Events, Experiences, Impressions

Only two weeks...surely it must have been longer! How can one learn so much, see so much, feel so much in so short a time? And now, how am I going to sort it out to share with you? If only I could send you each a portion of the richness!

Today, the meeting tent is going up. It is a reality now that convention is NEXT WEEK. I'm remembering, too, the little convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico the end of THIS WEEK. Our visitors from Mexico have been with us the last few days, and are appreciated so much. Samuel Herrera has been in the city of Juarez - famed for crime - and told us of the prosperity of the Gospel there.                  Claudia and Brenda Rodriguez are from Monterrey, where we have many friends.

Friday evening we had a little celebration for Glen's 79^th birthday, and Tere's birthday that follows. Cake and ice-cream, balloons and a banner helped us feel festive. Afterward, we sang some hymns together

 I've mentioned the countries represented around the table, and our two languages – but there are also the colors! We are quite a range of “skin tones”, and it makes a lovely “bouquet”.

Later Friday evening, Stan and Sue arrived from Albuquerque bringing Anna. Everyone is happy to see Anna, who spent so many years here.

Saturday morning, after the study, we hurried to be ready to leave for the weekend. Derek drove our group that started with seven of us. When we came to the city of Moca, we wound in and out and round about through narrow streets crowded with pedestrians, children, motorcycles, bikes, dogs, trucks and traffic that midwest USA has not even imagined. Somewhere in the midst of it all, we came to the home of Yocelyn's parents, where she and Claudia were to stay until Sunday evening. We all came in for a little while, and glasses of cold Coke were very welcome. Each glassful handed over was neatly wrapped with a napkin, which made it nice to hold.

Five of us – Derek, Samuel, Jordan (Jordan is from Canada, an exchange student this year in Guadalajara in Mexico), Marie and myself – went on to our destination on the north coast. The road, curve after curve, goes over the mountains, following the ridges, and the scenery is inexpressibly beautiful....but there was no way to stop to take pictures. The beauty here is not of majestic snow-capped peaks, but of shade after shade of green; of palm trees climbing the slopes; of fence posts along the road that have sprouted and become a living fence; of deep valleys below that are clothed in grass and plant life.

There was a momentary view of the ocean in the distance, and then we came down to the coastal cities of Cabarete and Sosua, tourist destinations, lined along the ocean front with condos. 

 

 We turned in at “The Balcones”. The gate opened, and the gatekeeper smiled and greeted Derek with warm recognition. We followed the stone walk around to the front, and were welcomed into the condo where Syd and Martha Mose from BC, Canada, spend a few months each year. Margaret Greenaway was Syd's aunt, and some of you would also know Donna Mose, Syd's sister. Larry Greenaway and Janet Mose would be cousins. Anyway, you would know we were certainly HOME!

We all had lunch together, and then Marie and I were left to spend the afternoon and night. Oh, it was lovely outside watching the waves roll in and break against the rocks, and spread over the sand at the edge of the beach nearby. The verse that tells us that God has “set a bound that the sea cannot pass over” seems so real. The lovely condos and the pool on the terrace are very attractive, but they can never rival what God has created. One looks at that expanse of sea, going on beyond the horizon, and marvels that God can hold it “in the hollow of His hand”.

But, the very best was Sunday morning. We left the shore with its condos and turned off on a dirt road that led to another dirt road and another. We climbed steep hills, avoided deep ruts, and went thru muddy water in the low places. We passed poor little houses close to the road, and people, dogs, chickens and children reluctantly moved out of the road that is their front yard.

 Another turn onto an almost impassible road, up a hill and we came to the home where the fellowship meeting is held. Life is far from easy in this community of Haitians who have crossed the border to try to keep alive. I can only say that the meeting was priceless, and fitting that the first hymn chosen was “Tell me the story of Jesus”. They were delighted to have pictures taken afterward, but they don't think it is proper to smile for the photos! It reminds me of the old-time pictures we sometimes see. I don't think the picture does them justice anyway.

After lunch, we went to the airport in Puerta Plata to meet Murray and Linda from Canada. Krista, their only daughter, was in the work here and died in a bus accident less than a year ago. Linda was here to visit Krista a year ago. They are glad for the opportunity to have this time in the place, and with the people that Krista loved, and who knew and loved her.

Going back to today, I baked bread and cinnamon rolls this afternoon. It all disappeared fast at the supper table! As it often does, the rain poured down this afternoon. After supper, we sat around the table and Samuel told us more of his time in the work in Mexico.