As of June 24, 2014 (yesterday), our adopted city here in Mexico, San Juan del Rio, turned 483 years old. Since most of you weren’t around back when the city was started (that’s logically a correct statement if I recall correctly…since “most” is a subset included in “all”), I can tell you that they celebrated with enthusiasm and fireworks. I heard the fireworks. We’ve had a rainy spell lately which has been nice, but mostly it comes down in the late evenings and night time. So, venturing downtown to watch fireworks in a steady rain was not on my list of things to do tonight.
The city really doesn’t look 483 years old. I’d say it looks a sprightly 200 years old. I’d say our Internet connection dates back to about roughly half that. And our electrical grid here in the neighborhood which has been blowing transformers just about every other day (I presume from too many TVs tuned to the World Cup soccer games), probably dates to pre-Hispanic times. They were an advanced civilization so don’t start bringing up historical “realities.” We do have very modern, state-of-the-art coffee shops in town just like in the United States. I know this to be true because they charge so much for a cup of coffee, I would never buy one at such places, just like in the United States.
In other news, Dayton celebrated the 483rd anniversary of our fair city by puking his guts out most of the day, evening, and night. He’s pretty sick with oozes and urgents escaping without notice from anywhere your anatomy professor can name. Pray for him to get over this bug/virus/something and to be able to keep some liquids down. It’s been a rough day for him. I’ve never seen him sleep in the daytime before, which includes most of his infant years. We had a special day planned on Tuesday with friends, but due to illness, that was cancelled and we spent the day taking it easy and wondering who might get sick next.
I was sick over the weekend. We had to cancel church. That was a bummer. We have Bible studies on Wednesday but since both studies are couples’ studies and we may not be able to leave Dayton for that long, and because we’re worried we might somehow carry the bug over there with us to people who really can’t afford to get sick, we might have to cancel those studies too.
The next dilemma is what to do on Sunday with Mexico playing their round of 16 soccer game at 11 a.m. I’m pretty sure most of our group would stay home to watch it. We’re considering something seriously different to keep our group together including something akin to a Super Bowl party. It would be a good bonding time. Am thinking of several options for a “half-time” devotional or something like that. Yes, maybe it’s all a pagan mistake. I am still thinking and praying about it, but I think I’ll find out what everyone is thinking b/c if they’re not going to miss the game, then rather than sing to myself….
Happy 483rd San Juan del Rio! May you enjoy the next 483 years even more and may the light of the Gospel continue to crack through your darkened walls until all have heard the Good News and beyond.
Knowing Your ABCDs 