Back in the Land of Caribou

I'm working from my mobile office today. My present location, Caribou Coffee on Highway 101 in Rogers, MN. We've had a great week. We've been catching up with friends. We will be translating for an event called, "Free for All," being put on by High Point Church. They are hosting an outreach event to the community where people can come and receive free tax preparation help, medical, dental and vision screening as well as a whole bunch of other free things. We are looking forward to it and are excited to partner with High Point Church for this event! Look for pix to come.

Back to the part about Caribou. I think it's like Coke or Pepsi, it seems like most people prefer either one or the other. Well, I have to say, when it comes to Caribou vs. Starbucks, I think I lean Caribou. I like the northwoods homey atmosphere and the coffee is generally roasted lighter (not to mention free internet in the U.S.). In Mexico, however, Starbucks has the market. Free internet and the best coffee shop in town (they haven't opened a Caribou Coffee down there, yet.).

A Week of Errands

It's one of those words I think I picked up from my family...kind of like, "browsing." You know, you're walking through the department store with absolutely no intention of buying anything and something catches your eye, so you start to look it over and at just that moment, a sales clerk approaches and either makes a comment about the item you're looking at, or introduces themselves to you, and you say, "I'm just browsing."

Well, I'm running errands. From car repairs to school supplies to groceries, it's been a week of running errands. In addition to all the work on errands, I've been working on our biographies, brochures in addition to beginning laying out our plan for Cuernavaca. It seems kind of humdrum (another work I think I picked up from my family, only I'm not sure if I'm using this one right or if it's spelled correctly). Good to be in MN and at Dad's house for a few days.

Sunday Service

Today we got up and went to New Creation World Outreach Church. Mission-minded, spirit-filled, all I can say is it was awesome. I went back for the Holy Spirit service that evening which was even better. A much needed refresher and way to put the last 6 months in perspective.

Check them out next time you're in Mankato, MN.

Owatonna, MN

Today we took it easy in the a.m. and in the afternoon headed to Owatonna to visit my brother Joe and his wife Mary and 3 of their 5 children. We had a great time and got to watch my nephew Zach do an awesome job playing the part of, "Simon," from American Idol as a judge for a talent show the National Honor Society from the high school put on. It's so great to be back with family!

Onward to Mankato

We decided to stay an extra day in KC. I have to say, my children are doing an exceptional job of continuing school in the car. Instead of Homeschooling we call it Go Schooling. Schooling on the, "Go." Ah, what an adventure. We are looking forward to getting to one place for more than 24 hours. So, yesterday, we took a break from the travel and we did school (in a home for a change) and we played, rested, had fun, etc.

Then, we got up and headed to Mankato with a pitstop in Des Moines, IA to see some friends. It's funny how God has moved friends of ours over the years to cities and towns up and down the 35W corridor. While we haven't met up with all of them yet, we believe that it's all part of His plan and in His time it will happen. Arrived in Mankato, MN tonight, saw dad for the first time in 6 months.

It was hard to leave him 6 months ago as his Parkinson's Disease is getting worse. We are blessed to be with him, though and be able to spend some time with him.

KC or bust!

Today we arrived in Kansas City, MO (from Fort Worth). We arrived late in the evening again, although I believe I'm getting better at estimating our travel times. One would think that with MapQuest and all, I'd be better at this. Here's an idea, MapQuest (or they could outsource it) could build an algorithm and have families like ours as well as a bunch of others that travel quite a bit track the number of unplanned potty stops, food stops, mommy I spilled something stops, etc. Then you could plug in the number of children you have (I'm convinced that every child greater than 1 exponentially heightens the probability of an increased occurrence of these types of, "events." And MapQuest could give you, "The other," estimate. You know, the more realistic one that accounts for all those types of things.

Father, thank you for those unpredictable little ones you've entrusted to my care!

On to Fort Worth

Well, now that we've decided to move ahead with the trip sans $2,600 of car repairs, we continued to work our computer problems. I have to say, The Geek Squad guys are awesome. We went to the Best Buy in McAllen and they did an incredible job helping us, didn't charge us, and didn't even ask if we bought our computer there (which we didn't). I almost felt like I should say something, but I pled negligence as I was really unaware as to how this whole Geek Squad thing worked. They were super helpful and while the guy yesterday didn't have the exact answer to our problem, the guy today did, and he went back and showed yesterday's guy exactly what the problem was. I am trying to remember the last time I've had customer service that good!

Regardless, we spent an hour at Best Buy and by the time we were almost ready to head for Dallas/Ft. Worth, it was lunch time. So, we brought our 3 young children to eat and finally headed for Dallas/Ft. Worth about 3pm. We arrived about midnight tired and ready to be out of the car. Goodnight.

