Lutherans in Mexico

Picnic in the Park

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Thu, 31 May 2012 02:53:00 +0000

Several weeks ago, the church Cristo Resucitado (Resurrected Christ) in León held a picnic in a park several blocks from the mission location. After the Sunday service, all who attended the gathering came with something to share.

There are fewer things I love more than a solid Mexican convivio (get together). These potluck-type settings are always bursting with good food, plenty of salsa, animated conversations, and - perhaps best of all - a laid-back feel that makes everyone want to kick their feet up, relax, and simply enjoy the moment.

Here, a few highlights from the picnic that day*:

Trin having fun at the playground:

Noelle loved this tiny Chihuahua that one of the picnic goers brought:

Our volunteer Joel Hering (right), getting to know the locals:

The smorgasbord:

A small (but important) participant...

I could have listened to these women chat for hours...they talked about all things mother-related, one of my favorite topics.

Special thanks to all who came, and we look forward to the next one!

* photos courtesy of Carol Hartman

Green Belly Gringos

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Sun, 27 May 2012 17:24:00 +0000

If you look at the left-hand column of the news page listed above, you'll see an article titled "Son Gringos Panzas Verdes" (They're Green Bellied Gringos). The piece was published on May 12, 2012, in a local newspaper here in León, and features our two WELS Kingdom Worker volunteers: Joel Hering and Lucas Fricke. The two volunteers, pictured at the bottom of the article, attended a recent championship soccer match in town.

The soccer match was a big one, and ended with a long-awaited moment for soccer fans in León. The city has had a soccer team known as Panzas Verdes (Green Bellies) for years. The name comes from a term used to describe workers in the leather industry who help with the tanning process. These workers wipe their hands on the aprons they wear, and the chemicals from the tanning process turns part of their aprons green.

The Panzas Verdes used to be a top-notch group. Years ago, the team won five First Division championships in Mexico. In the 1990s, however, the team hit a bad patch and started going downhill. The Panzas Verdes did so poorly, in fact, that they dropped out of the First Division league and had to play in the Second Division Mexican league. The decline from the First Division to the lesser quality Second Division was a low blow, and one the team's fans were anxious to see reversed.

The opportunity for the Panzas Verdes to ascend back into the First Division league came this year. Every year, the Second Division teams in Mexico play in a tournament. The winner advances to the First Division.

You can imagine the excitement this spring when the Panzas Verdes made it to the final game, and played the Correcaminos (Roadrunners) from Ciudad Victoria for the championship title, and the chance to move into the First Division.

The last game of the series was held in a sold out stadium holding 35,000 people in León. Our volunteers were given tickets to the game, and joined the enthusiastic crowd.

The Panzas Verdes won that game, and the celebrations following the match lasted long into the night.

A local reporter spotted Joel and Lucas at the game, and interviewed them on their experience. Calling them "Gringos," a word often used in Mexico to refer to Americans, the reporter noted their impressions of the game and their enthusiasm about the experience.

Joel and Lucas, according to the article, were very excited and claimed to never have seen such a soccer fan craze before. It also notes that after the game, the two weren't quite sure where to go. They did, however, find a way to get home, memories of the game still intact.

It's always good when our volunteers take in these experiences. As a mission team, we enjoyed seeing the write up of the two in the paper, and are also happy to have a top division team in León again. Go green bellies, and keep up the cheering, Green Bellied Gringos :).

Spanish Website in the Works

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000

In early May, Multi-Language Publications invited various people from WELS to participate in a meeting held in El Paso, TX. Individuals involved in technology, Spanish outreach, and publishing ministries came to it. The goal of the meeting was to start developing a WELS Spanish website.

During the meeting, the participants decided to take a current Spanish bi-monthly publication - El Mensajero Luterano (Lutheran Messenger) - and put it online. This publication, along with other forms of media and accessible information, will be the basis for the new site. Its purpose will be to help Christians around the world reach out to others in the Spanish language.

A Collaborative Effort

Different individuals from countries including Mexico, Colombia, and the U.S. will work to carry out this project. Compiling their input will lead to a product that's accepted worldwide, notes Missionary Tim Flunker, WELS Hispanic Outreach Mission Counselor. "The Latino in Phoenix may speak the same language as the Latino in Lima, Peru, but their cultural emphasis is quite different," he explains. "Having someone represent that culture and its needs will only improve the product that we're able to put in front of people."

On the Mexico end, a number of individuals and congregations will be participating with website work. "We have someone here in León that's agreed to help record audio files for devotions," says Missionary Michael Hartman, field coordinator of Mexico. In addition, the congregation La Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) in Monterrey will receive assistance to produce high quality video for the site.

Responding to a Need

Having a website of this type in Spanish is key, notes Pastor Gonzalo Delgadillo, Latin America Coordinator for Multi-Language Publications. "There are so many who haven't heard the Gospel; a site like this can help these people read and learn about Jesus."

In addition to reaching out to others, the website will serve a purpose to strengthen those that have faith. "People that have come to faith need to learn about what's in the Bible," explains Delgadillo. "A Spanish site will help them become students of the Word, and to better understand the treasure they have."

