Saturday, June 5 - saying goodbye again

Salmo 121 (Psalm 121)

This was another travel day for our entire group, some going home and others going on to other places in Mexico. First, we dropped off our ¨gang¨ at the airport and proceeded back to Cuernavaca. For the first time, it was up to Miranda, Bobby, and me to communicate with Sonia and Javier (our driver). The headsets were no longer useful to us without a translator. From now until the rest of this experience we have two options: 1) we can learn to speak Spanish effectively or 2) we will fail miserably. In reality, we will struggle at times - in finding the right words or phrases and in communicating the appropriate message. These difficulties will be painful, but it´s important for us to remember from where our help comes. Just as the Psalmist wrote, the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, is our help; the Lord is our keeper, protecting us from evil - day and night. Remembering this will be important throughout our time here in Mexico. Learning and speaking the language won´t be easy, but God will give us the words to speak when we need them.

As our Duke friends departed us, I asked them for any last minute advice for ¨success¨ throughout the rest of the summer. Edgar´s response to me was, ¨Lucy, repeat after me - ¨Ayudame Dios.¨¨ I was quickly humbled as I realized what he said - help me God. Sometimes we easily forget that it´s not what we can do, but what God is able to do through us. With God´s help, guidance, strength, and words I am confident we will make it. ¨Si, se puede!¨