Pico Norte - La Segunda Vez

For those of you who are bilingually-challenged, the title means "North Peak - The Second Time"

This past Saturday I got up at 4:44 and prepared to lead a group of four buddies up the tallest mountain in Monterrey. If any of you have been reading this blog for the past year, you will remember that last May my friend Nolan and I had a crazy day and night on this mountain. That experience proved to be very valuable, as I knew the trail well having already navigated it in the dark.

By 6:00 A.M. we had started our trek up the steep, winding trail. The first hour flew by in darkness as I set a quick pace along the ancient riverbank that dried up centuries ago. We stopped to rest at about 7 and I took the picture below.



By 8 A.M. we were to an old campsite that I recognized and I knew we were making great time. On the previous trip we had taken a different trail and had arrived at this spot after 3 1/2 hours. The two trails converged at this point, and I was really glad we had taken the faster one. We made a quick stop and the guys were encouraged to know we making such good progress. I was hoping we would be to the top in another two and a half hours.

At 9:12 we stopped to take a drink and watch the sun slip up over the mountain. For the first time we could see the rays and it was warm and energizing. I knew we were near the top, even though we couldn't see much in the thick trees. I told the guys that if we didn't stop we could make it by 9:30. We pushed ourselves hard for the final fifteen minutes, and made it to the peak it a remarkable time of 3 hours 30 minutes. It felt great. The next picture is of all the guys at the top.



I was able to find where I wrote my name on the antenna the last time I climbed the mountain. I added the second date, and plan to add a few more before I leave.



It is tradition for successful climbers to leave their mark or flag at the peak of the mountain. I like this tradition, so I left a flag of sorts on the antenna. See if you can pick out which was mine.



This next picture is me in front of the city I call home. If you look just to your left of my right arm you will see the stadium and campus of Tec de Monterrey, home of Los Borregos. I live just to the left of the campus.



We stayed on top of the mountain for about two and a half hours. Some of the guys napped, while others took pictures and enjoyed the view. I stretched a lot, drank a lot of water and Gatorade, and tried to make a few phone calls. The reception up there was excellent.

The trip down the mountain was more difficult that the trip up. For people who have never been on a mountain, this is a little hard to understand, but we all agreed that coming down was no joke. Gravity is pulling you down the slippery slope, making it much easier to fall and get hurt. There is also a lot more pressure on the joints in muscles in your legs. By the time we got to the bottom, all of us had had several close calls and were thankful to have nothing more than some cramps and bruises to deal with. The following picture is the group at the bottom of the trail. We were tired, sore, hungry, and victorious!

Another Day in Alianza

Two Saturdays ago I made a trip out to Alianza with my friends Tameka and Ronaldo. We had a great time playing with the kids, coloring, and sharing the story of David and Goliath. I just wanted to share a few pictures that keep making me smile.

This is Tameka, Ronald, my new buddy Jaime, and me (from right to left). Jaime hopes to join us in the future for Sunday soccer games.



This is me swinging three kids at once. Do not try this in the USA! You could be in for a lawsuit if someone slips. Here in Mexico most moms would tell the kids to hold on tighter next time.



This is me carrying Mimi on my shoulders and Cynthia on my back. These kids love to be picked up and carried around. It is always a fight to see who can get on my back. Cynthia's cousin Laura usually wins, but this time Cynthia didn't even wait for me to take my backpack off, she just ran and jumped on.



This is Ronaldo buried under a pile of tickling kids. They really took to both Ronald and Tameka and decided that Ronaldo needed to be tickled. I promise I had nothing to do with this scene.



Here I am about to swing Tameka in "el avion" or "airplane." The kids love this, and they wanted to see me swing Tameka. She is pretty tall, so it wasn't easy, but she had a pretty good flight and the kids got a big kick out of it. Special thanks to Tameka, who took about 98% percent of the pictures while Ronaldo and I were human jungle gyms.



Cynthia's shirt says it all. Well, almost all. The back says "100% perfect."



This is Pepe being swung by me and Ronald. Pepe is 13 and is a pretty cool guy. He has a good heart and tries to watch out for the other kids on the street. He is learning some English, and likes to practice whenever I am in Alianza.



I have nicknamed this little guy "Lionheart." He is a wild one, and I love him. He always tells me he wants to be the "más recio en todo el mundo" or "the fastest in the world." Here I am spinning him about as fast as humanly possible, and he is screaming for more.



Well, that's about enough Alianza for now. Keep praying for these kids, but especially for the adults there. Nothing is going to change until God changes the hearts of the men and women who live in "The Alliance" neighborhood.

Happy Birthday Bob!

Today (actually yesterday by the time I get this posted) is the birthday of my brother-in-law Bob. Happy birthday Bob! I wish I could have been there today to celebrate with you.



