This is 3 views of a house down the street from ours. The kids pass it everyday walking to school. This is the home of one of the young men that visit us. There are many homes like this in Mexico, many of which do not have any brick used in their construction. (Notice the box spring mattress).
This is the front view of the house. Because of the gate and the sign, you can tell that the owners are also selling out of their home. This is how most people make their money.

Notice that this side of the house is also held together with a box spring mattress, along with other supplies.

"Just Because"

I like this picture since it is typical of what our home looks like on a daily basis. There are kids around the corner in the living room and likely a couple in the kitchen to the left. One of my kids just randomly snapped this picture and I like it since it looks so natural. (Although Carlos is posing). My pictures always serve some purpose while this one is "just because".

Molly and Xavier are studying languages together, Molly Spanish and Xavier English. They often sit at the table and help one another.

An Average Day in the Life of the Knutzs

A few people have asked what a "normal" day looks like for us in Mexico. This is how most days work themselves out.

6:45 AM
Mike, Molly and Josh leave for school


7-1o AM
Showers, breakfast, morning chores, Tammy starts laundry, ironing, floors, Spanish lessons on computer begin, alternating people


10-1 PM
*Home school for Maddy and Jake, email and blogging for Tammy
(Activities are interrupted multiple times from people stopping by to ask about this, to sell that, and students dropping in)


10 PM MONDAY ONLY
Monday market day. Vendors come from all over with fresh foods, household items and clothing. It is the cheapest way to buy things here. And, it's just plain fun!


1:00 PM
*Mike and teens arrive home from school. With them come 5-15 students on any given day. This time changes frequently.


2 PM THURSDAY ONLY
(No English class today) Mike hauls a van loud of kids to La Presa to swim and jump (see blog!)


1-4 PM
*Mike studies for his English class and does bible study with students
*Teen hang-out time, card playing, goofing off,
*Practice the language with the studengs through friendship
*Tammy: make snacks, wash cups, serve drinks, translate English for Step class that afternoon, serve salsa and guacamole
*Knutz kids try to get their daily chores done amongst the chaos, Kids teach card games

4-5:30 PM
*Mike teaches an English class to local school teachers
*Tammy & Molly attend Mike's English class since we learn Spanish at same time
*Josh and Jake practice basketball at school with the team
*Maddy chills at house

5-11 PM FRIDAY ONLY
Friday Night Fun Night, kids come to have salsa, guacamole, tostadas, soda and Pizza. Card playing, goof-off time, a movie in Spanish at 8

5:30 PM
*Lupe picks up Tammy. Tammy teaches Step class for 2 Spanish teachers at her ranch house
*Mike hangs out with students that come to house after basketball, gives kids snacks, sometimes prepares dinner

7:30 PM
*Tammy returns from exercising. Time to eat. Many times we walk to town for real Mexican food. We can feed the whole family for under $15. We have two regular students who have dinner with us every night.

8 -10 PM
Normal Activities, depending on the day:
*Shop in downtown tiendas for groceries.
*Walk and hang out in plaza.
*Visit with Fernando (see blog)
*Recap with our kids, take time to encourage and instruct with what's been happening in their daily lives in Mexico

Sunday Night is Plaza Night. The evening mass ends at 5:30 PM, the tiendas close up shop and everyone stays in (after mass) town in there best Sunday attire. The Catholic church opens up into the town square. People walk the town square, or gather on the benches to enjoy a long evening of fellowship and fun.

WEEKENDS ARE DIFFERENT. We try to leave town to see what else is in Mexico! It requires about a 3 hour drive whatever direction we travel.

Testing the Limits of My Hospitality

There is no quiet hour. Living here pushes all the boundaries of my hospitality. This morning I was in the shower. Around 7:45 AM, two of our regular student visitors show up. Maddy welcomes them into the house, something she does several times a day already. Unknowingly, I open the door to the bathroom to talk to my daughter who should be the only person in the house. She screams, "Mom! Be careful! We have company!" Madeline has to help me get from the bathroom into my bedroom and not be seen by the young men. This makes me chuckle and shake my head. Better be more careful!!!!

