First Impressions

Greetings from Mexico City!

A big THANK YOU to those who were praying for my flight. I arrived safely here in Mexico late Thursday night after an uneventful flight from Portland, with a layover in Houston. The last hour of flying seemed like it took forever! I was so anxious to arrive and get through customs that I felt like the plane might never land...but it did!

As it turned out, though, landing wasn't even the climax of the flight. Have you ever looked out over a big city at night, in awe of all the the lights and the thought of the many people who call that place home? As Mexico City came into view from window seat 22A of flight 1094 my jaw literally dropped. I have never seen a more incredible display of urban beauty in my life!

The city stretched out for miles and miles (the picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice), a sea of lights making small islands of the majestic mountains it surrounded. It was truly a breathtaking site; one that I will never forget. The sheer vastness and expanse of the city from view of the heavens made me wonder at the unfathomable greatness of God, a blanket of His love covering the approximately 25 million people who reside here!

It took about 15 to 20 minutes from when the city was visible to the time the wheels actually touched the ground. When they did, I got to experience it in a much more personal way. After clumsily making my way through customs, baggage claim, and airport security (you know, like a foreigner), I was greeted by missionary Peter Breit and taken to the home where he and his family live, and where I have spent my first few days adjusting to the new culture.

The Breit's have been incredible...I couldn't have hoped for better hosts! They have 4 great kids and have helped me to feel right at home. I'm looking forward to being mentored by them and can see already that I'm going to learn so much.

I've spent the first couple of days settling in and getting to know some wonderful nationals that are involved in ministry here. They are all very gracious with me as I stumble through a few Spanish phrases and ask them often to repeat themselves. One thing I have going for me is that I LOVE the food here. Apparently that makes me a good guest so it's a win-win!

Some of you might be interested to know that I, the person who can hardly stomach a tomato, have already eaten pig snout, tongue, and other adventurous items! I've requested that I not be told the ingredients of the food until after I've eaten ;) I do appreciate that edible parts of the animal aren't wasted here, but still, I prefer not to know!

I look forward to meeting the family that I'll be living with tomorrow and should have plenty more to share soon. I hope and pray that everyone back home is doing well. Love you all!