March 2011

 March 2011

We have been here for 2 months now. Everyone in our family is feeling more at home. We are continuing to learn Spanish, mostly through conversation. One important lesson had to do with verb tenses. In Spanish, pronouns are rarely used. Instead, the ending of the verb indicates who it is you are speaking about. When meeting someone new, we would tell them how we didn't speak Spanish, “No habla español .” Everyone looked at us surprised. We took that to mean, we had pronounced the sentence so well that they couldn't believe it. Well, we were really saying, “You don't speak Spanish.” We had a good laugh and I'm sure many others had a good laugh too.

Sam's mom is here for a visit and we are so happy to have her here. “Abuelita” has been learning some Spanish, but we are all hoping that Jeremiah will say “Oma” (Dutch for grandmother) before she leaves. It interesting to see things afresh with her eyes. It makes me realize how much we are beginning to feel at home.

The weather is fine. We are either getting use to it or our thermometer is not working properly. Sometime it says 35 degrees, but it doesn't feel hot. Our home is comfortable because it has good air circulation and air conditioning. We are very thankful for this.

Today was our day off, so we took the taxi to the beach. Hannah and Jude complained about being cramped in the taxi on the way there, but we encouraged them that it would be worth it once we got to the beach. And it was lovely there! On the way home, the word cramped took on new meaning. Six of us squished into the back of the taxi and some other guy with a boy sat in the front! Sam got us a reduced price for that. Plus, Sam's mom got to see more of the area as we had to drop the other guy off first.

Sam has been busy with maintenance at El Faro. He installed a water purification system at the orphanage. The water from the taps is not potable in Mexico. Everyone buys water for drinking and cooking. You can imagine how much water an orphanage in a hot climate uses, about 40 gallons a day. The water filter is a great blessing. Our Saturdays are spent at the orphanage, helping with the children. Sam has been having fun building “science toys” with the children. I have included a picture of a flute and water balloon launcher. 

  
   

Teaching art continues to be a treat for me. Tammy and I recently looked through all the artwork the students have done so far. Looking at the artwork reminds me of the student's talents and creativity; the times when the lesson was difficult but they persevered; and the excitement over unexpected success. I think I have the best job in the orphanage and to top it off, I get to help with the babies on Saturdays.

  

   

 

Bill and Tammy have returned after a couple weeks abroad, and we are all very happy to have them home again. It is quite something to see the children welcome them home. It is like a swarm of bees buzzing about Bill and Tammy. One more child is about to arrive. We are looking forward to a young girl arriving this week. We do not know much about her, but we do know she is about to go through a major change in her little life. We are praying for her transition into El Faro.

Thank you again for your support and your prayers. It is a huge encouragement to us. Thank you.

Love from Sam, Wendy, Hannah, Jude and Jeremiah Dieleman

Specific prayer requests:El Faro needs more Mexican staff to work with the children.
The new girl's transition into El Faro will go well.
We will learn to communicate in Spanish.
We will receive paperwork from Mexico City so we can have use of a family vehicle.
We will finally get a home phone.