No, seriously – come to Innisfail for Mexican Independence Day! 🇲🇽 It might be snowing, ðŸŒ¨ï¸ but we'll be cozy inside… https://t.co/RjSd0yq6lk2018-09-15
We’re always thankful for smooth border crossings and travel in general, and for luggage that actually arrives. And that’s what happened this time around.
In fact, God even sent us a large taxi that could take all of us and our luggage at the same time back home!
A sign by the bus depot where I left to pick up our van – a clothing market, and, below, the “SuperFast” bus station.Upon our arrival home, things didn’t go quite as smoothly. No functioning gas meant no stove, and no hot water. Which wasn’t so much of a problem, because – well, there was this major leak in the bathroom. Not really any way to put a bucket under it (and even if you could, who wants to empty a bucket every few minutes?), so we had to shut off the water. So, not much food in the house, no van yet (I had to pick it up in a different city) so no way to get gas and food, and no water – and we went for tacos, but our favourite taco place wasn’t open.
So these things put a bit of a damper on our arrival.
But isn’t it interesting how God has His ways of making you thankful? The next day, the plumber came and fixed the pipe. We got gas. And I sorta had a shower (ok, so water pressure still isn’t a “thing” around here). Then I picked up the van (and something cracked our windshield on the way home — aaack! Enough!) But then we went out for some pozole. So we were very thankful for the simple things, once we got them back!
A few laundry loads and showers (sorta) later, we might even make it to the grocery store today for some actual food to cook. Which we can now cook, because we have gas. But actually, I need some gas in the van. Well, civilization is complicated, isn’t it?Our last evening together in Canada.
Seriously, though, it’s turning out to be a little more of a challenge than we expected to learn how to live in Mexico again, after 15 weeks away. Even before diving into “official ministry”, we’re finding a plethora of things that we need to deal with, expected and unexpected, while we try to remember how everyday life goes. So the first few days are turning out to be a little tough.
However, it’s still hogar dulce hogar – and we’re so thankful for what God has provided, and we know He’s still here – and in Canada too, with Hannah. And we have been reminded that a shower, even with very little pressure, is still a wonder.
You see that? That’s snow. In summer. People in Alberta aren’t impressed. The stores don’t have any winter stuff even for sale.
Hannah is trying to find a winter jacket – but it’s not so easy. There are only a few around, and they’re the pricey ones. 💲💲💲 Must be a run on the stores to find something warm!
Just for the record, last Friday it was 28℃. WHAT is up.
2000 Years of MissionsOk, enough ranting. We’ve had a busy week here. Lots of fun at the 2000 Years of Missions seminar on Tuesday. More appointments and errands this week. And tonight we’re celebrating Mexican Independence at Viva Mexico, which is actually a dinner to welcome the ABC Daycare burn survivors from Mexico. Who, by the way, are searching for donations of warm jackets. Sizes 4-16. Seriously, what is UP with this weather. Oops – how did I get back there? Actually, on the bright side, it is an unexpected delight for some of our guests from Mexico to experience snow for the first time (warm jackets needed).
Anyway, I wanted to give a look ahead, that was the original purpose of this post, right?
In the short term, we would appreciate your prayers as we go to Innisfail tomorrow to share at Innisfail Baptist Church. The service is at 10:30am, if you’re in the area.
We’re a little disappointed that we haven’t been able to see more people here, but everyone is pretty busy. But you’re welcome to join us tomorrow!
We will hit the ground running when we get back to Mexico. There’s a conference for missionaries in the country, just a few days after we get back. So we’ll be loading up the suitcases again.
There’s a church in California that is interested in partnering with the ministry in Ixtapaluca, and they’ve invited the church leaders to come join them for the Expositores 2018 conference (Expositors Conference, in Spanish). So Lord willing I’ll be up in the US for a weekend for some teaching and fellowship. It will be a good time to get to know the church, but also a good time to catch up with what’s been going on in Ixtapaluca while we’ve been gone.
A few weeks ago we found out that our coworkers will be in the US until the end of December, so we’ll be under an extra load when we get back. So we would certainly appreciate your prayers as we hear from everyone about how things are going and what new and old needs there are, and as we seek to shine the Lord’s light in Mexico again.
Tomorrow is Independence Day! So enjoy some Mexican food, and – if you want to be involved – pray for the people of Mexico – especially those we will be serving when we return.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind… https://t.co/gnhhUGEJMq2018-09-10
I’m just about ready to pack the car with our gear for part 2 of 2000 Years of Missions, the seminar that we’re presenting tonight at First Evangelical Free Church in Calgary. If we haven’t been able to see you yet, and you’re in the area, I hope you’ll come! 7:00pm tonight. 😊
We would appreciate your prayers for the seminar tonight, as I have been somewhat sick the last couple of days, so I need energy.
We had a very active weekend – kind of ridiculous, actually – but we had some great visits with people, and got some details worked out for Nathanael’s school, and a good time of ministry in Cremona.
Actually, I had the neat opportunity to pray for the Reddekopp family as they prepare for future ministry in Mexico – praise the Lord!
Praying for the Reddekopps in CremonaAnd – Hannah was able to join us for the weekend! Yay! Now she’s back with her class – on a bike trip in Drumheller. 🚴â€â™€ï¸
Next weekend we’ll be together again, actually. We’ll be serving at Innisfail Baptist Church. Be sure to come and hear about what God is doing in Mexico! The service starts at 10:30am.
We do appreciate your prayer for our ministry over the next few days. Also, please continue to pray for our coworker who has been healing from cancer treatment, but is still greatly struggling with health issues. She ended up in the hospital again today – she’s doing all right, but please pray that she would be encouraged (her family too!), and that God would continue to bring her healing.
10 years ago this month we were having a very patriotic time in Mexico City! It was a part of our orientation time, and Shari and I went to see the Ballet Folklórico, and spent some time exploring downtown Mexico City.
We even got some pictures of the lowing of the flag, right in the zocalo (main downtown square). Here you go…
And here’s a close-up of the above, showing the soldiers doing their job:
If it’s raining, or if there’s a chance of rain, the flag won’t be raised or lowered. The reason being, the flag gets far too heavy to handle – I’m sure you can see why!
You see that? That’s snow. In summer. People in Alberta aren’t impressed. The stores don’t have any winter stuff even for sale.
And here’s a close-up of the above, showing the soldiers doing their job:
If it’s raining, or if there’s a chance of rain, the flag won’t be raised or lowered. The reason being, the flag gets far too heavy to handle – I’m sure you can see why!