New York, New York is not the only city that faces the confusion of being named twice. We crossed over into the state sometime after 9:00 last night. The sign over the highway read Bienvenidos a Campeche, el tesoro escondido en Mexico. Welcome to Campeche, the hidden treasure in Mexico.
We did not actually arrive to the city for a little over an hour. Part of this was no doubt because of our needing to stop and tie the tailpipe from one of the vans as it was determined to drag on each bump in the road. We think it came loose originally when the tire almost blew out earlier in the day as we were driving across the peninsula. As Art artfully put it that was the first big blessing of the trip that it actually did not blow out. We did have to stop and replace it though which was the first really big adventure.
Along with some wonderfully educational conversations with Javier and Abi, our drivers, we also met Don and Marta Wehmeyer, PC(USA) missionaries in Mexico. They are doing an amazing job of sharing good news among the people here. You can read more about them, and from them, at the denominational website: http://www.pcusa.org Except for the great border ministry we engage in, these are our only Presbyterian missionaries in the entire country!
When we did arrive, we drove along a beautiful ocean side esplanade before arriving at the center of this historic town. The gulf coast of the Yucatan is not as accessible and consequently less known to most folks. We did indeed discover a hidden treasure. As we came into the city, the 16th century bastions once protecting it from pirates and marauders were now silent monuments to history bathed in the soft glow of the moon and spotlights. As we arrived in the center of the town, the park was lively much more than we were at this point with carnival revelers. Rio and New Orleans can eat their hearts out.
After circling a couple of blocks perhaps one time more than necessary, we turned the corner on another square and were overwhelmed with the site of ancient trees and the colonial cathedral caught in the shadows of the lights shining on them. We were just a block and a half from the hotel, and we tumbled out the vans and into bed with tired bodies and grateful hearts. This was no doubt our longest day.
February 18, 2004 Campeche, Campeche Let the children come. And they did timidly at first, and then urged on by the more outgoing inching forward in the small crowd until the evening ended with hugs and smiles, prolonged good-byes, and promises to come back the next night – promises heavily weighted with an eagerness to trust new-found friends. It was an evening marked by the faces of delightfully enthusiastic children gathered in the makeshift wooden church building. It was also the experience of young people and adults from Campeche and Syracuse who gathered last night at the mission church called God Will Provide.
The controlled chaos that often marks vacation bible school was near the end of a rich and creative day. We began the day meeting Pastor Francisco, his wife Rafaela, and their three children. It was like a reunion for Andrew and Francisco who smiled and hugged as long-lost friends. For about six months this relationship had been developing by email and then by phone. It was great to see his daughter, Sara, whose birth our group had watched for, anticipated and celebrated at a distance last fall.
Francisco and his family were our hosts today as we visited with the leaders of the presbytery, drove up and down the hills of the city, and visited the sites where dreams are coming to life at various stages in the birth of new churches and a seminary.
The excitement and the needs are vast. A presbytery that is only 40 years old now has 18 churches, an additional 20 congregations, and yet another 20 mission points. Both of these latter classifications indicate a level of growth as new groups gather and move towards organizing as Presbyterian churches. To lead these, the Campechano presbytery has 13 pastors who are each spread very thin. These pastors are also committed to the beginnings of a new bible school, moving quickly to train new people to lead the missions and congregations throughout Campeche.
One of the mission points in Campeche has been boldly named Jehova Jireh, God Will Provide. It is a proud name painted onto a plank nailed to the top of a makeshift building that serves as the worship space for some 65 congregants. Towards the back of their small suburban piece of property, the leaders of this group also have 3 open air-rooms for Sunday school. The seemingly overwhelming limitations of their modest means are matched by the fervor of the seemingly unstoppable eagerness of their dreams. Before the evening was done, Sergio, the leader of this mission, had presented Sandi, the leader of our group, a copy of their plans for a new church building. The power of listening to these dreams amidst the conditions surrounding us is awesome.
Words such as overwhelming, and awesome, are only partly able to describe a day that was so full of new experiences that words struggle to explain. As the day ends and we gather for supper and devotionals together, we know it is only our first full day here.
February 19, 2004 Campeche, Campeche The category is Campeche, and the answer is: eighty work hours, twelve gallons of paint, eight paint rollers, eight paint brushes, a case of water, two dozen fresh baked rolls, six roasted chickens, 16 dedicated Presbyterian gringos and a serious paint boss. The correct question of course is: what does it take to paint the seminary?
