Saturday - Sept 27th

The hotel is Tuxtla is super nice. Some of the design elements from the states are cheap here, like tile and stone - so they are used extensively. I got about 6 hours of sleep, getting up around 7 for an 8am breakfast. You can change a man's pais...pero you can't change his sleeping patterns! I definitely could have used more! At the clinic there is supposed to be a rooster, so we'll see how that goes tomorrow morning!
We went back to the same restaurant as last night for breakfast and after a brief welcome to mexico - don't drink the water team meeting we packed up to head west. It was about an hours drive to the medical clinic where we'll be staying for the week and was actually a helpful time. There was light conversation, but mostly time to myself. I dozed off a couple times but was able to spend time thinking and praying. After the challenges of the past few days it was good to take it to God. This past week my friend Travis was praying for me and I remember him praying that my travel would go smoothly and keep me excited for the rest of the week. This was so helpful to have in my mind and repeat to myself as I needed something to keep me focused despite the distractions. The travel frustrations had left me a bit discouraged and even with a few "i don't want to be here" thoughts last night and this morning.
On Thursday a song came on my iTunes at work based on Psalm 145. It caught my attention enough for me to read the chapter this morning. It talks about praising God - him being great and worthy and was a challenge to read. It was good though - to intentionally choose to pray through that and worship him. On the van ride I was thinking through all of this and talking with God about what I was doing here. Feeling a bit lost & out of place, it was so great to have the time in the van because it forced me to process with God. There was no outlet or distraction to turn to, but rather I was immersed in thoughts. God totally blessed this time!
Naturally, as we were driving I was comparing everything to what I've seen before - different colors, architecture, traffic, etc - but as we left town and traveled the countryside the surroundings became for familiar. We were traversing a large, flat agricultural area surrounded by lush mountains. It was incredible b/c when I looked at the mountains I instantly felt a sense of peace and connection. I always feel most at home in the mountains and here found comfort in being among them compared to the very foreign urban landscape. This revelation brought a sense of peace and the feeling that everything was going to be OK. I feel it was God giving me a sign of his presence and his promise to me. He used the mountains to say "Hey Bryon, I'm here. I'm going to take care of you." What a huge blessing and turning point that was! It reminded me of the rainbow God sent as a sign of his promise to Noah. It's a powerful image in my mind that I hope to carry for a long time.
We arrived at the clinic - a small compound (for lack of a better term, although it is fenced in) which contains a medical clinic and some homes for visiting doctor teams to stay in. It's just outside of a small town called Cardenas, and the closest larger town is Cintalapas. The guys are staying in a duplex style building with 5 guys on each side. We found out they have satelite internet, so hopefully that will help keep everyone posted!
After unloading we left for the ranch site, which is about 10-15 minutes from the clinic. We ate lunch there and spent time doing a preliminary walk-through with Bill. We walked around for a few hours, seeing and hearing about some of his initial ideas for development. This was a bit nerve wracking because everyone was speaking in somewhat absolute terms - saying this is the location for this and that. I'm thinking, OK, so why am I here? I was relived when Bill said to me - there are our ideas but you've got to tell us. It was good to hear his openness and I tried to offer confirmation by encouraging that it was best to view the big picture and take a step back to filter ideas before getting too sold on one. He seemed to agree. It's so interesting to be here with the team of professionals all at once. Typically I'm used to a slower process where the survey, the master plan, and engineering are done in sequence. Here it's all going on at once! It's kind of