God's Kingdom Moves

So it's that time...the end of the trip. Nobody wants it to end. (although if it didn't, I wouldn't be able to see my wife soooooo, ALMOST nobody wants it to end. You get the idea.)

Packing up is never fun. We moved through the usual routine gather, stuff, roll, stuff, garbage, stuff, sweep, carefully put it into a dust-pan because if you try to stuff that it'll just fly all over and make a bigger mess. Our coordinator, Olivia, came to say hasta luego (until we meet again) and warn of the problems of coming back to our country and our homes and how different things will be. Being aware of differences in cultures and experiences is a large part of avoiding conflict.

We rolled out of the ranch at about 10 and stopped in Ensenada to eat and do some shopping. The kids got experience in haggling and several look like they belong in Mexico due to their new clothing. It's quite a sight. I'm not sure when we got to the end of the line at the border but I do know that we were in line crawling inches at a time for about 3 hours. Waiting, inching, waiting, inching, waiting, inching, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, footing. (I don't really think that's a word but you get the idea.) Finally, several churros, a package of tortillas, and a plaster lion later, we were at the front of the line. The border patrol wondered why I was driving a car full of things when there were only two people in the car. I explained that I was hauling things for the two cars behind me and that we had been on a mission trip. She let us through and we were in the United States again. A wonderful family welcomed us home and fed us pizza. Again, most of us got pizza. (Did I mention before that I picked a really lousy time to start watching what I eat?)

After that welcome we moved over to the church where we are spending the night before coming home. The same church, by the way, that allowed us to stay on the way into Mexico. Apparently we didn't do anything horrible the first time since they let us stay here again. But there is a difference. Last time we stayed over Sunday into Monday. This time we are staying Saturday into Sunday. And people start arriving at 7 so we need to be rolling by 6:45! I'm going to be a tired guy in the morning.

Before I sack out for the night I want to tell you about our tradition and a little bit about our debrief. It's tradition on our trips to have prayer partners. Since you have prayer partners, it's just makes sense that the partners should exchange gifts. (naturally...right?) We gathered and gave each other gifts that meant something to their partner and took shape over the week. We had dolls made of clothespins, buckets full of crafts, a medal for great driving, a last place trophy (for being the last people to finish prayer time), and someone even wrote a song! Aside from the fact that the dolls looked like voodoo dolls it was a great time.

Our debrief was a time where we talked about where we saw God's Kingdom moving this week. There were so many things I'll just try to outline them.
God's Kingdom moved:
in the faces of the children we worked with.
in the relationships built.
in needs being met.
in feeling a sense of belonging.
in worship.
in bonds strengthening.
with laughter.
with tears.
with joyful connections.
with sorrowful goodbyes.
and
in the progress of the church.

I encourage you to find one of these kids and ask them where they felt God moving. It's really wonderful.

Ok, it's time for me to go to bed, about an hour ago, so I will sign off for now. Thank you for following along and thank you for your prayers and support.

Some of you we will see tomorrow afternoon.
Until then!

Our Last Mexico Day

We had our most relaxing day yet. That means that nobody had to heft beams, that were designed to be carried by three people, over their heads. Nobody was responsible for making sure the lumber we cut was just the right length because there are no oops boards on the pile. The biggest challenge was that of sunburn from playing with the kids and running out of toilet paper in the very rustic bathrooms at the church site. Another big challenge was trying to figure out how to stuff large amounts of food into our bodies!

Anybody who wants to come to Agua Viva here in Mexico should plan ahead by losing weight now so they won't feel guilty by stuffing themselves here. I am trying to lose weight and get healthier...without boring you with all the details (you can read my other blog for that)....I'll just say that it was very difficult to continue to make smart food choices when there is so much good food being served. Sometimes just not going for seconds took incredible willpower. Today was no exception.