As opposed to on-the-floor mission work, a website has a more widespread reach. "Even in remote parts of Latin America, where the postal service may be questionable, there is an internet café," points out Flunker. "Someone can sit down in that café, access the website, participate in an online Bible class, do a class by themselves, read articles that inform, instruct and inspire them, and then even comment on any material that has been posted."

It will also connect individuals globally. "It is my prayer that people of God in Puerto Rico will connect with people of God in Anchorage, AK," says Flunker. "The same can be said for all the people of God in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, the U.S.A., and many other parts of the world where we have no specific person serving them."

Plans are underway to have the site ready to launch by the end of this year. From Mexico, we pray for blessings as the project moves along. I'll continue to post updates on the WELS Spanish website, so be sure to check back and be ready for the link, information, etc., in the near future!

Cleaning Day at Church

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:51:00 +0000

The first Saturday of May, the church "Cristo Resucitado" (Resurrected Christ) in León, Mexico, held a cleaning day. Approximately 30 people came to pitch in and help.

The activities that day didn't just center on a deep clean (though that certainly got done too!). Several people pitched in to paint sections of the mission, including the entry way, the walls of the worship area, and seminary room.

Others helped put stickers containing contact information for the church on booklets. These books, which are set up as self-study guides covering various Biblical themes, are regularly handed out for free to anyone who's interested.

And the kitchen got a makeover!

It was great to see the number of individuals that came, notes Missionary Brad Krause, who oversees mission work at the church. "Many jumped in and showed some ownership, as if to say, 'this is our place, where we worship,'" he says.

I didn't go that day (with three kiddos ages five and under, I thought we might be counterproductive to the work at hand - especially Hans, who always leaves his mark in the form of cracker crumbs... :) ). But I did come the following day for worship, and the church was nearly sparkling when I walked in with my troops. (Hans says 'great job' and sorry about the new trail of crumbs :) ).

To top it off, that Sunday we had an all-time high attendance: 58 people filled the church for worship!

Thanks to all who helped, and we look forward to the church's next group activities.

Special Days with Grandparents

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:29:00 +0000

Mike's parents returned to Texas this week, after a nice long visit here in León!

Mike's mom joined us in mid-April, and took care of the girls for a week and a half while Mike, Hans, and I were out of town. Mike's dad arrived during our time away, and when we returned home, we enjoyed a week of both grandparents at our home with the whole family together.

Before the grandparents arrived, several people (who were unfamiliar with Mike's parents) asked me how I thought these two Hartmans would hold up with the language and culture in Mexico. When I explained to them that Mike's parents have been missionaries for years, are fluent in Spanish, and in addition to their world travels, have raised five kids, they nodded their heads with me: our girls would be in great hands!

Mike's parents (Missionary Paul Hartman, who oversees Multi-Language Publications, and his wife Carol) noted that Trinity and Noelle cried occasionally while I was gone because they missed Mommy.

This week, I have tucked tearful girls into bed nearly every night, but this time, for an opposite reason: they miss Grandma and Grandpa!

I am so thankful for special times like this. Since we live on a mission field, we see our extended family only sporadically. Sharing a few weeks together is a gift, and also an experience that turns into a memory both for Mike and me and our kids.

Thanks for coming, and we look forward to the next time!

Handmade, heartfelt crosses

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

During my years in Mexico, God has placed several Lutheran women "All-Stars" into my life. These women have turned into role models for me, and I continually marvel at their faith, strength, and steadfastness, especially through trying situations.

I was reminded of one of these women several weeks ago when our family attended the second Lutheran Women's Convention in the city of Puebla, Mexico. This Lutheran, named Señora Wilma Ibarra, is an American who has lived in Mexico since the 1940s.

Today, now 96 years old, Señora Ibarra lives with her family in the northern city of Torreón, Mexico. She wanted to come to the women's convention held in the central city of Puebla; to get there, however, would mean a bus trip of more than 14 hours one way.

Due to geography, she would be unable to make the trip; yet that didn't stop her from keeping all the women who would be attending close to her heart, and taking action to let them know she was thinking of them.

Prior to the convention, Sra. Ibarra spent hours upon hours handcrafting crosses for each woman who attended the event. In all, she made nearly 50 of them!

With the help of her family members, Sra. Ibarra included a Bible passage and note on each cross, and placed them in a plastic covering for protection during their upcoming travels.

Following are what the crosses had on them:

Recuerdo de Segunda Convencion Nacional de Damas Luteranas en Mexico
Abril 2012
Puebla, Pue.

¡Mirad cuán bueno y cuán delicioso es habitar los hermanos juntos en armonía! Salmo 133:1

English Translation:
Memory of the second National Convention of Lutheran Women in Mexico
April 2012
Puebla, Pba.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Sra. Ibarra sent the crosses to the convention with one of her daughters, who distributed them to the women in attendance.

