MOM´S VISIT

It was great to have my mom with me in Tuxpan for a couple weeks.  We were both a bit apprehensive about the visit.  Would she be able to handle the stairs at my house?  Would the change in diet affect her?  Would she bored without any T.V.  (no T.V. in our house )?.. She was concerned about bathrooms being easily accessible and would she tire too easily?  All anxieties were overcome and she had a blessed time. She was amazed it took three days to get from her home in Port Orange, Florida, to mine in Tuxpan, Veracruz!  First day travel to hotel near Orlando airport...second day flight to Mexico City and stay at Sally´s house...third day six hour bus trip to Tuxpan and my home.  Whew, it´s a wonder she wasn´t worn out before we started!

She was  excited to visit a  Baptist church on  Sunday  and when the children received gift boxes sent from Samaritan´s purse.  It was a pleasure to see the joy on the children´s faces as they opened their gifts.  It was exciting to her because she knew my brother´s church in Brooklyn N.Y. had been involved in packing some gift boxes to send overseas.  Could they be the same ones?  Maybe not but it shows how much the effort is appreciated by children in other countries.

On Monday we visited the children in the Life and Peace children´s home.  Between the few words of English the kids spoke, and the few words of Spanish mom knows, they got along fine!  Luis was impressed that she knew the answers to the riddles (which I translated) he was reading out of a joke book.
We then took a few days to tour the port city of Veracruz.  Another long bus ride landed us in a nice hotel in the historic district.  The hotel did have T.V...but mostly in Spanish!  No matter, we had plenty to do.  A trip to a fort, a bus ride around the city and a visit to the aquarium were enjoyed by both of us.  Lots of good food too!
Back to Tuxpan,quicker this time as we got the "luxury class" bus, she settled back into our home.  Saturday we were invited to eat Pozole (a corn soup) at Lili´s house.  She is a good friend of mine and also on the board of the children´s home. This Sunday I took her to the church I attend where she was warmly welcomed.  That afternoon the weather was gorgeous so we drove out to Camp Kikomar (about 15 mins) and visited with some young people (English speaking) from Mexico City. Cynthia Ramierez is the daughter of my supervisor, Sally (whose house we stayed at) had come to do some filming of the camp. Mom told Cynthia how she prays for her and her mom every day. 
Monday we went one more time to visit the kids and again they got a kick out of trying to speak to her.  Maybe all those English lessons wern´t wasted after all! When we left one of the girls said ," I love you," and mom responded "¡Amo te!"

All too soon our time came to an end.  Tuesday we packed up and took one last bus ride back to Mexico City.  I took her to the airport early Wednesday morning and sadly said goodbye.  It had been good to have her with me and I miss her!  I am so grateful that she is in good health and was able to do this trip.  Mostly I´m thankful that she could meet the people whom I talk about and whom she prays for faithfully.  Praise God for those prayers that stand behind this ministry!