Sorry this one took so long to post gang, the summer/beginning of the year has been a whirlwind to say the least. I put up some pictures of my 6 week stint in Mexico--which was a balance of great things as well as suffering, but overall a tremendous blessing.
As many of you know, I went to Queretaro, Mexico to study Spanish and do a cultural immersion. I was excited initially but realized when I arrived that I had no desire to study in school anymore; I was burnt-out from studies after pushing myself to get my thesis and exams done this last semester.
Yet, I found myself in Mexico doing 5 hours of Spanish everyday in class! I was also discouraged because the learning style and I didn't mesh initially and I didn't feel like I was learning as quickly as the others in my group. It wasn't until the 5th week that something "clicked" and I was finally able to converse in Spanish comfortably! There were other minor unpleasant things, but I'm done complaining--in fact, the blessings that came in the middle of the suffering far outweighed the inconveniences.
During the second week, when I was feeling particularly frustrated, I randomly ran into a group of young people in the street who were advertising the 25th anniversary of the Charismatic renewal in Mexico: the event just so happened to be in Queretaro that weekend in the soccer stadium!
Naturally I went and was blown away to find that around 50,000 young people showed up! This event was great because I got to see the energy and flavor of the renewal in Mexico as well as meet many great people. During the next weeks, I got together with several people in the group for their Thursday night Adoration and praise nights, as well as a healing retreat that they hosted in their parish. Their hospitality was overwhelming and their joy was infectious! I was reminded that wherever I go in the world, I have a home because the Church is there; and wherever I go I have friends because the renewal is there.I also got to meet up with some good seminary buddies from Steubenville in Mexico City. While there, we saw the Basilica with the image of our Lady of Guadalupe as well.
The next weekend, Jeff and I got together with Jose Manuel (another Portland seminarian) in his home of Morella. We were priviledged to go to a baptism of one of his cousins.
Also, I would be amiss if I didn't mention my wonderful host family. They were very kind and always willing to help me with anything I needed. The mom was a great cook and made sure that I didn't go hungry, despite what people thought when they saw me after returning home!
I also got to try my hand at authentic Mexican cooking! I made Gorditas and sopes as well as a traditional dessert and handmade salsas and pico de gallo! It was muy pica! (spicy) The oils from the peppers got under my nails and I could feel the burn several days later if I even thought about rubbing my eyes.
That about does it for Mexico--I could write more, but I think I'll stop there. The Lord did answer one prayer that I had while I was there: to develop a heart for the Mexican people. As I came home I realized that my heart was indeed burning to help bring them closer to Christ--so many are culturally "Catholic" but in practice, very ignorant or pagan. Yet in some ways, this is better than our attitude in America of indifference toward the truth. Evangelization is needed everywhere! Blessings to you all, and thank you for your prayers this summer! I will hopefully post about my pastoral year soon--It has been a wild ride! Peace to you today and always
~Mark