For me, it is fascinating to think about the hours Sra. Ibarra put in to make these, and how they traveled to different parts of Mexico, the United States, and Chile too, after they left her home in Torreón.

I know they will provide many, myself included, with encouragement, not only because of the cross and message, but also because of the time spent making them.

Thank you, Sra. Ibarra, and may God continue to bless you all the days of your life.

Thoughts on Tuétano

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Any guesses on what's pictured* above? If you chose an answer along the lines of "bones filled with marrow and served on a plate," congratulations, you're correct!

Several weeks ago, we took our kiddos out for supper at a new neighborhood taco restaurant. I ordered the girls and myself some cheese and meat filled tacos. Mike studied the menu options until he came across one of his favorite things to order: an item we've never heard of before.

In this case, he chose "tuétano," and pictured above is the marrow (plus a spoon!) that was delivered to him shortly after we ordered.

I will note here, just for the record, that Hans had a tiny taste of it and liked it. Several years ago, this may have upset me, but Mike has been working for years to tone down the "Mommy glare" I tend to give him when he feeds our small children foods I generally wouldn't. Several notorious family tales now include "the time Mike fed toddler Trinity grasshoppers" (which she now loves, and I actualy don't mind either), and "the time Mike fed little Noelle a cheesy cow-eyeball sandwich" (this one still makes me squirm a little).

No worries, however, as Hans is as healthy and happy as ever. And Mike liked the tuétano so much, chances are he'll be ordering it, scooping out the marrow and putting it in a tortilla, adding some salsa and salt, and fully savoring the delicacy, in the near future. With Hans beside him, of course :).

*photo credit: Marlene Schlomer

Second Lutheran Women's Convention

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:02:00 +0000

The first women's convention in Mexico was held in the summer of 2010. At that initial gathering, the women in attendance made a goal of having another convention in two years. During the following years, they planned the next convention in Puebla and then carried it out.

I'm thrilled to share that the second Lutheran women's convention in Mexico was held last weekend. From April 12-15, 2012, 46 women gathered together at the church Cristo Glorificado (Glorified Christ) in Puebla, Mexico.

There were so many blessings involved with this second convention! Let's cover just a few of them here. Feel free to weigh in with more in the comments below (for those who attended, or heard about it!).

One of the goals of this convention was to "get organized." The women in attendance worked up, and voted on, an official constitution.

They also now have a name: Sociedad Nacional de Damas Luteranas de Mexico (National Society of Lutheran Women in Mexico).

And perhaps best of all, they have a vision. The group decided to focus their efforts as an organization on fellowship. These women want to strengthen the ties between the Lutheran congregations in Mexico. They also want to use conventions as a meeting point for Spanish speaking Lutheran ladies around the globe. The Puebla convention, which was their second convention, was an admirable start to this: women from three different countries attended! It is their hope that even more Spanish speaking Lutheran women participate in future conventions.

Women from Mexico, the United States, and Chile attended the convention. Representatives from various churches and regions gave reports on ongoing work in their area. I especially enjoyed listening to the presentation on Chile (pictured below), which included some pictures of authentic Chilean foods - mmm...yum.

I had the chance to meet several women that I only "knew" from pictures Mike had taken while visiting their congregations. Our girls also had fun seeing friends - here they are with a couple, Rosa and Gerardo (pictured below), that spent some time in León with us but now live in Juarez. The couple traveled 28 hours in a bus to get to the convention.

One woman who couldn't attend, 96-year-old Wilma Ibarra, sent crosses she made herself for each woman in attendance. Women from the Lutheran Church in Colombia also sent a small gift, and those from Puebla handed out small blue, yellow, and white candles:

The women's group has a secretary, president, and treasurer (listed below - left to right), all of whom worked with Mike to not only carry out this convention, but to set their goals on the next one (which they voted to take place in León!).

In addition to the edifying fellowship, study, and worship we enjoyed in Puebla, the hosting congregation was full of hospitality. Here, a few "extras" we loved from the convention -

Food and Puebla: always a winning combination. Here's Hans savoring a wonderful Mexican traditional food they made during the convention: mole poblano -

The congregation provided child care for anyone who wanted to attend the workshop sessions. They also taught the children a song and Bible stories.

And perhaps the biggest social event of the convention was the Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night), held on Saturday. All who attended were invited to wear ropa tipica (typical dress):

(that's the president singing with the mariachi band!)

Thanks to all who participated, and we hope to see you at the 2014 convention in León!

An Encouraging Easter in León

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:16:00 +0000

Above: some of those in attendance at Cristo Resucitado (Resurrected Christ) in León, Mexico on April 8, 2012

Today I'm happy to share Mike's account of Easter 2012 in León, Mexico. Here's what he writes:

Those who have been following this blog for awhile know the story behind our move to León back in March 2010. When we arrived in León, we didn't know anyone. Easter 2010 will always stick in my mind. We had been in León less than two weeks. We gathered as a mission team in our home and worshipped by connecting via internet to St. John, Sleepy Eye, Minn.'s live broadcast of their worship.

