Buenos Días (April 5, 2007)

We were greeted at the airport by the whole Dutro family. Kina looks very lovely and very pregnant! The girls have all grown since we last saw them. What a great reunion we had. Our friendship has been rekindled.

The most incredible blessing was unloading at our new house. We were so blessed to see a beautiful duplex with some loving touches added by our team mates. We have a kitchen table and chairs, a wonderful bed, a desk and a futon They also added a TV and DVD were are able to borrow. We have eating utensils, basic kitchen supplies and cleaning supplies. Kina added some homey touches of blue color in curtains and table clothes, etc. I was overwhelmed with the tangible love of God we felt.

Last night we anointed our home with the fragrant anointing oil given to us at our send-off and dedicated the home to Lord for His use and glory. I am going to attach some photos with a later e-mail (still figuring out the technology!)

We both felt overcome with emotions, saying good-bye was difficult, arriving here and realizing this is now HOME, was also filled with new emotions. I did cry last night. Everything here is new. Learning about turning on the gas to get hot water before showering, cleaning our water filters to get water to run with greater strength, the dust and all the tile---what a combination to make cleaning a daily necessity like never before. We went to the store to get cereal for the morning, getting accustom to pesos instead of of dollars...well, you can imaging the culture shock and adjustment. This morning a worker was to come by somewhere between 8:30 and 10:30 to install the doors. He finally came at about 3:30.

I am finding out that making a shopping list means that you must go to different stores for all the different items, keys made one place, plastic ware bought at another, furniture at several stops depending on what you want, food elsewhere; you get the picture.

Our neighbors across the street did come and introduce themselves right away. We have a retired couple, he is from Canada, Irina his wife is from Mexico. Then there is Mercedes and her husband who are both Mexican and appear to be retired as well. They all speak English in varying levels. We anticipate making friends with them all.

We are here for the long haul. We are waiting on God to reveal His desires for our first steps. The team is getting together to pray next week. The next few days are filled with helping Rodney with the kids from the Love in Action center, passing out tracks for a big Christian concert and outreach in the bull ring, a Friday night service and then Easter Sunday. All the kids are still off school next week and we will do something with the team families too. It is a more relaxed and easy culture, I think I like this, we are so tired from all the preparation over the last months, it is good to ease into things.

We send our love to you and thank you for your prayers, we will update more as we settle in.

Love in Christ, Rich and Meme