The day started as usual. Breakfast. Awesome! Hearty! Delicious! (I'm told...I am a seasoned pro here so I knew food was going to just keep coming...I passed on the good stuff.) We did our VBS and had our emotional 'hasta luego' (until we meet again) with the kids. Then the church pulled out all the stops and served us a thank you meal. The church members got together and fixed us a meal fit for a king...or hungry missionaries. We gobbled up tacos, beans, guacamole, and all the fixin's. When a plate was empty, they brought more. If we hesitated at all when asked if we wanted more, another taco hit our plates. After spending a great time eating and laughing we all waddled outside to see if there was something they'd like us to do for them. (we offered to pull weeds but their site is so nicely kept a weed wouldn't dare show its face around there. A couple of us moved a lot of water from a cistern to a barrel so they could use the water for flushing.  We were just about done with that task  when they figured out that we wouldn't really have enough things to do to keep us busy at all. They thanked us and we went back to camp for an hour and a half until church service. Ever heard that saying that with age comes wisdom? The wisest among us took a nap to get ready for another round of excitement. I got my first nap of the spring break. It was glorious.

We went back to the church where the worship team from our group worked out all the details for the service and practiced over and over to make the songs, which they were going to switch back and forth from English to Spanish, as seamless as possible. I have to say I was never present at a worship team meeting before. I assumed it was very simple: "You make with the LA LA LA while I make with the TWANG-A-TWANG. Ok great. Let's go get waffles." It was much more involved than that. Actually, speaking of food, during practice Agua Viva sent a lot of burritos to "hold us over til dinner after service." Most people ate them

During the practice I experienced a minor miracle. Today has been a really sketchy day for internet. It started out bad and got worse. I tried everything I knew to do to make it come back to the computer or my phone. Nothing worked. I'm not complaining. I know that this far from town being able to get internet at all is fairly amazing. I appreciate it, and if you are reading this, you should appreciate it too. The last times I was here I needed to go stand on a certain rock and hold the computer just so, while my blog posts got uploaded. This year has been nearly flawless in terms of easily accessed internet. If it didn't work in camp it would always work along the road into town. I got so I knew which curve would start the phones buzzing with text messages in the holding pattern. Today's ride had no buzzing. I tried again to connect at the church somehow...no luck. There was a message asking if I really wanted to do this since I was going to get charged extra if I didn't talk to my provider before I came to Mexico. I did talk to them...CHARGE AWAY! Click...annnnnnnnnnnd....nothing.

Oh well, I didn't need to upload anything. Sylvia knew I wasn't ignoring her....I hope. I'll let it go. Then out of the blue my pocket buzzed. Then again! All right! I looked at my phone and it was a text. Not from home but from one of the campers who was sitting about 10 feet from me...wait, where did he go...what's the text say? "HELP" Ok, you have my complete attention! I looked at the other text. Same person. "The doorknob broke and I am trapped in the bathroom." I hustled over there and got the door open only to see, sure enough, the doorknob had fallen off in his hands. Everything is ok. Crisis is averted...and apparently I have internet again! I'll just send Sylvia a greeting....nope. Same issue. No coverage. None. Like before. I cannot figure out how a text got to my phone with no cell service at all so I could help someone in need. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

The service went great. The worship was more than smooth, it was interesting! People cried during the testimonies of the youth. People cried out in agreement during Seth's sermon. It was a great experience. The children from our VBS came to the front of the church and passed out lollipops to the workers as thank you gifts. Not "You didn't cry when you got a shot" lollipops, these are "Farrels, dad can I have one of those giant curled sugar bombs!?" lollipops. We said our "Hasta Luego's" to the members of the church and the pastor, and we went into town to eat tacos! Yes, more food.

If you are ever in Mexico, specifically in Ensenada, I would suggest that you stop at this taco stand. Even if you aren't hungry, you'll appreciate the artistry with how they make these tacos and tortas! And then you'll order a taco, or three, they're small.

Ok, we leave here tomorrow....(Today actually. I've been writing a while.) I'll try to add more if I can. For tonight...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Return of the Kingdom....The Two Teams

I know I could say something like, we worked way harder today than we did yesterday, but I can't. The other team can say that...but I can't. We split into two teams again today and our group did mostly the same thing as yesterday...only much much slower. Put up floor joists overhead so they can pour a cement floor for this soon to be two story building. It was another day of holding beams over our heads while one side fastened it and the other tried to keep it from wiggling free and falling and hurting someone. Aside from a couple scratches, we were relatively unscathed. Neither Mike nor I knew we were bleeding until someone pointed it out. Must be a leader trait.

