DARKENED HEARTS

This is an article that Dad wrote for the Mexican Indian Mission newsletter during the 1950's or early 60's 

RELIGIOUS CONFUSION ~by Loren Ediger

1971-1972

"Immediately in front of me was a whole gallery of paintings and diverse 
objects in a profusion of colors.  The center piece was a felt cloth measuring
12" X 8" inches and painted on it was the VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE, the brown version Virgin Mary that the Mexican Catholics venerate.
In the upper left hand corner was a miniature altar with a glowing colored light illuminating the Christ Child in His mother's arms.  Below that was a bronze crucifix.  To the right was a well secured aluminum plate with bold letters, 'We are faithful Mexicans because we honor the Virgin'.  Under that was a picture of Santa Claus with the words, "Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.'  Dangling over the glass windshield was a rabbit's foot.
All this I saw as I took a front seat on a bus to one of the villages.  The bus driver had fastened all these items above his windshield.  Second class buses many times are kept in poor condition.  Overloading causes many accidents.  Thus in desperation, a bus driver appropriates just about anything religious that he thinks will assure him protection and help.  He represents the insecurity of many in Mexico who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.
 Recently, we were invited to a home in a village just a few miles out of Puebla City.  This young man had accepted the Lord through the witness of one of our former HOME FOR GIRLS girls and he wanted us to visit his parents.  Darkened hearts from a fanatical village made it difficult to know how to approach them.
The house showed much signs of superstition. Pictures of saints and idols dominated the bare one-room house.  The mother expressed what we had heard before:  "We don't know any better.  We do not know how to read and we will probably continue to follow the same religion that our ancestors taught us."

Typical one-room house

What were they taught?  What were they led to believe? --That some magic touch, through mysterious rites, would solve their many problems and somehow, sometime bring peace to their hearts and minds.
It was the father's saint's day, or birthday.  He was born on Candalario day so his name was Candelario. CANDELARIO DAY - CLICK HERE 
 Andres, one of our Christian young men went with me.  He played some accordion music in Candelario's honor after which we read the 91st Psalm(Psalm 91) and mad the way of salvation clear through John 3. (John3) He was deeply impressed with this show of love for him.  We trust that this will not be the only contact we have with this family and that there will be definite decisions for Christ.

1958 ish

The bus driver as well as the farm family and many others will continue to live a life of helplessness and uncertainty as long as they do not hear the true way and allow the Spirit of God work in their lives.
Christ can and does end religious confusion"

A SLICE OF LIFE: #1

So, I thought I would share my 5 day adventure and time of respite away from the daily grind of care giving, not that it has been arduous, however, it can take a toll.

Ready to fly out of Burbank

I traded this experience from the quietness of senior care to the opposite end of the spectrum, reconnecting with the grand kids.
I began this adventure at our local airport in Burbank due to its close proximity to our house.BOB HOPE AIRPORT  Our house is under the landing approach and one can see landmarks of our neighborhood from the plane.  The planes fly over our house, give or take one house or another, using Sherman Way as their guideline.  Once-in-awhile while on a walk through the neighborhood, a stray plane will go over one block away.
When my plane is due back home, when it flies over our house, then it is time to head for the airport  to be picked up.

My plane, Redmond airport getting ready

What I thought interesting while waiting for my flight was that it was very relaxing and if you are in to people watching.I observed several carrying Porto’s paper bags. PORTOS'-BAKERY-CAFE-BURBANK
 Yes, they say one can carry a cake on board.   Now Porto’s Bakery for those of you locals is just down the way from the airport. It is not the place to take a senior who has hearing aids and it takes patience to stand in line for the food (mostly Cuban type), however, their carrot cake is scrumptious and made from the real thing.  It is the noisiest eating place that I have ever been to, Stone Fire being the second.STONE FIRE GRILL

Capturing some of the Sisters

After boarding the plane,those “puddle Jumper” size ones that only hold around 70, in Burbank, a strange request came over the intercom with a message from the pilot.  He stated that we did not have enough baggage in the hold and was requesting two volunteers to go sit in the seats in the back so as to even up the load as those smaller planes are very sensitive to balance load issues.
  Due to the fact that united charges fees for any checked luggage, I could understand the weight dilemma.   Everybody had carry-on luggage.  The overhead compartments were taxed to the limit.  I hoisted my overloaded back pack and pushed and shoved it in to fit, along with 50 other people making their way to their seats. The overhead was packed.
(Next time perhaps, I’ll try Alaska or Southwest.)
My feet froze all the way to Redmond despite wearing socks.

