Hello to all the worried mammas of this youth group. I would like to start this blog by thanking the fathers who have told the women not to worry, and that Scott and Andy are usually quite safe. We are safe! Today was the FIRST day where we had a full and healthy group serving Jesus. Today was also the final full day we spent in this beautiful village in Mexico. Starting with an early morning to do our personal and team devos and eat breakfast before heading to Belen, Casa de Pan by 9am. There, we were greeted happily by 70 kids, 70 handshakes, and 70 warm smiles. Casa de Pan is a feeding ministry for children aging from about 3 to 14. We were able to show Jesus' love to these children by singing to them, Margarita read a story in Spanish to the kids, and we helped each child make their own salvation bracelets. Afterwards, our team was able to help the ministry leaders serve a Mexican breakfast to the children. TORTILLAS TORTILLAS TORTILLAS was a very common sentence used by us Canadians. (HINT: while reading "tortillas", please make sure to roll your r's into next week like the Mexicans do so it'll end up reading "TORRRRRRRRRRRRRTILLAS")
The kids went home after breakfast, and our team had some free time till lunch arrived from the base. Brenda and her team provided us with a wonderful steak tacos and some homemade cookies. We were then put to work pouring a concrete pad, finishing up some painting on the roof, sealing a roof, and washing the ministries van. We put in 3 or so hours of work for this great cause, all while splashing each other with paint and enjoying laughs amongst our group.
After getting back to the base, eating the last supper of our stay, we all gathered on the rooftop of the base and held a foot-washing session to encourage each other in our walks with Jesus. This was a great, empowering time for all of our team and we all would agree that we aren't just a youth group, but rather a family.
Highlights:
Rusty- Getting to do construction and concrete work was a highlight for me. During this time, God showed me that working with my hands and helping to physically build structures on Earth is definitely my spiritual gift and how God wants me to further His heavenly kingdom.
Peter- Being able to see the smiling faces of the orphans and being able to translate between Spanish and English was my highlight. I also enjoyed working and seeing the whole group's desire to work.
Michelle- The foot-washing session on the roof of the base was my favourite part of the day. It was such an uplifting time for all of us and the bonds between us became almost unbreakable during the three hours that we were up there.
We will miss the hospitality and friendship of the staff at the base, as well as the openness and sense of acceptance from the Mexican people, but we are ready to tackle the long trip home. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us and we continue to ask for prayer as we embark on our trip.
