This morning we worshiped with the Pavon Church. Honestly, other than not understanding much of what wasn't translated, it wasn't really any different than most other services that I have ever been to. We sang, read scripture, listened to God's word being preached, shared in Communion, and collected offering. However, even though I couldn't understand much of the language, it was clear that the Lord was being worshiped. We talk a lot about how big God is and how He is the Lord of all the nations, but it puts it into a little better perspective when you get to be a part of church in another country.
After the morning service, the church served a lunch to celebrate their 17th anniversary. The food was delicious and the fellowship good. One of the things that has struck me most since we have been here is the hospitality of everyone we have encountered. We came here to serve, but have been served in return.
This afternoon was our last day at Gorgorron. It was bittersweet as yesterday and today I could really see our groups truly interacting and building relationships with the kids there. The people there were very receptive to the teaching and appreciative of the time we spent with them.
So much of what we are doing here isn't anything that can be pointed to physically. I have been struggling with some questions related to that. What am I really doing here? Is our presence here really doing any good? Are we making any difference? Since this is my first time here, these are hard questions to answer for me. I know that being here helps with the VBS programs, just in having people to help out. But what beyond that? Amy and Brigido showed us a piece of land yesterday at Gorgorron that has been offered to the Mission for purchase. The cost is approximately $7,000 US. John shared with us that this empty piece of property is how the church at Pavon started out 12 years ago. We have challenged the kids that we are here with to use this as an opportunity to make this the place where a church at Gorgorron can call home in the future. This, could be our physical connection to God's work in this place. Just as we challenged the kids, I would challenge anyone reading this blog to think about this as well. The house church at Gorgorron is a direct result of the ministry at the Pavon church. How exciting it would be to come back again in two, five, even ten years from now and see what God can do with that property. $7,000 is a small sacrifice to see God's kingdom expanded.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
A Word From Nickie... well, actually there will be more than one.
Hey there outside world! Nickie here. Life here has been crazy so far, but it's been wonderful. There has been a lot of laughter going around, from trying to understand the kids to trying to communicate a simple thank you to the adults. Last night Brianna, Heidi, Beth, Monna and I stumbled through a 45 minute conversation with one of the girls from the youth home, Jazmine. It was great, and really made me wish I had practiced my Spanish more over the past couple of years. It's been kinda crazy here with 25 million Americans, but we're all getting used to it.
We went and passed out fliers this morning around Pavon and then the Mision, and because I "know" Spanish (yup.. I know right?), I was put as one of the leaders, which was a little overwhelming when the two Mexican girls who were the actual leaders both start talking to me at once. But it was a lot of fun. We were the first group finished, which was just awesome. We got to hang out with Amy while we waited for the rest of the groups. Then we went to the Mision and handed out fliers there.
The kids at Gorgorron have finally started getting used to us being there, which is kinda sad 'cause tomorrow is our last day there. But they're finally trying to talk to us and we're desperately trying to understand them, let alone talk back. I forgot how fast everyone here talks. We had a couple of girls who are probably about 12 or 13 earlier asking for galletos (cookies) and Tang, and they almost had us fooled until I figured out that they were the first group to get them. It was fairly amusing trying to communicate to them to go play, and then letting the other American leaders know that they can't have any as they made their rounds. Nathan was hit on by a couple of girls... we were hanging out after we finished eating the most AMAZING chicken you will ever have, and there were 3 girls all sitting together looking at us and laughing and talking. Ramone, one of the guys at the Youth Home and Brigido's nephew, starts smirking and looks up at Nathan. "They say it's a shame you're so handsome" he said to Nate. We all start laughing and Nathan replies "Yo se! Yo se! Esta una problema!" ("I know! I know! It's a problem!"), which makes the girls collapse into giggles. Then, just to make things even better, he puffs out his chest and says "Yo soy el Guapo!" ("I am the handsome!"). Ramone nearly spit out his Fanta he was laughing so hard. So, now Nathan has his own fan club.
We started playing soccer with the kids, and it was kicked out of the field and into a HHHUUUGGGEEE puddle. And when I mean huge, I mean.. huge. Anywhosits, this kid named Pedro (who is a beast), jumps out into the middle of the puddle on a rock about the size of one of his feet, grabs the ball and launches it back into the field. It was pretty legit.
