Saturday, October 4, 2008

We made it to Mexico

We have so many emotions happening within us right now that it's hard to get it all put together in words, but here's where we are...
Leaving Kresten from the Oklahoma Christian campus on Sunday, Sept 28 was one of the hardest things we have ever done...just as we had to leave Ashley from the Regina airport on Sept 11.




But...as we told them, we wouldn't have left them if we felt that they couldn't do without us. Still, it's hard to say good-bye knowing we wouldn't see them for a very long time. We tried to get them to Mexico for Christmas, but it's a tough time to get flights. We did get a flight for Kresten to head to Regina for the holidays, so he and Ashley will be together.
While we were in Oklahoma, we had the joy of staying with Ernest and Joyce Andreas. They hosted us for three nights and we were throughly blessed. We also got to see some folks we haven't seen in a while. Kresten seems to be adjusting well to his new life at OC...He does miss his Canada, though.

Our newest dear friends/family in Edmond, Oklahoma-Ernest and Joyce Andreas





We then headed to Ft. Worth, Texas for the night and enjoyed a too short visit with Mark and Sherrylee Woodward. We heard all the exciting details of the Let's Start Talking Harvest Call week-end. Logan loved swimming in their pool and said their guest bed was the BEST EVER!!! We found ourselves in San Antonio on Monday night where we enjoyed a brief visit with some of our Mission Alive buddies, Bob and Patti Griggs who have just begun a church plant in that huge city. They were a blessing and encouragement!!!
Tuesday, Sept 30 We were up early to make our way to the Mexican border. We crossed the Rio Grande around 1:30. Logan was so excited that we were "almost there". We hated to break the news to him that we had two more very full days of driving ahead of us. We were amazed at how much easier the travel had become (as opposed to 20 years ago) because of the toll roads. The scenery was absolutely breath-taking. We made it to Matuala by 10:00 pm...a little later than we had wanted, but glad we were "on schedule". We were up and on the road by 6:45 am and rolled into Morelia about 4 pm. We stopped and visited with Sarah Holland as she prepares to return to Texas after six years in Mexico. It was hard for us to get back into the car, but we were encouraged that we had only 2 1/2 hours left to drive. Again, the senery was beautiful and the drive quite daring as it was downhill ALL the way to the coast. As night began to fall and three hours passed, we realized we had underestimated our time of arrival into Lazaro Cardenas. The 2 1/2 hour trip became a 4 hour trip, but finally, at 10:00 pm we rolled into Playa Azul and had a sweet reunion with our team mate from Mexico City days, Belinda Moore. We plopped Logan into his bed and tried to carry on a coherent conversation with Belinda, but gave up and plopped ourselves into bed,too.
Thursday morning came all too early as the first rooster crowed the hour around 5:00 am. It wasn't long before we heard Logan answering him out of the window...we knew it was time to get up.
We have been in Playa Azul for five days, and we have experienced a whole range of emotions from uncontainable excitement and expectation to feeling completely overwhelmed by the task that is ahead. For now, our days are filled with getting settled into our new home, exploring our surrounding community, helping Logan feel safe and secure, while firing question after question toward Belinda before she heads back to the United States. We have been so blessed to be with her again. We will miss her and Billy as they take leave of the work they have started here in Playa Azul. Belinda has already introduced us to many people in Playa Azul, and we have met a few as we have explored the village. Stay tuned to our next entry when we write about some of our newest friends.
We are blessed to have a Vonage phone from the Moores. You can call us anytime and it is if you are calling Lubbock, Texas...so no high international fees. Those in Canada with the bundle can call for free if you have US calling. Our number is: 1-806-853-9935...Things sure have changed here in the last 20 years!!!! We couldn't even be contacted by phone in Mexico City!!! Until next time, Que vaya con Dios.
Bernard, Alicia and Logan



Beautiful scenery

5 comments:

Craig,Leah,Lena said...

so great to hear about your adventures. what an amazing experience to be reliving so much of what you were doing 20 years ago. and so great to 'hear' about it through Logan's thoughts and comments.
We're excited for you all! take care down there.

Karl and Helen said...

Hi, glad you arrived safely. Looking forward to following along on your blog.

Karl and Helen

Unknown said...

isn't it amazing that you can travel thousands of miles in an direction and find brothers and sisters. It continues to amaze me in my own life! (and you've got 25 years on me, Bern!!) Love you three to pieces!

TamaLa said...

Glad to hear that you are safe and sound! I am sure that leaving and Ashley and Kresten was not easy. I really hope they can get down there soon!
We are excited that you can finally begin to settle into this new part of your life. It will be great!!
You three are in our prayers.
:)

Ian said...

I'm glad that you made it there safely.
Love Ian