December 18, 2008

Dear All,

Just a quick note to greet you and thank you for all the encouragement and prayers you offer on my behalf as we walk together in ministry here in the Huastecas and throughout the United States. I am doing very well, having enjoyed a bit of a respite from travel this week in preparation for this next week's full schedule of Christmas celebrations throughout the presbytery.

The good news is that my visa for another year's stay in Mexico has been approved and is on its way to my Tamazunchale address today. The sad news is that the father of Pastor Gaudencio (a retired pastor who lives in Tamazunchale) died this week after a month-long struggle following a fall that broke his hip. He was over 100 years old. We were in Tamazunchale on Monday but returned at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning to accompany Pastor Gaudencio and his family. At 4:30, those of us from Frijolillo left. I stopped in Chapulhuacanito to sleep while the rest went on home. At 7:00 a.m. we were up again and in Tama by 10:00 a.m. for a worship service, which was then postponed and relocated as Gaudencio or his siblings decided to bury their father in Huejutla (an hour and a half away) instead of Tamazunchale. So, a group of 10 of us traveled to Huejutla, finally having worship at 4:00 p.m., eating at 5:00 p.m., and burying Brother Alonso (Pastor Gau's father) at 6:30 p.m. in the dark with one flashlight, which belonged to the guys digging the grave. Since Huejutla is built on mountain sides, so is the cemetery. Most of the graves are topped with what look more like small homes than tombstones or grave markers. As we traipsed through the cemetery that evening, we joked about feeling like we were walking through the city of the dead, just waiting for someone to grab our ankles! At any rate, we were glad to finally be home in Frijolillo at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night but also very happy to have accompanied our Brother Gaudencio.

I appreciate your prayers for Brother Gaudencio and his family. Most of his siblings are not believers and, as you all know, in these situations there is usually some "blame" tossed around. Gaudencio was the one taking care of his father for the past 6 months, a tough job for a 74-year-old diabetic! But he did so with the grace and strength of the Lord.

Pray too for Sister Raquel, who has been experiencing vertigo for the past month. This afternoon I will take her to an ear, nose, and throat doctor in Tamazunchale to see if he has any answers. Pray for healing and for continued stamina, as this is a busy time for a pastor, with daily choir practices, etc.

And pray for me. Though I am well, the flu is starting to go around here, and I have had a few symptoms. I cannot determine whether they are allergies or the flu. I feel fine most of the time and the symptoms are minor, but nevertheless, I too would prefer to be well in the days to come.

Blessings in Emmanuel, my friends! I will be in touch again soon. In the meanwhile, as we celebrate Christ's birth, may your hearts be ever more His home and may you find yours in Him.

With love,

Susie

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 256