My wife is a big Tom Hanks fan, leading us to watch Road to Perdition a couple of nights back. The context of the movie revolves around the Irish mob in Depression-era Chicago. The film showed how the mafia owned the police, banks, businesses, and politicians. Halfway through the flick, I exclaimed, “This is exactly what’s going on in Tijuana right now!” Her response was, “Pues claro!” (a little tough to translate into english, but let’s just say it’s a strong “Of course!”)
Mexican Café
Posted March 22, 2008 by Ben
Mexicans are big into coffee. I think they’re even more into coffee than Seattleites, which I suppose is a large claim. Wikipedia states that folks in this coastal port have “a reputation for heavy coffee consumption.” Yet I believe, those in Mexico are on par, cups per day. Sure, the coffee blend is a bit different. People in Seattle are into their coffee—you know, a grande, soy, white mocha with no foam type thing. On the contrary, most Mexicans will drink whatever’s served up—and usually it’s instant. The whole concept of coffee is different, especially where and how it’s drunk. I know it’s the big thing to sit around in a Starbucks with your friends—but it’s just as common to go it alone in the drive-thru, throwing down 4 bucks to ease your single occupant commute home. This is essentially unheard of in Mexico. […]
1988 Porsche 928 S4 & Missions
Posted February 10, 2008 by Ben
The February 2008 issue of Motor Trend magazine put up a comparison between four family sedans. In the running were the Chevrolet Malibu LTZ, the Honda Accord EX-L V-6, the Nissan Altima 3.5 SE, and finally the Toyota Camry SE V-6. Upon seeing the lineup, I almost passed over reading the article. Why would I care about middle-class, family four-doors? I received my answer in the fourth paragraph.
Wasting Time in Mexico
Posted January 11, 2008 by Ben
“Everything is so inefficient in Mexico.” I hear this comment with regularity, along with “Mexico time,” or “mañana.” And even though I’m not Mexican, sometimes I feel a bit defensive. Hey!—there are reasons for the slow rhythm. I’m trying the best I can to hurry this along.—I think to myself. Yet no doubt that in comparison to the American pace, life in Mexico is played to a different cadence.
Below are five time-consuming categories that I deal with on a regular basis. Disclaimer: This list is not a complaint. It is not complete. It is written only to describe items that for me, devour the hour.
Christmas at a Mexican Orphanage
Posted December 28, 2007 by Aaron
For Christmas this year the orphanage I work at received more than 15 presents per child. Some may say the Lord has really blessed us, but I’m trying to figure out a way to receive fewer gifts next December.
All these Christmas donations seem like a new phenomenon in Tijuana. Americans have always tried to dump their used toys and clothing on the people of Mexico. But now, in the weeks leading up to Christmas the emails and phone calls pour in from folks in the U.S. wanting to give new presents to the orphans in this city. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a welcome change. But when is it too much? The days before the 25th at our orphanage are like a non-stop party with groups of Americans coming in by the van load to lavish the children with gifts.
VBS: A Crash Landing Success!
Posted December 12, 2007 by Ben
Damaris stood up during the time of thanksgiving that we have each Sunday service. With a huge smile, she echoed what two other sisters had just exclaimed. “Our evangelistic outreach yesterday was a tremendous success, and we did it all without the help of Americans. There was not one single American present!”
The Serenity Prayer
Posted November 19, 2007 by Ben
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference…” –Reinhold Niebuhr
Alcoholics Anonymous uses this prayer in their meetings. Missionaries must use this prayer in life. For any missionary abroad, there are annoyances beyond belief that must be confronted, dealt with, or ignored.
Life at the San Ysidro Border
Posted November 9, 2007 by Ben
Late the other night I crossed into the U.S. via the San Ysidro Border just south of San Diego. Supposedly it’s the busiest border crossing in the world. Most of those crossing supply Southern California with cheap, productive labor. The wait can easily be an hour or two—and at real bad times, three to four. I’m fortunate to have a fast pass, which propelled me through in just fifteen minutes—or so I thought. Woops, random inspection. So I was sent to “Secondary” for a thorough search […]
Mexico Missions to the End of the Earth
Posted September 24, 2007 by Ben
Two Sundays ago I listened to a sermon that confirmed what I’ve heard over and over. The guest preacher, who has worked with high school mission trips for almost twenty years, said the following. “The most common comment from a first time short-term mission tripper to Tijuana is: ‘The people are so poor, yet they are so happy.’”
To be fair, I thought the same on my first few trips across the border. Yet now, I never know quite how to respond when hearing this, because I disagree with the statement. I believe it’s a falsehood. Are the poor truly that happy? The answer is no. The question should really be made into the statement: “If I was that poor, I’d be miserable.”[…]
Dependency in Missions
Posted September 9, 2007 by Ben
“Let’s just wait until the next group comes to fix it.”
I’ve heard this statement a few times and it’s bad news. Dependency upon missionaries, short-term mission trip teams, or funds from first world countries are often commonplace. After many years of “western missions” into poor countries, in hindsight, dependency seems only obvious. In Tijuana alone there are tons of consequential examples.
But if we put on idealistic glasses, I think dependency is healthy—it’s certainly biblical[…]