I know what happens in Mexico is supposed to stay in Mexico, and regarding things like which one of the five of us was closest to not making it to the restroom in time that will hold true.  However, there are some things we need to celebrate!  When that trip was put together back in January I was the only one of us who was here at The Patio.  As of today every person who went down to Mexico City is now a part of our community of faith!

I totally didn’t see that coming! 

Vickie, we are so glad to have you with us and I can’t wait to see how God is going to use you to reach the community!

Every time I have ever gone to Mexico there has always been that sense of longing to come home…even on the trips when I am having a great time!  Sometimes this feeling begins in the airport as I prepare to board my flight home.  At other times the longing is strongest two days after I get off the plane.  Maybe its due to missing Kristan (and now Nolan), maybe its the leaving all my work behind, heck…maybe its the addiction to Herbie’s Cheeseburger Plates that divides my focus.  It doesn’t really matter I guess, the point is, there is a battle waged within myself as I try to minister faithfully in a place that I am keenly aware is not my home.

The entire team was really feeling the affects of this longing yesterday as we were returning.  All 5 of us were going insane as the pilot told us for the 4th time that there would be a “short” delay.  That by far was the most frustrating!  Sitting there, waiting to go home, completely inactive…useless.  I was reminded of my grandfather who pushed back retirement for years until finally he physically was unable to continue working.  He tried so hard to remain purposeful around the house.  In his mind he is pretty much just waiting to die.  There are no more children to raise, no more jobs to accomplish, not a woman to woo, not even grass to mow or dishes to clean.  Just the waiting. 

On that airport runway as we waited I felt the same way.  The pictures we had taken were the only thing left of our trip.  Just waiting to go home.  I guess its not really a stronger feeling of longing on the last day than it is on the first; the distraction of serving God in Mexico had just been taken away.   

Life is good in old Mexico.  We are being stuffed like pigs though.  Everyone is doing so well!  Jason and Jeff are acclimating themselves really well.  The kids love Jason of course, and the adults really like Jeff a lot!  Steph and Vickie have really shown what a brief week of experience (from 2 years ago) will do.  Especially Vickie.  I am so incredibly proud of this girl!  She has demonstrated a missionary spirit like a champ.  We are truly blessed to have her on this trip with us!

Tomorrow is Zocalo day.  Friday is Pyramides.  Today is rest.

No club members yet (that I know of), but I did throw up for the first time in Mexico.  Its all good though.  Im not miserable sick.  Just a little tummy ache.  I feel good now after getting it all out!

Later

Day two has been great!  Jason led the group in a worship song, and everyone is participating well with the kids in the escuela biblica.  Suprisingly most everyone slept pretty well, except for Jeff who got up at 5am and couldnt go back to bed. 

A couple of suprises have happened.  Kibsa (our bilingual contact) is busy with school and work and not really around much. This means our lack of Spanish is more problematic.  We are all doing really well though.  Especially Jason and Jeff who, without knowing really anything, are trying very hard.

Also, there was an accident a few days ago which led to the entire colony we are in not having any running water.  Not for showers, not for washing hands, not even for toilets.  We have to walk 15 minutes to a bathroom…or explore alternate options which shall remain unsaid!

The final suprise – apparantly I am on the schedule to preach not once, but twice.  Tonight and on Friday!  Again, Kibsa is not around to translate so I have to preach in Spanish.

I love Mexico!

We have arrived here in D.F. (Mexico City) safe and sound.  After an early flight and a lot of travelling we are finally settling down. 

Our first notable language mistake was mine, when I was trying to say that I couldnt get the words out of my mouth, but accidently replaced the word for mouth (boca)with cow (vaca).  Jason accidently went in to kiss a guy b.c. he didn{t understand that part of the culture.  The guy set him straight pretty quick!

Anyway, my email wouldnt come up so this is my official communication to home.  Kristan and Nolan, I love you.  Kris – would you shoot Jenn Chauncey an email letting her know that Jeff is ok…in his words he is a -praise machine-…I guess that means he is doing well.

More to come soon.

We leave early tomorrow morning.  I hope to be able to blog at least once a day from an internet cafe around the corner.  Keep posted for prayer requests and stories from the field. 

Much love.

6 years ago I was in Mexico City counting the days until I got to leave.  Now, I am a week away from going back for the 7th time.  5 of us are heading down to to work in Bethania, a small church in the city.  They are putting on a VBS for neighborhood kids which will be so much fun!  We honestly have no idea what exactly we will be doing, but I am sure there will be a lot of playing with the kids, soccer, attempted conversations, being laughed at, and prayer. 

Life in Mexico is so laid back.  It can be kind of annoying for a person like me.  Example: we are a week out from the trip and Kibsa (my contact) hasn’t replied to an email of mine in like 3 months!  I don’t know if he is picking us up from the airport or not.  If not, we are going to have to take the metro for 2 hours and wander around the streets of Tacubaya until I see something familiar!  I can see Stephanie getting frustrated already!

Things I look forward to:
Tacos al Pastor
Kibsa
Spanish worship songs like “Todopoderoso” and “Sumergeme”
The ninos
Soccer – when in Rome
Pyramids
The Zocalo
Tacos al Pastor
Mi familia
Flying into Mexico
The Metro
Groseros – I just think that word is funny
Seeing who joins the club – club membership is for those who don’t make it to the restroom on time! 
Pan
Watching Jason eat Pancita thinking it is Pan
Pushing my papaya (yuck) onto someone else’s plate
Late night worship time
Tacos al Pastor.

Its gonna awesome!