These two places are where two conventions are held at the same time. Jauregui is a little settlement about 70 kms away from the city of Monterrey. The Sunday before convention is held, there is a special meeting at Jauregui, where only the visiting workers speak (gulp), and all the people from Monterrey and Jauregui attend, being about 500 people. The day finished with a baptism in the river just down the road.
The convention home at Jauregui is owned by an elderly couple who are Anita Christian’s aunt and uncle. Some of you may know who Anita is, she is a Mexican who married Paul Christian from Queensland. She has two sisters in the work, Rosa Elia and Lydia Morales. Another sister, Olga and her husband, live in a home just across the road from the convention home, which is where the worker’s meeting was held.
Looking out upon the grounds from where we slept upstairs in the sister’s block.
Lining up for grub…cafeteria style. Saves setting tables and serving food into lots of little bowls! Once you help yourself you go and find a seat inside the dining shed.
Alan Anderson, Johan Kotze and John are on the “brother’s side”.
Inside the shed. September was their month of independence, so everything was very patriotic, done in the colours of the Mexican flag…red, white and green.
One great Mexican tradition…the brothers wash the dishes!!!!
This funny little dog is a true Mexican…Chihuahua (that’s a province in Mexico. I presume it’s where this breed started!). it had a little pink bow around it’s neck, but was it nasty and vicious!! I saw a big dog stare fearfully at something approaching, then slink off with it’s tail between it’s legs… not long after this little thing appeared around the corner yapping it’s head off!
The visiting sister’s abode…complete with air con…luxury!!!
Laundry
Olga and Filis Reyes’ home (over the road from conv home). Some of the visiting bros slept here, and the worker’s meeting is held in their lounge.
Bouganvillea (Santa Rita it’s called here)
Driving into Monterrey…note the mountains in the distance. There are mountains all around the city.
The emblem of Monterrey…Saddleback Hill
Some scenes driving around Monterrey. This is the 3rd most important city after Mexico City and Guadalajara. Population about 5 million. Very modern, lots of US influence here (about 4 hours drive from the border). From time to time there is lots of trouble with the drug traffickers but that all depends on the government. If the politicians are on the druggies’ side, there is peace and quiet…if the government makes problems for the druggies, they make problems for the people! Last year there was so much violence, many didn’t travel on the roads and missed the special meeting at Jauregui. This year a new party got in and there is calm and tranquility on the streets…
The city palace was beautiful, resplendent with flags and national pride.
Back at the grounds it was BBQ day. Everyday, the friends from Monterrey would bring out a meal, all cooked, along with disposable plates, cups and cutlery (all done in national colours). This day was the barbecue.
Tortillas and green chillies on the first BBQ and tomatoes on the other.
In the two months that I was away, I didn’t see bread on the table…only the last week at the Americans’ house! Tortillas and beans are indispensable on the Mexican meal table!
This is the couple who met me at the airport, Eduardo and Siliva. It was their turn to do the meal.
What? Only ONE steak per person?? and SO thinly cut?? Oops, we’re in Mexico, not Argentina! The Argentinians calculate half a kilo of meat per person, when buying to make their asado!
This sight made my mouth go dry and heart race… the meeting shed set up for the special meeting the first Sunday we got there. Help! I’m not used to so many people!! Preparing me for my home visit maybe?
Taking a walk down to see the river.
Ariana, the adopted daughter of Olga and Filis Reyes
The road that divides the conv grounds from Olga and Filis’ home (you can see the laundry with the bouganvillea outside)
People arriving for the special meeting.
Check out Lupita Chavez’ bun!! her hair goes down nearly to her ankles…
Lunchtime the day of the meeting.
Some friends chartered a bus to come from Monterrey…this is them leaving
Teaching Jorge Jimenez how to drink mate!
Alvaro went into the work the year after he heard the gospel and made his choice, along with his mother. He was baptized in his first year in the work! Jorge is the last worker to have gone out in Mexico, in 2005 he started. Since then, none have started in the work…
No comments:
Post a Comment