M2M07

Please join us in praying for these kids:

2007-09-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

Click on the image for a better view.

Written by Jordan on the bus ride home:

2007-09-12T01:03:00.001-07:00

Well everyone is sick.
I'm not sure how you spell it, but I can definitely smell it ... diaherra! I'm not huge into journaling or things like that but I would like to express several thoughts from the trip.

First of all, I'd like to say that the entire trip has been amazing. I never thought I'd be upset leaving a bunch of 5 to 12 year olds. I don't remember the last time I was that sad. Seeing Fernando running down the street yelling "amigo", with his arms wide open and jumping into my arms was an upsetting and great feeling at the same time. This is extremely hard for a man (boy) to admit, but there were definitely tears welling up in my eyes. It was hard to leave behind that trouble maker but I am glad to have a made a friend despite a large language barrier.

I have learnt alot about myself and how humble pie has the most rewarding bitter-sweet taste. I also realized how a little bit of compassion can build friendships; not just between us and the children but between MCC youth and SL youth. Intially there were some hostities between the two church groups, but by simply taking down one's immature and defensive guard, friendships were established between our opposing parties.

Somtimes this compassion was illustrated through acts of grace. Grace is much easier to talk about than act out. Now imagine our miniscule grace multiplied by millions or billions - actually it's impossible to put a price or numbers on God's grace. Without his grace I don't know where I'd be.

All in all this trip has been a huge blessing to me and I'm sure everyone from MCC youth, SL youth, and all the children we came across. Even though the stench of diaherra is strong, it is not strong enough to out muscle the Godly encounters we had on this trip.

Written by Meghan on the bus ride home:

2007-09-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

heavy heat
the hot air sticking to us,
attaching itself to our overheated
bodies.
dirty dust
making itself at home everywhere;
ears, nose, skin, clothes,
it knows no bounds
creepy crawlies
cranky co-workers. surprising sickness.
why?
because somewhere in this
desperate disaster is hidden joy.
not the typcial type
purchased in a soft drink
or a mysterious movie.
the irrepresible flow unstopped
when a family accepts Christ,
when a child who introduces
himself as Satana (Satan)
evolves into a dear Miguel who
runs up to kindly carry the heavy box
you were struggling with.
When Mimi returns your gaze
with her enormous michievious eyes,
solidifying friendship.
When shouts for 'kapoochies"
resound in your exhausted ears.
Because it is better to give than to receive.

Happy Birthday Kara

2007-09-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Kara and her birthday pinata.

Friday evening, wasting time, waiting for the bus ...

2007-09-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Heading home. Bus shots:

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Are we there yet?

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Thanks, Stoney Creek for looking after us!

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Frank and Linda

Kari

Ollie

Friday, August 31

2007-09-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

After breakfast we all went to a wonderfully colourful and perfectly quaint outdoor market. No pictures were taken because I was blogging at the internet store across the street. You'll just have to imagine how wonderful it was.

When we got back, it was time to break camp.

All the tents needed to be cleaned out, rolled up and packed away.

Every group did their own tent.

'Cept me and my group.

Cuz we be princesses.

And one of us was in the hospital, one had a headache so bad it made her cry. The other one was off visiting ... and Soph and I were just plum outa energy.

SO I did what I do best, and took pictures of the amazing folks who did it for us:

Thanks, you guys are awesome. Especially since I now know that most of you weren't feeling great when you did this.

And then? Off to Sand Dollar Beach!

2007-09-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

A perfect way to end our time in Mexico

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The Surf was fun. If you like getting wet.

2007-09-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

Some Baywatch moves ...

2007-09-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

Sand Dunes were Awesome. And kinda sandy ...

2007-09-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Good Times

2007-09-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

Written by someone Brittany regarding Thursday Sept 30

2007-09-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

My God moment this week came when we were dedicating the house. I hadn't actually realized that Gd would use me in such an amazing way. When the family was thanking us and God and broke into tears I realized how much bigger this trip was than I thought. Of course I knew we were helping people but even the family came to realize that we were brought there by God.

Another time that I realized we made a difference was with one of the boys there. The first day started with him throwing rocks and calling himself Diablo. In the end he told us his real name was Jasper and I saw a change in him. The boys there are told that they don't have to listen to girls/women but this boy on the last day saw me carrying a heavy tub. He then came up and grabbed the tub from me and brought it to the table. He didn't look in it, didn't try to take anything. He just saw he could help and he really wanted to.

The first day, he was the last boy I wanted to speak to but by the end I realized all he wanted was to be shown love. And I just want to ask you to pray for this boy and that he will realize God's love for him.

Ta Dah

2007-09-10T23:53:00.000-07:00

By noon on Thursday we were done!

House - check.

Extra room for grown son - check.

Outhouse - check.

Bathhouse - check.

Photos of our last day at the build site:

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Kyle, building the bed.

Jordan, straightening nails.

Rachel, painting the extra room.

Leanne, painting as well.

Almost done ...

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Kara

Dave, painting the trim

Is this Ashley or Nati, giving the place a good sweep?

Tracey, cutting in the edges, with a smile...

The dedication service -

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Setting out the groceries we bought

Carmen giving them a Spanish bible and a collection of children's story books

Our interperter, helping them understand Larry's speech.

Then off to play with the kids -

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Faces of Mexico

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Did we make a difference?

2007-09-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye was hard

2007-09-10T23:43:00.000-07:00

Mexico Images

2007-09-08T02:01:00.000-07:00

Working on the build site:

Dave, sweeping the soffits, readying them for bright blue paint.

Da guys ... (L to R) Dave, Ollie, Ernie and Glen

New outhouse and shower house delivery.

Painting the trim.

Painting. The Fun Part:

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Amy, doing the window area.

Michelle, working on another window area.

Caitlynn doing the side wall.

Peak a boo...

