FEBRUARY IN CAMPECHE

After their first trip to the United States, the Campechanos were eager to host another visit from Central New York.  This unique trip included a visit to the rain forest of Calakmul and a welcome from the mayor of Campeche. 

The group worked together with our Campechano partenrs to put windows in a new classroom at the seminary.

Site clean up at the seminary was part of the work project for this visit.

The moderator of the Campechano Presbytery accepts a Spanish language pulpit bible given by the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse.

AUGUST IN CAMPECHE

August 2-3, 2005
Day One, travel to Campeche turned into quite an adventure. We had a very uneventful arrival in Cancun, to discover one of the biggest heat waves in years. The fun continued as we crossed the Yucatan and encountered a huge thunderstorm that delayed us considerably.

We arrived late in Campeche to discover they had given away our hotel rooms. It was another adventure seeking a bed for the night. Lawrence led us in a devotional and this morning reminded us we were hardly the first to find no room at the Inn.

A successful night of sleep yielded to a breakfast including the requisite Halapeño peppers after which we dropped off Sarah, Amy and Mike to lead the Christian Education workshop. We just arrived at the Presbytery office where we are about to begin assisting the laying of beams and blocks in preparation for pouring a concrete roof on Friday.

Wednesday, August 3
What a beautiful town. Down the street from where we are staying, there is a small mom and pop restaurant with sun colored murals on the wall. We met Francisco at the café, and he was as friendly as we had remembered from our last trip. He served as our guide and companion for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, we headed to the Campechano Seminary and met Ruth and the other people involved in the Christian Education curriculum-writing workshop. Ruth is a Campechano educator who is as fluent in English as she is in Spanish. She and Francisco unveiled the classroom and library that were finished earlier this year. Outside of the classroom an old fashioned bell rang sharply when one pushed the switch on the wall.

Amy, Mike, and Sarah stayed with Ruth to help prepare for the workshop, while Andrew, Aubrey, Lawrence, and Thuy headed to the Presbytery office located five minutes down a steep hill to begin the construction work. When they arrived at the construction site, it was decided that the original plan of laying beams on the roof was too dangerous for people who were not professionals at doing roof work. The group cleared debris instead. Andrew, Aubrey, Lawrence, and Thuy after three hours of intensive work in the heat, headed back to the seminary to meet with the rest of the group.

After much hugging and goodbyes from the students at the workshop, we headed to Brother Carlos’ hacienda for chicken and shrimp with vegetables. His gracious family allowed us to swim in the pool and entertained us with stories about his children. It is amazing how, even with the group’s limited proficiency in Spanish, we were able to understand the love the family had for us.

With our stomachs bulging over our pants, we headed to Hotel America in the old colonial part of town, the hotel we had planned on staying in our first night. We could see the robin’s egg colored sky and hear the rain falling on the adobe roof from the hotel’s open courtyard.

When the rain subsided, Francisco led us on a tour of Campeche. We saw old colonial houses from the eighteenth century, a 100 year old rock wall that was built to protect the city, and the stoned ceiling cathedral-one of the oldest churches in Mexico. At the shore we saw the sun set in the Gulf of Mexico. The water looked like someone had sprinkled gold and red colored chili flakes in the water.

As if a beautiful sunset weren’t reward enough, we headed to Brother Carlos’ hacienda for dinner. He provided us with another spectacular meal, and we reflected on what the churches in Mexico and New York could do to build an even stronger relationship. Back at the hotel, we awarded Andrew with the honorary “tortuga” for having spent an hour at the bank negotiating with the bank manager to exchange our traveler’s checks. We ended the night with Mike’s devotional on perseverance, and a prayer led by Sarah. May God bless us tomorrow with another beautiful day filled with friends, food, and love.

Thursday August 4, 2005
It was a hot and humid day. We met with Francisco and the other members of the church before splitting up to go to the different sites. The group consisting of Andrew, Aubrey, Lawrence, and Thuy went to continue the construction on the roof, while Amy, Mike, and Sarah stayed at the seminary to conduct a second day of workshops. Sarah commented on how humbling it was to see the dedication of the workshop participants. Some of the women have started to call Sarah and Amy “mi hermana” which means “my sister” in Spanish. It is a good sign that they are comfortable with the group. It is also good that the workshop participants are starting to ask more difficult questions instead of merely polite questions.

Meanwhile, the construction continued at the presbytery. Andrew helped to lay concrete blocks on the roof, while Aubrey, Lawrence, and Thuy joined in the passing brigade that got the 30 pound blocks from the ground to the roof.

The food continues to be extremely generous, and the hours are too short. We work and sweat; we eat and visit with new friends. We talk about the church and the gifts and challenges in Campeche and Central New York. We wear ourselves out and after devotionals and debriefing fall into bed grateful for another day of blessings and opportunities.

