GUESS WHO'S HERE FOR DINNER

Our talk today was given by a brother from Merida.  He and two other brothers made the 2 hour drive for us. How great of them to come this distance for us.  They are all local brothers.
He gave a great illustration about Dr. Bruce.  Yes it got a laugh.  You are unwell and you go to the doctor and he gives you a prescription.  He starts reading off the ingredients on a bottle that none of us can understand.  You take it because you trust the doctor.  We should do the same with direction from the bible.  We may not totally understand why but we know it always works. Certainly tied in well with the bible study today.
Afterwards we got to go to lunch with the brothers and some other friends.  Yes once again it comes back to food.  It was in this interesting thatched roof seafood place named Vilma's. 
We still aren't too good at understanding the menu's here yet so our friend ordered for us.  Our only request was no fish with the head attached.  Fillets were on the menu so that's what we had.  Bruce's had garlic sauce and it was delicious.  The friends with us did order whole fish.




I'm sure after awhile we will get used to this but for now we are still Canadianized where we prefer our food to not look so much like its alive form.  Or, at least, not to be looking back at us. We did share a lovely shrimp and octopus cocktail.  It comes in a sundae glass with onion, cilantro, and other seasonings.  This is served cold and has a wonderful tangy, fresh flavor.
We have a lovely visit and found out there are two English congs in Merida.  The city has a population of about 1.5 million.  This is amongst the multitude of Spanish congs. 
As we are finishing up it starts to pour rain. We just rearranged our chairs and continued to visit.  Someone else decided to come in where it was dry.

Off to the side they have a pond with 4 turtles.  One decides to head inside and wonders under the tables.  Guess this is a common occurrence as no one seemed surprised or took him back to his pond.  He was a pleasant little fellow to dine with.
Oh yes, the world is a small place.  Two of the sisters have just moved back from Costa Rica.  We asked if they had met any one from Canada there.  I was thinking of a young couple.  They didn't know them but mentioned the name of another sister we didn't even know was there.  Its always so nice when your friends meet your friends.

OH NO! ITS A PACK OF...

Yesterday Bruce has just parked the car and the gals have just gotten out.  They are going to visit a darling 92 year old lady.  She is sharp as a tack and loves what she is learning.  We are sitting facing up a very step hill.  What looks like a big pack of dogs is quickly coming down the hill.  We are about to yell to the girls to get back in the car when we realize what it is.   

Yes its a flock of sheep.  The first two pix aren't too great as I am just recovering from panic mode.  Bruce recovered much more quickly as you can see him heading up the street.  The only danger would have been if you were green and leafy.

Here the gals are at the gate waiting to have a lovely visit.

Another interesting day in Campeche.

