The Mexico City Missive ~ summer 2016

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.

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Spring has sprung, the grass has ris';

I wonder where the graduate is?

Well, we found him in Springfield, MO after a flight from Mexico City and a drive from Dallas.

Our stay in Springfield began with a parent's brunch and then a Baccalaureate service where Wesley and other honor students were recognized for outstanding achievement in their degree fields. Stuart and I are very proud of Wesley who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Music Industry. 

As many of you know, Wesley is on to Spain this summer as a MAPS volunteer to intern with International Media Ministries. He's already bought the plane tickets, people! But he still needs some funding. If you would like to invest in Wesley's internship, he has a gofundme account that is quick and easy to use. If you'd prefer to mail an offering you can send it to:

Wesley M Brown
3320 South Meadowlark Ave
Springfield, MO 65807

Either way, all funds go directly to Wesley and his internship with IMM and you will receive a receipt.

Thanks everyone for your generosity and encouragement toward Wesley. We really appreciate it.

We came. We saw. We ate.

We came to Connecticut last week to visit family and celebrate Easter.

Here's a little photo journal of our time here.

We're never home more than 24 hours without getting some pizza from Di Matteo's in Hamden, CT. Today we go to Pepe's Pizzeria (because you can't get too much pizza when you visit the Northeast).

Saturday we were off to Mystic to shop and then enjoy some seafood at The Ancient Mariner. You can't get lobster rolls like this anywhere else in the US.

On Easter Sunday we downed some stuffed shells and a spiral ham before digging into the Italian pastries and cannoli from DiSorbo's Bakery - always a favorite.

Our trip to Connecticut in summary:

We came. We saw. We ate.

And yea, we really did see our family as well. 

I'll try to get a picture of them after lunch :)

Missionary Monday . . . on the road (and in the air) again

Two weeks ago, snow and icy roads forced a state of emergency in Fort Wayne which upset travel plans for both our university students. Stuart made a harrowing trip to Indianapolis the next day to drop off Wesley to meet his ride. Then on Wednesday, Olivia and I joined Stuart on a 4 1/2 hour drive to Indianapolis to catch our flights.

Here I am trying to manage a selfie with Olivia.

We got to the airport with about an hour and 20 minutes to spare. Stuart and I headed to Florida and Olivia flew back to Texas.

Big thanks to Pastor Carl and Alice Stephens for allowing us to share our heart for Mexico City at Faith Assembly of God in Orlando. Also, thanks to Pastor Marcos and Margarita Gonzalez for the fellowship afterward. 

On Thursday morning, we joined Faith Christian Academy for morning devotions.

Here we are sharing the parable of the lost peso. 

Yes, we are more than happy to do children and youth services!

Friday, we traveled up to Jacksonville to meet friends and prepare for our service at Freedom Christian Fellowship. We stayed with Brian and Kim Ball, long time friends of Stuart. Brian and Stuart served together in the Marines and Brian was responsible bringing Stuart to church and pointing him to the Savior.

I desperately needed a vitamin D infusion before heading back to the frozen tundra of Indiana, so we stopped at Wekiwa Springs for a cool canoe ride and then walked around Saint Augustine.

We loved our time with Pastor Stephen and Patty Powers at Freedom Christian Fellowship. 

Thanks for your hospitality!

We made it safely back to Fort Wayne last Monday. 

I started my final semester at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Sophia enjoyed her first semi-formal at Leo High School, and Stuart visited Jasonville Assembly of God. 

I wish I could have been there, but Stuart enjoyed catching up with Sam and Marcia Bush as well as many others on Sunday. Thanks so much for your support!

Looking back at 2012

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How to Eat Your Way Through Mexico City and live to tell about it

One must indulge one's children when they return home from university, mustn't one. 

Therefore, Olivia's recent visit gave us an excuse to revisit some eateries like the Crepes & Waffles restaurant.

A Father's Love

Brianna's engaging smile belied the fact that she trusted no-one, especially adults. A quiet, teen-aged girl her physical scars told a story she never spoke of and her emotional scars hindered her from embracing close friendships. Regardless, Stuart and I cared deeply for Brianna and sought to buff away the hardness that encased her young life . . . Read the rest of the story on Tortilla Press.