Hunkered Down in McAllen

We got into McAllen, TX at 8:00pm last night, at least according to our clocks. Didn't realize that we sprung ahead early this year. I thought daylight savings time usually came later. Oh well, we got across the border, ran some errands, walked into Target at what we thought was 8:00pm not realizing they were just about to close. We picked up enough groceries for a couple days in McAllen only to have the lights shut off about 3mn into the shopping venture. We hustled and got out with our grub. It was funny, the children were hurrying me up, I think they think Target would actually close us in (although we told them otherwise).

Today didn't start off the best. We are staying at Melody Lane, an awesome place that provides reasonable housing for missionaries. So, I was up at 7:30am, and had the car in to have it looked at by 8:30am. Only to find out about 2 hours later that they think it needs about $2,600 worth of work done on it. Did I forget to tell them I'm a missionary? :-) I don't really do that, I just couldn't believe it, all for suspension parts. This is a Kia Sedona, not a Lamborghini. There was a moment where we were actually considering having the work done. We don't have a particularly good feeling about this place so we're going to get a 2nd opinion, even if it means waiting until MN. The car pulls a little bit to the right, but otherwise runs fine.

We had lunch with some friends of ours in McAllen, TX who just had a little baby, that was a blast. By that evening, when I had time to rumenate over the car estimate, I was completely discouraged. Hope it will work out, not sure how. God? Your thoughts? I'm listening. (stay tuned)

Heading North

Today we left for MN. First stop, McAllen, TX where we will get the front-end suspension on our car checked over. Then onward to Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City and Mankato, MN. Stay tuned as we continue the treck.

Hittin' the Road Again

Well, today is our last day in Monterrey, and our last day in the comforts of our rented home in Monterrey. We set sail tomorrow for McAllen, TX where we will get our car worked on (see post about Fender Bender) and then it's on to Dallas, KC, and Minnesota. We're looking forward to seeing snow (and hope there will be some when we get there).

We've got lot's to do and get ready to hit the road tomorrow. If you're reading this (and it's still March 10-16, please pray for our trip north.

YWAM Cuernavaca Receives National Director’s Blessing

About 4 years ago, God gave us a vision to start a Mission Base in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Over the years, God has continued to clarify that vision and confirm His desire to see a ministry geared toward youth started in that area.

During November we had the opportunity to meet with the National Director of YWAM Mexico and share the vision God gave us to start a YWAM base in Cuernavaca. We received the blessing to move forward with plans of opening a YWAM Operating Location in 2008.

We’re coming to realize just how much work we have ahead of us and look forward to the team of dedicated individuals God is going to raise up that will partner with this important ministry.

Cuernavaca is known around the world as, “The Land of Eternal Spring,” due to the average daytime temperature being approximately 80 degrees year-round. Many flock to Cuernavaca from Mexico City on the weekends, the largest city in the world which is less than 1 hour away. Cuernavaca is located in the state of Morelos which is a very historically significant state in Mexico and houses many important ancient ruins as well as a variety of different indigenous languages and ethnic groups.

Not everything is 80 degrees and sunny in Cuernavaca, though. The needs in many of the outlying areas are tremendous. From communities dealing with poverty, drugs and alcohol and gang violence, to mountain communities an hour south in the state of Guerrero who have only the Catholic Church to turn to and face religious persecution if they invite or attend other denominations into their town.

Cuernavaca or Bust

Along with the approval to proceed with opening a base in Cuernavaca, we were blessed with the opportunity of bringing one of our Discipleship Training School (DTS) Outreach teams to Cuernavaca to bring Christ to the people of this area and bless the local church.

God opened doors for us through others who have previously worked in the area. We have been blessed with great contacts with both local churches as well as contacts in mountain villages and indigenous areas willing to host our teams. We were able to step through the doors God opened for us saw His hand move through our students and touch people’s lives. As one pastor we worked with put it, when we die to ourselves and go out and do things that may be outside our comfort zone, we give life to others. That’s what we witnessed as we worked in and around Cuernavaca.

Rest In That

Well, it's been several weeks since our Discipleship Training School (DTS) ended. While we miss the students immensely, it brings us joy to look back on the friendships that were started and to imagine how God is going to use those we've poured into over the last several months to hopefully do even greater things than we will ever accomplish.

I don't usually toot my own horn, but I received a compliment from one of our DTS Students. Most days as a missionary, you pretty much feel like anyone else working any other job. But then, you have those moments, like the drunk guy at hospital ministry, or receiving a word of encouragement, where you go, "That's it. That's why I do what I do. That's what I love about it." Oswald Chambers writes a lot about enjoying the drudgery because it's part of life. Even Jesus had days of drudgery (although he handled them 50 times better than I do). Anyway, I thank God for providing the people with just the right word, at just the right time. That, I can rest in.