn't hear the thunder--either because it was really far away, or because the crickets were really loud, I'm not sure which. It had also rained and thereby cooled off the area enough that I actually unfolded my "pillow" (my hoodie) and laid it over top of me.
I probably got up some time around 7 to 7:30--some time close to the crack of dawn anyway. The interesting thing that I noticed during my time in Mexico is that most of the time I had no idea what time it was, and it didn't really matter. The only times I would pay attention to the time were when I wanted to know how long it was till lunch or dinner. Other than that, who cares. I don't know when I went to sleep each night, and I have no idea when I got up in the mornings. However, I do know that in both cases--morning and night--sleeping and waking occurred very consistently around the same time every day.
So the morning began. As I have already mentioned, Ed walked to the nearby store to get milk and fruit for breakfast, and this particular morning a few of us--including myself--joined him in this venture.
The shop was a small building about the size of two dorm rooms (in Warner Pacific measurements it would be 4 dorm rooms). There were a lot of familiar things there, though most of them had different names and packaging shapes. While I was standing around looking at various things I felt something touch the back of my heel. I'll admit it startled me because my first thought was 'large insect, or scorpion'. When I turned around, however, I discovered that it was only the cold, wet nose of a small dog.
Upon our return Ed began promptly to get things set out for breakfast. A lot of the cereal was very familiar--coco puffs, Cheerios, Cinnamon squares, and more--but again, they all had different names. We also had a can of peach halves every morning, as well as some pastry or bread, and juice. I guess it was the picturesque "part of this complete breakfast" you always see on cereal commercials.
After breakfast it was time to start working. Clayton and I went straight to work on the bicycles. There were several bikes that were in bad condition, as well as a storage room of bicycle parts to work with. We did what we could with what we had, but usually our efforts ended with the realization that there was some key element that we were not able to fix.
While we were working on our first bike the sky began to precipitate on us (it started to rain). At first it was just like an Oregon sprinkle, so we moved our operation into the tool shed. Before too long we were really glad we had moved, because suddenly it started coming down by the bucket-loads. It was ridiculous. The rain probably went on like that for about 30-45 minutes. Most of the rest of the crew had to stop working on their projects unless they were already working inside.
We worked on bicycles most of the day. The hardest part was probably when Caesar (Say-zar), one of the kids, would try to show us what to do and what was wrong with the bikes. There were times when he was right, but he was just getting in the way, or he would try to tell me something that I already knew. And then there were times when he would try to explain something to me when I had already figured out that the problem was really something else. All in all, though, I couldn't help but appreciate his enthusiasm, and what mechanical understanding he displayed. He kept telling me "un momento" so that I would step back for a moment and let him do his work. I quickly learned from this technique and was able to use it later to get him to step back for a moment so that I could do my work. It's all about communication.
Of course lunch and dinner were both amazing and delicious. Our dinner dessert was flan. I'm not sure what flan is, but I ate it. It wasn't too bad. It was very sweet, so I wasn't able to finish it, but that's okay.
After dinner we all sat around talking and hanging out. Eventually I went and got my guitar. We sang some songs until we couldn't stand the flies any more, then off to bed we went.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mexico Trip: Day 1
3:15 AM
Wake up to get ready for departure to Mexico.
4:15 AM
My ride arrives and I wish my parents farewell.
4:30 AM
The majority of the team going to Mexico gathers are Estacada Christian Church.
4:45 AM
Head out to PDX.
Long story short, the first day was an early morning with a flight from Portland to LA (2 hours), and then from LA to Mazatlan Mexico (3 hours, with a 1 hour time zone change). We arrive in Mexico at around 4:30ish PM
But let's back up a bit.
We spent a lot of time in LAX because our flights were so spaced out. During this time we experienced an earth quake, met up with the last member of our team (he came from Texas), stood around, sat around and lazed around for several hours. Can you say team bonding time?
We were a fairly interesting group: two and a half families with three extra stragglers.
Randy and Carrie were the ones who spear headed the whole trip. They had been down to El Castillo before with their two children, Jimmy (14) and Jessica (12ish?). Now the whole family was making the trip again.
Next we had Jay and Debbie. Jay is a full blooded Mexican, and did what he could as our interpreter. They also brought their two children along, Clayton (12) and Audry (10ish?).
Debbie's dad was the one who met us in LA. Danny Danger is what we called him, but "Dan Leffingwell" was the name that came over the PA system while we were standing around in the LA airport. We hadn't even been together as a whole group for a day and Jay had already pulled his first prank on Danny. He got the gate attendants to tell Danny that he had checked in too late and was going to be bumped from the flight. Danny handled it pretty well, and we all thought it was funny.
