Trip to Bernal (i.e. big rock!)

Hey all! How are you? I hope things are going well for you wherever you may be. I thought I'd let you check out a few photos of my trip to Bernal last Friday. Bernal is about one hour from the city of Queretaro, though there was lots of traffic so it took quite a while to get there. It's a little puebla but the main event is the big rock there. It's supposed to be the third-biggest monolith in the world after the Rock of Gibraltar and some other rock I hadn't heard of. I'm not sure, but I think they may have overlooked Uluru? Does anyone know if that's like a monolith (i.e. one big rock) or not?

Anyway, I went to Bernal with some of my Mexican friends that I met last time I was here in Queretaro - Pablo, Aixa and Alma - and with some of their friends too - Felipe and Martin. We had a lot of fun/exhaustion climbing up the side of the rock. The date that we went - 21 of March - is primavera or the first day of Spring and there were LOTS of people. Some people believe that on this day (or actually it's the equinox that counts apparently) if you go up the rock, wear white and perform some type of ceremony that you receive good energy. Well, I didn't believe it in the first place, and I didn't wear white, but I think I proved it pretty much false by how tired I was after climbing the rock and coming back down - a lack of energy!

Here is most of the crew near the top of the rock - Aixa, me, Martin, Alma and Felipe... Pablo is behind the camera.

Afterwards we went and had a BBQ back at Felipe and Martin's house - it was almost Australian!!... well, apart from the tortillas, the location... ok well, it was a bbq!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, there are lots of exciting things happening here at present both in the city, in our work with the church and our focus on uni students.

Video update

Here is a quick video update too! Wow - so many updates, so little time!

Mi vida en Mexico (My life in Mexico)

El Centro in Queretaro - beautiful!

Wow! How time flies! I’ve been here in Mexico for only a week and a half, but so much has been happening that it feels like weeks! In the last week and a bit I’ve been to church twice, worked in the café twice, been to two uni student events, done a week of language study, met lots and lots of people and settled into my new home with a new family! Phew!

The family that I’m living with here in Queretaro is great! Jolanda, the mum in my Mexican family, is really nice and she’s also a great cook. We enjoy watching telenovelas together in the evening (telenovelas are HUGE here and have a big following – they are kind of like soaps, but not quite so slow moving and hideous) – her favourite is “Tontas no van a cielo” which roughly translates to “Stupid women who aren’t going to heaven” hahaha. There are two sons in my Mexican family – Ruben and Luis. Ruben lives here and studies business at the Uni of Queretaro and Luis studies in Monterrey so he’s just back for the uni break at present. Both guys are really into music. Ruben plays the bass guitar and Luis sings and plays keys. We’ve had a good time sharing our music tastes and good bands.

Hector, Charlio and me

I’ve already had some great opportunities to build relationships with young people in the café and through our uni student activities. Here are some photos of us hanging out at the café and the last photos is us at the market after having tacos!

I love this city, it’s sights, sounds and heritage. I went on a bit of a tourist cruise with Rebecca (another team member), her sister Pam (who is here for her uni break on holiday) and Maricela (one of the young people who have come to know Jesus through the ministry at the café) to some of the sights on Saturday. I managed to get a photo of me with “Los Arcos” or “the Arches”. They are the arches of an aqueduct that used to provide water to the city.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos and the update and I look forward to sharing the journey with you as God continues to open doors and provide opportunities to share His love and His message with people in Queretaro.
Hasta luego,
Phil

Estoy aqui! (I am here!)

Hola everybody! I have arrived in Queretaro and started settling into my new home here. It's really good to be back here and to see the pastor and team leader Martin again and to meet new friends!

Last night we went down to the market at La Cruz and had gringas which are these yum type of tacos. Then I went and met my new family which was really exciting! I have a nice room and it was great to unpack and have somewhere to lay my head.

Today I've been on a tour of the city with Rebecca and her sister Pam - it was lots of fun! I was surprised at the number of places I remember and also really encouraged that I have been able to get by with my Spanish. Definitely looking forward to learning more Spanish so that I can understand even better and have more interesting conversations!

Please pray for me as I start language learning and meet up with the team again that God would continue to lead, guide and be my strength.

Phil

Unexpected layover in Los Angeles!

Hi all,

I'm writing this from LA which is kinda cool and unexpected. My flight through to Houston was delayed which meant that I would miss my connection Queretaro... so here I am put up by the airline in a hotel!

It's actually been good to break the journey and have a little bit of time to adjust to time and culture differences. I'm quite tired, but determined to have a little look around here whilst I've got the opportunity.

This was the last that I saw of Australia...

More photos to come...

Phil

On my way... hanging in Sydney

I've made it to Sydney after Melbourne farewells yesterday. I've got a couple of days here with my brother and his family which is really special. I'm also going to be involved in the International Teams Journeys night tonight at Mars Hill Cafe.

Some photos and updates to come!

Ready to go

Yes, I'm behind on my blogging and have lots to catch you up on... but the reason I'm behind is because, guess what!? I've been getting ready, and now...
I'm ready to go!
So in the morning, I leave home behind and say hasta luego to my Mum and Dad and head off to Sydney, a stepping stone on my journey to Queretaro.

I've still got my Australian mobile number and will be on that until Wednesday (and after that for sms only - only checking occasionally).

I'll update you soon!

Please pray for these last few hours in Melbourne and Sydney that I might make the most of my time and be a blessing. Please also pray for safety and protection in travel.

Phil