Stuart
and I enjoyed the outstanding Olympic coverage in
Mexico and the wonderful athletes who competed these last few weeks.
I couldn't help but celebrate with the victors and hurt with the
fallen. Like many missionaries, Stuart and I joyfully cheered on
athletes from our home country as well as athletes from countries
where we have served. Such extraordinary talent!
Stuart
and I competed in our own Olympic
event of sorts this week and are also celebrating a win. We both
received a three – year residency visa from the good people of
Mexico! Our experience may not seem medal worthy to some, but to us
it is golden.
Although
technically not an Olympic sport, applying for a residency visa
seemed, at times, no less physically grueling or mentally exhausting.
First, we meticulously deciphered the linguistic code on the
government website for the correct way to apply (or, in our case,
renew) a visa. Second, we laboriously gathered numerous (sometimes
superfluous) documents to cover all possible contingencies. Lastly,
after a quick photo shoot, quite a bit of $$, and lots of
copies of everything we headed out.
In
the span of two weeks, Stuart and I traveled to the immigration
office in Mexico City five times. Five times we drove to the
metro station; took three, sometimes very congested, trains
(seriously, packed in like marshmallows at a chubby bunny contest);
and then hailed a taxi for the final leg of the two – hour journey.
Five times we waited for our number to be called to talk to a nice
immigration officer. Thankfully, this week we stood victorious on
the medal podium and received the coveted award.
Ministry
at Teen challenge continues to expand. My Saturday morning
English class has morphed into two as more young men join the
program. I also began private lessons with one of the directors who
wants to improve her conversational skills before a big meeting in
November. Stuart has preached at Teen Challenge and we teamed
together to teach in the youth class on a recent Sunday. And just for
fun, Stuart usually joins the guys on Tuesday mornings to play a
little b-ball and soccer.
Ministry
opportunities beyond Teen Challenge include preparing the
sanctuary at Luz a las Naciones for a fresh coat of paint.
Stuart spent the better part of the week (when we weren't at
immigration) to scrape down water – damaged and mold – infested
walls. On Saturday, he joined a large group of motivated workers to
complete the beautification process. It'll look great for when he
preaches there next month.
Our
nest is empty, but our hearts are full. Our daughter Olivia
recently moved from Indiana to North Carolina to begin graduate
studies at Duke Divinity. Wesley currently enjoys life and ministry
in Spain as an intern with International Media Ministries. And
Sophia, after a stint as chief to missionary kids at
missionary training and renewal in Springfield, prepares for her
junior year at Evangel University.
Printable PDF (Summer 2016)
