Taxco

Taxco is a beautiful city about two hours away from El Monte.  I was able to tag along Friday (I got a day off!) with some people from the states here for the week.  The city is carved into the mountain and all the buildings are white with red roofs.  The place has such character; I know it will be a favorite Mexican memory.

It took only 121 steep steps to get this view from the top of the church's bell tower.

Taxco is known as the Silver City because of its silver mines, but there also are copper and gold mines in the area.  The church was built in the mid-1700s.  The intricate gold panels throughout the church are 24-carrat gold leaf.  The statue of Mary is 99.99 percent silver and almost two meters high.

There is a statue of Christ at the very top of the city.  We hired cabs to drive us up there, and what a ride that was! Ask me to show you the video sometime.  Many of the cabs in the city are VW Bugs--still used because they are small and can maneuver the very narrow, steep streets so well.  A standard transmission is a must!  The front seat is taken out so that passengers can more easily get in.

Poinsettias were growing near the statue.

One of my neighbor girls, who is from Taxco, helped us get around.  She took us to her favorite spot to eat--most likely a family-operated place.  We ordered our food downstairs and ate in a small area upstairs.  It was the best!  I had a torta--a Mexican sandwich made with the freshest bread--somewhat like flatbread.  It had queso (cheese that is usually fried, almost tasting like cheese curds), pork, lettuce, and tomato.  

The streets are made of black stones, but very wisely and strategically placed in the center are white stones so the white stripes never have to get painted.

This rubber tree was near out parking spot.  Notice the roots growing out of a branch.  So many Wisconsin house plants are monstrous trees or bushes here.

Driving here Paul remarked that it was the first day he noticed the big trucks on the road; sugar cane harvesting season has started.  When we stopped for gas, I was able to get a pic of the cane and a typical truck.  Notice that the cane is charred; the leaves have been burned off in the field.  (The green you see are trees planted as part of a barrier at this gas station.)

Please pray with me.

Praises 

• I got to be friends with the Americans who visited this week and was treated to a few extras as they were shown around.  I'm thankful for the new friendships, the day off, and the special places I visited.
• I am thankful for my continued good health and safety.  I am learning that missionaries around the world never take that for granted.
• I am thankful for how God has helped me through a very tiring week.  I almost didn't do this blog, but I knew I needed your prayers.
• The new gal just arrived to help in the office!  Yeah!

Requests

• Please continue to pray for an English teacher for second semester.
• Pray for additional staff and other needs of El Monte.
• Please pray for my return trip.  I fly back December 11 by myself.  Pray that I would be able to get through immigration easily and that I could handle all my luggage.  I'll have two checked bags, a carry-on, and a backpack.  Pray for safety, stamina for the long, long day, and that I would trust God each step of the way.

Thank you!

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