Mexico 2014: Visiting Here and There

Usually bus drivers here scour the landscape for any sign of potential passengers, but this morning Carol and I were still too far from the road to be noticed by a passing bus, despite waving. Then a second bus, also failing to see us hurrying, passed us by. We felt doomed to arrive late at the Hall for the ministry.

A third bus came and we boarded. We were the only two passengers. We soon learned our driver was not Buck Rogers nor Flash Gordon but Evel Knievel. It was our fastest, scariest bus ride ever. It was not long before he passed the second bus we missed. Then, on a curve and possibly on two wheels, he overtook the first bus we missed. He then passed a third one. Not only did we arrive at the Hall in the shortest time imaginable, but we were the first ones there.

It was a rattling experience and it won't happen again. I took a mental note of the bus and driver and we'll never set foot in his vehicle again. Should he have an evil twin who tries the same thing, we now have a strategy. We've learned how to shout in Spanish, "I'm going to vomit!" Reportedly that slows them down every time.

Wayne and Nancy Bourdin invited us along with them in the ministry again and we rode off in his VW into the hills. Carol and Nancy visited a woman who is studying regularly. Wayne and I visited a man who previously showed interest. In the photo below, lower left, one can see reinforcing rods rising from the roof slab of his below-the-road house. The concrete blocks (center) are his and he accumulates them to build a second story one day. He explained to us he does not spend money on beer which just puts many men in a useless stupor. He'd rather buy a six-pack of concrete blocks to bring him closer to completing his project for his family.

We found him this morning pouring water into the holes where trees are growing, shown in the above photo. He broke those holes in the concrete and planted fruit trees for the benefit of his family. As you might guess, he's a likeable man.

Today he was intrigued to learn that Jesus is God's son. This is news to him since he has been taught since childhood that Jesus is God himself. I was pleased I could contribute a scripture (Matt. 16:15-17) where Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say I am?" When Peter answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus commends him for getting it right. We spent a very pleasant hour as guests in the home of this serious man and his wife.

Later we spoke with this fellow ready to leave with his burro. He agreed to be photographed.

The Mexican people deserve commendation for their friendliness. It is a true pleasure to visit them. In fact, the only unfriendly soul I ever met here was this barking second-story grouch shown below.

Wayne wanted to visit another interested person so I followed him down a bank of steps that seemed endless. At the bottom I turned, looked up, and took a photo. I wondered how we'd ever climb back to his car without the sun and heat turning us into bleached skeletons two thirds up.

Next we walked along a sidewalk seven feet higher than the road. Handrails of course are for sissies.

Wayne consulting his notes

Meanwhile Carol got photographed in her part of the territory, also on high ground. In fact, as you recall, Wayne and I were on low ground with a height to climb to return to his car. Rather than go back to those formidable steps, we took a route to a sloped road and trekked up that. Three times we stopped when we found shade and rested up. Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news." That part is fine, but it leaves out the huffing and puffing.

After completing our morning, Wayne and Nancy kindly dropped us off in Zihuatanejo's market area so we could take care of some errands. But first we had a lunch at Bandido's. I wanted nothing more than nachos and salsa which they usually bring free with a drink, but the waiter misunderstood and thought I wanted a nacho meal. So he brought me a large plate of nachos covered with melted cheese and brown beans, plus the nachos with salsa. We both had a good fill. We spoke with a couple at a neighboring table, from California, who were in town on shore leave from a cruise ship anchored in the bay.

We walked the short distance to see the vessel ...