MEXICO'S ANSWER TO FRENCHY'S

Yes any one familiar with the Maritimes knows what I am talking about.  Once you experience it, its hard to live without.  Awww Frenchys...  bins and bins of great clothes just waiting for the picking.
Some of you have developed great technique in quickly tunneling through a bin of clothes to find that fabulous piece needed in your wardrobe. There should almost be a Frenchy's Olympics. 
 I guess some are now hanging up all their clothes. Does that reduce the thrill of finding a great deal? Naw, hangers or bins, its still all good.
What name brand will I find today?  Claiborne, Ecco or maybe even a Louis V bag, you just never know.   Or its time to search for more Ocean Pacific gear 'cause your kids have almost worn through the last batch.
Ohhh! and at such great prices!  For $20 you can get a great outfit, shoes and the purse.
Today was a good day.  The gals took me to a lady who buys clothes from the States.  "Well, we'll see what she's got," I think to myself with my fond Frenchy's memories close to my heart.
The gals are banging on the metal gate and calling out her name, no answer.  That's just the way its done here.  One of the gals gives her a call and, yippee, she is at home. 
Well, no she doesn't quite have the quantity of Frenchy's but its pretty good. The owner's mom is there and she is so helpful, pulling from new stock things she thinks will fit us.  There are about 10 racks of clothing all neatly hung up in her spotless living room.  She even has things to fit a woman of substance like myself.
We dig in and then take our treasures to a large bedroom where she, kindly, puts on the A/C.  Speaking of an Olympic event, that's what I think trying on clothes should be.  Think about it.  This requires technique and focus.  After trying on a number of outfits that were just not made for your body then you likely have worked up quite a lather. Takes a lot of self discipline to stay composed and controlled so you don't start trying to rip off an, obviously, misdesigned garment.   That didn't happen today but the roomy, cool area was  still greatly appreciated.
So we found some good pieces.  I got a Lane Bryant blouse for 70 pesos and red Capri's for 50 pesos. 
How does that translate?  Approx. $5.38 and $3.84 Cdn. so not bad.  Fairly comparable to Frenchy's.
Oh yes, the owner showed me a photo of herself and a gal who came on exchange from where?  Yes Halifax.  Why?  Because they are sister cities in education exchange.  That was kind of cool.  An explanation of that is in my other blog http://thesunnysideofmexicoshesaid.blogspot.mx/
Even though it wasn't quite Frenchy's we sure had a good time.

Here is a photo of the owner, her mom (in the shorts) and my three friends.

So for any of you not familiar with Frenchy's, here is their website. 
http://www.scotiawipers.com/ If you are in the Maritimes then their outlets are definitely 'must stops'.  Any husbands left in the car will be sitting along time.
Do you have any good Frenchy's stores do email them or put them in comments.  Love to hear them.
  .

OH YES, YOU GET IT!!!

The friends have been working hard at the public witnessing. They are nervous that their English is not good enough. We are totally amazed by their courage and love for Jehovah and people in general. One sister, who really struggles with English, said she wanted to be obedient so went to one of the markets and found 5 people. She was walking on air. One person had heard her approaching others and approached her.

One brother found a fellow who lives an hour and a half from here but comes to the market regularly. He started a study with him.

On Saturday we went on two studies that sisters had given Bruce. Both are English teachers.

The first one his wife let us in and got chairs for us in the garage/sitting area. She only speaks Spanish but I was able to chat a bit about her flowers. He came out and we got started in the Teach book right away. He has great questions. She brought us lemonade so we figured that was a step forward. Later his granddaughter, who is 4, does a hula and ballet dance for us. She was so darling. 

Look for the umbrellas and that's us all over the city.

There is nothing like seeing someone start to understand bible teachings. That is the best.

Next we went on to the next teacher. We have to wait at his gate for awhile but that is not uncommon. He and his wife and son in mid 20’s sit with us as we start in the Teach book. The wife is very pleasant but leaves to care for a grandson. He is very pleased to see us. Bruce did something he has never done before but it just seemed the thing to do with them. He read and explained what each chapter was in the book. They asked many questions like, “What does ransom mean?” The son especially seemed to get that we talk to God in prayer and he answers through the bible. It was quite moving as the son is educated also but seems to have some serious concerns in his life.

The son tells the story about the man who is drowning and praying for God to save him. A boat, a ship and a helicopter come to save him but he rejects them all saying he is waiting or God to rescue him. Likely you have heard this told as a joke and the punch line is that the man dies and questions God as to why he didn’t save him and God proceeds to list the things he sent him to rescue him. I’m sort of snickering to myself but then I realize he is not telling this as a joke. He is dead serious and is tying it in with what Bruce has said that we need to look to the bible and not for miracles. Again what a wonderful thing to see someone get it. 

Sometimes you just gotta have some fun.

Post popsicle tongues.



One of our young pio. sisters badly burned her leg with hot sugar syrup. Its healing but she is going to have a scar about 2 ft. long. We got to go visit her last night for our family worship. She had started the first study Bruce had on Sat. so was nice to share that with her.

I had ordered a cake from her for a double baby shower on the weekend. Her friends came and made it for her. They are an excellent group of gals here.

