Hola Again!!

It might appear that we have been in hibernation, but the reality is that it has been an extremely busy month and a half full of changes and transitions.
The biggest news is that after four and a half years in our previous home we have moved. We are still renting, but it is a nice place. It is another God story that I will write the next time I can connect. Right now I have to play taxi driver to my kids' activities and we are studying for exams this week.
Thank you to all who have been praying for us even though our communication has been worse than sporadic.

25 Years Learning to Love...

Last night I attended my 25th college reunion. The dinner was held in the hall where all of us had gathered for orientation upon our arrival on campus as new students and where many of us had lived during our freshman year. (Yeah, Page!!) However, this evening there were approximately 60 of us "40-somethings" getting reacquainted and reminiscing for hours.


I almost didn't make it. (See earlier blog--True and the Truth). Now the process that brought me back to my Alma Mater was reaffirmed as one after another of my fellow alumni stated in their own way--"It's all about relationships."


That is what we have all been called to in the two greatest commandments--love God and love your neighbor. May these next 25 years allow me to understand and reflect even more these principles as a natural part of my life.

Driving in Baja

There is a very good article in the most recent edition of the AAA magazine "Westways" (October 2007) about tips for driving in Baja as well as several web sites that can be accessed for more detailed information. We consider the suggestions given there to be accurate and consistent with what we have communicated personally to friends and family who have travelled into Baja.

* Obey all posted speed limits and traffic-control signs, as well as local traffic laws.
* If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation in Tijuana, Ensenada, or Rosarito, politely insist on a written citation that you can pay either at the police station or by mail. For the cities of San Felipe, Tecate, or Mexicali, traffic fines must be paid at the police station.
* If you are stopped for no reason, you might be able to avoid problems by asking to be taken to the nearest municipal judge.
* Before you leave for Mexico, know how to reach people in the U.S. who might be able to help you if a problem occurs. The city government of Tijuana's website, www.sindicatura.gob.mx, offers a guide for tourists with several phone numbers that may come in handy. Also, go to discoverbajacalifornia.com and click on "Safety Tips."
* Report any incident to the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana. You may also access an online complaint form at www.sindicatura.gob.mx
* Visitors to Mexico are strongly urged to purchase auto insurance (even for rental cars.) Most U.S. insurance companies don't provide coverage for driving in Mexico. Mexican auto insurance is available at Auto Club offices or at AAA.com.
* It is a traffic violation to use a cellular phone while driving in the state of Baja California.
* Motor vehicle insurance is invalidated in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
* If you are involved in an accident, you will be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and if you have the ability to pay any penalty.

The Difference between True and Truth

We were in a board meeting the other day for Rama de Olivo Ministries (with Shaun and Maria, who will hopefully have a blog of their own really soon!!) As happens every time we gather, the conversation was dynamic and charged with energy as we all discussed current events, books, and concepts that have challenged us lately.

In the midst of our discussion Greg made a comment that stopped us all in our tracks. He said, "There is often a difference between what is true and the truth." Puzzled by the apparent inconsistency, Jeff questioned the veracity of Greg's statement with his characteristic simplicity and honesty.

Greg began to elaborate in simple terms a concept so profound that it rocked our world right in the middle of the meeting. "For example" he said. "I arrive ten minutes late to work. I explain to those who are waiting for me. 'I'm sorry to be late, but the traffic was really bad and my car ran out of gas.' " He continued, "Although both those reasons are true, there was traffic and my car did run out of gas, it is not the truth. The truth is that I didn't leave my house on time to allow for traffic. Furthermore, I ignored the gas gauge when it told me that my tank was low, so I didn't fill up in time to avoid running out of gas."

He proceeded to give one more example. "Likewise, I can look at my account balance and say, 'I have no money, therefore God is not taking care of me or providing for my needs.' It's true the bottom line on my bank statement can be low or in the red. However, it is not the truth that God is not providing or concerned about my needs. There's a world of difference."

