More Matacanes

The opening to the cave - the green in the front

The end of the caves, the waterfall we had to propel up

Repelling

Me doing my cliff jump!!!

Our Matacanes trip

Katie and I

One of the big slippery rocks we had to climb over

We used anything to help us up - even people's feet

Kathy, Cathy, Katie and I

We are so tough!

Yesterday I experienced one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life... But it was so worth it!! A group of us went canyoneering at Matacanes. You can check it out at www.matacanes.com... Anyway, people come from all over to go to this canyon and you need a guide. Luckily, Juan, who works for Back2Back is a guide and has trained some of our guys to help. We had a group of 13 and we wore helmets, harnesses, and life jackets. By the time we traveled along a rutted, bumpy road for an hour we arrived there. The water was extra high from lots of rain lately and it was dark because of recent fires. Because of this we couldn't see through the water to see where rocks were and we had a lot of falls and bruises...I wasn't expecting so much water but we were in the water a lot. We started by hiking along the water on the rocks and then we had to get in. We'd swim some then get out and climb over rocks, then wade, then swim some more, and over and over. Then we got to the cave! I was not excited about entering a cave with an opening of 2-3 feet that we had to swim through. It was really beautiful inside when I could see and when it was dark I didn't really enjoy it!! Then we had to rope repel up a waterfall and that was a challenge with water pouring down and trying to get a handhold. Eventually we reached the cliff jumps. You didn't have to do this part but I actually jumped and it was at least 35 feet above water...!! After that, Juan had packed lunch in a waterproof bag and we had cheese, salami, and granola bars...Then we had to turn around and do it all again to get back! All in all it was 10 hours of hard work. I was proud of our whole group for not giving up. The hardest for me was being cold and the water was very cold so you never had a chance to warm up. But at the same time the whole experience was so beautiful and invigorating!!! Hopefully there will be photos to share with you soon...

feliz cumpleanos Marlen

Marlen, the sister of Ewelin, turned 12 yesterday! She lives down the road at Casa Hogar Douglas. I took them out to eat and we had a good time talking and laughing. It was fun to watch her as the waiters sang to her and then she tried to blow out trick candles!

Last Sunday I had the privilege of going to our pastor's quinta. A quinta is a weekend/holiday home that some people from the city have. This home has been in their family and it is beautiful. We enjoyed sitting and talking, playing games, and eating, while the kids swam.

Hanging out with my friends!!!

One of the staff kids, Ben Huffer, is playing soccer here in the city. I am so proud of him for trying something new and especially when it involves everyone speaking another language. Good job Ben!

ice skating

Yes there is an ice skating rink at the mall here!...Saturday we took the girls from Monantiel de Amor for a picnic in the parking lot, skating, and then ice cream!! It was fun to introduce some of them to something new and build our friendships!

My Students learn about pesos

Every Friday the fruit/vegetable guy comes and so this week my students had 10 pesos to spend. We practiced how to ask in Spanish how much an item costs and then ask for what they wanted. They all had fun and then we ate the food!!

Let it Rain!

We haven't had rain for a long time and everything is super dry and one of the Childrens' Homes doesn't have water in their well - So we were rejoicing that it rained yesterday! Because of the mountains on both sides of us, the ground being hard, and so much cement in the city, there was flooding all over the place.

It's time to share the news!

Well I wish I could talk to you all in person but I have made the decision to stay another year here at Back2Back! I am once again amazed at how God is working in my life and how what had been so difficult has now become a passion. God started changing my heart a few months ago and lots of things were falling into place for me to stay and I wrestled with God to figure out what to do. I now have good relationships with everyone and the language is getting better! I feel like I spent a lot of my first year working on myself and God changing me, and now I want to give more to others. This next year I have the opportunity to work part time as teacher and part time with the orphanages and groups that come. I am excited for this new adventure! Please pray for me as I come home in July and August to be with friends and family and once again raise support!

My Favorite Group!

I spent this past week with 19 friends who I feel are like family. The Master's Commission group from Atlanta were such a blessing to me and an encouragement this week. I spent all my extra time with them, debriefed with them, played games with them, laughed with them (a lot), and even cried with them. It was fun to watch them grow and I hope to see them again!

More visitors

My friend, Judy Gregory, and a group of her students from Master's Commission in Atlanta, Georgia are here this week! It is so great to hang out with them! We had a cookout at Casa Hogar Douglas on Sunday and then I meet up with them in the evenings for dinner and debriefing, since I'm in school during the day. Tomorrow I have off and plan to go with them to the Casa Hogar Del Norte.

Matt Cooper and Judy

I had a great visit with my parents last week. I enjoyed showing them my life. We went to the city riverwalk, some fun restaurants, the market, several childrens' homes, and more.

Here is my dad at the Rio 3

My mom is making sandwiches with the group at Rio 3

They both enjoyed sitting in the palapa and relaxing

Well I saw my first scorpion today! It was about 3 inches long and it was in the school!!!! Of course I screamed and jumped on a chair...

spring break

Well I had a quick trip home last week with appointments and catching up with people! I had no luggage for the first 3 days and it was cold and snowy. I had to get used to it again! I am so thankful for all my friends and family that I got to see. I spent Easter with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece.
That's my girl!!!

