An Observation on Religion

I've been meaning to make this journal entry for sometime now. I've been merely an observer of religion down here in Mexico. I haven't joined a church or anything, part of it because I miss my church back home and it "wouldn't be the same", but part of it is just to step away from the church for a short time to merely observe it.

My friend asked me a while back "How is God moving down in Mexico?". The answer to that I'm not really sure, and that upsets me. Most of the people here are Catholic. Catholics and Evangelicals have an interesting history, and so its hard to filter through all of that, since I consider myself an Evangelical. Our first instinct is to say, "oh look at all those idols to Mary and Jesus on the Cross instead of an empty cross". Granted, there are a lot of "statues" to various saints, but before you get to quick to judge, Evangelicals have their downfall too. We have "idols" in our Christian T-shirts, expensive cross necklaces, Christian music CD collection, and bumperstickers. To say that a Christian T-shirt or cross necklace is being a "witness" to others is to forgo the fundamental nature of the gospel--a good news spread by the people for the people (not to be confused with democracy), or in other words a Christian T-shirt isn't going help the poor down the street. We have just "sacrificed" a bunch of money to this "object" and wear it "ritualistically" that is neither God's power or salvation; sounds like an idol to me.

So I say that to say that we cannot come and judge merely by outward appearance because we have our idols too, I can't say wether the Catholic transitions and rituals are good or not. But I do say that if I were born in Mexico, my beliefs might be a lot different than they are now, and that is interesting to me. Hear me out that this does not nullify what is true and the truth of Christianity; arguments on disproving God based on cultural differences ignores fundamentally what it means to be human. Nevertheless, If I were raised in Mexico I still might know the power and salvation of the Lord God, but I might cross myself every time enter a church, or I might have my rosary, or I might go through all the ceremonies of first communion, baptism, confirmation, and whatever else they have. But I have heard of plenty of saints who have done that and still been a powerful soldier for the Lord. It all depends on the Lord's power and grace.

I can't say all is well here. I have a feeling much of the church is sleeping, merely going to church to check it off the list, and having a choir of dead souls filling the beautiful sanctuary of joyless music, but I don't know, I shouldn't go too far. I have seen a great respect for the Lord and His Holiness, however I have seen and read about what a church looks like when it is alive and I don't know if I see that here in a majority, or in a majority of America for that matter.

Nevertheless, it is so important to realize that God is moving everywhere and even in Mexico. He hasn't forgot about them or the US. He's moving quietly in the older generation, perhaps even in the newer generation, in a small quiet revolution, changing hearts just like He has been doing since the beginning of time, and we are always a part of that.

Onward Adventures to Home

Sorry I don't have any pictures for you today. I am taking the week off from photography kinda like a vacation, just so I don't go crazy. Next week I should have some more stuff.

There is something special about home. I once heard that "home is not where you live, but where they understand you." I am beginning to see how true that is. I am yearning for home. To be with my girlfriend to see familiar faces to do familiar things. I'm looking forward to going back and taking classes and afterwards going to Taza, our local awesome coffeeshop. I'm looking forward to serving at my church again. But more than anything I am looking forward to laughing with those closest to me.

I love to travel. I love seeing new things, meeting new people, learning about new cultures. I love taking pictures and capturing a culture. I love trying new foods. I have tasted some exquisit foods and some pretty gross foods too. I have had some pretty crazy adventures from driving to my first Mexican wedding with an enormous floral arrangment on the hood of the car to feeding the mouths of hungry down syndrome kids in Bogota. From witnessing some of the most beautiful sights of the Mexican country side to running the equivalent of an Olympic marathon in the Panama City airport. And it has been an incredible and an unforgetable trip that most people in the world will never experience.

