A Few Useful Natural Remedies For You; Friendship

This is Esther, Enock's wife with her niece. Esther has been a very good friend to me. The language barrier has been challenging between her and I, but even when you cannot communicate well with words, the spirit of love comes through loud and clear.

Esther drove straight to my house the minute she heard I came down ill. In fact, her sons came with her. With loving concern, they all were eager to check in on me. Esther brought with her one of Mexico's natural remedies to settle a volatile stomach and stop diarrhea. How well it worked I am still unsure due to the nature of my illness. I am not sure it is fair to judge it when trying to stop a strong case of dysentery. I'm certain I benefited from it's use. Here it is for you to try the next time one in your family comes down sick. She claimed that it serves as a instant plugger-upper.

1 heaping tablespoon of corn starch
2 fresh squeezed juice from lemons (small lemons)
1 small bottle of coca-cola (use of the caffeine, coffee can be substituted)

Take 2- 3 times in one day.

Natural remedies are widely used in Mexico. Medicine isn't as prevalent as in America and is very expensive for the people, most of which are very poor. As vinegar is valued in the US, lemon juice is in Mexico. Lupe is always telling me of how I can get rid of this problem or that with the use of lemon juice. It can be used to stop the mosquito itch, and it can be rubbed all over your skin to prevent the mosquito bite.

Mike stubbed his toe badly, it having swelled up more than twice it's natural size. Our neighbor across the street, Alahaundra, went to her yard to pick some Arnica leaves. She lovingly wrapped my husband's toe in fresh Arnica leaves and by morning all the swelling was gone. (I would have liked to have access to these leaves in great quantities when I badly sprang my ankle a few summers ago and it was swollen for months!) Later, I learned that I have an Arnica tree in my own back yard. It is an important plant for the Mexican people so everyone grows them. I'd love to be able to plant one in my yard at home.

Esther had not only given me the medicine that comforted my stomach but she delivered medicine that touched my soul. Her visit to help me in my hour of need was invaluable; she and one of her nieces also fully cleaned my messy house. The people continue to amaze me by their generosity, their positive attitudes, their readiness to help and just how happy they are. Most Mexican people live in challenging circumstances so it is obvious that their happiness isn't determined by these means. I pray this is what I can bring home from Mexico with us.

The Full Meal Deal Part 2; My Experience with Dysentery

We were warned about what our life-style should "look like" in Mexico. The University met with Mike more than once to give him the facts, like don't brush your teeth in the tap water and stay away from fresh unpeeled fruits and vegetables. In our possession is enough paperwork on the subject to keep us busy for a long time. Not only that, we are students who like to read and prepare ahead for such a thing as taking our family to a tropical, underdeveloped country. But, the truth is, we tend to get laid back at times and can be overly optimistic. On one hand, I feel as if we have blown it big but on the other, I feel so blessed. Mike was told that 50-80% of Americans who travel to Mexico will come down sick within the first week. OK- let's do the Math... there are 6 of us and we have been living here now for 10 weeks, I'd say we are doing pretty darn good! And, most Americans are traveling for vacation purposes, visiting the beach towns that cater to American travelers' needs, like providing purified water. Our family has been living in a town that is as authentic as it can possibly get.

Let's be realistic though, the recommended precautions would be extremely difficult for a family who is living in Mexico verses visiting for a couple of weeks.

*Buy purified water and use for all cooking and drinking, or boil your water for 10-15 minutes
*Don't brush your teeth in the tap water
*Stay away from all fresh fruit and vegetables unless it can be peeled
*All foods ingested must be prepared with heat to kill any organisms
*No cold drinks prepared with ice or water in the market place
*Avoid unpasteurized milk products, raw meat, shellfish, salads
*Avoid all food prepared by street vendors or others whom you don't trust their sanitation methods

