| Day 8 (Saturday March 17, 2007) |
We woke this morning to the smells of bacon and eggs. We have had an
exciting week and are full of energy and exhaustion. That's an interesting
sensation. We knew our day was going to be one that addressed the need to
The Tepotzlan Church
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know more about the culture, practice our Spanish, and mix with a
community.
My morning began with a wondering through the Diocesan Center
toward the chapel, as we always begin our day with worship led by Fr.
Ralph. I heard a voice with a rich baritone singing in the chapel. I
wondered in. It was Raul, a Seminary Professor who had stayed with us the
previous night. He continued to pray out loud in Spanish and then started
singing again. The song in Spanish was a translation of an old Gospel tune
I grew up with so I started singing it in English and those that were in
the chapel and others as they entered joined in. Dave Helmick took the cue
and sang an awesome spiritual song and then led us in singing some of our
favorites. We have been so blessed with his musical talent and his sense of
humor.
This week has been so filled with God moments and one of the most
special ones has been the pastoral leadership of Fr. Ralph. 25 years with
youth has given him a wicked sense of humor (you'll have to ask about the
rubber band bug) but his use of the Beatitudes as a guide each day has
helped to keep us focused on what God is calling us to do and not what
glory we might gain from this experience.
Marilynn is herself a true gift
from God. She has the most difficult task of keeping 14 people, all
The Finished Alter
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independent "I got a better idea" folks, moving as a herd, sometimes two,
safe, sound, and on task and she does it with a grace and skill that is
beyond me.
Ron Bahr led his team at San Marcos with a drive that was
unmatched, knowing their task was more difficult than the one faced by the
San Jose group, with a firm sense of direction and "never asking more of
his team than he was willing to do himself." Barbara is funny and sweet and
worked through 2 days of a migraine without so much as a whimper. Jerre
provided welcome relief in her laughter and friendship breaking down a
silent wall between her group and a man there just to paint. Linda, who
snagged her high school Spanish into use, welcomed and visited with
parishioners who just wanted to help in some way.
Shawn, fluent in Spanish,
provided a welcome bridge between our limited Spanish and those of the
community. What a trouper. She also found our missing luggage so she
actually wins special kudos. Carl, our quiet church mouse, is caring beyond
belief always keeping an eye out for us, especially the new kids on the
block. Betty Little climbed to the top of a ladder and sat there while she
painted the ceiling, putting all of us young whippersnappers to shame. And
Rick, the San Jose leader, held a paint tray in his teeth, and never sat.
He painted and scraped and scraped and painted. And he does the best
windows in Cuernavaca.
Terri shared her voice in song, prayer, and
conversations with all we came in contact with. Nunzi wins the gruntwork of
the week award having cleaned the fans in the church that had not been
cleaned in who knows how long, wiping down all the pews after we had
covered them with dust and what-have-you, and working with Terri to
transform the bathroom. We forgive you, Nunzi, for the broken sink. As
Padre Victor sang, "Don't worry. Be happy." And you have a lot to be happy
for. Dr. Bob (and Dave) can break into Monty Python as quick as a wink and
yet lay on the ground next to you painting below what you can't bend over
and reach. He's a little intimidated by bees though.
And Dave? Besides
painting up a storm, not panicking when his guitar was one of the missing
pieces of luggage, Dave has taken over and shared with me the
responsibility of sharing with you our week through emails and pictures.
There's an old song I remember Tennessee Ernie Ford singing when I was
younger that went like this: "Dear when you give the best of your service
telling the world that the savior has come. Be not afraid when men do not
believe you. He'll understand and say well done." Service is the key here.
The March 2007 Missionary Team
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Through His incredible grace, I gained a courage and confidence that was
unmatched by any previous experience.
For those who know me, and my
incredible lack of any sense of direction, I got in a taxi, went to the
Zocalo, shopped, got back in a taxi and made my way back to the Diocesan
Center all by myself. I climbed a ladder and painted, just once, but I did
it. I am notorious for not doing "up." And the greatest challenge was the 2
days when, through the Beatitudes, I decided it was my day to be a
"servant." Yes ma'am. No sir.
Through His grace we have served. Through His
grace, we have had our Prayer Partners, led wonderfully by Bob Allen, and
all of you praying for us while we have been gone. Through His grace we
have witnessed with our actions. Through His grace, we have worshiped,
worked and worked some more and yes, even shopped. Through His grace, we
will safely return to you our friends and family Sunday. Through His grace
and His alone.
Amen.
Dixie
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