Cuernavaca

Last Sunday Paul and Roxanne drove the gringos (not a derogatory term here)--Paul Q. and me--to Cuernavaca to experience a little culture.  Cuernavaca has a warm, stable climate, is known as the City of Eternal Spring, and has a population of over 300,000.  As you will see from the pics, it was memorable!  We went to a special restaurant that at one time was a home built in the 1920s by an American ambassador to Mexico named Dwight Morrow.  We sat near a softly bubbling fountain and were serenaded with music by a vocalist.  It was so relaxing and beautiful!

The home/restaurant was built at the highest point in Cuernavaca; it was just a couple blocks from where we parked the car.  The watermelon with the name of the restaurant was a work of art!  In Mexico it is not polite to place your purse on the floor.  Restaurants have little stands near the tables from which you hang your purse.

Before our food came, we explored.  The weather is usually mild, so of course when building this beautiful home, a large courtyard with a fountain was included.  Our table was outside but under an umbrella.  Mexicans are very conscious of protecting themselves from the sun.

Coty, a friend from El Monte, also joined us, and we ordered Molcajete for two.  It is a dish that includes chicken, pork sausage, beef, cheese, onions, and cactus.  I talked about cactus once before.  It tastes much like green beans and is very nutritious.  That is cactus draped over the side of the stone bowl.  When the bowl arrived, we were warned not to touch it because it was very hot.  The sauce in the bowl was still bubbling, and all of it was delicious!  You will also notice a basket of bread (red cloth covering) on the table and the ever-present basket of warm tortillas (green plaid covering).  The Mexicans always drink a flavored water with their meals.  We would call it juice, but they call it water.  The small white bowl on the table is a spicy sauce to add if you choose. Want to guess what the tan things are that look like chips?  Yes, I tried one.  It's fried pig skin.  :)

Before we left the restaurant, we looked around a little more.  I imagine that pool and the beautiful flowering plants have been enjoyed by many through the years.  Never have I been in a public restroom with sinks that are pieces of art!  The orchids that you see are the real deal.  Somehow they are growing from the tree; we could see the roots.  Lastly, the wall hanging is one of three pieces of art that hung nearby.  At first I thought it was a wood carving.  Turns out it is made completely of leather!

Before I say goodbye for another week or so, I have to include a pic from El Monte.  You know poinsettias are tropical plants that show up at Christmastime. You probably also know that its leaves are what is colorful and what we often refer to as flowers.  The Christmas plants are cultivated and much bigger and colorful than the wild version.  This week Paul and Roxanne pointed out to me the wild poinsettias here.  This one is just outside the laundry house.  Notice the tiny flower in the center (much like the cultivated ones) and notice how the leaves are turning color starting at the center.  I'll let you know if the leaves completely change color.  

Praises and Prayer Requests

• I am so thankful for how God enabled me to teach both Katrina's and my classes while she was away.  It went really well.  I thank you for your prayers on my behalf.  I couldn't do this without God. 
• I am grateful for the extra cultural experiences.  So blessed!
• Please continue to pray for my students as the difficulty level of their English studies increases.  They work so hard and have such a wonderful sense of humor.  They are a joy to be with.
• Please continue to pray for the other students here as they train for the mission field and for their teachers.
• Pray for the ministry staff and especially Paul and Roxanne as they are heading up a large conference in October.
• Thank you for your prayers for all of El Monte.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid or discouraged.                                                                          Deuteronomy 31:8