Presentation to CU meeting on February 10, 2005 by Christina Gettelfinger and Sandy Gettelfinger, of Madera Ministries, about their trip to Mexico in January, 2005
Fun fact: Does everybody in Mexico speak Spanish?
As emissaries bringing greetings and gifts from relatives in Indiana, mother and daughter Sandy and Christina Gettelfinger visited Mexican homes in the Mexican states of Vera Cruz and Oaxaca, District of Mexico.
Arriving in Mexico City, they visited the ancient Aztec pyramids of the sun and moon. They arrived on a particularly auspicious day, January 1, when many Mexicans climb the Pyramid of the Sun to gain energy for the new year.
From then on, it was a journey to visit different families each day in many pueblos (small towns), largely in the state of Vera Cruz, Oaxaca District of Mexico City. Family members in Indiana had contacted their relatives who treated Sandy and Christina as guests of honor. Rarely having to rely on buses or taxis, the women were transported by family members who would drive them to their next stop. Every visit meant a large meal. Christina confessed that saying "No, thank you, I'm full" was ineffective, but that "Maybe later" turned out to be a suitable response! All pueblos were very proud of their churches and the elaborate nativity scenes that remained from celebrating Christmas.
In each pueblo, the Gettelfingers delivered gifts from relatives in Indiana. Mailing packages and money to these towns from the US is not always reliable, and certainly not speedy, particularly in rainy weather when some of these pueblos are inaccessible. In each pueblo it was usually easy to pick out what homes had received money from their relatives in the US because their houses had been upgraded to concrete blocks and their roofs were tin rather than palm.
Sandy and Christina also took videos to bring back to show their US relatives. They said these videos were very much appreciated, though they brought tears to the eyes of their US loved ones. Both the US and the Mexican family members long to be reunited. Neither side shares stories of the hardships of their lives with the other.
Christina had an opportunity to speak at a school in Poza Rica Puebla, where she encouraged children to continue speaking their native language as well as to learn Spanish and English. With parental responsibility, not government enforcement, as the main impetus for children remaining in school, it is often difficult to see an incentive for education. This is especially true when their only hope of economic success is in the US.
Fun fact about Mexico answer: No. Not only do many people learn English and other foreign languages, but for some Indians their first language is not Spanish. In some areas of Oaxaca, people speak Chinanteco. (By the way, Oaxaca is pronounced like Wa-ha-ka.)
Fun fact: Does everybody in Mexico speak Spanish?
As emissaries bringing greetings and gifts from relatives in Indiana, mother and daughter Sandy and Christina Gettelfinger visited Mexican homes in the Mexican states of Vera Cruz and Oaxaca, District of Mexico.
Arriving in Mexico City, they visited the ancient Aztec pyramids of the sun and moon. They arrived on a particularly auspicious day, January 1, when many Mexicans climb the Pyramid of the Sun to gain energy for the new year.
From then on, it was a journey to visit different families each day in many pueblos (small towns), largely in the state of Vera Cruz, Oaxaca District of Mexico City. Family members in Indiana had contacted their relatives who treated Sandy and Christina as guests of honor. Rarely having to rely on buses or taxis, the women were transported by family members who would drive them to their next stop. Every visit meant a large meal. Christina confessed that saying "No, thank you, I'm full" was ineffective, but that "Maybe later" turned out to be a suitable response! All pueblos were very proud of their churches and the elaborate nativity scenes that remained from celebrating Christmas.
In each pueblo, the Gettelfingers delivered gifts from relatives in Indiana. Mailing packages and money to these towns from the US is not always reliable, and certainly not speedy, particularly in rainy weather when some of these pueblos are inaccessible. In each pueblo it was usually easy to pick out what homes had received money from their relatives in the US because their houses had been upgraded to concrete blocks and their roofs were tin rather than palm.
Sandy and Christina also took videos to bring back to show their US relatives. They said these videos were very much appreciated, though they brought tears to the eyes of their US loved ones. Both the US and the Mexican family members long to be reunited. Neither side shares stories of the hardships of their lives with the other.
Christina had an opportunity to speak at a school in Poza Rica Puebla, where she encouraged children to continue speaking their native language as well as to learn Spanish and English. With parental responsibility, not government enforcement, as the main impetus for children remaining in school, it is often difficult to see an incentive for education. This is especially true when their only hope of economic success is in the US.
Fun fact about Mexico answer: No. Not only do many people learn English and other foreign languages, but for some Indians their first language is not Spanish. In some areas of Oaxaca, people speak Chinanteco. (By the way, Oaxaca is pronounced like Wa-ha-ka.)