Worship Workshop

The agenda for the third weekend of January included a joint workshop in México for Mexican pastors and seminary students from Mexico and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS). Worship was the theme of the workshop. Professor Natán led a Bible Study on the elements of worship. Mexican Missionary Mike continued the workshop in a review and discussion of a new Lutheran hymnal in Spanish.

Two of the WLS seminary students, Ryan and Tim, previously served as English teachers in Mexico. It was a special treat for Mexican seminarista (seminarian) Dan to spend time with them.

The Mexican pastors enjoy coming together every two years for a workshop to assist their current ministries. Many of them travel long distances for this study and fellowship, and return to their congregations full of new ideas and encouragement.

Gracias - Obrigado - Merci - Thank You

Professor Natán & Julia

It has been a privilege to serve as coordinator of this informative blog and share the mission work taking place in Latin America through the LATTE team and their students. I thank each LATTE member for this opportunity!

My first blog entry was New Start  posted in November - 2010.

We hope to continue this blog with occasional posts directly from each professor.  

You can also follow us on Twitter (@latteontheroad) or through our Facebook Page (Latin American Traveling Educators) for brief updates and activities.

Please keep the LATTE professors, students, and their families in your prayer in 2013 and beyond!

Teaching Together

One of the joys of being on-site at a mission is to serve with the local ministry as needed.  Last January, the mission congregation in México asked me (Julia) to teach Sunday School to the 7-13 year-old children.  Since that time, our attendance has grown from one to six students.

This semester, there is a change in the classroom. Seminarian Dan and I are serving as a team to teach Sunday School class. Dan is currently studying to be a pastor at the IELC Mexican seminary.

 

The first couple months, I taught the majority of the class while Dan observed and helped as needed with projects and Spanish. Once in a while I stumble on a word that I just can't pronounce correctly or give a good explanation of something.  Dan swoops in and tells the children exactly what I am trying to say.

This month, we've reached the next teaching phase, where we divide the classroom activities into parts. I begin the class by introducing the theme for the day and teaching the Bible story interactively with the children using finger puppets. Then Dan reviews the Bible story with worksheets, projects, and memory work, taking attendance, and closing with prayer.  He's watched the way I do these things and now he is doing most of the things, but in his own way.  It is wonderful to see him teach the key points of the Bible stories and then apply it to our lives, especially the students' lives.

Next week, we will switch activities. Dan will begin the class by introducing the theme and teaching the Bible story with the finger puppets and I will lead the other activities. The following month, Dan will teach the entire class period, and I will be his helper.

Seminarian Luis is currently teaching the children ages 3-6 with Missionary Mike. Dan and Luis will switch classrooms next semester to gain experience working with a different age group.  They are both doing an excellent job and the children love them!

Chiles en Nogada

As we approach September 16, Independence Day in Mexico, lots of restaurants are offering the special dish of "Chiles en Nogada". This delicious meal is served in Mexico during the months of August and September.  Some say it is because the pomegranates are in season, others say it is a way to celebrate Independence Day, and others claim it is a combination of both.

The ingredients include poblano chiles filled with picadillo – filling of meat, spices, & fruit. A walnut-based cream sauce covers the chili, and pomegranate seeds are sprinkled on top. It is also very patriotic displaying the nation’s bandera – flag with green (chili), white (sauce), and red (pomegranate). The way it is served varies from region to region.

If you'd like to try making this delicious meal, click here for the recipe.

Pastoral Retreat in Mexico

Last week, Professor Natán and I joined our Mexican brothers and sisters in faith for a "retiro pastoral" - pastoral retreat. Our group of 43 included 10 Mexican pastors and their families, 2 seminary students, 2 LATTE professors and their wives, and a Mexican missionary and his family.

The mornings began with a group breakfast at the missionary's cabin. The ladies divided into teams to prepare and serve the meals throughout the retreat. I came home with some great new recipes!

After breakfast, all of us headed to a conference room for a devotion. Then the women returned to the cabin for a Bible Study focused on how living in a glass house can be a positive thing. The youth led the children to the cabin next-door to teach them Bible stories and crafts. The men remained in the conference room for two in-depth Bible studies and a workshop to compose a new hymnal.

After the Bible study, the ladies did last-minute grocery shopping and began lunch preparations. Then the entire group met for lunch at the cabin. The afternoon was full of free time to play soccer, swim, hike, nap, and spend time together as a family.

