And we’re off…

Yesterday, was the first day of classes at CUCEA, and in typical outreach fashion, we showed up early to pass out 1000 flyers inviting them to Punto de Encuentro meeting the following day. Because it is against policy to hand out flyers on campus dealing with anything religious, Steve was heading to one of the entrances/exits and gave 5 or 6 flyers to students just as he was leaving. Two yards from the exit a guard confiscated all of his flyers and called for her boss on the radio. She wouldn’t even converse with Steve in Spanish or English. Her boss showed up on a four-wheeler and read both sides of the flyer and eventually gave them back so he could hand them out outside the gate. The first guard was mad, and it was a real reality check for Steve.




It rains nearly everyday, and last night was no different. Our typical commute to CUCEA includes forging a huge puddle (sometimes called a lake.) Last time, we tried the middle, and hit a pothole. This morning, we tried the right side, and had worse luck than the first time. Praise God for our SUV getting us out. Next time, we’ll take the left side.






Arriving on campus, we feel right at home – no parking spaces anywhere close. (And if Wright State would allow students to park the same way they do here, they could fit twice as many cars in). We ended up parking way out in the middle of nowhere. But we can’t complain because the campus is so well manicured and it’s 75 degrees outside.




We spent time in prayer and talking about what to share at the meeting. We had invited several contacts that we knew were interested, but had no idea how many students would show up. In the end, none of our “regulars” could make it, but six students who received a flyer and were new to campus came to the meeting. We shared our hopes and vision for having a group on campus, and expanded on the points on the flyer. They all were excited, and gave us their emails and cell #’s and every student put 10 on their nivel de interes (level of interest.) We’ll email them tomorrow and plan on getting together next Tuesday. If you want to pray for them, their names are Edith, Lizbeth, Daniel, Paula, Niyela, and Favoli.



Liz went and picked up the kids from preschool just before the meeting, and they had a blast playing a made up game. Cole is notorious for coming up with inventive games that use whatever is available. Lydia is hard at play.












We didn’t even make it off campus before both kids were out cold. All in all, a successful day!

Connecting more and more to Mexico

Cole is very proud of his ability to stand on this water jug. The cap to this one is really big, Mimi!

We knew the kids day at preschool had gone better when we picked Cole up and he was crying because he didn’t want to leave and Lydia, who will hardly ever lets us put her hair back, came out looking like a cute little Mexican girl with it all slicked and pulled back tight. Thanks for praying and keep praying as they go back on Monday after a nice weekend.

Friday when Angela came over, we worked on fliers and the vision of the fall. Punto de Encuentro’s (the point of encounter) first meeting is Tuesday to gather students interested in having a community of followers of Cristo to pray, sharpen each other, and reach out to others with the gospel on campus. Something Angela has noticed with Christians here are that they are the real thing. If they follow Cristo, you can pretty much know that they are walking it out and passionate about serving Him. There isn’t this lukewarm, middle ground like there is in the States. We will hand out 1000 invites on Monday, the first day of school, for the meeting on Tuesday. Please pray for the right students who have or will develop a vision for their campus.

We are getting to know the area better as we go exploring and try new routes. We have a very detailed map of the city that is more like a book that we pull out quite a bit as we’re driving and making wrong turns or missing streets. Cole, being used to us needing to pull it out a lot, sensed our confusion one day as we were exploring and commented, “Did you remember to bring the map? We always need the map!” Steve and I cracked up.

We take long walks around our area too. Part of the fun is the journey and not so much the destination. It has helped us chill a bit and just enjoy what we’re doing instead of what we’re trying to go do. Last night we all had a blast as we ventured out to a beautiful basilica down the way, quite a way.

Cole, especially enjoyed the hundreds of pigeons in front the basilica as he chased them around. Steve eventually couldn’t take it anymore and joined in on one of the runs. Lydia and I watched, took pictures, and sang “Feed the birds” from Mary Poppins.

Tough morning

This morning was extremely hard when we dropped Cole and Lydia off at preschool. Last night, Cole got up 3 or 4 times to tell us he didn't want to go to preschool. He said it was too long, and he couldn't understand the teacher.

This morning we rode the bus and when we got there, both kids started crying. Transition is hard for kids whatever the circumstance, but when you're in a foreign country, it's amplified. After talking and praying, we eventually gave Lydia to her maestra and Cole to his and left. They were crying and not happy. Our eyes were holding back the tears.

Liz talked to another missionary here, Angie, who has a three year old girl, Chloe, who could relate and comfort her. Steve ended up calling the Kinder (preschool) 40 minutes after we left, and they both were mas tranquilidad (more calm). When Liz picked them up an hour earlier than typical, they were fine and have had a good day since. We just wonder how many more mornings we'll have to do this until they settle into the rhythm like Chloe did.

