After the pilot left we began to work on the Cessna 206 outside. They do not have a hanger here. Most of their maintenance is done in Mitla. This is 15 minutes form Oaxaca by plane. The plane was downed here so they had to fix it here. We worked on the fuel control unit and the aileron brackets. We had some problems because most of the tools we needed were in Mitla. We took a break at 11am and had a snack. Tamales was the special. Someone made them for us and dropped them off. The people often give random gifts here. We continued to work on the plane until 2pm and headed for lunch. AT about 3pm we ate. I ate iguana meat with the skin on it. It was in a spicy sauce. We also had fish soup and fried fish. There were many more items. It was weird because most of the items we had could be made in the states but theyíre not. We cook things more differently. It was hard eating things prepared here. For example the fish was cooked with the skin on, I did not want to eat the skin. So I started not to and one of the Mexicans told my friend to tell me I can eat the skin. I did not want to offend them so I ate it.

March 3, 1996
Today is Sunday and I visited my host familyís church. I was kin of bored since I didnít understand spanish to well, but I am glad I went to see what it is like. After church we ate at a restaurant. While we were eating a girl came by selling grasshoppers. I tried some and it was all right. It was kind of spicy. It seem like odd foods they put a lot of spice on it so you can not taste what it really tastes like.

We never finished fixing the plane yesterday so Brian and Josue worked on it from 8am to 8pm. They usually donít work on Sunday, but the plane needed to be fixed. It makes me wonder what "need" really is. If ones relationship with God is not protected then what is the purpose in continuing. The ministry here is needed badly, but when do you stop. If God;s purpose for us is really to glorify Him, I feel each of us must make our relationship with God more important than the ministry He has for us. I realize church is only one aspect of our relationship with God, but it is an important one.

March 4, 1996
Today was very busy. We started our day at 7am and got home at 7pm. I did some work looking up parts on the microfiche machine while Josue did his mission flights. There was no room for me because they usually fill the plane to maximum capacity. Alas De Socorro also does business flights and I got to go. It was 40 minutes away form the ocean by car. The plane is used in this way for several reasons. The first is to supplement their expenses and I also think the government requires it.

For lunch I had some type of taco. It had cactus leaves in it. Everything here is some form of taco. They sometimes separate it so it doesnít look like a taco. Usually a corn tortilla is served with every meal.

March 5, 1996
A lot happened today, but I am too tired to write in depth. A thirteen year old girl was pregnant and her baby would not come out. Josue went to her village and got her. She probably would have died if we were not able to come out. We needed to set up a radio antennas in LaConeha. We were the honored guests. Seventy five people came out to greet us at the air strip. It was awesome. They have nothing, not even the Lord. They killed a chicken for us to eat and made a soup and a sweet drink and somehow they got us some sodas. They have to hike four hours each way to have access to soda. It was hard eating food there, but I ate it all. We were eating food that they donít even eat. They eat corn items and bean items. That is it! After the day was done I went out with grace mission and got to go to a late night service at Community Bibleís sister ctiurch. It is almost 12:30am and I have to be up by 6am, Good Night! P.S. Things in Mexico never go as planned.

March 6, 1996
I did a lot of paperwork and later went to Mitla. We drove to this area. This is the airstrip where they do their maintenance. They are eventually going to move it to Oaxaca, or another place, but they need a place to keep the tools and parts. We did inventory which is required once a year. Usually they laugh at me at the taco stand. Today they didnít because I was able to order my own taco and lemonade.

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