Mexico Mission Trip - Day 6

Wednesday was a full day of work and labor for the team.  It was filled with hours of projects around the gated community and the church.  We finished the final touches on the concrete foundation for the food storage unit.  And we were able to sign our names in the concrete.  We felt like celebrities at the Chinese Theater in LA.  :)

We also had some of our team do some heavy duty landscaping.  They spent hours pulling weeds, removing shrubs and plants.  The progress over the course of a few hours was amazing.  We also had some of the team go pick up garbage for a few hours.  Over the course of the afternoon they gathered an entire truck load of garbage and rubbish.  It was incredible to see the difference we made over the course of an afternoon.  Our team poured out their blood, sweat and tears into this campus and the impact is amazing.

Doug and Casey spreading out the concrete mixture to form the foundation

Some of the ladies out picking up trash around the property

The joy and excitement of finishing the concrete foundation and getting to sign our names

At the conclusion of the day we gathered our team together with the families of the missionaries.  We were able to really hear their stories and testimonies of what it was like to pack up your entire family and leave your lives for this church down in Mexico.  Both the Godwins and the Bainbridges were able to share their hearts and experiences.  It was a great night for the students to learn from them and also get prepared for leaving the mission field and entering their own local mission field, Washington.  It was exciting to see the light bulb come on for the students that they can have the same impact back home as they could here.

As the trip is coming to a conclusion please continue to pray for us to have health, safety, and strength to finish the trip well.

Mexico Mission Trip - Day 5

Tuesday was an awesome and jam packed day of doing stuff for God.  We kicked off the morning with an incredible time of group devotions in which every student felt God challenging them to make the most of the remaining trip.  The exciting part is that they seized the moment and put the discussion into action in a short period of time.

Before and after lunch our team split up and worked on two projects around the gated community, Rancho Santini.  One half of the group worked on creating a concrete foundation near the church that would eventually be built into a storage shed for food and clothing.  Hope Chapel Rosarito will use the shed to store such materials for those in need in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Part of our team receiving instruction for the concrete foundation project

While part of the team was moving dirt and laying a solid concrete foundation, the other part of our team was out on the beach picking up trash.  Directly alongside the community of houses that we're staying in there is a beach that was covered in trash.  Everything from automotive parts, glass bottles, used tires and other miscellaneous garbage.  We ended up picking up two full truck loads of garbage that left the local dumpster overflowing with bags.  The difference was so dramatic and noticeable that local residents have been thanking our team for their hard efforts.

Part of our team celebrating their hard work picking up a ton of garbage off the beach

Once we were done with the day's projects we got cleaned up and headed out for street tacos.  Again they were the best tacos ever.  So tasty.  After dinner we drove to a local Spanish speaking church that we were given an opportunity to serve at.  

Our team in front of the local Spanish-speaking church that we served at on Tuesday night

During the service we had our team perform the pantomime, the puppet show and the interactive story about Moses.  What was really exciting was that all three elements came together to form a cohesive message that Sean was able to preach about.  He delivered a message about the greatest commandments, which are to love God and to love people.  Even from the beginning of the service during worship the students could sense the power of God and that we were a part of something special.  As the evening continued Alex, McKenna, Carrick and Emily were able to share their testimonies of God's power and love in their lives.  Then the night concluded with a powerful response.  Two young ladies made a decision to follow God and accept Jesus into their hearts, and almost the entire room responded for prayer and support in being able to actively show God's love to people.  Our students did such an amazing job ministering to the people of this church, and despite the language barrier you saw that the power of God was at work in the lives of people.  As the night finished the senior pastor had us pray for their youth group because they had recently gone through some tough divisive events. The told us that our team was such an awesome encouragement and sign of hope.  

Our students ministering to the locals during the Tuesday night service

Duane and Sarah Cawthon praying for a local man during our service's ministry time

Our leadership team was tremendously proud of our students for getting out of their comfort zone and being willing to serve the Lord in any way necessary.  They came home Tuesday night totally excited and charged up to serve God in any capacity.  This was super encouraging to see that our students were no longer just spectators, but because of the events this week many of them are now experiencing what its like to be used by God in real practical ways.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and we are so grateful for your support.

Mexico Mission Trip - Day 4

Monday was considered our Funday for the trip.  We took the day to rest, recharge and get ready for the upcoming days of projects and hard labor.  If God rested in the creation of the universe, then a group of Jr. Highers definitely need a day of relaxation so that they can refocus for the days ahead.

After breakfast we headed out to the local Rosarito market where students could pick up souvenirs to take home with them.  Everyone seemed to enjoy walking around, looking at the little odds and ends and some even liked haggling for a good deal.  :)

Here's some of the team inside a local shop at the market

Once we were done shopping we went back to the church for lunch and headed out for the beach.  We spent the afternoon at a local beach playing in the ocean, walking in the sand, playing soccer and just enjoying the sunshine.  We roasted hot dogs right there on the beach and concluded the evening with a time of making smores.  Once the sun went down we went back to our rental homes and hit the hay early so that everyone would be well rested for the remainder of the week.

The group at the beach at sunset.  Very Beautiful!!!

Keep an eye out for more updates on our trip and please continue to keep us in your prayers. We've been able to avoid any major injuries or illness, but its only by God's covering.  Thanks again for your support and prayers.