1959, A visit from the Grandparents Wedgwood.
The Maroon Jeep : I will be attempting to recall accounts of the past, although not in any particular order as random incidents come to mind as I pour over old photos and journal entry's of mine and my fathers. Of all the adventures that occurred during my family's early years in Mexico, a particular one, I remember with such fondness, revolve around the times spent in that maroon 4-wheel drive Willys Jeep. And if Jeeps could talk, oh the stories this one would tell, from performing as a float in a Cinco De Mayo parade to making emergency medical runs. It was 1959, I was around eight and have always been fascinated by this, my dads, adventure, and one that I was fortunate to have been a part of. I think perhaps it was a memorable part of history because later on I saw how God had been working. We were waiting excitingly,anxiously,and expectantly toward the arrival of my Wedgwood grandparents and their dog, Sandy. This would be the last time we would see my grandfather as he passed away shortly after on the very day that we welcomed little Tommy into the family. Well anyway way quoting from Dads journal "On april 30,1959, I drove the Willy's Jeep to Mexico City, leaving it in a parking lot near the Wycliffe Bible Translators headquarters...I then took the night bus, expecting to arrive in Nuevo Laredo at 7am and then meet the folks, on the Mexican side. However, as the bus arrived at the 15 kilometer check point, an officer boarded the bus, asking for tourist cards. I was asked where my car was..." No explaining on Dad's part as to where the car was and that he was not intending to cross the border at this time would do. The officer kept assuming he had sold the Jeep in Mexico for a profit which was illegal. Dad was arrested, put in a patrol car and taken to a detention center at customs. He was charged of the crime of selling cars in Mexico. The next days news paper carried the story. There were no accommodations for sleeping except a hard bench and 100 degrees weather and nobody would talk to him except "the radio operator who was interested in learning English." At meals dad was escorted to a nearby coffee shop to purchase his own meal and that of the officer as well. Dad soon found out that if he could prove that the Jeep was at immigration in Mexico City, he could be released. He was then allowed to call a friend, who broke into the jeep, had a key made and drove it to the immigration office. The radio operator, who was now Dad's friend, called immigration in Mexico City to confirm that the Jeep was in government custody. Then Dad was escorted across the Rio Grande to the U.S. side and meet up with my grandparents who then drove their car to Mexico City. Quote Dad "I had to get re-possession of my vehicle, and no doubt there would be a fine and other fees before they would release it..." but because of friends (And everywhere Dad goes, he makes friends) high in government levels, Dad was taken to the National Palace, where explanations were made, papers signed...ALL WITHOUT COST. We have an AWESOME GOD, who goes before us to work in the most unusual situations. This adventure was enough for Dad and Mother to actively pursue obtaining the much sought after Mexican documents for permanent residency. After many trips to Mexico City and government offices, God was gracious to grant those coveted documents. Dad then took the Jeep up to the border and sold it. For two years with no vehicle, I remember numerous adventures on the bus which I really did not enjoy. When I asked Dad what mother did with the dirty diapers when we made those trips, he replied that she just threw them out the window. Probably Tommy's. On one occasion, he told me this: that one time as they were sitting up toward the front of the bus, Mother threw one of the diapers (probably one of mine or Eddies) and because the bus had all its windows open, the diaper flew back in several rows in back, depositing its contents in a ladys lap and face. I ended up leaving my favorite doll on one of those buses. We also did a lot of hitching rides, hiking, and riding horses or donkeys or on the backs of the hired help. To end this story, we had a very nice visit, a last visit with the grandparents and the dog Sandy, who of course drew much attention as it was such an oddity the people had never seen such a fat, well-fed Cocker Spaniel before.
1959, A visit from the Grandparents Wedgwood.
The Maroon Jeep : I will be attempting to recall accounts of the past, although not in any particular order as random incidents come to mind as I pour over old photos and journal entry's of mine and my fathers. Of all the adventures that occurred during my family's early years in Mexico, a particular one, I remember with such fondness, revolve around the times spent in that maroon 4-wheel drive Willys Jeep. And if Jeeps could talk, oh the stories this one would tell, from performing as a float in a Cinco De Mayo parade to making emergency medical runs. It was 1959, I was around eight and have always been fascinated by this, my dads, adventure, and one that I was fortunate to have been a part of. I think perhaps it was a memorable part of history because later on I saw how God had been working. We were waiting excitingly,anxiously,and expectantly toward the arrival of my Wedgwood grandparents and their dog, Sandy. This would be the last time we would see my grandfather as he passed away shortly after on the very day that we welcomed little Tommy into the family. Well anyway way quoting from Dads journal "On april 30,1959, I drove the Willy's Jeep to Mexico City, leaving it in a parking lot near the Wycliffe Bible Translators headquarters...I then took the night bus, expecting to arrive in Nuevo Laredo at 7am and then meet the folks, on the Mexican side. However, as the bus arrived at the 15 kilometer check point, an officer boarded the bus, asking for tourist cards. I was asked where my car was..." No explaining on Dad's part as to where the car was and that he was not intending to cross the border at this time would do. The officer kept assuming he had sold the Jeep in Mexico for a profit which was illegal. Dad was arrested, put in a patrol car and taken to a detention center at customs. He was charged of the crime of selling cars in Mexico. The next days news paper carried the story. There were no accommodations for sleeping except a hard bench and 100 degrees weather and nobody would talk to him except "the radio operator who was interested in learning English." At meals dad was escorted to a nearby coffee shop to purchase his own meal and that of the officer as well. Dad soon found out that if he could prove that the Jeep was at immigration in Mexico City, he could be released. He was then allowed to call a friend, who broke into the jeep, had a key made and drove it to the immigration office. The radio operator, who was now Dad's friend, called immigration in Mexico City to confirm that the Jeep was in government custody. Then Dad was escorted across the Rio Grande to the U.S. side and meet up with my grandparents who then drove their car to Mexico City. Quote Dad "I had to get re-possession of my vehicle, and no doubt there would be a fine and other fees before they would release it..." but because of friends (And everywhere Dad goes, he makes friends) high in government levels, Dad was taken to the National Palace, where explanations were made, papers signed...ALL WITHOUT COST. We have an AWESOME GOD, who goes before us to work in the most unusual situations. This adventure was enough for Dad and Mother to actively pursue obtaining the much sought after Mexican documents for permanent residency. After many trips to Mexico City and government offices, God was gracious to grant those coveted documents. Dad then took the Jeep up to the border and sold it. For two years with no vehicle, I remember numerous adventures on the bus which I really did not enjoy. When I asked Dad what mother did with the dirty diapers when we made those trips, he replied that she just threw them out the window. Probably Tommy's. On one occasion, he told me this: that one time as they were sitting up toward the front of the bus, Mother threw one of the diapers (probably one of mine or Eddies) and because the bus had all its windows open, the diaper flew back in several rows in back, depositing its contents in a ladys lap and face. I ended up leaving my favorite doll on one of those buses. We also did a lot of hitching rides, hiking, and riding horses or donkeys or on the backs of the hired help. To end this story, we had a very nice visit, a last visit with the grandparents and the dog Sandy, who of course drew much attention as it was such an oddity the people had never seen such a fat, well-fed Cocker Spaniel before.
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