Out of States Experience

Mexico

 Our First Out of States Experience

In mid December we went to Mexico for the first time. Our Passports had just come in and we were excited to use them. Actually, we were excited to join one of our teams in Northern Mexico and help out wherever we could. It was an ideal time to go as it was for only one night instead of their usual 3-4. I will let the pictures do most of the talking, but it was a wonderful experience in Village R. There are many ways to serve here and we feel humbled and blessed to step into some of them.

Here is our temporary home "Casa Verde"

We stayed in a rental house with seven other people, essentially, camping out. It is a concrete house with four rooms, no closets, no kitchen, no sinks.

The water gathered outside is brought in to flush the indoor toilet (indoor toilets are not the norm here for a reason). The city water isn't always on, and when it is, you fill all the buckets.

The bucket above the door is a basketball hoop and the spigot to the left is the house water.

 

 Doing dishes outside

Tough guy

  

A large room that serves as mess hall, living room, and bedroom. 

 Breakfast time

 The team's main reason for this trip was to wish the people they've been building friendships with a "Merry Christmas," and to hand out some homemade galletas (cookies).

There was one woman (I'll refer to her as Maria) who seemed overjoyed to see us. Maria is one of five deaf people in this village and she has taught herself to sign. She is thrilled to be able to sign with a member on the team who also signs. Special needs groups are some of the last to be reached in missions. Emma and I can sign very little, but were able to introduce ourselves in Sign language, in Spanish. My mind was already working overtime trying to utilize the little Spanish I did know but then to translate it into another language. Ack!! She enjoyed talking to Emma via our translator and our clumsy efforts at signing. She then gave Emma a name sign.

Since this trip we've been back many times to work alongside a church plant in a different village on Sunday mornings. When we go, Scott leads worship and the kids and I are encouraged by and hope to encourage the local believers.

I know it took me four months to post this and I have no sufficient excuse for the delay, but I hope you enjoyed this late update.
 
 May~
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Phillipians" 4:23