Welding class was canceled since a teacher didn't show up. Instead of waiting around school for the next class as normal, Reece and Rodrigo decide to come see us. I have learned to be extremely flexible! I am honored they all like spend time with us. Sometimes the noise level gets bothersome but I send up a quick prayer and remember why I am here.

I have finally drawn one boundary. No more basketball playing in the house. I am proud of myself.

Mike and La Huacana Teens; A Good Combination

Mike gets along with teens. He has always amazed me. Back at home, kids like him. I have knocked it off as him being their 4-H agent. After all, youth development is his specialty and what he gets paid to do.

I have been surprised that it is the same here. Teens in La Huacana want to be around him. It is clear that the kids come to our home to see Mike just as much, probably more, than they come to see our kids. I watch him interact with them students closely. The teens enjoy his company and respect him. That can be easily seen through their body language and how much they laugh with him even as they struggle to understand each other's words. More incredible, the students are eager to teach him, spending a lot of time saying the same words and phrases over and over until Mike can get it out correctly. In this picture above that is exactly what is going on. Maddy and I were amused with this conversation that went late into the night.

This is Tony and his cousin, Rando. Mike is studying Proverbs with them. Mike read a verse in English and then one of the guys read it in Spanish. We are so thankful for the Spanish bibles we brought with us, thanks to a friend!

What a wonderful way to study language together.

I Am Sad Tonight. Tony's Story. . .

I'd like to introduce this young man to you. His name is Tony and he has become very fond of our family. At least it seems that way since he spends as much time with us as he can. When I introduce you to Tony, and I am also introducing you to countless other young people like him. The reason for this is his story is all too common in Mexico.

Tonight started out to be a delightful evening. We walked into town to have a taco. With us was Lupe and her children, the owner of the house we are living in, Tony and one other student from the escuela secondaria. We enjoyed a tasty dinner and a long stroll afterwards. The evening ended very sad. Lupe, Mike and I got into a very heart-felt discussion. Mike told Lupe Tony's story. Lupe went on to tell us more than our hearts wanted to hear.

Tony's story is very sad. See, his father died when he was a baby, serving in the Mexican army. Shortly after, Tony was forced to move in with his grandparents and lives with them to this day. His grandparents are very poor. Why did Tony move in with his grandparents? His mother decided she wanted to start a new life in America. She found herself a new lover and moved to America and has stayed there every since. Tony's mother has had four more children of whom Tony has never met. This means Tony never saw his mother again.

Lupe wasn't surprised by Tony's story. She knows how true it is. Lupe told us that "mucho" of the children in her school live with relatives. Parents abandon their children to chase after a new, promising life that America offers them. The reason they don't take their children with them? Because they have to get to America through dangerous territory, crossing deserts and swimming across waters. Many die trying.

Tonight Tony asked us if he could come back to America with us. We said, "Yes, you come over to see us in America. You will need a VISA". Tony replies, "No, I will go around". I am sad for this young man and all of us are loving on him while we can. Tony knows that VISAs into America are rarely granted.

GREAT DIFFICULTY IN MEXICANS OBTAINING VISAS

It is barely possible for Mexicans to obtain VISAS. We desire that our new friends here in La Huacana would be able to come to America to visit us and experience life there. They have been invited but they say there is no way. The process takes too long, is very expensive and they will be told no in the end. Our friends won't even give it a second thought knowing the facts.

I wanted to gain more understanding for the Mexican community. Wow. I have learned so much. There is about 7 weeks left. Wonder what else is in store.

Muchachos in the Afternoon; Ninos in the Evening

It looks like we will host the muchachos after school and the ninos in the evening. . . What a blessing this evening was! Two little guys rode on by on their bikes, around the ages of 3 and 5. Hussling into the house, I searched for the gifts that we brought for the children. They consist of mini bubbles, gospel bracelets (see wrist of the boy) and Spanish bibles. Amanda H. came over the week before we left and made over a hundred of these with my children. Sherri J. donated a bag full of small, Spanish new testaments. (Thank you ladies!)

