South of the Border

I'm back!!!

I just returned from a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico.

There is so much that happens on a mission trip. It's a challenge to know what to say when asked the question, "So, how was your trip?!" The instruction to my team (17 in addition to me) is to give a "snapshot." We can't tell the whole story to everyone, so let's talk about some key highlights.

That's what this entry is about. A snapshot. In Mexico, our team was over 60 strong (we partnered with several churches from Colorado). We were grouped in 3 teams of about 20 people, and sent out to serve 3 different churches in Ciudad Juarez. Our primary activities included a 3-day VBS and significant construction projects at each of the 3 locations. As a result of the time we spent, we got to partner with the pastors, build relationship with the people, and get energized by the spirit of the kids. It was an awesome and rich time.

What's on my mind this morning is how much gets "done" when people work together. I'm not just talking about projects, though. Each of those 60 plus people has a testimony of what GOD did in them and through them last week. That's a lot of testimonies. Add to that the stories of what GOD did in the locals and you've got a lot more.

One snapshot: 60 kids came to know Jesus through the VBS ministry. Most of them didn't speak any English. I praise God for that!

It's amazing to be part of a family of people going in the same direction, and sharing the same purpose/goals. Jesus is with us when we're with each other. When one suffers, we all feel it; when one rejoices, we all celebrate together. This trip was a powerful illustration of this truth. Now that I'm home, I am freshly encouraged to convince others of their great significance to God. And I'm newly inspired to have a hand in releasing them into new opportunities to be used by God to change the world around them.