Airport Trivia

No doubt about it, I had way too much time on my hands. But by being the type of guy that I am, sketching out a map of Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport seemed like a good idea. And why not? It could save a trip to the airport, provide confidence for those who want to go it alone, help other missionaries who find part of their lives spent there. Out of that came a little fun and hopefully a bit of useful information to boot.

1. Major airlines that service Mexico City are…
A. Continental & Northwest; B. Delta & United; C. American Airlines & U.S. Air; D. All of the above

2. The number of Starbuck’s shops in the airport is…
A. 1; B. 2; C. 3; D. 4

3. To enter the country through customs you will need…
A. a passport; B. a visa; C. no documents required; D. a passport & visa

4. Which restaurant is not at the airport…
A. Subway; B. Pizza Hut; C. McDonalds; D. Burger King

5. The cost for a bus ticket from the airport to Cuernavaca is…
A. $5.50; B. $9.50; C. $12.50; D. $17.50

6. The “bus” is a…
A. motor coach complete with stewardess, snacks, restrooms and a movie; B. school bus; C. crowded city bus complete with luggage and livestock on top; D. van

7. Gift shops include…
A. a soccer jersey shop; B. a silver shop; C. a religious relics shop; D. all of the above

8. The number of steps from the bus ticket counter to the International Departure gate is…
A. 500; B. 750; C. 1000; D. none of the above

9. The original draft was drawn on…
A. airline stationary; B. the inside cover of a book; C. a Dunkin Donut paper bag; D. an envelope

10. You do not need to tip the following personnel…
A. customs officer; B. restroom attendant; C. porters; D. waitress

You can find the answers below. There is a to-scale map posted for any of you who will be using the Mexico Airport in the future.

Of far greater significance was the baptism we attended last Sunday with our church. Seven individuals took the plunge to say to the watching world, “I BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST THE LORD OF GLORY”. Following the baptisms there was a dinner where anyone who got too near the pool took a swim. Who were the main culprits of these "little pushes"? The pastor’s family!




Trivia Answers: 1.D; 2.C; 3.D; 4.B; 5.C; 6.A; 7.D; 8.A; 9.C; 10.A

Honor Or Idols?

“This is nothing more than an idol shop”, I commented to Daniel as we walked by a stored filled with images of Guadelupe and various other “saints”. The next day Diana encountered her on a neighborhood walk. The next day in Wal-mart we observed row after row of candles dedicated for worship of the saints. The next day in the market I passed a prominent shrine. The next day we saw a woman on a pilgrimage holding a glass cabinet with her icon encased. The next day I counted over 25 images in the oldest chapel in the Americas (Est. 1523). The next day the girls and I passed a life sized Mary in the window of a Tarot Card Shop. The next day…

Are we in a land of idols or are we simply among those who wish to honor the patriarchs of the Christian faith? Anthony Pezzotta is a Christian and former priest who studied for fifteen years in Catholic seminaries. He has written on this subject in his book Truth Encounter. Here is his insightful perspective on this question:

“What is the difference between worshiping an idol and honoring a saint? ‘Worship’ can be distinguished from ‘honor’ by both internal and external factors. Internally, worship is evidenced by fear. If a person is afraid to remove an image from his home or business for fear something bad might happen, if he puts an image in his home or business believing that its presence will bring blessing, or if he believes that the presence of an image insures safety in travel or protection from harm, he is worshiping the image. Externally, worship is expressed by actions such as bowing before the image, kneeling before it, crawling up to it, kissing it, affectionately touching it, praying to it, dressing it in fine clothes, burning candles before it and offering it gifts.”

Yes, to all of the above. No doubt we are living in a land of idolatry and it needs to be said, Guadelupe and the others are shameful and contemptible gods; vile images and detestable idols.

“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8

Whirlwind Tour

Diana’s parents stopped by this week for what turned out to be a whirlwind tour. We hit the ground running on Monday and didn’t stop until we packed them on the plane for the U.S. on Saturday. There isn’t time nor interest to tell you everything from Cathedral to palace to pyramids. We managed to visit some of our favorite eating places including the street vender where we bought Hawaiian hamburgers.