At this point David and I looked at each other and realized God's Spirit had just spoken to us. Just the day before we had made some important decisions based on fear, desperation, preoccupation and faithlessness. We had examined our financial situation and decided we needed to take matters into our own hands, cancel all "unnecessary" activities and expenses and merely survive until the numbers were more favorable. (Although at the point we made the decisions we felt it was the "wise" and "responsible" thing to do and had not identified the "spirit" behind our decisions.)

After the meeting as we drove south, we talked about what God had spoken to each of us. We realized we had mistaken what was true for the truth and had made some rash and drastic decisions based on our perceptions. As we prayed together God brought both conviction and peace to our hearts and reminded us of whose we are and what we have been called to do. Then and there on the 805 freeway we reversed the decisions we had made just 24 hours earlier. We decided that we needed to make choices based on relationships, not on how much money we have in the bank at any given moment. Our earlier "wise" decisions had been based on our own resources and capabilities and were "safe". But God has not called us to a life of self-dependence and safety. He has called us to a life of faith and trust in Him, because Jesus dared to claim when He walked on the earth: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...." John 14:6. If we accept what Jesus said, then it is up to us to decide if we really believe it enough to put it to the test in our daily lives.

That reminds me of another profound thought I received from a friend in college that adorned a poster in my dorm room: "A ship in the harbor is safe...but that is not where ships were made to be." So stay tuned--we are heading out to the open sea in a boat named Truth!

Independence Day in Mexico

Tonight there will be a great "fiesta" throughout Mexico. Minutes before midnight the President of the nation, as well as all the governors and mayors around the country will go to their respective palaces, government offices and public plazas to participate in a ceremony replete with pomp and protocol that is performed each year on this date to commemorate one hundred and ninety-seven years of the battle for independence in Mexico.

The tradition initiates with the ringing of a bell to remind the citizens under their jurisdiction of similar tones that rang through the night almost two centuries ago from a church in Dolores Hidalgo declaring freedom from Spanish rule. Next, a list of names will be recited of those who were instrumental in the fight for independence, punctuating each name with the cry "Viva!" meaning "long live!" But the climax comes when each leader shouts in grand and glorious form: "Viva Mexico!" three times, to which the crowd responds in kind, "Viva!" All of this is followed with a rousing rendition of the national anthem and then a spectacular firework show. The mood is electric, national pride swells and the country is decorated in Mexican flags and the colors that represent all Mexicans--red, white and green.

Other festivities include the traditional parades, gatherings where those in attendance wear regional dress and enjoy typical dishes such as tamales, tacos and enchildadas, accompanied by lots of music with the rhythm and style that characterize the fabulous songs of Mexico.

During this solemn ceremony the leaders call out to their countrymen, "Long live the heroes who gave us our country!" As a nation, Mexico is indeed indebted to the likes of Miguel Hidalgo, Alvaro Obregon, Benito Juarez, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and others who risked life and limb so that Mexico could be a free and sovereign nation. As is so often quoted in the USA after 9/11, "freedom is not free." Many pay the ultimate price so that others can live out the fruits of their sacrifice. In fact, here in Mexico, the call to independence that we celebrate tonight, recalls the beginning of 11 years of war that were required to finally attain the victory.

However, as followers of Jesus, every day is Independence Day! The price our Savior paid on the cross liberated us from sin, from death, from allegiance to the enemy of our souls and allowed us to enter into His Kingdom and have the promise of eternal life in His presence. To Him and Him alone we owe our freedom that crosses all borders, that covers all races, tongues and tribes and that unites us as one in Him.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Viva Mexico!! Viva Jesus!!

Out of the Mouth of...

The following are excerpts from a letter written by David to a friend of ours who is waging a valiant and victorious fight with cancer since one year ago.

Dear Don,
I want to begin by saying thank you for sharing your life with all of us that are aware of what is going on with you and for being so vulnerable in telling us how you feel in this battle....

