Monsters, Earthquakes & Humidity

"Don't become a monster in order to destroy a monster" - Bono, U2.
It doesn't feel like it's been a week between posts, it feels like it's been a month & a very long one at that. Nikki & I have found it very difficult to deal with the harsh taunting & at times verbal abuse of the locals here in mexico. There is a lot of hurt here over the treatment of Mexicans in the USA & so (thinking that we're from the USA) the locals have at times treated us in the exact way they despise their own country men being treated in the US. It's disappointing to see so many people become what they despise. I'm also a little tired of hearing people justify the treatment by sighting that those people meant no harm but just thought we were from the USA. This to me sounds more like, "Sorry you were treated badly, but your skin is the wrong colour to be treated fairly from the start." Nikki & I certainly have a lot to offer to the Lord for unity as we walk & have to simply allow ourselves to be more & more open to being stretched in humilty. We also sat through a 6.9 earthquake in Tonalà but to be honest, that was rather exciting! I've never felt an earthquake in my life so to hear the rumble & then be thrown from side to side a good foot either way was kind of like being a kid at an adventure park. Thank the Lord there was no major damage in the area - just a beaming Aussie wondering if there was stillmore to come... The last 9days have taken us up along the last of the steaming jungle off shoot from Central America. The humidity was unbearable at times & with temperatures soaring into the low 40's I regularly finished my days walking looking like I'd been for a swim fully clothed. it was disgusting. Nikki of course finished without raising a sweat... (she wishes!) In the past 11 days we have walked a total of 357km & it has been tougher than perhaps any week before it. Both of us had some extreme blisters, heat rash, aching joints &, well, problems with the food. Add on to that the humidty & regular unwelcoming of the locals & we are thankful to have a day off now to just 'be'. For all our complaints though, everything was put in to perspective when we found ourselves sleeping under the same church awning as 15 El Salvadorian refugees on the road to the United States, hoping to cross the border illegally & find a new life & future. Bleeding toes are ok I guess. Our huge highlight (other than the ice-cream man who was riding his bicycle-trolley down the highway) was meeting a young Texan family(Jason, Amanda & their two boys) living in Arriaga. They have sold up everything to move to Mexico & serve at the orphanage in Arriaga that basically takes the children who have seen everythying in their lives apart from love. Their job is taxing but simple - love them (and they do it well). Their lives & generosity were inspiring & made me want to be a missionary... again. Please keep praying for total unity of all people of faith & again, please feel free to sign the online petition of those praying for unity simply as an encouragement to those who are aleady praying. God bless you all 6 stay out of trouble! Sam.
"If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you & take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Matt 5:39-41