You have probably heard about the swine flu epidemic! Thank you to the many that have contacted us, concerned about our welfare. We are fine! The Mexican schools are closed, and many are concerned about the already weak economy in Mexico, but God is on the throne.
What this swine flu situation did, was give us the opportunity to fulfill a promise we had made to Rebekah before she leaves Mexico. We hopped in the van and traveled down the Baja on a family vacation. It was simply amazing. If you ever want to find out how to take a trip to Mulege (paradise), send us an e-mail and we will fill you in on how to take an inexpensive getaway where you can bask in God’s beautiful handiwork and allow His creation to rejuvenate you.
Rebekah enjoying the shade of the cabana
Rod and I will return to Canada with Rebekah in August to help her transition to life, work and eventually college. Before she leaves Mexico, she will attend MK (missionary kid) debriefing to help her prepare for the upcoming changes in her future. Too bad they did not have a course to help Rod and I adjust to being empty nesters!! I have included in this prayer letter Rebekah’s bio she was asked to send to Barnabus International for her debriefing. You can read firsthand some of the struggles and triumphs in the life of a missionary kid, our kid.
When I was 11 years old my parents took our family on a family mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico. We were able to work with a feeding program and we got to see the needs that the Mexicans have. On that trip our family caught the mission flame. After returning from our mission trip, my parents felt like we were being led down there. I thought it was just another one of their ideas that would soon pass, but I was wrong. It didn’t become a reality until I was 13. We left in the later part of July 2004. I was angry at my parents that they made me leave my life, my school, my family and my friends. When we finally got here, I actually started to enjoy it. We came during outreach time when there is a lot of people and other youth. It wasn’t till after the summer when I started to dislike Mexico yet again. We were living at a ranch with only 3 other people, all over the age of 45. This was very hard on me because I never had anyone my age and also because I didn’t know the language.
After one year of solitude and being home schooled by a 23 year old missionary, we began looking for a school I could attend. We found Highland Prince Academy Secundaria which is a bilingual Jr. High. I attended there the fallowing year and loved it. During that year my Spanish grew immensely. I could communicate and under stand other youth. I finally felt like I belonged here in Mexico. After one year at HPA Secundaria we began looking for a high school. It was between crossing and going to San Diego everyday or finding a high school down here. I decided to stay and started attending Highland Prince Academy Preparatoria. The only thing was that the high school was not bilingual and all my classes would be in Spanish. It was a sink or swim situation, but thank God, I prevailed. With out Him I would not have been able to do it. I have now been at this high school for three years and because of the amount of Spanish I have learned, I am able to translate for my parents, groups, events and outreaches. I am one of the translators for YUGO Ministries! That is the main ministry that God has me in and I enjoy it. I believe that if God hadn’t sent me to Mexico, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. I have learned such a great compassion for the less fortunate. God has opened my eyes to how the majority of the world lives. I really want to go to Barnabas to learn how to transition into a culture that I’m not used to. I also want to learn what to expect and how to deal with it.
Thanks for your many prayers that helped Rebekah, Rod and I adjust to the life we live in Mexico. You, our partners in ministry have been an incredible blessing in so many ways. We know our prayers and yours will sustain Rebekah with her upcoming changes.
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