Somewhere in Oregon just before Redmond, Arriving at sun set

Upon arriving in San Francisco it was cold & windy, we had quite a hike up to the main terminal, down off the plane, walk between barricades, and then up on ramps and into those tubes that finally led to the main terminal.  Finding myself all out of breath, I made my way to those very comfortable plush,sofa-like chairs and collapsed to catch my breath,regain composure and eat a sandwich while waiting for the connecting flight only to repeat the hike in reverse.  (Determined on the return flight to take it a little slower, which I did.)

I Have Arrived.  Waiting for Amy to pick me up

The plane landed in Redmond just as the sun was setting.
So apparently when one reaches a certain age, they stamp paw prints on your boarding pass and are not required to take off shoes going through security. 

I HAVE REACHED A GOOD AGE!

BIRTHDAY FUN

Keeping busy

I liked that but it got me to thinking if it only occurred at the small airports.
I was also impressed with a cute special waiting area for children to occupy their time while waiting.

KID PORT -PLAY AREA

The return flight was about an hour late leaving as some mechanical failure prevented immediate departure, however, they had us all sit on the window ledge for about 20 minutes, we then boarded a hot stuffy plane only to sit another half hour.  The pleasant, European sounding accented voice of our female pilot kept us informed.  At the end of that jaunt, I was pleasantly surprised to see our kind of short, stocky, blond, happy pilot lady, a first for me in my not so frequent plane adventures.

CLOUD RIPPLES- Approaching S.F

Sandwiched in-between those plane rides was a pleasant visit with my daughter and the grand kids.
The girls gave up their bed room for the four nights I was there.  The children greeted me enthusiastically and of course were disappointed that it was so close to bedtime but tomorrow would be another day.
The next morning after breakfast, we set off on a trek to the park, three kids on bikes, one in the stroller with the snacks along with and extra neighbor kid that joined us along the way.

SNACKING AT THE PARK

Having forgotten the water bottles to go with the snack, a bunch of thirsty kids, no drinking fountain, other than that in the restroom faucet (Yuck), we cut our visit to that park short.

MORNING GLORIES

The very blue skies, the fresh air, the flowers in front yards yielded to a very pleasant walk back to the house and nap time, again gaining a few extra kids on their bikes along the way.

WILD FLOWERS

With renewed energy we went to the central fountain across from Redmond City Hall.  It was a warm day and a good way to release energy and cool off.

Cooling off

Another day we went to a super cool park with interesting things to do.

Another park with cool activities

Thurs. of that week, apparently was my birthday.

I was wondering why it was sooo quiet at 7am that morning and I had slept in. Each child was busy with an electronic device. Then my fantastic fun four-year-old grand daughter said "Happy Birthday, grammie" with a big hug. Gotta love those hugs. The bestest of gifts.

That evening I was treated to a Mexican dinner at The Mazatlan Family Mexican  Restaurant.  All the waitresses came over to our table, put a Charro hat on me and sang happy birthday.  To top it off, the flan dessert was to die for.

My fantastic, fun-loving-four-year-old grand daughter had such a fun time with that hat.
We made a late, almost at closing time trip to the Good Will and found some treasures.  Just my daughter and oldest grand daughter.
Another highlight on Saturday morning with no more than two kids in tow, we searched around the blocks searching for useful and used stuff to buy or otherwise called garage/yard sales and found some useful treasures.

TREASURES FOR LILY

One thing that always impresses my mind as to how many books abound at the thrift stores and yard sales up here in Oregon.  We found that to be true on other trips up there.
At one sale, there was about 10 boxes of children’s books.  I enquired as to why and the lady replied that she had just retired as a teacher and was trying to repurpose all her books to good use and was happy when I bought some for the grand kids.

I spotted a scrounger

A Techie in process

"No one loves you more than me.  I love you more than you think.  You will always be the best.  I love you more eney thing." ~7-yr.-old Chloe

The girls made special LOVE HEARTS with the tiniest shells I have ever seen.  They added ribbon so I "can hang it on my Christmas tree"  this year with a feather for flair.  So much love poured into these projects.  I will treasure these little symbols of their love.

