[News] Feb 16th 2010

[Berkshire Mission]

February 16, 2010

 

Greetings from Jitotol,

 

We Have arrived safely and in good spirits and prepared to be a blessing to
our Mexican neighbors.  Situations at the airport was the usual organized
chaos, which is not bad at all considering we are traveling with 51 people
and much luggage and equipment.  As most of you know, Bob had extreme
problems in securing a guaranty that our medicines would be allowed  through
Mexico's very strict "no pharmaceuticals policy at customs. After receiving
a flat out "no" just 24 hours before our arrival the Lord once again turned
the winds of strife for us.  Waiting at the airport for us were  Adrianna,
Aramara, and Benenise.  They carried the hefty title of "Health Officials
from the Department of Protocol"  In their hands were documents for the
exception to the rule.  One of the biggest reasons why we were turned down
over and over was  because Mexico does not want any religious group coming
in trying to convert the people by use of medical care as a bribe.  Once we
were able to convince them that our medical, dental and optical care would
have no religious strings attached but just the physical welfare of the
folks it was agreed to let us bring in our supplies  We were prepared to let
them confiscate over 100,000 children's vitamins if need be and many totes
of medicines brought by Dr. Roy. But the Lord over ruled the situation.
The rest of our medicines we have planned to buy here in Mexico.  Bob was
straight with them and explained that yes, we are a church group and yes we
would be having an evangelistic meeting.  But, our medical care is purely
that.  Medical care!  No charge and no strings attached.

 

The airports in Mexico are beautiful and well maintained.  The only concern
we had was for the  graft that takes place by the local police.  They
charged us $90.00  to bring the bus into the parking lot to load  our people
and baggage.  No receipts or documents were given to us for this payment and
Maria, one of our local helpers said that is how they pad their pockets.

A very interesting thing happened to Dr. Roy on our way to Tuxila today.  He
had a conversation in Spanish with his seat mate on the plane about what we
have come to do here in this country.  He then mentioned to the woman that
he has a brother Paul that lives in Mexico.  Well guess who this woman's own
physician turns out to be?  None other than Dr. Roy's brother!  We have all
seen far to many works of the Lord to believe in coincidence.  Especially
while we are on these Mission trips that are run by the Lord.  How exciting
it will be when we are in Heaven and find out the rest of the story .  There
is a reason he was placed next to his brothers patient when they don't even
live in the same country.  You know the Lord has a plan in this meeting,
perhaps we will be allowed a glimpse of that working now, but if not now
then for sure in Heaven.

 

We are staying at Linda Vista S.D.A. University for the next two weeks.  It
is a very impressive place in its beauty, cleanliness and dedication to
Godly education.  They make all their own food as well as grow much of it in
the agricultural department.  Even the uniforms the students wear are made
here in the sewing department.  It is much cooler than  you would expect for
Mexico, but that is because we are at a high elevation.  This is part of the
cloud forest area.  Driving to the school was a test of stomach strength for
some.  This was by far the most continuously  winding roads that we have
ever encountered.  We are in areas over 5,500 ft.  Although the school
itself is in a valley at around 3,500.

 

There is much to be done to ready ourselves for the work that will start
tomorrow.  But everyone is in a good spirit and all are filled with the
excitement of being able to see first hand how our Lord works.  The chance
to meet folks of a different culture and not only to help them but to make a
friendship with them that has the opportunity to last through out eternity
is a thrill and a blessing to all.

More news to come tomorrow.  Keep praying for us and for these people that
God will be glorified in all we say and do.

 

Smiles to you from Jitotol

Jennifer Young, Mission Reporter.

 

He hath shown thee oh man what is good; and what the Lord requires of thee,
to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:8

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