Down Mexico Way

July 21, 2009

A Week to Remember

Wow! What a week we have had beginning last Tuesday here in Mexico City as the series of “Excellence in Leadership for Youth” conventions gets underway.

Last Tuesday morning we waited at the airport for Tyler Harris and Tom Garner to arrive from Salt Lake City prior to departing for Cuernavaca. Tyler and Tom work for the Theater and Audio Visual department of the church and were here to film part of each convention this past week and to do follow up stories and interviews with individuals, leaders and families. They will now return (actually they returned this morning) to edit all of this material and combine it with other material from all parts of the world into a production that will be released over the internet by year’s end. The production will follow the experience of young teenage church members in their daily lives, their experiences at home with family, scripture reading, family home evening and church activity. It will tell the stories of their experiences with non-member friends, their experience at school, work and in their communities. It will also feature some of the church activities such as these conventions along with what it is like for them to be active church members. Since it will feature young people from all parts of the world, it should be a very interesting and helpful tool to be used by missionaries, parents, teachers and leaders to show young people all over the world the value of living standards of truth and being examples to their friends and neighbors. We were so glad to have Tyler and Tom with us for the week and let us tell you a little about our adventures.

Following Tyler and Tom’s arrival we loaded up our borrowed van and headed for Oaxtepec (a water park resort and convention center) located between the cities of Cuautla and Cuernavaca about an hour drive from Mexico City. This was truly a perfect facility to hold this event as those attending could stay on site in “cabanas” and all of the activities could be help without moving from one place to another. The main center of activities was held under a large tarp. It was large enough that 1200 – 1500 people could sit under it to escape the hot summer sun. And, while it was warm under the tarp, at lease you did not have the sun beating down on you.

We were very impressed with the organization for this convention. The only thing that seemed to be a little off track was the registration and housing assignment phase. Made us think of some of the issues we faced at Scouting activities over the years. It all worked out in the end, everyone was housed and everyone participated in the many activities.

Mexican people love competition in all sorts of events. One of the most exciting events of the convention in Cuernavaca was the presentation of “porras.” These might be called cheerleading type events but they are very well rehearsed with lots of beautiful costumes, dancing, acrobatics, and singing. Each of the stakes participating presented a “stake porra” which was more of a cheer and then they presented a second porra that was used in the judging. Some of you may remember the “Road Shows” we used to do in mutual, and these were similar presentations but each one had their own theme. They were fantastic. We were part of the judging panel along with the Mission President and his wife and the Area Authority Seventy and his wife. We commented that we have never heard so much noise in our entire lives. It was loud and exciting and very difficult to judge the winners. However, the winning stake was from Cuautla and their presentation took a Michael Jackson theme. The lead dancer was a student at Benemerito High School (the church operated school in Mexico City) and this you man was an exact clone of the “King of Pop.” He could dance and move as though you were actually watching Michael himself. The choreography behind him and the costumes they used in red, black and white made them the clear winner. They brought down the house.

Following the convention in Cuernavaca our plan was to spend one day at the Mexico City West Mission conference on the campus of Benemerito High School. We were their early Thursday morning for the opening ceremony which was rich in culture with the presentation of the flag and the opening of the “games.” Including a parade of the participating stakes each dressed in their own individual colored tee shirts. The rest of the day was a series of different sports competition in basketball, Soccer, and Volley Ball. Competition was great and well attending by parents and leaders. All this time Tyler and Tom were doing interviews with kids, parents and leaders. President Ochoa of the Young Men’s Presidency of the Church visited all day as well and did some excellent interviews with the participants and spoke to them at an afternoon meeting.

Following our day at Benemerito we had our sites set on traveling to Yucatan for their convention but our plans were changed as we were late leaving Benemerito and then got caught in one of the famous afternoon rain storms that happen nearly every day at this time of year in Mexico City. The bottom line is missed our plane to Merida, Yucatan and couldn’t find four seats on a plane to Yucatan until Sunday. So we went to plan B and stayed another day at Benemerito which proved to be well worth the time and effort as Tyler and Tom were able to put together some additional material.

Because of the change in plans we decided to go north for the final part of the week and visit the last day of the convention in Hermosillo…perhaps the hottest place on earth this time of year, or at least you get the impression when you step off the plane into temperatures around 115 degrees.