THE PERFECT END ~

Love Notes for my birthday

MY FIRST RIDE ON A "CHICKEN BUS"

I am pretty sure that the buses in Mexico are a bit more comfortable these days, however, in the early 1950’s they were not comfortable and  a little bit chaotic sometimes on the infamous ‘chicken buses’, definitely not like the first class buses we would take to the border.  On the other hand maybe they have not changed.

A "Chicken Bus"

A "Chicken Bus" or "camioneta" is the main form of local transport between towns, villages and cities throughout Mexico and it is usually the cheapest option for traveling.
 They are usually an old school bus from the USA or Canada which has been brightly painted. often with religious motif's and the Virgin Mary on the dash and a dangling rosary from the rear view mirror, which may justify their use of excessive speed and driving techniques such as overtaking around a blind corner on a narrow road on the top of a hill.

They are called "chicken buses" because they are commonly used by locals for the transport of stock (including live-stock such as chickens) from one place to another.

My first ride on a “Chicken Bus”, September 1949.

Three weeks old

Having carefully wrapped their almost one-month old little bundle of joy, they set off early in the morning to grab a seat near the front of the bus. 

A Crowded Chicken Bus

Late comers were subjected to standing in the isle and overcrowding with chickens and produce in the upper racks headed toward Zacapoaxtla at the end of the road on a market day.
   Another advantage of sitting up front avoided an occasional dirty diaper that was tossed out the window only to come flying in on some irate passenger through an open window several rows behind.  (My mother told me this yrs. ago and confirmed by Dad later.  While traveling, she did not keep the dirty diapers, she also just tossed them out the window while other young mothers wrapped theirs in banana leaves.  Paper diapers as they were called back then were a luxury at that time and unaffordable, however, mother did get a few in the baby shower care package from back home.)DISPOSABLE DIAPER HISTORY CLICK HERE
Arriving in Zacapoaxtla, (5,000ft), they secured a room in an inn with accommodations for horses and pack animals.  Fog and rain had set in.  They had just arrived at one of the wettest spots on the Eastern slope of Mexico.  It was damp and cold and smelled of mold, while their sheets and bedding hung drying over charcoal burners for drying.
Their room would not be ready til dusk as the maid scattered around preparing the room.
Their little bundle of joy, totally oblivious to all the activity, slept soundly to what was the beginning of many changes for her.

Three weeks old

Due to miscommunication and knowing very little Spanish, no one came the next day to meet them as prearranged.
After several days they set out on foot toward Zapotitlan via Xochitlan with a “mozo” (a young helper), in the rain, and one umbrella to keep their precious bundle dry.  Aware that they would never reach their destination by night fall, wet, tired, and very discouraged they stayed in Xochitlan.  THE HUACAL~MEXICAN PIONEER BACK PACK CLICK HERE
However, shortly later the men and horses arrived from Zapotitlan to escort them the rest of the way.  With five adults and a sleepless night in a tiny room, sleeping on the floor, they set off the next day for a 6 hour journey.

Two and a half months old

  And their tiny bundle slept.
This was their first experience in the lack of adequate communication in pre-phone and pre-cell days.A PIONEER SPIRIT- MY MOTHER CLICK HERE
They finally arrived at their final destination, Zapotitlan de Mendez and first assignments, a remote semi-tropical village along the banks of the Sempoala River.  (Sempoala meaning in Aztec, 20 major bends in this large river.)  REMINISCING WITH DAD ABOUT ZAPOTITLAN CLICK HERE

A COLORFUL LIFE WITH DAD CLICK HERE 

THE JEEP CHRONICLES CLICK HERE

Our first home in Mexico~Zapotitlan

BUSTED AT THE BORDER

WILLY

1959 Tensions and Difficulties. I was around nine yrs. old... Dad arrested!

May 1959

For some reason I have always been fascinated by this particular story, memory from the past as we were waiting excitedly, anxiously, and expectantly toward the arrival of my Wedgwood grandparents and their dog, Sandy in Mexico. This was a big occasion for our family.

A newly purchased Jeep, in Hammond Indiana 1953

The Story as recounted by Dad, "On April 30, I drove the Willy's Jeep to Mexico City, leaving it in a parking lot near the Wycliffe Bible Translators headquarters...I then took a night bus, expecting to arrive in Nuevo Laredo at 7am. and then meet the folks.

