Hola familia y amigos! This is my first update from the beautiful city of Jerez, Zacatecas! I arrived on late Wednesday night and it has been going by so fast already! Thursday was my first day here and I got to check out the village I am staying in a little bit. It is called Palmas Altas. You can see the Sierra de los Cardos mountains all around and it is beautiful! I am staying with another missionary family, The Elliots, at a host home in Palmas Altas. The host family is very humble and gracious. The father, Angel, works in an orchard near the village (the call the villages rachos). The mother Angelina, is a great cook and is very, very nice. She is always trying to make sure I am comfortable. They have two kids, Rocio and Jose Angel. They are both very shy, but always have a smile on their faces! The Elliots have also been very welcoming! Ben and Diana have two children, Nehemiah and Shalom. There are a lot of people staying in the house, so there is usually no time to be bored! When I arrived, there was also another missionary group down here. Kyle and Josh are from Wildcard Ministries and attend Okaloma State University. They came with a friend from Acuña (a city on the border) named Karla. They were so much fun while they were here! They left today, but they made the transition for me much easier. Karla and I had a lot of fun working on our second languages; she is an English teacher in Acuña. Although we only spent 4 and a half days together, I feel like I know her much better than that and I think that we will be friends long after the trip.
Okay, so what have I been up to the past 5 days? Thursday we went to a village called Guadalupe Victoria. It is gorgeous! It is at a higher elevation than Palmas Altas, so the mountains look even more gorgeous than before! We played volleyball with some of the children the village and then sang some songs together, did a drama, and listened to Diana tell the kids a Bible story. Later on, we went to a man's house, named Marcos, and talked and sang with him. Ben shared the Gospel with him and his daughter and they seemed real receptive. They asked us to come back this week again. The people here are so friendly and so receptive to us. It is nice to be in a place like that.
Friday we went to the city of Jerez to look around. Ben needed some guitar string, and while we were looking for a music store, we got to look around the city a little. The markets that have the fresh fruit and vegetables out smell delicious, except when they are right by a meat stand! Ha! The rest of the day, we just hung out and I prepared what I was going to talk about that night. We played volleyball in Palmas Altas with some of the youth (the game got pretty intense near the end!), and Kyle and Josh and Karla played some songs while the men played a few games. Afterwards, I talked to some of the people who stayed to listen. I shared with them some of the things God has done in my life. Although I hate public speaking, I know that these people are really interested in the things we have to share with them.
On Saturday, I climed a mountain!! Part of our group went hiking in the mountains. It was amazing! I can't wait to post pictures when I get back! The view was amazing!
Sunday, we had two church services, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Josh taught at the first one and Kyle at the second. Both of their messages were really inspirational to me. Just to see the passion they have for the Lord is encouraging! Ben and Karla took turns with the music, and that even touched me! It was a great day!
Sunday was a great day, but I was dreading today. Kyle, Josh, and Karla left today. It is sad for me because I have gotten so close to them, but today hasn't been as bad as I thought it would. We got to spend the morning in Zacatecas. We did some shopping and ate there too. The architecture in the city is amazing! After we took them to the bus station, Ben, Diana, the kids, and I had some errands to run in Jerez. We got some things for Nemi's 1st birthday on Wednesday and had dinner at a pizzeria! It was really good!
God is doing some great things here in Zacatecas and the surrounding areas. This is going to be a pretty full week, but I should be able to update again on Saturday! Here are a few prayer requests:
-RAIN!! The orchards really need rain right now. They will not have a successful crop if it stays as dry as it is.
-Safety as we travel each day
-That I would continue to improve my Spanish so that I can use it for the glory of God!
I love you all and miss you very much! Thank you so much for your support! I could not do this without you!
Dios te bendiga,
(God bless)
Katalina
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3 comments:
It is great to hear that you are having a great trip. We miss you and are praying for you and all of your new friends in Mexico. We would love to pray for rain to head your way instead of the midwest. Too much flooding here. Duke is fine but misses you. I think I wore him out in the yard this evening. We were sorry we were not set up for your call. We are ready now..... Mom
Glad you enjoyed the mountain climbing. Better you than me. You know how I feel about heights. There is know place like home, at least when it's on the ground.
Love you.......... Dad
Hey Katalina Bobina! It sounds like you are having the time of your life, and although I'm sure the first week or two will be rough getting used to everything, I know you well enough to know that if anybody can handle it, you can.
We've missed you here at home, little Dukey Pookey especially! He is going to be a spoiled brat when you get back, being as he gets attention from somebody 24 hours a day (Dad and Matt are the worst, you know how it goes).
Not much else is new here. I have been working 65 hour weeks between the ole DQ and the fireworks tent. Raking in the dough, so to speak. Shanny gave in and went back to DQ. Matt's being, well, Matt, and Mom and Dad are doing good. It will be a sad 4th of July without you, but I'll blow some stuff up for you. I think they will like to have you there to talk about Independence Day anyway.
Speaking of Independence, Obama was here on Monday in Missouri, in Independence. I wish I'd known beforehand, I would have taken off work and driven down there. Hope he comes a little closer soon!
Well that's all I have. I will update you as soon as I know anything else, but we are a pretty stagnant bunch, us Kileys.
Love you so mucho!
Jax
Kitty-Kitty Meow-Meow,
I am so excited about your trip! It sounds so amazing! I wish I was there with you. I have been praying for you and it sounds like everything is working out. I'm kinda mad I haven't gotten to talk to you but I am never home. Lol. I guess this will have to do. :D
Your dog is driving me crazy, but what else is new? I took him on a walk. Yes, I was being nice. He is not a good walker. He runs then spins. lol. Kisha had her baby told at one o'clock. :D Though I know you'll probably hear this over the phone before you read this, but I wanted to be the first to tell, because I'm thoughtful like that. His name is Jet Edward Nickel. Cute huh?
We are all just keeping busy as the forth roles in. I'm of course working, but you know how that goes. I hope everything is going well and your broadening your palet. lol!! I miss you. I thought of you today when mom made potatoes and Jackie was the only one whining about the onions! You are amazing and I'm so proud of you for all the amazing things you have done and yet to do. I love you best friend and remember to get every single experience you can out of it because it goes way too fast. We both know this as we reminis about Mexico '05. I love you and have some fun for me will you?
Love your most favorite sister,
Shannon
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