Gone to Manana Land

"It's time!"
"It's time for what?" my wife Ruth asked.
"It's time to begin to think about returning to Manana Land."
"Oh, you mean Mexico?"

Ah. and so I do.
It seems we are always either comin' or goin', as if Mexico were the center of our universe. And so it might seem.

The older I get, the oftener I find myself in Eccl.12. A trip to Mexico seems more intimidating. The "what if's", loom larger.
It becomes more difficult to come to a decision. Should we go, or stay? What about ...?

And then I think about my open invitation to teach at the Bible Institute, "whenever you are in Mexico", as Dr. Esparza put it.
And we think of Lois Raser, our Mexican mentor. Of Hecor and Pablo and Rosario and their families. "Your grandchildren send their greetings and ask, "when are the abulitos coming?" Hector informs me in a letter. "Will abilito Carlos walk me to school?" Jaci asks her father Pablo. Who could turn down an invitation like that?

Myron and Ruth possible schedule

Arrive in Jerez between Feb. 8-13 … visit Lois through the weekend and leave Jerez on Feb. 17th to go to Celaya to visit Pablo. The climate in Celaya is warm, sunny and pleasant in February. Pablo and Niky pastor a small church in the garage of their house. We could stay in their guest bedroom. Would be with them perhaps a week.

Leave Celaya somewhere around Feb. 24th , and take a bus to Mexico City. Spend the weekend with Rosario and her husband David.

Hector picks us up in his car on March 1-2 and drives us to Nacaxa. This is a 3 ½ hour drive. Necaxa is SE of M.C. at an elevation of around 7,000 feet. Hector and Maricela pastor a church in Nacaxa. The church is located at the gate leading into the denominational orphanage. We would spend 2-weeks with Hector.

Return to M.C. where Myron would teach his Death and Dying course at the main campus.
When this is completed, we would take a bus back to Jerez and spend a few weeks with Lois and friends. March 25th to April 6th. We want to be in Jerez for Easter and for the annual farm fair.
While in Jerez Rosario and David would come to Jerez to talk to Joan about the possibility of migrating to Canada

April 6-7th, return to USA

We are told in the Book of James, (4:13-15) to say, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that." And in this light we make tentative plans to travel to Mexico. We invite you to pray for us.
Keep tuned for updates.

Being A Sojourner

Psalm 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

The concept of being a Sojourner is a Biblical theme that follows us through the O.T. into the New. Our forefather Adam, became a sojourner when he was put out of the Garden of Eden after he sinned. Father Abraham left Ur as a wanderer. Jesus walked the hills of Galilee as an itinerant preacher, never owning even a tent.

And we? Well, we own our our lands and estates, our cars and vans that would make Jehu envious, and our wardrobes and dozen pair of shoes as a noose around our neck. If we were called to leave "this place," how long would it take us to pack?

I am afraid we would answer Jesus as those called to the feast in Lu 14:16-20 ... (18) And they all with one consent began to make excuse.....
What is your excuse not to be a sojourner?
If you claim to be one, what is your proof?

C.M. and Ruth on Otter Cliff, Acadia Nat. Park

God Bless Your New Year / 2010

Ruth and I greeted the Sandman at his usual time on New Year's Eve, no special accommodation for him. If rowdy neighbors exploded firecrackers or shot off a pistol at the midnight hour, we were oblivious to their celebration. Walking in dreamland down some ancient path, under a new year's eve blue moon, blessed my slumber-time. And do you know, we won't see another blue moon like it for nineteen years? By then I will be in heaven, O glorious thought.

If the Lord tarries and permits us to go, we hope to journey to Mexico in February. I am looking at a teaching assignment which may likely take me to the three campuses of the Bible Institute: Mexico city, Jerez and La Sierra, the Otomi Indian Bible school. At present we are trying to determine the best route to take to Jerez: fly to San Antonio, TX. and take a bus, fly into Mexico City and backtrack to Jerez by bus or go from M.C. to Celaya where the clime is grand in the winter. Rosario's birthday is on February 20, so we must be in M.C. for that celebration. Escaping the winter here in the states would be a bonus.

Would welcome your prayers for our travel plans. Will keep you posted.
We wish you all a blessed year full of happiness and health. Let us remember Jeremiah 29:11.
C.M. and Ruth