That doesn't look like much but actually walking it out week after week is extremely difficult! First, that means I have to do ALL my own cooking for my family for weeks on end. We are prohibited from even picking up an ice cream cone in the market place. In La Huacana, the streets are lined with vendors selling fruit cups, fresh squeezed orange juice, tacos, refreshing fruit drinks, home-made ice creams, home-made breads, interesting treats of all kinds, most of which we don't even know what they are and most prepared in people's own kitchens. Do you realize that it rules out me making the famous Mexican salsas and guacamole? They both contain tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro which would all be no-nos. Following the guidelines would reduce us all down to saltine crackers. Comparing to the choices available to me at my local Winco, supplies are very limited. Every single store has just about the same stuff, most of which is fruits and vegetables and toilet paper. Without salsa and guacamole, I am not sure what we would eat. Preparing food for my family in Mexico has been an ongoing challenge. I'd say that American grocery stores are what I miss the most about my home, including my own bed.

What is dysentery? It is the result of ingesting unsanitary drink or food that contain micro organisms. These organisms take up residence in the intestines and cause infection and damage to the lining of the intestinal walls. There are two kinds of dysentery, amoebic and bacillary. Amoebic is parasitic and is commonly spread through fruits and vegetables and through negligent hygiene. There are many form of bacterias, some you might be familiar with are samonella and E-Coli. Basically, the person who is preparing your food can forget to wash his hands after using the bathroom then pass the amobic or bacteria to you. It is commonly passed through human feces. The reason Americans are easily infected is that they haven't acquired the immunity that those have grown up in the area. I 'd say the local residents have guts made of iron! This is a common problem in tropical climates and underdeveloped environments that have less than ideal hygiene and sanitation methods.

We have no idea what took up residence in my gut but I know one thing, my gut didn't like it all. After searching online, I decided that I was infected with a very strong case. My Mexican friends are sure that it was the fresh milk but then again I am sure they don't understand the level of poor sanitation in their own community. You might gasp to see how food is prepared in my current town, usually with no running water or refrigeration nearby. As I observe Mexican chef's prepare my food I always wonder where that knife was laid last, when the hands were washed and in what water or when the last time the wooden cutting board was replaced that is oozing in meat juices in 95 degree weather. Worse yet, watch the local butcher cut-up your carne! At these moments I am reminded that I could resort to only saltine crackers, but instead, I gratefully say "gracious" and devour the scrumptious food provided to me. Yes, I have experienced Mexico to the fullest degree and my bout with dysentery has changed a few habits around here but after thinking on it further, I am sure there was no way it could have been avoided. We are praying that our family can make it back to the US without Mike or one of the kids contacting it. We are thankful that we have made it this far with only one of us coming down since we have broken every rule there is.

For an update on me, I am much stronger today, up and out of my bed and caring for my family. I get tired easily, still have no appetite to speak of, have infrequent bouts of diarrhea but feel more like myself again. As of yet, I am not anxious to sample anyone's authentic Mexican cutlery; saltine crackers and I are close friends.

Maybe next week.

Update on Our Health

Hello To All,

Last week was a very long week dealing with dysentery. Tammy wasn't able to eat a normal meal until Saturday evening, was very weak and had nausea, stomach cramps,bloating and diarrhea that continued for the entire week. After feeling a little more herself, we were able to get out of the house for a day and enjoy a nearby water park. After returning home that night, she came down ill again, having been woke up in the night with all the same symptoms. Our local friends believe that her sickness was from the fresh milk that we are having delivered to the house. (Although she has not touched it recently). Please continue your prayers for her and the family. The bug appears to still be in her body, has caused her to loose 7 pounds in a week and is making it difficult to eat and stay hydrated.

Josh, Jake and Maddy have been sick this week too with a bug. Fever, sore throats, tiredness, and earaches. Both Josh and Maddy have ear infections.

Thank You So Much
Mike

Some Things We Have Learned

The principle, Roberto, came to the house in an attempt to load me up to take me to the hospital. He had been very concerned about me having come down with dysentery and a day prior had sent a car to the house to transport me for medical attention. Twice he sent students to the house to request that I go. My stubbornness though won out; I knew that once the vomiting stopped, I would be able to treat myself with the medications I brought from the US, very likely the same medications I would be treated with by a doctor here. I was blessed by this man's kindness. Pictured here I had finally taken my first shower after a few days in bed. Roberto pulled out a tube of wrinkle -reducing, bag and dark-circle eliminating eye cream. He proceeded himself to apply it gently to my eyes having noticed my hallowed eyes. His visit cheered me up.