I really enjoyed this time getting to know my sisters in Christ more deeply. To share the joys and challenges of life in Mexico along with being the wife of a pastor. I am extremely thankful for the endless bits of advice that they gave me about basic aspects of daily living, new vocabulary, at home remedies, and living your life as a witness for Christ.

In the early evening, we came together again at the cabin for a devotion followed by a light supper. The day concluded with fellowship and a few guitarists for entertainment. We repeated this schedule for three days in a row.

Created with flickr slideshow.

Everyone cherished these special moments together as many of them live far distances apart, and some of the pastor's wives met one another for the first time. The previous pastoral retreat was 9 years ago, so the group has grown quite a bit from that time. We hope to gather again for the next Mexican pastoral retreat in 2014.

One of the highlights for Natán and me, was to share a video of greetings to our Christian brothers and sisters in Latin America with the group. While we were in the USA on furlough, we interviewed several students, members, and pastors from the Phoenix area in Arizona, the Apache mission in Arizona, attendees at the LWMS Convention in North Carolina who are members of Sure Foundation in New York, New York and are originally from Latin America. We also included greetings from one of the pastors from our sister synod in Brazil. The Mexican pastors and their wives appreciated the greetings so much that they've requested copies to share with their congregations.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Click here for more photos.

Our God Reigns!

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" -- Isaiah 52:7

801 souls gathered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA for the opening worship service of the 49th Annual Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention. What an amazing experience to come together as such a large group and partake of the Lord's Supper with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Each year, this dedicated group of ladies (and men) comes together to support mission work. The group is organized into 61 circuits which represent 884 WELS congregations and four individual members. This year the Heritage Circuit hosted the convention. A record breaking 155 participants were first-time attendees, one being my husband, Natán. 

I have attended many LWMS conventions in the past, in a "behind the scenes" role and more of an encourager. This was my first convention participating as a missionary, being the one encouraged. Wow! Tears fill my eyes when I think of all the hugs and encouraging words we received from these loving sisters and supporters.

My husband and I immensely enjoyed the mission presenters from around the world, sharing how God is reigning in their ministries from countries like Antigua and Mexico; the Apache Nation, WELS Military Services and Sure Foundation in the USA; all the the way to Malawi, Africa, and various places in Asia. We also had the opportunity to share how WELS is taking seminary training across borders through our Latin American Traveling Theological Educators (LATTE) team.

We were delighted to connect with many women from Latin America, many of whom have migrated to the USA and are active members of WELS congregations. Some of them have ties to our mission congregations in the Caribbean. We hope to reach out to their family members who continue to reside in the Latin American countries where we serve.

We thank each dear member of LWMS. May God continue to bless their efforts as they continue to support home and world mission work and prepare for the upcoming 50th Annual LWMS Convention in La Crosse, Wisconsin... where it all began. 

Click here  for additional details about our convention experience.

LATTE Tour Wrap-Up

 My husband Natán and I just completed an amazing two-week tour of presentations in Arizona, USA. Our tour sites included congregations, elementary schools, a high school, a retirement center, and various group Bible studies.  

All of our hosts welcomed us with open arms and warm hearts. We enjoyed sharing how the Lord is richly blessing seminary training in Latin America by sharing personal greetings from our students, telling life stories from the students' lives, and sharing the cultural challenges we face.

We spent a few days at the White Mountain Reservation with the mission team working with the Apache Nation. Both my husband and I were surprised at all the similarities between Latin American and Native American cultures.

In addition to worship services and presentations, we set up a LATTE mission kit display at the majority of our tour locations. This display features flags and a large variety of  hand crafted items from the 10 different countries LATTE serves.  It also includes a photo album offering descriptions of the places and people our team of seminary professors serve and literature provided by Multi-Language Publications that our seminary students use in their own countries. WELS Missions Promotions has three (3) of these kits available for schools, congregations, and other groups. Contact missionspromotions@wels.net or (414) 256-3293 to request a LATTE mission kit to learn more about seminary training across borders and get a taste of life in Latin America.

We thank each of you for your support of the work of seminary training in Latin America through your prayers, offerings, and service.  God be with you until we meet again.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. 

In all my prayers for all of you, 

I always pray with joy because of 

your partnership in the gospel.” 