And more painting:

2007-09-08T01:57:00.000-07:00

In Carmen's back pocket.

Our electrical cord, getting power from behind the lace curtain.

Britt D

Getting that roof on -

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Playing with the kids

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Clint's camera was a good ice-breaker.

This young man hopes to be a missionary in China one day.

Jesse, climbing the soccer goal post.

Drew and Fernando.

Day Camp:

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Gluing.

Playing with balloons.

More day camp:

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Singing in Spanish. Awesome.

A skit about the size of God's love. (Jesus loves you "this" much..)

Adam and his lil buddy, Gordo.

Chillin at the soccer field.

Tacos at a roadside stand -

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Beef or Pork.

Corn or Flour Tortilla.

Yum

The Taco Stand

2007-09-08T01:43:00.000-07:00

Written by Tracey on Wednesday Aug 29

2007-09-08T01:05:00.000-07:00

My relections of our Mission Trip:

This has truly been an experience I myself will never forget. In a lot of ways it has not been what I expected.
But ...

- I got to hold precious children (some that felt like they hadn't been touched or held in a long time)

- I visited a migrant camp and helped feed hundreds of people and listen as they were read the Bible

- I got to help build a house (that was truly awesome) but even better was to look at the people who we were building it for and look into their eyes.

- To see the hearts of my family open up to the children

- Most of all - to feel I have a purpose and feel blessed by God.

There were many bumps in the road on this trip - some big, some small. Would we do it again, I asked myself and my family?

IN A HEARTBEAT!

Written by Ashley V on Wednesday August 29

2007-09-08T00:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday at the migrant camp, there were children everywhere eager to be cuddled and played with. The first little girl I picked up was named Yasit. She was precious - probably about 4 or 5 years old. She melted my heart.

All through the time we were there she stuck to me like glue. Once in awhile she'd run off to get something that was being handed out but she'd always come back to me. Whenever she left I'd look around for her and then I'd spot her sweet little face searching the crowd and a huge smile would light up her face as her eyes met mine.

Her favorite thing was to be held upside down as she grabbed handfuls of grass and threw them in the air. She also loved to be cuddled and I was more than happy to oblige. I hated leaving her. If only I could have picked her up, bring her home with me and loved her forever. I will never forget that darling little person.

Written by Stacy on Wednesday August 29

2007-09-08T00:52:00.000-07:00

Hello there! It's day 6 of our Mexico trip and its been amazing showing God's love to the children and families down here.

Today I really enjoyed because I had the neatest experience. I brought a bottle of bright pink sparkly nail polish to paint the little girls' nails. I even got the shy girl, Cecilia, to sit down and let me do her's.

The best though, was when two older women came to ask me to paint their nails. The older of the two had fairly advanced arthritisin her fingers and didn't want me to paint them, hiding them in her lap. I insisted. She let me, and when I was done she was so proud of her pink fingernails. When Carmen came to see, she pointed out her arthritis and said it wasn't beautiful, but Carmen told her that God made her beautiful and that He loves her very much. She was all smiles and agreed they were "benita".

Written by Carmen about Wednesday August 29

2007-09-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

That morning Larry challenged us to ask God to show us His perspective. I did, and God answered through Stacy and this old woman.

As Stacy described, she was ashamed of her arthritic hands. She pointed to her fingers twisted together and her bulging wrist, saying "malo" (bad). Yet, as Stacy gently took her hands and as I assured her that she was beautiful, her face broke into a wide, toothless grin! She was beaming as she looked at her now bright pink finger nails.

God showed me how He wants to do this for me. He wants to take the things in my life that I consider bad or ugly, or that I'm ashamed of, and He wants to paint them, transform me, and assure me that I'm beautiful.

Thank you Lord for this Mexican woman.

Written by Adam on Tuesday August 28

2007-09-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

Impoverished.
Poverty stricken.
Joyful kids...
Psychos.
Enrique, Fernando, Jose', Gordo, Martin, Miquel, Ariel.
A bunch of names of "ninos" (children) here in Mexico. The kids so far have been such a blessing but still a challenge. Overall the kids have been tons of fun. We have played ample amounts of soccer amidst the dust blowing straight through my trachea into my lungs. I have learnt several soccer terms in espanol including "chillinita" which means bicycle kick or "cauisita" or header. With the dirt in the air, the "puerterro" goalie has a difficult time seeing the kids giving the ball a "dirho" (kick).

We were forced to tell the kids today they could not have any of our water because we were low on it for ourselves. Needless to say, I felt like a stuck up white man. Unfortunately the Mexicans sometimes act as though we (us Canadians) are important or something. I do not like being looked at like a superior. But the young kids just love our prescence and we love theirs.

Gordo, a young boy about 3 years old, was sword fighting with today with little sticks. I like him because he is a "tough cookie" to crack. He doesn't talk at all but if you can get a smile out of him, he is cuter than ever as his big brown eyes light up. I guess he loved the "cappuchi" piggyback ride that I gave him ... Oh yah, that's a frequent Spanish word that you hear around kids. They run up and rattle off in spanish with outstretched arms yelling cappuchi.

I quickly have adapted the phrase "no mas cappuchi" (no more piggybacks). Not because I don't have fun, but because if there is a large group of kids, we quickly become a jungle jim. Yet I still love it.

After building today, we had tacos for dinner. I had 4 and it was awesome. In the parking lot of the taco place there was a 20 foot deep hole that was encased in cinderblocks the whole way down. This was exciting compared to a Canadian parking space.

Now I am back here at camp; which by the way is gorgeous compared to expectations. There are palm trees everywhere, a pool, a campfire, a treehouse, flush toilets, showers, a playground, and even grass which is phenomenal for Mexico.

Anyway, I think I have said enough and we thank you so much for your prayers as we can most definitely see God moving.

Adios amigos!

