October 2007 E-Update
Angie Velasco
Dear Family and Friends:
I had a very interesting birthday celebration on September 29. One of the guys (Marco) that went with us to Chiapas told me, “Angie, we will pretend that you do not know anything. Let me know who you want to invite and I will take care of the rest.”
I called him with a list of about 40 people that I consider my circle of friends here and sure enough he notified each one and assigned them a dish to bring. The pastor gave me permission to use the church as 40 people won’t fit in Marco’s house or in my apartment.
I was a bit anxious as I didn’t know who would really show up, what dishes people would decide to bring and if there would be enough food. The big day came. Starting at 9am I started receiving phone calls from the US and from close friends here. While I was on the phone with a friend from the US I heard 2 women singing the Mexican birthday song called “Las Mañanitas” on my front door. I had to hang up on my friend and I was given a big floral arrangement of beautiful flowers and 4 dozen roses. I was overwhelmed with the affection shown by these 2 Mexican gals. (They are not Christians!). One gal wrote a poem and read it to me. I was so moved!
I had a Bible study that morning, so I quickly ate breakfast, waited for the gal and quickly did an hour Bible study. I wanted to help Marco set up the church with table cloths and use the 4 dozen roses the Lord provided to put roses on each of the 5 tables. We were ready for 50 people. Over here, it is acceptable to come to a party even if you did not get invited. About 50 people came with about 5 uninvited guests (the others were kids that I did not know). We did not have any problem. We had plenty of food. I received 4 earrings, 2 necklaces, 2 beautiful flower vases, a pink blouse, one dress, a towel, a decorated ceramic sugar container, a bracelet and an African violet with pink flowers. Indeed, I was showered with love and affection! (I don’t deserve any of these. I just know God is good and has His ways of showing me His love through His loving people here in Mexico).
The part I dreaded is their custom here where they put candles on the cake, they sing the birthday song, I had to blow the candles and then they chant some words which to this day I don’t understand what they mean but I just know I am supposed to dip my face on the cake. I did not want to do it and tried to make excuses but as a missionary you always adapt to how they do things. You don’t ask why they do it this way, you just do it! As they chanted the words which sounded like, “Mordida! Mordida! (I am not sure if this were really were the words but I knew it meant it is time to dip my face on the cake) and someone takes a photo. I had no choice, I had to do it. I dipped my face in the cake and someone took my photo. My face was full of icing and I had green eyes as the cake was decorated with flowers and green leaves. Right after I dipped my face in the cake, one of the single guys I invited showed up with another flower arrangement for me. I was so embarrassed to greet him with icing on my face and my eyes green. He just politely said, “Oh I thought it was your make-up.” I had to go to the bathroom to wash my face before I could eat my dessert.
We had a youth meeting at the church at 8 pm so Marco started folding the tables as the guests started leaving and we started setting up for the youth meeting. I helped wash the dishes, wipe all the tables, throw away the garbage and gave away left over food and tortillas.
Coming home… 2 gals came with me to help me with all the flowers, all the gifts and all the left over food. I could not sleep last Saturday. I was overwhelmed with how people demonstrated their love and appreciation for my presence here when some days I feel very insignificant and feel like I don’t belong here. What a lie the enemy uses to discourage me! All the flowers in my house right now testify to the fact that the Lord has me here at this time for His glory and purposes and that the people love me here. (Again, love which I don’t deserve just by God’s design and purposes). What a joy to serve a very loving people!
As I finish my second term here in Cuernavaca I am at a crossroads. Do I stay long term 5 years or more or end the year and say good-bye to a very loving people who have welcomed and accepted me as one of their own? Would you pray that I seek God’s will with all my heart, soul and mind and have the courage to do whatever He reveals?
As always, thank you for your love, prayers and concern. I welcome your input so please don’t hesitate to email me or call me with what you think. Proverbs says that with much counsel the war is won. I definitely am on the front lines of spiritual warfare and welcome your counsel. If I do decide to come back long term, I would need long term daily prayer warriors, a support team of people doing many behind the scenes tasks at home, financial partners to bring my support back to 100%, and men and women with the gift of encouragement like Barnabas to encourage me regularly. Let me know too, if you can continue to be part of my team if you are currently one of them. Thank you.