- Philippians 1:3-5

LATTE - Taking Seminary Training Across Borders

Professor Natán and I have been tweaking our mission presentation: LATTE-Taking Seminary Training Across Borders for the past two weeks. We are endlessly thankful for the technology to be able to communicate and collaborate our efforts while we are currently in separate countries. We are organizing our content into several presentations to tailor them for each of our different audiences-elementary students, high school students, congregation members, ladies’ groups, men’s groups, and retirees.

If you happen to be in Arizona this month, or planning to attend the LWMS Convention in North Carolina in June, we would love to meet you and share the details about our life and ministry in Latin America in person!

MAY TOUR SCHEDULE – ARIZONA

Sunday, 5/13

• 9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ
• 10:45 AM PRESENTATION @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ

Monday, 5/14

• 2:30 PM PRESENTATION @ PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL-MESA, AZ

Tuesday, 5/15

• 9:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN ACADEMY-PHOENIX, AZ

Wednesday, 5/16

• 8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL-PEORIA, AZ

Thursday, 5/17

• 6:00 AM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Friday, 5/18

• 8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL-TEMPE, AZ

Saturday, 5/19

• 5:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN RETIREMENT CENTER-PHOENIX, AZ

Sunday, 5/20

• 8:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
• 9:15 AM PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
• 10:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
• 3:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH-CHANDLER, AZ

Monday, 5/21

• 9:00 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL-GLENDALE, AZ
• 6:30 PM WORSHIP SERVICE @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ
• 7:45 PM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Wednesday, 5/23

• AM PRESENTATION @ EAST FORK LUTHERAN SCHOOL-WHITERIVER, AZ
• 5:30 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ OPEN BIBLE LUTHERAN CHURCH-WHITERIVER, AZ

Thursday, 5/24

• TBD ACTS STUDENTS-WHITERIVER, AZ

Sunday, 5/27

• 11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ
• 12:30 PM PRESENTATION @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ

JUNE TOUR SCHEDULE – NORTH CAROLINA

Saturday, 6/23

• 2:45 PM PRESENTATION @ LWMS CONVENTION-WINSTON-SALEM, NC

We hope to see you soon! ;) 

Pastor Appreciation

 

Isabela & Lulu

Last Sunday after the worship service, two ladies, Isabela and Lulu, asked if they could prepare and serve a meal for the visiting pastors who were participating in the seminary training workshop led by LATTE.  All the participants welcomed the offer.

On Wednesday, Isabela and Lulu arrived a couple hours before lunch time to prepare Pozole (recipe coming soon) - a typical Mexican soup with different ingredients varying from region to region.  Lots of work was put into this homemade meal, which was evident in the taste.  Everyone agreed that it was a delicious meal with many requests for another bowl.   

The ladies wanted to express their appreciation to those who teach and preach God's Word, as they are continually thankful for hearing and knowing the truth, hope, and peace found in the Bible.

It is pure joy to watch these ladies grow in faith and see their love in action and excitement to serve.  Pray that it be contagious!

Isabela and Lulu are taking weekly instruction classes with Pastor Brad to become members of Cristo Resucitado in México.  Both ladies are active with the local ministry and already receive this mission as their church home.

Sancocho (Dominican Style)

This traditional hearty stew type dish is usually made with 5-7 different meats (or whatever is on-hand in the kitchen).  It is a special meal usually served for Christmas or New Years. There are many versions.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs chicken
• 2 lbs pork chops or ham -include bones
• 2 lbs beef -- include bones
• 1 lb  goat meat
• 2 lbs of assorted sausages
• 4 large unripe platanos -- cut into large pieces
• 1 lb potatoes
• 2 lbs yucca -- cut in pieces
• 2 lbs  malanga -- cut in pieces
• 2 lbs  auyama
• 5 ears of corn on the cob -- cut in chunks
• 1 lb yams -- cut into pieces
• 6 liters water
• 4 TBSP oil
• 1 1/2 TBSP oregano
• 5 tsp salt
• 2  sour oranges or 4 lemons
• 2 TBSP celery
• 2 green bell pepper -- cut in large pieces
• 3 onions -- medium size
• 1 TBSP garlic -- smashed
• Thyme -- to taste
• Cilantro -- to taste
• 2 cubes of chicken or beef bouillon
• 2 tsp vinegar
• 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce

Directions

1. Cut chicken into pieces
2. Wash meat (except the sausages) & rub with sour oranges (lemons)
3. Cut into small pieces
4. Brown beef in the oil with oregano, cilantro, thyme, onions, garlic, pepper, Worcestershire sauce (Soy), & salt for 20 minutes
5. Add pork & simmer 15 minutes
6. Add water as necessary to avoid sticking to pan
7. Add chicken with stock & simmer another 10 minutes
8. Bring the water to a boil & add veggies
9. Simmer for about 10 minutes
10. Add meat & simmer until the veggies are soft
11. Mash some of these veggies & place back into pot to thicken broth
12. Serve with white rice and avocado on the side & add some hot sauce (optional) 

Serves a large gathering of family and friends.

