Expect Resistance

After all the fun getting to the border and crossing it, we were finally in Mexico. The only thing standing between us and home was a meer 9 hour drive. After 47,000 deputation miles, a 9 hour drive is cake.

As we approached Monterrey, I noticed a bulge in the right trailer tire. I flagged Sam over and we checked. Sure enough the tire had a large gash and the inner tube was bulging out. Because of our experience with the wheel hub, Sam was not confident his jack could do the job, so we decided to look for a place in Monterrey that could change it. We didn't see anything that even resembled a mechanic and shortly outside of Monterrey the tire gave up.

Sam had been thinking and praying and had figured a way to change the tire. He said, "Time me!". I think it took less than ten minutes. I didn't time him, because I didn't realize he was serious.

We took this unplanned stop as a oppurtunity to dispense some of the gifts from the surprise bag Meme had sent along.

It was less than one hundred miles before the second tire bit the dust,  right side again!  This one really bit the dust.  It was really strange, the tire looked like it exploded and it made a huge pop like a canon.  I was beginnig to think the only thing people weren't prayer for was our right trailer tire!

This time we didn't have a spare and it was the Saturday before Easter.  Sam left the kids and I along the side of the road while he and Josiah went to search for an open store to buy a tire from.   About an hour and half later he returned triumphately with a new tire, rim and a new spare....just in case.  About the time Sam got the tire change the highway patrol showed up to help.  Hahaha!  They examined the damaged I did rear ending the trailer, one officier said his wife did the same thing.  They had a good laugh and broke Sam's jack trying to help. :)

We were so thankful we broke down during the day time and were able to get it fixed before dark, we were on a section of road that had a shoulder (not all roads in Mexico do, you know), Sam was able to find a place to purchase new tires, the place we were pulled over at was visible to traffic for at least several miles, among other things.  God is so good and it was good for the kids to see a little pressure put on us in a new way.  Their spiritual maturity amazes me sometimes.  While Sam was gone, I had to make a field expedient potty, but I'll spare you.  Just know this mama can!!  

The trip went smoothly from that point, except it had obviously taken longer and now we were traveling in the dark.  Which normally wouldn't bother us.  We were both naturally a little concerned about another flat, but the new tire held up just fine.  The really concern was Sabado de Gloria.  This is what the Benedicts wrote about it in their weekly update:

Last week Jerez turned into Satan's playground.  They celebrate the "Holy Week" culminating on Saturday which they call, Sabado de Gloria (the glorious Saturday).  Our city here, on that day, is known as the largest Cantina in the world.  They close off all of the downtown area except for pedestrians and horse traffic.  Every year people die during this party.  You hear non-stop ambulances throughout the day and night as they transport the injured and dead to the hospital.  It's very sad.  They celebrate the day that Jesus was in the tomb.  They don't look at it from that point of view, but we have been able to plant that seed in the minds of some of them. They get pretty serious when you point that out.  

The thought was that not many people would be leaving the town, so as long as we took the back roads and did not go through the center of the city we would avoid most people, but most likely every car we met would have a drunk driver at the wheel.  Around 11:45, about an hour before Jerez, we began to meet a steady stream of traffic flowing from the city.  The stream became a torrent that look like a bizarre midnight rush hour.  I just began to pray, over and over, please stay on your side.  God sent a big bus, Sam and I got in behind and it acted as our shield to the on slaught of drunk drivers.  Accidents and ambulances added to the confusion.  God gave me song..

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today; I know that he is living, whatever men may say; I see his hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,  And just the time I need Him, He's alway near.  He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!  He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.  He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!  You ask me how I know he lives?  He lives within my heart.

That is what this city of Jerez de Garcia needs to know!  

We arrived safely near one in the morning.  Thank you again for all the prayers.  If you were prompted to pray for us at any point during our trip, we would love to know about it.