We started a tradition and had Brianna "kiss" a cactus (but unlike Breanna Smith, she didn't ACTUALLY kiss it... however, she did fall into the cactus, twice). Heidi joined in, and I'm pretty sure the Mexicans all think we're crazy.. which, we are, so it's okay. We chased kids around, played an equivalent to "Mr. Bear, Are You Awake?", jumped rope, played soccer, took a million pictures... we got to Gorgorron around 4 and didn't leave until close to 8. We came back and had devo's, which has left a lot on my mind, but that's okay. It wouldn't be a mission trip without having at least one thing to ponder over.. I've been journaling every day, which is really nice for 2 reasons - 1; I can actually process things and 2; I'll actually remember more than 5 major things that will happen.
And now, it's 11pm and we're putting together 200 bags of candy for the kids tomorrow.. so I should go and help. Keep checking in, and I'll see ya all when we come back!
Adios amigos!
~Nickie
We went and passed out fliers this morning around Pavon and then the Mision, and because I "know" Spanish (yup.. I know right?), I was put as one of the leaders, which was a little overwhelming when the two Mexican girls who were the actual leaders both start talking to me at once. But it was a lot of fun. We were the first group finished, which was just awesome. We got to hang out with Amy while we waited for the rest of the groups. Then we went to the Mision and handed out fliers there.
The kids at Gorgorron have finally started getting used to us being there, which is kinda sad 'cause tomorrow is our last day there. But they're finally trying to talk to us and we're desperately trying to understand them, let alone talk back. I forgot how fast everyone here talks. We had a couple of girls who are probably about 12 or 13 earlier asking for galletos (cookies) and Tang, and they almost had us fooled until I figured out that they were the first group to get them. It was fairly amusing trying to communicate to them to go play, and then letting the other American leaders know that they can't have any as they made their rounds. Nathan was hit on by a couple of girls... we were hanging out after we finished eating the most AMAZING chicken you will ever have, and there were 3 girls all sitting together looking at us and laughing and talking. Ramone, one of the guys at the Youth Home and Brigido's nephew, starts smirking and looks up at Nathan. "They say it's a shame you're so handsome" he said to Nate. We all start laughing and Nathan replies "Yo se! Yo se! Esta una problema!" ("I know! I know! It's a problem!"), which makes the girls collapse into giggles. Then, just to make things even better, he puffs out his chest and says "Yo soy el Guapo!" ("I am the handsome!"). Ramone nearly spit out his Fanta he was laughing so hard. So, now Nathan has his own fan club.
We started playing soccer with the kids, and it was kicked out of the field and into a HHHUUUGGGEEE puddle. And when I mean huge, I mean.. huge. Anywhosits, this kid named Pedro (who is a beast), jumps out into the middle of the puddle on a rock about the size of one of his feet, grabs the ball and launches it back into the field. It was pretty legit.
We started a tradition and had Brianna "kiss" a cactus (but unlike Breanna Smith, she didn't ACTUALLY kiss it... however, she did fall into the cactus, twice). Heidi joined in, and I'm pretty sure the Mexicans all think we're crazy.. which, we are, so it's okay. We chased kids around, played an equivalent to "Mr. Bear, Are You Awake?", jumped rope, played soccer, took a million pictures... we got to Gorgorron around 4 and didn't leave until close to 8. We came back and had devo's, which has left a lot on my mind, but that's okay. It wouldn't be a mission trip without having at least one thing to ponder over.. I've been journaling every day, which is really nice for 2 reasons - 1; I can actually process things and 2; I'll actually remember more than 5 major things that will happen.
And now, it's 11pm and we're putting together 200 bags of candy for the kids tomorrow.. so I should go and help. Keep checking in, and I'll see ya all when we come back!
Adios amigos!
~Nickie
Friday, July 9, 2010
Nathan's up
so now its my turn to talk about today so when we were at gorgaron we had like some sort of jumprope contest with all the ninos and i won one of them and then the peoples made us tamales and it was freakin delicious i took my first trip to the oxxo and it was a good time i got a coke and beth fell on the way and it was funny so thats all i got. stay classy CR
-NATE
-NATE
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Monna's Post!