Written by Larry On Tuesday August 28

2007-09-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

The road trip magnified the difficulty of achieving victory in the simplest pleasures of life - like finding a position of rest. The fetal position killed my lower back while the more ergonomic upright position left no resting place for my head. But I am thankful for the grace Jane showed by letting an older man sit by the window. I enjoyed her conversation - her head is on right and well even though she couldn't lean it on my window.

Dave, Glen and I ride wild when it comes to coaster rides. Glen is a risk taker here. Dave as usual loves the front row (in more ways than one). He is also a miracle baby in more ways than one.

Psalm 16:11 came to my mind when our bus blew it's hose and we all were hiking north to Canada:
"Lord, Thou wilt make known to us the path them the many fences of the excited States of America.
In Thy prescence is the fullness of trucker's horns apparently enjoying the lost Canadians hike.
At thy right hand is an air-conditioned McDonald's who will not and did not throw us out in spite of exceeding their loitering policy by 4.5 hours."

In the end I concluded this interpretation may be slightly too liberal to MCC and Pastor Con. By the time I reached Mexico the plain truth emerged, "I love you honey and pray for you. I know I'm hard to live without."

Rest well,
Larry

Written by Jesse on Monday August 27

2007-09-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

The (Charter) bus was quite tolerable until we hit the US border. The seats were very tough to sleep in due to their rock hard nature and my rear still feels bruised from the 30-whatever hour ride. The market we stopped at in Mexico was crazy. The merchants literally thrust their goods upon you. Me, Jon, Brendan and Jordan hopped onto a man's donkey wagon in hopes of a picture, but we quickly hopped off once we learned he wanted $10 for it.

The place we're at is so nice. It's called Eden. Haven't seen a single nasty spider yet. I want to though. Maybe in my sleeping bag.

Today we got 5 walls up in the house. It's looking good.

I love you guys ...

Playing with the kids

2007-09-05T22:28:00.000-07:00

2007-09-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

Kapoochi rides ...

Soccer goal posts

"The Build"

2007-09-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

The room that the owner's grown son lives in.

Glen, our construction manager. Yes, those are running shoes hanging on the lines behind him. Teenagers are the same the world over...

Their cardboard house.

The concrete slab foundation.

Getting started

2007-09-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

The lumber package that was waiting for us.

Safety first.

The laundry room.

Getting direction from our leader.

Working hard

2007-09-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

Moving roof panels

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2007-09-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

The blue prints.

"How to Build a House" step by step directions.

Not really.

Yay, Ashley! Worked so hard her hammer broke.

2007-09-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Creative fencing...

Jon? This is why you have a headache...

And Up Go the Walls

2007-09-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Written by Sophie on Monday August 27

2007-09-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

We just started construction today and we already have the 4 main walls and the divider wall up. I have now realized that carpentry will not be a future career of mine. I loved playing with the little kids. They are so cute and they love piggyback rides. The different language is kind of a tough barrier. Overall, everything is very mexicany.

Written by Kara on Monday August 27. (Actually, Tanya wrote this for her. Ahhh... big sisters are awesome.)

2007-09-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

It's day 4 and so much has happened. Construction has started and everyone is eager to help. Ashley was declared Murrayville's strongest girl after she broke her hammer. Tanya and I are the Hammer Queens.

The Mexican children are so cute. The bubbles we brought were a huge success.

Last night we got a bug talk. Keeping our tents closed is a necessary. Checking our shoes and shaking our clothes out before we put them on has become a habit. No one wants a scorpion sting or a deer slayer bite. Yes there is a type of spider/scorpion called a deer slayer and it runs at you. So we've been ordered to step on any bug sized wild life we see. And to drink as much water as humanly possible.

All in all, I'm having an awesome time and can't wait to have a shower.

Written By Kyle on Sunday August 26

2007-09-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

As I arrived at Tim Horton's at 5:00 am I was very excited to get going. As the busses pulled up I saw a little bus and a big bus. Since I thought a small bus would be fun, I did not run to the big bus. As I boarded the smaller bus I noticed the seats were cramped and not intended for long trips. As I sat with my friends I again realized that I had sat in a bad seat but I pushed that to the back of my mind and focused on trying to sleep.

The first day was uneventful but as night came just about everyone on that bus except for the odd person had a horrible sleep. As I woke up I smelt smoke and heard Dave and Glen telling everyone to get off the bus. Our bus died on us. We had a very bad oil leak, but luckily we were close to an on-ramp with a McDonalds.

We probably stayed at that McDonalds for 4 hours and we envied the other bus people for we had been on our way to Six Flags and the other group got to keep going on.

We finally got to Six Flags and it was a blast. We slept at a church for the night. The next morning the group on the small bus boarded vans brought up from Mexico. They were a little more comfy that the mini bus os that was awesome.

I saw two naval bases. One was U.S. the other was Mexican. The Mexican army was also checking for drugs in the mountains and they're police force is sweet. I am looking forward to the rest of the trip.

PS We get the big bus on the way home.
Woot.

Written by Tanya on Sunday Night

2007-09-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

So far this trip has been amazing. The bus ride was long and fun. Me, being me, got the most sleep of anyone on the bus. Although the sleep was wonderful, waking up you find sleeping in one position for four long hours really hurts your neck also finding out you missed two bathroom stops. But don't worry, no one had an accident.

Although the bus broke down and walking over a mile in the sun and waiting in a McDonald's for however many hours may not seem like fun. It was. From colouring on napkins to coming up with stupid games we all made the best of it, plus we got to ride the air conditioned bus the rest of the way to Six Flags.

After Six Flags we went to a church, ate the most amazing potato soup, washed our hair in the sinks and had a great sleep.

Now you've never had fun shopping unless your shopped in Tiajuanna. Listening to my dad barter for a $20 hat and getting it for $5 was hilarious. Everything was so colourful. One thing I found really cool was that as soon as Kara and I got off the bus we recognized the smell. It brought back memories from when we were like three.