Love you Mia!!!

I got to spend an evening with my good friends, the Merrills, who used to live here at Back2Back

Eating baked potatoes at the Market

I like to try new places to eat although some people maybe would be afraid. Friday Corrie and I bought these baked potatoes with meat, cheese, and tons of butter. We could only eat about 10 bites.

Check out Beth Guckenberger, one of our directors telling one of my favorite stories from Back2Back

Life is an Adventure!

I am learning a lot about myself and I have learned even more that I love unexpectedness and the unknown, and I don't enjoy routine. Well I go walking as many days as I can outside the property and each day is a new surprise. You never know what you might see. It could be a parrot in a tree, a horse tied along the road, baby goats just born with the umbilical cord still hanging (gross), or my favorite dog, Patch (my name for him).


'Patch'

My first Quincenera

Wednesday night I got to go to a Quincenera, which is a celebration this culture has for girls when they turn 15. It is almost like a wedding. The girl is dressed up and there is a ceremony. She receives a watch, a ring, a Bible, and flowers. Then there is a meal, and music and she sits up front. Of course I didn't understand all of it with the language but I am able to comprehend more and more every day.
It was held at a new childrens' home, Imperio de Amor, because that is where Liseth lives.
Inside the childrens' home:

Liseth lives at the childrens' home but was escorted by her father:

Jazmine, Ewelin, and I

Gracias a Dios!!

God really does more than we could ever ask or imagine and why do we have a hard time believing that...This week I got into my car to run errands and it would not move from Park. Some of the guys here checked it out but weren't exactly sure what to do and it wouldn't go so I had to get it towed to the VW place. (Thankfully VW's are popular here) One of our staff, Gabo, took care of everything because of language so he went with me. Right away I went to the place of worry... Here I am in a foreign country...What if they do something to my car? What if they make it worse? What if it is hundreds of dollars?...I know worry is not from God, so I tried to give it to him. I called my prayer warriors to pray and everyone here was praying... Today I got the call that it was done and it was $50!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!!! That never happens. But of course it does happen with God! Thank you Jesus!!

a lesson in tamale making

Today Betty let me try my hand at tamale making.

Pulling out the soaked corn husks.


Later I ate a taco and I accidently bit into the chile piquin. Those little suckers are hot! My eyes watered and I needed a drink.

thoughts on being phoneless

Since Christmas break I have been without a phone. In August I left a life of being on the phone non-stop and texting constantly (quite fast, I might add). Then, when I got here I had no text and could use a phone whenever I was in my apartment and when the internet was working. NOW, I have no way of verbally talking to anyone out of my community here unless I borrow a phone. It is actually okay!! I don't come home and right away check what messages I have. I have no calls to return. I have to trust my friends are my friends if I don't call them all the time. I spend more time on other things. It is freeing. Maybe I am not such a phone talker anyway??

Feliz cumpleanos Claudia y Ewelin

The Merrill's Going Away Party

With a lot of sadness we took Heather and the kids to the airport Friday and Bill left with the SUV and trailer to travel to Michigan. Their teen girls are adjusting and right now are in a transition period before their new 'house parents' arrive. Please pray for them in this time of sadness and change. For the Merrill kids we had a party at school Thursday and made a scrapbook for them, and Bill and Heather got one from the staff.
You will be missed!!

God's Love

It's amazing to see how much God loves us all and how he wants to give us the desires of our hearts and see us smile. A week ago I posted my 'bucket list' and then I got a call asking if I wanted to go to a soccer game of the Rayados, a Monterrey team! I was so excited. I borrowed a shirt from one of the teens on campus so I could have the full effect. We were in the rowdy section and it was a blast!! There is a whole section called "The Addictions" who sing and chant through the whole game. They lit sparklers and threw confetti. The half-time show was very unique and hilarious. They won 3-0!

thoughts on being phoneless

Since Christmas break I have been without a phone. In August I left a life of being on the phone non-stop and texting constantly (quite fast, I might add). Then, when I got here I had no text and could use a phone whenever I was in my apartment and when the internet was working. NOW, I have no way of verbally talking to anyone out of my community here unless I borrow a phone. It is actually okay!! I don't come home and right away check what messages I have. I have no calls to return. I have to trust my friends are my friends if I don't call them all the time. I spend more time on other things. It is freeing. Maybe I am not such a phone talker anyway??

My Mexico Bucket List

I don't know if you have seen the movie that is out about Bucket Lists but it actually came here to Mexico and we went to see it. I am a big fan of these lists. I have had a 'life list' on a napkin in my wallet for at least 5 years now. There are things I would like to do in my lifetime. I enjoy trying new things and experiencing as much of life as I can and now that I only have 4 months left in this beautiful country, I have a list of things I want to do here before I leave. They are:

*go hiking at several different places around here
*go on a day excursion to Matacanes (hiking in caves and rock climbing)
*go to a futbol (soccer) game
*go to the hot springs an hour away
*go to a concert in downtown Monterrey
*try more new restaurants