Day 4 - Safely Across the Border!

This morning we were reminded of the power of our tongues for evil and for good. Not hard for me to speak well of our group so far. The students' attitudes have been great. Haven't heard a blatent complaint of any sort, and when asked to do this or that - nothing but cheerful servant attitudes. This amidst some uncertain times, some frustrating times, and some long times on the bus that we had needed to display some serious "long suffering".

The ocean was a welcome sight this morning - can't believe it was the first time we saw the ocean after driving as long and far as we have. Pray for Kyall - he's battling motion sickness each time we reboard the bus. Our moms have done an awesome job giving him care - dolling out medications and tenderness at every turn. Can't imagine this trip without them! Many thanks to all the adults and young adults who have done whatever we've asked - and then some.

Just entering San Diego now to refuel before we venture across the border to Mexico (with, hopefully, not too much adventure!)...

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Got accross the border - with a bit of hassel. Everyone had to get out and "press the button". If it was green when you passed through with all your stuff, you were good...if it was red, your luggage was searched.

Weird that as soon as you pass the border in Tijuana that it is so run down and poor. A nasty looking place. There were similar areas outside Ensenata, but nothing like the rolling hills of run down squats and buildings in Tijuana. Things were a bit nicer looking in Ensenata...with familiar McD's, Starbucks, a few white picket fences along the road, and even Curves for Women! Lots of English signage in Ensenata as well.

Statues were another strange sight - big gold heads in Ensenata and a huge Jesus statue between Tijuana and Ensenata. Three toll booths ($3-4 American for passage), and we saw two military vehicles - one with a big gun on the top, another with about ten soldiers in the back. Hanging meat is a unique feature of the side streets as well. Pretty much every house has a flat roof...or even no room for the "upper room" - kinda reminds one of stories in new testament times.

Stopped at the beach about a half hour beyond Tijuana and the group really enjoyed checking out the waves and the fresh ocean breezes. Beautiful! Equally - if not more - beautiful was the high oceanside drive further on towards Ensenata - sort of like the west coast of Oregon or Long Beach, but without the trees. Many places that we could have stopped to take photos...

4pm...and we are making a quick bathroom break in Ensenata before making our last step of the journey to Vicente Guerrero. All safe and sound...ready for our time in Mexico to begin! Lots of spanish practicing on the bus as we read signs...

Perhaps a bit more later tonight!

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Last installment for you regular blog addicts!

We have arrived in Vicente Guerrero (about 6:30pm) and partaken of our first authentic Mexican meal from a couple vendors in the downtown area. Orientation is done and we are off to bed...busy day tomorrow building, cleaning, repairing, and doing a food/clothing distribution.

More tomorrow!