The Lord blessed the 2018 Mexico Tour in many ways. In ten days, we were given
many opportunities to share the gospel, cast a Biblical vision for family, encourage
family relationships, and challenge individuals and families to build every aspect of
their lives on the Solid Rock of God's Word.
Part of the family enjoyed a relaxing hike wedged in between one of the cracks of our busy schedule.
Mexico's beautiful sunrises and sunsets never cease to amaze us.
Allison enjoyed reconnecting with this friend she first met in Mexico a few years ago.
Two older siblings planned a fun lunch date with some of their younger siblings!
Josh and Huds enjoyed a man-to-man conference featuring coffee,
chess, and conversation.
The Mexico countryside is scenic and varied.
Peter Swatsky and his family traveled with us while Peter worked as our capable translator.
Because we've had no babies in our family for a while, we especially enjoyed laughing and
playing with Kezzia (pictured above) and her sister Isabella.
We were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the German Mennonites. Their cuisine is our favorite!
Our Mexico Tour would not have been complete without a bus crisis. The day before we left Mexico, we took a "shortcut" to avoid the traffic backed up behind a military check-point. Unfortunately, the incline was trickier to negotiate than anticipated. After our interpreter placed rocks under the tires, we crested the hill with minimal bus damage.
Reentering the United States was more difficult than crossing into Mexico. After four hours at the border, during which time none of us could be with Dad in the bus, we finally crossed to "the land
of the free and the home of the brave."
Some of the greatest ministry opportunities occurred, not in the concerts, but in fellowship with fathers, mothers, siblings, and families in homes, gyms, churches, and restaurants. We were
thankful for the hunger for discipleship that we felt in Mexico.
Whether through the busyness of life, the barrage of the technology age, or the disintegration of Biblical family roles, the enemies of strong families will never cease their onslaught.
Nonetheless, God's promises and precepts still hold true for families today. In this generation we must return God's Word, not cultural trends and philosophies, as the foundation for building families. By God's grace, when we let Him build our homes, we can once again have stronger churches and stronger nations.
"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel." --Psalm 128