Most youngsters grow up with dreams of what they want to do and where they want to go when they grow up. What was your dream when you were little? I am sure you had a least one. Perhaps you had several during the course of your childhood.

One of my dreams was to work in the Disney Studios. I used to love Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and especially liked drawing them.

A Slight Change of Course

Then during my late teens I got involved in an organization called “Youth For Christ” where we enjoyed many fun activities as well as being constantly challenged by youth pastors and missionaries. It was not long before I discovered the direction I felt my life was to go in. I was to be a missionary in Latin America. That was the end of becoming a cartoonist, at least that is what I thought.

A few years later though a course of events which I will reveal at another time I found myself in Mexico near the end of 1976.

Overwhelmed

My first impressions of Mexico were overwhelming. I loved the country from the beginning, but the need was so great in the village areas I first visited that I did not know where to start to offer any help at all. I vividly remember sitting in an meeting held outside a home in the village, with chickens running around our feet and asking the Lord, “what have I got that they need here?”. The answer came quickly and very clearly: “Give them My Word”.

At first my Spanish was limited to just a few words and it was an exhausting strain trying to understand what was being spoken around me.

After a week or so the missionary I was with let me share a Bible story with the children. That was accomplished using flash cards, with my “lines” written on the back of each picture so I could read them. If a question was asked my missionary friend would come to my rescue. I had little or no idea of what was being asked, let alone being able to answer.

A Series of Children’s Booklets is Born

During this time I recognized there was a need for Christian Literature for children. (This was back in 1976). Several months later I found myself in an apartment in McAllen Texas preparing my first booklet which was called “Templos Vivientes” (Living Temples).

This first booklet, which became a series of booklets was based on the very well known teaching aid known as the Wordless Book. The wordless book is a teaching tool used by millions to share the simple gospel message with children across the world.

The Extra Color

Coming from a British country where we recognize royalty and understand, I added a color to the standard 5 colors used in the wordless book and created cartoon houses to tell the story.

The reason for adding a color to represent royalty is that we are created to be children of the King of kings.

Why houses? My key verse is found in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (New International Version). Thus the name of the first booklet and consequently the series: Templos Vivientes (Living Temples).

Watch for more of the story about how this series grew was published and mailed out to Mexico and Central America. It is basically a story of little miracles (well for me anyway), and was certainly the expression of my childhood dream of being a cartoonist, plus the strong calling to the mission field I felt in my youth all wrapped into one!

May all YOUR dreams be fulfilled!

In fact most of my friends down there are more than friends, they are family.

First Impressions: I first went down to Cuernavaca in 1977, as part of a team of 3, sent by a children’s magazine (Bread For Children) I was with at the time.

I had already traveled to Mexico City (known as D.F. or Distrito Federal) by bus, so I was a little familiar with the city. However driving was another thing. Especially back in 1977!

The fun part was the signs. My spanish was at the time in its begining stages, but one of the girls with us was from Colombia, so the language was no problem. But oh my, the signs.

The thing that stands out the most to me about my first drive through Mexico City? The signs!

Along the Pereferico, one of the main axles of the city, there were signs showing the exits just as every city has. Only in D.F. they were not so easy to follow as most cities.

One sign said “Cuernavaca”. Great, we were getting close to the exit. But that was the last sign that mentioned Cuernavaca. The next one said “Insurgentes”. Now if you knew that Insurgentes would lead you out of the city in the direction of Cuernavaca you were fine. But we did not know that!

First Encounter with Culture Shock
Result? Close to 1am in the morning found us still going around in circles and learning a lot about Mexican culture. It seems that almost no one will answer your inquiry with “I don’t know”. They will make something up first. So when we asked for directions to Cuernavaca, guess what? We ended up getting more lost than ever!

Discovering the Friendliness of the Country
Finally an “angel” taxi rescued 3 tired and frustrated girls as the driver cheerfully told us: “Follow me”. Yes there are MANY people in Mexico like that, so willing to go well out of their way to help.

We followed him and were soon crossing the mountains to Cuernavaca where we were joyfully received by our hosts who were anxiously waiting our arrival. Our weariness was soon forgotten as we experienced the warmth of our new family.

I love Mexico! The people are so warm and friendly, that any frustrations you may face are soon forgotten!

Interested in learning spanish? Take a look at the only course on the net that will teach you real latin spanish, and get 10 free videos today Go here now!

Yuli

P.S. The signs on the Pereferico have been upgraded since my first trip, and now they are easy to follow.