Trying AGAIN!

Woo Hoo!! It's working!
Wow, where do I begin?

Mexico Missions, anyone?

We went to Empalme, Sonora, Mexico. It is a small town outside of Guaymas, which is down on the coast. We went not really knowing what we would be helping with. We went with no expectations either. We ended up helping them clean up a retreat area that they have. It is a retreat area unlike any we could ever imagine. They actually camp when they retreat. They were getting ready to use it during Holy week, just before Easter. The whole church would use it at this time and have a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, prayer...We help them clear weeds, poor a concrete footer for a wall that would go up at a later time, mostly tidy-ing up the place.

Wild life was even involved!

Yes- we were able to take the kids and we would do it again in a second.I love the fact that we all experienced our first missions trip together. It was amazing to know, that at that point in our lives, as Don Boyd put it, we were smack dab in the middle of God's will. I am grateful for the experience and am very humbled by the thought of God using me this way.

I have heard so many times that children are resilient. I know this to be true, for sure, now.
The night we arrived, we were greeted by people from the Cristo Vive Church, that had lined both sides of the path into the courtyard at the church. To say it was overwhelming is not quite the right description. Imagine yourself in a foreign country where you cannot understand a word of their language... are you imagining? Now you find yourself completely encompassed by people of a culture unlike yours...you are not use to their customs and sure as heck don't know where you are or what is about to become of you! Now realize how you're feeling and remember that I'm sharing an experience involving children.

*I think we were all a little taken back by the welcome.

We made it through the welcome line into the courtyard where there were even more people and a long buffet table. Long story, even longer...April and I were sitting eating our better than outstanding,authentic food, prepared by some of the most loving hands I've met... she turns to me, close to tears, and says "Mommy, I'm not so sure about this. I don't have a good feeling about this." She was so uncomfortable with what had transpired up til then(remember we had just arrived not more than 20-30 minutes earlier) that she was ready to go home. She was uncomfortable because she couldn't understand what they were saying and didn't know anyone. So there I was presented with an opportunity to either:

A- play it off and tell her she's fine

OR

B- validate her feelings of discomfort and take advantage of the opportunity God has given me.

I told her I also felt a little uncomfortable but shared with her that this is a time to pray for God's peace on our lives and His protection for our trip. After dinner, we were matched with our host families and we got to stay with the Pastor and his family. Pastor Ulysses, his wife Veronica, and kids Isreal, Nohemi, Paloma.

(Paloma and I. She was fascinated with the concept of the digital camera)

We went from that the night we arrived(sat.) to Sunday morning April going to Sunday school. She went with Nohemi(sounds a little like Noami), who is only about a year older than April. I've seen God work in my life and at that moment, had the privilege of seeing Him work in my child's life. What a precious gift that I did not realize until I am typing it now. Thank you, God, for your goodness in my life. Not only was I in the middle of God's will but I also saw first hand answered prayer. I had experienced a peace that I have heard other describe. It was a wonderful feeling as a mother to have a peace like no other. I don't know that I have ever trusted "strangers" with my children like I did that week. It was amazing.

Here are a few other pictures of our life changing trip. I want to share them all but I think I took close to 300. Thank goodness for digital cameras. Can you imagine the rolls of film?

When I came across these little girls, they were cracking up because this little dog was biting at their pants. Then they would drag it around while it was tugging at their pants. I wish I could have captured their laughs in a bottle. Such innocent joy! They were playing near the "park"(I use that term loosely) where we invited neighbors to some VBS-like activities.

Here are only some of the kids that came for the fun.

Parting is such sweet sorrow!

Here begins the aftermath of our trip.

A lot of this on the way home.

I have to stop now otherwise I truly could show you each of my picture and comment about every single one. If God speaks to you about missions, LISTEN! He will make it happen!