One last thing I'd like to say is that sweating like crazy on a stuffed bus is not fun but it makes getting a handful of ice in your nalgene seem like a real blessing.

Thanks for all your prayers.

See you soon.

Written by Chad on Sunday August 26 Evening:

2007-09-04T00:58:00.000-07:00

Well we have been having a fun-filled time with getting one hour of sleep then going off to Tim's (Tim Hortons's, our meeting spot) and getting our spot on the small bus with no AC but it was fun listening to everyone's jokes and talking to people. My seat buddy was Mr. W and I had the unfortunate spot right above the wheel well so leg room was limited and it was a long day of driving with the windows open trying to get the wind to keep us cool.

So at one pit stop we came to the largest gas station in my life and found a Praying Mantis that then flew up and was dive bombed by 2 birds (and one of them gobbled him up). So the trip continued and the night sky took over cooling the bus down and with all the wind it was likea wind tunnel but everyone got cold so the windows were shut and my awesome wind tunnel was ruined.

So with everyone going to sleep I cracked out the gameboy and played because there was no way I was going to fall asleepso I played all night waiting for the sun to rise and at about 7 am, me and Mr. W switched seats so I could put my head against the window and try to sleep. Five minutes later an oil line burst and filled the bus with with smoke so we pulled over and got out and tried to fix it.. Then we decided to just wait at the McDonalds for the big bus to come and get us after it dropped off the other group at Six Flags. I grabbed a chocolte shake for breakfast, waited 5 hours after many delays and finally make our way off to teh best roller coasters ever. Going the speed of jet fighters taking off a carrier (really fast); going down a 255 foot drop and on some crazy thing that flips you around during the ride ... it was awesome.

Then we left and slept in a church that wasn't too far away. We got a decent meal and some rest before traveling more in some vans, passing a really cool naval base with a mega carrier, some regular carriers and battle ships. We ventured further, coming to a huge hill were we had to kill the AC so the engine didn't blow up again. We eventually made it to the camp site of Eden and it is the only green space for like a few thousand miles and it is beautiful and we got stuff in the tijuanna market for real cheap.

It was fun.

See ya.
:)

My Favorite Image:

2007-09-04T00:52:00.000-07:00

2007-09-03T00:57:00.000-07:00

The Garcia Family

2007-09-02T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is the family that we built a house for:

(This is what their street looks like ...)

More Family ...

2007-09-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

(This is what the house they were living in looked like.)

(Peaking through the window of their new home.)

We're back

2007-09-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

And I just realized that I forgot to collect my backpack of clothes and my plastic bag filled with bedding from under the bus.

But I've got my camera, laptop, printer, make-up and purse.

So I'll post some pics later.

Thanks to all of you for praying.

Coming Home

2007-08-31T09:16:00.000-07:00

It never ends... this whole body stickiness that covers us from head to toe. And red dust loves sweaty humans. Not complaining, so much as sharing... :)

I can't even begin to pour out all that's on our hearts right now. Since I last posted SO much has happened. SOOOO much.

The house? It's finished. It's a lovely neon blue with white trim (her choice) - looks like a greek restaurant to me - as is the extra room we built for her son. And the shower houe. And the outhouse. We loaded that home up with as much love and material things as we could possibly manage. Thanks to all of your generous donations, we were able to bless them with extras; like 3 beds, bedding, propane cooktop, electricity, 3 windows, water, groceries ...

It was an emotional dedication service. We had an interpretter, but even so Larry's speech was loud, slow and in easy-English. Carmen presented them with a Spanish Bible and Childrens' story books, encouraging them to learn more about God and to teach their children. I gave them two photo albums (one filled with images I had taken of their family, and the other one filled with photos of us building their home.) I opened their family album and showed them what was in it and said, "You have a beautiful family. May you find happiness in your new home." When she saw the photo of herself she started to cry, and then so did I. So I stopped talking and gave her a hug.

The interpretter then preached a little (2 minutes) and invited the homeowner's family to accept Jesus into their hearts. TWO OF THEM DID!
Angels were partying in heaven.

Carmen has such a heart for missions - it is inspiring just to be in her company. After the dedication, we were spent. Totally wiped. And if hadn't been for her enthusiastic, bubbly, joy-running-over desire to share the gospel in skit and song to the kids, I think we woulda packed it up for the day. IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER for our teens connecting with the neighbour kids. Real heart-to-heart eyeball to eyeball connections were made. Again, I stood behind my camera crying. It was so awesome to witness. Parents, if you're reading this - your teens have Jesus in their hearts and His love oozed out of them all over the place. I've got pictures to prove it. About 2000 of them.

Every evening I download them in the centre cabana and we sit around my laptop and reminise about the day. After that we have devotions. Our kids? Sing like angels. In harmony. Wish I could tape them for you.

Unfortunately the only thing that has been taped down here is my snoring. The girls couldn't believe how loud I am, and taped me. I'll be quitting Murrayville Church and going into hiding after we come back. You have no idea how utterly and completely mortified I am.

Enough about me.

We have some sick kids down here. South Langley got hit harder than we did, but if you have a child that has a tricky stomach, or can't handle the heat, or doesn't like sleeping 8 hours - chances are they've been affected. We had two in the hospital last night getting rehydrated, one has a sprained ankle, and I think most of us have had at least one physical thing (head cold, the runs, etc) since arriving. But it's all good. Don't worry. Just pray.

While I'm internetting in a computer store surrounded by spanish speaking Mexican men, our kids and other leaders are across the street at an open air market spending the last of their money buying souveniers. We'll head to the beach after that and then? Then we're coming home!

We're leaving at 8 pm tonight (8 hours earlier than planned) SO we may be back in Canda by noon. (It all depends on our crossing from Mexico into the US. Apparently we could be sitting there for up to 4 hours. (Please pray that we have a smooth crossing.)