In Puebla waiting for Tommy to arrive, June 1959

However, as the bus arrived at the 15 kilometer check-point, an officer boarded the bus, asking for tourist cards."

1954

"I was asked where my car was."...No amount of explaining on Dad's part as to where the car was and that he was not intending to cross the border at this time would do. The officer assumed he had sold the Jeep in Mexico for a profit. Dad was arrested, put in a patrol car and taken to the detention center at customs. He was charged of the crime of selling cars in Mexico. The next days news paper carried the story. There were no accommodations for sleeping except a hard bench and 100 degree weather and nobody would talk to him except "the radio operator who was interested in learning English." At meals, he was escorted to a nearby coffee shop to purchase his own meal and that of the officer as well.

With Grandpa Edwin Wedgwood and G.Grandma Emily in Hammond Indiana, 1953

Notice how packed the Jeep is.  We often sat on top of the baggage.

1953

A MAN READY TO FOLLOW

1926, Sunday School Times,

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him." ~Hudson Taylor

In the early 1930's, at the age of 12, Dad developed the sense that God had called him for a particular task and gave his life to the Lord.
He was convinced that God would have him be a missionary after reading a recruiting notice in the Sunday School Times, a paper that his father subscribed to.
Through out childhood Dad was deeply influenced by the week of missionary conventions held each year.

Listening to God's chosen servants deeply impressed him.  He was fascinated by the slide shows and descriptions of different cultures and people in need of the gospel.
Later on reminded of that recruiting notice, and clearly sensing what God would have him do with his life, he set his eyes on Mexico.

High School Year Book Photo

After graduating from high school in 1939 there were pressures to get a job and further education looked dim as WWII had brought about increased stress on a growing family.  The family had lost everything due to the depression.
As conditions improved, so did the encouragement from his family.  Buoyed by this, he began a three-year program at Simpson Bible School (Simpson University) in Seattle Washington.

Simpson Bible College, on Phinney Ridge in Seattle, 1940-1943

 Loneliness and separation from family, a prelude to future experiences transpired.
They were days of personal spiritual growth as well as learning how to work for Christ, a time of ministering at the Beacon Light Mission, in the heart of Seattle's Ghetto while attending classes.

The Beacon Light Mission, Yestler Way, Seattle, Wa., 1941

The experiences at the Mission proved to be invaluable as he was exposed to different cultures, poverty, and sin which further resolved his ambition to be a missionary, however, after his first year, he was having serious doubts about mission work.  There was the temptation to settle into some part time Christian work around home.  He would then be assured that no "I have called you to full-time work."
One summer while working on the family farm he decided that he would not go back to school.  He did not feel confident getting up in front of a group to speak and the speech classes terrified him.  He felt more at home with the visitation ministry and encouraging others.

Still bears that scar as a reminder of what might of been

As he was out working one day, he got the right index finger caught in the moving parts of a power take-off mower and almost lost it.
He took that as a sign to renew his vision for full-time ministry.

Loren at Camp on the Hood Canal in Poulsbo, Wa. 1943

Loren with the Sunday School on Yestler Way, Seattle

Each year, the weeks of missionary conventions at Simpson, bolstered by the privilege of hearing God's chosen missionaries had left a lasting impression on both, further challenging Dad to pursue this ministry. With encouragement from Pop and Mom and with the support of the entire family they set out that hot July summer day in 1948

After a period of time working for the American Sunday School Union in Montana and various camps, he spent time working on the family farm in Oregon

while courting my mother, betrothal date, October 5, 1946 and later married June 13, 1947.

JUNE 13, 1948, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” I Cor.3:9

My mother wholeheartedly accepted the idea of working together on a foreign field and was ready to go with him, neither, comprehending the immensity of that decision, she a city girl and he a farmer boy.
The hardships while growing up shaped Dad's experiences.  He lived in an economically pressed family during the depression.  He built on the foundations of those hardships and passed some of them on to me.  They were committed to each other and committed to the adventures ahead with the theme of   I Cor. 3:9.
For other adventures from my mother's notebook read,  WHAT WERE THEY THINKING CLICK HERE


A WORK OF PROVIDENCE~CLICK HERE