Sad Day with Great End

9-8-10

Beautiful countryside

Today started well as we got breakfast and coffee at the hotel.  The people were very nice.  We had been experiencing some overheating on the uphills but nothing too bad.  We figured the thermostat was bad.   Most of the day we had been driving next to the coast.  Absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking at times.  We passed through many towns that looked quaint, colorful and lively.  It would be endless fun to explore them.  So far everyone we talk to for direction is friendly and helpful, d not always knowledgeable, but trying to help. 
   We suddenly came upon the flood area which we had heard about yesterday.  We were following a Semi.  There were rigs coming our way that had made it, so we decided to make the plunge and cross the flooded area.  There obviously was not turning back.  It was several miles long and had all of our hearts racing a bit.  The water on the truck was up to its bumper quite often.  We started passing submerged buildings, and were joking that that was our next hotel and it had a lake view.  After we entered the City of Lerdo, it wasn't so funny.  The main part of town was about four feet deep in water.  Many homes and business were awash.  I am sure many people had great losses.  Praise be to  God that we had no troubles getting through the water.

Tell me they're not spearfishing next to the van

Wow

Let's go for it

After the flooded town, we started climbing again.  We noticed the van was really overheating now.  We had to stop once to cool it off. When we went down or level it seemed to recover.
In the next town, Clint  pulled over to look for a mechanic to either remove our themostat or loan us tools as thats what we thought was responsible.  The mechanic was busy so we decided to get something to eat.  God led us right to a place where a family had an open air restaurant.  When we got to looking around, it looked like they might be Christians. We asked, and they were.  We were instant family.  Caroline the wife fixed us a bowl of delicious stew and tortillas, and her husband Juan made us feel welcome.  Their business was in an outdoor area with beautifull brightly painted walls.  After the food, Clint and Jerry went to work on the car, and the rest of us chatted with them.  They are new Christians and seemed glad for the encouragement, and we were glad of the wonderful visit with our newfound brothers and sisters.  Their son and daughter were there with their daughter-in-law.  We prayed for each other and found it difficult to part.

Su Leing, Aracely, Maria, Juan, David and Isabel
holding Nina, Jerry and Catherine (the dogs)

Now we are in a charming hotel in the next town.  Clint was able to get the van into a pretty tight parking lot behind a wall so that we can stay here.  There may be a mechanic that can help us as the removal of the thermostat didn't help.  They let us swim and all it took was a few minutes as the pool was cold.  It did feel good to be cold for a few minutes.