InTheTemazcal

Eduardo Gomes–Manaus International Airport, Manaus, Brazil. Source: Wikimedia. As the circle continues, Jordan returns from Manaus to his family and home, in the Midwest. May the jornada , or journey,  home give him time to reflect, and may he take the opportunity to experience his present and enjoy the wonder of travel in a world of technology, bringing him home safely to his loving family. On my part, I awoke at four in the morning just in time to see the waxing moon ... a sliver away from the full moon, in a clear sky, through my window. I thought of Jordan and his jornada and of his father's request that I've fulfilled through my thoughts each day during his journey. I'm grateful to have participated, and I'm glad to have done my part, so far. I'll be looking for a message to let me know that he has arrived safely, and I will provide my thanks then. ...con todas mis relaciones!

Catedral Nossa Senhora da Conceição - Manaus, Brazil. The night of the second Sunday of Jordan's travels, finds the waxing gibbous moon of mid-July two nights away from the full moon. Today Jordan and his group celebrate their holy day ... Sunday. I'm guessing that they will attend mass ... perhaps a mass dedicated to thanksgiving for the fruits of their travels and the time they've spent together practicing English and celebrating the gospel. I'm guessing that they will revisit, in their minds, the human bonds that have formed during these days. Here, to the north, my wife and I celebrate our morning with rest, and I give thanks for rest from the week's work. I'm thankful that Jordan too has this day of rest and wonder how he'll spend his day. Happy Sunday, Jordan. ...con todas mis relaciones! 

On day five of the new moon of the beginning of July of 2016, during the waxing crescent, Jordan began his journey from the Midwest to Manaus. Today, on the seventh day of his trip, the waxing gibbous moon will shine its twelfth day on both of us. "And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done." Genesis 2:2, New Revised Standard Version I wonder how he rested today, and I wonder how his church will rest tomorrow, on its holy day. As I, myself, rest today, I give thanks that Jordan is enjoying this opportunity with the  Christ Community Church Brazil Go Team! I'm thankful for Hung's attention to frequent invitations to participate in important events in his life. I'm thankful for the news I hear, off and on about the health and union of his immediate family and all of his relationships. I'm thankful for interacting with him and my opportunity, health, and willingness to ...

Satellite view of the Amazon Rainforest, the destiny of Jordan's jornada today. Source: Wikipedia Commons, created by NASA, with modifications by the World Wildlife Fund. Today, a young man, Jordan, the son of a friend, travels on his evangelical mission to Manaus, Brazil, and twice, since learning of his endeavor, we have sung after speaking his name in the temazcales of Durango, in the Valle Guadiana of Mexico. I accompanied my brothers and sisters, including el Oso Hector, Oso Margarita, Goyito, Antonio, Martin, and others in the steamy heat of two ceremonies, during the waxing moon of mid-June. In the temazcales of Durango we speak of “todas nuestras relaciones,” or, “all our relationships,” or, sensu lato , “all of my relatives.” The “guia,” or, “guide,” during each of four doorways may ask the “caminantes,” or, literally, “those who walk,” to speak, pray, or reflect. Caminantes generally focus prayers often focus on those with whom each caminante has relations...