 

 

If you are up to the challenge, try cooking up a smaller batch.  I have made this recipe with my English students and congregation members in the Dominican Republic. Each time the ingredients and directions were different, according to the chef, but every time it was absolutely delicious. 

Rosca de Reyes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 packet yeast
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs -- beaten
• 3/4 cup butter --room temperature
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon anise seed
• 4 teaspoons vanilla 
• A small figurine or toy (optional)
• Candied Fruit -- 2 cups of assorted fruit cut into strips (figs, orange, lemon, mango or cherries)

   Topping

• 1 egg beaten (egg wash)
• 1/3 cup sugar (topping)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle yeast on surface of  water (in cup) & let it sit for 10 min
2. Combine yeast water, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, cinnamon, anise seed & vanilla in  large mixing bowl 
3. Mix until a dough forms
4. Knead dough for 5 min
5. Cover & let rise in a warm area until dough is doubled in size (est. 2 hours)
6. Punch dough down and shape into ring 
1. Roll dough into a log shape & bend the ends around to form a circle or you can make three thinner strips and braid them, putting ends together
2. Ring should be 12-14 inches diameter
3. Lift up one area & insert toy by pushing it up through the bottom
4. Smooth out any lumps or tears
7. Add the dried fruit by laying it across the top and pressing it in slightly
8. Let it rise until doubled
9. Brush top with egg wash & sprinkle with sugar 
10. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees

This holiday bread shaped in a ring is common in many Latin American countries to celebrate Día de Reyes - Kings' Day (January 6) with a small Jesus figurine baked inside.  The tradition follows that whoever finds the figurine must host tamales on February 2nd, Día de la Candelaria - Day of the Candles.  Go to http://withlovefromlatinamerica.wordpress.com/?s=balloons+and+bread for more details.

Happy Epiphany!

Christmas in México

Between the flashing Christmas lights and piñatas, you can find nacimientos - nativities on display here in México during the Christmas season. 

In México, many families participate in a posada - commonly a re-enactment of Mary & Joseph looking for an inn in Bethlehem.  Each family in a neighborhood will schedule a night to host the posada during a 9-day period, leading up to December 24th.  Each night, the group of pereginos - pilgrims wander from house to house with lit candles, looking for a place to stay.  They make their request through a special song.  Then they are turned away, until they reach the home of the host, where they pray the Rosary and sing hymns of praise in front of the nativity.  Then the children are blindfolded and try to break open a piñata with a stick.  The piñata is often full of candies, fruit, and peanuts usually accompanied by a regional hot ponche - punch for the adults.

This year, our mission, Cristo Resuscitado, offered special activities during this joyous Christmas season. The events included decorating the church, a Christmas for Kids night, and a fellowship potluck with a piñata for the children (and adults). In preparation for these activities, several of our prospects introduced some Christmas traditions to us. We discovered that children enjoy little wrapped candies and mandarin oranges along with freshly cut sugar cane as a special gift in addition to our homemade cookies. 

Regarding decorations, we found out the nativity scenes can become quite detailed including ponds made out of foil to house ducks surrounded by paper palm trees. Much work is put into setting up the nativity, but baby Jesus isn't placed in the manger until midnight.  This is connected to the family custom of rocking baby Jesus late Christmas Eve after a special meal. 

It is a challenge to distinguish between family traditions and religious customs.  As a mission, we are slowly developing our own congregational Christian traditions with input from the members and prospects focused on Jesus Christ our Savior.

We were delighted to almost have standing room only for our special Noche Buena - Christmas Eve Service and 21 for our Sunday morning Christmas Day service.

May God continue to bless the efforts of telling the story of Jesus around the world!