The importance of having a place to train people for ministry became apparent to us early as we met with the leaders of the Campechano presbytery yesterday. We also drove by the site and saw a piece of property that needed a lot of time, investment and care. The library consists of a couple of dozen books. They pointed with pride to one of the newest a single copy of a Presbyterian hymnal.
As we surveyed the site, ideas were plentiful. We considered pouring a sidewalk to help keep the dust and mud down, tiling and wall boarding the newest room, raking and clearing the ground for a playing field, planting a tree and landscaping a little. It would be easy to become frozen by the breadth of need.
Two things in particular pulled us out of our reverie and into action. Perhaps first was the realization of how much the hearts and souls of our new friends were poured into the new room being built. Over the last two years, they have painstakingly put it up one cinder block after another. And each block meant a little less time for already busy lives. The building hours at the seminary often come after a twelve-hour workday and after a class in the bible school equipping one for sharing good news with others.
Our second motivator was the one who we warmly, and perhaps with a bit of fear of trembling, now know as the paint boss. Sandi engaged her determined skills as a corporate officer and shook us out of our reverie. For much of the next day, she pushed us to complete what was a singularly professional task of transforming the appearance of the seminary of Campeche.
From the purchasing of paint to completing the clean up, the 16 members of the LAMP group came together to move out furniture, remove fixtures, acquire ladders, sweep out rooms, trim edges, roll walls inside and out, purchase lunch and supplies, replace fixtures, return furniture and clean up the site. The paint boss drove us on and at the end of the day as we gathered for devotionals and debriefing, she was awarded the coveted Mexican Pea award for outstanding action of the day. It was appropriate that her husband, Lyn, who had earned it the day before was the one who passed it on to her.
Another day, another seminary refurbished so much more to be done.
February 20, 2004 Hopelchen, Campeche Wednesday We awoke to the church bells echoing down the streets. A quick trip to the store and the bank, and we were on our way. As we leave Campeche, the roads become more scenic. We see orange groves, purple flowers, butterflies, pigs, goats, Brahma cattle herds, horsemen tending fields, small communities, and flat green fields. Then we found the switchback roads that would challenge Pikes Peak highway.
Finally, we arrived at Edzna, a significant Mayan archeological site. Most of the gang climbed to the top of the main pyramid well beyond the nosebleed section. The acoustics were perfect for the high priests, as evidenced by the fact that we could hear every ooh and aah from the gang that had climbed to the top.
We were soon on to Hopelchen, a charming town named for the five wells here. When we pulled up front, the church hosts were waiting to greet and direct us to waiting tables groaning with the weight of roasted chicken, sweet onions in sauce, juice from a local flower, and the ever present tortillas. The bravest among us indulged in the local custom of nibbling on habanero chilies between other bites of food (he got the Mexican pea award that night.)
Bible school starts with stories and singing and crafts. At the same time, another team heads to purchase concrete supplies without a translator. Very interesting.
That evening we gathered with our hosts' for introductions, singing, bible readings, and lots of smiles. Then after a brief gathering among ourselves, we are off to our hosts homes. We were so grateful for a place to sleep that we didn't have time to be uncomfortable about sleeping in the homes of strangers. We feel welcome here.
Thursday We gather for breakfast at the church at 7:00AM. Tired faces trade stories. Some families have given us their beds because they use hammocks. Beds are usually reserved for cuddling babies, visiting grandparents, or guests.
The tough work begins next. We began to pour a concrete slab at the main entryway to the church, and on a bedroom floor in the manse. First we have to make the concrete! Six shovels, sixteen people, ten buckets and one huge mud pile. It looks a lot easier than it is. Carrying concrete to the second floor entails a bucket brigade around the sanctuary, over the fence, up to the roof, into the bedroom to grandmother's house we go. Twice we run out of concrete and have to mix another batch. It is backbreaking, teambuilding, friendship-making work. We look forward to showers, lunch and a siesta.
Keep us in your prayers.
February 22, 2004 Hopelchen, Campeche The sun has set, and the volleyball competetion is fierce. Arturo, Dave, Jeff, Jose and Melanie have all taken a turn. The crowd is enthusiastic. There are grandmothers in embroidered dresses, babies in arms, couples and church elders.
They have worked for a long time to build a concrete terrace to use as a volleyball court at the church, but they have not been able to finish it. Tonight the people of Hopelchen and the people of Syracuse are christening the court after the dedication ceremony. It is a joyful and festive occasion.
