B-b-b-bird-bird-bird-bird and The Word

One thing about Mexico (at least in my limited experience): no early service. If you've been you know and if you haven't you can chuckle like you have. Had the All-American breakfast Nestle's chocolate ball cereal, a comfort food from last summer, and lactose free room-temp milk. Coco (Jorge) gave me the rundown on a few items to keep an eye on, weedeater (don't get to use the machete this year to cut the grass (unless something happens to the weedeater)), well pump on the roof (I will not be checking the levels frequently and certainly not in the morning as it requires a grand amount of balance some 25 ft up in the air followed by a precarious climb onto a slanted wall), lights, breakers, and the rest of the regulars.
The family was packed and ready and we were on the road to church after I lifted a version of La Santa Biblia from upstairs. I was excited to get to see everyone at church particularly Gerardo and his son Toti as well as the other young people I was able to work with last year. Not many were there when we arrived but we greeted those that were, giving me the pride and pleasure of introducing my wife to them. Greeting everyone there is really important, so after making a precautionary sweep of the immediate environment, we stationed ourselves by the front door so as not to overlook anyone though there were few who passed by that I couldn't look over. Many friends and faces came through including Gerardo (Toti wasn't there), lots of young people as well. Service started and we sang many songs as well as my favorite Spanish hymns En la Cruz (near the cross). A sister was baptized that day. During Coco's sermon I couldn't help but notice the chirping of some innocuous (and I use that word (having just looked it up) because the church there could have service through a tornadic-avalanche with a 20 car pile up on top while class 5 rapids rush down the aisle toward the pulpit) bird. This bird called his friends in and after a while there was quite the aviarian (not a bird supremacy group) choir. It was at this moment the catchy title for today's blog popped into my head, clever I know.
After service we went outside to get a picture with the family before they left. I went to the adolescents class to set a time for an activity later in the week and shared a brief lesson about David being both a young shepherd, who had nothing and was of no importance, and a king who ruled over everyone, and while his station in life changed what he was to be about in relation to God did not. He had the same mission his entire life: to be faithful to God and His action here on earth. We then went and joined the college age group and listened to them talk about the last year and how they've grow, what they've done and what this group can do in the coming weeks.
After class we went with Jose and Isidro (two of the jovenes (college kids)) to have lunch at El Biche Pobre we order a Botana (sampler) and tried a few new things. I had a delicious limonada to drink. After filling ourselves to the gills we went walking in El Centro toward the Zocalo (town square). Many vendors were out and about because this is the high season for tourism particularly now because of the Guelaguetza (which is the cultural festival of the state of Oaxaca). We walked looking and listening, talking about things we might want to do or try while we are here. Coco's sister-in-law gave us tickets to show that night; a theatrical presentation of Donahi. The show wasn't until 8, so we stopped for a drink and a rest. Kimb and I had Italian sodas, mine Strawberry Kiwi and her's blueberry. We talked about this and that. I asked Isidro what he is doing right now with school or career; he is an architect (at 17 years of age), working in design. Jose and I are the desempleados and Kimb is going to school this fall. Jose asked me about my decision to be baptized and I told him my story; he asked Kimb and she related her's. I asked Jose about his and he shared and talked about the various struggles he had at the beginning in his decision and is having now. He looks back and realizes how little he new when he made the decision to be baptized and understands the importance of baptism, doubting some in degrees about his baptism. I shared a few examples from Scripture about times of doubt, and how God, who is all-providential, makes room for doubt in the relationship so that we can grow similar to a potted plant who needs more space or it will die. So God provides everything: life breath, love, companionship, guidance, confidence, room for doubt, tears and anger. He is El Shaddai the many breasted God.