Please pass along the word that we may be home by noon. We'll make cell phone calls to confirm our arrival time when we're in Washington State.

Please pray for those in the hospital, they they would be able to be released this afternoon, so we can depart as scheduled.
Please pray for no more vehicle breakdowns.
Please pray for us as we head to the beach this afternoon...
Please pray for our health.
Please pray for our drivers - for alertness, caution and wisdom. (Have you driven on a Mexican highway? Sheldon, our mini bus driver is 20 years old.)

There are so many stories. I'll collect them from the kids and post them after we get back.

Thanks for joining us on this journey through prayer. You are so important to us and we love you.

See you Sunday,

Jane

We're Here ...

2007-08-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Hey! Greetings from Mexico.
It's hot. That rain that was forecasted? NOT happening.
We all got here safely and everyone is healthy. Moms, you can stop worrying.

I will write my thoughts after we get back. Some of the kids have written in my journal (eagerly I might add ...) and given me permission to post their thoughts. By the way, I'm at a Mexican Internet Store and Blogger is all in Spanish here. A little freaky but I'm adapting.

The first person to write was Chad. And he filled up two pages in tiny print. All one sentence. I'll just rewrite the highights:

...our small bus with no AC it was fun listening to everyone's jokes and talking to people. My seat buddy was Mr W and I had the unfortunate spot right above the wheel well so leg room was limited and it was a long day of driving ...

... we came to the biggest gas station of my life and found a praying mantis that flew up and was dive bombed by two birds and got eaten.

... so with everyone going to sleep I cracked open the gameboy and played because there was no way I was going to fall asleep so I played all night waiting for the sun to come up and about 7 me and Mr W traded spots so I could put my head against the window and try to sleep and five minutes later the oil line burst and filled the bus with smoke so we pulled over ...

He continues with his version of the story which I will post when we get home.

Tanya wrote too, so I'll pick it up in the middle:

... Althought the bus broke down and we had to walk over a mile in the sun and then wait at McDonalds for 4 hours - it was fun. From colouring on napkins to coming up with stupid games, we made the best of it. Plus we got to ride to Six Flags in the air conditioned bus ...

...After six flags we went to a church, ate the most amazing potato soup, washed our hair in the bathroom sinks and had a great sleep...

Kyle, Kara, Sophie, Jesse, and Larry all wrote pages of thoughts too, but this is taking me far longer to type than I expected.

Know that we are doing fine. Everyone sends love.

Thank you for praying. We've had some drama along the way, all of which directs us right back to God - the One who really is in charge of this adventure.

Please keep praying. We're going to put the roof on the house tomorrow, paint the walls and build a second building on their site. Plus Carmen is going to share the gospel to the neighbourhood children through songs and skits.

For most of us, this is unlike anything we have EVER experienced before and it's good. Poverty like you can't imagine. Dust and dirt everywhere. Smiling children with beautiful brown eyes...

Go outside and take a look at that gorgeous full moon. We're looking at it too.

Hoping to post again on Thursday.

Carolyn, Monica, Marj - is there some way you can let all the other parents know we're OK?

Later gators ...

What we're thinking. Part, uh, something plus one:

2007-08-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have to say another thanks to everyone who donated money for Bibles. Now there's $450!!!! That's enough for picture books with Bibles stories, and hopefully a complete family Bible for the family we're building the house for too!! We can also leave some at the orphanage that we'll be visiting.

THANK YOU everyone!!!!!

I was feeling pretty nervous about the day camp, and being the most-Spanish-speaking person on our team, I felt responsible to learn enough Spanish to communicate the gospel clearly with the children. But that's when my missionary friend (who helped me translate the skits into Spanish--thanks, Bea!) encouraged me. She reminded me that God's Word can say it all...and thanks to everyone's help, all of the kids will have a Bible! The Holy Spirit will speak for us. If all we do is love the kids--if they don't understand a word I say--God can, and WILL, still speak!

Carmen

What We're Thinking. Part something.

2007-08-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

Heyy it's Britt,

So how am I feeling...i am feeling like I am getting sick. The past few days I have been getting a cold and so PLEASE pray that I am better and not sick in Mexico.

umm I'm not really sure what to expect but I am really excited to see how God will change me and everyone.

What Does God Have In Mind? (What We're Thinking - Part 6)

2007-08-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

I actually think it's just starting to sink in to me that we're actually going! It's exciting!

Anyways, my parents, who are out for a visit... decided to support us with some sporting equipment. They bought a volleyball net, some volleyballs, and a couple basketballs as well! The net also doubles as a badminton net and there are some badminton raquets and birdies included as well I think. So that's sweet!

I've also heard that there were some frisbees and skipping ropes donated by Carmen's aunt and some of the pop bottle money was used to buy these things as well. Also sweet!

This along with quite a few soccer balls from Mrs. K and Jane we should have a fair bit of sporting goods to give them when we leave... and to play with them while we're there of course!

And after delivering letters to almost all of the sports stores in Langley (and a couple others) Sports Replay said to come with a truck and they'd donate some bikes or something. But since we really don't have room to take bikes to Mexico they said they'd find something else if we'd drop by this morning. Here's where the interesting part comes in. I was expcting like balls or maybe some cleats or something of that nature... but they gave us tarps!? I must say I was kinda like "what? tarps?" when Carmen told me that's what they had for us.. but apparently that's what they wanted to give us (there's like 25 of them apparently), and I'm curious to see how God's planning on using them... I trust He has a purpose for providing them for us. Definitely not what I was expecting, but we'll see what happens.