During that visit, Mike and Roberto were looking at pictures on the computer. My parents called from Oregon using Skype's Video calling feature. Mom and Dad were able to have a meaningful conversation with the school principle. This time, however, Mike and I were the translators! Practicing our brand-new language in front of family was quiet fulfilling, I must admit. My dad had many questions for our guest and Roberto reciprocated by asking questions about our country. I'd like to share some of those facts with you while throwing in a few others that we have learned.

In Mexico, "minimum wage" is $2 (American Dollars) for 8 hours worth of work (full day)

One American dollar equals 13 pesoes.

In the middle school, this year so far, 100 students (male) between the ages of 12-15 have dropped out of school to find work to help pay their family's way.

A mass majority of young men have no father in the home. For example, a young friend of ours, his father is in the United States working and sending money back home. This is very common.

Numerous children are living with grandparents and aunts with no male role models. Families move in together to survive.

Families choose between owning a house or owning a vehicle. Some can't afford either.

There is no such thing as "homeless" in Mexico.

It is very expensive for people to travel outside their home town and often difficult. Many people rely on buses and taxis.

A brand new truck costs around $31,000, same as in the United States.




A house like the one we are currently living in rents out for $38.00 per month.

In Mexico, you can purchase four nice houses for the same price as buying one modest one in America.

One of the reasons the laws are loose is that when a law is created and enforced, the people couldn't afford to pay the fines.

Living Expenses:
This week, it cost us $180 to have our van repaired at a local body shop. We were quoted $1500.00 in the US.
One meal eaten out at a "cafe" cost approximately $2 per person, including a drink. (Resort towns excluded).
Cost of a coca-cola - 62 cents.
Cost of one chicken quesidalla -$1.15
Cost of a whole BBQ chicken dinner for two, including 10 tortillas, lettuce, chili sauces, condiments and 2 drinks- $3.oo
Cost of one bunch of bananas - 61 cents
Cost of 1 kilo of maize tortillas - $1.15
Cost of fresh gallon of milk delivered to your door -$2.46 (milked that morning)
Cost of 1 kilo of ground hamburger $3.84 (equals 2 pounds)
Cost of gallon of gas - $2.47
Costs of using a public restroom - 23 cents!

Every single peso counts!

My purpose in sharing this and all the pictures is to encourage thankful hearts. I know my family could be more grateful than we are. In America, most people do not know how blessed they truly are. Basically, a person is fortunate to be "born" into America. What about the people who are "born" into this country? For them, fortunate comes in a different way.

After living in La Huacana, I have more compassion for the Mexican people and have come to better understand their day to day lives and who they are. Living with them has been eye-opening and creates in me a need to reevaluate what I thought I already understood. I hope this blog passes a little of that on to you and that it can be a means by which you can experience the goodness of Mexico as well. (The goodness of Mexico is the genuine, warm-hearted people - future post coming).

Feel free to email me your questions or to ask them when we return to our home in the US.

The Full Meal Deal - Dealing with Dysentery

I was teased by email yesterday by a friend that I had taken this desire to experience Mexico way too far; I have come down with the all too common dysentery. Today, I can hold my head up long enough to write this post. Yesterday, I was violently ill unable to keep anything down, including the medication my family doctor sent for this very purpose. Today I am drinking fluids (praise the Lord!) but not without a price since even the fluid causes a ruckus in my gut. My stomach burns and churns and rambles and rolls continuously but there is an improvement since yesterday. Diarrhea continues but the throwing-up has ceased. I am thankful that I can sleep today and can intermittently watch the American Network Channel here in Mexico which makes me feel like I am at home in my own bed.