Today we met the challenge of painting the face of the church. Last night we bought cream-colored paint with green trim. The church elders continued to discuss the colors and decided to maintain the deep red. We returned to the store without a translator. This is getting easier!
We started painting as the men of the church arrived. They worked beside us in the hot sun. The church building now has fresh red doors, windows and trim. Two men painted the name of the church free hand over the door. Somewhere in between all the painting, we stopped being strangers and started being friends.
Manuel has been teaching us the Mayan language. The words have multiple syllables emphasized.
The women of the church prepared a feast. We enjoyed fried bananas, beef, boiled potatoes, fried potatoes, onions with Habaneros, black bean puree and the ever present tortillas.
Some of our hosts have taken us shopping. Others have taken us to the Carnivale at the plaza downtown.
It has been a day of laughter, talk, reflection, sweat and mutual admiration. We have made friends. It has been a good trip.
Keep us in your prayers as we return home.
February 24, 2004 en route to Cancun to Syracuse We left today for the flight home. We've had a grand adventure and learned many things.
Lyn says his jeans are very loose on him and he never once rode an exercise bike. Andrew tightened his belt at least by one notch though food was plentiful. Muffy said she couldn't use the hot water in the shower yesterday morning in light of what she had experienced this week.
Many of us ooh-ed and aah-ed over the luxurious accommodations in Chichen Itza. For us, that has meant fresh towels every day, hot and cold running water, air conditioning and a swimming pool. Our thirty-seven dollar rooms would be an extravagant luxury for the Christian brothers and sisters we have come to know this week.
It is hard to understand the wealth we have at home in relation to the lack of wealth in Campeche. We cannot see a reason for the disparity. The people work very hard for very long hours. There is no shortage of ambition, intelligence, or creativity. The country has abundant natural resources that include oil, sunshine and crops. It seems this should be a wealthy land.
We leave puzzled about how we can make a significant difference and we leave committed to try to make a difference anyway. Already we are talking about a second and a third trip to Campeche. We hope our relationships will grow in the months to come.
Reflections February 2004 ________________________ Grisel
has shy, dark, trusting eyes. She steers her bicycle around the
concrete terrace of the Presbyterian Church in Hopelchen. So many
adults lovingly watch over her that it is hard to tell who her parents
are. Fernando carries his Bible and eagerly runs to the front row for
worship. He may be six or seven, but he sings each hymn from memory
with a strong voice. They are so like our children in Syracuse and so
wonderfully different. God's family is beautiful, diverse and always
much bigger than we are able to imagine. It is a gift to have so many
new faces to hold in our hearts and in our prayers. Sarah McTyre ________________________ It's
difficult to explain the emotional and spiritual impact that a mission
trip has for me. It includes so many things that nothing compares to
it. It's meeting people where they are. It's meeting the poorest of the
poor and finding they have the largest of hearts and are most generous
in sharing what they have. I had the most fun on Saturday working hard
moving buckets of stone in a bucket brigade of Mexican women and three
Mexican men. We were working in a narrow alley about 2 & 1/2 feet
wide. Buckets were flying in both directions full ones going one way,
empties coming back. We didnt know which way to look. It was hard work
but we were laughing a lot and trying to communicate with each other.
Our time here was so short. It was sad to leave so soon. Joyce Packard ________________________ I
made a friend, Ral, at the mission church in Campeche. Even though he
doesn't speak English and I almost don't speak Spanish, we exchanged
telephone numbers. Ral also taught me a few words in Mayan. Our group
worked side by side with members of the Hopelchen Presbyterian Church.
After painting the exterior front of the church, it was fun watching
two Mexican craftsmen repaint the arched lettering Iglesia Nal.
Presbyteriana de Mexico one letter at a time during early twilight.
