Yes, indeed it was a good visit, just what we needed to recharge our spirits and encourage us to press on in our Spanish study. However it was a visit full of adventure, excitement, and new memories for all of us. Liesl’s parents flew into El Paso, TX on August 3rd to spend a planned 7 days with us in Chihuahua. They were excited to experience all the fun of Chihuahua and also see what our life is like here as we build relationships with the Mexican people and learn Spanish. What all of us weren’t prepared for was a 4 hour stint in the desert heat along the highway between El Paso and Chihuahua, but this was indeed how our first day together transpired. Many of you have read our core prayer group emails so I will spare a lot of the details, but Pete and I drove up to El Paso three days earlier than my parents were arriving so we could get a new clutch put in our vehicle. That was finished late Tuesday, so we spent one night in the guest house facility for missionaries and then departed for Chihuahua on Wednesday morning.
Breakfast together in the guest house (oh American - well, actually, Greek - yogurt, how delicious thou art!)
Packed and ready to roll
Along the drive we visited with Mike and Alice, answering all their questions about what signs meant, or what certain plants were, etc. Plus we prepped them for what they would experience during their week in Chihuahua.
Pictures along the trip
A potty stop at one of the casetas (toll booths)
About an hour outside of Chihuahua our car died…driving along at about 75mph, it just quit. Fortunately we were on a small stretch of the highway that actually had a shoulder so we were able to pull a ways off the road. Now what to do! The car would not start, so we called a missionary friend who has a truck and car trailer, and he said he would be out as soon as possible, but it would be at least 2 hours. At that time it was the middle of the day, about noon, also the hottest time of the day, but we made the best of it. We snacked on cheese and tortilla sandwiches, and chocolate coffee beans my Mom had brought as a special treat, and played numerous games of hang man. Also, we took A LOT of pictures!!
Broken down on the highway
Mom tries to escape the heat/Pete looks weird
We stuffed pillows, shirts, whatever we could find in all the windows to keep out the scorching sun
This is how Pete felt about the situation
It was so HOT...my shoulders even got a little burned
Yep, still a little ways to go
Two missionaries came to our rescue
The guys pushed the car back, and then all got behind it and ran and pushed it up onto the trailer...while I steered! I then had to climb out the window.
We all then piled in the truck and drove the hour or so on to Chihuahua
After arriving in Chihuahua, one of the missionaries who helped us loaned us his wife’s car for the week so we would be able to show our parents around the city. God was good and looking out for us. After a long day we helped Mike and Alice settle into the guest house here in Chihuahua and get some sleep for all of the things we had planned for them. I won’t share a day by day commentary, but we truly enjoyed our time together. We were able to show Mike and Alice downtown Chihuahua where they shopped and bought goodies for the grandkids and friends. We took a tour of the famous murals of the history of Chihuahua, visited several landmarks within the city, and some of our personal, favorite places. We all ate mucha comida mexicana, and the best two days of their visit were Sunday, when we were able to take them to our church here in Chihuahua and have a Mexican lunch with our host family, and Monday, when Pete and I took Mike and Alice through a typical daily routine of ours (minus the hours of personal Spanish study). This included a morning visit to our gym, a street side burrito stand, and even a short language session with one of our language helpers, Sergio. For the last evening of their visit, we were all treated to a homemade Mexican meal by another missionary couple who happened to be staying in the guest house as well. The meal included chile rellenos, white chicken enchiladas, roasted jalapenos, fresh pico de gallo, and guacamole! It was delicious, thank you again Janet and Tim! Below is a pictorial tour of the visit! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy this post. We will be posting again soon about the status of our vehicle and other new adventures!
On the periferico in Chihuahua City
Grocery shopping in AlSuper, one of my favorite grocery stores
My dad took pictures of the "patio" area outside of our casa
Relaxing in El Centro after a few hours of shopping
Dad and I by las fuentes danzerinas
Coffee in the guest house
Just a simple photo of the guest facility where Mom and Dad stayed
A trip to the Chihuahua mall
We went to the mall mostly so we could give my Dad new ideas for games...Splash Balls!
Out for Tacos de Marlin
We had the seafood and fish tacos at a little place called Senor Camaron
We took my parents up to Cerro Coronel so they could get some good pictures of the city
Another view
Next a visit to one of our favorite panaderias...Pan Integral, which means all the bakery goodies are made with wheat flour. Yummy and healthy!
We spent a little time relaxing at our casa. Here is Mom in my little kitchen.
Grabbing an iced coffee at Cafe Buena Vista...the weather is so hot here in Chihuahua right now
We went for a walk in one of my favorite places in the city, the Deportiva Central. Dad and I had to try out the ellipticals that are alongside the walking path.
Love Mom's expression in this one.
Saturday we decided to relax at one of the many albercas (pools) outside of the city
Frisbee in the pool
Definitely love all the bright colors in the picnic area
A glimpse of a Tarahumara lady begging in the street
It is possible one day we could be working with and teaching these people in their heart language
Pictures of our church
We love our church family here in Chihuahua
The front of church
After church we enjoyed a Mexican meal with our host family. In the photo, Pablo, Lili, Natalie, and Heber.
Marta our host Mom
Los Padres had to take a photo of the Wisconsin-brand cheese (that's made in Chihuahua) in the grocery store
Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! We had such a great time and miss you both already.
