The Third Time is a Charm!

It has been said that the third time is a charm and while that isn’t always the case, it proved to be true for our Mexico missions trip this summer!  It was our third trip there and I think we were all impacted, more than any other year. We always work with the same missionaries and church, and this year we got to see fruit from our continued relationship with them and how God is opening new doors of opportunity for them.  The first week we were there we helped run a camp for kids in the community, and the second week worked up in a village up the mountains called Mimbres. It was a completely new experience for all of us. Life there is very different, the houses are small and simple yet the people are so hospitable, they grow all of their own food and there is not very much running water. We also ran a camp for the kids there and had opportunity to help lead a church service each night we were there. What happened in those two weeks, I believe will extend way past those weeks! The following is a list of my most favorite moments and greatest lessons during the trip!

1.       Through this years trip to Mexico God taught me so much about having faith in Him. I almost dropped out of this trip because I was worried about saving up money for my next car but yet, God made it clear in a few different ways that I was supposed to go. It felt like God wanted to show me how He would again provide for me and it wasn’t long until that was exactly what happened. God’s providence proved to be a continued theme the two weeks we were in Mexico, even down to a specific song that tremendously encouraged me during the more challenging times.  When sleep was very difficult for a few nights of the trip, God provided the ability not to stress out but instead use that time to pray and He also supplied energy for the next day. During a bee attack, I know that God provided a calmness that enabled us to stay safe while we were escaping.  When insecurities, doubts and fears plagued my mind, God provided His Spirit to gently guide me back to the truth in His Word. Lastly, God provided all of us many amazing moments to be ministered too and to minister to those around us.

2.       God also greatly challenged and prepared me with a sermon I heard while I was packing for the trip. The main premise of the sermon was that as Christians, we shouldn’t be pursuing comfort. We should be pursuing a deep life with a deep relationship with God and deep friendships. There were a number of uncomfortable parts during the trip, besides the normal discomfort of being in a foreign country with a language barrier. When we went up to the village in the mountains because we had no idea of what to expect, it was way out of our comfort zones. During those days, because we had to rely on each other and on God more, I really believe that our friendships and faith in God deepened.  God longs to show us how strong He is and how much He cares about all the small details of our lives; and I’m learning how being comfortable often blinds me to my need of Him and robs me of opportunities to be used of Him .

3.       One day in the mountains we decided to bathe in the river instead of having a bucket shower. It was a long trek down to the river but before long we were enjoying the nice cool waterfall and the feeling of being clean again.  It was heavenly until a neighborhood boy decided to throw a rock at a bee hive.  Karey, Gino and I were still enjoying the waterfall so we didn’t realize what was happening until someone yelled something about being too many bees. It came to the point that we just had to make a run for it. The ground was rocky and rough so I couldn’t go very fast; so while most of the group got stung, I got the worse of it with about 25 bee stings. Through this experience I was reminded again that I’ve been blessed with many great friends. Karey and Gino definitely got as many bee stings as they did because they helped me get through the bee attack. When we got back to where we were staying, some of the girls cut up garlic and smeared it over where I got stung. By that night, I was already feeling a lot better! When the nearest hospital is 3 hours away, you get to learn about all of the natural remedies! God definitely did take care of us during the whole ordeal!

4.       A missions trip wouldn’t be the same without a few pranks!  One day a few of us were ready to throw water balloons at Gino as he exited the washrooms. We were a bit too loud as we prepared for the attack because he heard us, and of course there would be a back escape route he could use. It actually turned out to be more of a prank on us when we saw him running out of the back off the building! One successful prank I got to witness and take pictures of was one early morning in the mountains, when Natalie put a chicken through the guys window. It took some prompting but finally the chicken was in their room 'cock-a-doodle-doing’ away! I love how pranks always seem to bring about teamwork and some great memories!

5.       Staying up in the mountains for 4 days helped me to realize afresh how much I really do take for granted. I have never felt thankful for a toilet seat but after 4 days of not having one, I realized why they were invented! Literally everything we have is a gift from God, down to the air we breathe and the food we eat.  A song by ‘All Sons and Daughters’ perfectly sums it up: “It's Your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise to You only”

6.       The missionaries we work with have developed an amazing ministry with the local fire department and many of the firefighters have become Christians. This year they decided to do a Firefighting theme at the camp.  The firefighters were there for the whole week teaching the kids about safety, fire drills and some first aid tips. One day they brought a fire truck in and the kids were able to try on firefighter gear, be hoisted to the top of the ladder in a harness, and try shooting water out the hose. My favorite memory of camp this year was when one of the girls I really got to know last year ran up to me on her first day there and gave me a huge hug and said “my Amiga.” That was particularly encouraging because sometimes I feel like all I do at camp is chase after the runaway kids! It was neat to see how the kids really do remember us from year to year.

7.       We got to do a lot of visiting of families from the church this year. One of my favorite parts is getting to hear their testimonies of how God has worked and protected them through some really difficult situations.  I’ve learned so much through hearing their stories. One lady’s testimony especially impacted me this year when she talked about how she has learned not to ask God why in hard times. She said that she has learned that God always has her on a path to correct and purify her and that through it all, God always proves Himself to be so faithful and so good.   I left that night wondering how much time I have wasted asking God why and wanting more of the kind of faith I saw in this godly women.