Before I left the states, I had set-up an email prayer chain where we could send out regular prayer concerns to those who committed to pray for our needs; I also wanted it in place in the case that any of us in the family contacted dysentery. It took much time and effort to form that list - getting over 60 email addresses entered correctly. When desperately needed, it only took 1 minute for Mike to type up a quick prayer request and shoot it off to our praying friends. Also, two telephone prayer chains were set into action, one through our home church and one with the Christian Cowboys that Mike's parents host at their home. If you were missed in any of these efforts, this post is for you!

For this I thank everyone at home who are praying! Yesterday I thought it possible to die and had a very worried husband; torrents of fluids were leaving my body. My inbox was flooded with well wishes, I love yous and I am praying for yous. Mike came into my bedroom multiple times to update me that you all were writing me and what you were saying. All of this has been comforting. Once I have gained my strength and can eat again, I plan to post again about my experience with the well-known Mexican plague. For now I wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your prayers. Back to bed....

The Cena Meal in Mexico

The Authentic Mexican Enchilada

"Cena" is the last meal of the day, translated "dinner". It is eaten late in the evening, somewhere between 8-9:30 PM. The food you see cooking here is being fried-up all over town in numerous outdoor eateries. This is what most people do for a living - cook from their home. And, like in America, many people eat their meals out. This has surprised me. The difference is price though; our whole family eats out very cheap.

Our family was taken to this restaurant last night. My kids used to by shy about ordering but last night we must have had a break through! They have eaten out enough now to know what they will be getting. The welding teacher and his wife have taken a new interest in our family and have taken us out to eat four times this week! He hoovered over the kids, Mike and I, standing ready to order us our next entree. The people have been so kind to us. Every time we have eaten out, our friends insist on picking up the tab. This is hard for us, knowing that their income is significantly lower than our own. We all go home completely stuffed.

This "stove" is classic for what is used to prepare Cena. This one is powered with gas but I have seen several that are made out of stone with a fire built beneath.

There is pollo (fried Chicken in back row starting on the other side of the red spatula), then papas (fried potatoes), taco rolls, guesidallas, enchilada fried tortillas, and then more of the taco rolls. Not far away is a table lined with containers that have all the ingredients that will finish off the meal. Shredded carrots, shredded cabbage, pickled onions and peppers, chili sauces of all flavors, chicken feet, and jalapenos.

Enchiladas are the community favorite. I guess after eating tacos for breakfast, then again for the 10:30 meal, and a third time for the 3:00 meal, when it is time for Cena, enchiladas are a welcomed treat. When planning to eat Cena with Mexican friends, their faces light up while they declare they will be taking us somewhere that serves enchiladas. They are proud of this Mexican speciality and want the Americans to delight in them as well.

In Mexico the enchilada is not anything like what is made and served in America. The first few times I had one, the entire family decided that we didn't like them. But, after being "treated" several more times by our friends, the flavor has grown on me. I now look forward to the next time I will get to experience the authentic enchilada.

The enchiladas are made like this. They are served like a taco with a layering of ingredients:

1. a tortilla deep fried in oil after first being dipped in a home-made enchilada red sauce
several are slapped on the plate with ingredients piled on top
2. shredded fresh cabbage
3. a fresh pickled salsa made of carrots, onions and peppers
4. fresh diced, cooked potatoes
5. jalapenos
6. a sprinkling of cheese (very different than US cheese)
7. A piece of chicken served on the side for you to shred and include in your tortilla

By Request, More Information on Daily Living

My friend Debra has specifically asked for more information and pictures on daily living. This post was created with her in mind.

This business sells vegetables from a warehouse. It is a great place to shop! There is a large variety of fresh veggies to choose from. The "tiendas" mostly stock fresh foods. Little processed foods can be found. Our diet consists of vegetables, fruit, meat, corn tortillas, fresh milk, cereal and a little bit of pollo (chicken) and carne (meat). That is it. Oh, and that doesn't count the local ice cream shop. Mike has found an ice cream bar that tastes like Tillamook Udderly Chocolate, a family favorite.

