Grace, Generous People, and Cute Capybaras

As always, it has been a busy few weeks here in Mexico.  While the seasons are changing in the US, we are enjoying a wonderful 70-degree, year-round temperature in Puebla. It also appears that the rainy season is finished. We don’t really have fall, but it is a bit cooler in the mornings.  We notice people wearing turtlenecks and puffer jackets while we are in t-shirts!  (In case anyone wonders if I miss the snow--heck no!!!!!)

I finally got my phone and financial situation at the bank worked out. It only took an investment (pun intended) of about five hours from my very patient co-workers! After wrestling with the bank (and losing the match), I withdrew the money and will default on the mysterious “investment” they’d signed me up for. When all was said and done, I lost about $400 — which I’m counting as tuition for a crash course in International Banking 101. The bright side? My ATM card is back in my wallet, my money is in a US bank, and my soul feels lighter.

We bought a new-to-us car!  Our 2007 RAV4 once belonged to a parishioner from our church — who also happens to be the uncle of one of my GYTTE co-workers. (Small world or divine networking?) This car doesn’t look her age and, with only 77k miles, she’s basically a teenager in car years. She’s ready to take us exploring across Mexico, including the legendary “road with 84 potholes” leading to the ranch. Pat has already mastered driving in Puebla, but me? Let’s just say my passenger anxiety has made a roaring comeback. Ugh!  I think it’s time for some therapy for this and my snake houseguests at the ranch.  It took 2 of our co-workers to help with the car paperwork--they really are awesome!

The best addition to our car is hula/dashboard Jesus!  He's always with us, and a good reminder to pray befor getting on the road!

Now for a less graceful moment — I took a tumble (over thin air, apparently) down the stairs during the medical mission. It was a hard fall on my knee (the one with new hardware), but the good news is: nothing broke! When my heel touched my butt upon landing, I thought for sure I’d turned into a human pretzel — but all parts were intact. Pride? Not so much. Humility lessons: free with every mission trip.

Pat was invited to preach in Apizaco, about an hour north of home. We were warmly welcomed by Pastor Javier and his lovely wife Naomi, who fed us breakfast tamales and a heavenly queso taco lunch. During the visit, I admired a sweet lady’s sweater and, before I could blink, she gave it to me. That’s the soul of Mexico right there — generosity that humbles the heart and makes you rethink what it means to give “all that you have.”

Our connections at University of Madero in Puebla— the Methodist university sponsored by the church — continue to grow. Chaplain Egla has become a fast friend!

Although we forgot to snap photos, we had a wonderful night out in Cholula at a swanky place called Jazzatlán Club, where a Frank Sinatra/Amy Winehouse tribute band serenaded us. The pear/chili/cheese pizza was amazing!

We also went full-on tourists and visited AFRICAM, a fantastic animal sanctuary outside Puebla. You drive your own car through the safari — and no, we didn’t adopt a zebra. But I did meet my new favorite animal: the capybara. Imagine a gopher, a couch potato, and a wise old soul rolled into one. While they are known as the world’s largest rodent, I think they look huggable — now I understand why people wear capybara headbands around town.  Maybe this is my new spirit animal?

Pat was invited by the Bishop of our Conference to lead a two-day retreat for pastors on family values. He did an amazing job! (Biased? Maybe. Accurate? Definitely.)  It was also nice for one of our Spanish teachers, Jas, to assist with translating.

We reconnected with our friends and former Spanish teachers, Carla and Edu, over dinner at our place. We cooked Italian — because nothing says gracias por todo like pasta — and they gifted us a beautiful Talavera cross for our collection. My heart was so full.

Día de Muertos is just around the corner, and we visited a stunning Catrina exposition at the Ex-Hacienda de Chutla. The artistry, the colors, the meaning — it’s all so deeply spiritual and joyful. The cempasúchil flowers form golden pathways along streets, in doorways, and across markets, spilling from stalls in vibrant orange cascades. 

Our dear co-worker Cata invited us to his home after church to share a meal with his family. The laughter, hospitality, and home-cooked food were perfect, and getting to know his kids was such a treat  This is one of the greatest joys of living in Mexico. Mierna made the best cheesecakes--guava and mango. Everyone is family and we love it!  We also learned Cata loves fried flying ants! I thought they looked like raisins, Pat tried a few...

Life here continues to be an adventure — sometimes bumpy (literally, thank you potholes), often humbling, and always sacred in its own beautifully messy way. Thanks for journeying with us! Enjoy this pic taken from the rooftop of our apartment.