After that first Easter in León, I wrote the following:

This has been a most unusual Holy Week for Rachel and me. It is very odd to celebrate Maundy Thursday and Good Friday gathered around the living room in a missionary home. After all, we just arrived last week and are starting from zero. But what a great time to remember why we came here. God willing, an actual Easter service will be celebrated in León next year. For some, it will be their first time celebrating Easter.

This Easter, please pray that God bless the work of his church in León so that others might learn of the positive and hope-filled ending to Holy Week.

It's hard to believe that we've only been in León for two years. The mission work here is still very much in the beginning stages. And yet, what an awesome reflection of God's grace and power this past Easter Sunday: 51 people attended our second public Lutheran Easter Sunday service in León. Of those, 31 were visitors. It was really fun to worship in a full building with so many new Christians.

Our Easter service stands out all the more when you understand that typically in Mexico Easter Sunday attendance is below average. This may be surprising to the average person in the United States. However, in Mexico, Easter comes smack dab in the middle of the biggest vacation time of the year. Easter Sunday attendance is often down because so many people are out of town.

So, as we reflect on God's grace, we wanted to take time to say thank you. Thank you to those of you who have supported the Mexico mission work with your prayers, offering and encouraging words. And a special thanks to those of you who participated in that first Easter Service in our home two years ago.

This Easter and that first one in León remind me of the Apostle Paul's words to the Christians in Corinth about teamwork: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

May God continue to use us to do the planting and watering. And may His Church continue to grow here in León and everywhere.

¡Felices pascuas!

- Missionary Michael Hartman

Zapote, the Chocolate Pudding Fruit

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:34:00 +0000

Last month, Mike and I took the kiddos out for ice cream at one of our long-time, favorite Mexican ice cream chains: La Michoacana. We've been eating Michoacana ice cream since we lived in Mexico City. It was the perfect stop after teaching English classes in the evening: Mike almost always ordered queso (cheese) or elote (corn) while I stuck with boring flavors like chocolate (!) or strawberry.

This time when we went, Trinity and I opted for galleta (cookie), Noelle requested vanilla, and Mike went inside the store, which was too small to fit a stroller in (we'll talk a different day about strollers in Mexico!), and I stayed outside with the kids to wait for our treat.

Mike emerged with ice cream for everyone, including this for himself:

"Ooh, did you get chocolate or coffee?" I asked, already gearing up for my next question: can I have a bite?

"Nope, it's fruit!" he replied. "Zapote, actually." Then he pointed me to the sign of flavors:

Zapote, listed above, is sometimes called "sapote" in English, and is often referred to as the chocolate pudding fruit. After I geared up enough nerve to try such a dark fruit-flavored ice cream, I was not disappointed. This fruit has a rich, sweet flavor. I love how in this video, the chef simply mixes the fruit with ice cream for an instant dessert.

A few more perks about zapote: this rich, dark fruit has about four times as much calcium as an orange; it's native to Mexico and Guatemala; it's also grown in places such as Florida, Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.

In fact, making a zapote dessert for Easter sounds delicious right about now! If you can find it in your neck of the woods, I highly recommend it.

We let the smallest member of the family review it too:

Hansy, you want a bite?

What do you think, big guy?

I like it! More of this, and less rice cereal, please -

Have you tried a zapote / sapote or other tropical fruit lately?

Welcoming a new baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:43:00 +0000

Join us in congratulating Pastor Jorge Briones and his wife Kerry for their new arrival: a baby girl!

Pastor Briones and Kerry currently serve the mission area of Mahahual. Without a doubt, God sent them their new daughter at just the perfect time in their lives. Mike and I are extremely happy for them, and excited to see them share in the joy that comes with one of God's richest blessings: the gift of family.

Go to the website Kerry maintains to see the little one, and offer them a note of congratulations on the newest member of their family.

And Kerry and Jorge: un abrazo (a hug) from Leon, and Hans looks forward to a future playmate at pastor retreats!

And he came, and he left

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:34:00 +0000

On March 23, Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Leon, Mexico, the city where we currently live. Schools closed, businesses shut down, and police blocked off roads that day, in an effort to make room for the papal ride through town.

His flight landed in the afternoon, and the Pope then traveled in his pope-mobile from the airport to the complex he stayed in, just three blocks from our mission. People lined up along the 39 kilometer route, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

His visit, which lasted from March 23 to March 26, was far from unexpected. The city spent a great amount of time and resources preparing for his stay. Weeks - and days - prior to his arrival, billboards were put up, homes were decorated, roads were repaved, and new flowerbeds were put in along city streets.

During his time in Mexico, Pope Benedict had meetings and events in both our city of Leon and the nearby city of Guanajuato. On Saturday, Mike and I decided to go to Guanajuato to observe the people's reaction there. Here is a bit of what we saw:

People lined the streets for miles, just waiting to see him drive by. Bands also played music for hours before he drove through the area:

After he drove by, we spotted numerous people wiping tears of joy and emotion from their eyes.

A total of 3.5 million people saw the pope during his visit in Mexico.

