Missing Students and Uninvited Guests

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ur first week back in Huatulco was a bit sad and a little frustrating. On Monday, Benabe, our morning taxi driver student didn’t show up. When we saw him the next day on the street, he said that he thought we wouldn’t be back until after Christmas. We had made our return date very clear, but it didn’t register. Information like that doesn’t stick with people here. We got a similar response from a few others. He failed to show Wednesday as well, but he had a lucrative fare to another town. We have agreed that business takes precedence over class.

The Monday family also missed. The dad, Manólo, did come during the day to tell us that they weren’t coming. Normally, people don’t call or let us know. They just don’t show up. The message he heard me preach Sunday night was about the promises of God using our promise habits as an illustration. It seems he was listening.

Also on Monday, we were greeted by what must have been millions of large ants when we returned from town shortly before sunset. There were 2” wide highways of the things coming and going in every direction, mostly up all sides of the building. There were more ants than sidewalk. It was a scene from a sci-fi horror movie. I immediately knew why something had moved me to buy two cans of bug spray when I did the shopping earlier in the day. Fortunately, the landlord happened by and saw them. It also helped that our downstairs neighbor is very squeamish and couldn’t handle the sight. The landlord came back armed like John Goodman in the movie Arachnophobia and quelled the invasion.  

Tuesday, Carmen, the doctor at the Red Cross, was too busy with patients because she is alone. The nurse had taken another job after 14 years working there. The technician had to leave to attend to some family problems and never returned. They were some of our first and longest-term students. We did have class with Carmen on Thursday, but at the end, she announced that the next day was her last. She is returning to her hometown several hours away. We are sad to tears. She was very special to us. 

Wednesday’s only class was with Osvaldo, our 12-year-old young man. Everyone else was “no show.” This left the rest of the day empty. It is very difficult for me to have too much unplanned idle time. I am a type-A who needs to be busy. However, I am amazed how God can take our defects and turn them into something good. Many unhealthy motivations and weaknesses have turned into productive strengths, and He’s not finished yet. I have come a long way, but I still don’t do “nothing” as well as I should unless it is planned.

Friday we made an early trip to a fairly secluded beach. Because the beach is surrounded by cliffs, the only access is either by boat or down a steep and somewhat treacherous path. That is why it is usually empty. Donna slipped on the way down and she wound up with some nasty scrapes on her knee. She also bruised her wrist. We won’t be visiting that beach again! It was my bad for underestimating her ability to negotiate the path. In spite of the mishap, we did get to do a lot of reading and I was blessed with the outline of an awesome message.

Saturday morning we enjoyed the company of our excellent friends Art and Betty for breakfast in our apartment. That was great. The rest of the day was spent at home doing message prep, studying and writing this post. We had made plans, but Donna needed a day to recuperate and heal. We also had an unexpected, but great visit with our friend Antonio on Saturday evening.