Contreras VBS Mission Trip 2013: The Journey Begins

Today was the start of our great adventure in Mexico City! Scott, Jaye, Marisa, Debbie, Morgan, Cameron and I (Matt) arrived ready to help with a vacation Bible school in the Contreras church.

But our travels were not all as we had planned. Our first curveball came as soon as we checked in to our airline in Indianapolis. The plastic crates we were using to carry our VBS supplies turned out to be against an embargo with Mexico. We were not allowed to check  the crates  and had to improvise. After some quick thinking and some repacking, we were able to get all the materials in the crates into our own luggage.

The rest of the air travel -- layover in Charlotte, NC, passage through customs and immigration in Mexico, Cameron's first airplane trip ever -- all was a  success. David welcomed us, helped us exchange our currency and got our bags in the van ready to go.

The Mexico City experience hit us immediately as a car cut David off before we were off  the grounds of the airport. The traffic was heavy, the surroundings were very busy, and the people were everywhere -- all parts that I have come to love about Mexico City. It was a lot to take in for several of the members of our team. They noticed the abundant graffiti and all the colors in everything they saw. We saw mountains in the distance, traveled the Periferico loop and saw the Olympic stadium at the UNAM university.

Tomorrow begins with two church services, one  at the Contreras church where we will help with VBS and one at the Ocotal church higher in the mountains. We will also help organize for the VBS, which starts on Monday. Please pray for Cameron and I (Matt) as we will be teaching (preaching?) on Sunday morning  as well as Morgan and Marisa, who will be sharing a testimony. Please also pray that our  team is able to hear and respond to the Lord's voice and leading while we are  here.

We are thankful for the Wifi in the seminary house where we are staying -- several of us were able to connect with family and friends from thousands of miles away!