Arrived Safe and Sound

For the team, Saturday seemed like rather a long day. Having left Banbridge at midday and flown from Dublin to Madrid by evening time, we waited for several hours for our trans-Atlantic flight to Mexico City. We all bought baguettes in a little airport cafe and enjoyed a sit down after much waiting around earlier in the day. The time came for us to make our way to the departure gate, and it took a little while for us to walk through the enormous sprawl of gates, shops, and waiting areas that is Madrid Airport.

Somehow travelling in a group makes the time pass much quicker. The fellowship, camaraderie, and sheer craic being enjoyed by the team is wonderful. The halls of the departure lounge were occasionally electrified by twelve Ulster voices rising together in laughter. Most of the other passengers probably suspected our sanity, and this view was most likely confirmed by the three amigos in this photo, getting ready for Mexico by doing their best Zorro impressions!!

The flight to Mexico City was long, but on-time and uneventful. Most of the team tried to sleep during the journey, but found that rest only came in fitful moments rather than solid hours. Even during the journey we sensed God's providence as some of the team members got an opportunity to speak to a family (originally from Peru) who live in Mexico City and who have family who are evangelical Christians. They have invited the entire team to their home, but it is our hope to bring them to our accommodation and share with them. God is good.

We arrived in Mexico City at 6am Mexico Time (12pm N.I. time) and then went through the two hour process of immigration control, baggage reclaim and customs control. Thankfully there were no hiccups. It was lovely to emerge from arrivals and be greeted by three OMS missionaries bearing a little board with the single word 'Armagh'. Arriving in a new country can be a little disorienting, and to see friendly faces waiting for us to come through was a real comfort. After a short introduction to the three female missionaries (Margaret, Robin and Colleen) we were soon on the road to our accommodation.

The journey from the airport to the seminary where we are staying takes around an hour in clear traffic, and it was a blessing to the whole team to soak up the atmosphere, sights and sounds of Mexico City. Wide roads populated by a proliferation of VW Beetle taxis are bordered on each side by square built houses painted in mild lemon, terracota and red, all giving an impression of having permanently absorbed the scorching sun which beats down each day.

Our first impression of our accommodation was one of relief to have arrived, and gratitude to God for such a wonderful place to stay. Our digs are on the top floor of the Mexico Seminary building and consist of a self contained apartment with a series of bedrooms. There was not much time for sleep, however, as we had to get breakfast and then headed to the noon service of the church which is next door to the Seminary. The service was relayed to us in English via headphones, and it was great to meet Mexican believers and enjoy their fellowship.

Afternoon and evening were occupied by relaxing in the apartment, eating a beautfiul dinner prepared by the missionaries, and listening to Robin's testimony as to how God led her to serve Him in Mexico City. By 9pm we were ready for bed and headed to our rooms to try and sleep off the effects of having been awake for 44 hours, but with a rich sense of just how good God has been in bringing us to this place.