Luke's Shalom Article for December 2008

November 15, 2008

Musings from Mexico…

“Welcome…Bienvenidos…” a common phrase and Biblical image with which Andrea and I have become quite familiar over the past few months in the U.S. and Mexico. We left northwest Indiana – our apartment, my seminary, and Andrea’s internship community – in late August, and have basically been traveling ever since. Our journey from St. Paul, MN to Tucson and back (all two months of it) were filled with the refrain of “Welcome!” as we visited people along the way. Our friends and family warmly welcomed us and extended amazing hospitality.

Our experience of living out of a vehicle in the U.S., visiting friends and family, shifted sharply to the south on November 1st when we arrived in Mexico; Cuernavaca to be more specific. On November 1st we began what we hope and expect to be a challenging and deeply moving four-year term of service with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission Unit. Andrea will be working with the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program based in Cuernavaca, and I will be working for the Lutheran Center (LC) in Mexico City.

At this point in our journey (about two weeks in), we have met many new people and seen many new places. In each community we are warmly received, often with the words, “Bienvenidos, Lucas y Andrea. Nuestro casa es su casa!”

These were the first words we heard from Fernando and Angeles when we arrived to stay in their home. This couple of 40+ years meant every word. The next morning Andrea and I found ourselves sitting at their kitchen table surrounded by their three grown children, their spouses, several grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Their children arrived at different times, each time saying, “Bienvenidos!”

“Bienvenidos!” said our teacher Roberto as we arrived at CETLALIC (an acronym), the language school where we will study through the end of November. This school seeks to provide a progressive and welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds, and uses the teaching method of “hear, see, act, reflect.” Many might recognize this as the manner of Liberation theology which sprung from Central American countries in the 1970’s. Our afternoon discussions centered around NAFTA, Mexico’s rich history, and the country’s political situation. Each discussion included a palpable hum around the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

“Bienvenidos!” said Kim, the director and teacher at the Lutheran Center, as we, along with the four YAGM volunteers, arrived for a retreat in the county’s capital. Our theme for the retreat was global food distribution. We reflected on our time thus far in Mexico, and met with a representative of local farmers to discuss the effects of NAFTA and corporate globalization on local communities in Mexico.

“Bienvenidos!” said Sr. Kathy with a smile, as we arrived to stay at CCIDD in Cuernvaca until we found a home of our own. CCIDD (another acronym) is a Christian education center that seeks peace and justice through working with delegations and groups from the U.S. and Canada who come to discuss and learn about local realities of politics, history, and culture in Mexico.
“Bienvenidos!” We look forward to extending this warm welcome to family and friends who come to visit us in our new house, which we found just two days ago. We will take some time to make it home, but look forward to having an open door for all who visit.

Grace and peace be with you as you seek to welcome the strangers among all of us,

Luke Roske-Metcalfe