We arrived in Palenque Sunday afternoon for debrief. However, I have to back up a bit because we did have one more adventure on the way down! Saturday we were headed to Villahermosa in the state of Tabasco. About 2 hours out we stopped at the gas station and right as we are pulling into the parking space (much to our surprise) our van dies (again). We have the gas station attendants look at it and they ended up calling a mechanic from us who was about 20 minutes away.
Two men pulled up in their truck and told us it was the alternator, but an easy fix and they could do it right there. So in the meantime we play some hearts and just enjoy the snacks at the nice gas station we were at. When the men get through working they come tell us that it is going to be about 700 pesos…or 70 American dollars!
Now by this time we know mechanics and mechanic prices in Mexico. We are determined we are being ripped off because not only did they not put any new parts in, but it did not take them that long either! We got out all the pesos we had and it didn´t even add up to 700. Knowing that God had us stop here for a reason, we gave up to Him in prayer. Ashley felt like we should pay no more than 300 pesos.
We convince Juan Carlos to offer this to them, while we continued to pray they would take it. Not only did they, but they wanted us to pray for them! God just blew us away! He has been so faithful in each of our stops and totally in control of the situation.
That night we made it to Juan Carlos´friend´s house. We stayed the night and drove to Palenque the next day. We are staying a place that has 120 ft waterfall and cave behind it that can be climbed in and explored! Debrief has been fun and relaxing. It has been great to reflect on all that the Lord has done the past couple weeks! We have been privaledged to go to Agua Azul, the Palenque ruins, and even have a guide take us on a tour through the jungle. Tomorrow we leave for our race leg to Guatamala. Pray that God protects us and our van holds up! Until the next country…Peace out Foo´s!
