Lizards For Sale!

"Do you want to buy a lizard? Only 10 pesos for one lizard! If you want it trained, it will be 20 pesos!"


That is the refrain that our children and their friends are calling out to the interns, hoping that they can make money in the lizard-selling business! When asked by an intern, "what kinds of things do you train them?", the children promptly answer, "swimming, walking in a straight line, rock climbing, how to stay still when picked up". Not a bad deal for less than $2, wouldn't you say?

Oh, happy day!

In April, Samuel decided he wanted to be baptized here in Mexico. His decision came right about the time we were heading home to Minnesota, so we asked him if he would like to be baptized in Minnesota. His decision was that he would wait until we were in Mexico.

So, yesterday was the day! All the interns and staff were heading to the local man-made lake about 45 minutes from us, so we asked Sam again if he would like to be baptized and he said yes. One of the interns and one of Sam's friends were also baptized.

Here are the pictures of our time at the lake. By the way, it was such a joy to see a lake - the only other one I have seen is on the way to Oaxaca City (and it is only from a long distance). I sure miss Minnesota's lakes!

Group photo of the interns and some of the staff

Another picturesque view near the lake

School's Out!

Okay... well, sorta. Sam and Zach both finished up their "official" school year in the past few weeks. We are still doing some type of school each day - some spelling, science projects, art, typing, and spanish. So, I guess we aren't technically out of school! But, now we can relax a little more and really take our time.

Lizzy & Zach working on a science project

In the past few weeks, we have collected toads, beetles, and lizards. It's beetle season here and they are all over. Some of us think they are disgusting, but our budding scientists think they are great fun (especially to throw at girls). We have planted flowers, picked fresh lettuce, beans, and cucumbers (we tried to make our own pickles, but they didn't quite turn out the same!), and we have tried to hatch some sea monkeys.

Zach & his beetle friend

Beetles are everywhere!!

Today, we went to a town called San Martin Huamalupan. It has some ruins from 400 bc. The summer interns all went, too, to learn more about Oaxaca and the culture here. We had a great time in the museum - we learned some interesting things. The kids all enjoyed playing make believe in the passageway of the ruins while some of the staff and interns had a cultural orientation meeting.

Sam in the museum at the ruins

All the kids from the base at the ruins

mountaintop meeting

Our anniversary is coming up this Saturday, June 14th. It's hard to believe that has been 11 years since we walked down that aisle. I remember the sheer joy I had, knowing that I was becoming Dan's wife. What sweet and precious memories I have from that day! I am grateful each day that God gives me with Dan. He has been an awesome husband, best friend, and daddy. Who would have thought on that wonderful day in 1997 that we'd be here in Mexico 11 years later? It's amazing! We've been through a lot of hard times, but God has been so merciful to us and has always been our source of strength. Each time we face something new that we don't quite think we can handle, it is when God whispers to us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" or "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power." Oh, how precious are His words! It is truly only His strength that has gotten us here.

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June 14, 1997