A Growing Mission

This Sunday, the mission Cristo Resucitado -- Resurrected Christ in México; received its first two members with over 50 people in attendance.  These two new confirmands,  Javier and Victor, have been studying the Bible and its teachings with local  Missionary Brad for the past year.

It has been amazing to watch the Holy Spirit work in their hearts.  Both began attending weekly Bible studies, then worship services regularly, and bringing their families to church activities.  Listening to their initial questions about God's Word transform into concrete affirmations of faith has been heart-warming.  Tears flowed down my face as I witnessed Javier and Victor confess their faith and take Holy Communion with our mission team.

This joyous event has also served as an encouragement to others who are taking instruction classes with Missionary Brad. Several expressed their excitement to become members of the congregation and want to continue to learn more about the Bible and its teachings.

It is neat to watch our church family grow and become active. Some invite friends and family to worship services, Bible studies, and fellowship activities. Some take ownership by providing snacks for after the worship service, cleaning and building maintenance, or donating items as needed.  Last week, a man brought a Christmas tree, this week someone else brought a stand for it, and this Sunday, multiple families brought Christmas decorations.

Being part of the congregation is one of the abundant blessings of serving on the LATTE team. The opportunity to share my faith and build relationships with fellow believers is an awesome privilege I will always cherish.

May God continue to bless the mission efforts in México and around the world.

Cristo Resucitado is located in México and began regular worship services in July, 2010.  The Lord has blessed the efforts of this mission in countless ways as mission workers share the good news of the Savior Jesus Christ with the souls in Léon.  Go to www.luteranosmexicanos.net and www.lutheransinmexico.com for more information on this mission.

Maté Doce

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Ingredients:

• 5 T Sugar
• 3 T Chocolate Power 
• 3 T Water
• 1 Liter Milk
• 1 1/2 Cup Coconut
• Bomba (Portuguese) / Bombilla (Spanish)
• A tube or drinking straw with a strainer at one end, especially for drinking maté (tea) and is a custom to share with others

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 Directions:

1. Mix sugar, chocolate powder, & water together
2. Add milk when sugar, chocolate, & water form a paste
3. Boil for 10 minutes & stir occasionally
4. Pour coconut into a thick cup
5. Insert bomba into coconut
6. Pour hot mixture into a tall cup
7. Cool for 5-10 minutes
8. Drink & share

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Recipe provided by Geiciely & Karla, members of Star of Bethlehem in Dourados, MS, Brazil. A hot drink on a cool winter day.

Between Borders

This month, Professor Natán and I departed our home in México to visit the Lutheran Church in Brazil. Our flight itinerary took us from México through Peru and then Bolivia to Brazil. While changing plans in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, the airline notified us of a problem with our Brazilian visas and would not allow us to board the plan. We were stuck between borders.

As it was 3:00 am on a Saturday morning, we had to wait until Monday morning to visit the local Brazilian Consulate. We did take advantage of the wait and visited some Inca ruins outside the city.

We met with an agent at the Brazilian Consulate as planned and filled out the initial paperwork for a new Brazilian Tourist visa.  The next step was to find a local photo studio to get passport-size photos taken and go to a specific bank to pay the fee to process the visa.  We returned to the Consulate with the photos and payment receipt from the bank.  After we answered a few more questions, the agent told us to return the following day.  We spent the afternoon making new travel arrangements with our stateside travel agent through the Internet via Skype and emailed our contacts in Brazil.

The next day, we went to the Consulate, reviewed the final documentation, signed a couple of papers, and left with new visas in hand. Our new Brazilian visas have a later expiration period as well as a longer maximum stay.

Our 3-hour layover in Bolivia turned into a 4-day adventure. We are thankful to God for his protection during this unexpected delay and that there was a Brazilian Consulate in Santa Cruz that processed ours visas so quickly.

Go to here for more details on this journey.