Vacation Bible School was in full swing inside. Warm breezes, warm
hearts, and no snow. Tom Packard ________________________ This
trip has been special in so many ways. The unconditional friendships of
our hosts, the children with enormous smiles, roosters, pigs and dogs
who own the road, all have left wonderful memories. We have received as
much, if not more, than we have given. I have found it's easier to feel
God's presence in humble, run down churches than it is in fancy, ornate
ones. Of all the many highlights, one I will cherish is the sermon
Andrew gave in English and Spanish. He reached out to both
nationalities with ease and grace, as if he were back at Park Central.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Muffy Hansen ________________________ This
trip has been good all around for me. I came down here to help others
but in contrast it has helped me. I have been able to see things from a
new perspective and I have been able to make a friendship with a girl
surprisingly like myself. My only regret is that I was not able to stay
longer. Sarah Hansen (little Sarah) ________________________ A
personal moment that sticks in my mind was waking up the first morning
and watching Jose's wife cooking tortillas over an open fire. Jose
offered me coffee he had just made. I had just met them. I wasn't even
staying in his home. My bed was next door at his daughters home who
sent her children to grandpa's (aka Jose's) home. David Hoover ________________________ There
is nothing more powerful than a Sunday morning service among new
friends in Hopelchen. Hot sun, open windows, ceiling fans to keep cool.
The power of the Holy Spirit was there with our host families. The
families who hosted us have little of the materialistic items we think
we need. They do have an overabundance of warmth, love, caring and joy
in being brothers and sisters in Christ. If we could capture that
moment and bring it to you all, your eyes would feel full of tears of
Joy and Love. Wish you could have been there! Hopefully you were in
spirit! Art Adamsen ________________________ The greatest part
of this trip was playing football with the kids in both Campeche and
Hopelchen. It didnt matter that I didn't speak their language. I
learned kids are kids. There is no difference between me as an 18 year
old growing up in the U.S. of A. and a 18 year old who lives in Mexico.
We both like the same things. We act the same and enjoy the same
sports. The only difference is what language we speak and that really
doesn't matter. I will never forget playing soccer with 15 kids around
the same age as me in a gravel parking lot in the middle of the day
when it was 85° out. Joe Adamsen ________________________ This
week I was given the opportunity to step away from the future focused
hustle and bustle of American life. My priorities were refocused as I
became part of a community of brothers and sisters working with pride
to improve the local churches. All differences in appearance, language,
and culture were set aside as we were welcomed as family, united by
faith in the same God and a common desire to help one another. This one
week has provided friendships and memories for a lifetime as well as a
glimpse into a lifestyle more focused on loving relationships rather
than cosmetic worries and deadlines. Jeff Mastin ________________________ I
will always remember the magic of making a concrete volleyball court.
Each of us seemed to have a specific role from counting the passing
buckets of sand, to shoveling concrete, to translating the boss'
directions. At one time the bucket brigade was delivering buckets of
fresh cement faster than they could be dumped. It was a true ballet
that included Mexican and New Yorker, old and young, men and women.
God's people were truly working together. Sandi Yingling ________________________ We
have all grown up in our own personal ways this week. In Campeche, we
learned that regardless of the physical condition of a structure, a
church is gorgeous when filled with spirit. In Hopelchen, the Town of
the Five Wells, the wells define what we experienced during our time
there: compassion, spirit, faith, gratitude, and most of all humility. Ojala que regresemos pronto! Melanie Hoover ________________________ I
liked helping the kids. They always make you smile. In the U.S.A. they
care about how you dress or how you look. Here they accept you for
yourself. I liked playing soccer with the kids. The people are really
friendly and you don't have to be stressed about anything. Chelsea Austin ________________________ This
trip has shown me that in a lot of ways we are all similar people. Both
church communities in Campeche and Hopelchen welcomed us as a whole
without reservation, much like Northminster did 4 years ago with my
family. We all have families and it's the love that those families have
together with their church family that makes such a well-bonded
community as a whole. The extra things people here do without yet still
have such strong faith, friendship and love shows what is really most
important in life. Lori Caruso ________________________ I was
impressed by the sincerity of the people and by their industriousness.
I admire the hospitality of people who took in strangers from another
culture and who didn't even speak their language. My last night in
Hopelchen the young boy in the house about 5 years old came over to me
and kissed my cheek. Then he turned his head so I could kiss his cheek.
Next he went to Sandi and repeated the cheek kissing ritual. This will
stay with me. Lyn Carman ________________________ Memories of
love, spiritual dedication, excitement of children and incredible acts
of appreciation for our work are only part of what I will take form
this week. Beyond that what has truly touched me is that each
evening's meeting brings an ever increasing glow of satisfaction when
reflecting on that day's job well done anticipation of what and how
much we can accomplish tomorrow strong presence of the Holy Spirit
driving us to be and do more than we ever thought possible. p.s. God
bless all and thank you all for the privilege of being a part of this
group. I know this is closer to 80 words than 50 but even this seems
too short. Liz Mastin ________________________ warmth,
affection, kindness, new friends, hard work, economic poverty,
spiritual wealth, beauty, deep gratitude, bright sunshine, amazing
history, cultural richness, delicious spicy food, spanish songs, quick
minds, playful banter, sparse water, new flavors, gracious hosts,
bright colors, grand challenges, vast opportunities, responsive people,
huge smiles, satisfied, grateful, glad tears. Andrew McTyre
SEPTEMBER IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
The Sunday worship service at Park Central Presbyterian Church began with a welcome from children: "Bienvenido a la casa de Dios."