We’re off to day three shortly – what promises to be a long day as the roof is ready for the concrete mix and pour routine and the workshop is headed into its final session.

Friday, August 5, 2005
After a restful night’s sleep many of us started the day off sipping “café con leche” and “jugo de naranja” (orange juice) in the open-air courtyard of our hotel. The day ahead promised to be significant and even challenging. Friday was the culmination of both the workshop at the seminary and the roof work at the presbytery office.

Sarah and Amy began the last day of the workshop. The same eager participants returned to practice writing curriculum for their youth and children, to nurture them in the faith. The class divided into small groups and eagerly set about the task of creating a sample lesson plan based on the outline and guidelines that Sarah has been presenting these past couple of days. They presented their ideas with confidence and competence, shared many stories, many goals, and some frustrations along the way. We have been honored to learn along with them and to be so honored by them. They are eager to participate again, and “pronto” in more workshops because of the success of this one.

Faced with the daunting task of mixing and pouring enough concrete to cover the Presbytery roof, the crew of Andrew, Aubrey, Lawrence, and Thuy recruited Mike to help with the concrete pouring. Mike handled the transition from the brainy workshop to the brawny construction site with finesse.

The five-some disembarked from the van into the heat and immediately set to work blending sand and concrete. Then we added stone and finally mixed in the water. Over and over, we turned the heavy stew with our shovels until we achieved the right consistency.

Then we shoveled the concrete into five gallon buckets. No fewer than a dozen hands passed these buckets up the ladder, onto the roof and poured the cement in place.

We worked with an amazing group of people, many construction workers and many pastors from Campeche skilled in the construction trades – Patricio, Francisco, Manuel, and Isaisas.

While laboring under the sweltering sun, a lunch arrived of roasted chicken and “cocino pibil,” a Campechano pork dish. We stood around makeshift tables with all of the workers and enjoyed a sense of communion. Tortilla shells were our communion bread, the soda our wine, and the conversations in Spanish, Mayan, and English was a prayer of Great Thanksgiving.

Another unexpected sacramental moment occurred when we washed all of the cement off of our legs and shoes. The mixing, shoveling, and carrying buckets, left each one of us with a residue that looked a bit like Paper Mache. In turn, we washed each others legs and shoes and feet, leaving us humbled and refreshed.

The amazing feasts at Carlos’ house continued as we enjoyed two local specialties, “ensalada de pulpo” (squid salad) and “tortillas de tiburon” (shark tortillas). In the middle of this incredible lunch, two of our crew faced off in a habanero chile eating contest. Cooling us all off was a wonderful glass of fresh watermelon juice.

Leading up to today, there has been much whispered talk of a “sorpresa” a surprise for us as Carlos’ house. When our van arrived at 8 pm, the usually empty street was lined with cars and we spotted musicians darting through the gate. We collectively began to express our excitement and eagerly stepped out of the van. A multitude of people were already sitting around the patio which was decorated with flags. They were elders and pastors of the churches within the presbytery. Some were family members of all ages. There were tables spread with colorful Mexican blankets and food, glorious food kept appearing one dish after another. They were so kind as to label each one for us.

As guests continued to arrive, the 16-member mariachi band began to play and oh how we enjoyed their music. The merrymaking was briefly interrupted by the daily downpour – it came around 8:30, a little later than usual this week, and drove us indoors where we gathered around the kitchen and dining room to hear the end of the performance.

The feast began when the rain had passed and what a feast indeed. There were tamales and tacos, chiles rellenos and chicken with mole sauce, at least a dozen more entrees, and desserts to fill another table. We each ate our fill and then some while talking and laughing and enjoying the company of our hosts.

We were also honored by a visit from an official from the office of the President of the municipality and his wife. Sarah and Andrew and Carlos, our host, enjoyed conversing about our visit, the political situations in our respective communities, and common travel experiences.

What a day, what an experience, and what a well deserved night of sleep for all of us. We hope to send you more news as we are able. Thank you for your prayers and your interest in all of our work and experiences.

Saturday, August 6, 2005
The siesta after the fiesta
Saturday arrived with the gift of rest. The workshop had wrapped up, the presbytery roof was finished, and most of us were savoring the opportunity to sleep in.  Andrew, the exception to our laziness, was up working on his sermon.  Truth be told, those of us who were working on the roof felt many new muscles previously unknown.

After checking out of the hotel, we traveled up to Carlos´house for lunch and our last overnight in Campeche.  The afternoon held individual delights.  Carlos´daughter, Elizabeth, taught Thuy to shoot a bow.  Not one to slow down, Elizabeth then practiced her soccer skills with Aubrey. Meanwhile, Mike swam in the pool.  Well deserved pursuits after our hard work during the week.