I thought right now that one way to describe what we do full time could be summed up as "we are trying to learn how to take the opportunities that God brings into our lives to introduce our Friend, Jesus, to our friends that don't know Him." Part of our activities is to be in direct contact with the crises of our friends and acquaintances, all the time, including our own as is the case at this time...It occurred to me that perhaps if I shared with you how I feel in my own crisis right now, that it would give you a good laugh. So I decided to give it a try. So here goes...

Some people like me have been labeled as having "rabbit teeth" from a very young age. I remember when I was a child in school that some mean kids teased me by chanting, "you have rabbit teeth, nana nana na na." But I survived and I overcame this "trauma." Then as an adult all this changed when I got braces and I started feeling really good about my teeth. In fact, I thought they looked really good!!

Well, this feeling of pride, comfort and confidence with my teeth began to crumble one Monday a few weeks ago. While I was asleep, one of my precious "rabbit teeth" fell out of my mouth! It was after midnight and I woke up with a strange sensation in my mouth. I felt a hole where the tooth should have been. It was so strange that I felt that I was dreaming...and then that I was having a nightmare! But as the seconds passed, I became aware of the cruel reality and I questioned what was happening. Where is my tooth? It wasn't in my mouth. Did I swallow it? No, it had literally fallen out of my mouth. In the midst of darkness I began to feel around the bed and I found it in between the sheets. At that point I went to the bathroom and put it back in the space and secured it with a retainer that I had been using.

In the morning I called a friend of ours who is a dentist and I told her what had happened. She instructed me to call the periodontal specialist immediately who had treated my gums years ago. That doctor fit me into his schedule and saw me three hours later. As he examined me his comments were that the situation didn't look very good, but that he was going to do some tests and that two days later he would give me the results. In the meantime, he sent me to another dentist who would work with reattaching the tooth that had fallen out.

I left the doctor's office feeling very bad and also beginning to consider and worry about how we were going to cover all the extra expenses this would incur, even without having a clear picture yet. I called the second dentist around 6 p.m. that evening and explained the situation. He also made space for me to see him that same day and told me to go to his office at 7:40.

This doctor examined me as well and likewise told me that the situation didn't look very good. The good news was that he could use the tooth that had fallen out to cover the space temporarily by using what they call a splint, therefore giving the other doctor a chance to analize the situation, work on my gums and come up with a permanent solution.

Two days later I went back to the periodontal specialist and he explained his diagnosis to me. He told me that unfortunately my front four teeth cannot be saved. They no longer have roots and the bone in my jaw in that area has deteriorated 100%. There are also problems in other parts of my upper jaw where there is 50% and 30% bone loss respectively. Gratefully, my lower jaw is unaffected. He prescribed antibiotics and other medication for inflammation and said that to begin I would need eight sessions to restore my gums and see if any of the bone can be regenerated. The other part of Phase I will be extracting the dead nerves from those four teeth and grafting in new ones leaving my gums ready for Phase II. The second phase will entail doing "titanium"(?) implants along with bone grafts to prepare for putting in permanent replacements for my teeth.

I am explaining all this to you from what I remember and in the most simple form. To be honest, as I listened to this fascinating explanation of the options and alternatives including the implants, in my mind I was trying to add up how much all this was going to cost. Besides it was just overwhelming! But I dared to ask the doctor how much this would all cost, more or less. The doctor told me that Phase I would cost $1,200.00 dollars...The second phase would start at a cost of $4,000.00 - $5,000.00 dollars...On top of that would be the cost of the four teeth that need to be replaced permanently....

So, I left the doctor's office worried about how we are going to pay for all of this and feeling guilty that I hadn't prevented it...I also felt bad that financially we were already tight, and now all these additional expenses are being added without having the money to pay for it....

I'm feeling much better now, although nothing has really changed. I am now seeing God's influence and presence in my life (in our lives.) He is reminding us that this is a perfect situation to trust in Him and to put into practice what we preach. Through our current circumstances I am experiencing something powerful and supernatural, something that only He can do through His Spirit. Only in Him can I feel love, joy, peace, patience and trust, perhaps not all the time...but most of the time....

