Oaxaca Mission '08--Day One of The Adventure--Arrival

Hey Friends and Family,

We have safely arrived in Oaxaca, Mexico tonight, at 11:35 PM as I write this post with students still hanging out, not wanting to go to bed because of the excitement and fun that we are having now that we are FINALLY here in Oaxaca. It was quite the day of traveling, from leaving the church at 3:30 AM this morning, all the way through our five hour flight to Mexico City, crazy layover in the aiport and our final arrival in Oaxaca at 8:30 PM local time through customs, we are so thankful that God has brought us all safely and in good health through this day. Our first time flyers did great and enjoyed the experience. Both of our flights were cushy, we had plenty of room and most took naps to sleep off the ware of traveling all day.

Once arriving in Mexico City and having NO LINE at Immigracion, which is a miracle in itself, we had what we thought was a three hour layover in the Mexico City airport. Some of us got McDonalds, Subway (without lettuce) and other food for lunch and we hung out waiting for Mexicana Airlines to choose a gate for our flight. After waiting until 30 minutes before our flight was scheduled to leave, we were told it would be delayed an hour and a half. We were able to cope with the news, as many were sleeping or playing card games with each other and little kids in the airport, but our resolve was tested when they told us a second time that it would be delayed for another hour. We started to disperse for more food, but thought we would check with the airline one last time, at which time they told us that our plane was leaving from Gate 20 in FIVE MINUTES!!! We rushed down to the gate and Pastor Randy was breathing hard when we arrived at the gate and they hadn't even started boarding yet! We waited another half an hour and finally boarded our short 1 hour flight to Oaxaca. The Oaxaca airport would have easily fit inside Salem Evangelical Church, but we were greeted by Miguel, Mario and Iban from Mission Increase and they brought a brand new 24 seat Mercededes Bus for us to take us to our hotel.

Oh Man, A Delayed Flight?


Dusty playing cards with some kids:



We fell in love with our hotel the moment we saw it. It is a block from the main tourist square (the zocolos) and it is clean and big. Some rooms are bigger than others, but we're all close anyways! Everyone was hungry so we walked up the street for our first Mexican Meal. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, but we had incredible fajitas, rice and beans, quesedillas and some even ordered pizza. Bellies full we are back at the hotel, ready for a good night's rest. We will wake up tomorrow at 6:30 and leave for the Breakfast feeding program, a two hour VBS and a day of work, if the weather is good.

Hanging at the Hotel Gala:


Our First Mexican Meal:



There has already been a tremendous sense of peace and unity on our trip so far. Students have been patient and loving of each other, even when tired or when plans changed. Please pray for our energy and strength tomorrow, and that students will be willing to step out of comfort zones and love kids and people they encounter tomorrow, regardless of a language barrier. Thank you for praying for us and we will covet your prayers tomorrow during our first full day in Oaxaca.

In Christ,
Oaxaca Mission Team