Villahermosa, Mexico with Developing Workers

Saturday, June 17, 2023
And so off we go to Southern Mexico with Developing Workers. I take my son, Joe and granddaughter, Ari with me this time. They have been exceptional traveling companions as we share each 3 seated row, taking turns at the window seat. It has been A’s goal to avoid the airplane bathroom. I smile to myself and say a prayer of thanks that squatty potties will not be included in this trip.
Mexico City airport presented our first eating challenge but Starbucks came to our rescue and was followed by a luggage riding race down the ramps.
We arrived in Villahermosa after a long day of travel. It is humid and breezy in the night air as we emerge from our third airport of the day. My glasses fog over as I leave the a/c and take a deep breath of our first fresh air.

Sunday, June 18, 2023
This trip I’ve been particularly aware of my inadequacies. After all my traveling, now, somehow, has found me reluctant to trust my assessment skills just as it was at the very beginning. My role as examiner and the responsibility it carries with it, has produced a renewed dread in me. As I’ve sat with this and acknowledged my fear, I’ve been gifted with a newly renewed confidence. “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.”

This morning I’m reading a book about my giftings. In the language of the Clifton’s Strength Finder, my strongest gift is what they call connectedness. Today, it reads: “Connectedness talents can help you look past the outer shell of a person. You can naturally look past the labels and focus on his or her essential needs.” My phone autocorrects to “essential name”. How marvelous to consider that I am here not to treat disease but to treat people who’s essential name, as with my own, needs to be recognized and spoken.
I can only do this through Christ Who strengthens me as He calls me. And He calls me at the very point of my need.

Sunday service is in town at the Cristo la Luz del Mundo, Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary is large and we sit on the far left. They welcome and introduce each of us by name and we stand and wave hola.
They are celebrating Father’s Day and there is a Father’s Day choir made up of bright, white-shirted children. They sing songs in Spanish as I sing along in English. Some of the little girls tear up during the father tribute song. One daddy comes down front to hug his darling. It is a tender, beautiful sight.
Our teammate, Dennis delivers the sermon through a young interpreter. He uses the image of pushing his son on a swing: During times of trouble, like a swing, we sometimes feel like God pushes us away but when we return we will see that He has worked all things for our good. He works through and against the natural world to teach us how much He loves us. I Peter 1:3-7, Romans 8:26-30.

And He will work through and against our natural world this week. It makes me smile to watch expectantly for how He will speak my essential name this week.

MexicAnne

June 17-25, 2023