Moros de Habichuela Negra - Black Beans & Rice

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Ingredients

• 3 cups rice
• 2 1/2 cups of black beans -- soaked overnight & boiled until really soft or canned 
• 3 cups hot water
• 2 garlic cloves -- minced
• 1 Tbsp cilantro
• 1/2 cup celery
• 3 Tbsp oregano
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1/2 large onion
• Green peppers -- optional 
  
• 3 Tbsp Adobe (multi purpose Caribbean seasoning)
• Black pepper -- to taste
• Salt -- a few pinches to taste
• Canola oil -- to coat bottom of pan
• Olive oil -- to drizzle over rice once ready

Directions

1. Add canola oil to bottom of a heavy pan & heat oil on medium high heat
2. Add garlic, onions, chicken bouillon cube, salt, pepper, cilantro, celery & green peppers & saute until garlic & onion are tender (after oil is heated)
3. Add black beans (soft) and saute all together for about 5-6 minutes until the mixture begins to bubble (after garlic & onion are tender)
4. Taste the black bean mixture to adjust seasoning  -- add more salt or adobo if needed
5. Add rice & combine with the bean mixture (after seasoning is adjusted)
6. Stir together until rice & beans are well incorporated
7. Add hot water to rice & beans and stir (water should be about 1 inch above the rice mixture)
8. Bring to a simmer until the water meets the level of rice
9. Stir whole mixture once & then cover the pot
10. Lower heat to low and DO NOT OPEN THE POT OR STIR for 20 minutes
11. Uncover & drizzle some olive oil over rice mixture

 Recipe provided by congregation member in the Dominican Republic.

Tortillas

Ingredients:

• 3 cups masa harina (special corn flour)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups warm water

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl -- adding the water slowly, until dough is tender
2. Knead about 5 min (until dough can form balls)
3. Cover with cloth & let stand for 1 hour
4. Divide the dough into balls -- the size of a small lemon
5. Roll out each ball using the rolling pin on a floured surface until very thin
6. Grill tortilla in a heavy-bottomed skillet or on griddle over high heat 
7. Turn with spatula and cook the other side when edges begin to dry 
8. Cook other side until it begins to fluff up -- 4 to 5 min for each tortilla
9. Wrap in cloth or tortilla warmer to keep tortilla fresh and warm
10. Serve immediately

Recipe provided by an English student in México. 

¡Viva México!

September 16th is Independence Day in México!  Last year, Mexico celebrated its 200th anniversary.  Every year, many proud Mexicans celebrate their independence with family and friends with food, decoration, and fun!

Green - Hope, White - Unity, & Red - Blood of National Heroes

A few fun facts on how they celebrate .... 

The preparations

The planning can begin with handing out party invitations 2 weeks in advance. Other preparations include purchasing food and beverages, cooking, and setting up decorations along with tables and chairs.  

The decorations

Cardboard horns, hats, toys, streamers, balloons, flags are hung everywhere displaying green, white, and red. Costumes can range from charros (cowboys), indios (indians), adelitas (female soldiers from the Mexican Revolution) or chinas poblanas (a tradition dress of the Mexican Revolution era).  Accessories may include sombreros de paja (straw hats), paliacates (bandanas) or rebozos (shawls).

The meal

The meal can offer nachos, guacamole, refried beans, traditional sweets-mazapanes, cocadas (coconut sweets), and glorias (caramels with pecans) as appetizers followed by enchiladas, flautas, tostadas, and tacos.

The drinks

Beverages can include aguas frescas with tamarindo, jamaica, horchata or limón (lemon) in addition to some traditional drinks of tequila - margaritas, palomas (tequila and sour), and banderas (tequila, sangrita, & lemon juice). Micheladas are also popular. 

The music

Live music can often be heard from some marimberos (marimbas), drums, or mariachi.  A collection of ranchera, cumbias and corridos are common along with karaoke.

The games

Lotería, a game similar to bingo, is often played by all in addition to the traditional piñata full of candy.  Throughout the night, week, even month, fireworks will fill the sky.

The grito

Every year, the President of the United States of Mexico repeats the traditional cry for independence from the National Palace in the zócalo of Mexico City, around 11 pm on the eve (15th).  After shouting the names of independence heroes and the words, "Viva México" (Long live Mexico), he rings the bell, then waves the Mexican flag, and then sings the national anthem with a live audience of over a half a million people and many viewers watching it live on television or over the Internet. Many attend similar celebrations locally as their mayor or governor participates in the same tradition in the main plaza of many cities and towns throughout México.

The national symbols

Mexico's first flag was created in 1821 and has changed 8 times.  The current flag for Mexico was adopted in 1968 and made official in 1984. The seal has always been the same-the image of an eagle sitting on a nopal (a type of cactus) devouring a snake, which is from an aztec legend.  This signal lead them to establish the city of Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City). The national anthem was writtten in 1853 by González Bocanegra and the music by Jaime Nunó. It was officially released in 1854.