The Lord blessed the 2018 Mexico Tour in many ways. In ten days, we were given
many opportunities to share the gospel, cast a Biblical vision for family, encourage
family relationships, and challenge individuals and families to build every aspect of
their lives on the Solid Rock of God’s Word.
Part of the family enjoyed a relaxing hike wedged in between one of the cracks of our busy schedule.
Mexico’s beautiful sunrises and sunsets never cease to amaze us.
Allison enjoyed reconnecting with this friend she first met in Mexico a few years ago.
Two older siblings planned a fun lunch date with some of their younger siblings!
Josh and Huds enjoyed a man-to-man conference featuring coffee,
chess, and conversation.
You can watch this side-splitting rendition of “Dueling Banjos” on YouTube.
The Mexico countryside is scenic and varied.
Peter Swatsky and his family traveled with us while Peter worked as our capable translator.
Because we’ve had no babies in our family for a while, we especially enjoyed laughing and
playing with Kezzia (pictured above) and her sister Isabella.
We were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the German Mennonites. Their cuisine is our favorite!
Our Mexico Tour would not have been complete without a bus crisis. The day before we left Mexico, we took a “shortcut” to avoid the traffic backed up behind a military check-point. Unfortunately, the incline was trickier to negotiate than anticipated. After our interpreter placed rocks under the tires, we crested the hill with minimal bus damage.
Reentering the United States was more difficult than crossing into Mexico. After four hours at the border, during which time none of us could be with Dad in the bus, we finally crossed to “the land
of the free and the home of the brave.”
Some of the greatest ministry opportunities occurred, not in the concerts, but in fellowship with fathers, mothers, siblings, and families in homes, gyms, churches, and restaurants. We were
thankful for the hunger for discipleship that we felt in Mexico.
Whether through the busyness of life, the barrage of the technology age, or the disintegration of Biblical family roles, the enemies of strong families will never cease their onslaught.
Nonetheless, God’s promises and precepts still hold true for families today. In this generation we must return God’s Word, not cultural trends and philosophies, as the foundation for building families. By God’s grace, when we let Him build our homes, we can once again have stronger churches and stronger nations.
“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” –Psalm 128
Bus crisis! 😉 love it! We call that "bottoming out" when we scrape!
It looks like you had a wonderful time in Mexico. Since you travel there regularly, have you or any of your children thought of studying Spanish in order to be able to communicate more authentically (rather than through an interpreter)? Learning other languages is a rewarding experience and a wonderful way to connect more personally with others. Just curious – No offense intended.
Caroline
Caroline,
A couple of us know a smattering of Spanish and are currently studying the language. However, since we mostly sing to German Mennonites, our translator interprets from English to German.
Even in the United States, Spanish is a highly valuable language to know.
Thanks for your reply. I ask because I've been a foreign language teacher (French and Spanish) for more than 30 years, and have had so many more authentic interactions with people when using others' native language rather than what is more comfortable for me.
I want to spread the word to anyone who will listen: Learn another language; You won't regret it 🙂 I wish more Americans cared about learning languages because it's the best way to really appreciate the cultures and contributions of others – a first step in having more peace in the world in my opinion. I studied German long ago, and didn't really get a chance to use it. It's interesting that there are so many people of German descent in Mexico. And nice to know that they are (I assume) happily integrated into the culture there. Where I live French is much more useful. I love Spanish too, but only get to use it at school and when communicating with friends in Spain. I've never visited Mexico or South America because I live very far away from the Southwest US. Enjoy the rest of your travels !
Caroline
Why wouldn’t they let any of you be on the bus with your Dad? It sounds almost scary to cross the border by land now. I’ve walked across the US-Mexico border a few times, but not in about 35 years. I didn’t even have any kind of ID, though I was with a group, and I just remember telling them my name and address, and that I was a citizen. Things have really changed.
I’ve flown back to the states several times in recent years, and they’ve barely glanced at me coming through immigration. Coming back from Italy a few years ago, I realized as I boarded my connecting domestic flight that I hadn’t even shown my passport to anyone at immigration. The border agents just kept waving me through until I was on the other side. My mother, on the other hand, almost always gets questioned extensively when she comes back to the States. It’s so strange how different the border experience can be from one person to the next.
I’m glad you all made it back to the States, and hope the rest of your travels go really well.
Amanda
Amanda,
The bus had to cross at the same point as the semis, since we were too big to fit in with RVs and other vehicles. The border patrol does not appreciate passengers in the semi checkpoint.
Border crossing can definitely be an experience!
Yes I saw the dodo bird on YouTube. I liked it.
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