The relationship I have with Bob is more like that of a brother than that of a brother-in-law. I am so blessed to have him as part of my family. When Bob first started dating my sister, Le, I had my doubts about him. However, over the years I have gotten to know him well and have grown to love him immensely.

Bob is a great friend and he and I have a great time together. He is always quick with a joke or funny line, and fortunately appreciates my sense of humor. We have made lots of great memories and have many stories we can tell, and others that should never be told.

Bob is a pretty smart guy, and a great realtor. If you need to buy or sell a home, he is the man to call. He is a whiz when it comes to fixing a car, remodeling a house, or cleaning up after a flood. He has every tool know to man, and more importantly, he actually knows how to use them. He has taught me a great deal and has always been there when I have needed a hand.

Bob is a great husband to my sister and a great father to my neice and nephews. He knows that love is a verb, and is a great example of how a man should care for his family. He is also a great Christian, and has a heart for seeing people come to know Jesus. I have come to look up to him and the way he serves in the church and the community.

The picture below is Bob with baby Graham, who just had his first birthday a few weeks ago.



When I left Kentucky to move to Mexico, one of the hardest things was leaving my sister and my neice and nephews behind. It was so reassuring to know that Bob was there, loving them, teaching them, and being a great father, husband, and example of God's love.

Bob, I am thankful for you and all that you mean to me and my family. Congratulations on 35 great years! I have been blessed to have you as a friend and brother for the last ten years, and I look forward to all the great things we will experience together in the future. May God continue to richly bless you and your home. I love you!

Pictures from the beach

About three weeks ago I had some meetings in southern Mexico with the other missionaries on my team. We had a great time working together, talking about what God has been doing, and making plans for the future. We worked most mornings and a few nights, and spend our afternoons enjoying the great beaches. I wanted to share some of the pictures I have from the trip.

This is our team that is working across Mexico to reach university students with the love of Jesus. We are currently living in Monterrey, Puebla, Querétaro, and Guadalajara. In this picture, we are on the beach in Ixtapa, behind an fish that Nolan and I made in the sand. If you read the top, it says "JESUS."



Below is a picture of me with a big swordfish on the dock at Zihuatanejo. If you think that one is big, you should have seen the one that got away!



This is a picture of me and my favorite person in Acapulco, Ms. Vicky. I stayed in her house and I can say she is a wonderful hostess, as well as an awesome Christian sister. I am looking forward to my next trip to Acapulco.



This last shot is me with the sun setting over the Pacific in the background. I was waiting to watch the famous Acapulco cliff divers, who have been performing their amazing dives for over 70 years. I got to see a pretty good sunset while I waited.



It was an excellent trip and I returned refreshed and excited about getting back to work. Since I have been back things have been busy, which is always good. Please continue to pray for the students here at Tec de Monterrey, that their eyes and hearts would be opened to the all-satisfying God that relentlessly pursues us.

Happy Valentine's Day

Well it's February 14th again. At this time of year, most men are happy to have one speical woman in their life. I am blessed to have many. I would like to send my love to those I love the most, and wish them an awesome Valentine's Day.

First, my lovely sister. I couldn't decide who to put first, but the fact that she gave me one of her kidneys definitely moves her to the front of the line. She is a beautiful gal both inside and out. She has always been a great example to me, and she definitely knows what true love is, and how to show it. Thanks you sis. I love you!



Next, my wonderful mother. Mom has always gone the extra mile to show her kids how much she loves us. Her unselfishness and willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of others has served as a great example. She daily reaps the rewards of seeds of love she has sewn for decades. She is truly a woman worthy of praise. I am thankful for you Mom, and I love you!



I can't even describe what a blessing it is to be the uncle of Neva Faith. She is an little angel that always makes me smile, whether I am holding her or talking on the phone a thousand miles away. As she grows older she becomes even more precious, and I look forward to lots of great times with my little princess. I love you Baby Neva!



Finally, the woman who got this all started, my Grandma Bonnie. Gram Bon has always been my valentine, and has always loved me unconditionally. I am so thankful for her. I treasure all the memories we have made, and I pray that one day I can enjoy and love my grandchildren the way she does hers. I love you Gram Bon! Have a wonderful day!



I had a friend ask me last night what I was going to do to celebrate today. I finally figured out she wanted me to buy her a balloon. I told her Valentine's Day didn't mean a whole lot if you weren't in a relationship. I was wrong.

Valentine's Day does mean a lot. It is a reminder that we are loved, not just by other people, but by a God who loved us so much that he left heaven, came to be with us, and died so that we could be with Him. Today I am going to wear the only red shirt I have. On the front it says "SALVATION, established 33 A.D." That is what love is.

1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Lay down your life for someone today. Tell them what true love is. Better yet, show them.