The church's youth group presented the "Welcome to the house of God" sign to the congregation and to a group of Mexican Presbyterians visiting Syracuse in a church exchange program.
Nine people from the Mexican state of Campeche arrived Sept. 8 and will stay until Saturday to complete mission work. Members of Park Central traveled to Mexico in February.
The Sunday services at Park Central and at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Clay were conducted in English and Spanish in honor of their guests.
Four of the Mexican visitors attended the Park Central service, where the Rev. Francisco Chan Lopez, from Campeche, gave the sermon.
"This morning I am very thrilled to get to know you and to be in this church," Lopez said in Spanish to the congregation while the Rev. J. Andrew McTyre translated.
"We really want to come together, and we hope God will give us the chance to come together," Lopez said.
The program for the service was written in both languages so members could follow along. The hymns were also sung in both languages.
McTyre said regular church services are not conducted in English and Spanish, but the liturgy is often in both languages for the convenience of some Spanish-speaking families who attend the church.
The Presbytery of Cayuga- Syracuse is developing a mission partnership with four churches in Mexico. McTyre hopes to continue working with the Mexican churches and said they will be talking about future plans this week.
"We try to share good news in different ways to do mission work together," McTyre said.
While in Syracuse , the Mexican delegation has helped construct a
room for children at South Presbyterian Church. They also reached out
to the Latino community on the city's west side by inviting its members
to a clothing sale and fiesta at Brown Memorial United Methodist
Church.
"Muy buena," Lopez said in describing his experience.
"It's been very good," McTyre translated.
Lopez said Syracuse is a pretty city and very calm. Nothing has scared him yet, McTyre said.
Fellow visitors Miller Euan and Santiago Dzul said they feel the same.
"The
city is beautiful, the people are marvelous," Euan said through
translator Sarah Hansen, of Syracuse . "They have big hearts."
Hansen
said it was fun for the entire delegation to visit a state with so much
history. The visitors were taken to the Erie Canal Museum, where they
learned about the canal, one of the highlights for Dzul.
"I'll always carry these memories in my heart," Euan said.
The Rev. Jean Marie Peacock, who was serving as the Vice-Moderator of the PC(USA), joined the partnership for an afternoon of ministry on the west side of Syracuse.
February 18, 2004
One of the mission points in Campeche has been boldly named Jehova Jireh, God Will
From the purchasing of paint to completing the clean up, the 16 members of the LAMP group came together to move out furniture, remove fixtures, acquire ladders, sweep out rooms, trim edges, roll walls inside and out, purchase lunch and supplies, replace fixtures, return furniture and clean up the site. The paint boss drove us on and at the end of the day as we gathered for devotionals and debriefing, she was awarded the coveted Mexican Pea award for outstanding action of the day. It was appropriate that her husband, Lyn, who had earned it the day before was the one who passed it on to her.
The tough work begins next. We began to pour a concrete slab at the main entryway to the church, and on a bedroom floor in the manse. First we have to make the concrete! Six shovels, sixteen people, ten buckets and one huge mud pile. It looks a lot easier than it is. Carrying concrete to the second floor entails a bucket brigade around the sanctuary, over the fence, up to the roof, into the bedroom to grandmother's house we go. Twice we run out of concrete and have to mix another batch. It is backbreaking, teambuilding, friendship-making work. We look forward to showers, lunch and a siesta.
The Sunday worship service at Park Central Presbyterian Church began with a welcome from children: "Bienvenido a la casa de Dios." 
While in Syracuse , the Mexican delegation has helped construct a
room for children at South Presbyterian Church. They also reached out
to the Latino community on the city's west side by inviting its members
to a clothing sale and fiesta at Brown Memorial United Methodist
Church. 
The Rev. Jean Marie Peacock, who was serving as the Vice-Moderator of the PC(USA), joined the partnership for an afternoon of ministry on the west side of Syracuse.