If we drive out of town, larger stores stock processed foods. Most stores are 3 hours away! Foods that we rarely purchase at home, like Oreos or Snickers, we will purchase here just for the sake of familiarity. It makes the kids happy to eat something "normal".

Mike enjoys shopping in the local market. The two of us walk to town daily to find (literally!) our goods. The stores are small and are spread out all over town. Since we can carry only so much, it requires frequent shopping.

We are Half-way There!!!!

I can't believe it! I just realized today, we are at the half-way mark.

We left Dec. 9th from our home town in Oregon. April 1st is the tentative date for our arrival back. I flood of emotions have hit me. Just last week I was desiring to fly home, and now today I realize that I have so much that I want to accomplish here, with only 7 weeks left to do it.

Amanda H., my good friend, sent me an encouraging word last week. She encouraged me to make every day count, that in light of eternity, our stay in La Huacana is extremely short. At the time, those words were like smoothing sauve on a wound. That week was my hardest yet. Isn't God's timing always perfect? There was a few of us in the family with real bad attitudes. Missing family and friends, exhausted from the heat, sleep-deprived from the crowing roosters and barking dogs, weary of constant company, sick of Mexican food, fed-up with the dust and dirt, irritated from loud, continual music and just plain cranky. And, I was sick and tired of being, sick and tired! Today, my heart has been renewed. Half-way, already! Could it be true? So little time and so much to do! There is no time for bad attitudes or ungratefulness.

Dengue Fever is a Risk Here

Unfortunately, there is mucho littering in Mexico. This picture was taken at the swimming hole I posted about last week. Right next to this man-made swimming area is standing water with litter floating. This is prime conditions for mosquitoes to live in that spread Dengue Fever. I sat next to this pool of water watching my family swim. (The water was NOT clean enough for me to want to climb in). I was ready to go home after 20 minutes since the water next to me was unappealing. Then, Tony, a student that spends a lot of time with us, guided us up the hill to a beautiful, refreshing site.

This truck is heading out with a load of kids to work on a community clean-up project. They will attend to all the streets of La Huacana. Mike, Molly, Josh and Jake have all joined the crew this week in cleaning up litter, looking specifically for containers that mosquitos would want desire to make a home of.

While not as well known as malaria and yellow fever, dengue fever is the most common disease spread by mosquitoes and is the biggest concern here. Dengue fever is increasing and more travelers return home with this viral disease. It is causes serious illness and can be fatal. Like Malaria, it is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Unlike Malaria, the mosquito that carries dengue, bites during the day and also at night. It breeds in urban areas where standing water can be easily found (e.g. in discarded tires, buckets, containers, etc..). Fornately, there is an effort being made in La Huacana to discourage these mosquitoes from living here by eliminating their chosen habitat. It seems to me though, this would potentially be a year-around full-time job. People readily leave their garbage everywhere.

We are getting bit by mosquitoes. As I speak I am covered with bites. Yesterday I visited a park with multiple swim areas. Today, I will cover my legs in deet before going.

There are measures that can be taken to prevent mosquito bites. Percautions should be taken just incase you are bitten by the mosquito that carries the dengue virus. Our family has made the practice of eating fresh garlic. I make garlic sandwiches by smoothering bread in butter on both sides and frying it as if it is a grilled-cheese sandwich. Then, I peel and slice 3 large garlic cloves; I sandwich them in between the bread. The last few bites are spicy but following with a cold drink makes it tolerable. Eating garlic is also helpful in recovering quickly from a sickness. It was amazing how much better I felt after eating several garlic sandwiches in one day. Garlic works as a powerful, natural antibiotic. The smell your skin will emit when eating garlic discourages bugs from wanting to bite you.

We brought tons of deet with us but forget to use it. The first several weeks the mosquitoes favored Molly. Her ankles and legs were covered in welts after each night's sleep. We figured out why; Molly was using aromic creams and lotions. Once stopped, the bites improved.

