Mexico Trip - part 1

I have a few moments to post here in the early hours of the morning before everyone is up and at it for the day.

It was ironic that following my last post about fears and the storm the night before we left...some of the most "worry filled" moments of the trip were only a few hours from home! As we drove down to Minneapolis (where we were flying out of), we had to drive through a HUGE storm cell. It was that kind of rain where the visibility is basically nil. There was also lots of thunder, lightening and some hail. We had to pull over a few times and wait it out. Sooo, that was the start of our trip. Once again prayers were being said! We were in God's hands. I had to trust that He was in control and sovereign and "on His throne".

Next excitement was at Valley Fair. Once again the storm cell was passing over the area. Huge clouds were on the horizon...the kind I have come to think of as "tornado" clouds. Sure enough, a tornado watch was put into effect while we were at the amusement park. Everyone was ushered into a storm safe building and we waited about an hour. Once again many prayers were sent up! Once again it was about trusting God.

In all honesty some of those amusement park rides sent me to prayer a few times as well! We met some friends at Valley Fair...who have no fear of any ride...so subsequently we took MANY rides we would have been too wimpy to try otherwise! Of course we had a blast!

I think God had a lesson to speak to me! My devotions were all centered around reflections on trusting God, on letting go of fear etc. God was speaking loud and clear.

We flew off to Mexico last Wednesday, July 22nd. We had no problems whatsoever with any luggage getting lost or searched etc. Praise God! The next step of concern was getting a ride (about 1.5 hours) to the hotel we were staying at. Once again the Lord provided. I had many concerns about being squished into a small taxi with no seatbelts and a crazy driver. We ended up getting a good price for a bigger vehicle taxi, with LOTS of room to spare and seatbelts for each of us (even the driver was wearing one!). Praise God!

We spent six nights/days vacationing as a family about 1.5 - 2 hours away from Cancun. It has been a wonderful time of reconnecting as a family and as a couple, spending solid quality time together, fantastic weather and ocean scenery, and also a great time of reconnecting with God as I have been gobbling up a bible study workbook, doing multiple studies each day! It has been such a blessing. Praise God for His protection once again for that week of family time with taxi rides, with health, with safety.

On Tuesday, July 28th, we headed to the bus station and took a 4 hour bus ride to Merida, Mexico, where we were met by the Fletchers, the missionary family who have started up the Bridge of Love Orphanage. Late Tuesday night we arrived at their home, greeted the familiar faces of the children we met and connected with last year and fell into bed. Praise God for getting us safely there.

Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind of a day for us. We played games, told a bible story, did art with stampers/paper and also with chalk on the sidewalk, made some sugar cookies together, went for walks, and just hung out together. The kids seem to be warming up to us again. I am really feeling the language barrier though. I'm kicking myself for not investing in some official spanish classes this past year. The kids have all grown up so much this year. They have taken on much more responsibility this year around the house as well, which is awesome. Martha, in particular, has much wisdom with these kids, gently guiding them and teaching them in the day to day stuff.

Excitement we encountered... Well, cockroaches galore. Ugh. I'm a little squeamish upon seeing so many in our room/bathroom area. Officially "babysitting" the whole crew of kids and making dinner for them (including our kids that was 12 kids) as Steve & Marta headed out for a dinner date. Of course many of them are teenagers so they don't need real babysitting...but it felt weird to be responsible for their care. Thankfully they are all great kids and listened (as translated through the Fletcher's eldest daughter) when we asked them to all head to their rooms at 10pm...for only two hours...since.... A mariachi band visitted the house at midnight, in celebration of Steve & Marta's anniversary! I'm not very good at staying up late in the night....so we headed to bed at 10:15 and managed to get about 2 hours of sleep prior to the sound of the arrival of the marriachi band playing throughout the house! Obviously no sound bylaws in this area!!! Lots of family members came to the house to also enjoy the mariachi band. So, here we were up on the roof top of their house being serenaded by a mariachi band! Wild! (Speaking of sound bylaws....a neighbour apparently enjoys waking up the neighbourhood bright and early at 6-6:30 am with loud music blasted out from his place...for about an hour! I woke up to that this morning, even through the earplug and fan white noise sound barrier!)

Here are a few links to photos my husband, Jon, has posted from our vacation so far:
Album #1
Album #2 (loading up as I type this)

Continuing to trust God with health and safety for us all. As I feel completely inadequate and at a loss to know how to minister, I'm throwing myself at the Lord's feet and trusting Him to guide me and direct me. As I look back at the past day I can certainly see His hand at work. And once again I feel completely inadequate for the day ahead, but I trust that God will once again be faithful and use me as He sees fit.