Someone asked me to tell more about where I am and what I do. Well, I am what a lot of people call a missionary, although I honestly don't feel like I measure up to that most of the time. My field of service is in Jalisco, Mexico, not far from Guadalajara. It is a nice little city, with it's own branch of the University of Guadalajara and a couple of sizable factories, including the Nestle plant. The people are pleasant in my neighborhood and we all watch out for each other. The weather is very dry for nine months out of the year and for three months it rains almost daily. The major crops are (in this order): children, tequila plants, corn and wheat. Some Jewish people down the highway planted some artichokes under some huge plastic greenhouses they recently built. It's some new technique that's really catching on. The climate is nice here. It never gets really hot, although 91 feels hot these days since I don't have an air conditioner yet. It stays up around 88 in my house way into the night. It never gets extremely cold either. It never freezes here like it does in Oklahoma.
I live and work here on an FM3 visa which is provided by the Mexican government exclusively for ministers of religious services. It is renewable for four years, giving one a total of five here without really ever having to leave the country, although I have briefly.
The congregation is composed of relatively poor people (compared to their peers), most of whom come from the town next to this one. Since my arrival we have picked up some more members from the immediate area surrounding the church, but the folks from the town next to us keep winning more of their neighbors. So I guess we're going neck and neck. As for the poverty, much of it can be attributed to a lack of basic education. However, I've also noticed a trend. Many people seem to be content with things they way they are. They certainly aren't as consumed with having more and keeping up with the Jones' as other cultures seem to be. Having a car here is NOT a necessity, as many of us ride bicycles and use public transportation. (Don't kid yourself. I have a car, too.)
I am fluent in Spanish and am quite comfortable here, although occasionally I miss some of the comforts and luxuries of home. Culture shock is a recurring condition, I don't care what anyone else says. It might get better over the years, but it never goes away. I am not a racist, but I am intelligent enough to recognize that there are some very fundamental, cultural differences that can translate into frustration when living somewhere other than your native country.
Well, I've said enough for now. Perhaps I'll revisit this topic again soon.
Hasta Luego