I have a tradition: I never shave my face in Mexico.  The best way to start the Mexico beard is to go tabula rasa.

Enjoy it while it lasts; the scruff is on the way.

Categories: Mx08
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In case you missed the 3rd Mexico Meeting, or lost your packing list, here is a suggested list to get started:

You can expect good weather, lots of wind, low humidity, and warm temperatures. Pack wisely. You can probably wear some clothes more than once. Here’s a list to check off as you pack.

Clothing:

• Work clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/painting in
• Work gloves
• Lightweight shirts & shorts
• Sunday clothes (nice casual, no jeans in church!)
• Jacket, sweater or sweatshirt (it gets chilly at night)
• Modest sleepwear
• Sandals or flip-flops for the shower
• Hat

Other Items to Bring:

• Bible, Journal, Pen
• Camera & batteries
• Toiletries – shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer/lotion, deodorant, etc.
• Eye drops if you need them
• Chapstick
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Any medications you may need – Tylenol, aspirin, Advil, Immodium AD/Pepto Bismol
• Sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) if you are easily burned
• Antibacterial cleanser for hands (Purel or similar)
• Sleeping Bag or Bed Sheets (twin) & Pillow
• Towel
• Cell Phone & charger
• Flashlight (with batteries!)
• Cash for snacks in the airport

What to Leave at Home:

• Ungodly books, magazines, or music
• Valuables
• Shirts with questionable slogans or advertisements (e.g. beer or band T-shirts)
• Hairdryers/curling irons
• Immodest clothing, including short or slit skirts, Sleeveless sundresses, halter or braless tops. Tank tops – GUYS: this includes you!

Remember that you represent Christ and the church.

IMPORTANT: Don’t pack any more luggage than you can carry through the airport!

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This should give us a good feel for what the weather will be like at the Ranch.  Please note the cool evening temperatures and plan accordingly.

Categories: Mx08
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So much fun getting to interview Dean tonight. Thanks for coming, thanks for listening, and thanks most of all for your generous giving. This is amazing:

we together gave just over $5000 to the Ranch.

How can we not think of:

“For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Cor 9:12)

Many thanksgivings to God for you all, my friends!

Categories: Mx08, five15 blog
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Categories: Mx08
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Couple more things for my amigos:

1. GETTING TO THE AIRPORT
The question came up at our last Mx08 meeting: can people who live closer to Dulles go straight there rather than meet here at the building? Good question. Upon reflection and with consultation with others, it seems like a good idea. Such a good idea, in fact that I’ve decided to eliminate the ground transportation to Dulles and home from BWI: each of us will need to arrange our own ride to and from the airport. This is a change of plans, so here is a summary:

• You’ll need to get yourself to Dulles Airport NO LATER than 5:30am on 3/15. Terri Morstad will be in front of the Southwest ticket counter with your tickets and luggage tags beginning at 5am. Plan on arriving between 5 and 5:30.
• You’ll also need to arrange a ride home from BWI on 3/22. We land at 6:55pm. I recommend teaming up with another family who lives near you. Why not make a great memory: meet at baggage claim and then go out to dinner and tell Mexico stories!

2. SOUTHWEST INFO

• Limitations: liquid containers 3.4 oz or smaller packed in a clear quart ziplock bag in your carryon bag (larger containers can go in checked luggage).
• You may carry on the plane: 1 carryon bag (50 lbs. or less with dimensions 24 x 16 x 10 inches…which is the dimensions of the overhead compartments) plus 1 personal item: purse or laptop (etc.)
• You may check 2 bags for free (each bag must be 50 lbs. or less)
• Additional bags may be checked at $25 a bag (limit: 9 bags per person). Bags 51-70 lbs. additional cost $25. Bags 71-100 lbs. additional cost $50.

3. TOOLS
A note from Gary about tools:

“As Señor Whitacre told us last week, we are in need of some tools and a way to get those tools to and from Mexico. Please let me know if you believe you will have room in your baggage to bring some small tools. I have several tools that I will need help in transporting, but if you have (and are willing to bring) either a nail puller (preferably 12″ or less), a cordless drill (with screw bits), or any tool you think might be of help, please contact me (Gary).”

Categories: Mx08
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16 days! ¡Vamos a Mexico!

A few things I need to remind you about… This will be the first of a couple posts over the next week or two as we make our final preparations for Mx08.

1. RISK ACKNOWLEDGMENT & RELEASE FORM. This form was attached on the last page of the handout Saturday. EVERYONE coming to Mexico needs to fill this out and turn it in by this Sunday, March 2.
2. PARENTAL AUTHORITY RELEASE FORM. We need this form for every minor who is coming to Mexico, and it needs to be notarized. Kaua is a notary public and she will be in the church office immediately after church THIS SUNDAY, March 2. Please plan on coming and getting your form notarized. If you can’t come on Sunday for some reason, please contact me about other arrangements.  I haven’t given you this form because you are supposed to fill it out in the presence of a notary public.
3. FUNDRAISING & FINAL COST. Special thanks to Carol Sawyer and everyone who pitched in to make the Bake Sale possible. The very generous people of Sovereign Grace Church spent more than $2000 on cookies and stuff, bringing the final cost per person to $700. If you are up to date on your payments, then your outstanding balance is $300. Please bring that check with you on Sunday and turn it in when you get your form notarized.

Please watch for another email soon with final travel details. Thanks!

Categories: Mx08
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I hope you enjoyed the short slideshow on Saturday night about Rancho 3M. That is a basic introduction to the Ranch. There is more to that slideshow, and if you would like to watch it again, or watch the whole thing, you can see it here:

There is also a virtual tour of the Ranch on Flickr:

Don’t forget: we’ll get to meet and hear from Dean and Denise Adamek at the five15 BIG MEETING on 3/8 and the church family meeting on 3/9. Stay tuned.

Categories: Mx08
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Categories: Mx08
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To all my amigos who are coming to Mexico in March:

By my calculations, it is 108 days until we leave for the border.

Our first meeting will be this Saturday evening, before the five15 BIG MEETING:

December 1, at 5pm in room 102.

We’re having three of these meetings to cover all the essential details for traveling to Mexico. Over these three meetings, we will talk about our itinerary, travel arrangements, job assignments, fundraising, and more.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Meetings. All our team meetings are mandatory, unless you’ve made other arrangements with me first. We have some important stuff to cover! So we’ll see you there!
• Solo teens. If you are a teen who is traveling to Mexico without a parent, please know that you need to bring at least one parent to these meetings. And you and your parent will need to designate a parent who is going to be responsible for you while on the trip.
• Funds. Your first installment of $200 will be due at this meeting. Please bring a check made to Sovereign Grace Church. At this meeting, I’ll give you a report from our Fall Clean Fundraising and we’ll discuss some other fundraising ideas.

I can’t wait to go to Mexico with you all, and I can’t wait to get started talking about our trip! See you on Saturday.

Hasta luego,
Esteban

Categories: Mx08
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