Of Angels and Missionaries

Years ago, my young daughter confessed that she believed angels had the responsibility to fetch our heads after we die and bring them to heaven.

Read the rest of the story on Tortilla Press.

A Change of Pace

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25

We love Mexico City, but we really appreciated our recent change of pace at our Mexico Field Retreat in the beautiful state of Jalisco during Semana Santa.

Angel Wings and Anginetti

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!" ~John 12:12-13 (NLT)

As Palm Sunday approaches I recall once again the holidays I celebrated as a child within the traditional context. Palm Sunday was a special holiday where I grew up; a memorable event that began at church and extended throughout the day with family. At Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, every worshiper received a few strands of palm; the long thin variety from the fan of the palm tree. As we waved the palm branches we sang, All Glory, Laud, and Honor and then during Sunday School we would fashion the palms into crosses to be shared with family and friends later in the day.

I ♥ Rhode Island

Our road trip to Connecticut takes a happy turn to Narragansett.

Fishing boats like this one, motor in and out all day unloading their catch to the fish markets and restaurants along Narragansett Bay.

Olivia, Wesley and Sophia standing on the same pier my siblings and I played on as kids.

View from the pier.

Beautiful . . . Beautiful . . . Beautiful

Where's Waldo? 

Actually, the two in the middle are my parents walking towards us.

Quaint shops welcome visitors.

Yes, my friends, the Holy Land is closer than you ever imagined.

As the story goes, a local fisherman deemed this little fishing village, Galilee. 

When asked what was across the channel, "Must be Jerusalem" was his reply.

Or as they say in Mexico, "tranquilo".

One of the restaurants here where you can get great seafood.

Here's the other one where we ate.

And this is what we call LUNCH.

That and a half dozen clam cakes.

Time for ice cream.

You got to love the Rhode Island attitude.

My mom and dad taking a final look over the bay.

Olivia and Stuart.

Chillaxing before we go.

Although, I grew up in Connecticut, went to school in Florida, ministered in Indiana, lived in Jamaica, Costa Rica and Mexico . . . Rhode Island is my favorite place in the world :)

Road Trip 2011

Nothing says summer like driving 6000 miles and spending 10 days in our beloved Speed the Light Vehicle.

O yeah.

Actually our trip served a number of purposes. Olivia spent a month in Springfield, Missouri working the ISMK* program. So we picked her up on the way to Fort Wayne, Indiana where we had a chance to reunite with friends, gather more of our belongings, and then head out to Connecticut to surprise my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary.

On our way to Springfield we stopped in San Antonio for a couple of hours. La Villita seemed a fitting place to visit.

My parents were quite surprised that the party my sister invited them to was not her birthday party but their anniversary party. Our family's presence compounded their surprise and I was so grateful they did not suffer heart attacks as that would have defeated the whole purpose of our arrival.

The happy couple, Carol and Marshall Mitchell married on June 24, 1961.

They began their family right away and my brother Scott Francis* was born June 6, 1962.

The Mitchell family circa 1970. 

My sister Bonnie, my mom, me, and my youngest brother Todd sitting on my father's lap.

Here we are today, older, wiser, and much too big to sit on my father's lap.

A host of family and friends including my mom's cousin Georgia and her husband John celebrated the day with us.

Youngest cousin Matthew teases Sophia.

Stuart with my brother-in-law Mike watching the folks open their gifts.

Olivia and Sophia.

Golden chocolate bars for a golden anniversary.

My dad and I having a chat.

Apparently I said something quite funny.

Uncle Donald (my dad's brother) mesmerizes my niece Jessica, nephew Matthew and brother Todd.

Festive red velvet and vanilla cupcakes.

Here's to 50 more years :)

Mom-mom and Pop-pop with all their grandchildren. 

Olivia and Sophia to the left, Jessica and Elizabeth to the right and Wesley and Matthew in front.

From everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:17, 18 

Our travels have only begun. Stay tuned.

*ISMK stands for International Society of Missionary Kids

*Scotty died of Leukemia May 5, 1967