Mexico

We'd like to share a summary of our trip to Tenancingo last month. The plan was to go with the youth group from our church and a few other churches and join an annual campaign of evangelism, vacation Bible school, construction and other "pre-evangelistic" activities (free professional haircuts, sharing clothes and toys, fluoride doses for underprivileged kids). Circumstances ended up preventing the youth from going, but we continued with our plans as a family. A few highlights:

• In all, we stayed in six different beds. In eleven nights the bed which gave our body repose most often was on four nights.



• We got to witness the Tenancingo church saying farewell to one of their own. This local pastor and his family are headed tPo Kazakstan for the long term. Latins are aware it is easier for them go get into some muslim countries and for the last ten years this family has been preparing to go.



• Matthew played guitar and led the songs for a few of the kids clubs



• We got to meet with our leaders and discuss a preliminary two-year plan of work for us with the church, the training school and related ministries, including reading, researching and writing papers.



• Spent time with the kids and got to see some local clowns entertaining in the street



• Wathing vans and pick ups filled with numbers well in excess of what would be acceptable in the USA. On one trip to a nearby town, there were nine of us in the front twin-cab and 17 in the back of the pickup for a total of 26 on one vehicle.



• Samuel and Rebeca were able to go with their grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins to Mexico City for three days without their parents. A good experience for everyone.



• Had a chance to walk through the Tenancingo market and also get to know the town of Tenancingo a good bit better than before.



• During the last two dates working with kids, we were in a poor neighborhood on the mountainside behind the mail urban area of Tenancingo. Matthew got to ride up to the top of the dirt road standing on the back bumper and holding on to the rack on the roof of the van.



• Spending some good conversational time with a number of individuals, couples and youth from the church. It felt great to say goodbye with a hug and kiss from brothers and sisters with whom we hope to work and fellowship on a regular basis in the near future.

Please continue to pray for Tenancingo.