Saying Goodbyes, Honoring Those Whom We've Come to Know and Love

The school director, Roberto, (right) welcomed our family into his school. He went out of his way for us by hanging an American flag next to the Mexican flag so that both could be honored. Roberto looked out for our family's well-being during our stay, providing us with free medical attention and free lunches. Once during a quick onset of a virus that comprised Madeline's lungs, had called the hospital ahead, making it possible to receive immediate attention upon arrival. Roberto visited Tammy while ill with dysentery, doing everything possible to drag her to see the doctor. He even sat with us one afternoon while visiting with Tammy's parents for a couple of hours through Skype. His leadership and fatherly nature made us feel well-cared for.

Having given up her home for over 3 months, Lupe (left) has shown us what real sacrifice is. Not only has she shared her house and all her personal belongings, she has been a friend. Many times she picked up Tammy to go to her school, to drive around town to take pictures, taught her how to make enchiladas, and accommodated Tammy's need to get out of the house to exercise a little. Lupe took the whole family to see Morelia for the first time, the city Tammy fell in love with. As a full-time teacher and a single mom, our family appreciated all of her sacrifice on our accounts.


Gumero and his wife Carmen (right) welcomed us into La Huacana for the first and most critical weeks. Gumero introduced us into the Mexican culture, took us out of town on several occasions and to a few local fiestas. Our kids were moved by his kindness. Little did they know that they were about to experience that sort of kindness by all the people in the weeks to come.
Our La Huacana neighbor, Fernando (left) is a strong brother in the Lord. Always a joy to bump into him, he is overflowing with the power and love of God, ready to give glory to Him. Fernando was our first friend in La Huacana and has seen us through clear to the end. His amazing witness is how he cares for His aging Grandfather, having totally given up his life in Acapulco. It will be impossible to hold back the tears when saying goodbye to Fernando.

Raramure (right) opened his heart and his home(s) to us. His gentle spirit and his kindness made us all feel at home in La Haucana and in Morelia. He has made his casa (house) our casa...giving us an open invitation in any of his three homes at anytime. In fact, we plan to take him up on his offer next year when we return for a month by moving into his empty house here in La Huacana. Raramure will also visit us in the US with his uncle and we look forward to showing him the same kindness he has showed us.

Enock (left) made it his mission, along with his nephew Raramure, to make our time in Mexico enjoyable. He spent a lot of time caring for our family and because of him, we were able to see many new places. He had treated us to witnessing the turtle project (See blog post Tortugas), amongst many other great places. Besides weekend travels, we played chess, dominoes, basketball, and ate enchiladas and carnitas together. Enock's personality is full of quick whit and laughter. Our kids decided that he and their Grandpa Ron would get along great. That is good news since Enock will be visiting the US in June in the new teacher exchange program between OSU and Mexico. The Knutz children have decided they would like to host Enock at their Grandmother's home for dinner, since that is the place of the best made American food they can think of.


Esther (right) is a kind friend to Tammy. I previous post told of how she came immediately to the house once she heard Tammy had come down ill with dysentery. With her she brought home remedies and a niece to help clean-up the house. Esther was a wonderful companion on our out-of-town excursions and made yummy food for all of us.

Enock's & Esther's three sons were as hospitable as their parents. Eatabean, especially, was always just a phone call away. Like the time his father called him to go and fetch a plant from his house so that a brew could be made to alleviate our family's pain from severe sunburns. I could tell many stories of all Eatabean's acts of kindness. A mother could only hope their sons will turn out as well as all three of these young men.

Winding Down Our Time Here; The Future For This Blog

A few butterflys flying above us.

As of today, we have about two weeks left in La Huacana Mexico. Our plan is to head for home on Wed. March 18th. For the next two weeks, I will continue posting more on how we are spending our time and what I think you might want to know and see. I am excited to answer some questions that a friend had sent to me by email. One was "what will you miss about Mexico" another "what will you NOT miss". I am currently polling my entire family because I know that these answers will vary. Each member of my family has had a their own unique experience.