That's about it from me. See ya all Friday!
Eric

What we're thinking ... Part 5

2007-08-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

Here are my thoughts on going to Mexico:

I am getting excited now that I realize I actually am going to Mexico. Up until today (August 22...a couple days before we are about to leave) it kind of felt like we were going on a brief trip to go camping. I kinda just realized we are going to Mexico! That's pretty freakin' awesome I must say. I have expectations that many of us will be experience what David Crowder calls a "beautiful collision." He says that "When our depravity meets His divinity it is a beautiful collision." I think that we will really be humbled in the fact that what we are doing is so small in our eyes, yet God can take this and do amazing things. Anyways, thats how I am feeling...oh wait actually I have to say I am extremely amped (that's excited for you people who don't know the lingo) for six flags and tacos too! That's all for real. Peace.
Adam

What we're thinking. Part 4

2007-08-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

I guess i'm pretty stoked. Haha yeah i totally am!
i am really pumped and excited...!
Bye

brendan

Weather Forecast:

2007-08-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

Who's doing what?

2007-08-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Carmen is our day camp director.

Larry is our devo guy.

Dave, on the left, is our camp director.

Glen, on the right, is our construction manager.

2007-08-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Our Commissioning Service was on Sunday, August 19.

We were given the boot.

What we're thinking. Part Three

2007-08-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking I'm the oldest female on this trip and the thought of 28 hours on a bus, then a day at Six Flags, then a night on a gym floor to be followed by 6 nights in a sleeping bag on the ground is FREAKING ME OUT.

So, I bought myself a princess bed.

With it being 19" off the ground when fully inflated, I should not have a problem with my hips digging into the earth when I sleep.

I bought my three kids each a mattress as well:

They are not princesses, so it should be fine...

Today I did a trial run, and took my bed out of its box and waited for it to self-inflate.

Surely a princess wouldn't have to blow up her own bed?

It's still lying there in my front entrance, quite flat and not inflated.

On a happier note - I am THRILLED with the printer we had donated. It is awesome in it's cuteness:

And the picture quality?

Absolutely incredible.

So, despite my I'm-too-old-what-was-I-thinking fears, I am SO looking forward to this adventure. I'm praying that God will do mighty things through us and to us and I can hardly wait to see what those things will be.

What we're thinking. Part 2

2007-08-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

hey -
i cant wait to go.

i just got back from the hood canal down near port townsend. im excited to go but am worried about my health because i caught mono and am finally on the recovery =)
praise the lord. but i still cant work long and im praying i wont be holding up the team and i wont be a problem. that is my only prayer request. im starting to try to get back in to shape so i should be ok but prayer never hurt anyone =)

James

What we're thinking. Part One

2007-08-18T18:16:00.001-07:00

hey hey! its jordan.

well i'm totally stoaked! i'm so excited to see what we will do and what God will do for us and especially for the people we will be helping.

i cant stop thinking about Mexico, and when ever i see people who are going on the trip too we always talk about it.

i'm pretty sure everyone is super stoaked.

see ya

On behalf of the kids in Mexico

2007-08-17T01:40:00.000-07:00

Thank You!!

Thanks and thanks again!

2007-08-14T09:55:00.001-07:00

Thanks, Pete and Hilda for the Epson Picture Mate printer and ink cartridges. We are delighted to be able to give each child a photograph of themselves as we let them know that Jesus loves them.
Thank you!

We're still hoping for a photo-paper donation ... if you'd like to help, let me know: ojane@shaw.ca
UPDATE: Aug 16 300 sheets of paper donated today. Thank you.

Thank You!

2007-08-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the friends and family of Carmen who responded to her request for funds to buy Spanish Good News Bibles...

$200 has been donated which is just enough!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you'd still like to contribute to our trip, contact Jane at ojane@shaw.ca

Packing List

2007-08-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

Official Packing List -
1. Bag (plastic garbage bag)
Sleeping bag
Mattress Pad

2. Duffelbag (1 bag per person. No hockey bags)
Work Clothes:
- 2 pairs of pants
- 2 - 3 loose fitting T-shirts or short sleeve shirts
- closed toe shoes and socks ( 1 pair for everyday)
- work gloves, hammer

Beach Wear
- Bathing suit ... must be very modest
- Towel
- T-shirt and shorts
- sandals

1 Set of pajamas
2 Sets of Ministry clothes (to mix and match for 2 ministry days)
- no shorts
- girls ... dress or long skirt with cool, loose fitting short sleeve top or T-shirt
- guys ... long pants and cool, loose fitting collar or button shirt

1 Set of "Wear Home" clothes ... must be kept separate and remain unused so they are clean & fresh for the ride home. (Not the clothes you wore on the trip down.)
- comfortable top
- comfortable bottom

Miscellaneous:
- Clean socks and underwear for each day
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo/soap/personal toilet paper/sandals for in shower
- flashlight
- jacket/sweatshirt

3. Backpack for travelling in the bus:

Passport
Spending money (US Currency in bills smaller than $20)
Magazine, Book
Toothbrush, Toothpaste
Deodorant
Snack food and 1L water bottle
Shorts and T-shirt for Six Flags (you will not be allowed to get your luggage until we arrive at the campground in Mexico)
I kleenex pack
1 small hand sanitizer
Plastic plate, cup, bowl, fork, spoon and knife (to be used throughout the entire trip)
Camera
Also bring a small pillow with you in the van.

For the M2M Team:

2007-08-14T00:36:00.001-07:00

Carmen needs some help...
Please give her a call if you can lend a hand with any of the following:

Here's the list:-
10 Spanish songs to be written out on poster board

-someone to do the shopping if I give them a list and some money

-someone to help me think of another skit idea based on a Bible story (I'm trying to write them in Spanish...I have two ideas, but I need a third.)

-lots of prayer

Another Wish List Item:

2007-08-08T01:32:00.001-07:00

How awesome would it be if, when we present the key to the family we've built the house for, we could also leave them a photo album/scrapbook filled with photos of their house being built?

