5 MORE Things You Didn't Know About Mexico

Here are five more of my observations of Mexican culture. Enjoy! 

No forks needed.

1. Everyone sticks together. The other day Kara and I were at the U.S Consulate in Tijuana. Most of the people there were applying for their visas for the States, we were commenting on how even if only one person in the group was applying or interviewing for their visa, everyone came along, the husband, wife, the kids, maybe a sister, and definitely the grandma. Mexico is extremely matriarchal, the mothers and grandmas and mothers in law are the key person of respect in any household and they are always present at any appointment no matter how small or big. Whether it be a hair cut or a visa appointment abuela is there. We have noticed the "family theme" on Homes of Hope builds too, the neighbors are usually always present for the house build as well as any family member that can make it. The more the merrier! 

2. Meal Times. On our YWAM base we stick to the American way and eat at 7:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. But throughout the rest of Mexico it is a different story. Breakfast is a very large meal eaten between 9:00-11:00 am. Typically with sweet bread and a coffee to follow as dessert. Lunch is eaten between 2:00-4:00 pm. Lunch tends to be more of a sandwich or tacos, a little on the lighter side. And dinner is eaten late, very late. Here in Mexico most of the schools run on block schedule so half of the children will attend school in the morning while the other half go in the afternoon/evening. Some middle schools and high schools don't even get out of class until 8:00 pm so dinner can be around 9:00 or 10:00 pm or later. Going out to eat tacos at 6:00 pm is more like snack time and you will definitely find a table to sit at, if you go at 10:00 pm, it's a different story, good luck finding a table. 


3. Making Fun. When I first arrived in Mexico I thought Mexicans were bullies. Always making fun of you, poking fun, never serious. If you are fat they call you gordito (fatty), if you are skinny, flaquito, if you are Asain or have almond shaped eyes they call you chino. In America we are ultra-sensitive with how people look, and never speak of race or weight or anything of that matter but in Mexico its a different story. I learned over time, if they made fun of me, it meant they liked me. If they poke fun at you, or joke with you, they are paying attention to you and enjoy your company. Mexicans are so relational, relationship is EVERYTHING, and making someone laugh, joking around, and nicknames are just a way to bond and be close.

Mexican Pickup Line of the Day: "You are like my mom's flipflop, when I see you come close my heart rate accelerates."
*Cultural Note: Many good Mexican mamas make use of their flipflop to swat their hijos when they are naughty.* 

4. The Yes Finger. When I first saw it I was confused and didn't think of asking what it meant until it became all too common. The yes finger. Mexicans do it when they are saying yes, as opposed to shaking their head yes. You take you pointer finger and wag it up and down, not side to side like you are saying no but up and down bending it at the knuckles. You often wag your finger to say yes if you are on the phone and therefore cannot speak or are drinking something and cannot give an immediate yes. I have found I have begun to give my yes finger when agreeing with people a lot...even to people who are not Mexican and I have begun to realize I may look silly if one is not accustomed to the yes finger. 

5. Sharing. Mexicans love to share. If you have a bag of chips, keep in mind if your Mexican friends are around, they won't be just yours for very long. Sharing is caring, sharing means you love relationship. When you go out, its family style even if you each have your own plate and individual order. Walking down the street? Make a friend and offer a piece of gum. Some Americans wouldn't except that but a Mexican? Ya why not?! Gum is the best and now I have a new friend. I learned quick if I don't want to share, don't open a new jar of Nutella or ice cream in front of a big group, or you will Nutella-less. 

Sharing is caring!

Why Abortion is Okay for America

The United States was founded on Christian principles, I believe that is why our country was once considered one of the greatest countries in the world. That is why we were once so successful, so helpful, so great. We still are, I am proud to be American, I will never deny who I am or my country. But we have strayed from our foundational beliefs. 
In 2015 the United States supreme court ruled gay marriage to be legal stating that banning same sex marriage was unconstitutional because it was a denial of rights. 
America has begun to slide down the slippery slope of self indulgence, proclaiming that everyone is right if it right for them. (Unless of course you are against gay marriage for example, then everyone tells you that you are intolerant or homophobic.)
 America is not the America it was, and we cannot hold expectations over our non-Christian politicians and leaders that they simply cannot fulfill. I will never expect Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump to suddenly agree with me and my Christian beliefs, so I am not going to get mad at them when they say or do something I don't agree with. Even the American population, I am disappointed that our country has come to the point of having these two presidential nominees but I suppose I never expected my country to elect a pastor as president, let alone a Christian.  