God bless you and your family!!

David

The Family in the Green House

They moved in a year ago...the family in the green house. What was once a calm, peaceful street transformed into a continuous celebration. Loud music, laughter, animated conversations, kids playing in the streets in electric cars and clanking wagons until the wee hours. Furthermore, since the weather was hot and not having air conditioning, the only way to sleep was with all the windows open. But given the new arrivals it was either put up with the heat or the noise.

Neighbors began to make comments to each other in passing about the new family. The atmosphere became tense. Some began to complain and yell when they could not take it anymore. Threats of calling the police were voiced, but it did not seem to deter the family in the green house in the least.

We simply exchanged pleasantries with the family in the green house. A wave or a "hello neighbor" as we would leave the house or return from an errand or outing in the car. However, at night when the noise would begin, our attitudes were often less than "neighborly". Since we moved into this area four years ago, we have prayed to be a light, to have opportunities to share Jesus with those who live around us. We asked God specifically what our reaction should be to these people who obviously were determined to have a good time no matter how it affected the rest of us. We began to pray for them.

This summer there have been no parties. The atmosphere in the green house has been far from festive. There was a death in the family. The husband and wife were separated for awhile. The teenage son and his mother are often engaged in a battle of the wills. Now instead of music there is screaming, yelling and obscenities. Instead of laughter, doors being slammed. Instead of children playing, there is crying. And now we missed the parties they once had. We prayed even more.

Last week God opened the door to the family in the green house. One night a friendly wave across the street turned into a two-hour conversation with the husband. He shared excitedly about his latest business venture and then the conversation turned more personal. That led to details about his life, his marriage, his family and finally his concern for his wife who was depressed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. David shared that he does counseling and would be willing to help in any way he could. With that we shook hands and said goodnight.

Two days later, on a warm Saturday afternoon, our neighbor from the green house called across the street to David. "Neighbor, I want to take you up on your offer to talk to my wife. I'm really worried about her this time." So David went over and visited the family in the green house. The wife poured out her feelings of pain, frustration, hurt and helplessness. David shared about God and offered to give her a Bible. She was receptive and grateful and wants to continue meeting with David.

This week there we have heard laughter again from the family in the green house. And this week there has been no yelling. Please pray for the family in the green house.

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

What is Reflejo...Who is Reflejo?

"Reflejo" is a Spanish word that means reflection. A reflection illustrates the concept of mirroring , where one surface or object receives and then projects an image other than its own. Therefore the object displaying the reflection becomes intimately identified with the image that it reflects. Picture a full moon reflected on the ocean's surface or a city landscape seemingly painted on the windows of a skyscraper.

Here in Ensenada, "Relejo" refers to a group of people, a community of families who are seeking to be a reflection of Jesus Christ to those around us. Made up primarily of small business owners and other professionals, for the last several years we have been gathering regularly to learn more about God and His Kingdom, to fellowship and share meals together as those in the early church practiced, and to love each other as Christ directed His disciples to do.

Weekend of Reflejo @ Valle de Guadalupe

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The majority of those who make up "Relejo" attend one of three or four small group Bible studies represented within the larger community and many are members of several different local churches. Therefore, what unites us is the person of Jesus Christ and His mandate to love another. In the Gospel of John 13:34-35 Jesus is in the upper room with His closest friends and followers just hours before He will be arrested and turned over to the authorities to be put to death. He charges them with the following words: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

So just as the ocean or a skyscraper reflect the landscape around them, so our little community of faith in Ensenada seeks to display to those in our sphere of influence the person of Jesus Christ and His love for the world. Therefore, the prayer that expresses the yearning of our hearts is: "Lord, teach me to be a reflection of Your love."

Men's Camping Trip

At La Calavera Beach (south of Ensenada) relaxing is the obvious thing to do. So that's what David, Danny and Andrew did on the annual men's camping trip--getting away from it all, to be together and enjoy this beautiful place.

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