First Few Days.....Moving in!

Our first few days were a bit hectic due to jet lag etc. but we had a great time. We were shown our new house, here it is before we went shopping!

As you can see it is pretty basic, and then we set about filling it a bit. We went with Robin Mackinnon (A few times for general stuff), Robin Efing & Margaret (Curtains, Cleaning stuff etc.) and Christian (Home Depot/B&Q things.) We were so blessed to have so many missionaries donate furniture and other things to us to help us get started with our house, and now it looks more like a little home.

Ok, maybe it doesn't seem a lot, but it's fine for us. We have a television now (to watch Power Rangers, and Mexican Soaps to learn Spanish!) and the internet to keep in contact, so we are happy. We are really safe in our house, we have three guards that we know of at our estate, who are all lovely, and we have a big electric fence at the back(!) but we have been so welcomed by everyone here that it is beginning to feel like home!

From

To

First Day in Mexico

On Thursday, we woke up at about 5:30am (Not by choice, but by jet lag!) We then met with Jonathan Morton and Christian Mackinnon (HR Director) about our first weeks in Mexico. For the first few months we will concentrate on bedding into our new church, Santa Monica, and getting the language. I don't think we realised how limited we really are without the language, we weren't even able to order a coffee at our meeting. Slowly but surely! In the afternoon we went with Christian's wife Robin (Get used to the names, they'll be used alot!) The Mackinnon's have been in Mexico for 2 years, and live about 2 minutes from our house. They have 4 kids, Maddy, Josh, Ethan, and Amelia, all of which we have great fun with! Robin took us to get a bed, a table, and a washer - it was all great fun. We then had the team meeting with all the missionaries and the Armagh team. The team led worship, and then we had some time going through a lot of team business. Afterwards, Kay Lindsay (Leroy & Kay are the directors of the Seminary) made muffins and party stuff for Julie & I coming. We felt so encouraged at everyone's welcome. We also saw Gary, and it was so good to catch up with him after missing him for nearly 5 months!

The beginning! Wednesday 15th August

Ok, in short. We arrived to Dublin airport for our smooth transition into a nice relaxing departure lounge ready for take off. Actually we didn't! Apparently we are only allowed a temporary Visa to Mexico for 180 days, however, Delta had booked our "as much as we can" tickets for 184 days and were not going to allow us to leave Dublin. Good start. So we had to pay £150 to change dates for four days, and then we were set. After a few sad goodbyes we travelled from Dublin. Two meals, free ice cream, three movies and alot of turbulence later we arrived in Atlanta. Atlanta was warm, and very spread out. (That's all I can think of - it's probably nicer outside the airport.) Then we travelled on a flight from Atlanta to Mexico City. There was an excellent film on (Fracture - go see it!) which took my mind off the flying bit, and in no time we landed. We got our bags and met Christian Mackinnon who was there to collect us. We went to Jonathan & Lupita Morton's house (OMS Field Director), and more or less went to sleep! That's all I think... Oh aye, the weather was rubbish!

Where do we start?

Ok, we are in Mexico, praise the Lord! I have no clue how to write up the last 7 days but I will have a go. Well here goes....

Countdown.....

So we are sitting here, and I have posted twice in two days. So by my estimations this is coming close to the most consecutive journal that we have ever written! We had a wonderful night last night with our very close friends Mark and Rachel Brown. Mark and Rachel have been friends for a few years now, and are running a young adults prayer group for us while we are away. They are also coming over to visit us next Easter - something which we will look forward too immensely.

In the last few days we have had so many cards, e-mails, gifts, visits (and some surprise visits!) from lots and lots of people. Our assistant Pastor, Billy Jones visited us this morning to pray with us before we leave. Even though Julie was just out of the shower, and I was still in my pyjamas(!) it was such a blessed time. He shared with us about Joshua going to the land that God had promised, and as I am studying Joshua at the minute it really hit home what we are doing. We are to be strong, and courageous and be of good cheer, because the Lord God Almighty is with us!

Please pray as we travel down to Dublin tonight and that we will have a good nights sleep. We would also appreciate prayers for Jonny's father who hasn't been well this past while with his heart, and has an appointment on Wednesday. Also that the Lord will convict Jonny's mum, dad, brother and his wife, of their need for the Saviour.

The Beginning!!

Well here it is!

Finally after 2 years of preparation, short term teams, and over 50 meetings, we are finally ready for Mexico!

We are travelling down to Dublin with family tomorrow night, and will stay over as we have a very early flight. So Dublin via Atlanta to Mexico, and we will arrive at about 2218 Mexico time (about 6 hours behind us in good old GMT!)

We hope to keep this updated as we go along, as I'm (Jonny) rubbish at keeping a journal! So you can feel part of our mission to Mexico, and can pray for us more effectively.

So here goes!