Once I return to my home town, I plan to finish off the blog. I will post on our travel across Mexico and then into the US, and finally our arrival to our home town. This blog will continue for a short while as the Lord leads. Since I can't predict the future, I am guessing that I might blog about readjusting back into the US, lessons we have learned, how God has changed us, and the like. You can imagine how much we have all learned and how many great stories there are to tell! Eventually, this blog will come to an end, just as our stay in Mexico has to come to an end. I do believe, however, that our time in Mexico will impact us all forever.

Stay posted for the results of the poll.

A banana plantation planted with palm trees.

The Tequila Plant

This is the plant that is used to make Tequila. The Mexican people are proud of their Tequila and word is, it is of the best in the world. I do NOT like the flavor of Tequila myself but have learned to like the famous Margarita which has Tequila in it.

In Mexico, the preferred alcohol is Tequila and Corona Beer, both readily accessible. Unfortunately, they are even available to teens.

Artistic Architecture

This post is for you architect lovers. There is some very unique and gorgeous architecture in Mexico.


This is gorgeous as it gets! I took this picture in a town on the way to the beach. Notice how the family lives in the top portion and sells out of the bottom - very common in Mexico.
A very typical house in La Huacana. My comparison, it is middle-class, not as poor as some you have seen posted on this blog but not as nice as a few classier homes. Common is the unfinished upstairs. A family of ten was raised in this house, all adults who now have family of their own. The two very old ma and pa live alone now.

















This beautiful house is the one we have had the priveledge of renting during our stay in La Huacana.

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.

Bountiful Bananas

Bananas grow year around. Banana trees are everywhere you turn. Each family is sure to have a variety of trees in their yard, including mango, agave, lime, lemon, orange, and even hot pepper trees. Mexicans take pride in the fruit that grows in their country.

Last night we went for a walk a long a street of homes. I was able to get a clear shot of this banana tree over the top of the fence. I plan to go for another walk with only Mike and I. This way I can freely take pictures of the homes themselves. On this walk, with us was the welding teacher, his wife, and several young men from the Hispanic family.

~BTW, I have said it before on this blog, if you haven't tasted a fresh banana from Mexico, you haven't tasted a real banana. When eating my first banana, I couldn't stop oohing and awing. Bananas are my absolute favorite fruit even before leaving Oregon. This incredible fruit doesn't last long in my house and I can't blame it on my four growing teens. One day this week, I ate three consecutively. Mike has been known to hide a bunch somewhere in the laundry room hoping to save himself at least one. In La Huacana, bananas are 8 pesos for a large bunch. This converts to $.64 dollars. The pineapple is equally as tasty. Has the fruit in Mexico ruined me forever? Wonder what it will taste like from Winco.

A Series of Photos on Mexico Homes

Mike and I drove to the closest town to us to get groceries. It was only an hour away. I snapped some pictures in the in-between small towns. People in America need to see how most of the people here in Mexico live. We could all be more thankful. I will be calling these my "Thankful pictures".

I know that there are many who love to look at landscape, architecture, plants, and scenery. These pictures are for you.

Wouldn't you love to live here? Like in America, there is the rich and the poor. There is town life and country living.

Farming the Old Fashion Way

During another visit to the School's parcella, I learned that they do things the old fashioned way. I am about to plow a field in preparation for planting Sorghum. Actually, I learned that they just want me to have a photo with the plow team. I was thinking, I can't believe they are going to have me plow without any instruction. Just another one of those communication errors.

They may plow the old fashion way, but they use modern technology for growing the crop. The teacher explained to the students that this planting will be grown organically. During the class, students inoculated the seed with Mycorrhizae a fungus that has a symbiotic association with the roots of the plant. The fungi grows between the cells of the roots and uses ten percent of the carbohydrates the plant passes from the leaves to the roots. In return for the energy taken from the plants, the fungi grow out and search far and wide for nutrients and moisture and effectively extends the roots of the plant 10 fold.

The Knutz's are becoming authentic Mexican cooks. There are TONS of fresh vegetables and fruits here! I am making salsa and refried beans from scratch almost daily. No canned salsa in this country!! I have searched! I buy onions, avocados, peppers of all varieties, jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro in large quantities. You know how you see Mexicans in your home town loading up on these items at Winco? Well, that's me! Carmen will be coming over next week to teach me how to make maize tortillas.

BTW~ the fruit here is incredible. I never really knew how a real banana tasted until now. Avocado trees surround this valley.