Ten years ago today, Hannah and Nathanael were involved in spring celebrations at their schools. The picture below shows Hannah and also David Fry (far right). Hannah was in a play, where – I think – she played a bird. Something with wings, anyway (the flowing silvery things you might see made up her wings).
Another big event ten years ago this month was the recognition service for the first Mexican leaders of the Path of Life Bible Church in Santa Barbara. You can see a (low quality) video of the event – A Very Special Sunday for Sendero de Vida!
Usually I check a little more often, but this time I didn’t. So by the time we were ready to leave, we realized that Hannah’s flight was arriving very early, so we were running late.
Meeting at the airport in Mexico City
We had only driven a few feet when I remembered that I had left something in the house. So – quick re-entry, and back in the van, and – it would not start. Not even close. Waited a minute or two – no go.
SO – we ended up picking up Hannah via taxi. And we’ve learned that taxis are VERY EXPENSIVE on Christmas Eve (though, thankfully, a lot cheaper in Mexico than in the rest of North America).
But, after all that, we were at the airport in time to greet Hannah coming out of the gate – about 10 minutes to spare.
There were a lot of unexpected adventures. The van? Well, turns out it was the battery. So that was changed (by me).
The traditional low water pressure was a part of our holidays. Hannah and Nathanael wanted to sleep in – and hence found it very hard to get showers, because the water was generally low to non-existent during the day. Doing dishes takes a looooooong time.
And then on New Year’s Eve, we woke up to cold showers – the water heater was on the fritz. So we found a plumber to come and fix the tank (probably should get a new one, but no money for that). Thankfully, it was fixed without a lot of fuss, the same day.
Hannah enjoying some REAL tacos!
Actually, we’ve had a lot of household/appliance problems in the past few weeks – and many more that we would probably take care of if we had the funds. We’re just hoping we’ll get a few months break – but who knows?
Anyway, aside from these things, we had a good time together. Tomorrow Hannah heads back to Canada (and cold temperatures! – about 33 degrees colder than here on Tuesday, according to the forecast).
We really enjoyed the service on Sunday. People had a lot of time to share, and we sang “requests” for the music. It’s always good to hear what people are learning, and to reflect on our hopes for our church in 2019.
So there you go! Just a little news. On Monday, the whirlwind of work begins again for all of us. It’s going to be a crazy week. But let’s not think about that. 🙂
10 years ago – right now – we were at Zoofari, in the state of Morelos. Zoofari, as you might guess, is a safari/zoo/petting zoo type place (Southern Ontarians, think African Lion Safari). Shari’s parents were still here, so we were doing the tourist thing with them!
So it may not be the most interesting picture, but I think it’s a good one, so I’m going with it. You can see some animals in the background, but in the foreground are most definitely two PEOPLE!
A visit from Shari’s parents – Gary and Ardys – 10 years ago! On this day in December 2008, we were trekking around the pyramids at Teotihuacán. Here’s a great picture of the intrepid explorers!
Every year, the Camino Global missionaries of Mexico get together for a few days of teaching and fellowship. That’s what we were up to 10 years ago today.
Someone had organized a family craft time – making “candy houses” (cardboard base – sorry, no gingerbread).
Apparently Hannah and Nathanael were in a patriotic mood that day, as they worked with Cathy Fry, freeing candy canes from their plastic bonds.
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.
