18Feb2011
Hey, Chris here in Chula Vista.
Thought I'd share a slice of real missionary life. This may happen IN any kind of ministry work, but working trans-nationally and moving between borders ramps up the difficulties.
We've had to invest quite the time-chunk... and the $$ chunk... in securing a new ministry vehicle, and qualifying it to go between the USA and Mexico.
First, we had to find the type of vehicle that can survive the beatings in Mexico. Not easy. We came to a place where the old Jeep needed to be put to pasture.
We found a great Ford Escape.
Next came all the document hassles... finally got thru. Need to be sure those are all in order, any problems IN Mexico missing the documents... you don't want to know...
Then we needed to register the vehicle with Homeland Security. They decided that Feb meant vehicle service only 6-8am, get there early for a long line. SO, 5am down at the border. PTL, that went smooth, out by 8:30...
NOW working on the Bi-National insurance issue. If you take a US-registered vehicle into Mexico and there is a problem/accident, Mexico requires having a Mexico-based insurance entity... or it's JAIL! That's in addition to US-based insurance required by Calif.. more $$..
Lastly, working on the 55 things to 'prep' the vehicle for being in Mexico, where license-plate stealing and other forms of vehicle-messing are a Olympic-level sport...
All that to have a vehicle to go out and help people. Prep time, we call it here...
Oh, yeah, finally ready to head across, and it's going to POUR RAIN for the next 2 days, prohibitive to go out in the neighborhoods in Baja...
Thanks for tuning in to the latest chapter.
Your bro, Chris
