Had A Scorpion in My Hand the Other Day

I picked up a pair of shorts that had been sitting out on my patio waiting for stain treatment for a couple of weeks. As I looked closer, there was this little creature sitting there on my shorts; slowly but assuredly I determined it was a dead, baby scorpion. The curved tail was a dead give-away. Flicking it off my shorts with my hand, the critter went flying through the air and landed on the patio beneath me. As it crash landed, the thing started crawling frantically to the closest pile of rubbish to hide under. (Their favorite habitat). This sent shutters through my body - the venomous creature was alive and had been in my hands and very close to my face!

Last weekend I was on a mission interviewing our friends to find out how many times they had been stung by a scorpion in their lifetimes. Sadly, it is a cruel fact here in Mexico and something these people have to live with. But, to my surprise, the Mexican people do NOT appear afraid of them. It is true that scorpions have the power to take lives and do successfully every year. During my interview with Enock, he told me that a person has 2 hours from the point of sting to total loss of respiration; the stung must immediately rush to a nearby hospital to be treated with the anecdote. The statistics are online on how many people die each year of a scorpion sting, and the percent is remarkably higher in Mexico than other places.

The results of my interviews:

• Fernando- 5 times
• Raralamee- 6 times
• Esther - 5 times
• Enock - 10 times

Eeek! To me, that sounds like it is just a matter of time before... I think it is the scorpion, the lizards, and all the creatures in Mexico that would never allow me to make a home here permanently. I am still not sleeping well at night, full well knowing that all of them come out at night crawling the floors and the walls. It is always an adventure to use the bathroom or grab a drink of water in the middle of the night. I make sure that several feet in front of me is well lit while walking through the house like a detective. The entire family has learned to inspect the floor in front of them with every step, night and day. One night I looked up from my bed, and there was a lizard right above me on the ceiling. I have seen them on the wall above my head where my bed connects to it (we have no headboard that places a barrier between us and the wall). As I toss and turn at night, I am afraid to smack my hand or arm against the wall to bump up against with something that is breathing. Mike reports that I will wake him up at night requiring that he take care of something on the wall. I do not know what he is talking about. I cannot imagine a better means to stretch this American woman than for her to have to co-dwell in the same quarters as scorpions. Well, maybe venomous snakes could be worse. Oh, yeah, they live in Mexico as well.

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

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....

What is It About the Knutzs?

For the fourth time since our arrival in Mexico, an unwelcomed quest from the arachnid family paid us a visit. Timing was perfect as usual, about an hour before bed. The scorpions are making their rounds, each time showing themselves in a different location. This time, the location was the wall of my bedroom. Two weeks ago a scorpion visited Madeline's bedroom. Consequently, that room has been abandoned.

Would someone please explain this to me? Lupe shared with me that she has never seen a scorpion in her house. In her humored sort of way, she joked that scorpions like us and aren't we so lucky! Well, aren't they just friendly, welcoming this US family to their country? No, thank you. Why can't the little stingers stay outside in their cozy wood pile?

Last night's visitor was a smaller scorpion. The smaller scorpions really bug me. If it is baby, that might mean there is a whole litter of siblings waiting till big brother declares the coast is clear. Or worse yet, where is mother and father?

I am thankful that scorpions are relatively easy to kill. They just sit on the wall unknowingly as the hammer is coming down. They take their destiny rather well. There was one exception. The scorpion that was found on the ceiling of Madeline's bedroom took off on a dead-run after Mike climbed to the ceiling with his hammer in tow. The ugly varmint torpedoed to the floor and Mike had to chase it down, slamming the hammer multiple times before killing the little buger. Bam, bam, bam! You think smashing a spider is gross?

Every night when I head for bed I feel a tightening of all my muscles. There is something about finding a scorpion in your bedroom. Getting up at night requires all of the lights to be turned on, a thorough scan in all directions and the shaking out of my slippers. The hardest task yet is to fetch a drink of water at night for my parched throat. My need wins out over my fear. This will require me to stick my hand behind my refrigerator to turn on the kitchen light. I have yet to figure out how to communicate to them I'd like them to quit their night job.

I am constantly on duty, inspecting day and night for these creepy crawlers. This may sound silly to you, but ask my family how I handled seeing a daddy long-legged spider in my bathtub as a little girl. Four more rooms, and the scorpions will have successfully greeted the Americans in every single room of this house. Once Lupe moves back into her home at the end of March, she will never have to worry about these litter critters; they would have used up all their appearances.

Roadside Memorials

Roadside memorials decorate all of Mexico. God knew that I should stay uninformed as to their significance until just the other day. I recently learned that for every roadside memorial, someone has died in a car accident. Eeek! That would be quiet a bit for they are all along the roads and highways! Based on the driving here, it is believable. It has been an adjustment for me to travel in Mexico. For 6 weeks, I was frightened to get in our van. Yesterday while driving to Morelia, for the first time I was not afraid.

This memorial here is a little more extensive than some. Some are left up for a few months, others forever, while some are displayed annually in remembrance of a loved one.

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.

Community Clean-up; Protecting Against Dengue Fever

Mike heading out with a group of kids to clean-up garbage in the streets and in people's yards.

This is a work crew. Notice the garbage bags.

The students are knocking on doors. Everyday a new class goes out into the town. They search people's backyards for litter. Sorting through the burn piles is important to retrieve half-burned plastic bottles.

Mail Service; Thankfulness

This is La Huacana's postman. He rides up on his bicycle during the heat of the day and taps on the bars of my gates. A basket holds about ten envelopes to be delivered. After a couple of deliveries to our la casa, this man has been happy to deliver to us. To assure that our mail gets careful attention, we have decided to tip him.

We were told before leaving the states that mail in Mexico is very undependable; our mail from America may make it to us or not. There were a couple of very important packages that we were concerned about containing needed medicines. Our friends were praying for protection over these packages. Not only did these packages make it in a timely fashion, but several others as well. I am thankful for the two Christmas pictures that were sent. They hang on my refrigerator and we look at them daily. These are the only pictures that I have.

Maddy has been encouraged by a couple of friends who have sent letters. I told her that she is getting kind of expensive since I have to tip the mailman every time she gets a letter. (Not really, keep 'em coming).

So far, everything that has been sent has made it no problem! Thank you Lord.

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!

Within the first week of living in La Huacana, we had some unexpected house guests. The Scorpion was a bit alarming, but he met Mr. Hammer and we all felt much better. We weren't too sure about the lizard either until we learned that those kind eat scorpions.