¿Como estas? Sehr gut, und einen?

We are having a great time learning Spanish. Remarkably, all of the instruction is in Spanish, and we must ask our questions in Spanish. I cannot describe how this actually can work, but I do know that I am getting more confident with this new language, and I have been in a variety of situations where I can actually communicate to strangers in Spanish! This is not to say that in class we cannot use our native language as a backup, but our instructor, a university professor, speaks only Spanish. One of the students in my group of three was from Germany. When he would get stuck on a word, I found myself translating Spanish into German. Go figure!

Arrived in Mexico

Our biggest surprise when we arrived was the excellent bus trip from the airport to Cuernivaca. The security to get on the bus was almost was it is to get on an airplane in the US. We did not need to go through one of those machines, but our carry on bags were searched and we were wanded. There was a stewardess on board to serve drinks and a snack. The driver was about the safest bus driver we have ever experienced, and the bus was as modern as any I have taken before.

The home where we are staying is rather modest, but we have a three room suite that includes a bedroom, living room, and covered terrace. Our hosts are devout Roman Catholics who are leaders in their church. Francisco served as the equivalent of a worship assistant, and Angeles organized the various processions, some of which included us. I read one of the prayer petitions in Spanish.

After church, we went to a home of one of their relatives and had a real Mexican lunch. Needless to say, I do not know the names of all the things we ate, but they were all delicious. Then we watched La Lucha on television. This is that sport that looks like wrestling, but is clearly staged with people jumping on each other and hitting each other with chairs. Sometimes the referees also through a few blows! It turns out that our host was one of these wrestlers in 1974, and his wife was his trainer, with some medical credentials. The sport is not really about who wins, but rather about the entertainment and the extreme athletic maneuvers of the participants. Now we watch it, too!

Our hosts are wonderful! We have meals together and discuss things that we all are doing. They are also active in a local union, and I went to a union meeting last night. The meals are all authentic Mexican and have a great variety. The most interesting thing is that they speak no English whatsoever, so all of our conversations are in Spanish. We are truly being immersed!

The afternoon thunder storm is on the way, so hasta luego.

A Sunday in Rhode Island

On the last Sunday in July, we made our way to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Providence. Our intent was to experience the Spanish service there. However, the usher at the door informed us that the service was now mostly in English because most of the members were now comfortable with English. Go figure! After a while, new immigrants learn English and then just blend in with the rest of the population. Just like the Germans and the Swedes did.

There was a Spanish service scheduled for the afternoon. This was an experiment to see if there would be enough interest. We did not stay as we were headed for Connecticut to see Joshua.

Inspiring Worship in Puerto Rico

Yesterday we worshipped at Iglesia Luterana Sion in Bayamon. The worship was filled with life and joy. Doreen and I were both moved to tears during the service, which is not that unusual, except that we could understand almost none of the words!

What made worship so moving in this congregation that was dying only five years ago? The pastor was very engaged in her sermon, and we could feel her energy and the energy of the people, even without knowing most of what she was saying. The way worship was led had all of the worship helpers connected throughout the service, like when the pastor raised her hands, she was holding the raised hands of the other helpers. The Lord's Prayer was spoken with people all holding hands in little circles, as the pews would allow. There were lots of announcements, including birthdays and awards for people graduating from everything from kindergarten to professional schools. The announcements, both before and after worship, gave us the sense of a real community where everyone cared about what everyone else was doing. The music was like a "praise band," with drums and some local instruments, like a cuattro (sp?) which was a very small guitar with twelve strings. The lead musician played in a jazz band at other times, like another great lead musician I know. The songs, all in Spanish, were from several ethnic traditions, quite intentionally. When the congregation sang, the people already knew the words to many of the music pieces, which freed up their hands to clap or be raised in adoration of Jesus. The passing of the piece took a long time, and we must have greeted at least two dozen people whom we had never met before, and this part of the service came to a close with the choir singing a song calling for silence in preparation for communion. After the end of the service, many people came to greet us, including people who offered us a place to stay if we want to make a return visit.

All in all, it felt as though the Holy Spirit had informed the people that Almighty God was truly present and would receive their worship and praise in this community united in love. It is certainly a place I would want to visit again!

Por que tienes zapatos en la piscina?

Sunday worship at the small church and at the ordination were very special events. We all prayed for Andy and Judy, in Spanish. The people here are very gracious and welcoming. As it turns out, the Lutheran churches are not growing as fast as I thought. However, the greatest excitement is among the youth! D-Guy's work here with Project Connect has fired up the next generation and many are heading for seminary. Boom Chicka Boom!

Most of the time when I speak Spanish to adults, they answer me in English. As we have headed toward Ponce, there is less familiarity with English, and in the pool today I found a five year old boy who was willing to talk with me in Spanish. The best interchange was when he wore his shoes into the water! I think my vocabulary is on the level on a four year old, but at least I can talk to children.

Arrived in Puerto Rico!

Today we begin our sojourn in Puerto Rico. On the plane we sat with a man from here who was filled with wonderful information about life here and where to stay and what to see. For three days we plan to stay in San Juan. On Sunday we will worship in Dorado, not far from here, and in the afternoon we will attend the ordination of one of the local people prepariing for ministry. We have contacted two local pastors from information provided by D-Guy. Shortly before we left home, we had two guests for dinner: Juan and Jack. They both speak Spanish, so we had fun practicing. Juan was born in Puerto Rico and they will both be here later during our stay. Gettiong together with them will provide some more contact with local people, and more opportunities to speak Spanish.
The night before we left for here, I took the placement exam for the CETLALIC program in Mexico. I think my grammatical skills are somewhere around second grade, but my vacabulary is more limited. Nevertheless, this is great fun, and my speaking is getting better, although lmited. Our taxi driver was from Cuba. His first language is Spanish, but he learned Russian in school. Now his third language is English. And he drives a taxi! So much of the world speaks more than one language. It must be a great gift to be able to speak and think in another language. I hope I find out what it's like.

What to Do without Electricity

Over the 4th of July weekend we were invited to a family gathering of some friends whose family owns a few houses on the National Seashore of Cape Cod. The agreement is that the family will not install electricity from the "grid" nor indoor plumbing on the properety in exchange for the houses staying on what would otherwise be a seashore with no homes. Some electicity was available from solar panels and car batteries, so the place was not totally dark in the evening. Then there were also the kerosene lamps, just like the ones my Mom used growing up on a farm in Connecticut. Hot water for showers was provided by a clever sytem of water heated in a black 50 gallon drum enclosed in a tiny greenhouse. By late afternoon, the water was so hot it had to be mixed with cold water, just like in the rest of our homes. The social difference this made was that everyone there was focused on the people in conversation and not on the TV. (We used a radio to keep up with the Red Sox.) Local electricity can indeed be produced adequately for one home at a time, provided there is some conservation combined with new lights that use little power. For one extended family, this seems to keep them all together.