One day while the ladies were out shopping on the busy streets of Cuernavaca, the guys found a nice outside table at Italian Coffee Company and enjoyed a cappuccino. It was a great spot that overlooked the zocalo. While there child after child approached our table to sell their wares. The poor we will always have with us. I am reminded of Isaiah 58:10-11. “…If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.”

One highlight was the visit to the home of our pastor, Lorenzo Servin, where we enjoyed fellowship with him and his family. They gave us a taste of Mexican hospitality when they served a cool refreshing orange drink on a blistering hot day.

Not only was it a whirlwind tour but also earth shaking. Just before 1:00 am on Friday morning the bed started swaying causing my mind to race, “Could it be..? Yes, we are having an earthquake.” It was centered in Acapulco, measured 6.0, lasted 40 seconds and was felt 180 miles way in Mexico City. While there were no injures, some were treated for panic attacks. As for Diana’s parents, they slept right through it (their biggest disappointment of the trip).

For The Record

Just for the record we believe Jesus has risen! We believe He was the fullness of God, He lived a transparently holy life, He died to ransom us from the slave market of sin, and after rising from the dead He ascended on high. To the Son of Man and the Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords belongs praise, glory, honor and adoration both now and forever.

And for the record there are many more meaningful ways to celebrate His resurrection than just buying new clothes, adding some extra music selections to the church service and having Easter egg hunts. This year we were able to bring focus to our family’s celebration in a number of ways including: ~>Reading devotional thoughts throughout the week ~>Continuing our yearly Messianic Passover with a Mexican brother and sister, ~>Making resurrection cookies which tell the story of Easter (the recipe and explanation can be found at familylife.com) ~>Attending a beautiful sunrise service with Popo as a backdrop ~>Meeting with the church.

There are other things we have done in the past and hope to continue when and if our lives are just a bit more predictable: ~>Making a Resurrection garden complete with moss, a cave entrance and a stone rolled away ~>Inviting a bunch of friends over for a Sunday afternoon lunch and prayer/praise time. I must say that one thing we would love to do is gather a large group of Christians and march through the streets carrying banners, playing music, and singing His praises as we ascend to a meeting place.

Finally for the record we are thankful for the seal of the resurrection stamped on all the work and promises of Christ. Everything He gained for us on the cross has been put into effect through the mighty resurrection. Praise God, we do not worship a dead Christ but one who is alive and not just alive but very much alive in us. Hallelujah! Hosanna!

Something To Boast About

I was asked by a teacher recently about how we celebrate Easter and there wasn't much to boast about. All I could say was that we buy new clothes, have a few extra musical selections on Sunday, and have an Easter egg hunt for the children. On the other hand millions of people here flood the streets to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a Thursday to Sunday event that includes televised coverage. Never-the-less you have to wonder, while they know the events of the cross, do they really understand the message of the cross?

Certainly the cross is a profound mystery that leaves even the brightest of Christian scholars scratching their heads. Who of us can plum the depths of the love, power and wisdom of God that He unleashed in this plan for time and eternity? Now there's something to boast about, the cross of Christ. Here are a few of its realities:

(1) The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God - 1 Cor 1:18.
(2) We are rescued from the present evil age - Gal 1:4.
(3) We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son - Rom 5:10.
(4) We have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us - Gal 2:20.
(5) We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus - Heb 10:19.

Anything here you didn't already know? Did you get a fresh insight? Maybe you did but probably not, which is the whole point. Most in Mexico know the events of the cross but need the freedom that it can bring to their lives. While the god of this age has blinded the minds of many so that they will not be able see the glorious gospel of Christ – I am confident that God has chosen many others to reap the benefits of the message of the cross. Is there anyone out there who wants to come join us to make this message known to a tribe, to a language, to a people, to a nation?