The other group went into the next town to help build a house for a pastor. There were other teams helping to do this but they wanted a little more help. They pitched in with gusto! I saw one picture of them putting up the center beam for a roof. Not the ceiling...the apex of the roof! Now, I wasn't there, but I can assure you that at least one member of that team has super powers. (no more excuses for not taking out the trash) Their time with tools in their hands was a bit shorter than ours simply because we merely had to walk to our job site and they had to drive half an hour, and plan on half an hour to get back for dinner.

We all were happy to see that it was quitting time and then we went off to enjoy another wonderful meal. I believe you would call this Mexican tortilla lasagna. It was pretty good...and it was probably better with the cream sauce they poured over it. I don't know, I'm trying to lose some pounds. Yes, even in Mexico.

Tomorrow is a big day. We go to the church service at the church we have been doing VBS with. Seth will be preaching and two of the kids will be giving their testimony. I'm proud of our youth. They are ready and willing to volunteer for things as they come up. Dishwashing maybe takes a little longer to get volunteers but we have never had to appoint people. Usually we have more than enough people to do whatever job arises.

I haven't had any of the youth offer again to write in the blog. I'll try to get the people to join in the fun tomorrow. Not sure they'll be able to, as it will be a pretty busy day. I'll keep trying though.

Well I just nodded off and typed a few rows of "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS..." This does not mean that I am subliminally trying to tell you that we saw a snake. It merely means that I am officially wiped out and should probably go to bed. Good Night everyone! Just a couple more dayssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

The Work Really Started Today!

Did I mention before that we were really tired from working so much? I was young and foolish! I think that we worked harder today than I have ever worked on a mission trip before. 

More about that in a minute...

We have been doing really well working with the kids at VBS in the mornings and, after a few tweaks daily to streamline things further, we are feeling more ready than ever. Challenges come up (wind, kids coming late, torn pieces of paper-it's devastating to a 4 year old, reluctant participants...name it) we've dealt with it. Our youth are unflappable! Jumping in to help where it's needed and finding, in some cases, talents that had been dormant for a while. Soccer skills came back into the arena. On my first mission trip to Mexico I was told by the director of our group, "Soccer is the game! If you throw a soccer ball into the field where we are working...fifty kids will show up!" We did, they did, a good time was had by all. 

This year we did more advertising and were lucky enough to work with the same church we'd helped before, so the kids showed up ready to go. The whole group is doing well and it is fun for me to watch the CPC youth become more comfortable with the kids and the activities. We sang three songs today and each one was designed to go faster and faster until it was just a jumble of syllables, giggles, and body movements. Our group did a great job of getting the reluctant ones to join in. (I even saw some pre-teens doing some singing...even though singing like that is sooooo five minutes ago....like this expression)

We made crafts today that the kids just loved. They were a little complicated and involved, and the kids were always happy to see the way they turned out. The outside crew (sports) played soccer and a leader (not mentioning names) was apparently quite adept at 'headers'. It's always fun to see the two cultures come together over something unifying like art and sports.

We were given a bit of a shock today. We did such a good job with helping them get their roof ready, added to the people from the church who seemingly worked endlessly, that they didn't need us for a work crew after lunch. That meant that we got to go back to Agua Viva and lounge around sipping 7up and orange juice out of cups with little paper umbrellas in them. Wait, that's the exhausted delirium talking. Back at the rancho we were told that there were two teams needed. One for construction and one for clearing a new path. Since the thought of me wielding a machete chopping down bushes and small saplings made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, I chose construction. Actually they didn't say "construction" they said "woodworking" so I thought: Great! I'll hammer a couple boards together slop some paint on it and call it a day. I couldn't have been more wrong.