Not sure why the pix disappeared on Nick Notes blog. I seem to be a bit photo challenged.

 Thinking of you all with love.

Nickerbockers

http://thenickersonsnotes.blogspot.mx/
http://thesunnysideofmexicoshesaid.blogspot.mx/
http://thesunnysideofmexicohesaid.blogspot.mx/

PUBLIC OR APPROACH, YOU CHOOSE

         Greetings

         We had a great week with the CO. He wants the friends to do at least an hour of,    what  he calls, public witnessing, a day. He said Canada is the only place that uses the term 'approach work.

This includes approaching people on the street and in businesses. Here is where we can play the "foreigner card" and just ask if someone there speaks English. I'm working at turning my disadvantage into an advantage and want to try this by myself in the businesses. This is miles out of my comfort zone but Jehovah blesses effort.

Usually I am with someone who speaks Spanish. The dear friends have been such good baby sitters for us. Today I did my first call by myself in 3 months. I'll tell you about that later.

Today two sisters and myself went to call back on some English calls the friends found in search work. I had four to do. One was a young man who they found doing some work in the neighbourhood. They had the address where they found him but he didn't live there. We did a few calls in the area and Vanessa stops the car and says "hi so and so". Over she pulls the car and its the fellow I was looking for a few streets over. We had a nice chat with him. He speaks bits and pieces of about 5 languages. Nice fellow who is into Buddism. He wanted to know how we can trust the bible. He had great questions. Mediation is something he does. We tried to help him to appreciate that the bible helps you to put positive things into your mind to meditate on. If you don't know the answer swishing around what's already there isn't going to help you much. He was hesitant to give us his address but I gave him our email. We told him that it was no accident that we found him today. I had the calls and the sister knew what he looked like. Made the sisters feel good also. Hopefully we will hear from him.

Here are a some plants. I was trying to take a photo of the double amaryllis.  A brother warned me there was a dog. I saw one at the back of the garage in where the plants were. When I walked away then the one who was chained at the front of the garage room lunged out. Oh that dog!

These are the dancing fountains. Guess they have lights and music the night before. l to r Stephanie, Tawanda, Julio. We were doing approach work in the principal park. Steph is always looking out for me. What a dear! She and Julio walked me to my door. Dear Steph had worn heals that day. She looked great but put her feet under out shower faucet when she got to my place.




Here if you get a fruit drink you have the option of having it in styrofoam cup or a bag. The bag is a bit cheaper and easier to dispose of.




This is a penata shop. Not something you'd see too often in Canada. Guess its not something we would ever use.





Lots of love

M & B

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STOMACH FULL, HEART CONTENTED

  Greetings

The title is a spanish saying that we quite like. 

Azarel is a charming, hard working young brother in our hall. His two brothers and parents are in the Spanish. He had the CO and his wife for lunch and we got to tag along with Tawanda.  His mom made a tasty soup of shrimp, calamari, octopus, snail, and veggies. With the soup is passed a plate with fresh chopped onion, lemons, and hot peppers. Sprinkle them on your soup.

And tortillas, yes there must be tortillas. These were the hard ones like a plain dorito.  Its like eating crackers with your soup.  The fellow in the white shirt is his oldest brother. The other fellow is boarding with them and working for them in their automotive shop.

Can't you just tell she would be putting love into everything that she made.

The brother on the far left is our sub-CO and the sister beside him is his wife and Azarel is next to them. Tawanda is right and in front. 

We joke that she is a local celebrity. Even the friends' calls know her. She teaches at a local English school and she's just a great gregarious gal.
Where we are having lunch is the garage. There are three cars parked by us. This is also the room where  Dad operates his autoparts business.

His mom made two desserts - cheesecake and chocolate cake. Most yummy. 

The parrot speaks a bit in Spanish and English. He was rather entertaining.

Been a busy week and learned a lot. Now to apply it.

Love you
B & M