I went with part of our group to the gas station up the road to go for our “daily coffee run” to the “hugs and kisses gas station”! it’s such an adjustment to see 20 for coffee but then doing math and realizing it’s only a dollar. It’s a mix of excitement cause it’s so cheap but also confusion 😂 on our way back to the hotel we saw a bus with kids from the orphanage making their way to the morning sermon! (Fun fact: the church is also the school that the kids go to so they are constantly surrounded by god and his teachings which I love)
Then we had our morning devotional as a team where we talked about gods truth being the same worldwide. We then made our way to the hotel restaurant where I had some amazing fresh squeezed orange juice and chicken chilaquiles!
We then all piled into the 16 seater van (there’s 16 of us so it’s perfectly crammed😂) and made our way to church! They had a little coffee stand, there was a band up on the stage, and kids runnings around, it felt just like Centerpoint! And As we were walking in everybody was going up and hugging our leaders Dan and Steve.
After being able to partake in communion with the congregation, there’s one thing I know for sure and thats that the spirit is universal! The way I felt the spirit without understanding what was being said and fully based off of feeling is what some might call magic!
They had invited our group to stand up where the congregation applauded for us. We then proceeded onto the sermon that was given by their amazing Pastor Pablo! From what google translate picked up, he was talking about how god will try speaking to you in ways that might require to listen and not just being there waiting! Sometimes it’s about the effort to want to learn more, and how if there’s no effort it’s easier to be persuaded by the opposing side!
As time went on and Pastor Pablo was wrapping up we noticed some members made their way to the front, where other members went up and embraced them, either in a hug or a simple hand hold. They proceeded to pray for them! Seeing the way they were there for eachother, consoling eachother. Up at the front, in front of everyone! It’s was truly breathtaking!
As the sermon wrapped up we all made our way around, eventually took a group photo! To where then we loaded back up in the crammed wagon and went to a local fresh market where we picked up some stuff for dinner and tomorrows breakfast! Anytime we go in somewhere we’re suppose to travel in groups of 2.
We made our way around, found some cool stuff and eventually met back at the front where we then loaded back up and went to the main orphanage that’s right around the corner from our hotel.
We only had about 10 minutes before grabbing the caregivers and taking them out to lunch. As we all unloaded the kids RAN over! Having been around kids for most of my life I didn’t think I’d be overwhelmed. Seeing the kids run up to Dan, Steve, and the other people who have been there in the past, To see the excitement on their faces, and the love that they have for them was so heartwarming, comforting, and admirable, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to sneak away and let out a tear or two.
In those moments the only thing I could manage to do was take it all in.
After we gathered all the caregivers we loaded into the cars and made our way onto the bumpy and windy roads and up a mountain where wed be dining near a local, and very active volcano! Who else can say they dined at a restaurant near an active volcano 😱
I never thought I’d be intimidated by so much food but oh man! I swear I sat there staring at the plate of food for a good 5 minutes before realizing I only live once!😂
After getting stuffed to the brim some of us started walking around and taking pics of the volcano. one of the Mexico leaders wive invited us to go into the field next to the restaurant where they had roaming cows!
We took some more pics as everyone else eventually made their way over so we took some group photos. Steve mentioned there was market going on in the town over in comala, So we said our goodbyes and made our way down.
Driving thru comala and seeing all the cobble stone roads, and walking into the town square seeing all the booths, people, music and culture that was there, I couldn’t help but get excited!
As we start looking around and I start shopping for souvenirs I start to notice and feel all the eyes on us from the locals. As we were inside shops I quickly noticed there was always someone watching and following closely behind. I had never been in a situation like this but I quickly understood it was just precautionary and not because we were foreigners.
I had to stop and try the highly recommended chocolate ice cream! The gentlemen was very helpful, patient and kind as I tried my best to understand and properly answer! The nice thing with these markets is that everyone is so kind, they’ll say hello and good afternoon, and all I had to do was repeat it back. It gave my brain a break for a minute😂
We couldn’t help but go into the cathedral that was there and I have no words. The beauty and craftsmanship speaks for itself!
After finding some good stuff, getting some great pictures, and taking some time to admire the beauty, we all loaded back into the cram mobile and made our way back to the hotel. we started closing out the night with our nightly devotional, and we went over tomorrows plans. Nothing like getting clean after tons of sunscreen and ineffective bug spray. 👍Tomorrow I’ll be doing my Saran Wrap game with the kids so I spent some time prepping that and the 3000 small fidget toys I ordered for it!
Cool stuff I saw today!
A dog riding on a bike standing on its hind legs and its paws on the handle bars! 🐶🚲
Um.. a volcano! 🌋
A cow🐮
Got a small tour of the orphanage!
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