Then you have Kelly and her son Jared (14?).
And, finally, Roger and myself.
13 Characters in all, and what characters we were.
So we land in Mazatlan and step out on to the tarmac on our way to customs. A quick flash of the passport and visa paperwork, a short trip to pick up our luggage and we are then put through the brief rigmarole of scanning the luggage and presenting more paperwork. It's at this point that you push a button that is supposed to randomly select people to have their luggage searched. You push the button and it turns on either a green light, or a red light. I was glad to get a green. Kelly and Jared were not so lucky. It didn't take very long for there suitcases to be searched, and in the mean time most everyone else was just around the corner exchanging some currency for Mexican pesos.
It was at this point that we met up with our "guide" of sorts. Ed (or "Edwardo" as we called him) is a guy who works for the organization that runs the orphanage and he helps direct the work that the groups like ours do when they come down. With him was Eric. Eric and his wife completely ran the orphanage by themselves for two years before they were able to get more help. Since then his wife has moved back to the states indefinitely due to the overload of stress, and Eric has been working toward being around the orphanage less and less.
Once Kelly and Jared had caught up and had a chance to exchange some of their own money we all made our way out to a big 15 passenger van with a luggage rack on top. We loaded up and away we went.
After picking up a couple bags of ice at the El Castillo "super market" we pulled up to the orphanage. Our living quarters and dining area were just across the dirt road from the orphanage, so as we were unloading our things we were able to get a great look at the arch of the gateway to the orphanage that read "Rancho De Los Niños", which means Ranch of the children. Sounds like a reasonable description.
We took a little bit of time to get settled in before dinner. I don't know much about the girls quarters, but the guys had four bunks (which was the exact number we needed), a sink with running water and two mirrors hanging over it, two toilets, and two showers. The only way to get a warm showers would be to hang a solar bag outside, but had been busted some time before we got there. Most of us didn't mind taking cold showers though, what with the heat and all.
Oh, didn't I mention the heat? I guess not. You might find this hard to believe, but it is HOT in Mexico. We didn't even sleep with blankets on our beds. Some people didn't even want to sleep with a mattress underneath them.
And of course you have to also consider the humidity. I always used to think that Oregon was a humid place. I had been to California before, so I had an idea of what a dry heat was. But I had no idea that it could get so humid as it was in El Castillo. Even if a guy stands absolutely still for a while he would end up with a moist t-shirt.
Our eating/gathering area was basically a large concrete patio with a roof over top. It was swarming with flies the entire eight days we were there. In one corner we had the water (bottled of course. We can't drink the tap water without ill effect). In the opposite corner we had the coffee maker. In a third corner we kept all the eating supplies (cups, bowls, plates, plastic ware). Every morning before breakfast Ed would walk to a nearby store to get milk for the cereal and some fruit. We had cereal for breakfast every morning which was okay for most people, though Jay didn't ever have any because he is lactose intolerant. Our lunch and dinner would always be made by a lady who lives just down the street from the orphanage. I thought for sure that there would come a meal that I wouldn't have an appreciation for, but it never happened. Monica made meal after meal of some of the best food I have ever had. It was absolutely amazing.
I can't remember what each individual meal was, but I know that the first night we had as dessert a kind of pancake with apples. I would have had seconds of every meal if it weren't for the fact that the food was so filling.
After our first dinner we took a quick tour of the orphanage and looked at the various projects we were going to be working on throughout the week. The place looks nothing like what you would think an orphanage would look like. It was more of a foster home appearance. Because that's what it was. It was a home. It was a home with a lot of rooms, but it was a home.
Out back they have a ginormous playground made out of concrete. There are basically 3 towers, each with two levels and an area underneath. There is a ramp going from the back door straight up to the first tower. From the first tower there is a concrete platform going to the next tower, and then a wood and rope bridge traversing the gap between the second and third towers.
Once the tour was over we returned to our gathering area and talked and sang some songs before heading off to bed. Day one was complete, and we were ready for things to really begin.
Wake up to get ready for departure to Mexico.
4:15 AM
My ride arrives and I wish my parents farewell.
4:30 AM
The majority of the team going to Mexico gathers are Estacada Christian Church.
4:45 AM
Head out to PDX.
Long story short, the first day was an early morning with a flight from Portland to LA (2 hours), and then from LA to Mazatlan Mexico (3 hours, with a 1 hour time zone change). We arrive in Mexico at around 4:30ish PM
But let's back up a bit.
