Rev. Kim James It's late Sunday afternoon, and I finally have some free time to reflect on these busy days in Mexico.  The past five days have been so richly full of Spanish language classes, lectures about various important people and programs, outings to museums, ancient archeological sites, outdoor markets, and centuries-old churches.  In these days, we've been exposed not only to Mexican culture today, but also its indigenous predecessor cultures and the displacing effects of the Spanish conquistadors and the Christian missionaries.  In the midst and in between all these intentional exposures, there have been many informal conversations.  Some of those have been spoken in English as we from the Mountain Sky Area have come to know each other much better during school breaks, over meals, and en route by foot, bus, or taxi.   I have especially enjoyed and appreciated getting to know Rev. Cynthia Paquette of Ft. Collins First UMC.  Cyn...

Rev. Jim and Joanie Calhoun Another incredible day! Grande Dios! We said goodbye to our teacher Roman. We said hello to many new friends and experiences, highlighted by our visit to an Ecumenical Catholic church which ministers to and with LGBTQ persons. Love, compassion and acceptance permeated the atmosphere. For a moment we had a preview of the kingdom of God. Anticipation runs high as we enter our second week. Jim and Joanie enjoying lunch in Taxco Rev. Denise Bender We are moving along rapidly with learning Spanish. I'm so grateful to Mario and Francesco for their patience and encouragement. Our conversations contain more and more Spanish words and phrases. Our education does not end with classroom learning. We had a great opportunity to meet a bishop of the ecumenical Catholic Church. The stories of those who are part of the congregation were hard to hear because of the universal truth in their stories of being people on margins. This part of the LGB...