On the road again, in Mexico

"On the road again..."

Everytime we set out we sing that Willie Nelson song, and when we pulled out onto the deserted Cacalote street at 5:00 in the morning, and then on to the "Costera" (the narrow winding road/highway that leads up the Oaxacan coast) Angie joined in singing from the narrow backseat of our little Toyota 4x4 pickup.

It was such a pleasure to have Angie with us. God is so gracious to give us family when we are so far from home. Traveling in their bigger Ford F150 4x4 pickup, Drs. Dave and Mary Kay had Bertha, and Tina (a friend from near Guadalajara)with them .

It was a pleasant two days, driving up the Pacific Mexican coast, especially when we reached Michoacan State. Here we are on one of the many deserted beaches examining sea turtle tracks and nests.

Turtle tracks!

"Guadalajara, Guadalajara..."

That's another favorite song of ours, sung by mariachis, and we played it as we drove into this great city!

Many of you don't know that Eddie and I lived in Guadalajara to study Spanish. We got to stay in a hotel in our old neighborhood! It was fun to see the old sights!

Whenever we get the chance, we take our friends to Tonala, a suburb of Guadalajara where much of the amazing art sold around Mexico is made. Pottery, glass, stone and marble, as well as paper art and tin and wood...and at the best prices!

Our favorite destination is Don Jose Bernabe's gallery and pottery. Bernabe's work is amazingly expensive! I asked him one day, "who buys your work?" He told me that most was sold in Europe and the USA, "governors and presidents..." You can see examples of the pottery online!
http://www.altamex.de/index.php/language/uk/cat/c25_Jos--Bernabe.html

If you would like to see some idea of what Tonala is like, this is the town website http://www.tonala.gob.mx/artesanos/iniciales/a-barro.php.htm

Mary Kay and Bertha watching one of Don Jose's sons applying petatillo (fine stripes that cross) to a pot.


Dave and Eddie listening to Daniel Bernabe talk about their 5 generations of famous pottery.

Soon we were headed toward Nayarit, and the rest were headed for Laredo and points north in the USA. Soon we passed out of Jalisco State and into Nayarit, and then the town of Cofradia where our daughter's family lives.

Cofradia and Mojocautla

We arrived during the chili harvest, and everywhere you went there was the warm sight and smell of chilis drying in the sun.




Up in "Mojo"

Jay and Faith, as you may know, have moved their family up to the village of Mojocautla, about 40 minutes from their home in Cofradia. Please note that the house may be made out of mud and sticks, but it has the fastest internet connection we have had in Mexico via satellite!

They are there to learn the Cora language, and so the children are enrolled in the bilingual Spanish-Cora school next to the Mojocautla house.

Isaiah was sick the day I took these photos, but here is Elisabeth leaving for school, and with her friends and other Cora students. This school is the best they have attended in Mexico. It has won awards and Elisabeth reports that..."the teachers are very dedicated!"

Faith reading to Kai up in the "Mojo" house

Back in Cofradia...

We stayed at their home and played with the kids and rested. Here is Isaiah 12 1/2 years with Kai 9 months. Elisabeth is 10 1/2. The two older kids are great readers (Elis is very fast) and bilingual (and quickly learning Cora). I am impressed that they do all their schoolwork in Spanish! Faith is taking a break from homeschooling right now.

Faith with her best friend Pola, who should be delivering her fourth child (and first boy!) any moment now.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

We left Cofradia right after church Sunday morning and drove to Mazatlan where we hung out and enjoyed a little local color...

baby in a sling, actually in my pareo

Mexican corn...roasted or boiled, served with lime and salt, on the stick or in a cup.

We had a great dinner on a lovely plaza in an old district of Mazatlan, not far from where Jay and Faith lived 14 years ago when they were in YWAM.

We left the next morning and headed for the border...you don't take pictures at the border anymore. We did see Border Patrol van deliver some would-be illegal immigrants at the border, carrying their things in clear plastic bags and holding the straps that had bound their wrists...sigh.

For some reason it was hard to leave Mexico, it always is. No matter how much we miss our Washington children and grandchildren, we love Mexico, and Mexicans. He has given us hearts for Mexico, and vision for what He wants to do through while we are there...

but that is another blog.