Steven with Frank, Maribel, Gloria and Grace Sedeno. Frank and Maribel are pastors of a little church in a very dangerous colonia of Reynosa - a border city under siege by rival cartel groups. They are a very courageous couple. Please keep them in your prayers.
Well, as these things tend to go – we are still waiting at the border.
Thank you to all of you who have been thinking of us and praying. And a big thank you to those of you who have sent emails after reading the last blog. [Incidentally, it is always good to hear from you concerning the blog. I often wonder when I click onto “send” just how often my latest masterpiece flits off into the deep recesses of cyber space never to be opened again, or how often the receiver hits “delete” upon its arrival into their inbox].
Theresa and I are still waiting. The tractor and implements are all loaded and ready to roll south. The trailer tires are as good as they will ever get. The trailer lights are working and wired. The trailer hitch is attached and ready for hauling. The spare tires are in the van. The air pressure tank is filled and ready to load in case of an emergency flat along the way. And I am chomping at the bit, and almost pawing the ground and snorting – but all systems are not “go”. Houston, we have a problem!
We await the magic phone call from José.
What we are actually waiting for is the okay from the Mexican customs – actually, from our friendly contact in the
Sunset over Cd. Valles showing mountains to the west of the city.
Mexican Customs (received through pastor José). Further, today I found to my chagrin, that the U.S. side also requires a 72 hour clearance on any vehicles (including tractors) which leave the U.S. This is to ensure that the vehicle is clear, and has not been stolen. This is totally understandable; I just wish that I had known this sooner. Now I cannot leave until Monday at the earliest even if I get clearance from the Mexican side. Further, just to keep thinks nice and complicated; the U.S. export office which will grant me my paperwork on the tractor is only open weekdays from 8:00 am until noon. This means that I now need to coordinate the U.S. side with the Mexican side, and I cannot re-enter the U.S. after I pick up my U.S. exit clearance.
All in good fun, and just to keep life spicy…
But, as I have already said – God is still in control, and he is still on the throne.
Please continue to pray for us. I am hoping to be rolling south on Tuesday??? We are still planning that Theresa will wait in Texas until I deliver the tractor to Cd. Valles and return for her for the second trip south.
Blessings,
Steven and Theresa
