SO JUST HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT? - Entry 1

I'm going to write a number of "journal-like" entries of the chronology of this. It is for my own record as well as for those who said they wanted to know the story.

Going Back to April - Actually the 80's

It began in my heart over 20 years ago which is why I went to the Mixe Indians back in December of 1990, because the desire had been in my heart since the late 80's. The first time I went to Mexico it was for two and half months of the Summer, I met a family who had contacts with the Mixe Indians. I happened to be dating a guy who was part of that family : ), so he told me he would set up a trip and I said I would return. He didn't really want to go as I did, but he wanted me to return. In December we took the trip up to the "jungles." Well, let me just paste someone else's words here to describe a little of what it was like, "Do you remember our 12 hour up hill walk???? well, now there is a concrete road all the way up to the town of Quetzaltenango. (Where we stayed and you preached for a couple of days). Now there is no need to walk nor cross rivers in the jungle. There is transportation and telephone. " So that trip was the beginning for this trip.

So fast forward now to April 2008.

Jack and I had rented the movie, "The End of the Spear." I don't even remember how many times I've heard the story, seen documentaries, read books by team members, even gone to a Wycliffe musical of the story, but this one was different! This young boy's story showed another, more realistic side of the whole saga. It reignited that fire that has never really gone out completely. So for days after seeing it I kept thinking about the dream I once had. My prayers started including more and more about that and requests that the Lord would allow Jack and I to have some part in bringing the Good News to those more isolated. At the same time I was preparing a web/blog site for the Summer Migrant Ministry. One of the entries was about what a blessing it has been to have the opportunity to meet so many during the Summers with the Migrants. I was writing about the time with the Mixe and kept thinking I need some photos, no one is going to believe what I'm writing. I read what I wrote to Jack and he said {and I'm not condoning this}, "OK Hilary." At that time there were all the jokes about her dodging the sniper fire on her 1996 visit to Bosnia, being made and he was likening my story to her exaggerations : ). When I said we walked for 8 hours up the mountain to get up to the village, he was teasing me. We both laughed. But it made me really want those pictures. I had tried several times before to contact some of the people who went with us on that trip to see if there were any photos at all that I could get access to somehow. My searches never resulted in contact with anyone. I knew it was a long shot, but I figured I'd try again. So I started putting in "Presbyterian churches of D.F. Mexico", names of people, I sent an e-mail to Spearhead which was the mission organization I first went to Mexico with, asking them for the name of the church we were at as I knew it was a Presbyterian church but couldn't remember the name. I even asked a blogging friend who has a phenomenal ability to research information to help me. Now it was June 4, 2008 and I just decided to google the name of the older brother in Mexico. AND there it was!!!! Three results came up. Two of those being for a guy in the Mexican Navy with an e-mail address. I sent the following e-mail not knowing who might be on the other side or if there would be a reply.

I'm hoping you are the same Jonathan I met many years ago! By your e-mail address, I'm very optimistic that you are the same one. You have a sister named Alma and two brothers David and Marcos? Your wife is very beautiful! You have at least two children perhaps more now : ). Your father was / is a Presbyterian minister and your mom is a fantastic cook who is "Spirit-filled". If this is you please reply to this e-mail. I have been searching for you guys for a while. I have to ask a huge favor of you. You probably do not remember me. Back in 1989 or somewhere around there I was in Mexico with Spearhead. Then returned to go with you guys to the Mixes in Oaxaca (if you're the same Jonathan). My husband has heard stories of the time with the Mixes, but it is the only significant event that I have no photographs of in my life. If you are the person I'm thinking you are, please tell your parents I said hello and your family as well. Are you guys all totally musically talented? I look forward to hearing from you. God bless you all.

So this is the beginning - Entry 1 - Entry 2 soon to follow

Next time I'll tell you about the response I received and some links and information about Oaxaca and the Zapotec we will be visiting (there are many of this people group living in two main areas with many many dialects of the Zapotec language spoken).