******************************************************************

This was the first time the Pope came to Leon, Mexico. Leon is located in the state of Guanajuato, where 94 percent of the population consider themselves to be Catholic. Guanajuato is often referred to as the most Catholic state in the country.

Across Mexico, however, some of the trends regarding Catholicism are changing. I found this recent article in the Economist - while written from a secular point of view - to be particularly interesting. (If you don't have time to read the whole thing, here's a shorter recap).

Blast from the past: The Chicken Phase

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:19:00 +0000

I was going through pictures from a few years ago and came across a memory I had stashed away in my brain.

A clucky memory, actually.

About six-ish years ago, when we lived in Torreon, we raised chickens in our backyard.

The idea sprouted from the fact that we knew of others who kept chickens - and more! - in their yards. So we thought it over and then decided to give it a try.

First Mike put up a chicken coop structure in our backyard. Then he brought home a sack of eight chicks, who grew into eight chickens, who roamed the coop for awhile (well, at least until they landed on the table for dinner!).

I have to admit, I was probably not born to raise chickens in the city. I think Mike enjoyed it, and probably would have added a few more creatures to our collection (think goats), but I asked to discontinue the animal phase.

I now spend my days chasing after the new arrivals: ages 5, 3, and 8 months! They perhaps require more work to take care of than, say chickens, but they also do neat things like talk and give hugs :).

Should we re-enter the animal world again, however, I'll be sure to let you know :).

Scheduling Tales

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:38:00 +0000

About a month ago, Mike set up an appointment for Trinity to have her passport renewed at the closest U.S. consulate to Leon, located just a few hours' drive from our home. He made the appointment for March 20. I knew Trinity would have to miss school that day so that we could drive to the appointment, but we agreed that the event (a passport!) was worthwhile and she would only be missing a single day of education.

Shortly after lining this up, we received a calendar for March and April from the school Trinity attends. On it, various days were marked as "holidays" - some for annual Mexican holidays (like March 19, which is Benito Juarez day), some to coincide with the popular vacation time in Mexico of Holy Week and the week after, and three additional days during the Pope's visit (the Pope arrives in town this weekend for a brief stay - more on that in upcoming posts).

I had been expecting to see days off for Benito Juarez and the two-week break around Easter, but the additional vacation days during the Pope's visit caught me by surprise. The girls would not attend school on March 22, 23, and 26, the calendar noted, due to government-issued orders.

Part of the reason for this was the fact that the Pope is scheduled to stay near the girls' school. Crowds of people and heavy traffic are expected in the area before, during, and after his visit.

Seeing that Trinity would be off of school so much in the coming weeks, I asked Mike about changing the date of her appointment to help her avoid missing the times school was scheduled to be on during the coming weeks. What if we tried to change it to the 22nd, when the girls have off school anyway? I asked. Sure, said Mike, and off he went to investigate.

We changed the date, no problem, and I thanked Mike for helping me keep Trinity in school.

Fast forward to yesterday, March 21. When Mike went to pick the girls up from school, the teacher who helped load the kids into the car told him, "There will be school tomorrow, March 22. The government called this morning at 11 a.m. and told us we now need to uncancel the cancellation" (this is the same organization that told the school NOT to have classes on March 22 just a few weeks ago).

Mike explained that we had set up an appointment for Trinity's passport renewal (he probably left out the part about how we changed it especially so Trinity wouldn't miss school) and the teachers were very understanding.

Perhaps a decade ago, this change of school scheduling (less than 24 hours notice to report the reversal of a previous cancellation!) may have shook me up. This week it just gave Mike and me a good chuckle. It is a good reminder that things in Mexico run according to a rhythm of their own - not better or worse than other places, just different.

And as far as Trinity missing that extra day of school? I think - in the bigger scheme of things - she'll be just fine :).

On Animals

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:50:00 +0000

Earlier this week we looked at creepy-crawlies in Mexico; today, let's focus on the animals you'll find here.

For starters, Mexico has a lot of animals! According to Viva Natura, Mexico has about 10 percent of all known species on Earth. Its reptile population is quite noteworthy: about 570 of more than 700 species of reptiles are native to the country!

While we live in the city, and tend to see "urban wildlife" such as dogs, cats, grackles, and ants :), if you head into some of Mexico's tropical and desert regions, you won't be disappointed. Mexico is home to lots of birds, from parrots to macaws to pelicans and even flamingos. Last year, while touring southern Mexico, we saw the area where the most flamingos gather in North America:

Other jungle-type animals include the jaguar (we've heard one roar in the wild!), crocodiles, monkeys, red-eyed tree frogs, and iguanas - one of Missionary Mike's favorite animals. Here's a monkey we saw on an island last year in eastern Mexico:

Additional noteworthy wildlife in Mexico includes pumas, dolphins, grey whales, humpback whales, coyotes, and - of course - let's not forget burros (donkeys)!