We awoke at 4:30 after a very short night... Heidi sang Phantom of the Opera @ 12:30. We had a wonderful breakfast and then off to the airport in Chicago.
We landed in Dallas Fort Worth and barely made our connecting flight! Most everyone had already boarded. We had no time for lunch... but we did eat about 4:00. We got on a bus and rode out to Gorgorron.
We are sitting down to ham and cheese tortillas at 9:00 pm. We helped with a VBS in a village area of Gorgorron. It was amazing to me how ministry happens here. Even though we saw impoverished people, the parents were engaged with their children. It was obvious to me that they love Jesus dearly. We had about 97 kids, with a total of 132 including parents and adults. Brianna and I helped with an early elementary group of 17 children. I have never seen ministry happen with less space, supplies and resources. But believe me, God is here, and I saw Him changing children. I AM being changed too!
Please continue praying for His work here AND praise for arriving us safely. We are staying with Brigido and his family. We are having sweet fellowship!
Our memory verse today is Juan 3:16.
We landed in Dallas Fort Worth and barely made our connecting flight! Most everyone had already boarded. We had no time for lunch... but we did eat about 4:00. We got on a bus and rode out to Gorgorron.
We are sitting down to ham and cheese tortillas at 9:00 pm. We helped with a VBS in a village area of Gorgorron. It was amazing to me how ministry happens here. Even though we saw impoverished people, the parents were engaged with their children. It was obvious to me that they love Jesus dearly. We had about 97 kids, with a total of 132 including parents and adults. Brianna and I helped with an early elementary group of 17 children. I have never seen ministry happen with less space, supplies and resources. But believe me, God is here, and I saw Him changing children. I AM being changed too!
Please continue praying for His work here AND praise for arriving us safely. We are staying with Brigido and his family. We are having sweet fellowship!
Our memory verse today is Juan 3:16.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
We are in Chicago!
We left Eastview this morning right at 11. We stopped at the World's Largest Truckstop in Walcott for lunch, and then finished out the drive to Chicago. Got in about 4pm, and then went to the pool for some hang out time. We went to Giordano's pizza for a tremendous meal, and then back to the hotel for the evening. Some went to the pool and others some room time. In a bit, we'll have evening devotions, and then off to bed. We've got breakfast at the hotel at 5:30am, and then heading to O'Hare for our 8:20 flight to Dallas and then to San Luis Potosi. We'll arrive early afternoon, and head right to our first day of VBS, probably directly from the airport.
The kids and adults are doing great. One of my favorite things to see so far is our adults building relationships with our kids. It is neat to see the different giftedness of the adults.
Here's a picture of tonight's feast. Looking forward to posting tomorrow!
The kids and adults are doing great. One of my favorite things to see so far is our adults building relationships with our kids. It is neat to see the different giftedness of the adults.
Here's a picture of tonight's feast. Looking forward to posting tomorrow!
Monday, July 5, 2010
T-minus 48 hours
On Wednesday morning at about 11am, our group will be leaving Eastview Christian Church for San Luis Potosi Mexico. We have 4 students and 5 adults going. We'll be helping at 4 different Vacation Bible School locations in San Luis Potosi. The mission that we'll be supporting is Pavon Christian Ministry.
Here's our schedule:
July 7: Drive to Chicago
July 8: Fly to San Luis Potosi, go to our first VBS day within 2 hours of landing
July 8-11: VBS at Gorgorron
July 12-16: VBS at Pavon Church in the AM, and La Mision and Rancho Nuevo in the PM
July 17-18: Enjoy SLP
July 19: Fly to Chicago for debrief
July 20: Return to Eastview
You can follow our trip on this blog, as well as on our church's Facebook page. We'll post at least daily while gone, pictures, video and blogposts. We'd love to have you follow us!
Here's our schedule:
July 7: Drive to Chicago
July 8: Fly to San Luis Potosi, go to our first VBS day within 2 hours of landing
July 8-11: VBS at Gorgorron
July 12-16: VBS at Pavon Church in the AM, and La Mision and Rancho Nuevo in the PM
July 17-18: Enjoy SLP
July 19: Fly to Chicago for debrief
July 20: Return to Eastview
You can follow our trip on this blog, as well as on our church's Facebook page. We'll post at least daily while gone, pictures, video and blogposts. We'd love to have you follow us!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)