The two little boys brought a couple of friends and then those friends brought their friends, etc.... before long we had a very large excited group of children in front of our house. They were in no hurry either. They stayed quiet awhile asking questions about our family.

We have learned enough Spanish in the time that we have been here to be capable of telling these children the gospel story, using the 6 colors on the bracelets. Bright-eyed, the children left saying, "hasta manana!" which means "see you tomorrow!" Looks like I had better figure out how to make cookies over here! Or this may be where the animal balloon making kit will be handy that Sherri and Gabe J. sent with us because I have a feeling we will be having frequent young visitors!

The children are a blessing to be around. They are very sweet and friendly. (Wish I had attended CYIA in Spanish)! I have to admit though, the kids lighting fire-crackers right in front of me with no adult supervision was a bit stressing. It was concerning as to rather they would get out of the way or throw them fast enough before they ignite.

After School Visitors Every Day

School kids come home with Mike and the kids everyday. I need to start looking for some cookie ingredients to feed all the muchachos! No chocolate chips here though. Or cocoa powder for that matter. This has become routine; if they don't come with my kids, then they will be coming home with Mike.

The three shorter guys on the left closest to Mike, well, that is Mike's fan club. They hang very close to Mike at school and are eager to help him with his Spanish. Mike says they are always flipping through his dictionaries to look up words. They are nice boys and like Mike's company.

Gentlemen

These two young men came over to our house after school yesterday. The muchacho on the right speaks some English. Both hung out for the longest time, perfectly content to sit on the couch and visit.

They agreed to come over to teach this girl how to make maiz tortillas from scratch. That seems kind of funny to me but I am happy to oblige! (They are only in middle school). Mike walked to town with them and bought the necessary ingredients to make a lunch the next day to compliment the home-made tortillas. Mike was impressed with their good manners, carrying all the bags for him back to the house.

Notice the formal school uniforms. The white shirts are worn with ties (which have been stuffed in their backpacks) and those a real slacks you are looking at.

Why Are We Here, Part 2

I posted a blog on January 8th, explaining what we are here to do in Mexico. I’d like to add a few more details. These details date back to when Mike and I first got married. On Nov. 5th of 2008 we celebrated our 20th Anniversary. There has never been a dull moment as Mike’s wife. I appreciate his loving leadership in my and my children’s lives.

Mike told me right from the start that he desired to take our family on a trip out of the country; this was even before we had any children. He knew that teachers often exchange country to country. I can’t help but think that God new the need to plant this seed well in advance to get this girl ready. I am not much into spontaneity (unless it is going out for Chinese food).

In my heart I made “my” plans for the past twenty years. I had read all the fantastic, adventuresome missionary stories. We will go far far away to a remote country with no running water and eat only beetles for food. Well, God determined the outcome, not us. There were several attempts to bring it about this last year. First it was a location in Brazil. Then, he worked on plans to travel to Argentina. Each time, his efforts were in vain. God picked Mexico. Mexico? Mexico was the last place I would choose. It didn’t suit my criteria.

It was a year ago Mike started coming home with ideas. Willies jumped in my stomach each time he wanted to talk with me about it. Our oldest child would be turning 17 so time was of an essence. If it were not for the fact that we had discussed this long ago, I most definitely would have recoiled and come up with a hundred excuses as to why I couldn’t possibly go. I knew that if I wanted to, I had the power to shut this whole operation down. God’s calling early on is the only factor that assured me that this was from Him. I knew that I could trust my loving savior. i most certainly knew who the real idea creator was.

