Hanging out with family...

Last Days

Last Days

Now don’t presume from the title that we are talking about the book of Revelations. No, we are simply reflecting on and sharing about the last days of our recent time in Mexico.

The last six months have been spent in intensive learning of the Spanish language. It was a joy to learn under teachers that cared about you as a person and about your spiritual condition. They were there to help in every way they could and they did. Then, there were the students. They came from different places to learn for different reasons. Some already work with Hispanic people and need the better communication skills. Some train from the simple interest of learning a second language and then become so excited about the culture, the people, and the mission field experience that they find it difficult to leave. Living in different local homes gives them new perspective into the lives of the Mexican people and how friendly and hard-working they are. The village we lived in, Cacalotte, was focused on fishing the seas but holidays were always welcomed for the community rooster fights, rodeos, parades, singing, dancing, eating, and unfortunately, drinking alcohol to excess. However, the bible school campus and local church have made an impact and many families are being drawn toward knowing Christ.

We’ve spent three years now going to Oaxaca, Mexico and we have loved being there. The local church is growing and experiencing revival. We were commissioned to go and “come alongside for a time and then God brought us back home. Our time in Mexico is finished for now. Loving the missionaries that work there, loving the local people of the village, loving the students attending from all parts of Oaxaca, loving the culture of the area, made leaving difficult for us. We crammed as many times of fellowship as possible in between studying and finishing our final exams in the Spanish school. By God’s grace, we finished well.

But the most difficult experience was leaving our landlords; a precious retired couple who were small in stature but big in heart. We swapped stories, ideas, and meals. We saved our compost for feeding their chickens and received eggs. The week we left, we received meals, plants, and seeds. We had to leave the plants, distribute the seeds, but we ate the meals. Two chickens were killed during the week in our honor. That was such a huge message to us…we were loved. Friday, as we soaked our clothes with sweat while loading the truck, sweet, juicy slices of watermelon came into our hands to refresh us. Wow! Saturday morning we woke them up early as we were preparing to leave at 6am. After hugs and blessings were passed all around, we finally left. They were the BEST landlords ever.

A week before leaving, a brother walked up to us and asking when we were leaving, he told us he was available to drive with us to the border. We had been planning to ask him but what a blessing to have him suggest it first. Bro. Isidro helped us drive all the way to the border making the trip in 21 hours a smooth, swift one. We watched an accident happen in front of us on one turnpike and scooted quickly out of the way as a semi-truck was following us and we didn’t wish to be sandwiched. Fortunately for the other two vehicles, the big truck was able to stop just at their bumpers edge. God prepared our way and kept us and our vehicle all along the way and with the great number of praying people covering our trip, we had the best, blessed trip yet. We did have a little surprise when we reached the border. At 4:30am we discovered the bus station had closed and moved with no forwarding address. That was a little disconcerting as Isidro needed this mode of transportation to return home and it was rather early to find someone who could tell us where it was. However, we found a small convenience store that was open 24 hours and found the new, improved station was just around the corner a few blocks. Whew! Thank you each and everyone of you for your prayers.

In closing, to quote our daughters, “whenever something ends, something new begins and it will be fun to see what God has for you next.” So, we re-enter the American culture desiring to enjoy family, increase strength of relationships with friends, plant a garden, wait for our first grandbaby (it’s a boy) to be born in August, and wait to hear what God has for us next. We are so thankful for each of you that have continued to be partners with us in our unusual life style supporting us in prayer, finances, and communication. We always need you. Keep writing, keep praying, keep giving as God blesses you.