¡Hola from Rachel! : Not a Coincidence

In case you were wondering--

One of the many ways God affirmed that I should go to El Monte was that He arranged Paul Q's return flight and my arrival flight to be the same flight so that I did not have to navigate the Mexican airport by myself.

My director Katrina needs to have a medical procedure done in Minnesota, and she will fly with me to Minneapolis Thursday, December 11, on the same plane! She will help me through the airport, and that is not a coincidence! I will then take the shuttle to Eau Claire where a friend has volunteered to pick me up. I'm set. God continues to take care of every detail!

One evening this week, the students thanked our Mexican cook just as they have honored teachers all semester long. They arranged a potluck sort of meal. It was all done very well, complete with cloth tablecloths and fresh flowers. Someone brought hot dogs that were wrapped in bacon. What a good idea!

Wednesday morning was the last day of regular classes. Lots of hard work happened in this classroom.

I often enjoyed the view from the balcony during breaks.

Thursday Katrina and my English students presented their calling and future ministry intentions in English to a group of about 20 people. Trust me. This was a big deal. It was difficult but oh my, I was practically in tears to hear the students' progress.

Friday was graduation/closure of the semester. Two of the English students will be back for another semester of learning English, but the others are either doing their practicum with a mission or actually leaving for their assigned mission. It was a sweet time with some tears.

I felt so honored. First, understand that the Mexican people love to celebrate and can be very boisterous. At one point I was in front when the the student group did a little cheer/chant and declared that I was a Mexican! 🤣

After the ceremony, we had a very nice meal. El Monte had a different group in using the usual meeting area, so we met in the new meeting space that is not yet finished, but we had shade and chairs, so all was good! In March a group of over 100 men from a California church are coming to work. Hopefully this area will get finished then.

At home we have caramel apples on a stick. Here there are chili apples on a stick.

Throughout the afternoon there were many hugs and sweet goodbyes.

So now what?

debriefing
deep cleaning my apartment
one final blog
an evening with my married couple students and their family
goodbyes
packing and repacking :)
more goodbyes
probably a few tears at I leave my El Monte family
(even though I can't wait to hug my family, church family, and friends who have been so supportive!)

This is a pic from this morning's walk just as it is getting light and I'm heading back up the hill. Look closely to see all the trees with white flowers. I wish I could capture their beauty.

Please pray with me.

Praises

Not sure where to begin -- how God has answered prayers all semester and brought us to this point!
So thankful for the relationships I have been able to develop with the Mexican people and the El Monte staff
Grateful for the students' progress and accomplishments
I feel God's hand on me (again!) as Katrina will guide me through the Mexican airport

Requests

Please continue to pray for an English teacher for next semester
Please continue to pray for a missionary gal named Tina and clear direction from God for her future
Pray for El Monte's needs including getting all the materials on time for the 100 plus men coming the very end of February
I would appreciate prayer for safety and stamina for Thursday's long, long travel day