We spent a lot of time in LAX because our flights were so spaced out. During this time we experienced an earth quake, met up with the last member of our team (he came from Texas), stood around, sat around and lazed around for several hours. Can you say team bonding time?
We were a fairly interesting group: two and a half families with three extra stragglers.
Randy and Carrie were the ones who spear headed the whole trip. They had been down to El Castillo before with their two children, Jimmy (14) and Jessica (12ish?). Now the whole family was making the trip again.
Next we had Jay and Debbie. Jay is a full blooded Mexican, and did what he could as our interpreter. They also brought their two children along, Clayton (12) and Audry (10ish?).
Debbie's dad was the one who met us in LA. Danny Danger is what we called him, but "Dan Leffingwell" was the name that came over the PA system while we were standing around in the LA airport. We hadn't even been together as a whole group for a day and Jay had already pulled his first prank on Danny. He got the gate attendants to tell Danny that he had checked in too late and was going to be bumped from the flight. Danny handled it pretty well, and we all thought it was funny.
Then you have Kelly and her son Jared (14?).
And, finally, Roger and myself.
13 Characters in all, and what characters we were.
So we land in Mazatlan and step out on to the tarmac on our way to customs. A quick flash of the passport and visa paperwork, a short trip to pick up our luggage and we are then put through the brief rigmarole of scanning the luggage and presenting more paperwork. It's at this point that you push a button that is supposed to randomly select people to have their luggage searched. You push the button and it turns on either a green light, or a red light. I was glad to get a green. Kelly and Jared were not so lucky. It didn't take very long for there suitcases to be searched, and in the mean time most everyone else was just around the corner exchanging some currency for Mexican pesos.
It was at this point that we met up with our "guide" of sorts. Ed (or "Edwardo" as we called him) is a guy who works for the organization that runs the orphanage and he helps direct the work that the groups like ours do when they come down. With him was Eric. Eric and his wife completely ran the orphanage by themselves for two years before they were able to get more help. Since then his wife has moved back to the states indefinitely due to the overload of stress, and Eric has been working toward being around the orphanage less and less.
Once Kelly and Jared had caught up and had a chance to exchange some of their own money we all made our way out to a big 15 passenger van with a luggage rack on top. We loaded up and away we went.
After picking up a couple bags of ice at the El Castillo "super market" we pulled up to the orphanage. Our living quarters and dining area were just across the dirt road from the orphanage, so as we were unloading our things we were able to get a great look at the arch of the gateway to the orphanage that read "Rancho De Los Niños", which means Ranch of the children. Sounds like a reasonable description.
We took a little bit of time to get settled in before dinner. I don't know much about the girls quarters, but the guys had four bunks (which was the exact number we needed), a sink with running water and two mirrors hanging over it, two toilets, and two showers. The only way to get a warm showers would be to hang a solar bag outside, but had been busted some time before we got there. Most of us didn't mind taking cold showers though, what with the heat and all.
Oh, didn't I mention the heat? I guess not. You might find this hard to believe, but it is HOT in Mexico. We didn't even sleep with blankets on our beds. Some people didn't even want to sleep with a mattress underneath them.
And of course you have to also consider the humidity. I always used to think that Oregon was a humid place. I had been to California before, so I had an idea of what a dry heat was. But I had no idea that it could get so humid as it was in El Castillo. Even if a guy stands absolutely still for a while he would end up with a moist t-shirt.
Our eating/gathering area was basically a large concrete patio with a roof over top. It was swarming with flies the entire eight days we were there. In one corner we had the water (bottled of course. We can't drink the tap water without ill effect). In the opposite corner we had the coffee maker. In a third corner we kept all the eating supplies (cups, bowls, plates, plastic ware). Every morning before breakfast Ed would walk to a nearby store to get milk for the cereal and some fruit. We had cereal for breakfast every morning which was okay for most people, though Jay didn't ever have any because he is lactose intolerant. Our lunch and dinner would always be made by a lady who lives just down the street from the orphanage. I thought for sure that there would come a meal that I wouldn't have an appreciation for, but it never happened. Monica made meal after meal of some of the best food I have ever had. It was absolutely amazing.
I can't remember what each individual meal was, but I know that the first night we had as dessert a kind of pancake with apples. I would have had seconds of every meal if it weren't for the fact that the food was so filling.
After our first dinner we took a quick tour of the orphanage and looked at the various projects we were going to be working on throughout the week. The place looks nothing like what you would think an orphanage would look like. It was more of a foster home appearance. Because that's what it was. It was a home. It was a home with a lot of rooms, but it was a home.
