Weekends In Tepic

Yesterday marked two months that we have been here. Already! And at the same time, living here seems pretty normal now. Well… I thought that this time I’d write a bit about our weekends in Tepic. As this is where we hope to end up eventually, we have been visiting about every three weeks or so. It’s a three hour trip, but we don’t mind. The scenery is just beautiful! [Matt: we go by lots of rolling sugar-cane fields, steep dry buttes, and best-of-all, an old volcano. The volcano lava slide has jumbled black rocks piled helter-skelter in all directions – quite impressive.]

We are very happy to be getting to know the church a bit better, and are always so encouraged after a visit. To hear the heartfelt singing, to see the love that there is for one another, and to see the joy that there is in Jesus Christ as the gospel message works and brings new life. Yes, very encouraging! Matt has been able to lead a few Bible studies too. This past weekend was extra special. Matt preached for the first time since his ordination. God was gracious, and it went very well. The message was well-received by the people. [A lot of people commented on how good my Spanish was. Little did they know that Lisa, our language teacher, had spent several hours revising my manuscript and fixing the Spanish. Nothing like a compliment on someone else’s work, eh?  But the Spanish is definitely coming along for both of us.]

We always enjoy the time of fellowship with the Bouts as well. This past weekend, Pastor Richard & Angela were in Canada visiting some of the churches out west, so we were hosted by Rev. & Mrs. Bout and the children. We are sad to know that the next time we go to Tepic, Rev. & Mrs. Bout will be back in Canada. We have really enjoyed many good hours of conversation with them, as they have so much wisdom and experience to share about living in Mexico, learning the language and culture, the Lord’s goodness to them in the years they were here, and the Lord’s work in the lives and hearts of the people of Tepic. We will miss them!

We do look forward to many more weekends and visits with Pastor Richard & Angela and their wonderful children! And not just because they take us to beautiful beaches.  Yes, the other weekend we did stay one extra day and spent the Monday at the ocean. Hopefully we can include some pictures below.

BABY

A little update on our baby… We are very thankful to say that all continues to go well. 34 weeks! The baby is about 5 lbs now, 45cm long, and just needs to pack on a few layers of fat yet. We are excited to think that our baby is just about ready to enter this world. We, on the other hand, are not exactly ready.  A few things to get organized yet, and maybe a final decision on that elusive boy’s name… I think we’re settled on a girl’s name... I have a big Rubbermaid container of baby clothes from Angela to sort through. And tomorrow evening we go for our first prenatal class – in English! There is a lady connected to our birthing center who is willing to do this for us – something we didn’t think possible when we moved here! I’m doing well also… as long as I don’t make myself too busy. I’m still feeling comfortable, able to sleep at night (more or less), and the weather is not too unbearably hot yet. Ok, that was a little more than a “little update.” Time for a new topic…

A FEW MORE THINGS YET…

• I have a lady coming to the house now one or two times a week for a couple hours to converse with me in Spanish. She came for the first time yesterday, and it went really well. A wonderful Christian lady.
• Supper time around our house has become an increasingly happy time. Why, you say? Well, until then, it’s Spanish only between Matt & I! With two exceptions: Sundays, and the day our baby decides to make an appearance.  Ok, once and awhile, we do find ourselves slipping into English, as Matt explains a Grammar concept to me, or… when something needs to be said now! But for the most part… We started this a few weeks ago and it has helped me a lot. Frustrating at times, (the words: “no entiendo” (I don’t understand) can often be heard coming out of my mouth), but also very good. I do have to say, I have a very patient husband! Matt is also very good at figuring out what I’m trying to say, even when I use the wrong verb or verb tense, or make up my own words. [Don’t be deceived… Anne-Marie is actually the patient one. She has to put up with a somewhat persnickety husband, at least when it comes to proper grammar! ]
• There is another couple at the language school now who also hope to live and work in Tepic. This is exciting! He is a pilot with an aviation fellowship (similar to Missionary Aviation Fellowship) and they are planning to set up an air base just outside of Tepic. We are excited to get to know them better.

I think that’s enough for now. We continue to be thankful for the Lord’s care for us. At times we do feel the distance from our families, especially when something special is happening, or we can have a bit of a discouraging day, (for me, this is usually connected with my inability to communicate or understand at times). Yet, we are content here, and do continue to thank the Lord each day. For the little things too. The kind girl at the grocery store who takes time to make some simple conversation with me, the gentleman who took the time today to go along with me to find out where a building was… these little things can make your day, and we acknowledge them as precious gifts from God. Thank-you, once again, for your prayers, notes, phone calls, and interest. May God bless and keep each of you. 

 

Our beautiful beach, just for ourselves.  A mile long strip of palm trees, sand, and waves.

Yes, we were crazy enough to try Richard's canoe out in the ocean.  It actually worked quite well!

 

Josh, the king of the boogey-board.

Only in Mexico do you cut grass with a machete.  [I guess I should explain.  Clippers were 200 pesos, and a machete was 80, so I thought, hey, I can save some money and get a machete too!  :-)   ]

Our new car!  We're thankful for the car that God provided and thankful to Alfredo and Maria. 

A beautiful park in Tepic that we're looking forward to visiting again in the future.

They even have fishing there!

Just today, we went for a hike in a nearby nature preserve.  We enjoyed it, though we never did quite find the water in question.  :-)

A picnic at the top of the hill in the shade.  Just behind you can see a bit of the beautiful dusty golden rolling hills of Guadalajara.

And for the final picture... "Can You Find the Matt"?