Late as usual:Our Trip to Michigan & Mexico in Late October

1. Holland, Michigan After Steve & Amy's wedding, we gave up our dear lil' Phil to the care of Dad & Mom V and kids again. But this time we would be separated for almost two weeks. Some tears were shed... Then we headed out to Holland, Michigan to visit Messiah's Independent Reformed Church. Since an internship was being considered, they wanted to meet us, and we them. So, Curt preached for them that Sunday. We had a great time there. Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures. Here's all we took!

Out on the beach.

2. Tepic, Mexico
On Thursday morning, we left early for the Detroit airport, and from there we flew to Guadelehara, Mexico. We then stayed for five days in Mexico: the first four in Tepic, the last day in Puerta Vallerta. It was a great experience!

We were struck by how different life is there for we who are pampered Americans. And we saw the great need for the gospel, and how God is working through the missionaries, Pastor Rich, Ange and family, and Pastor Zach, Sandy and family. We stayed with Rich & Ange and had a wonderful time, enjoying time with their sweet kids and enjoying some great excursions into the city.

We had the privilege of sleeping in a cute room on top of their main roof. Here we are looking out from the roof across the city.

This is the chapel room in the mission.

The Pastor Zach & Sandy took us out for the first full day we were there. It was great to meet them and to hear how God has worked in their lives, eventually leading them to Mexico.

Their two cute girls, Olivia and Brianna.

They took us to an indoor marketplace. It was so neat: crowded, cluttered aisles, full of people and stuff. I bought a lime/lemon squeezer there.

Driving in the streets was like stock car racing. Award goes to Pastor Rich for providing worthy competition for the Mexicans without any incident!

We drove up an outlying mountain and saw the city from a new vantage point. This is only part of the city. The city population is around half a million or so.

The picture on the left is the "backyard" of Pastor Zach and Sandy. Apparently, they really had to resurrect the house, which they did. It is very pretty. There is a little gully next to the house, which Pastor Zach has cleaned up and made into a little park (right pic).

A Roman Catholic cathedral across from the city square.

Pastor Rich & Ange's beautiful house! On the right, having dinner with their family and Paco. The food was great -- compliments to the cooks!

3. Puerta Vallerta, Mexico
On Monday morning, Pastor Rich drove us to the bus depot in Tepic, and from there we took a winding bus trip for 3 hours to Puerta Vallerta on the coast. We stayed overnight at a resort there: Americana Fiesta (we got the reservations for a great deal!)

Here's the lobby!

Curt took these pictures from the balcony of our room.

I took these pictures while having supper. The food was amazing!

Breakfast the next morning.

What a wonderful trip! Thank-you to our hosts and to the babysitters who took great care of lil' Phillipino!