Spring in Mexico

Spring has come to Mexico. The days are between 96-102 degrees, and the nights fall to around 70-77. The scorpions, tarantulas (ground spiders), wall spiders, cockroaches, and bees are in full force. I’ve been chased twice by bees; stung once by a scorpion; bitten numerous times by spiders; and I’ve killed more cockroaches than I want to count. Mosquitoes, also, are a big problem.

The clouds are increasing, as well. As the heat moves from the sea inland, it brings with it clouds that, in June, will finally drop rain. I never thought I would say that clouds were a welcome site, but after 4 months of nothing but blue skies, it’s pleasing to see gray and white clouds scattering the heavens. The clouds shade the land from the intense sunshine, and cloudy days are welcomed because the heat is lessened.

Aromas are filling the air as the flowers are wildly blossoming and are at the peak of their lifetime. Petunias, lilies, lilacs, sunflowers, and indigenous wildflowers fill the air with sweet scents that are deliciously enticing. Barren land has turned green with spades of grass, which will flourish into fields when the rains come. Trees that seemed dead and dry are miraculously blooming with plums, tamarinds, oranges, mangos, and limes. The most beautiful sight of all is to see the great Tamarind trees, which are sometimes 20-30 feet tall, swaying in the wind like willow trees. The branches are long like a willow, but the leaves are tiny and dainty, so when the wind moves through them, they swish and shake a lot. The sound reminds me of the willow tree outside my backdoor in Indiana. The trees, swiftly blossoming with leaves, are providing beautiful shade to us during these hot days.

We have obtained a new pet this spring. His name is Nevado (which means “Covered with Snow” and is the same as the name of the state Nevada, but this is a boy so his name ends with an “o”, not an “a.”), and he’s a 2-month-old puppy. Chispa, our 4-month-old puppy, thinks he is the best toy in the world. Sometimes I have to guard them because Chispa will become so ruff with Nevado that she makes him cry. He is learning to defend himself against her. The puppies are wonderful company, and keep my mind off of being alone. But every night, Chispa walks to the door, and wails about 5 times … a habit she had when Joshua would go on overnight road trips with our brother in Christ, Uriel, and she waited anxiously for the moment he would walk through the door. In the day, she lays down in the ground where the truck used to sit, and waits. She misses Joshua dearly, as do I.

I am also changing with the life of spring. With Joshua gone, I am walking and using my bike to visit villages. Every Wednesday, I ride 6km (2-3 miles) and back when I visit the brothers and sisters in Christ. For this reason, I have dropped a dress size and three inches in my abdomen, and everyone tells me how thin I am becoming. As much as I miss my truck, it is nice to finally be less “gordita.” It is also nice to be thin enough now that everyone notices the change. I am thankful because, as many of you know, I fought serious problems with my thyroid these last four years that has left my heart fragile and my body weak. Praise the Lord, that as I lose the weight, my heart is growing stronger.


Here in Mexico, I cook all my meals from scratch, which yes, takes more time, but is much more healthier and cheaper. I also wash all my clothes by hand, and dry them on a line, which has strengthened my arms and body. In the middle of the day, NO ONE wants to do anything, so for almost 5 hours in the middle of the day, we sit and read, watch movies, and talk. For this reason, the only real exercise I get is my bike.

The exercise has been a part of my weight loss, combines with the diet. Corn tortillas, pinto beans, lentils, fish, and tuna casserole are part of my weekly menus. They are not only cheap and easy to prepare, but are also low in calories and excess fat. The beans and fish are excellent sources of protein, and the corn tortillas are an excellent source of good carbohydrates.

As summer approaches, it will become more and more difficult to find energy to do much of anything. Right now, we are putting mosquito netting on the windows, preparing the ground and seeds to plant gardens in October, building fences, and repairing holes in the walls. Everything that requires work must be done in the morning or evening, when it is cool, and before July. In July, August, and September, the climate will be humid, rainy, and unbearably hot all day and all night. But God still moves in the heat, and His spirit is very much alive and working in the hearts of men. Therefore, we are, by the Lord’s grace, planning to stay in Mexico through the summer, so that we can still be here to minister to the believers and shine light to the unbelievers. We appreciate your prayers as we prepare ourselves for this task.