A final note: Mexico has an amazing story to tell about monarch butterflies. Every year, these beautiful creatures migrate to one spot in central Mexico. And when I say one spot, I mean "one spot"! Tucked away in the mountains of Mexico, on just a few peaks, millions of monarchs congregate to spend the winter. Mike and I went a few years ago to see this phenomenon. I'll never forget the site of evergreen trees with drooping branches, due to the weight of all the butterflies resting on them!

So tell me, what animals live in your area?

On Bugs and Critters

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:21:00 +0000

We occasionally get asked about what types of bugs and animals we deal with in Mexico. I think this is a valid question, and it ties into a section of this site we're developing that's geared for kids. (Look for more on this in the weeks to come.)

As far as questions about insects and other animals, the answers should probably be divided into two parts. Today we'll focus on bugs, and then I'll discuss animals at a later date.

So, without further ado, let's talk about critters in our lives -

We currently live in central Mexico, where pests such as flies, mosquitoes, and spiders are pretty standard bug fare. We have a fly swatter in our house, which Mike and I use to spare Noelle more grief, as she gets quite worked up over even the tiniest of bugs.

We also tend to get a lot of what we refer to as "no-see-ums" during the summer months. They often bite at night, and both of our girls have had allergic reactions to these.

But perhaps the two biggest - and baddest - of the bugs we face are pictured (for your viewing pleasure!) below: behold the cockroach and (gulp) scorpion.

photo credit

We routinely have our house fumigated, which helps keep the cockroach population at bay. I have to say, though, we've been in Mexico so long that these don't repulse me as much as they did in the early days (though I still do things like practice deep breathing to stay calm when they're around!).

And then there are scorpions. They're pretty prevalent in Leon, but some neighborhoods have more cases of them than others. We, for instance, have never seen a scorpion in our home. Plenty of others we know have, however, and two mission team members have been stung by scorpions during our two-year period of living in Leon. The sting from the type of scorpions in our area is usually not life-threatening, but it's enough to send the victim to the hospital. Yikes!

Stay tuned for a post on animals in Mexico later this week...

A Little Info about the Little Missionaries

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:54:00 +0000

Since earlier this week we answered some questions for students in grades k-2 at St. John's in Lomira, Wis., I thought today we'd add one more element to the responses. We'll look at a few glimpses of what it's like to be a missionary kid in Mexico, and some of the blessings that come with it.

First off, being a missionary kid in Mexico means you get to...

try new foods, like manta ray tacos -

explore places like pyramids -

eat beans and rice once a week when you're three years old -

wear a uniform to school; also, when it's semana de la ciencia (science week) have your parents come in to help you show a science experiment to your class (in this instance, how celery sticks absorb colored water) -

learn about mission work at a young age (here Hans sits in a meeting with Missionary Hartman) -

and last but not least, travel and experience many new things with your siblings...so much so, that you are soon not just sisters, but also good friends -

So tell me, what kinds of things do kids in your area get to do?

One more answer

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:59:00 +0000

I had wanted to address one more question (this is an add-on to the post you'll see below about questions from gradeschoolers) -

What are farms like in Mexico?

We used to live in Torreon, and in the region surrounding that city, farmers grew many cantalope and watermelon. The picture above is from one of those farms.

Now we live in Leon, and in the area, there are some cattle farms. In fact, there is a farm with cows and goats just a couple of blocks from our house :) (unusual for the city, but true!). There are also places that grow crops such as wheat, corn, chickpeas, beans, and some fruit outside of town. About an hour from us is Mexico's strawberry region. If you drive through the area, you can buy strawberries right off a stand that workers set up on the side of the road.

Farms in Mexico tend to be small, and you won't see large, red barns in most places. I know when we went on furlough last winter, the girls were wide-eyed as we drove past farms in Wisconsin. We even stopped to take pictures! They were so excited to see barns and farmhouses that they had previously only seen in books.

If anyone has more questions, let me know :).

Kids' Questions Answered

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Last week, Missionary Hartman gave a Skype presentation to students at St. John's in Lomira, Wisconsin.

During the presentation, he answered some of the questions the children had. But there were other preguntas (questions) he didn't have time to respond to.

Below, you'll see a list of answers we've compiled to (hopefully) help clear up wondering minds. If, after reading this, you have any other questions or thoughts for Missionary Hartman, just leave a comment below and I can follow up on it. Thanks!

For now, here you go...

What kinds of animals do you see in Mexico?

We live in the city, and tend to see lots of dogs: some are stray dogs roaming the streets and some have owners. A popular pet is a Chihuahua - a small, short-haired dog. In places where people don't live, a lot of jaguars roam Mexico.

Do you speak English or Spanish more often?

We usually speak English at home and Spanish in public, so some days we speak more English and some days more Spanish. But we try to speak whatever language the people we are with feel more comfortable in. So, when Missionary Hartman gave your presentation, he spoke to you in English because that's the language you know best! When he went last week to our daughter Trinity's school to read a book to her class, he read a book in Spanish, since the kids there are more comfortable speaking in Spanish.

Have you been to the rainforest?

Yes we have. Southern Mexico has rain forests, and we went there for a family vacation last year.

Have you seen a cacao tree?