interesting being the planner (an early step in the process) and having others ready to jump into very specific tasks like digging holes for perc tests when I have no clue where the buildings will go. It's kind of hard having to be so non-committal so it will be interesting and challenging to balance the systematic process I'm used to with the nature of trip. It will much more collaborative and integrated which I think will be a good learning experience professionally - although a part of me feels the potential to be hindered with the design. I don't want to have a 'tail wagging the dog' so it will be challenging to balance all aspects . The prayer is for unity in vision here! I pray God works it out and that it go smoothly.
After leaving the site we drove about one hour through some gorgeous mountains down to Arriaga where the orphanage is. It's a medium size town and a fairly urban setting. The kids are really nice and you can tell they really respect Bill & Tammy. We had a tour of the home and on our return to the downstairs we were greeted by 'Carmelo' with lemonade. We were nervous about drinking it because it wasn't clear at that point they only used bottled water and bagged ice. We'll find out in a few days. =/ We were sitting around chatting and it was fairly quiet because a lot of the (16) kids were napping. We weren't having our program meeting because Bill had to leave to get our van looked at. Jane - an architect on our trip instantly connected with the kids and soon left somewhere with them. I'm pretty sure I hadn't talked about playing soccer with anyone - but for some reason Jane came back and told me the kids wanted her to ask me if I would play soccer with them. I was so surprised..how did they know? It was a God thing - He knew it was something I wanted and needed! They have an enclosed back yard, with a small concrete court with tall walls on 3 sides where we played. It was so hot! I was on a team with Carmello and we played (with a bunch of others) against a kid named Jordan and a house helper from canada named Fronz. The game grew quickly and soon included Jonathan. He's so small I almost didn't recognize him! What a fireball! That kid has so much personality and spunk - he's got to be a handful! Apparently he is hilarious but he speaks so quick in 5 yr old spanish I couldn't understand! Actually they don't know how old he is...they asked who told him he was five and he said "I told me." Umm humm...a handful.
We had dinner with the team - rice, beans, chips and some type of chicken - cooked in a broth like chicken noodle soup. I took some pepto, and so far am OK. It was good but I limited myself and stuck to a small portion and ate more chips and rice than anything else. I'm probably going to stick to that plan - I've got some clif bars to supplement if needed. I may be a little hungry and may lose some weight, but I'd rather lose it from not eating much that from getting sick. Keeping my fingers crossed and taking the precautions.
After dinner we had a meeting with Tammy and Bill to discuss the mission and vision for the ranch. I mostly led the discussion as it's something I'm accostomed to from working with camps. I think it went well and others agreed. We got a lot of info that we'll use to start the master plan - the goals, objectives and design drivers for the facilities. More to come on that.
Bill drove us almost all the way back to the ranch - where his truck was at the property manager's house in a nearby village. That way we could only drive a short way at night and he'd return to Arriaga. So that he wasn't alone he brought along Jonathan and Carmelo - who ended up on my lap since our van is full. That village was authentic mexico! Off the beaten path for sure. A dozen gringos in a big van sure can turn some heads. We came back to the clinic and were pretty quick to bed. Brenden - a surveyor from Canada - who's been here a few days ahead of us - had his laptop out so I was able to post a quick hello. My side of the duplex was quick to sleep but I showered and sat outside to write on the porch. It's a cool night with breeze and light rain. Occasionally some mist blows in which is awesome. I've (obviously) been out here writing for awhile = it's such a gorgeous night - another sign that reminds me 'Hey Bry- this isn't that bad..you can do this." More later...this is time intensive to update!

