One Year Later: Let’s Taco About What Happened When We Said Yes to God's Call

   

Then: Meeting Cata and Clara when we arrived to Puebla July 2025.  Now:  Enjoying the beauty of the ranch (photo bomb by Rango!)

One year ago, we crossed a border with far more questions than answers—combined with an equal amount of excitement and fear.

We sold, donated, packed, released, and let go of a life we had spent decades building. We exchanged familiarity for uncertainty, comfort for calling, and certainty for faith. We stepped into Mexico as newly appointed Global Missionaries, trusting that God was already at work long before we arrived.

We recently celebrated a milestone that felt both ordinary and profound: the renewal of our temporary residency for another three years. As we walked out with our renewed documents in hand, we couldn't help but reflect on what this first year has taught us.

Our first year as Global Missionaries has not been a vacation or even picture perfect; but has been perfect with God. Although, if you read our blog, you would agree we’ve had some amazing experiences! It’s also been paperwork and patience, language mistakes and cultural humility, unexpected challenges and beautiful surprises. It has been learning how to build a life from the ground up in a place that once felt unfamiliar and now feels like home.

Moving to Mexico didn't just change our address. It changed the way we see the world, our neighbors, our family, and even ourselves.

One of the greatest gifts Mexico has given us is a deeper appreciation for people. We have met neighbors who help complete strangers, families who genuinely enjoy spending time together, and communities that take pride in their traditions and are eager to share them. The focus on family and community is something we deeply admire. Fiestas, religious celebrations, and neighborhood gatherings aren't just events; they are what bind communities together. Everyone is welcome, from grandparents to small children, and we've been blessed to experience that hospitality firsthand.

Food has also been one of our favorite ways to experience and appreciate Mexican culture, as noted by our changing waistlines! Mexico's culinary heritage is extraordinary, shaped by generations of tradition, regional flavors, and a variety of ingredients, chiles, and cooking techniques. Over the past year, we have enjoyed everything from street tacos and fresh salsas to family recipes passed down through generations. Every meal tells a story and reflects the history and sustainability of the people who prepare it. Sharing food has opened doors to friendships, conversations, and a deeper understanding of the culture; plus, it has been a joy to have time to cook and enjoy new recipes.

Living as missionaries has also challenged us to rethink our lifestyle. Living on a different budget has caused us to be more intentional about how we spend money, travel, and make purchases. In many ways, consumerism has faded into the background. Partly because we have fewer resources, but also because we've discovered we simply need less than we once thought. We've learned that fulfillment doesn't come from accumulating more things, but from meaningful relationships, purposeful work, and the joy of living in community.

One of the cultural adjustments that has surprised us most is learning to slow down. In the United States, life often felt rushed and driven by productivity. Mexico has taught us a different rhythm—one where people matter more than schedules and relationships matter more than efficiency.

There have been moments of frustration, cultural misunderstandings, and times when we wondered what we had gotten ourselves into! Yet through every challenge, God has been faithful. We have learned to balance our foreignness with God's call to live in community with the people we serve. Little by little, we are finding our place here.

Every day, we are inspired by Give Ye Them To Eat's mission to improve health, living conditions, and opportunities for some of Mexico's most vulnerable communities. We have the privilege of serving alongside an extraordinary team of dedicated staff, volunteers, and community health promoters whose compassion and commitment reflect God's love in tangible ways. We are better people because of the relationships we have built together.

Life at the ranch has given us a front-row seat to some of God's most remarkable lessons in creation. This year, we unexpectedly became roommates with Sam the snake. Never would we have imagined that a snake would become part of our missionary story, but Sam has reminded us that God's creation is diverse and often invites us beyond our comfort zones—way beyond!

One of the greatest joys of this year has been watching our goat herd grow. (You might remember our herd was nearly wiped out when we first arrived, due to a viral illness).  There is something sacred about witnessing new life, seeing newborn kids take their first steps, and watching them thrive. Thanks to the generosity of so many supporters who sponsored a goat, our herd is healthy and has grown to approximately 40 goats.

Perhaps the most important lesson has been learning to recognize God's presence in ordinary places. We often experience God while serving at the ranch, visiting communities, or working alongside our colleagues during medical missions, but we've also found God in conversations, in traffic delays, in shared meals, and in moments of unexpected kindness, like the stranger who shared his umbrella and food with us during the Cinco de Mayo parade. This year has reminded us that God is not confined to church buildings or special occasions. He meets us right where we are—in the middle of everyday life with tacos!   

This year has given us proof that faith really is stronger than fear. It has shown us that big changes are survivable, that growth often comes through discomfort, and that God rarely reveals the entire path before asking us to take the first step. We've done some challenging things in our lives, but this has been by far the most demanding and rewarding adventure we've ever undertaken.

For us, saying yes to God's call meant leaving behind what was familiar and stepping into something unknown. One year later, we can say without hesitation that God has been faithful every step of the way—and we only wish we would have taken this leap much earlier in our lives!

We want to thank each of you who have prayed for us, encouraged us, supported our ministry, and followed along on this journey. Your love has made this calling possible. When we said yes to God's invitation, we did not make this journey alone. You have been part of every mile traveled, every relationship formed, every lesson learned, and every life touched through this ministry.

As we begin our second year in Mexico, we do so with grateful hearts. We are thankful for the people who have welcomed us, those who have supported us, the communities that have taught us, the colleagues who have become friends, and the opportunity to serve alongside our Mexican brothers and sisters.

We don't know exactly what the next three years will hold, but we do know this: God is already there, and that alone is enough.