We may have, but didn't recognize it.

Have you ever been to the desert?

Yes, in fact, we used to live in the desert! When we lived in Torreon, Coahuila, which is in north central Mexico, we lived in a desert region. It was very hot and dry there!

What kinds of instruments will you get with the mission money?

Usually guitars and basic keyboards are used in Lutheran congregations in Mexico.

What's the hottest pepper you've ever tried?

Hmmm...probably the habanero. Both Missionary Hartman and I prefer the taste of jalapenos, however. We even made jalapeno jelly last year!

What's your favorite Mexican food?

Oh, we love so many things...hmmm...I'd say chiles en nogada probably top the list. Here's what they look like - yum!

Have you ever eaten cactus?

Yes, here in the grocery stores and street markets they sell cactus leaves (first they scrape off the prickly parts!). I like them a lot - they taste like a nice, green, tangy vegetable.

What does the church look like?

Our church in Leon right now is actually a house! We are renting a house and using parts of the rooms for worship and things like Sunday school and English classes. We hope to someday build a church, though, and some of the other congregations in Mexico have built churches.

Here's what the mission we use in Leon right now looks like -

And a couple of other churches (the first one is in Pulticub, Mexico*; the second is in Torreon, Mexico):

Do the people speak English?

Some people speak English, but most speak Spanish, or prefer to speak Spanish rather than English.

Is it a fun job?

Yes, Missionary Hartman loves his job and we love living in Mexico. It's a great, colorful place, with many friendly people to talk to and lots of places to explore.

Do you like horses?

We do. Our daughter Noelle, who is three years old, especially likes horses. She has asked for a birthday cake in the shape of a horse for her next birthday, when she turns four years old.

What kind of weather do you have?

Right now we live in a climate with wonderful weather. It is like spring, year round! Highs range from the 70s to 80s F, and lows between 40 and 60 F - usually(!).

Do you have to travel a lot?

Missionary Hartman does, since he visits the different congregations and pastors in all of Mexico. He loves to travel, and sometimes our family goes with him on trips.

What do you eat?

Our family has a meal of beans and rice at least once a week. We also eat plenty of tortillas, cheese, meat, chicken, and, our girls' favorite - macaroni and cheese.

Do you visit many people?

Yes, especially Missionary Hartman. He visits people all over the country. Sometimes we go to the U.S. too, to visit people there.

What kind of land is there?

Mexico has many types of land. We live in an area with many farms; other parts of Mexico have mountains, beaches, deserts, and even volcanoes.

What do the houses look like?

The houses are usually made of cement with flat roofs. Here's a picture of a street with houses in San Miguel, Mexico:

photo credit: Martin Spriggs

A Glimpse into Mike's Work

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:20:00 +0000

When people ask what Mike does, we usually explain that he oversees ongoing mission work in Mexico. As field coordinator, he doesn't serve at a specific mission or congregation. What he does do, though, is visit all of the missions and congregations throughout Mexico.

When he's on the road, Mike meets with the pastors and leaders of these congregations. He talks to them, encourages them, provides counseling and training, and often helps them develop plans to keep moving forward.

This particular picture above comes from one of Mike's recent trips to Mahahual. While there, he attended a technology conference, spent time with Pastor Jorge Briones, and also met with leaders. In the photo, he's talking to Baltazar, a church leader in the Pulticub area near Mahahual.

I think this shot captures, in so many ways, what Mike's work is about. Mission work is really people work, and Mike is at his best when he's out with them, lending an ear, opening the Bible, providing direction.

Mike's home for the moment, but will be heading out in the next months to make more visits. While I miss him when he's gone (obviously!), I find reassurance in the fact that he's doing just what he should be: serving God in the way he's been called to, and doing his part to spread the Gospel in Mexico.

Keep it up, Mike! And know that every time you come home, there are four pairs of eyes that can't wait to see you :).

photo credit: Martin Spriggs

Visiting Puebla

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:09:00 +0000

This last weekend, Mike had to go to Puebla for a few meetings and to visit one of the congregations there.

We decided the kids and I would come along. Between the travel, time together as a family, and chance to see members in Puebla, the weekend was a special time for both Mike and me, and I know we'll look back on it for years to come with fond memories.

The highlight of the weekend was Sunday, when Mike preached at Cristo Glorificado (Glorified Christ):

After the service, our little pastor-in-training visited with the people:

And the girls enjoyed playing with some of the children of the congregation.

Every time I visit Puebla, I am reminded of how pretty the city is. I'm also always taken aback at the hospitality of the people there. The congregation is holding a women's convention in a couple of months, and it was neat to see so many members working on getting everything together for it.

Thanks for a wonderful visit, Puebla, and we look forward to seeing you again for the convention!

Visiting Mahahual

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:49:00 +0000

Earlier this month, Mike headed out to Mahahual, where he attended a technology conference. While there, he also took some time to meet with Pastor Jorge Briones, who serves the area. Pastor Briones currently heads up two preaching stations: pictured above*, you'll see the one in the town of Mahahual.

