Home again, home again jiggidy jog!

Dear sweet Vanessa met us at JFK around midnight! She is the ever present calm reason. I was so happy to see her! Traffic was nasty and she negotiated it well and got us home alive. Thank you Nessie. We had a lovely breakfast treat with Tom, Vanessa and Sky-man before heading home the next day.

The last couple of days in Mexico were a whirlwind. We went to Manzanillo on Sunday and shared a worship service with the saints there. Stephen was delighted to be able to preach in front of the roaring ocean! Something very organic about the gospel in that situation. The saints, both Mexican and gringo's, were so kind and received us well. We were blessed to share a dinner and chat with some very special people. We were especially happy to share time with a lovely young woman that is the daughter of Wycliff missionary parents (parents also there). After the service, we were taken to spend the night at the home of Warren and Jean Scheifele. Their home is on the side of a cliff directly overlooking the Pacific ocean. Wow! The bedroom we were offered had french doors on both sides of the room that we left open all night. The ocean and mountain air rushed through our room and we slept well. Occasionally, I woke to the sounds of tropical birds and animals making their nocternal shouts. It was a paradise like none that I have ever seen. They were kind and thoughtful hosts and had a story of their own that was touching. When Jean was 16 years old, she was in an accident. She and three other relatives were in a car that collided with a train. Jean was the only survivor. She was in a coma for a long time. The doctors said she would be a vegetable person. Well, this lovely mother, wife and enthusiastic child of God is not only normal, but very bright. She is a whole and complete person in every way.

Warren drove us to the bus terminal early the next morning and deposited us. The bus was a spacious comfortable bus. They provided a sandwich and drink for the trip. Arriving in Guadalajara, our cousin Rick picked us up. We were so happy to see them again and spent another evening basking in their home and love. They were just the best! Rick drove to the airport to begin the journey home.

The dogs were happy to see us. The cat is his old nasty self. Sandy (my dog) really bonded with the grandchildren and seemed like she might jump ship for a while. Hannah, Grace and Elijah were very diligent dog caretakers. Hannah even got used to picking up poop with a plastic bag!

Ten days after arriving home, I went in for major surgery and three days later had my 62nd birthday. Things , they are a changing.

I am happy to be home and see family and friends. BUT-Mexico is calling. Love to all of you that read this blog. Mitzi, mom, meema

Home again, sometime in September.


Remember Mitzi saying, in the August 20th posting, that "the internet place is run by a very smart fellow that is crippled"--? His name is Santiago. He won't leave my memory. There was something special about him, and it turned out he was a very devout Christian.



In Mexico, "Christian" more or less means Protestant, or at least not Roman Catholic. A friend told us about a woman whom he and his wife befriended and who later asked them, "My children don't play with your children, do they?"



"I don't know," answered my friend, "but why do you ask?"



"Because my children have been raised Catholic and have been taught not to play with Christians," the woman replied.



At our last venture to Santiago's internet cafe, he told us why he loved Jesus. His body was mangled in an accident and because of his trust in Mark chapter 11 and verse 24, he is able to walk. In Mark 11:24 Jesus says that "whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Through that experience and the guidance of other Christians Santiago had learned to trust in God and not in the sole authority of the Roman Catholic Church; therefore, in Mexico he called himself a Christian.



Even before telling us his testimony, Santiago (who spoke no English) and I had a lengthy conversation in Spanish. We translated words through the computer when we weren't sure. He is a middle-aged man now working on a Master's degree at the University of Guadalajara so we have a lot in common. Santiago's deepest love is telling his people about Jesus.



"Santiago, can Mitzi and I come live near you, immerse ourselves in the Mexican culture, and help you tell others about Jesus?"



"San Felipe, can Mitzi and I live in your hotel and, through teaching the Bible and painting the parables of Jesus, work through you with the Mexican and English children you have so much to do with?"



"Dear Gringo friends, may we come to your church at San Patricio, maybe preach once in a while, and maybe teach a Bible class up the coast where the Catholic alligators are?"



And so forth....



Lord, what would you have us to do?