Friday - Sept 26th

So we arrived safe and sound in Tuxtla. It was quite a trip. I basically spent all night Thursday night getting ready and only slept for maybe 20 minutes. I 'woke up' at 4am to shower which didn't allow me time to catch the bus, so I ended up driving. I made it to the airport early enough to get about 45 mins of sleep on the airport floor before my teammate Randy called to meet up at the gate. Randy is from Parker (south of Denver) so we traveled together on the 3 flights here. (denver to houston to mexico city to tuxtla gutierrex). The flight to Houston was packed, but the others not bad.
As I was walking down the jetbridge leaving Houston I thought "here goes nothing, time to take the plunge" - knowing there was no turning back and when I got off the plane I would be in a foreign place. The flight was fairly empty, and I had a row to myself so I was able to catch some more sleep.
Mexico City is crazy huge! It was a maze of streets and buildings flying over. No desire to go there! The airport there was the most challenging part of the whole trip. Customs was quick and easy although my large duffle got checked to see what food i was bringing in. Then the real fun started. Our ticket for the final leg had no flight info - only saying the airline name and to check in at the gate. It sounds simple, but it took a fair amount of wandering and a number of awkward conversations and helpless moments to realize we had to catch a train to another terminal, check in again at a ticket counter, get a boarding pass only to learn it didn't have a gate yet, and figure out where we needed to wait and watch a TV to eventually find out gate. Luckily we had the time to figure it all out.
It was very challenging trying to communicate - finding someone who knew how to offer the help we needed and trying to explain our situation in broken spanish without the key vocabulary such as gate (sala). Honestly it was frustrating and made me pretty uncomfortable & vulnerable. It's a hard realization to know you have little control and are at the mercy of those around you!
The team all met up at the gate for the flight to Tuxtla where we were picked up by the director of the orphanage, Bill. We loaded into the van and drove to our hotel. Silly me for thinking that flying into Tuxtla and staying in Tuxtla would mean a short drive. It was about 45 minutes from the country and windy roads into the city. On the rural parts of the drive, cars were passing us as we were passing those on the shoulder - and in the city, who knows what the real rules are. I was in the back seat so i couldn't quite see what was going on but we were doing our fair share of braking and weaving. The trip did allow a chat with some team members which was good.
We arrived at our hotel and had a late dinner at some american-ish chain next to the hotel. Everyone is pretty tired and after checking in we all just went to bed. I'm staying with Sam - an water engineer from Florida, originally from Korea. Breakfast is at 8, so it will be about 6 hours of sleep for me after staying up to write.
Today has been pretty rough - I'm tired - and feeling pretty anxious and stressed. I'm definitely out of my comfort zone here and the airport didn't help much for my confidence! I'm don't seem to do well with 'being along for the ride' and this week will be a lot of that. I hope it will get better once we get into a routine, but the unknowns are weighing in the mean time. My is already gurgling a bit and hasn't really been tested. I think stress is a likely culprit there, so I need to chill. I'm being reminded to trust and rely - and that is not about me!

We're Here!

hey everyone! the team made it. we're here at the clinic outside a small town called Candejas. I've got a lot to write, but I'm borrowing a computer for a few minutes and just wanted to let you know we're alive. we have satelite internet here so I'll hopefully get to post more in the coming days as more computers are up and available.

it's been a bit challenging so far, but getting better. we met the kids today and I got to play some soccer! more to come!

I'm off.

Well almost, I've still got a few errands to run and a fair amount of packing to do. I'm catching the bus at 4:37am, so hopefully I'll get a few hours of sleep.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, I'll try to update if I can from Mexico, otherwise I'll look forward to sharing everything when I get back!

Futbol.

So....if you've been following this blog, last week I said "Espero que juguemos futbol."

Well, I just got this in an email from our team leader: "Also, on Sunday after church we will be spending time with the kids, playing soccer, etc. so be prepared."

pumped!

Have gifts - will travel.

Last night I made a late night run to Wal-Mart to stock up on supplies for the trip.

While Pepto and Cliff bars aren't too exciting, I did get to do some fun shopping for the kids!

I'm pumped to be traveling with this stuff - and offer it just as another way to love on these kids!

Miracles?

A few days ago I was reading the Lost and Found blog and began realizing the miracles God is performing there. It's so amazing to read of things coming about in supernatural ways but I honestly found it just as challenging as it was inspirational.

It made me think about my life - are there miracles in my life and my walk with God? My first thought was no, then "well maybe." I can think of some, but I seem to fail to view (and express) them in the powerful way that I was reading. Why is that? Why don't I see my life events as God's work, and why do my miracles seem "less miraculous" than those of which I was reading?

Perhaps failure to give credit where credit is do, a lack of attributing the results to their true producer. (James 1:17)

I also think it has something to do with the safe, controlled nature in which I live my life. A failure to truly allow opportunities for God to perform miraculous works. Maybe experiencing the greatest miracles requires exercising the greatest faith - stepping out in ways that require trust in God and putting ourselves into things which can only materialize and exist by His power.

Interesting to have these thoughts heading to Chiapas, a situation I feel is just that - one of reliance, requiring faith and trust that God will provide.

I look forward to the miracles God will perform on this trip and the opportunity to share them, giving credit where credit is do, so that God's powerful works will be evident to all!
(Revelation 5:13)

Jonathan.

