Off to Mexico

The old brown Chrysler, a proud car in its day, now it groaned under its load—a family of young missionary recruits and all their baggage for a twelve week stay in the jungles of southern Mexico. A custom made top rack carried jungle hammocks, sleeping bags, mosquito netting, web belts, canteens, and machetes. Little did the old car know of the emotions stirring in the hearts of its young passengers, a mixture of faith, excitement, and fear of the unknown. Taking a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son for a prolonged stay so far from civilization seemed an awesome responsibility.

Ed and I and our two oldest were that young family. Starting from Ontario, Oregon, we arrived in Laredo, Texas without incident. Here is a Journal Entry in Laredo, Texas, December 1, 1952:

“We are almost in manana land. This morning, promptly at 9:00 O’clock, we went to the Mexican Consulate to get our tourist cards. The first thing to meet our eye was a sign on the door which read:    Cerrado     Legal Holliday    Closed

We tramped back to the hotel to get information which we should have asked for before we walked to the consulate. The desk attendant informed us that today is inauguration day in Mexico. The Consul had gone to Mexico for the big celebration and wouldn’t be back for ten days. We learned later, however, that the assistant would have the office open manana.”

This gave us several more hours to dread the border crossing. Warned our luggage might be searched, I’d concealed intimate apparel in the bottom of the suitcase under a towel with outer clothes on top. At the border, we had a few anxious moments but were passed through with a minimum of inspection.

Then began the long drive to Mexico City. Somewhere between Nuevo Laredo and Mexico City, the road became mountainous and winding. Ed had to make several stops so our son and I could empty the contents of our stomachs on the side of the road. How relieved we were to arrive at the Wycliffe Guest House in Mexico City. The Kettle, as it was called, offered a friendly haven and a place to rest and reorganize for the remainder of the trip by bus.

Our director, Cameron Townsend, insisted we learn as much as possible of the culture of any country we entered. So for the few days we stayed in Mexico City, more seasoned members of our group showed us new recruits around the area. I still remember the awe I felt at the immensity and beauty of one of the large cathedrals. What touched me even more was the hopeless look of the pilgrims crawling for fifty yards or more on their knees to light a candle in the great cathedral. All of the women wore head coverings. So did we, out of respect to the people and their culture.

Then began the interesting phase of our trip as we traveled by public transportation from Mexico City to Tuxtla near the Guatemalan border. More about that next month.