Miguel and Pedro met us as we left Nuevo Mundo coffee shop, and we walked around a bit more. Zach and I got to go inside a Cathedral. It was very large, very beautifully decorated, and very empty. One elderly lady sat a quarter of the way down from the back. Gazing. Zach and I walked towards the front and sat for a brief minute in a pew on the left, I am thankful our God inhabits our hearts and not buildings constructed by man. As we walked out the guys (who were waiting just outside the doors) started hum-singing the wedding song. We laughed and skipped out to meet them (cheezy?) We continued our walk to where Pedro and Mike had parked, and stopped once more to sit on a short wall in front of Santo Domingo. This is HUGE. Mike tells me he works here, on the night shift every other night, as a guard. He tells me something about a little boy that runs through the halls. Being gullible is unavoidable when you dont understand a language very well. The thing is, I'm still not certain if a little boy runs through the halls or not. Regardless, we take a picture in front, and Zach and I decide we would like to come back some time later in the trip. Jose was especially excited about Zach's camera, and asked to take a few more pictures. The rest of us remained on our perch while he snapped candid shots. Shortly - after hopping up from the short wall - we continued walking back through some of the tents set up. At many of the little booths the vendors are actually making the items they are trying to sell. One woman was making really pretty necklaces - tying knots in some string to make neat designs and dangling a jewel from them. Pedro was price shopping for a bed spread. We found the car. Jose is putting something in the trunk. At first I am uncertian as to how we are all going to fit, and so I ask "Is Jose riding in the trunk?" Zach shakes his head no, but Mike says "What? Jose is Drunk?" We laugh and I tell them the Trunk is the back of the car. He still doesn't say it exactly right. We all pile in. I sit on Zach's lap, and we begin racing through town. We decide to go ahead and go to the soccer stadium (where the show is to be at 8) even though it is only 6. Anyone with a long history of car sickness would be wise to avoid Mexico at all cost. They tell me I will get used to it. My knuckles are perpetually white. Our parking selection is really close to the entrance, just a short walk down the sidewalk of a road that has become a mud pit (maybe it is under construction?) As we approach the stadium Zach and I laugh at the carnival rides, one of which (an upside down one) I admire and he shakes his head at me telling me it would certainly be the barf ride. Pedro notices us looking at the rides and asks me if I like things like that. I tell him I love rides and roller-coasters. He shakes his head and tells me "I want to be healthy this week" I laugh and ask him what he means - which leads into a story of how the last time he rode one of those things, he felt sick to his stomach for 3 days. We dont ride any. :( We walk on, zach in search of a bottle of water, and everyone laughing and joking. We stop to purchase water. Jose gets a black sprite (he assures us it is just the bottle that is tinted black - I remain skeptical) Zach gets water, and from behind me Mike (Miguel) boasts a cup full of orange drink that he has been given for free. I laugh and tell him to get me one if he is so astute at getting free stuff. He says I have to get my own because the lady will recognize him. We all get a little cup of orange soda. As we continue our walk to where our seats are, Zach steps in something quite unpleasant. Unfortunately for both of us, he doesn't realize it at the time. It isn't until we have been sitting for a few minutes that he sniffs and tells me he thinks he has had an unfortunate mishap. Mishap indeed. As he is trying to cross his legs the other way...he kicks me with the poo-shoe! AH!
The pre-show reminds me a lot of standup comedy. (not because I understand it, but because of the reaction Tio Larry is getting from the crowd. When we first come in he is dressed in drag. He changes costumes a few times, once to a Mariachi outfit, in which he comes to the side where our seats are, and Zach exclaims to me "Get the Camera. That looks JUST like Uncle Larry!" This is true. His facial expressions are fool proof. The next act is a real Mariachi band. Finally the performance begins. This is a neat show. The script is read (or perhaps a tape) over a loud speaker, and the dancers on stage are kind of acting out what is supposed to be happening. The story is sort of a Mexican Romeo and Juliet. The spirit dance at the end closes with a brilliant display of fireworks that are so close people have to actually dodge little balls of fire raining down. It is fantastic. Once the show is over the flood gates open and it is a mass exodus. It is easy to keep track of Zach at least. He and I are taller than most everyone. No one gets lost (unbelievably) and we walk back to the car. The mud pit is being explored by a family on a four wheeler. We survive without any mud-spray. Back in the car we drive towards a Tlyuda shop Pedro likes. At one point we are stopped (at a red light) behind two police cars. No one is moving in the space of the road for cars going the other way, so Pedro pulls out , races past the policemen, dodges out in between a bus and a car in a space that surely isn't 2 feet wide (why the long faces?) and out in front of traffic the other way. We survive. Not even a scratch. LAND! I could kiss the solid unmoving ground once we get to the Tyluda shop. Our orders are placed and we sit at the table inside I am asked how old I am. No one can believe only 20. I am an eighth of the way through mine when zach spills a salsa-fall of salsa on his kakkhi pants. Muy mal. Back in the car. First we head to drop of Isidro. I am still in Zach's lap, and trying desperately not to bump my head on the ceiling as we rocket over the topes. Once I do, and Pedro says "Careful" I tell him it is awfully difficult not to bonk my head with this Crazy driving. Aye Aye Aye. He thinks that is hilarious. Mike starts saying Drunk and Pedro Bonk. They have a wonderful time. And we are still flying at mach 1. I decide to try out my spanish. "Qual es la fecha de navidada?" Everyone laughs. I am trying to ask Mike when his birthday is, but instead I ask him what is the date of Christmas. I was thinking natal like prenatal which is because of my latin back ground, and the only n word I can come up with is Navidad! Oh dear. They teach me how to say it the right way. "Cuando es tu Cumpleaños?" First blunder. Second comes just before we drop of Isidro. There is a speed bump (tope) that has a speed bump on top of it. So I exclaim "Doble Tupe" Everyone laughs again. Thankfully Tupe doesn't translate into anything in spanish. The rest of the trip goes without a hitch. We are home before long, and ready for a good nights rest.