Saturday evening we were privileged to witness the first graduating class from Seminario Teologico Presbiteriano "Berith". Family and friends gathered at the First Presbyterian Church in Campeche to mark the accomplishment for four deserving students. The spirit of God was palpable in the church through the worship, from the praise to the preaching.

The First Presbyterian Church is also significant for the presence of Saint Francis Roman Catholic Church just down the block. St. Francis is the oldest church in the western hemisphere with communion celebrated on that site in 1517.


Sunday, August 7, 2005
We left Campeche bright and early with Pastor Francisco Chan Lopez and his family. After an hour and a half drive, we arrived in Hopelchen - our destination, Mt. Sinai Presbyterian Church.

It was a special day for many reasons. Pastor Francisco and Rafaela´s anniversary, a special birthday, Andrew preached, and we had a wonderful lunch together afterward.

During a later part of the service, our group was invited up to the front of the sanctuary. After some words of appreciation and gratitude, the entire congregation rose and joined hands in a circle that filled the entire sanctuary singing Unidos, Unidos. The moment was quite simply extraordinary.

Gathered around the tables, we met again many of the brothers and sisters who traveled to Syracuse and Old Forge. With delight we found out that we were eating right beside Rafael who swam in the waters of Fourth Lake. His memory, "Hace mucho frio" (terribly cold).

Leaving Hopelchen after those many hours in town felt like we were leaving family. How incredible is God´s providence that we have grown in this relationship - this partnership - from nothing to a visible presence of the family of Christ.

Tuesday, August 9, 2005
Our last blog offers individual reflections on how this trip has impacted our lives and faith. We come home with thanks to God, thanks to our friends and hosts in Campeche and thanks to those who have supported us with your time, finances and prayers on this trip.

Reflections
August 2005
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The trip has brought me back with delight to the warm, gracious, and spiritually committed community of faith we have met in the Campechano Presbytery. Hospitality, care, and hard work were the hallmarks of our hosts. It has been good to work alongside what are now friends in this growing partnership in ministry.
Andrew


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Gracias – Ay, I’ve spoken this one word more than any other on this trip and yet I don’t feel that I’ve said it enough. Gracias for the graciousness that we have been received into homes and hearts and Christ’s work in Mexico. Gracias for the cool drinks of pitahaya and horchata on blistering hot days. Muchas Gracias for the relationships formed and cemented in God’s name. I will never be quite the same because of the faithfulness I’ve experienced in Campeche. Gracias
Lawrence

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Although I have had numerous opportunities to speak Spanish in the past, I have never been in the role of a translator. We have joked this week about the power that that position holds – the ability to withhold, to embellish, to misconstrue. I have found the role to be humbling and powerful in that I have been trusted with the heartfelt words, thoughts, and important questions of so many. While I have not understood each and every word, my experience has been enriched by sharing with both English and Spanish speakers the joy and the appreciation that we have for one another.
Amy

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Retorno. Signs on the freeway indicate the point at which one can turn around and go in the opposite direction. Having met the Campechanos, there is no retorno point in my heart. Their cloud white smiles, brilliantly stretched across skin worn by the unforgiving sun, has carved a road through my soul. Because of that, my love and gratitude for the people and land of Mexico must continue forward.
Thuy

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Grand hospitality, excellent food, and an overall sense of warmth and empowerment were the three things I found most notable about this trip. Accomplishing the grand mission of sharing our love and our lives was challenging, but more fulfilling than I had previously anticipated. I feel that once again a divine presence has guided me through another experience to end up spiritually, mentally, and physically renewed. Viva Mexico en todo.
MIKE

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I was blessed to have the opportunity to teach on this trip. I felt challenged to offer the best of my gifts to new friends who commit themselves so fully with their hearts and their days to God’s work. We wrestled together with how to pass the faith on to our children. We shared our stories and our passion for education in the church. We shared laughter and teasing. We shared hard questions and the challenges of the work ahead. I am coming home with a richer vision of God’s great cloud of witnesses having learned all over again that each of our lives in all of their variety are an essential part of the story of God’s people and God’s work in the world.
Sarah

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I had no idea what I was getting myself into by accepting this trip. I had so many questions and concerns for the leaders, but now I find myself speechless. This trip will always be something to think about in every action I take. Learning and teaching were the two main gifts that I had during my visit. The most remarkable thing I noticed in this past week, is that it doesn’t matter what you do for a living, how much money you make, or what your favorite hobbies might be, we are all in God’s family, and everybody deserves a helping hand.
Aubrey