But the countday until I return home is 35 days, and my heart is already home. I know that when I finally step off that plane on to American soil I will finally breathe a sigh of relieve and say "home at last". Not because I am stepping on soil of the most powerful and richest nation in the world. Not because I can finally have the convinences buying whatever I want whenever I want. Not because I will get a job that makes 2 to 20 times as much money as the rest of the world. Not because I will have a fast internet connection, or finally get to use my cell phone again, or not deal with the inconviences of another country, or be with people who speak the same language, believe the same things, do things "the normal way", or dress the same way I do. If this trip has taught me anything it is that it doesn't matter to me where I live, what kind of standard of living I live under, how much I make, whether I can enjoy all those convinences or not, whether I'm safe or not, or whether or not it matters that people do things differently than I, in fact I would trash all of that to do the same thing again and might even prefer it.

The only thing that matters is that when I step off that plane and go home with my family and soon there after drive to Cincinnati, I will be greeted with open arms. People who missed me and those whom I missed. I will see familiar faces and we will continue life as it was. The only thing that will be different is that perhaps we will have a different perspective on the world. I know at least I will.

Dos and Donts of Mexico

These last couple of weeks have been crazy! I've been trying to get together the wedding pictures and they are almost complete. I will put up a gallery soon.

I put together this list of dos and donts in Mexico. I enjoyed putting it together, I hope you enjoy reading it.

Don't:
· Don't Drink the Water!!! (ok I had to get this one out) Although some gringos are really paranoid about this, the water system is improving and you don't have to go to the extreme of closing your mouth in the shower. I have brushed my teeth with tab water and have not died. But in general the water they have told me that the water is filled with a lot of extra minerals which isn't good for you. Just don't go chugging it.
· Don't eat street food. If anything will get you sicker faster, it is this. I have never had a successful street food stand experience that hasn't put me on the toilet for two weeks. The hard thing about this is street food is amazing! and cheap. But don't succumb!
· Don't assume pedestrians get the right away while crossing the street or assume Mexican traffic laws are mandatory. The rule of the road is the bigger object wins. For all my engineers out there, F=MA. The bigger the M, the more screwed you are. Simple physics.
· Don't freak out when you see a bloody pig head hanging in the local market. Very common. umm, in fact, if you get queasy easily, just avoid the market altogether…
· Don't be afraid to go to the doctor if you get sick. $10 is the bill and $10 is the medicine and you'll feel better in 3 hours. No insurances necessary, it's great.
· Don't give up money change if you don't have to. Change is so rare here I don't know why, because everything requires change. If you have been given a $500 (50 USD), forget about ever using! I have seriously had taxi drivers charge me less because I didn't have the correct change and they didn't want to break a $100 (10 USD).
· Speaking of Taxi drivers, don't start screaming at your taxi driver because he just ran a red light or starts driving down a one way. You won't die, I promise, just think of it as the newest rollercoaster at King's Island…
· Don't rush anywhere. Relax! Take your time. You're in Mexico! Just pretend you are on a beach in a lawn chair with a Pina Colada and then you'll begin to see the life in the eyes of a Mexican.




Do:
• Take the international bus system. I'm telling you, you can get anywhere in Mexico for under $40 in the most comfortable seats. Half price if you are a student. They usually show really horrible B movies along the way if you're into that. But the Mexican countryside is beautiful. Way cool
• Expect a TON of fiestas. I have been to a fiesta every week I have been here. I kid you not. They often last until 4 in the morning. I'm a woose and can't stay up that late, but there is always good food and tequila.
• Bring ear plugs. Like I said fiestas until 4 in the morning? Yeah, it never fails that they are your neighbors playing Ricky Martin, Shake Your Bon Bon at hours in the morning only roosters and borrachos know about.
• Fake that you are Mexican. Ok, maybe not if your white with blond hair, but I laugh whenever I tell people that I was born in Mexico, their whole tone of voice changes as they smile and give me a wink that says, "welcome to the club". It's like telling people you're a Bengal's fan in Cincinnati…well kinda…
• Do talk in Spanish. I think it's very rude assuming everyone speaks English.
• Do go to a Mexican wedding, it's a riot!!
• Do get your shoes shined at a vendor downtown. One of the best experiences of my life. Felt like a new man. Don't judge me until you try it.
• Do try to befriend the Mexicans. Mexicans are normally very friendly, but I find it a challenge--you've gotta "break them". They are weary of foreigners but like I said, once you are in you are in. Caution: there are some who won't just like you. Don't take it personally, just move on.
• Try new foods. If you have never eaten every last morsel of the cow from butt to brains you are missing out!! Not because it is tasty, most of it is the grossest thing you'll ever try. But come on! To come back to the states and say you had cow stomach soup and lived to tell about it? What better way to make new friends standing in line waiting for burritos at Chipotle… "Can I tell you about the time I ate cow brains in Mexico?...." Great conversation starter.

