I left my heart in Oaxaca

In Mount Vernon WA with our youngest grandson Damien

Well, it has been forever since I posted a blog. In April my email address and all my contacts' addresses were hijacked, lost them never to be regained.

Those of you who are reading this will be mostly from my Facebook friends list, some of you will be new to my blog. Because you are on FB you know all about Eddie and Riverclay Studio, well here is the rest of the story.

When I left for Oaxaca in January we knew that it could be a long time before we or I made the trip again. Knowing that, I carried a sense of grief with me much of the time I was there. I had longed to be a missionary for so long. And in the last 7 years I had experienced such incredible things, worked with such incredible people and seen God fulfill so many promises.

I did not want to cease to call Oaxaca mine, and I did not want to ever think that the people who had become our loved ones, our family, in Cacalote and El Mosco would be a part of our past.

in Pueblo Viejo with Carmela and Laura

Even now it is unthinkable. Oaxaca has become our other home.

The view from the comedor of the clinic

So when I left Eddie in Washington for two months last January I told him that it was going be a "God and me" time. I told him that I expected God to speak and tell me what was next for me and missions.


And one day in February I felt I understood what God was saying to me. There are many needs in our little area of Oaxaca that remain unmet, needs that have been calling to me. And suddenly on that day early in February I realized, I needed more education if I was going to make a difference.

Dr. Mary Kay, Marcial, me and Vernessa RN

In 1998 I graduated with an Associates Degree in Nursing, which made me an RN. But now it is time for me to earn my BSN (Bachelor's of Science Nursing). This degree will make me eligible to do in the U.S. what I do in Mexico, basically Public Health Nursing.

I must admit that I was a little afraid that going back to school would take me away from missions, but the Lord is so precious. He knows us each so well; He knows how to speak to our hearts.

My patient Hermana Carmelita

One day, as all this was going on in my heart, I found myself in the very humble home of Hermana Carmelita who I was visiting to give wound care. To examine her wound I needed her to move from where she was sitting to her bed, just a simple pivot transfer. But to my surprise she was unable to transfer as before, she was dead weight, but I transferred her anyway. After I dressed her wound I recognized that she was depressed and needed prayer.

As I held her in my arms and I prayed for her, my Spanish was articulate and expressive. I remember thinking,"I finally can speak Spanish and I am leaving". And at that moment the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "I will not take THIS away from you".

My doubt and fear disappeared and faith returned. The next day was filled with joy as began to see a plan set out before me.

But oh how my faith would be challenged in the days that followed. By Monday I was in severe pain, and nothing I did or took would relieve the pain. Of course, transferring Carmelita I had injured my back, herniated my L-5 vertebrae.

Laura introduced me to a California surfer-chiropractor in Puerto Escondido, whom I visited numerous times. Between those visits, Flexeril, lots of rest breaks and prayer I made it through 4 weeks of clinics and a trip up to El Mosco, in almost continuous pain.

Filling last minute prescriptions in El Mosco last February

So to keep this short I have decided to tell the story of my last days in Oaxaca in sections. I will post this now and then continue with the rest of my story over the next few posts. I hope you will read them and that they will help you join with me in prayer as I proceed in the direction I have been given.

Let me say that even though I entitled this blog "I left my heart in Oaxaca" I certainly have enjoyed being home in Mount Vernon. It is good to spend time with our grandchildren and kids. We love our church and continue to build important relationships.

I guess my heart in pulled in two directions and I am blessed to be in love with people and lands on both sides of the border. Amen!