We were briefly in Juarez, out to the remote mountains of Chihuahua, and back to Juarez, with breakneck speed. Or so it seemed… Vince Corcoran and I joined up with the guys at CasaTriunfo for their annual men's conference, held at El Rancho, four plus hours due west of town. As a man, it was great to be among men, and can be high level motivation for starting a men's ministry! Continue reading “Juarez Field Notes”
A little over a week ago Jason Reeves and I visited the Hernandez family at the EV Matamoros location, which lies between Matamoros and Reynosa, Mexico. This is just over the river, and is a part of the Rio Grande Valley that extends on both sides of the border for some distance. This border, like most, I imagine, is a murky, backwater area that doesn’t belong culturally to either nation. It is something other. In my experience, it’s not a quality representative of either, and not one you’d choose.
Our trip down and back was quick. We left on a Friday, drove the +/- 9 hours and arrived late Friday, just to turn it around on Sunday and do the same. Early departure, late afternoon arrival.
While we were there we were privileged to meet some long time friends of Don Elias and Doña Flora who were in visiting from Oaxaca. These friends were there at their wedding in the 80s and they have stayed in touch ever since. Probably no surprise that this couple also run an orphanage, or “Casa Hogar” as it is often called in Latin America. Actually, they have two, which are in the remote regions of mountainous Oaxaca where the Hernandez family got their start over 30 years ago. It was great to meet them. Hoping to stop by and see them on our Central South Mexico Tour happening next month. Continue reading “The Valley”
Upon arrival at Esperanza Viva in Puebla, we settled into what would be our home for the next five days, happy to get a longer than normal pause in road life. Nineteen eager students awaited us, and the class to come the next morning, no doubt having heard of what to expect from our team… We have had the privilege of being here for most of the generations of La Viña in the last ten years, the school of ministry that is an significant part of Living Hope International's efforts to prepare the emerging generation for life and ministry in Mexico and beyond. Over the next two days, training in personal words came in the form of practicals, both in the demonstration and the testing. A young family was visiting, about to leave to return to the States, having much of their heart inseparably connected. We turned the full encouragement power of the class in their direction. Tears were abundant all around, as was love, which never fails. Continue reading “1Mexico2014 Trip Report – Puebla”
Arriving in DF, Mexico City we met Job (yes, like the biblical character) Rojas in the airport and commenced to making a long day and night of getting to our initial destination, thanks to a little game of surprise from the rent car company. WOW. With the help of our hosts in Oaxaca who had a couple of suggestions, we were one subway ride, two bus rides, and a car ride away, arriving in Oaxaca City 13 hours after landing in DF. But hey, we made it to Raco's house. Continue reading “1Mexico2014 Trip Report – Oaxaca”