Mike continued to work with his colleague, Mario, to refine plans. Mario had a brother in a small town in Mexico. Both Mike and Mario knew the ins and outs of the system on how they could make something like this come together and find funding. In fact, Mike became a “trail blazer” for a brand new program they were designing; a teacher exchange program specifically between Mexico and Oregon State University. Each time Mike would come home to privately give me an update. I would weakly say, “ OK” feeling very shaky about such a life-changing event. After some time I figured out how to reason it out. God would confirm this trip as being the one that He laid on our hearts years prior through the mere fact if all circumstances came through.

The next 6 weeks of waiting was both exhilarating and scary. During those weeks God built our faith. There were loose ends yet, and we learned that we would have to leave the unfinished details to Him. No more waiting for everything to work out “perfect” to determine if we were to go. The call 20 years prior gave me incredible strength and faith. The “loose thread” was an additional $2,500 worth of funding. Without it, we may not be able to afford to travel back home. Mike didn’t find out that we would get that money until a couple of weeks after we left home. I also had to trust God with a daughter's health. God had moved in our hearts strongly to trust Him.

Why did God choose Mexico? I am sure that God will spend the rest of our lives revealing those reasons to our entire family. Daily I pray that God will reveal more of what we are to do here. We have been tempted to think we aren’t serving enough. “Lord, we want to love on little orphans! We want to feed the hungry!” All those missionary stories have conditioned our thinking. Then God reminds me that He laid this on our hearts 20 years prior, and that I can most definitely trust Him for the rest. I don’t have to “do” but I can just “be” by following Him. In my walk with Christ, He has proven over and over that God is at work in and through His people even when they don’t know it. In my experience I have also learned that this is when God works the best! For me and for the rest of my family, living in Mexico has been a day by day faith walk. Every day is full of surprises and requires us to exercise trust in our God.

Ministering to Our Neighbor

Fernando Fernandas has already been introduced to you. He is the one who shouts, “My brother” to Mike when he sees him in public. We regularly bump into him in the market place. We usually ending up strolling together and land back at our home for a time of fellowship and language study.

Yesterday evening wasn’t the normal stroll. It became obvious that Fernando wasn’t feeling well. He confessed to us that he had been up all night the previous three nights caring for his grandfather. Fernando’s grandfather is 110 years old and requires full-time care. Fernando has given up a life guard job in Acapulco to live in La Haucana the last four years to care for his aging grandfather. He works during the day preparing tacos and then he stays up every night helping his grandfather through hallucinations. Mike and I were both moved to take Fernando home to show him some much needed care.

It wasn’t long after we were home that we realized that Fernando didn’t know what we meant by “We would like to pray with you.” He kept changing the subject and was declaring how he prays all day long, every single day. Fernando is a man with a very grateful heart, thanking God for his hands, his eyes and the beautiful trees.

As we brought out our English Bible, his eyes lit up. He directed us to the Lord’s prayer and we read it to him in English. You could hear his spirit sing. Fernando very excitedly declared he would be coming over tomorrow to memorize the Lord’s prayer in English and that he wanted us to do the same in Spanish. Mike very quickly erased his name in his personal bible and signed it over to his friend.

Finally, we said again that we desire to pray for him and his grandfather’s needs. Turning to Matthew 18:19 & 20 , I read,

Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am in their midst.

Fernando is a “free-spirit” here in La Haucana. He has many friends but it is doubtful that any of them are believers. He has made it clear to Mike and I that he has no interest in attending a church. He has no respect for the pastors in the local churches and states that “he has church every day in his heart”.

Our desire is to show Fernando what a blessing it is to be in fellowship with other believers. Last night we bowed our heads and each took a turn to pray for Fernando and his grandfather. Fernando, however, did not bow his head or close his eyes. Corporate prayer was nothing that he had ever experienced before.

Pray for us as we seek to show him the importance of being connected with a local body. We want him to experience the joy, the strength and growth that comes from Christian fellowship and studying God’s word corporately. Pray for us as we walk with Fernando as fellow believers these next few months. May he desire to have the richness of Christian relationships with other believers in the community after we return home.