Monday, August 20, 2012

El Puerto

A friend of ours invited us to his home the other day. That didn't mean the house he currently lives in, but the house where he grew up. He wanted us to meet his grandpa, who has been a Christian for 22 years. Our friend recently re-committed his life to Christ, and his grandfather is grateful.

So, we went yesterday (Sunday). The plan was to leave town around 9am which would give us a couple hours to visit before church started at 1pm. It was an hour and a half trip, with the last 5 kilometers being the roughest part due to the rough road.

When we arrived at El Puerto, we of course caused quite a stir! There are few foreigners who venture that far off the beaten path. And then there were the four white kids...we were constantly being watched by someone peeking through the fence, or hiding behind a tree.

Our friends family wasn't there...they had gone into the city because the Grandpa had been feeling sick. After a phone call to verify, we learned they were on their way home. So, we decided to walk through the village to see the people, and take some pictures.

While walking through town, we discovered that there was a guest preacher at church...and the service started early. We were bummed that we didn't get to attend church, but it allowed us to spend more time visiting with our friend's family. They even took us out to their cornfield and Clay and the guys picked a few dozen ears of corn. It was an amazing adventure for to the kids to wander through the cornfield.

They have to haul water from the well, so they
carry it in this pot, and hang it from their head.


The water pot
Levi liked the pozol,
a drink made from corn.

The fireplace
One of the smiling neighbor girls


With all of the mud, rubber boots are a must.


I love this little girl's smile...and her bigger sister right
behind her.



It was such a beautiful day! The clouds were amazing.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Sweet Bread...and Lost Souls

Today is Saturday. And today we slept in until 7:38! Exciting news in the Richardson home. So, to celebrate we decided to go get donuts and pan dulce (sweet bread) and head to the park for breakfast. A normal day...we thought.

As we ate at the picnic table, the security guard came over to chat with Clay.
     A usual conversation...
             "How's your family? How many kids do you have? How's your wife?"
      But  the answers broke our heart...he has 6 kids...his wife is well, but she left him and the kids 4 months ago for another man.

As Clay talked more, the kids and I went to play on the toys. Soon, I had a shadow...

We have been praying for opportunities to talk and meet people, for friends for the kids. So I started asking him some typical questions...

"What's your name?"      "Javier"
"Do you live close by?"       "Yes."
"How old are you?"      "I don't know."

"Do you have siblings?"       "Four."
"Are you the youngest?"      "Yes."
"So, you don't go to school, do you?"        "No."


"If you don't go to school, what do you do all day?"    "Nothing."
"You don't know how to read, do you?"      "No." 


"Why don't you go to school?"     "My mom doesn't want me to go."
"What does your dad do?"     "Nothing."
"He doesn't work?"       "No."

"Does your mom work?"    "She sells tortillas."
"What do you want to do when you're grown up?"       "Wash cars."

The reality of this boy's life hit me hard. He doesn't know how old he is! Which means he's never celebrated a birthday. His greatest aspiration is to work at a car wash when he's big. His Dad doesn't work, and his Mom sells tortillas. Can you really make a living for a family of 6 by selling tortillas? Does his Dad even live at home? 


My heart is saddened by the reality of life around us.
The hopelessness...
The lostness...

Our focus needs to be the Bread of Life...not just donuts and sweet bread.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

A Look Into Our World


Recently, a short-term medical team was in the area working with friends of ours. They held medical clinics and shared the Gospel among two different people groups. It was a joy to get to know this group who came to serve. (And a treat to get to eat American chocolate!)
There was a professional photographer in the group, and she took some amazing photos, capturing the faces and scenery that surround us.
With her permission, I'm posting some of my favorite pics.



This woman was seeing the doctor, with her daughter
carried in her wrap.

What a cutie!
This lady was taking a break on the porch.

Aubrey was painting the girls' nails.

I love the simplicity of this photo.

A landmark in San Cristobal.

The beauty of God's creation.

Donkeys truly are a common sight.

Just look at those big, beautiful eyes!

Peek-a-boo!

Gathering firewood in order to be able to cook.

This picture says so much...





Sunrise in Chiapas

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Gone Fishing

This past weekend, Clay was invited to go fishing with a new friend...to the Pacific Coast...for two days!
He was so excited!
And I was excited for him to have this opportunity too.

They caught 2 Dorado...


And he even got to land a sailfish... 


It was about 9 ft. long!


That was all in one day...so they came home a day early!