My first experience with a Mexican wedding

This past weekend I got the priviledge to shoot a wedding, and it just happened to be a Mexican wedding! The wedding was very fast paced, as I just found out that I was the photographer 9 days before the wedding. But the couple, Gaby and Fernando, were very fun to work with and it was a fun wedding.

Some would say that there aren't a lot of differences between Mexican and American weddings. Of course they have a lot of the same things: a church, a bride, a groom, a priest. I mean there isn't much to that. I have never been to a Catholic wedding, so I don't know the differences and similiarites there. But let me just say that I think there are a lot of differences, Mexican weddings are crazy (good crazy)!

After the bride finished getting ready, we headed off to the church. They didn't have a driver, so I quickly switched from photographer to chaufer in a matter of seconds. So I drive to the church with 15 minutes until the wedding. I was worried about getting there early, but apparently that didn't matter. Driving was an adventure in in itself, as there was gigantic flower arrangement on the hood of my car! Driving in Mexico is hard to begin with, but with a gigantic flower arrangement, you are pretty much going on a prayer...

So we get there with negative 2 minutes to go, and I was nervous because I wanted to get set up and prepare and everything. I found that that was actually unnecessary because when we get there there is an entire paparazzi to escort the bride down the aisle! So this paparazzi proceeded to follow the bride even up on stage! I don't know if that's customary, but I just sort of followed the crowd. Just go with the flow. No need to "setup". haha!

But the bride was dressed very beautifully. And the ceremony went wonderfully. Maybe except for the 70 year old woman in the back who kept screaming "AMEN!" "Hallelujah" after everything the priest said. It was quite funny. And there was the dancing kids in the aisle. I figured they were part of the act. And afterwards the reception!

Receptions in Mexico are similiar like that in the states, but on a much grander scale. It was in this very fancy estate and if you didn't have a suit and a tie or a dress (for the ladies), you felt out of place. Waiters and decorations and everything dressed to the nine... I was told that the reception was a small wedding. It is very customary in Mexico to spend a lot on the wedding, even if you don't have the ability to.

And the reception was a party! That is the biggest difference between American and Mexican weddings. Americans dance at a wedding......ha! yeah right! Mexicans at 11:00 the place turned into a club! Everyone, young and old were dancing to Norteñas, Rancheras, Reggaeton, Rap, Oldies, Salsa, Tango, everything! I left at 1:30 (that's AM...) and the party was just getting started! Even the bride and the groom were still there. I was told it was probably going to last until 4am or 5am!

Let me end on one tradition that is definitely different, which I'm glad the US hasn't found out about. During the reception, it is tradition for the Bachelors to do the garder thing--same as in the states. But after that is when it gets crazy. It is tradition for the bachelors to grab the groom and haul him off to the bathroom. They then strip him of all his clothes and leave him there. After they do this cruel deed, they then present the clothes to his new bride, and she has to go rescue the poor humiliated man! It's a good thing that many traditions stay in Mexico... :-D

So many other incredible stories, I wish I could tell them all..

Thus is the story of my first experience with Mexican weddings.

Final Pictures

Sorry I've been a while getting these last pictures up from Colombia! Coming back to Mexico has been crazy. When I got back to Mexico, I found out I had a wedding to shoot...next week! Apparently, when it comes to parties and weddings, that's how Mexicans work--who cares about details, let's just have a party! sheesh! So I've been frantically trying to pull together loose ends. I'll let you know how it goes. Meanwhile, check out the pictures from Colombia!

Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3

Final Thoughts on Colombia

And so today I am leaving Colombia. It has been quite an adventure and this is an experience I'll never forget. I feel almost like a cop-out, as I have only been here a week. I have done very little with regards to helping out the orphanage. I have fed some mouths and I have given some hugs and I have carried a few kids with dirty diapers to be changed, but I have only been here for a few days. I will leave today but the workers who slave away for 40+ hours a week will stay and will continue to do ten times more what I have done. Though we have loved on some kids, they and Sister Valeriana are the ones who truly care about them and sacrifice their lives to create an environment for these kids where they feel loved and accepted. In comparison, we have done nothing.

But we have done something, for we did show love to these kids, and it is awesome (and sad) to see these kids cry when they know that we are leaving, for I suppose we accomplished what we came to do and that perhaps they will remember us. However, if they remember us doesn't really matter as much as they they have a place where they are continue to develop their self confidence and esteem. They are happy, and not just happy but joyful, more so than most people who have beauty, wealth, love, fame, and family. That is what matters now.

I came into this trip thinking that I was going to serve them and help them that they might be blessed. I thought they needed our help, but after the trip, I realize that wasn't the purpose of this trip. The purpose of this trip was to learn from them--the kids and the workers--and to bring back what we have learned in order to bless those around us. Sister Valeriana has had a vision and just was used as an instrument by God to help a couple of orphans some 17 years. Because of this heart and vision, it has grown to an incredible size and so many people have poured so much money and time into this place. Just because of one vision.

I can't stay forever, but since my stay I've caught a glimpse of something big coming from the actions of one person. So perhaps we can take this back to Cincinnati. If we have a desire to see our community changed, and it might seem too great a task, we only need to remember the heart cry of a little Spanish Catholic nun years ago, the persistence of these angelic workers, and the simple love and faith of these little kids and how much we are able to see the kingdom of God in them. "The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these..."

Learning about service

I think the incredible thing that has struck me these last few days is the workers who work there. See we are only a group of 10 going for a very short time. There are so many workers there. Saints. I have talked with them and some of them have worked there for years. It has been incredible to me because even after working there for 3 hours in one day, I have become absolutely exhausted. And all we have done is feed the kids and play with them (as that is what they have requested). But these workers, every...single...stinkin...day. Have come to this place to care for the kids, love these kids, feed these kids, change dirty diapers on 15 year olds, have put up with there screaming, have taken them through therapy, have put up with the emotional drainage of seeing the state of these children--every single day from 6 in the morning to 6 at night.

It is incredible and I don't know how they do it. I don't know how they wake up in the morning and continue to do what they do. Not getting much pay and not getting much vacation. I have been amazed and am ashamed at myself for getting tired after 3 measly little hours. I haven't found their secret, but I suspect that it can only be divine strength, as I cannot believe that any human is capable of such act.

These past few days we have had the opportunity to visit some of the other locations of Luz y Vida. Like the schools and the other orphanages and the rest. Sister Valeriana has done an incredible work with these children and have build them a kingdom! She has vowed not to rest until sickness or death keeps her down. And her whole family has backed her. Currently, she is trying to build a hospital in the orphanage in order to care for the children. Yesterday we got to tour another facility in a town miles away that is a huge building fit to care for many children. She has done everything and has given everything to ensure that these children have an chance for love, healing, life, and laughter. I could go on and on about what she has done but one thing I'm convinced of: I haven't found their secret, but I suspect that it can only be divine strength, as I cannot believe that any human is capable of such act.

And what is incredible is that she is working to ensure the integration of the children. Within the orphanage, there are kids helping other kids. Not so disabled children helping the disabled. And the semi disabled helping the rest. Sister is really working hard to try to integrate these children into society. By sending them to school and so that someday they might be back in the world. It is truly an incredible.

In other news, throughout the week we have battled smelly diapers, splattering food, lice, bumpy Colombian roads, gas exhaust asphyxiation from our ghetto car, backdoor of car randomly deciding to open (see picture), Colombian gringo stares, and thus... we are exhausted. Tomorrow we are going to take a rest from the orphanage but Saturday we will be back there for a little fiesta!