Out back they have a ginormous playground made out of concrete. There are basically 3 towers, each with two levels and an area underneath. There is a ramp going from the back door straight up to the first tower. From the first tower there is a concrete platform going to the next tower, and then a wood and rope bridge traversing the gap between the second and third towers.
Once the tour was over we returned to our gathering area and talked and sang some songs before heading off to bed. Day one was complete, and we were ready for things to really begin.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Long Time Coming
Oh! Hello... Ha-have you been standing there long? I didn't even see you there. I'm sorry. Well, I suppose I should get things going. This has been a long time in coming. Here we go.
Day 42: It was a long and arduous journey finding our way through the bog. Two men were lost--dragged under by the bog orts--creatures that live in the very ground of the bog waiting for some poor straggling animal (or man) to come by for dinner. Prior to these last few days the bog orts were believed to be nothing but children's stories, designed to keep kids from wandering into the bog. In the future we shall know better, for the loss of those two men weighs heavy on us all.
But there is nothing for it. We must continue on, and so we shall.
It is good to finally have rid ourselves of the bog after being lost in its haze and stench for so long. Spirits began lifting even as we first set foot back on solid ground.
We now set our gaze forward with eager anticipation...and a wary eye.
Anyway, Life is going pretty well. Work has been enjoyable as always--in its own weird sort of way. Tomorrow I'm heading home for the weekend. My friend is graduating, and he insists that I be there--to the point that he is driving down to get me, and then taking me back on Sunday. It should be nice to get away from the campus for a few days and hang out with friends back home.
I think that is all for now.
Day 42: It was a long and arduous journey finding our way through the bog. Two men were lost--dragged under by the bog orts--creatures that live in the very ground of the bog waiting for some poor straggling animal (or man) to come by for dinner. Prior to these last few days the bog orts were believed to be nothing but children's stories, designed to keep kids from wandering into the bog. In the future we shall know better, for the loss of those two men weighs heavy on us all.
But there is nothing for it. We must continue on, and so we shall.
It is good to finally have rid ourselves of the bog after being lost in its haze and stench for so long. Spirits began lifting even as we first set foot back on solid ground.
We now set our gaze forward with eager anticipation...and a wary eye.
Anyway, Life is going pretty well. Work has been enjoyable as always--in its own weird sort of way. Tomorrow I'm heading home for the weekend. My friend is graduating, and he insists that I be there--to the point that he is driving down to get me, and then taking me back on Sunday. It should be nice to get away from the campus for a few days and hang out with friends back home.
I think that is all for now.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Summer Time on the Campus
I'm living in a new apartment now. It's the same complex, but it's a "four-person" apartment instead of a "three-person" apartment. This means that everything is either almost twice as big or over twice as big. My bedroom is almost. The kitchen is over. The bathroom is almost. The windows are over.
It's been interesting settling in here. At first it was a bit of a challenge getting all my stuff to fit with all my room-mate's stuff. Some how we made it work. It's absolutely incredible just how well everything fits. The few people who have seen our room have all said that it looks really good. We like it.
Most everyone has moved home for the Summer. Only a few of us are sticking around. Some of us are working. Some are staying only until they leave for another country. Some just don't have anywhere else to live where it would be cheep without any room-mates. It's an interesting bunch. It should be an interesting Summer.
It's been interesting settling in here. At first it was a bit of a challenge getting all my stuff to fit with all my room-mate's stuff. Some how we made it work. It's absolutely incredible just how well everything fits. The few people who have seen our room have all said that it looks really good. We like it.
Most everyone has moved home for the Summer. Only a few of us are sticking around. Some of us are working. Some are staying only until they leave for another country. Some just don't have anywhere else to live where it would be cheep without any room-mates. It's an interesting bunch. It should be an interesting Summer.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Normal--With Side-Effects
I had an "ah-hah" moment today. Some of you when you read this will probably think something like, "and this guy is in college?"
I was talking with a friend today when I used the word "emphatically." Just then I started thinking about the word. 'emphaticaly...emphasis...OH! That's where it comes from.' Suddenly that word made so much more sense to me than it ever had.
I think it should be noted that I have used this word for a long time (and yes, I have been using it in proper context and everything). I knew what it meant, and I knew how to use it. I just had never thought about and made the connection between "emphatic" and "emphasis."
Now, I just know that some of you are thinking "there's one egg that took too long to boil." Whatever.
I have my finals next week. I am actually not too worried about all that at this point. All of the big projects are done. The rest is pretty straight forward and easily done. Every day of finals week I am done around or before 12:30. This is a big deal for the guy who has classes every day in both the morning and late afternoon (and once a week into the late evening). I am really excited for this week to come to a close. I don't really have any more assignments due this week (that aren't already done). There are only the choir concerts and class attendance to worry about for the next couple days.