Is there anyone who can help us aquire a scrapbook, filler pages and assorted stickers? Please contact Jane at ojane@shaw.ca

Thank You!

2007-08-08T01:26:00.000-07:00

A donation of 60 - 100 Spanish "The Greatest Story Ever Told" comic-style illustrated books have been donated. We can hardly wait to hand them out. Thanks Bev and Sandra.

Prayer Request

2007-08-08T01:20:00.000-07:00

Charlotte, of Stoney Creek Expeditions, our 'tour leader' to Mexico and liason with the ministry we'll be working with in Vicente Guerrero, has just returned from Mexico and is in St Paul's hospital.

Please join us as we pray for a complete recovery for her.

UPDATE: August 14 - Thanks for praying. Charlotte is out of the hospital and doing much better. Now all she needs is her voice back.

Prayer Guide

2007-07-12T00:32:00.000-07:00

If you don't want to hold a magnifying glass up to your moniter, click on the image. It will magically get larger.

THANK YOU

2007-06-30T17:47:00.001-07:00

A great big heartfelt thanks to the following folks who have sent in donation cheques to help us with the building and blessing costs:

Rachel Plett/Krueger
Rudy and Marg Ekkert
September Hrabchuck
Andrew and Andrea Menary
Isobel Hahlen
Langley Concrete and Tile
Karmen Lee
Patricia Field
Pete and Hilda Klassen
Sandra Stelting
Carmen's extended family
Mr and Mrs Schultz

Would you like to contribute?
Send a cheque to:
Murrayville Community Church
#201 - 4839 221 St
Langley, BC V3A 2P1

Wish List - aka - What We'd Like to Bring Along

2007-06-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

In addition to building a house, we'd like to bless the families in Vicente Guerrero, especially the children.

Carmen, who will be coordinating our efforts to reach the children in the area, has prepared a list of the items she could use to make our time with them meaningful. If you are able to help out with any of these items, please drop them off at our church office or email Jane at ojane@shaw.ca and we'll arrange for them to be picked up.

Carmen's list:
Empty 2L pop bottles
Coloured Tissue Paper
Construction Paper
Liquid Glue
Pencils and Pencil Sharpeners
String
Small Decorative craft supplies (buttons, fun foam, stickers, etc)

Eric, our Sports Equipment Coordinator, is looking for donations of well, yes, sports equipment. We'd love to be able to leave items like soccer balls, skipping ropes, rubber balls down in Mexico. If you can help us in this way, again - drop them off at the church office or email Jane at ojane@shaw.ca

Glen, our Construction Coordinator is looking for donations of work gloves and hammers.

Jane, the team photographer, was aghast to learn that most of the children in Vicente Guerrero have never seen a picture of themselves. It is her longing to take a portrait of each child and leave it with them. She will be bringing her camera and laptop along, on her wish list is:
a small printer, one that prints 4 x 6 photos
200 sheets of 4 x 6 photo papter
printer ink cartridges (probably black only to keep costs down)

As well, with Jane being a blogger/journaller and all ... she'd love to provide each particant on this trip with a journal where God moments can be saved, memories can be written, thoughts can be stored.
If you can help with this; ojane@shaw.ca

IDT (International Discipleship Training), the organization we will be working with in Vicente Guerrero, will be building 150 houses in Mexico this year. The equipment and tools they provide for groups needs replacing often. If you are able, below is their wish list:
Skil saws and blades
Sawzalls and blades
Utility Knives with retractable blades
Hammers
Hand saws
Pry Bars
Carpenter Pencils
Wood Chisels
25 foot measuring tapes
Speed Squares

Please drop these items off at the office or email Jane at ojane@shaw.ca

The Project

2007-06-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

The team from Murrayville will be assisting IDT (International Disciple Training) in taking the gospel to the unsaved as well as providing food and clothing to those in need. Along with the help of a skilled Stoney Creek staff member, we will also build a home for the poor/homeless in the area.

Our goal is to meet some of the physical needs of the poor while spending time introducing the love of Christ. Building homes for those in need is one of the tools IDT uses to build relationships and put into practice the precepts they teach. We are honored to be able to assist them effectively share the truth of salvation.

God willing, it is our plan to build one "very simple" double-sized (approx 22' x 22') casita (home) in Vicente Guerrero during the 5 days we will be in the area. The concrete slab will be poured prior to our arrival in order for the concrete to harden. The necessary lumber, nails, roofing materials, etc will be waiting for us on the site when we arrive.

The construction process will be as follows:
1. Fabricate roof panels
2. Fabricate walls
3. Sheet walls with plywood
4. Raise walls and nail corners together
5. In centre of upper plate, mount roof ridge beam
6. Place roof panels on ridge beam and secure
7. Sheet roof with plywood/lay down tar paper
8. Roll roofing on roof
9. Ramset walls to foundation
10. Hang windows and doors
11. Cut and place gable ends
12. Place trim
13. Paint

During our 5 days in Mexico we will be interacting with the family; seeing how they live and deciding how to assist them in other ways.

Items to consider are:

Stove Top Burner $60.
Gas Regulator w/ Pipe 15.
10 kilo Propane Tank 40.
Extra window 45.
Water hook up 85.
Outhouse 100.
Bunk Beds 60.
Electricity inside house 30.
Electric Meter Pole 90.
Contact for electricity 25.
Broom 4.

As a group we have limited construction experience with the exception of Glen, our Construction Manager. But we lack in knowledge we make up for in enthusiasm ...

(Note, we will be travelling with another group from Langley - from South Langley Mennonite Brethern Church - and they too will be building a double-sized home in the same area.)

