10 years ago today I had the privilege of sharing the gospel at our community centre closing program for the semester. The main theme was the message of the angels to the shepherds, but I started out talking about some Mexican and Canadian Christmas traditions. And, a big family tradition – belgium cookies!
Today I’m remembering so many people who are no longer here in Mexico. This picture is from a team meeting that we had in Puebla ten years ago today. One has gone on to be with the Lord. Three of our younger members went on to other things in other countries. Some were short or mid-term missionaries, who returned home. Some simply went on to other ministries.
So – we miss them! But we’re happy that some are still here as well, although we don’t see them as much as we would like.
Here we were in 2014, standing in front of the Estrella de Puebla (Star of Puebla), a ferris wheel with a Guinness Record (2013) for “the world’s largest portable observation wheel”. (Portable?? Apparently, yes – it can be taken apart and put into a 40×20 foot container. Who knew? But it’s huge-gantic, 80 metres high.)
Anyway, we rode on it, and took a picture in front of it. Just click on the picture below for a larger version.
10 years ago today, we went to visit our friend and fellow missionary Chalo in the city of Puebla, and went for a drive in his 1922 Model T Ford. You can read more about that right here. Meanwhile, here are a couple of pictures:
Ten years ago today, we were having a kids’ club in the community of Las Palmas. This special outreach was in partnership with some friends from the church in the community of Santa Barbara, the “first” Path of Life Bible Church in Ixtapaluca.
That’s pretty cool, but there’s something else cool about this picture. Two of the little kids that you see here learning about the Lord Jesus are now in our youth group. They were helping me last month to teach songs to the kids at our vacation Bible school at the Path of Life. They are now reaching other kids with the gospel!
And you’ll also spot Nathanael in this shot, who is now serving the Lord in Canada. Hannah was old enough to help with the kids, but she’s not in this picture.
10 years ago was a fun time. We had these four who happened to be here at the same time, helping with the ministry. And once they had all arrived, we went and did some touristy things in Mexico City.
Here they are, downtown! You can see the fine arts centre, Bellas Artes, to the left, and a corner of the Latin American Tower directly behind them (to the right of the steeple). Malu, Julian, Jessica and Emily! Just click the picture for a larger version.
Choosing a photo from ten years ago was hard – July 2014 was a very photogenic month. I guess that’s because we travelled all across Canada and the USA, visiting family and friends. Lots of great memories!
After a breakdown in the USA (which led to more time with some friends there!), and an equally disastrous “repair”, we drove madly on to Ontario where we were finally able to enjoy a break at Fair Havens. I’m not sure it ever lived up to its name more.
So this is a shot of Hannah and Nathanael from a day of fun family games – 10 years ago today.
I can’t help a bonus – strolling with the Canada geese down one of my favourite roads in the world, also at Fair Havens: