::Mexico, Part 3::

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." ::Colossians 3:15::

One of our last days in Mexico City, we headed down to Cuernavaca to work with the church there. We split up into smaller groups, and my group headed to an orphanage. This isn't the usual kind of orphanage, because most of these kids still have parents who are unable to take care of them.

"RIVER OF LIFE," INSIDE THE CHURCH BUILDING

ROMANS 10:9

JORDAN AND ME, WAITING FOR THE KIDS

A LITTLE KICKBALL

SOME SINGING IN SPANISH--AND ENGLISH

SPINNING ROUND AND ROUND

SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST

LUIS, A LITTLE BOY WHO WASN'T FEELING WELL

FACES OF MEXICO:

SAYING GOODBYE

Our last day in Mexico we went to a market and ate nearby in Mexico City, then made our final stop at the Teotihuacan pyramids. This is a site with archeological and cultural significance. Many different ethnic groups lived at these pyramids, and it was a worship site with human sacrifice. There is a pyramid dedicated to the Sun and another to Moon, connected by the Avenue of the Dead. Now thousands of years later, it's a tourist site.

KATELYNN AND ME ON THE PYRAMID OF THE SUN WITH A VIEW TO THE PYRAMID OF THE MOON

ALEJANDRO, OUR AMAZING GUIDE!

UKRAINE TEAM AND TRAVEL GROUP IN MEXICO CITY

Following where He leads,
-ej

::Mexico City, Part 2::

"Let my lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes. Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness." ::Psalm 119:171-172::

While in Mexico City, we were able to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's an important pilgrimage site in the Catholic church. There are numerous churches built around this area and the biggest basilica houses the icon of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

DURING A SERVICE BY THE PRIEST; THE LADY OF GUADALUPE IS FRONT AND CENTER

VIEW OF THE ICON WITH VIRGIN GUADALUPE FROM UNDERNEATH

IT READS, "QUEEN OF MEXICO. REMEMBER OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE."

OVERLOOKING THE OLD AND NEW BASILICAS

STATUE OF THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE

OLD AND NEW

We were also able to visit the historic main square in Mexico City, known as the Zocalo Capitalino. This is where the Presidente of Mexico gives speeches.

STANDING IN FRONT OF THE PALACIO NACIONAL (NATIONAL PALACE), WHERE THE PRESIDENT WORKS

Mexico City was built upon a lake and parts of it have been sinking, as evidenced by the Metropolitan Cathedral. There has been a lot of work done to build up the foundation of this cathedral from damaged caused by sinking.

CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA

TOYS AMONGST SHRINES

A SHRINE TO A SAINT THANKING FOR GOOD GRADES

ALL THAT GLITTERS REALLY IS GOLD

When the Aztecs founded their city of Tenochtitlan, they built it on an island in the middle of a lake that seasonally. After Spanish colonization, they began to build drainage canals, but despite the efforts in 1629 the city was buried under water for 5 years. The problem continues to this day.

Many buildings show evidence of the sinking, including this yellow building down the street from the main square. Follow the main horizontal lines, and you can clearly see that the building is not level.

SINKING IN THE MUD

We were able to go up into the Torre Latinoamericana (the Latin American Tower). From here it's possible to see the sheer size of the city.

PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES (PALACE OF FINE ARTS)

COUNTLESS BUILDINGS AND SOULS IN IN EVERY DIRECTION

ME, 45 FLOORS INTO THE SKY

All for His Glory,
-ej

::La Ciudad de México, Part 1::

"Here I am. Send me." ::Isaiah::

I am so grateful for the opportunity to go Mexico City! It was an incredible experience, and I want to thank you again for your love, support and especially your prayers.

We left Lubbock on Thursday afternoon to begin the 30ish hour drive to Mexico City. Unfortunately, as we drove on that night the weather grew very cold and the roads were dangerously covered in ice. We had to stop for the night as our highway closed to wait for warmer weather. One of the AIMers is from the area, and the church in Pearsall graciously opened their doors to us at 1 am in the morning. All the girls slept on the pews in the auditorium, and when we awoke a few families from Pearsall had made us breakfast! It was wonderful. I know I am very grateful for their hospitality.

ICE STILL ON THE GROUND AT THE CHURCH IN PEARSALL, TEXAS

We finally arrived at the Pink House in Mexico City almost exactly 46 hours after we had left Lubbock. We were all exhausted, so they let us rest and clean up in the morning. After lunch, our work in Mexico City began.

THE PINK HOUSE, OWNED BY SUNSET

In Mexico City we did a lot of walking, riding the bus or taxi, and riding the Metro/subway. We would pass out flyers as we went, some for church services and others for Bible studies. For the most part, people were grateful to take the flyer.

PASSING OUT FLYERS AND WALKING UPHILL IN MEXICO CITY

PICKING UP TRASH

AT A MARKET SQUARE IN COYOACAN

A CATHEDRAL IN COYOACAN

Each day in Mexico City we would begin and end the day with a devotional at the Pink House. It was a great way to stay focused on our mission and why we were there.

SINGING AT THE DEVO

There's more to come!
-ej