October 15, 2015

Changed plans.  First we had planned to visit some of the schools today to talk about English and Morality Classes.  But, that was able to be worked out for today.  So, we changed visiting Mario in the morning instead of in the afternoon so that we could have more time in the morning and afternoon for cooking and house cleaning.  He was amiable to the change, so we headed out towards the Juayua Waterfalls.  It was a bumpy ride on a dirt road.  Just when the sign said that only 4 x 4 vehicles could proceed further, we were there.  Mario was up and walking on a single crutch. It had been about 6 or 7 weeks since we had seen him, so it was good to see him able to walk. The house was really old and large and had a beautiful view.  But, they do not have electricity or water.  We imagined it gets quite dark at night.  He is staying there with his mother and two brothers.  His sister also lives close by.  He offered to talk us to the falls when he could walk really well. We talked a long time about his separation with Sara and offered some counsel.  He has missed his daughter’s birthday this past week.  She turned 4 and this Saturday his son turns 9.  We offered to pick him up and let him bring the children to our house for a small birthday party.  He agreed to the plan if Sara would agree.  We thought Cesar could ride out with us to pick him up, but he has a commitment in Santa Ana.  Dwaine and I will just make the trip if it works out.  Next, we went by Sara’s to ask if our plan was possible.  She seemed okay with it, but she said her mother had some plans and she would first have to talk to her.  In that area, she seemed doubtful.  We will go by on Friday morning to ask if it is a go.  Next, we stopped by Sister Regina’s.  Arnoldo and Regina wanted to go to our afternoon visit with Mario, so that changed too.  So, Arnoldo just came to our house to visit.  I cooked all afternoon and Dwaine washed dishes all afternoon. Arnoldo practiced his English by reading the Bible and memorizing a verse, Psalms 91:1.  I told him if he memorized it in English, I would memorize it in Spanish.  He’s ahead of me now.  When we had returned home, we had no water.  How do you prepare and clean without water?  It came back on after about an hour and a half.  Arnoldo said when it goes out it could be for a day or even two days.  He said that sometimes they put up notices that the canals will be cleaned and then it will be two days.  Regina, Zuleyma and Danielito dropped by about 5 to pick up Arnoldo.  Then, we had another change.  We were expecting, Kelly, Jose, Nicole and Kiki (Ernesto) for dinner.  When the group arrived, Jose was not among them.  He had a migraine and that was sad.  It was a nice evening.  I fixed lasagna, pizza and corn and some more sides.  I thought the kids might especially like the pizza and that seemed to make them really happy.  It was a great visit, lacking Jose, and Dwaine invited them to our marriage classes started on Saturday.  So, our day of changes went okay.  One of the biggest changes we would have liked to have seen, would have been the arrival of internet, but alas that did not happenL.  

Strange Painting on the Wall

Trip to Mario's

Yard at Mario's

View from Mario's

Dinner with Kelly, Nicole and Kiki