The Mexico Team

2007-06-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Meet the team: Ashley (just graduated) and Nati (going into grade 10)
Chad, a grade 12 LCS student

Kyle, a grade 11 Langley student

Bailey, a grade 12 student at LCS and barista at a Murrayville coffee shop

Dave, a Langley chicken farmer

Clint, a 2005 DW Poppy grad, currently working as a media coordinator at Northview Church

Drew, a grade 8 student at Langley Fundamental Middle School

Kara, a grade 11 student at DW Poppy

Tanya, a recent DWPoppy grad and Sophie, a grade 10 Langley student

Brittany, a recent grad from DW Poppy who works parttime at Ralph's

Caitlynn, going into grade 12 at Langley Fundamental, works parttime at Montana's

L to R

Jordan, a recent DW Poppy grad, works parttime at The Keg

Adam, A TWU student, works parttime at Blair Pool

Kevin, a Brookswood grad, who's been working fulltime at The Bay, Willowbrook

Brendan, a grade 12 student at DW Poppy

L to R

Garrett, a going-into-grade 11 student and Langley resident

Glen, his dad, owner of Alpha and Omega Construction Co

Amy, a grade 11 DW Poppy student

James, a grade 11 DW Poppy student who works parttime at Papa Johns's pizza

Ashley, a grade 10 student at LCS

Max, a grade 12 student at Langley Fundamental, who is working at Langley Concrete & Tile this summer

Eric,

Larry

Stacy, a graduate from DW Poppy who works parttime at Blair Pool

Jesse, a graduate from DW Poppy,

Lee-Anne, a graduate from DW Poppy,

Jon, a grade 12 student at DW Poppy who works parttime at Pet Smart

Twenty eight of the thirty eight of us ...

Prayer

2007-06-19T01:49:00.000-07:00

We can't undertake a project of this size without prayer coverage. Each particpant will be asking 5 people to pray specifically for not only them, but the entire team, as well as the families we'll be interacting with in Mexico.

If you would like to pray for us, please e-mail Jane at ojane@shaw.ca.

Watch this space for weekly prayer updates, starting Sunday June 24...

Upcoming Fundraising Events:

2007-06-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 23, 2007
9 - 11 am

Bottle Drive in Murrayville.
If you can help, let Tracey know: traceyabolis@hotmail.com

SundayJune 24, 2007
11 am - 1 pm

BBQ Chicken Lunch at Murrayville Elementary School
Suggested donation:
$8 for adults
$5 for kids

The Itinerary:

2007-04-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Day 1 Friday August 24

5:00 am Meet and pack up bus
6:30 am Leave
9:30 am Gas and Bathroom break in Tacoma, Washington
noon Lunch stop in Kelso, Washington
2:30 pm Gas and Bathroom break in Salem, Oregon
5:00 pm Gas and Bathroom break in Roseburg, Oregon
7:00 pm Supper break in Medford, Oregon
11:00 pm Gas and Bathroom break in Redding, California

Day 2 Saturday August 25

1:30 am Gas and Bathroom break in Sacramento, California
6:30 am Gas and Bathroom break in Lost Hills, California
8:30 am Arrive in Valencia, California for breakfast
9:30 am Arrive at Six Flags theme park. Hang out for the day.
1:00 pm Lunch at the bus.
5:30 pm Meet at the bus
7:00 pm Arrive at CRC Church
8:00 pm Supper at church
9:30 pm Short worship and prayer
10:00 pm Lights Out. Sleep on gym floor

Day 3 Sunday August 26

6:00 am Wake up. Pack up.
7:00 am Breakfast
7:30 am Devotional and prayer
8:00 am Leave California
10:00 am Arrive at the Mexican border
11:00 am Arrive in Tijuanna, Mexico. Park vehicles.
Have lunch. Spend 2 hours shopping.
1:00 pm Leave Tijunna
3:00 pm Bathroom break in Ensenada, Mexico
6:30 pm Arrive in Vincente Guererro, Mexico
Set up tents, eat supper
9:00 pm Worship and prayer
10:00 pm Lights out

Day 4 Monday August 27

6:30 am Wake up
7:30 am Prayer time
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Breakfast cleanup and prep for day
9:00 am Orientation
12:00 Lunch
1:00 pm Work assignments
4:00 pm Free time
5:30 pm Tacos
8:00 pm Free time
8:30 pm Fireside worship
10:00 pm Get ready for bed
10:30 pm Lights out

Day 5 Tuesday August 28

6:30 am Wake up
7:30 pm Prayer time
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Clean up and day prep
9:00 am Building project
12:30 pm Free time
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm VBS with kids
4:00 pm Free time
5:30 pm Supper
7:00 pm Clean up
8:00 pm Free time
8:30 pm Fireside Worship
10:00 pm Get ready for bed
10:30 pm Lights out

Day 6 Wednesday August 29

6:30 am Wake up
7:30 pm Prayer time
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Clean up and day prep
9:00 am Building project
12:30 pm Free time
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Building project
4:00 pm Free time
5:30 pm Supper at beach
6:30 pm Fireside Worship
9:00 pm Personal quiet time
10:00 pm Get ready for bed
10:30 pm Lights out

Day 7 Thursday August 30

6:30 am Wake up
7:30 pm Prayer time
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Clean up and day prep
9:00 am Building project
12:30 pm Free time
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm VBS with kids
4:00 pm Free time
5:00 pm Supper
6:00 pm Church service at IDT Base
8:30 pm Free time
9:00pm Fireside Worship
10:00 pm Get ready for bed
10:30 pm Lights out

Day 8 Friday August 31

6:30 am Wake up
7:30 am Prayer time
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Clean up and day prep
9:30 am Drive to Foundation for His Minstry
10:00 am Tour FFHM
10:30 am Oaxacan Market
12:00 Lunch
1:00 pm Beach
5:00 pm Supper
6:30 pm Site clean up and pack up
8:30 pm Free time
9:00 pm Fireside worship
10:00 pm Lights out

Day 9 and Day 10 Saturday Sept 1 and 2

Drive straight through (35 hours) from Mexico to Abbotsford.
Home by 6:30 pm.