Renew Mexico~ La Mision, Mexico

Last week I went to La Mision, Mexico on my first mission trip.  I had the absolute privilege of serving along with an amazing team of people.  I am having a difficult time trying to put words to my feelings and experience.  There is no doubt that my words will fall short.  I have stories, memories, and pictures whirling around in my head.  It is very difficult for me to pull my experience apart because truly the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.  So for now I will ramble a few stories that were very impressionable along the way.

• We stayed at Door of faith orphanage.  On the trip our goal was to finish a house for a family, serve in the community and work at the orphanage.  

• I have never been to an orphanage before.  The picture that I had in my head was formed by television and the media. Thank you Sally Struthers.   Door of faith orphanage is nothing short of wonderful.  They are the home to 120ish children ranging from infant to college aged teens.  When we arrived we were given a tour of the property.  Everything was bright, clean and well maintained.  The thing that stuck out to me most was that the kids looked really happy, healthy and well adjusted.   

• Throughout the trip God revealed himself to me through people.  He knows that people are the way to my heart.  I heard story after story of rough beginnings, dark times, pain, and suffering which ended in redemption, restoration, beauty and forgiveness.  These peoples lives were turned around by the grace and the never ending love of God.  I saw so much beauty rising above all of these stories.  

• One morning well before the rooster crowed we headed to Tijuana to serve breakfast to the local people.  The place where we served was set on top of a garbage dump.  When we drove up it was still dark outside so I was not able to really get a look around.  Before we opened the doors for breakfast one of the men prayed.  He prayed in Spanish and I have no idea what he said.  Even though I didn't understand the words it was one of the most powerful times of prayer that I have ever experienced.  The Holy Spirit was literally felt in the room.  His presence was so thick that I had to catch my breath.  Through out the breakfast service I made eye contact with the gentleman who prayed several times.  God was shining so brightly through this man.  He was such a joy to be around.  That morning we served breakfast to many people.  Many of the children came back time and time again for more food.  I was not sure if it was because that was the only meal that they would have that day or if they just didn't want to leave.  Either way my heart went out to them.  After breakfast we went outside and were able to see the living conditions.  The church was the last place that received running water.  The rest of the people had to climb a mountain in order to get water.  The homes were made out of any material that they could find.  Tires, garage doors, scraps of wood, and tin were turned into homes.  The average person in this area makes $5 a day.  We spend that on a cup of coffee.  Makes you stop and think...

• The entire time I was at the orphanage it never felt like an orphanage.  I'm not really sure what an orphanage should feel like, but this place just felt like a home.  One night we went into the baby room to watch the "baby march."  The babies in footed pajamas sing a song before bedtime and walk to their cribs.  This was really cute.  Each baby is tucked into bed with a bottle for the night.  As I was watching this I was thinking about my boys and our bed time routine.  Our routine is very similar to this however their was one critical difference.  At home we sing, pray, and read to our boys but then we  cuddle with them.  Once the babies were tucked in for the night the door was shut and we walked away.  This is the first time that it really weighed down on me that these precious children do not have parents.  The feeling was heavy and I had to catch my breath.  The reality of this just makes me incredibly sad.

• There is a stark contrast to my life living in the United States verses living in Mexico.  The conditions are just different.  The opportunities that we have here are so great.  I know people with lots of money.  The people that I met in Mexico are extremely poor.  Never once did I feel sorry for or pity my Mexican friends.  Their lives are much richer than having all of the money in the world.  They are filled with love and God and that is something worth so much more than money.  

• I was one of the last people at the house before we handed the keys over to the family.  I looked at the house and thought it was so beautiful.  Back home I would not have given a second look to this 20x30 home with concrete floors, but in this setting it was stunning.  I think the love was shining through and was blinding.  There was so much love poured into that house with every nail hammered and every single brush stroke painted.  I had a moment alone and walked around the outside of the house.  I prayed that the family about to take over this home would have all of their needs met.  I prayed that they would feel loved and not forgotten.  I prayed that the home would be filled with love, laughter, and good memories.  

• On Friday afternoon we went over to the house to hand the keys over to Pedro and his family.  We prayed as a group before entering the home.  Once inside the reality of the situation must have come over Pedro.  He was just given a home for his family.  He was blinking back tears.  This moment was so heavy that I had to walk outside to breathe.  Once we started to leave Pedro walked into a bedroom and started crying.  He told our Door of faith host that he just couldn't understand why people that he doesn't even know would travel to Mexico, build a home and give it to his family, and just hand over the keys.  It just didn't make sense to him?  I agree that logically it does not make since, however in the kingdom it does.  The kingdom is a place that we are all invited into and is such a beautiful place to live.  I so want to fill my life with these kingdom moments.  

• Every place that we went there was always a child that stood out to me.  These children were such lights in the world.  They shined so bright that I could not help but take notice of them.  I sit back and wonder who they will become.  I pray that they live up to the potential that I see shining so brightly within them.  

• One afternoon Jenny and I had the task of cleaning up the gift shop.  We talked, enjoyed each others company and while we were at it we organized a bit too.  While we were working one of these stand out children that I just referred to came in to see what we were doing.  She spoke some English.  She pulled me and showed me a cross that she wanted for me to have.  She was really adamant about wanting for me to have the cross.  The next evening I was in our dorm room.  Our host came in and said that she had been trying to organize the gift shop for months and was so grateful that the job was done.  For our work she gave us each a cross.  I then told her about the story from the day before and the little girl that wanted for me to have that cross.  Our host was not aware that the little girl had come in and talked to us the day before.  We both smiled.  The cross that she gave me is one of the best gifts that I have ever received.

• As I was on the plane home my brain was spinning.  Memories of the week were washing over me.  I was seeing faces, recalling conversations, praising God for all of the work that he did through me over the week, and wondering what my calling really is.  Once we landed in New Orleans and my kids rushed to me I was reminded that I am exactly where I am called to be for now.  I have the most important job of raising my boys to be good men.  This airport moment is one of my favorite moments in my entire life.  I was so overcome with tight hugs, kisses, and sweet "I love you Mommys."  I can honestly say that life is good...

I am so happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to Mexico.  It was an experience of a lifetime.  It was refreshing to be totally removed from my daily life and countless distractions and responsibilities.  I was able to be fully focused and present while working through each task that was given to me.  I was able to deepen relationships with old friends and also make a few new ones.  We laughed big and loved even bigger.  What an honor to serve such an amazing God.