Here is excerpt from the Lost and Found blog, posted by the director Bill Woods, about a new child at the orphanage.

If reading this and looking at his picture brings tears to your eyes and causes your heart to stir then you know you've experienced the very thing driving me to be in Chiapas next week!

From Bill's post: "What a surprise! I always said it wasn’t safe to leave Tammy by herself when the Government comes knocking on our door with a new child. This was no exception. Jonathan is 5 years old and has more street smarts than most 10 year olds. He had been abandoned by one of the many Illegal Aliens traveling from Honduras or El Salvador on their way to the US. We have no way of knowing where he is from or what he has experienced but we do know that God chose to send him to us and we are overjoyed that the Lord would send him to us. Please pray for Jonathan, he has had a very hard 5 years of life."

Incredible to think I'll be meeting Jonathan next week!

Getting Ready

It's hard to believe I'll be leaving in just a few days! Time flies and the trip is fast approaching.

Thanks to everyone's generous support my financial goal has been met! Actually, it's been exceeded! This is a huge blessing as the additional support means my personal investment won't grow too far beyond what I was anticipating, even with some out of pocket expenses I'll have while traveling. This is awesome! Thank you!

Last week was my least favorite part of preparations - catching up on expired shots and getting a few new ones. Honestly it wasn't too bad and probably better than getting hepa-typha-tussis-atheria-laria-nus or whatever it is!?

Now I've got to get my act together and figure out what I'm taking and how I plan on getting it there. I'd like to carry on, but 9 days is kinda long, so I'll probably end up checking a bag of less essential items for the airline to lose and carrying on the things I'd like to see again. =)

Our project leader has sent out a lot of helpful information, so that should be a good start. He also sent out bios of our team so we can start putting names with faces. Seems like it's a good group!

I finally have a website for the organization we'll be working with: http://lostandfoundint.net/
I looked through some it today and was inspired as I read of the amazing things God is doing there. It's incredible to think of walking into a place where miracles are taking place and interacting with people being transformed by God!!! It's such a reminder that life in Christ is not only real but alive and powerful!


Until next time...Bryon

Friday Thoughts

It's been so great exchanging email and messages with everyone - thanks for stepping up to support me! The response has been great so far and I'm about half way to meeting my financial goal after just one week! Thank you, and spread the word if there are others you feel may be interested in coming on board!!

More information has come in this week from the EMI leadership, including a more detailed itinerary and background information on the area and culture we'll be visiting. Our days will be starting early (yikes!) and full of work! We'll be staying in some type of clinic with apartments set up for teams near the project site, and set up a workspace in a local residence. Each night, the schedule says we'll be having dinner with the ministry, so I'm hoping that means evenings at the orphanage with the kids! Espero que juguemos futbol!

Remember how my letter mentioned I didn't know what I was getting into? Um hum..well I think that was a good thing haha! The more I learn, the more anxious I'm getting - for instance there's a good paragraph of the trip packet related to immodium and pepto. Apparently, despite the fact that our cook is used to "cooking for gringos" they are recommending we take an appropriate dosage of pepto prior to every meal to coat our stomachs as a preventative measure. Grrrreeeaaaattttt! And yes Uncle Carl, we won't be drinking the water but buying bottled water at a local market!

While the logistics of this whole thing make my mind anxious, my heart remains focused on the kids and the reason I'm going! It's not about me, but them!


Suggested Listening: "Solution" from Hillsong Church, All of the Above

It is not a human right
To stare not fight
While broken nations dream
Open up our eyes, so blind
That we might find
The Mercy for the need...

...Only you can take the widows cry
And cause her heart to sing
Be a father to the fatherless
Our savior and our king
We will be your hands, we will be your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place, we will be your light
We will be your light

Welcome!

Thanks for your support! It's been so encouraging to hear from those who have responded to my letter, and served as confirmation that the trip to Chiapas is not only right - but good!

I intend to update this through the coming weeks as a way to keep in touch with all of you, so please check back if you're interested in finding out the latest and greatest!

More to come...