We are quick to recognize that Heavenly Father blesses missionaries in special ways. And, in actuality it was no coincidence that the rains came and we missed our plane in México City because what we found in Hermosillo was incredible. We got there in time to enjoy the final meeting and “despedida” or good-by. About 1200 young people attended this convention and it was a heartwarming experience to see them loading up there buses to return home, exchanging email addresses, giving each other hugs, handshakes and the traditional “abrazo” with friends they had met from all over the state of Sonora.

In our efforts to “follow the story” with Tyler and Tom, we then drove with President Valenzuela and his family to their home in Puerto Peñasco about five hours north and west of Hermosillo. Tyler and Tom rode the bus with all the kids and continued to film and interview many of them. This led them to many side stories and things they could record when we arrived in Peñasco. We were truly led by the Lord’s hand in making the decision to visit this area and uncover such a rich and warm experience with some of the kindest devoted church members you will ever meet.

Puerto Peñasco (Black Rock) is an ocean side town that is being built into a coastal resort town similar to Acapulco, Cancun, Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta. While it has been slowed by the economic conditions, it is still making good progress. It is only about a four hour drive from Phoenix and has become a vacation and second home place for many Americans, including many members of the church who live in condos and homes they have build along the beach. However, this is not the story of this town. The story is really in the people we met an associated with while there. The church in this area is just reaching the stage of being organized into a stake and currently runs as a district under the supervision of the Mission President. However, the District Presidency is three of the greatest leaders we have encountered here in Mexico. President Brown (Mexican mother - Mormon Colonies American Father) is the District President. He is a land developer and his family owns a massive amount of land being developed along the beach and inland. President Valenzuela owns several pieces of property in town and rents them out to different businesses and also has a very success fish and shrimp export business into the United States. President Rodriquez is a very successful used car dealer.

We stayed in President Valenzuela’s home his family …wife Lupita and children Julio, Michelle and Jacob. All the family is bilingual, talented and great members of the church. We had a great time sitting around the kitchen table playing games, talking and eating until we could eat no more. On Sunday we spoke at a special fireside meeting and then returned to the Valenzuela’s home with all the guests from nearby towns that came to the fireside to visit and eat even more. It was one of the greatest experiences we have ever had in our lives with these warm and loving people.

We must also tell you about Grant and Victoria Walker. Grant is a lawyer and they live in Mesa but spend every weekend in Peñasco. They are members of the Branch and have dedicated their lives to serving wherever they can to help in the church. Grant practices law in Mesa, travels the four hours to Peñasco each Thursday or Friday, and then returns home on Monday or Tuesday each week. He and a number of LDS friends have formed a not for profit corporation to build and finance houses for people. Their program is patterned much like a “Habitat for Humanity” program, but they manage it all within the limits of their not for profit corporation. They have built 15 homes in Peñasco and another 15 to 20 in Honduras. People who want to live in the homes put in 250 hours of their own labor along with family and friends. The homes are comfortable three bedroom, 2 baths, 1000 square foot homes. They are simple construction but provide excellent housing for many needy families and they are affordable for those willing to put in the effort to have their own home. The land where they are built is land donated by President Brown’s family and many needy church members take advantage of this opportunity. Cost of constructing a home is about $28,000 and loans are available at low interest rates. It is an amazing project being done by amazing, kind and compassionate people.

Following our wonderful stay in Peñasco we returned by bus last night to Hermosillo and then back to Mexico City this morning on the airplane.

This week we have eight conferences going on beginning tomorrow. We hope to attend part of three of them if time permits. How we love this work and these wonderful people. They make us feel so welcome and so much a part of their lives. They ask interesting and stimulating questions and always want to know how to do something better. What an experience! It’s like an old missionary companion used to say to me; “Elder Smith, the gospel is true, and it always will be.” El evangelio es verdadero, y siempre sera.

For the blessing of service we give thanks and send our love to family and friends everywhere. Until next week we send our love and expressions of appreciation for your kindness to us. We are so happy to be parents of nine great kids and grandparents to our 28 grandchildren…and you add to that all of our friends around the world and we are richly blessed.

We send our love,

Mom and Dad (and all of other deserving titles – whatever they may be)