We were greeted with, Measure these exactly because we will be bracing to build the second story of this two story building. Unlike other projects I've worked on in Mexico, this needed to be exact. We measured, cut, carried, fastened, swept, and even used a nail gun. Like a real gun! You load .22 caliber shells into this contraption, put a nail into the end, press it up against the wood, and pull the trigger. Bang Bang! In fact, whenever we got to the place in the job where we needed the nail gun, our foreman would yell, "BANG BANG!" to let us know to get ready. I have to admit that it was pretty fun using it! It is difficult to explain just how heavy these 20 foot 2x6s really are, but when you have to move them from place to place it wears on you.

The construction team measured, cut, braced, fastened for most of the day. The path clearing people finished that job around 4 and told us they were done and that two of the girls got to use an axe to chop down things in the way. We were just hitting our stride. 5 rolled around. Still we worked. The dinner reminder came and went. Just two more beams! We got it done. We are now ready to do even more work tomorrow. Yikes! I better get some sleep!

I'll try to have the kids write soon. Cross your fingers. 

Our first day of work

For those who have been to Rancho Agua Viva before I am pleased to announce a new aspect to their short term mission trip experience. They have now included a set of courses called "Mexico 101" while we are here. The set of courses is designed to give our group a bit of history about Mexico. The different sessions teach about religion, politics, and culture. Today's lesson was taught by Jose Luis Martinez. Along with his wife Nora, he is a missionary to the people of Mexico and wants to reach the people who have not experienced the gospel. He is very passionate and has dedicated his life to helping others.

The lesson happened after dinner. We were treated to a more traditional Mexican meal. Quesadillas, refried beans, guacamole, and salad with all the fixin's were on the menu tonight. We ate heartily and enjoyed everything. Well, some of us more than others. The salsa they had out was making fire shoot out of the mouths of some of the more inexperienced. I believe they call it "mild". We all ate gratefully following a day of loads of activities.

The day started at Pan de Vida and we were greeted by about 30 enthusiastic kids eager to have some fun. We had 16 people ready to help them do it. The church is completely transformed from what I saw it last. The four cement block walls that gave way to sky last time we were here now had a roof and a room attached where we held church services last time. That's the room that does not have any kind of roof...yet.

We sang and danced with the kids and then helped them make crafts out of beads and lanyards. The original plan had a fatal flaw so we reevaluated, changed a few things, and all of the kids walked away with at least one cross out of carefully chosen colored beads. A few of them asked if they could make another for their mother. Of course you can! We did a great job communicating with the help of our coordinator from the rancho and our translator Paola from Ensenada. It turns out the sound effect "whoosh" is part of the universal language when describing how to put the beads on and then move them down the lanyard quickly. When everyone was done we played games and ate snacks until it was time for them to go. We were told to expect many more tomorrow and we prepared accordingly.

Following lunch we cut out crosses, tore tissue paper, cut strips of tape, measured laminating paper, and glued Popsicle sticks. We are ready for many more children tomorrow and are pleased to say it's exciting to see these friendly happy faces. The more the merrier. We are going to sing more songs tomorrow. They were a little sad that we only had one ready to go. We won't make that mistake again. We were able to do some extra preparation because the roof work that we needed to do was dependent on a beam that hadn't been placed yet. Once that got into place the real work portion of the day began. Playing with kids was, well, child's play compared to what came next. Our task, and we'd already accepted it, was to take 25 or so 20 foot beams and place them in place for a roof of this new room. The process was to have several of us carry these incredibly long and incredibly heavy 4 x 6 beams over to the outside edge of the wall. They then tilted the beams, slid them up high in the air and then let them fall in a controlled way where some of the taller members of the team, standing on folding chairs, were ready to catch them and put them into place. No worries parents. The catching was done by the leaders. We got done placing all the beams in about a quarter of the time I thought it would have taken and the real construction people now had the task of securing all the pieces into place.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day.

Also....I have asked if any of the kids would like to share their experiences with the blog...Two have said they wanted to. Keep posted to see which ones!

We're Here!!

I toyed with the idea of just writing a half page of ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ as our post tonight but I think I will try to push on.