Members and visitors currently meet in a restaurant that opens its doors for church on Sundays -

Several stayed after for games after church on the Sunday Mike was there -

Here is a church service at the other preaching station Pastor Briones oversees, located in the town of Pulticub, located just outside of Mahahual -

Pastor Briones read the Gospel lesson the day Mike visited -

His wife Kerry helped out with music -

Mike preached -

and here's a room with a fire they used to stay warm when it started raining after the service - some Sundays, they also use the room to cook food after the service -

Mike returned home, excited about the work and progress he had seen in Mahahual. His enthusiasm is contagious - now I'm hoping that someday, in the not too distant future, the kids and I will get to come along with him to visit Mahahual!

* special thanks to WELS Chief Tecnology Officer Martin Spriggs for the awesome photos :)

Technology Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:49:00 +0000

On February 13 and 14, in the town of Mahahual, Mexico, pastors and lay leaders from both Mexico and the United States gathered together for a technology conference.

Those in attendance (pictured above*) included four Mexican pastors and three Mexican lay leaders, as well as WELS lay leader Pat McGuire and Missionary Michael Hartman.

WELS Chief Technology Officer Martin Spriggs led the conference.

In recent years, technology has been used at an increasing rate for ongoing mission efforts in Mexico. Here are a few of the ways the Mexican Lutheran Church has been coordinating technology and ministry:

- Two congregations are beginning to record their pastors' sermons and put them online.

- The Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) congregation uses Twitter to keep members in the loop on upcoming church events, and also as a way to invite others to services.

- A Mexican evangelist uses Skype to teach confirmation classes.

At the conference, Martin Spriggs introduced the group to more technology options to boost their ministries (quick example: join.me, a website that lets you hold online meetings for free). He talked about do's and don'ts when it comes to setting up and running a website, and tips for making the most of facebook and twitter. He also offered advice to help make improvements on the Mexican Lutheran Church's website.

Pastors and lay leaders headed home, eager to implement the new strategies and tips they had learned.

"We're so thankful to Martin Spriggs for taking the time to come to Mexico and lead the conference," says Mike. "The workshop sessions provided encouragement and direction for the pastors and church workers. It also gave them valuable training and tips they can use in their ministries."

From all of us, thanks again Martin Spriggs! We look forward to seeing technology get a boost in Mexico's outreach and congregational efforts.

*special thanks to WELS Chief Technology Officer Martin Spriggs for the wonderful photos :)

Happy Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:27:00 +0000

Here's how Valentine's Day started for me...

Making taquitos de frijol (little refried bean tacos) -

---

A couple of days ago, one of our volunteers, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday, asked me how Valentine's Day in the United States compared to Valentine's Day in Mexico. Hmmm...I didn't know how to answer. You see, I haven't been in the U.S. for Valentine's Day in 11 years; I'm not even sure what they do up there anymore for it. Oh, I've seen pictures on the Internet and ecards, of course, but I don't think that necessarily gives a true picture of what it's like.

I do know, however, that in Mexico, a lot of emphasis is placed on friends for Valentine's Day. Around this time of the year, you'll see stores and street stands selling balloons, candy, treats, and gifts geared toward celebrating amistad (friendship).

At our girls' school, each class celebrated the day with a friendship meal. Kids were assigned a dish or drink to bring (thus the early morning taco making session for Trin's class; Noelle took a jug of mango juice, which I let her pick out at the store). They also took a lollipop along for a lollipop exchange, and a gift for their teachers.

The girls were pretty excited about it this morning. Here's the haul before we got in the car:

The girls came home with pictures they colored of Valentine's Day. They also had a lollipop from the exchange, candy from their teacher, and some other treats from classmates.

Between school and a few other gifts they received for the day, I thought it went pretty well. My hunch was confirmed as I heard Trinity's prayer tonight: "Dear God, thank you for a wonderful Valentine's Day, and please let it come again soon."

From our hearts to yours, Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it was wonderful, whether you celebrated it with taquitos or chocolate, or better yet, both :).

Felicidades, Congratulations, and More

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Hartman) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:47:00 +0000

Come summer, wedding bells will ring in Monterrey.

Pastor Israel Rodriguez is getting married!

Pastor Rodriguez, who graduated from the seminary in 2005, has served the Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) congregation since 2007. While serving there, he met Janeth Martinez (pictured above with Pastor Rodriguez), a longtime member of the congregation.

The two knew each other for some time, notes Pastor Rodriguez, but didn't become anything more than friends until about two years ago. This winter, the couple got engaged and is now planning a June 2012 wedding.

There's something about weddings - especially when it involves two strong Christians tying the knot - that brings me much happiness. I know part of this is tied to wishing them the very best, blessed marriage. There's another part, however, that always makes me thankful for my own gift of a loving, Christian husband (hi Mike!).

Mike will be preaching at the wedding. The kids and I will probably be there only in spirit. But we will be thinking of them on their day and praying that this summer marks the beginning of a beautiful journey together.

Congratulations, Israel and Janeth, and may God shower you with his love during this time.