Dios Le Ben Diga (God Bless You) as he has blessed us.  Our team has made it to Mexico and finished our first day of learning and working.    On Sunday our flights were on time and very smooth.  We picked up our vehicles and didn't get what we ordered (an explorer and 12 pssgr van instead of mini and 15 pssgr van) yet, I heard no complaining from team members.  Our border crossing went smooth, however Norm was a little nervous when they pulled his van over to ask him some questions (30 second delay).  We found our bunks, had orientation, went out for tacos and then played the night away.  A few of us went up to play hoops with some of the locals.  Even the '"old man'" had to play to make up a team of 5 Americans against 5 nationals.  We WON!

Morning came and Eddy taught us from Luke's gospel about listening and doing what God tells us to do.  It didn''t take long for the rookies to learn the ropes of loading up and hanging on as we headed over the bumpy roads to the home of a young couple and their son.  God gave us beautiful weather (breezy and 70ish) and good attitudes.  The family we built for served us dinner made of pico and chopped fish on tostada shells.  I''ve been down here more than a dozen times and have never had fish before; it was amazing!  Tim and I worked on the mission truck which lost its brakes on the way to our job sight.  We were able to '"jerry rig'" it so that the 2 staff ladies could safely drive it back to the mission headquarters.  It will get a full repair tomorrow. 

Tonight we went for mulitos, tortas and quesedias.  The team voted Los Pablanos their favorite so far.  After a day of hard work on a dusty hillside we all wanted a hot shower, but the showers were closed.  But Norm and I figured that the next best thing to a hot shower is cold ice cream.  We were having fun hanging out at the Michiocanno when the police showed up to catch a thief coming out of the store next door.  They drew their guns and cuffed the man and hauled him off to jail.  It is a comfort to see the local police dealing with crime so effectively. 

It has been fun to watch the rookies seeing stuff they have never seen before.  Although the poverty isn''t like it was 20 years ago, Mexico is struggling economically.  I am praying that God continues to open our eyes and reveal his desires for each team member here.  Over the last 20 years I have seen many changes in this place, but one thing remains the same - God has been at work through the ministry of Mexico Caravans.