It's been a long two days of travel. We were met near the border by staff from Agua Viva and we joined another group who was also coming for the week. We made it safely through the border and only one vehicle of the whole group got selected to be inspected (theirs not ours). I misunderstood the process and more of less self-selected our vehicle to be inspected by pulling in to the wrong lane for a minute. After one question from the inspector, and one answer from me...in High School Spanish (Thank You Senora Fields!) I was waved on and we just moved along.

We have had the tiniest little hiccup with a car. While we were waiting we turned on our emergency flashers. One car's button would not turn off. Silver lining...I was able to see which car I should be following, without a doubt, while we drove on the busy highway toward Ensenada. We MacGyvered the switch at the first stop and all is well.

We got to the ranch with just enough time to unload the cars quickly and scoot on down to dinner. We learned about our job site and learned that we would be working with Pan De Vida church building an entire room designed for children's ministry. Some of the group worked with that very church the last time we were here. They are very friendly and I, for one, am anxious to see the progress they've made since the last time we were here. Our first experience was teaching VBS under a tarp next to the unfinished building. We didn't stop there on the way here tonight but I hear they have finished the building...it has a roof now!

We were given a great meal and a warm welcome when we got here. (Don't tell anyone at Agua Viva but a few of the kids were a little disappointed that there wasn't beans and rice at the meal) We're grateful we didn't have to drive all over trying to get food for our entire group...like we did last night.

We were given a challenge to not focus on what great things the people are doing "with so little" but we should instead focus and what is happening in God's kingdom with the gifts He has provided for them. I think we will find that there are more similarities than differences between our two cultures.

Well the lights have turned off. For camp alumni, I don't mean they announced it's lights out time...I mean there is no more power! The generator has been given the night off and we are settling in for a nice night with most of the windows and doors open due to how wonderful the weather is. I hear it is raining in Fremont....sorry.

One last thing...the campus is busier than we are used to. They are running a kids camp here the same week we are here. There are little kids everywhere! It's great! One thing though. They don't quite understand that we don't quite understand Spanish. While we were eating one of us was asked if we were done with a cup so they could take it to wash. Several rounds of charades ensued trying to get her point across (which our group lost) and the little girl just grabbed the cup and was done with these crazy people who can't even answer a simple question.

And now...Good night...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

And we're off!

And we’re off….like a herd of turtles…

You’ve heard of turtles right?

Anyway...

We assembled and loaded our three vehicles just in time to lock up and go to first service where Pastor Greg prayed for us and our mission. Following the message and several rounds of rock-paper-scissors and one potato-two potato (not really) seat arrangements were made and nearly everyone had a seat! And almost half of them had a seat belt! (just kidding...again) It worked out where all the high school students piled into the 15 passenger van and the remaining leaders climbed into the other two, much, MUCH quieter cars for an 8 hour trek toward the border.

After 4 potty breaks, a meal stop, several very loud renditions of songs whose artists never could have imagined the treatment their work received today. We had a relatively incident free trip but were slowed down a few times for "traffic events" on a couple of the freeways. There were two in particular that looked very serious. I tend to tease and joke a lot...there was nothing funny about these crashes. I only hope there were survivors. 

Our vehicles came through with flying colors. No problems to speak of...but the weather molding on the rented van's door came loose and started flapping against the door at 65 mph. Let's let that be the problem we encounter on the trip.

There's not too much more to write. We get up, reluctantly leave our accommodations here Carlsbad (this church is huge and nice and friendly and generous) and we head the final hour to meet our border crossing chaperone from Agua Viva. We will do the extra step of getting visas for our visit and then head on toward the camp. It's about a 3 hour drive from the border crossing to the campus where we'll be given an orientation and a schedule of what we'll be doing. (I'm just high enough on the hierarchy to have a sneak peek at the assignment) It looks like we'll be able to build a room. We probably won't finish but it will be nice to help advance the kingdom with whatever help we can offer.

That's all for now. I was nice and gave them a head start on falling asleep. People who are still awake when I fall asleep tend to have a difficult time falling asleep at all. Apparently I snore like a rusty chainsaw. I'm not 100% certain that this is accurate. I've never heard myself snore before!

 More tomorrow!