Thursday, July 29, 2004
Social problems and social victories
Hi =) Thanks so much to those who have replied to the posts. It makes me feel less lonely! Brisa and I might be going out to La Cantina...a club, I think?...and listen to regional mariachi music. I´m really excited and I hope it works out for us to go.
When we stopped at an intersection today, a Mexican kid came up to the car and started washing the window. He couldn´t have been more than 12. I caught his eye for a second and something about him made me really, really sad. I asked Brisa what the background of these people are, because there are people at almost every intersection washing windshields and selling things and doing tricks for money. She said they aren´t necessarily poor, but a lot of them don´t want to steal money to buy drugs, so they work for it. I don´t know who this kid was, or what his story is...but his eyes said it was very sad, and this whole afternoon I have been noticing new things and asking questions. Why are the old people the ones doing menial labor that doesn´t require skill or experience? Has their whole life lead up to this? Why are there so many men sitting on the sidewalks doing nothing? They can´t all be waiting for a bus... Why are there kids washing car windows for drug money?
But on the other hand, I also ask...Why don´t people here carry the stereotype that all doctors are men and nurses are women? Why do all the neighbors know and help eachother? Why do families eat together every night and so few couples, it seems, are divorced? I think they are also more insightful in that they don´t get married young. They wait and go to college and work...
I don´t know. I am looking forward to observing and knowing more about all this. I want to sift through all these ideas to find out what´s true. And I really, really want to help the people who need help.
A really cool opportunity I´ve had here so far is to see up-close and personal what the lives of missionaries look like. I have asked a lot of questions of the full-time YWAM missionaries and a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions I had have been replaced with new ideas. More on that in another post if I remember. But the one thing I do want to tell all of you back in the States is this...if you are a Christian or have any heart for people who suffer and want to help out, the missionaries really do use the money down here soley to survive. It´s amazing how easy (relatively) money flows for us in the States and how valuable and well-used it is down here. It´s an amazing investment. Always invest in people. That´s what I´ve learned. Anyway, enough of my rambling. I love you all.
New link on the left side of this screen if you want to donate to YWAM or missionaries.
When we stopped at an intersection today, a Mexican kid came up to the car and started washing the window. He couldn´t have been more than 12. I caught his eye for a second and something about him made me really, really sad. I asked Brisa what the background of these people are, because there are people at almost every intersection washing windshields and selling things and doing tricks for money. She said they aren´t necessarily poor, but a lot of them don´t want to steal money to buy drugs, so they work for it. I don´t know who this kid was, or what his story is...but his eyes said it was very sad, and this whole afternoon I have been noticing new things and asking questions. Why are the old people the ones doing menial labor that doesn´t require skill or experience? Has their whole life lead up to this? Why are there so many men sitting on the sidewalks doing nothing? They can´t all be waiting for a bus... Why are there kids washing car windows for drug money?
But on the other hand, I also ask...Why don´t people here carry the stereotype that all doctors are men and nurses are women? Why do all the neighbors know and help eachother? Why do families eat together every night and so few couples, it seems, are divorced? I think they are also more insightful in that they don´t get married young. They wait and go to college and work...
I don´t know. I am looking forward to observing and knowing more about all this. I want to sift through all these ideas to find out what´s true. And I really, really want to help the people who need help.
A really cool opportunity I´ve had here so far is to see up-close and personal what the lives of missionaries look like. I have asked a lot of questions of the full-time YWAM missionaries and a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions I had have been replaced with new ideas. More on that in another post if I remember. But the one thing I do want to tell all of you back in the States is this...if you are a Christian or have any heart for people who suffer and want to help out, the missionaries really do use the money down here soley to survive. It´s amazing how easy (relatively) money flows for us in the States and how valuable and well-used it is down here. It´s an amazing investment. Always invest in people. That´s what I´ve learned. Anyway, enough of my rambling. I love you all.
New link on the left side of this screen if you want to donate to YWAM or missionaries.
Comments:
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It sounds like changing environments has really given you the opportunity to look outside yourself. I think that when we're in the familiar all the time, it's easy to not register what's going on around you, it's part of the backdrop of YOUR life...in a new place, you notice everything and become much more aware of who and what's going on all around you, which prompts a lot more of the "why?" questions - what a great experience. Be careful and remember...I love you!!
Mom
Mom
# posted by 
: July 29, 2004 at 9:27 PM
: July 29, 2004 at 9:27 PM
Hi Lacey. This is Marigail Stamnes. Have been out of town camping and just caught up all of your trip so far. It is amazing to see the Mexican people and life through your eyes. It does make us very thankful that we live in a country such as ours, and our kids do not have to wash windows for drug money or necessities. My family and I continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and best of luck during your continued adventure.
# posted by : July 30, 2004 at 11:44 AM
: July 30, 2004 at 11:44 AM
Lacey!!! I am not sure if I am doing this right, I've never posted something like this before, much less read a "blog." Anyhow, in case this does actually work, I just wanted to say that I miss you SOOOOO much and I hope you are safe and happy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Always, Brookie :)
# posted by : August 1, 2004 at 10:13 PM
: August 1, 2004 at 10:13 PM
Hi Lacey! I just got back from B.C. working with Stu, and I've been very interested in reading your blogs! What a life-changing time! Yes, getting outside your own box allows you to view things, and deciphire things in ways that you would never had thought imaginable before! Th fact that you post so many questions shows me how much you're being affected by the work you're doing, and the people and situations you're running into every day. Embrace every challenge, and remember why you're there... to show people God and to chance their lives. You do that every time you talk to people. You have such an amazing quality that God obviously is putting to good use during your trip. Keep the faith, and try and remember every moment... its going to change your life forever! Can't wait for your next blog! God Bless,
Fred
Fred
# posted by : August 2, 2004 at 12:40 AM
: August 2, 2004 at 12:40 AM
Hey Lacey!
It has been so fun reading your postings about your trip. You are seeing a lot of the same things and asking a lot of the same questions that I did when I went to Tijuana for a mission a while back. It is definitely an eye-opening experience. I want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue to pray for you. I look forward to hopefully catching up with you when you get back!
In Him,
theresa
It has been so fun reading your postings about your trip. You are seeing a lot of the same things and asking a lot of the same questions that I did when I went to Tijuana for a mission a while back. It is definitely an eye-opening experience. I want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue to pray for you. I look forward to hopefully catching up with you when you get back!
In Him,
theresa
# posted by : August 3, 2004 at 6:37 PM
: August 3, 2004 at 6:37 PM
Hi Lacey,
It's so nice to hear about what you are up too- we haven't talked in ages! I admire you for taking on the adventure you are on with all of its questions, risks, and challenges, and for doing it with so much faith and excitement. I'm not entirely clear what your role is down their but I hope that it is rewarding and I hope I will get to hear about it and see pictures sometime next year. I am Unitarian, not Christian, but I will pray for you and hopefully my God can have a little word with yours. (JOKE, read, JOKE :)). But I really will keep you in my prayers. Anyway, keep living fully and lots of love.
Laura C
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It's so nice to hear about what you are up too- we haven't talked in ages! I admire you for taking on the adventure you are on with all of its questions, risks, and challenges, and for doing it with so much faith and excitement. I'm not entirely clear what your role is down their but I hope that it is rewarding and I hope I will get to hear about it and see pictures sometime next year. I am Unitarian, not Christian, but I will pray for you and hopefully my God can have a little word with yours. (JOKE, read, JOKE :)). But I really will keep you in my prayers. Anyway, keep living fully and lots of love.
Laura C
# posted by : August 4, 2004 at 9:53 AM
: August 4, 2004 at 9:53 AM << Home
