Oaxaca

Well, I've returned from the great state of Oaxaca, Mexico. I made some big decisions while I was down there. God showed me that I should cease my college activity and go directly to missionary training school, after which I will probably go to Saudi Arabia to evangelize among the Muslims.

Just Kidding.

Actually, the trip was very exciting. Unlike last year, we stayed at the base every night and didn't venture out into any of the neighboring Mixteco villages. Rather, we ministered from the nearby market town of Tlaxiaco. My team, consisting of 7 guys, dug a water well in the middle of a cornfield for a lady named Margarita. The work was good, and the guys I was working with had a terrific attitude about it. It was also really cool getting to know some of the youth group from Westbrook Baptist Church, who I traveled with.

During testimony night, one of the kids, D.L., had prepared a 6-page testimony that pleasantly surprised me. In it, he outlined how he thought Christians were too busy working within their subculture (Christian books, movies, CCM, etc.). He wanted to see more Christians working through American culture, producing quality books, movies, and music that wouldn't be filed under the Christian sub-culture category. He aspired to be a 'secular' author, meaning he wanted to write fiction for the mass culture, not just for those interested in Christian fiction. I think the message was well taken and needed among our crowd.

Oaxacans are known for their black pottery. I found a cool black pipe which I purchased for a whopping 20 pesos ($2).

Additionally, I found it a little hard to fit in with the youth group, probably both because I was in college and that I was a complete stranger at the outset of the trip. Fortunately, a couple of them especially made me feel as if I were included.

Finally, I got to spend a lot of time with the Leake kids (Molly and Lauren). They are so cute! It was a great trip.