Tulyehualco, our new family & life

We´ve been in Tulyehualco now for some time - almost two weeks. It´s been another adjustment for us in getting used to another town in México with different people, different things to do, different places to go, and a new routine. While we all enjoyed our time in Cuernavaca, I believe the three of us were ready for a change - to enter this final phase of our journey this summer. We were also very eager to begin our work in the church even though we really had a small notion of what that would entail.

So, on Friday afternoon (6/25) we packed up our stuff, told Victoria goodbye, and set out on our way to Tulyehualco. The two-hour drive quickly became a three-hour drive (three Americans can accumulate a lot of stuff over the course of 4 weeks) because our van was packed to the max and also because it was Friday afternoon in one of - if not the - largest city in the world. For those of you not familiar with México City (myself included), it stretches for miles and miles. In fact, México City is really a large city (downtown) with many smaller towns - Tulyehualco is one and is located some 2 hours (by bus, metro, and foot) away from downtown México City. I don´t really have a good gauge of the number of people here or the size of the actual town of Tulyehualco, but my guess is that it´s larger than most, if not all, of the rural areas (and even larger towns) of North Carolina where my fellow students/colleages/pastors are serving this summer.

Tulyehualco is different in many ways than the other places we have visited thus far on this trip. It is a much more remote location where tourists and visitors don´t travel - meaning three Americans (two of which have blond hair, are much taller than the average man and woman here, and speak with a ¨southern¨ Spanish accent) stick out like sore thumbs. While the townspeople are very calm and tranquil, we are certainly noticed. However, we always have a Méxican escort EVERYWHERE we go. I guess what I´ve realized more than anything is the importance of safety. While this is a pretty safe place (at least what we´ve been told), danger is still an issue, especially for people who don´t fit in or are extrañero (foreign) as they like to call us.

Upon our arrival, we immediately entered into a time of worship with the youth here and from nearby churches. It was a fun time (more details are in an earlier blog) singing the songs, worshipping together, and sharing a meal. So far, our time has been spent with our family in the parsonage learning their routines - cooking, cleaning, working, playing. In terms of work in the church - we visited the 3 services on our first Sunday (7am, 12noon, and 7pm) just to observe. While the services are longer than our standard hour-long service, the order was similar, with many of our well-known hymns. What is interesting though is that the sermon is different for each service even though there are mostly different people attending each one.

Later in the week we visited with two families in the church. It was interesting to see their homes, how they live, to listen to their talks and what was on their hearts and in their minds. On both of these visits we were served desayuno (breakfast) or a small mid-morning snack - both times it was very good, especially the apple pie that made me long for home. A true blessing to me was how these people shared with us in their lives, their experiences, and their food. Here we are pastors to them and therefore, we are treated as such - it´s just different from what I´ve experienced before.

Throughout the week, we began to prepare for Sunday (July 4) - Miranda and I were both scheduled to preach at different services (which ultimately turned out well - given our limited understanding and use of the language). We were thanked and complemented for our work and message, which was a great feeling, especially considering that I had not had time to have someone check over my work in the second half of my sermon.

This week, we have had some down time to rest and just get caught up with things here. We are also preparing for this Sunday - apparently we are going to preach each week! We also will help teach a three-day course on Methodism - ranging from the early church fathers to modern-day Methodism in México. It should be an interesting experience for both practicing our Spanish and reminding me of all that I learned this past year in school...how quickly one forgets!

Friday morning we will visit with another family from the church and then on Saturday, I think we will have some time for fun - we´re planning to go to Six Flags which is not too far from here.

One final point to make is that Bobby (the other blond in our group) is staying with us for the rest of the summer. Early on the plan was for him to work in the church in downtown México City, while Miranda and I worked in the church with Sonia in Tulyehualco. That plan fell through, so now we remain the three amigos. Bobby works primarily with Jorge (Sonia´s husband) who is also a pastor. Great news for all three of us! Sonia and family were also pleased with that.

Speaking of Sonia and Jorge, just a bit about them. They are wonderful people with two really great children. Eliud is 18 years old and about to enter college in the fall. Zuri is 17 years old and will have one more year in high school. Oh, and Pelochin is the dog. We´ve all had to adjust a little to our new living environment, but it´s been a great experience. Also, they have been wonderful hosts to us in every way. It´s a blessing to be a part of their lives.