Walking in the Clouds

     Sometimes I wonder if I'm ready to move in to a small village where we will likely be the main event every day.  Recently we were driving through "Pine Hill" and Clay stopped to go into a small store to buy a coke. (A great reason to stop and chat.) I stayed in the car with the kids, trying to be inconspicuous. It didn't take long for people to walk by, stop, and peer in to the windows to catch a glimpse of the FOUR white kids. The people were not shy about looking, either.
     Later, Clay stopped at another store. This time he left the windows open.  There were at least 9 kids peeking in to look at us at one time. The peeking is one thing...then I heard Ryan say, "I don't want anyone else to touch me!" I realized we were all beginning to feel like an exhibit at the local zoo. How will I ever handle this constant observation? How will my kids handle the people constantly reaching to touch their hair? Or hug them? And then there's the kisses...I realized that Ellie has developed an amazing "duck and run" escape technique!
     The next day we went back to visit. I'll admit that I was feeling a bit apprehensive...overwhelmed.  We began the visit in the town square where we ran into a man who works for the state police. (A good friend to have!) We've seen this man on every trip to "Pine Hill," and every time he has welcomed us. This time he invited us to a cup of coffee at the local restaurant. Since the restaurant is right on the square, we let the big kids run and play with the kids who were playing soccer while we visited.
     I continue to be amazed by the people of this community. They are so kind, so open. I spent most of the morning visiting with Isabela who owns the restaurant. She's the mother of two girls who are now married. She has a three year old granddaughter. And she has opened her home to her 13 year-old neice and her 6 month-old baby. Isabela's husband has diabetes and is very sick. He's already had one leg amputated, and no longer can get out of bed.
     We watched the clouds blow down the hill that afternoon. It was amazing to walk in a cloud! The kids ran and jumped, and were surprised that they got wet when it wasn't even raining. We pray for this community of "Pine Hill."  They are so full of needs. Most women still cook over wood fires. Their teeth are rotting from malnutrition. And many are lulled into a sense of eternal security, thinking that they're good enough to go to Heaven. But too few have a relationship with the Father and Son.
     It's during these moments, that I am reminded why the Lord has brought me here, to these people.

The Blessings of "Pine Hill"

Recently I was able to make my first trip to ZK land, home of our people group. I do believe I fell in love...with the people and the community. It was a four-hour drive through winding mountain roads. I'd like to say it was a beautiful drive, but I spent most of the time nodding off thanks to my new friend Dramamine.

Once we got to "Pine Hill," Clay and I headed out to explore and look for the medical clinic. Our main purpose was to meet people and see what it might be like to live in this town eventually. As we walked along, we entered a grocery store to check prices of milk...it was comparable. Then we saw a young guy in a furniture store, so we stopped to see what kind of furniture and appliances are available. We talked to Misael for awhile, asking him how to say "thank you" in ZK.

When we finally got to the clinic, we talked to the nurse and learned so much more about the people. She told us that many people in the community are very poor and suffer from malnutrition. The women (or girls) often start having babies at 13 years old. The mother and baby are both malnourished. And the more babies they have, the more the whole family is affected. Later as we walked through town, we saw the affects of the poverty in the rotten teeth of small children. Many are given sweet coffee to drink from a young age.

After we left the clinic, we entered a papelería, or a small store that sells stationery, school/office supplies, etc. Again, we were looking to see what was available and the prices...and hoping to meet people who would be open to chat with us. God amazed us by taking us to Don J, the owner of the store. After a few minutes, he invited us to see his house which is attached to the store. Then he brought out stools for us to sit and sent his daughter to buy some Coca-Cola so we could visit. We spent close to an hour visiting with Don J that day. He was very kind and offered us lots of information about the community and the people.

The next week we went back to "Pine Hill" and took the whole family. We stopped at a small store near a basketball court. We bought a Coke and sat while the kids ran around. Of course we attracted a crowd. I wish I had a camera to capture all that was happening, but we had deliberately left it behind.

At one point, we were sitting on the sidewalk with about 20 people crowding around. We were asking them how to say words or phrases in ZK and they were eager to teach us, and to laugh at our poor pronunciation. There were also kids gathering close to see the gringo kids. Suddenly I realized that our little Ellie was teaching the kids a game...the "hand stack" game where everyone stacks their hands and then the hand on the bottom is put on the top of the stack. She was speaking Spanish fluently enough to explain what to do! I was thrilled to see her interacting with these little girls.

When it was time to leave, we headed back down hill to where we had parked our car. I felt a bit like the Pied Piper. We were leading a gang of the kids...and Ellie and Levi were in the lead, holding hands with three of their new friends. Again, I wish I had a camera, but I will hold that image in my mind's eye forever!



We were able to snap this picture of the streets of "Pine Hill"

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.

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.

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

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!

Four Degrees North...Part 2

Our trip to Suriname was an adventure in itself. It was a total of 10 flights to get from southern Mexico to the interior of Suriname. Our troubles began from the very beginning...we arrived to the airport in Tuxtla with plenty of time to check in all the luggage a family of 6 might need for a month in the jungle. And that's when we found out that Ellie's ticket was in the name of "Ellie" and not "Elizabeth" like her passport says. Also, Matthew, who was travelling as a lap child, was headed for Spain instead of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. After what seemed like forever, they finally gave us our boarding passes, but then our flight was delayed.

Levi and Ellie, looking at the ships in Panama.

When we finally arrived in Mexico City, we had missed our connecting flight to Panama. We spent 2 hours in line with the customer service personnel, and they finally put us up in a 5 star hotel for the night. The next day we returned early to the airport, hoping to check in and then get something to eat. Instead, we spent another 3 hours with the customer service personnel because Ryan's e-ticket was not in the system. Finally, after much frustration they gave us Ryan's boarding pass and we were off to Panama. There we got to meet some colleagues and do a little sight-seeing. We had planned a whole day to see the canal, but had to suffice with a few hours. We were happy that we had the extra time though or who knows what the rest of the trip would have looked like!

In Panama, once again Ryan's e-ticket was not in the system. Again, we spent a couple hours in line waiting for the problem to be solved. And again, they printed off the boarding pass and sent us on our way to Trinidad and Tobago. In TT, we realized that no one really ever fixed Ryan's ticket problem. They just printed off a boarding pass and sent us on...so, in TT we again spent hours, waiting for them to fix the ticket problem. They assured us that they had it completely fixed, and that we wouldn't have the same problem on the way home a month later.

We arrived in the capital city of Suriname around 2am, I think. After three days of travel, with lots of added ticketing stress, we were exhausted. And relieved to have finally arrived. We stayed in a "suite" at the hotel, which meant Ryan, Ellie, and Levi slept on 2 mattresses on the floor. Not exactly what one would expect when you hear "suite." But we were thankful because we had hot showers and A/C...and we knew that wouldn't last long!

The next day we took a 45 minute flight to our new home. This flight was the smallest plane I had ever been on. There were only 10 passengers, plus the pilots. It was a beautiful flight, giving us the opportunity to see what the country of Suriname looks like.

When we arrived to our new village, we finally got to see our new home! We really didn't know what to expect. We weren't told what kind of housing to expect, just that there would be indoor plumbing. We were pleasantly surprised to find a 3 bedroom cabin, with a kitchen, dining room, and bathroom right on the river. Clay was able to fish from our front porch! And the hammock was a great place to relax!