With that in mind, I think I will go to sleep now. Laters.
I was talking with a friend today when I used the word "emphatically." Just then I started thinking about the word. 'emphaticaly...emphasis...OH! That's where it comes from.' Suddenly that word made so much more sense to me than it ever had.
I think it should be noted that I have used this word for a long time (and yes, I have been using it in proper context and everything). I knew what it meant, and I knew how to use it. I just had never thought about and made the connection between "emphatic" and "emphasis."
Now, I just know that some of you are thinking "there's one egg that took too long to boil." Whatever.
I have my finals next week. I am actually not too worried about all that at this point. All of the big projects are done. The rest is pretty straight forward and easily done. Every day of finals week I am done around or before 12:30. This is a big deal for the guy who has classes every day in both the morning and late afternoon (and once a week into the late evening). I am really excited for this week to come to a close. I don't really have any more assignments due this week (that aren't already done). There are only the choir concerts and class attendance to worry about for the next couple days.
With that in mind, I think I will go to sleep now. Laters.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Saturday, April 05, 2008
The Meaning of it All
It's around this time of year that I tend to contemplate the concept of birthdays. What are they? Why do we celebrate them? Should they matter? Why should they matter? What should be different about them? What do we have right?
There have been some years when I've just given up on birthdays, and there have been years when I have worked hard at birthdays. Usually whatever I decide to do doesn't work. Some times I will decide to not care much about them, and I will become depressed because I can't help but care even though I don't allow myself to. Some times I work really hard at making big plans only to have them blow up in my face.
I can recall two purely good birthdays--one was mine, and one was a friend's. There have been others that ended well, but started really rough, and several that have crashed and burned.
So I've wondered, what's the point? Why do we do this?
For a long time I figured a birthday is a day when you take extra special notice of someone you care about, be it family, friend, or...family. That's why it never really made sense to me to go singing "Happy Birthday" to someone I didn't even know--though I most always went along with it for the sake of being polite. But I never cared for people who don't know me to start singing to me.
However, as I was considering this concept of birthdays this year I began to think about it a little bit differently. This is what I came up with:
Birthdays are times when we celebrate a life created by God, in the image of God, and (Lord willing) lived to the glory of God.
See when you look at it like that it's not just showing appreciation for those you care about--though that is definitely an important part of those birthdays. It is about worshiping God for the wonderful work He has done. Life itself is such an amazing thing. The fact that we were created in God's own image would be unbelievable if He didn't tell us that it was so. And the joy, peace and love that flows out of a life that is lived to the glory of God is so uplifting and encouraging. Praise the Lord that we sinful creatures may through His spirit live such lives. And Praise the Lord for those kind of people whom He has placed in our lives.
Birthdays have suddenly become much more exciting occasions.
Today is someone's birthday. Praise the Lord, and Happy Birthday!
There have been some years when I've just given up on birthdays, and there have been years when I have worked hard at birthdays. Usually whatever I decide to do doesn't work. Some times I will decide to not care much about them, and I will become depressed because I can't help but care even though I don't allow myself to. Some times I work really hard at making big plans only to have them blow up in my face.
I can recall two purely good birthdays--one was mine, and one was a friend's. There have been others that ended well, but started really rough, and several that have crashed and burned.
So I've wondered, what's the point? Why do we do this?
For a long time I figured a birthday is a day when you take extra special notice of someone you care about, be it family, friend, or...family. That's why it never really made sense to me to go singing "Happy Birthday" to someone I didn't even know--though I most always went along with it for the sake of being polite. But I never cared for people who don't know me to start singing to me.
However, as I was considering this concept of birthdays this year I began to think about it a little bit differently. This is what I came up with:
Birthdays are times when we celebrate a life created by God, in the image of God, and (Lord willing) lived to the glory of God.
See when you look at it like that it's not just showing appreciation for those you care about--though that is definitely an important part of those birthdays. It is about worshiping God for the wonderful work He has done. Life itself is such an amazing thing. The fact that we were created in God's own image would be unbelievable if He didn't tell us that it was so. And the joy, peace and love that flows out of a life that is lived to the glory of God is so uplifting and encouraging. Praise the Lord that we sinful creatures may through His spirit live such lives. And Praise the Lord for those kind of people whom He has placed in our lives.
Birthdays have suddenly become much more exciting occasions.
Today is someone's birthday. Praise the Lord, and Happy Birthday!
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