Negrita de Mis Amores

We did it! We survived our first day in Guadalajara! On just a few hours of sleep, we set out to discover the local area. It might as well have been a different world! We knew it would be different, but we really had no idea how drastically. For example, in most neighborhoods, you will find a hole in the wall selling Coke and other local beverages of choice. A few blocks from or apartment was a large outdoor mercado (market) where fruits of every shape and size can be found for relatively low prices. This morning we bought a liter of jugo de pina or pineapple juice for only $18! No not 18 dollars, the peso sign is the same, $18 here is only $1.80. Good deal huh!

Another example is, this morning as we were walking to the bus, we passed a food stand near the big market. Simultaneously, we turned around to see what the delicious odor was! After not much debate, we ordered whatever it was that the old man on the seat next to us was having. Juevos, arroz y frijoles with the most delicious salsa you could ever imagine. As we cleaned our plates, two men came up behind us. Before we knew it, they attacked! Just kidding. They did however whip out their guitar and accordion and did some mad serenading. "Amor" Thus the title of today's blog. Stefani at Starbucks (yes, we found another "Starbooks" as they call it here) told us about a song specific to Guadalajara with that title. It means, the dark-skinned people in my heart, and is a love song to una mujer morena, a "dark-skinned" woman.

Back to our first day though. After our journey to a supermarket we returned to our apartment exhausted. We both promptly fell asleep, though we really didn't mean to since Brother McCasland was coming to get us at 4 to take us to their house for dinner before the meeting. "PSSSSST! PSSSST!" we heard as we awoke from our comas. How embarrassing, especially seeing as how we both were snoring like two elderly, overweight men with sleep apnea! Oh well. We hurriedly got ready and were off. On our way in the cab, we both acknowledged that we were feeling a slight bit overwhelmed by so much culture shock! It was a nice transition to have some salad and spaghetti from Sherry. That's their dog, Lulu, by the way. But the real comfort came later, as we pulled into the kingdom hall parking lot. All our anxieties melted away and we both breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing something so familiar. It really gave us a feeling of a refuge from the overwhelming feeling of not belonging. Finally, we were in a place where we belonged. A place where everyone had the most important thing in common with us. We quickly made friends, and lots of them. Kate wasted no time in outspokenly procuring for us a couple of tour guides! ( they're sisters, I promise)

The congregation was amazing. There are a LOT of younger people, and very spiritual! Most of them are there to help the congregation. Everyone who had a ministry school assignment, were doing it for the first time in English! We wouldn't have known though, if the school overseer hadn't announced it. The Bible reading by a younger brother was so full of feeling, so from the heart that we had the feeling as if Paul was right there talking to us. We could feel the love in every word, how appropriate since the reading was about none other than love. Later, as we sang the second song entitled "Here I am, Send Me" we were reminded of what a privilege it is for us to have the opportunity to be here. By the way, brothers and sisters!!! They NEED you here!!! The english congregation that we visited has only 3 elders for its 80 publishers. At this meeting, two were unable to be there and the third, Brother McCasland had to do both of the talks for the service meeting on very late notice. The aforementioned school overseer, Arnie, is a ministerial servant! The majority of the congergation's territories have never been worked. One amazing young sister named Kandi speaks 5 languages (Spanish, English, Russian, Chinese and ASL) Out of these, though, the most needed is English! Although they have difficulties, their work is very productive! They've just started a new congregation with an indigenous spanish/indian dialect.

We've also learned that paraguas are a necessity, paraguas are umbrellas. Edie, you'll appreciate this. Every afternoon, right now in fact, clouds roll in, and the lluvia (rain) falls. Yesterday, as we were eating at a restaurant recommended by our landlord, we were able to enjoy this thoroughly as the restaurant had a courtyard where we could watch the rain fall, while being protected from it ourselves. It was beautiful.

Last night after being escorted home by a brother who lives near us, we fell asleep to the pouring rain. A nice end to a fun, then slightly stressful, then spiritually refreshing day. Now as we sit in a Starbucks watching the rain, we quietly contemplate what the next few days might hold for us. Whatever it is, we like to think of you, our friends back home, working hard for Jehovah and we know that you are obviously thinking of us as well as indicated by the fact that you are reading this now. Until next time, friends, we will stay safe and we will keep in contact.

All of our love,

K3LSO and Kate