Dengue fever comes on quickly with a high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of weakness. As our children clean-up the litter that the mosquitoes are attracted to, we'd appreciate your prayers for God's protection. God has been with us every day of this trip so far. After many bites, no one has come down with Dengue Fever. And that is just one aspect of His ongoing care.

My Guacamole Girl

A Recipe

Here is a recipe that I tried last night and liked. Guacamole though really doesn't need a recipe. Just mash a couple of avocados, add chopped onion, chopped tomato and whatever other flavors you like. I have sampled numerous varieties since being in Mexico. Madeline is very good at throwing ingredients together and making the dip delicious. She has decided to make her own recipe for the Yamhill Co. Favorite Food Fair.

Avocados are extremely nutritious, raising your omega oils which is often lacking in most people's diets. The problem is, they are very high in fat, up to 60 grams! (Imagine the calories). Mexico produces 80% of the avocados in the world most of which are grown in Michoacan. They are also very cheap. On any given day, there are 6 or more large avocados on my counter. There is no wait time since they are ripe enough to use right away. When I serve avocado dip, I try to substitute it as my "meat" for that meal. They are that hearty. Lunch is often a tostada, smeared with avocado dip and topped with fresh salsa. Yummy!

Here is the recipe

2 large avocados
3.5 TBSP. minced fresh cilantro
3.5 TBSP finely chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped tomato
2 serrano chilis, finely chopped
1 avocado pit
salt to taste

One secret to mexican cookery is finely chopped ingredients, esp. the peppers! Add fresh squeezed lime or lemon juice to the dip to keep it from turning color. Garnish this dish with a little of the onion, tomato and cilantro, and drop the pit in the center to make it attractive.

Speaking of peppers, there are numerous varieties. Mexicans call all peppers "chilis". It took me awhile to figure that out. I had been shopping for chilis as a form of a pepper. I plan to search online and study each type. Each recipe requires a different pepper and each kind does drastically change flavor.

Women use stone bowls and stone tools to grind ingredients. This looks interesting so I plan to buy one to bring home!

Milk and Water Delivery to our House

The milk the lady is pouring is still warm. It is that fresh. They come every day around noon to bring us a gallon of fresh milk. Imagine that! Delivered to my door! I pay 32 pesoes for 4 liters. That makes it $2.56 a gallon in American money. The kids love their fresh milk.

Purified water is also delivered to us weekly. It is very inexpensive. I was reading over our travel packet yesterday and by their standards, we should have come down sick long ago. We have broke every rule in the book, like brush our teeth in the tap water, use tap water to wash our fruits and vegetables and have been eating what we want, from wherever we want. Like the time I ate Uchepas from the back of a truck.

I have decided to start boiling the fresh milk. That sort of makes me nervous. Even the residents of La Huacana recommend that. I'm very thankful that we have had no sickness and credit that to God's protection. Thank you to all our friends and family who pray for that daily.

A Visit to La Haucana's Hospital

Madeline came down with a bug that caused her Asthma to act up. It required an emergency trip to the hospital. Upon waking Tuesday morning, her lungs were greatly constricted and she was having to push to get what little oxygen she was getting. We had a very good experience there. Read the post, "Special Treatment".

This is one concern I had to surrender to the Lord before leaving the states. With a daughter who has food allergies, syncope spells and Asthma, I knew it was very likley she would require medical attention in a four month period. (We always do at home). Knowing nothing about Mexico's medical sytem, I aimed to fully trust the Lord.

The school principle sent both a teacher and a student with us to the hospital. The student was able to translate for us. The teacher showed us where to find the hospital and pharmacies.

Pictured is Mike, Karen (translator), the principle, the nurse, doctor and Madeline.
Madeline has recovered nicely at home after recieving all the care she needed.

God Protects His People, Again . . .

