The Kemps in Mexico

16 students from 7 nations.3 months of teaching and training in Ensenada. 2 months of outreach in central Mexico. Tonight we celebrated the past 5 months of these students lives. With our graduation ceremony.
The evening started with the final performance of thier production; Los Suenos. It included Stories from thier time on outreach. We ate some great food and then finished with a time of worship lead by the students.
As with every school, it is a pleasure to be part of the lives of these students.

One of the biggest privaledges of my job, is the opportunity to go and visit my outreach teams in other parts of the world. Last week i had the chance to go down to Central Mexico to visit my team.

Our trip started, arriving in Mexico City, folowed by a 2 hour bus ride to Pachuca. This was great as i have a number of friends at YWAM Pachuca but have never had the chance to visit thier city. We then got thte midnight bus along the windy and bumpy road to San Felipe. Finally arrivng in Huitzitzilingo for breakfast.
This was a town, unlike anywhere i have been to in Mexico. At times it was hard to believe i was in the same country as my home in Ensenada. Here the students were giving English classes, teaching in schools, practical help in the local community, and performing thier presentation "Los Sueños" (dreams)

During thier time in Huitzitzilingo, the took some time to visit some of the surrounding villages. Some of these had never had "White Missionary" visitors before, so it was a great privaledge to be pioneers in thier towns. One of these towns was Tultitlan. We turned up in early evening, and went to find the local Delegado to get permission to perform in the town square. They were very happy and even helped us set up for the show. While we were doing this the team went around the village to advertise the evening, and by the time we started, the whole village was there.  It was a great evening, and many people were encouraged by our presentation.

Our next "Base" town was Tamazunchale. This was a much bigger town than the last, with more chalenges and opportunities. Our first night there was a trip up to a Jungle Village (which i never found out the name of) In a lot of these small communites, Spanish is thier second language, so our presentations had to be translated from Spanish to the local dialect. Again a great night encouraging and praying for the local people. We even saw one lady healed from a medical conditions she had for years.

My final day with the team was another performance in the local town square in Tamazunchale. Sunday night is a busy day there, and by the time our presentaion started, there was around 300 people gathered round to watch. We had a great evening as our team gave a very moving performance. It made me very proud to be part of the lives of these amazing students.

After another Very long and even bumpier 7 hour bus ride, i finally arrived at Mexico City. As my flight was not until the evening, i took the opportunity to spend a few hours doing some "Tourist Stuff" and learning a bit about the city and the history of this Great Nation.

Some of you know i can be a bit of a Techy Geek, so i apologize.  But thanks to Google Street View, you can see where we live, and get a feel for the area around us.
Take a look, it's pretty cool. (The pink building is our YWAM base...)

After 36 hours of travelling, 3 planes, many hours of waiting and 2 lost bags, i finally arrived home to my family in Mexico.

Out of all my trips back home, this been one of the bussiest, but also one of the most relaxing and enjoyable. It was great to catch up with most of the family at Simon's wedding. I still cant believe my baby sister Lizzie is old enough to go into a pub!!! It was also great to catch up with some OLD school friends; Tim & Rob, who i have not seen together for many years. (i am very proud as i am the only one left with hair!!)

I traveled 1300 miles around the country, speaking in 4 churches and 2 youth groups. Had countless home cooked dinners and takeaways, lots of coffee and many pints of good English beer. I even managed a couple of days in Ibiza with Roy & Catherine Dixon from MERCY TRUCKS, catching up on some of their work in West Africa & Haiti.
Thank you to Everyone who put me up, fed me, or donated to my trip. It's been a great time. And also sorry to the few people i missed - I promise i'll get to yours next time.

After a few days of trying to get over my Jet Lag, i am heading down to Mexico City to visit our outreach team, and get involved in some of the project they have been involved with down there.
Please pray that my trip will be fruitfull, and i'll be able to have some good connections with my staff and team.
I'll update you when i get back.

Tym