one-eight-five-charlie-november
now that it has been a full day and a half since we crossed back across the rio grande at 3,500ft, i guess i had better write something.
so, uh...the trip was...amazing.
but, the exact words to describe what it is like to chug through the air between mountains in a foreign country, land your small aircraft on a strip of dirt littered with dogs and mules, jump out with your mini dv camera and two digital still cameras in tow to somehow capture,in a few short minutes, the essence of what it is like to live in a remote, tiny indian village before hopping back in the plane after handing out dozens of christmas gifts to seemingly-grateful, dirty children just to zip off to the next village and eventually, if the weather and fuel hold, home...somehow elude me.
while pictures may still be a while off (dial-up is my eternal nemesis) i can offer you these scenarios. imagine if you will:
-the "durango rectangle." 3 square blocks in durango, mexico where vehicles (driven by or at least occupied by members of our party) mysteriously break-down, appear and/or disappear at alarming rates.
-a breathtaking southwest vista unceremoniously converted into a makeshift landfill.
-a hand-made corn tortilla, a fresh egg, a bottle of picante sauce, a mountaintop village and instant coffee all coming together to form the most perfect breakfast ever enjoyed by any person, in any place, ever.
-an 80-year-old man in a spiderman ballcap shaking like he is waiting for a meeting with tony soprano, trying to set the guiness record for the loudest, sharpest "Si!" ever uttered.
-3 kids who live in a village with no road access taking their first (and likely only ever) airplane ride.
-trying to refuel/enter a flightplan/clear customs at a small mexican airport DURING lunch (aka "siesta") and the frustration that comes with it.
-the experience of 3 guys doing things they are passionate about, all the while trying to learn just a little bit more about how God works through His people in all circumstances.
as i said...amazing.
so, uh...the trip was...amazing.
but, the exact words to describe what it is like to chug through the air between mountains in a foreign country, land your small aircraft on a strip of dirt littered with dogs and mules, jump out with your mini dv camera and two digital still cameras in tow to somehow capture,in a few short minutes, the essence of what it is like to live in a remote, tiny indian village before hopping back in the plane after handing out dozens of christmas gifts to seemingly-grateful, dirty children just to zip off to the next village and eventually, if the weather and fuel hold, home...somehow elude me.
while pictures may still be a while off (dial-up is my eternal nemesis) i can offer you these scenarios. imagine if you will:
-the "durango rectangle." 3 square blocks in durango, mexico where vehicles (driven by or at least occupied by members of our party) mysteriously break-down, appear and/or disappear at alarming rates.
-a breathtaking southwest vista unceremoniously converted into a makeshift landfill.
-a hand-made corn tortilla, a fresh egg, a bottle of picante sauce, a mountaintop village and instant coffee all coming together to form the most perfect breakfast ever enjoyed by any person, in any place, ever.
-an 80-year-old man in a spiderman ballcap shaking like he is waiting for a meeting with tony soprano, trying to set the guiness record for the loudest, sharpest "Si!" ever uttered.
-3 kids who live in a village with no road access taking their first (and likely only ever) airplane ride.
-trying to refuel/enter a flightplan/clear customs at a small mexican airport DURING lunch (aka "siesta") and the frustration that comes with it.
-the experience of 3 guys doing things they are passionate about, all the while trying to learn just a little bit more about how God works through His people in all circumstances.
as i said...amazing.
posted by cade at 10:41 AM
4 Comments:
i am so glad that your mission went well. can't wait to see the pictures.
dude, i laughed out loud when you described hermano mendosa, that guy was priceless.
to state the obvious, what an unbelievable trip. i feel incredibly fortunate to have shared the experience with you. i'll probably post my experience in the next couple of days on my own blog.
have a great holiday cade.
that...is...incredible. I had no idea. I thought you guys were just joy riding (and nothing wrong with that).
Man...if you ever do anything like that again, I have a few resources (mass quan/non-perish foods, etc) to be used for your mission agenda. Give me ample notice. PLUS, I'm friends with the guy who owns the small airstrip east of town (Elmdale Airpark). I'm sure he'll make things available for such a mission.
Abilene, TX wouldn't be too far off your route.
Most excellent! Looking forward to the tales and the pics.
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