Our kids feedback at church.

Something that we have started to do since we came back from Mexico is to help our kids to 'de-brief.' It was important when we came back from Mexico almost 8 years ago, as it helped us to process the time that we spent and prepared us to live in the UK again.

For our 3, we have been thinking about things that we learned, and things that we loved. This Sunday past, it was time to let them share some of their own thoughts with the church, just with some questions. We didn't script them or tell them the kinds of things we wanted them to share, but Carol did take some notes from their dress rehearsal in the house, in case of stage fright in front of the church.

It was amazing not only to watch them share what they felt was important, but as a dad, and someone who was pushed to the front at a young age to sing and act, it impressed me how they felt comfortable, and how the congregation enjoyed listening to them too.

The memories we will have as a family are precious. The way God worked in us and taught us things will last for a long time. I think too it will have been a special time for our kids to understand their mum and dad just that little bit more and why we are the way we are watching us in the MEFI ministry, and with friends in one of the biggest cities in the world.

Our prayer going forward is that they might have been excited for the world wide church, and missions abroad as well as at home. Maybe they will take a year and go somewhere to serve, maybe they will feel that they need to help in the UK. Wherever God wants them.

Next Sunday, our friend Heather, who joined us for the last 2 weeks will be sharing, and then in 2 weeks, we will get a chance to share. Join us if you want to hear more...

Thank-you & we're home.

We really felt that we needed to go back to Mexico this summer. It all started 2 years ago when our old Spanish teacher from Mexico came to visit and commented that she was surprised that we hadn't lost much of our Spanish. We decided that we needed to start saving to finally go back, with Zara finishing Primary 1, and Tabitha getting ready to start High School.

Now we are flying back, and it is hard to believe that years of saving and planning are over and we returning to our home. Of course we come back just that little bit changed, but we are so grateful for so many who not only followed and read what we got up to, but got in contact from time to time, and especially who prayed for us. A special mention needs to go to the Wallyford Livingroom Church leadership and members who worked to fill the spaces left by Carol and I for 6 weeks.

We felt safe. We felt useful. We were healthy for the most part (and we don't take that for granted) and we had so much opportunity to share Jesus as well as to deepen friendships there. Our Spanish held up, and the kids learned so much Spanish too. As I write, we are 50 mins from Edinburgh, and Zara is 'out for the count' and I have half feelings of guilt for dragging her half way round the world, and yet hoping that she will have many amazing memories.

So, hoping that I didn't write too much, and state the obvious too often, thank-you again and again and again for reading this blog this summer. Our 6 weeks in Mexico was never to be a holiday, it was to work, and as we come back it isn't just to get back into the routine of family life again, it is to get back to work in Wallyford, being a blessing there, helping those who need, sharing Jesus and praying for our home village.

God bless you,

The Agnews

What do you love about Mexico?

That's a question we ask the kids all the time. Sometimes the answer is the food, sometimes the answer is the heat and sun, and sometimes it is the friends that they have made.

There is no doubt that we have tried to give our kids a diverse and cultural experience. They have picked up loads of Spanish words and been confident to use them in public. They have endured hours upon hours of traffic, and learned about Mexico while we have been driving.

They have been read a life story of David Livingstone, which told them about a father who had to leave his family behind most of the time he worked in Africa. How missionary life has changed! They have had a good taste of Missionary life with Sunday mornings at the La Loma church, and MEFI drop in centre.

And there have been the day trips, this time we went to the largest stepped pyramids in the world. An amazing trip just outside of Mexico City.

But now the suitcases are being packed and we have one last trip to the city centre and a Christian bookshop in the morning, before we get on our flight at midnight tomorrow night to fly to Toronto and then on to Edinburgh.

This is me signing off for the Agnews until we get home now. We hope you've enjoyed the blog while we have been away. Thanks to those of you who have let us know that you have been following, and we look forward to de-briefing with OMS Mexico and UK when we get back, never mind sharing a little at our church in Wallyford.

God bless you, and now that this blog is back up and running, we'll keep you up to date with what's happening with the Agnews at the Livingroom Church.

The Agnews...