Please pray for their peace and our strength in the midst of this transition.

A Time of Firsts

We dropped Cole and Lydia off at their Mexican preschool yesterday. It was the first time I’ve (Liz) felt homesick. I just wanted to talk to my Mom (Kendall). I ended up calling her to tell her how bad I felt for leaving my kids for four hours at a new place where they can’t understand anything.














But when I heard about my mom dropping my brother off at his school in Denver this week and will be empty nested for the first time in 31 years, I didn’t feel as bad.We picked them up and they weren’t too traumatized. Lydia fell 20 minutes before we picked them up and hadn’t stopped crying. But today, Cole’s only issue was that it’s such a long time – he’s going from 2.5 hours twice a week to 4 hours everyday. And for Lydia, it’s her first time.But nonetheless, they didn’t fuss at all when we dropped them off and they went straight in. Of course it will be easier for them when they understand what their teacher is saying to them. We’re praying they’ll pick up Spanish quickly.


Other news: Lydia is potty trained. It took no time at all, and she has even been dry through the night a couple times. We’re hoping we won’t even have to bother with anymore diapers by the time we get back home!!
















We met today on campus at CUCEA with Angela Tiffany (Missionary Aide who will be in charge of Punto de Encuentro when we’re gone) and had a great time talking. I’ve forgotten how much goes into getting a group off the ground. It’s going to be great, and the more we talked, the more exciting it becomes, and the more we can see that God’s hand is upon us and this campus. Thanks for praying for us!

The Simple Life

It's been a few days now since we got here and we're starting to feel more at home. We're unpacked (which didn't take long) and are mostly organized.


After cleaning baby cucarachas out of the cabinets and mopping up our leaky toilet and water that comes in after the hard rains, we finally feel like true missionaries.


After two days with a rag to soak up the toilet leak, it is fixed. And our oven should be working in a day or two so I can start to cook.



A typical scene on the street. Steve has learned to drive like the Mexicans, cutting in and out of traffic. If you aren't aggressive, you won't get very far. Liz is putting off driving as long as possible!










Yesterday we shopping in Tonala, which is a pretty popular artesan market town. It was very Mexican and Liz could've gone crazy with all of the neat, cheap, and original items. We left with a few things we needed for our departemento and a guitar for Cole. He's been playing it nonstop while Lydia dances around the living room.







Roughing it without a dishwasher. There are things that you take forgranted and appreciate them when you're without. We're enjoying the change of pace and environment.


One of the missionary couples, Trent and Angie, have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome. They invited us out for dinner, churras, and over to their house to give us gift basket full of snacks for the kids and a few things to make us feel at home. Angie also watched the kids for us while we grocery shopped for the first time. Their little girl, Chloe, is three and is already best friends with Cole and Lydia.


We are definitely having a fun figuring things out. We're learning just to laugh at our mistakes.

We're in Mexico...

After being on the road for 7 days and driving 2490 miles, we pulled into Guadalajara in one piece. The trip was great. Here's an overview of what happened.

We left on Monday, August 6th, the day after Andy and Heather's wedding that Steve performed. We drove for seven hours to visit Nana/Suki/Mom in Normandy, Tenn. We stayed for two nights, and had a chance to swim in 100 degree heat, play "5 Crowns," watch Cole catch a fish completely by himself, and eat steak. We left early on Wednesday headed for Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Typical for the long drive down.
August 8th, after driving 11 hours, we pulled into Tulsa, OK to visit Aunt Jess and Uncle Josh. We spent two nights hanging out where we swam, played at a park and ate Lasagna.
Entertaining herself

August 10th, off to uncharted territory, passing through Dallas and ending in Waco, Tx.

August 11th, on our way to stay in Laredo, which is on the border, we stopped for lunch and site seeing in San Antonio.

Remember the Alamo

Old Canon aka Jungle Gym

Lunch on the river

August 12th, after obtaining a copy of Lydia's birth certificate (thanks Jess), we crossed the border on Sunday morning without a hitch. Steve went over the day before to get our car permit, and figure out the ropes. Are we sure about this???

The drive to Zacatecas was pretty uneventful.

Swimming on the roof of Howard Johnson's

August 13th, on the home stretch to our departamento, we drove 310 km (190 miles) and it took us over 5 hours. The whole drive was through mountains, little towns, and amazing scenery.

Driving through the land of Dr. Seuss

Just follow the chicken truck. Hopefully he knows where he's going.

Beautiful towns, and farms.

These rock walls were everywhere. How they got there... hard work!!

We finally rolled into Guadalajara at 2:30pm after Lydia got car sick from all the curves. We celebrated our arrival in style!!