Hoga

As the day began we were told by Gabriel (or Gabo, Spanish for Gabe) that we would have a traditional Mexican breakfast.

Tacos, Tacos, Tacos! Tacos for dinner. Tacos for lunch. And Tacos... you guessed... for breakfast! Driving in the van today we were deciding where to go to eat for lunch when someone mentioned Tacos. People started saying "Yes I love tacos! Tacos are great, etc." So I shouted out "I HATE TACOS."

Silence. Then... "Who said that? Throw him out of the van. No, throw him out of Mexico!"

Despite Jim's face here, it was actually really good.

After breakfast we went to Hoga, a center for mentally and physically disabled children. I guess the word Hoga comes from the son of the parents who started the center 15 years ago.

Do you ever get the feeling you are being herded?

So one thing about Mexico that is very different from back home is the pace of life. Here you are constantly waiting. People are not in a rush... unless they are driving apparently. Then they become time obsessed monsters but that's a different story.

This is one of the students we served named Tirzo and Alex, a Honduran who does not live in Monterrey but has been staying at Sergio's for 3 weeks. Tirzo is a cool dude who likes yogurt A LOT. ha ha. Alex helped translate for me to the kids and the teacher whenever my 5 words of spanish wasn't enough to get my point across. She is also a heck of a soccer player for being 14!

This is Diego and Israel. Last year I was really taken back by everything at Hoga. You feel so bad for the kids who are completely dependent on the teachers to do everything for them. This year however I knew what to expect and came ready to have fun. I really enjoyed hanging out with the kids and time flew by.

I'm laughing because Israel REALLY liked the spitting part of brushing his teeth. Not so much the opening the tube, putting toothpaste on the brush, or actually brushing his teeth but he had some incredible spitting power.

Adriane to the rescue! It turns out that Adriane is a genius. Sure... he knows how to brush his teeth, but seriously the guys knows a ridiculous amount about everything. He is like a Mexican Craig Mackett if that means anything to you. His dad is an agricultural engineer and Adriane is an electrical engineer. I've been throwing random subjects at him to try to stump him. "Adriane, what do you know about plumbing?" So far I'm like 0 for 6.

Diego is learning his colors... shamefully so am I. I learned that orange and pink are too tough to pronounce in spanish so if anyone asks I'm calling both of them red.

We had a great time. Marge and Nique jumped right in. I'm not sure what this guy's name is but Marge said he captured her heart.

They also do horse therapy which helps the kids feel in control and full of power. Having a disability can make you feel powerless and this helps give the children confidence. This little girl kept laughing and waving every time she passed our group.

Next we did what we always do... EAT! I haven't wrote a ton about the food but it has been incredible. We are being fed like kings. Eric said that the Hondarans take the mission groups to each of their favorite restaraunts throughout the week. In this picture Jim is saying, "Don't even think about coming to the US side of the table unless you have your papers!"

This food is redonkulous. Last year I started getting sick of Mexican by the end of the trip... No signs of that this year.

So at this point we headed over to Home Depot to pick up the supplies that we would need for Thursday's workday. Jim decided he needed to make sure this shed was up to US standards...

Anybody see a disembodied head floating around here?

Why is Lauri's pictured blured here? Because she was moving at sonic boom speeds. I've long theorized that her metal his is just step 1 into becoming the terminator. Watch out Arnold, this lady is tough!

Maybe it's just me but I don't recall too many armed guards hanging out in the home depot parking lots back home... Just me? Eh, okay then.

Next we went downtown to do some shopping. I have a theory that everyone on this earth has an arch nemesis somewhere... two people who are destined to be set completely and utterly in opposition to each other for the rest of their lives. This kid loved the birds and I figured out that he is Ben Bockert's arch nemesis.

Jeem! We need to take another stupid picture, get over here! And Eric... you look remarkibly good in pink. I'm worried about you man.

I'd like to introduce you to my sister... well sort of. This resturant's waitresses all dress up like nuns. I go into this place and walk all the way to back saying, "Photo? Photo? Pardoon..." and then this woman says, "Oh you'd like a picture? Okay no problem."

Finally, shedding their secret identities as Jim and Marge, "El Guapo and La Nino" burst onto the scene!

Here we were checking out the sites in downtown Monterrey. This statue is an anatomically generous Neptune and some hootchies. Much more interesting is our replica of it.

Jim, was a little disappointed that we weren't evangelizing today so he took it upon himself to reach out to the members of our own party. Tim was a little apprehensive at first but at this point he is coming around.

This is the old Governer's mansion... old as in not used anymore. It's nice to see the poloticians being so frugal in Mexico.

Eric, having another frat party flashback... "Who wants to see if I can climb onto the roof of the house, wearing only my toga?"

I think Tim is holding another Taco here. If not, he shouldn't have tried to eat that visor.

They are building a water walkway similar to the one in San Antonio. Lauri said that the San Antonio walkway was the inspiration for the marina project in Toledo. In a couple of years, this place is going to be amazing.

After our little adventure, we came back to the Holiday Inn to hear Hooty speak. The church had a special midweek service just so Hooty could address the congregation. He spoke powerfully about getting out of Christian bubbles and comfort zones. The people were scribbling down notes as fast as he was talking and I heard a ton of great discussion about his talk afterward. Hopefully God will use this time to challenge and strengthen the church in their resolve to reach the city for Christ.

And what else to do after that but eat? We went to an incredible little outdoor cafe to dine, talk, laugh, and just enjoy the night. People eat dinner here anywhere from 7-11 PM. Which is great for me, a night person but...

Not so great for everybody. Trust me, we were zonked! Time for some much needed rest!

And if I were a betting man... I'd bet some good rest might just be in order tonight. ; )

Luke