Family

That fall was probably one of the most difficult times of my life. Absolute chaos, in so many ways – uncertainty, hardly time to sleep, and just waaaay too many balls in the air. But somehow or another, on the 31st of October 2006, we left Canada on our way to Mexico.

Once we made it to Texas, we met up with friend and fellow missionary Alan McManus, who had been in the USA visiting family and picking up a few needed items. It was on this day – 10 years ago – that we followed Alan across the Río Bravo (called the Rio Grande in the USA), to start a new phase of life living in Mexico.

The border crossing was remarkably uneventful, and we were blessed with safe travels down (even though we were about to become horrendously sick for a few days – but let’s not get into that!).

That night we stayed at a hotel, and went to get pizza (Domino’s, I think – who would have thought our first supper in Mexico would be pizza?).

I look back with gratitude to God at those ten years in Mexico. In the weeks before we left, there were times we wondered if we would make it at all. Many times of urgent prayer. But God provided every step of the way.

Our first year and a half were spent in the city of Cuernavaca, going to classes and worshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Iglesia Bíblica El Renuevo (The Renewal Bible Church). Then we moved to Ixtapaluca in Mexico City, where we had the privilege of seeing Mexican leadership officially take over the work of Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida (Path of Life Bible Church).

Then it was a new part of Ixtapaluca – Jesús María, where we saw the birth and growth of another local church – Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida Jesús María. We watched as God brought people to life and gave them a hunger for His Word.

And this month – we have seen the beginnings of a new group of believers in the community of Las Palmas.

God has blessed us with so many new friends here in Mexico (and continuing friendships outside of Mexico) – people who have counselled us and spoken God’s Word to us and encouraged us. He has shown us His grace over and over.

And today we still pray for many of the same things we prayed for in the first place – understanding, health, friendship, opportunity. That somehow God would use us to bring new life in an area where there are so few believers.

Thank you to all of you who have been a part of this ministry!

I have lots to do today – no time to reflect as much as I would like to. And how could I write a post that would do justice to what God has done over 10 years?

But just for fun, let me leave you with this almost-10-year-old podcast featuring Hannah and Nathanael. Less than a month after our arrival in Mexico, I asked them what they liked about it. Today they still like it, after living most of their lives here!

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