Another Unwelcomed Visitor

We learned the importance of wearing your shoes in Mexico. Every time Lupe has come to visit and has caught one of my children meandering barefoot, she has practically thrown a fit. She points at her shoes and in her broken English shouts, “Shoes, shoes, shoes! You get sick!” Lupe will grab her throat and squeeze to signify sickness. Skeptically, I tried to reason it out. Are there parasites in the soil that can be absorbed through the skin? In faith, I began to warn the kids in the same alarming manner, adding, “I may not be able to explain it but we are going to do what Lupe says.” I decided it was likely some old wives tale; Lupe had also told Madeline not to drink cold drinks due to her Asthma. Her throat would swell shut. The kids were to play it safe but more importantly, honor Lupe.

Now I can see how God had been using Lupe to warn us about bare feet. Last night, Jake walked to the kitchen and returned with Madeline following him. I heard a loud, fearful screech. Madeline had stumbled upon a scorpion that Jake had just crunched with one of his shoes seconds prior, unbeknownst to him. The scorpion was wiggling, half alive. Thankfully, Jake and Madeline were wearing their shoes, having been admonished frequently the prior two days. There had been regular traffic between the kitchen and living room by all of the family the entire evening. Josh presently sat on the couch in his socked feet.

I thank God for using Lupe to warn us. Of course I took the opportunity to use my mothering skills and pointed out the fact how easily any one of them could have been barefoot at that moment. God had truly gone before us knowing that scorpion would visit. I still don’t know about parasites, but scorpions alone are reason enough to wear your shoes in Mexico. In the future, I doubt that mom nor Lupe will be needed to warn kids to keep their shoes on.

God protects His People!

Special Treatment

Hi All,

I am sitting in town at the Cyber Cafe looking through the blog to read new comments. Molly is sitting next to me Face Booking. I just have to let you know what is going on all around us. Five muchachos (young men) are hanging out about eight feet from us. And, the size is growing by the minute. They are making a lot of racket, saying Molly´s name in English, laughing and cutting up. I asked Molly why they are saying her name over and over and she said, ¨Because they think it is cool.¨ This is the way it is everywhere my kids go. They are such an item of interest. Every day after school I hear stories. We are hearing random English words directed our way with laughing. Molly is pretty good at being kind to the young men but ignoring them when it is appropriate. She handles them with grace giving them enough attention to not be rude but not too much to encourage them.

Our children are treated with great honor. They are forced to take the best seat, to be the 1st in the lunch line, etc... This bothers my kids. Today they laid their feet down and insisted on going to the back of the lunch line like everyone else. I am not sure if this okay to do. We are continually trying to figure out the social graces here. There have been a few social blunders....

Mike and I have had the same experience yesterday. Madeline came down sick and her asthma starting acting up. We had to take her to the local hospital since her rescue inhaler wasn´t cutting it, and when we got there, there was lots of people waiting to see a doctor. I thought¨oh my goodness, this is going to take awhile¨. Well, they rolled out the red carpet for us and took us straight back to see a doctor. Mike says the school principle called ahead to let them know we were coming. I was glad MAddy got immediate attention because she truly needed it but we all know what emergency rooms are like in the US.

Yesterday the doctor wrote several perscriptions and then sent us out to the pharmacy to pick them up. We had to visit a couple of pharmacies to find each medication. One store owner gave our persciptions to us without knowing us at all. Then, after returning to the hospital with the meds, the doctor admitted Maddy for treatment. This same doctor has made herself available to us day and night while we are here in La Haucana. The school principle came to check on us while there. After being there for a couple of hours, we were excused and expected to pay nothing. What a blessing this was since we really didn´t have the money this would have required.

God takes care of his people!

More Boat Smiles

These photos were taken right after we left the dock. I wished I had taken one of everyone flat. ~M

Cuatro Noches en Ixtapa

Don't let all these smiles fool you. 30 minutes into our 2 hour tour out to Ixtapa Island we were all laying flat in the boat from sea sickness. We were suppose to fish, but no one could peel their bodies off the benches. Alberto, our captain, did get to put a couple lines in the water. Once our feet hit dry land, life resumed as normal and we were able to swim and snorkle. We were amazed at the number of colorful tropical fish that we saw at the reef. I even saw an octopus.

~M