I was very lucky to travel, multiple times, with my parents to Mexico at a young age, to see parts of the country that tourists rarely see, and to meet a good number of truly wonderful people. Even though most of my memories are now pretty vague, I still have some very strong impressions of those amazing experiences.

Hortensia and me on a shopping trip, 1969

My parents met the evangelist, Frank Gonzales, when he visited our church in Northern California, which led to our family driving to Mexico in our Volkswagen camper so that my dad could help translate for the groups of mostly 20-something kids in Frank’s summer missionary trips.

My dad (center, wearing sunglasses), was a Spanish interpreter

Laundry day

And speaking of places that tourists rarely go (or want to go), there was usually a prison or two on our trip itinerary.

Our visits to Mexico were never, ever boring!