This is why abortion is okay for America. I cannot force a non Christian girl of 17 to not kill her baby, I cannot expect my government to protect life. I wish I could but I cannot. I can vote for those who stand for what is right, I can voice the truth, that all life is sacred but my power is limited, only with God's mighty power can we truly change our laws and culture.  
I have always had the idea of starting from the bottom, starting with the demand instead of the supply. For example instead of picketing Planned Parenthood or taking hidden cameras into board meetings of those on top why not stand outside the building and talk to the girls going in? Why not go to the ghettos and high schools and proclaim God's love and goodness? (You don't need to proclaim abstinence, that will come as the fruit of discipleship). Start with lessening the demand and the supply will indeed go down. And from that, the need for abortion will become obsolete.   

These are my thoughts. If I were to be president I think I would start with a lot of praying. DISCIPLESHIP is so needed in our country right now, friendship, relationship. 

Prayer is so powerful. I could stand at a pulpit right in Washington D.C and preach about the destruction our country is headed for but it boils down to hearts being changed not laws. (Of course there are laws I would change If I had the power, such as abortion for example because it is murder and unconstitutional if I say so.)  But our jobs as Christians is to pray for Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton, that somehow, someway they will suddenly have an unrelenting discomfort and need to seek their Creator who is relentlessly pursuing them in love and affection. God bless America! 

5 Things You Don't Know About Mexico

Here is a list of 5 very special things about Mexico. 
1. Chile. Mexicans love spicy. Everything has chile, and I mean everything. From meat, to beans, to vegetables, fruit, chips, candy, everything has chile. There are a lot of types of chile. There is chile powder, or Tajin, which you normally eat with popcorn, fruit or vegetables. Cucumbers, mango, and pineapple with Tajin and a squeezed lime is delectable. There are also salsas or chile in bottle. There are ton of kinds. There are chiles for seafood, meat, and salty things. Here is a picture of Act II popcorn being sold with a bottle of Valentina. Valentina is the most popular chile for salty snacks like chips and popcorn so they are basically saving you a trip to the chile aisle in Wal-Mart. 

2. Chanclas. My sweet husband loves his flipflops for a very special reason. In Mexcio we call them chanclas. In the states we wear flipflops for everything, the beach, pool, going shopping, even church, we wear them with jeans, or a dress or shorts or whatever it may be. In Mexico chanclas serve a different purpose. They protect your precious warm feet from touching the cold floor. Most homes in Mexico are cement or tile, carpet doesn't really exist (they don't need it since it doesn't get too cold here). So you take your outside shoes off at the door and slide your feet into your flipflops (or slippers if you want something cozy). Bare feet are a big no-no. Sometimes if Gallo cannot find his flipflops, mine suffice at protecting him from the chilly floor. 
3. Hot and cold. This has to do with the flipflop thing. If you're feet are warm and they touch the cold floor, many Mexicans believe this will cause you to catch a cold. If your body gets too warm, it must be protected. If you are wet, you will also catch a cold. If your throat hurts, only drink warm things because cold water will hurt your throat more. If you are playing soccer, you must wait for your body to cool off before you take your shoes off. Don't eat or drink anything cold while doing exercise or playing. All these things will cause a cold or worse. 
4. No plans. Not having a plan is usually the plan. Winging it, going with the flow, you name it. Going on vacation? Great. When? Maybe tomorrow or the next day. A great example of this is, the city of Tijuana and the surrounding area were announcing that they were going to shut the city's water off for a number of days. The people readied themselves, the Oxxos where filled with jugs of water for people to buy and everyone was ready. The date passed that they said they would turn the water off, and everyone continued on with their daily lives of showers and dish washing. They did eventually announce a new date for the water turn off a few weeks later but it was a learning curve for us non-Mexicans. You just have to be flexible and enjoy those extra showers a little longer, if the plan is flexible, the people should be too. 
5. Botana. Mexico is known for its street food. I have never known a country to have more street food than Mexico (except maybe Thailand, they love their chicken on a stick!) Ten 'o' clock at night is prime taco eating time, the streets are filled with pungent smoke of the grill cooking that yummy beef. Another aspect of Mexico's love for food is botanas or snacks. I like Mexican snack time, the food tends to be more on the fresh side. Like pineapple, cucumber, mango and jicama (a starchy potato like veggie). A typcial botana would be all the fruits and veggies mixed with "japonese" style peanuts, Tajin and of course chile. In this case the typical choice of chile would be, Chamoy. A very liquidy salsa used for botanas and even popsicles and ice cream. 

Yummy snacks any Mexican teenager would enjoy. Veggies,chips, fruit, ice cream, all topped with Chamoy, chile powder, squeezed lime and peanuts.