Archive for April, 2006

Day 10 - Last Thoughts On The Way Home

Mexico 2006 Sunday, April 2nd, 2006 by Rudy
Mark 10:45a
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”

150 of us involved with the high school group are on our way home from Mexico Mission ’06. In addition to several other incredible lessons of servanthood that God showed me, one thought lingers above the rest. After visiting the drug rehab center, I was asked what I would do if I felt God’s calling to stay there. Let me tell you, this place was no recreation center. Loud, smelly, dirty, and insect infested, it was a haven for over 30 desperate drug addicts seeking freedom from their habit. But what if God wanted me to do it, in order to serve and to share about Him? Could I leave the comforts of Eugene, Oregon and call this scary place my home? What if, in addition to this, God told me they were going to hate me, persecute me, spit on me, taunt me, betray me, whip me, and then kill me…even crucify me? Do you see where I’m going with this? Could I do it?

Jesus did. How great is my Savior. Jesus Christ did all that for me, so that the will of God could be done; so the Lord could be honored and glorified; so that I could be saved from eternal separation from God. He left perfect fellowship with God and His glory and came to the earth to die for my sin. Jesus stayed at the rehab center. Would I?

Lord, you are good. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your sacrificial love. Give me the courage and the strength to serve, and to serve sacrificially. Amen.

Mark 10:45b
“…and to give his life as a ransom for many”

(Written by Sol Rexius)

Just wanted to remind you that we will be showing a short 3 minute video segment in all three services on April 9th to wet your appetite for the Mexico Mission Report that night at 6 pm.  I wouldn’t miss it!

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Day 8 - Back in the USA

Mexico 2006 Saturday, April 1st, 2006 by Rudy

Hola Amigos!

Highway 86 is soaked with tears from 150 Mexico missionaries sad to leave their friends in Mexico.  But we’re also looking forward to heading back to Orygun to friends and family.  Keep praying for a safe ride home and for the health of the countless students and leaders fighting sickness.

More great things happened in our final 24 hours in the Mexicali valley, in addition to what we’ve already informed y’all about.  Some leaders were able to visit the local orphanage that was built by some fellow brothers in Christ from Eugene over 18 years ago that is headed up by a wonderful 82 year old missionary woman from the USA. The orphanage houses 18 children, most abandoned or taken from their parents due to drug and crime problems.  Others had the opportunity to minister to some teenagers at the Oaxacca drug rehab center.  Among them were Steve Leighter and his group of boys and Corrina’s group of girls.  We were able to witness 12 new commitments to Christ as a result of our singing, sharing, and testimonies. Another group of students went and kicked the soccer ball around in a local park and connected with over 15 middle school age kids.    God is good.

In the Vacation Bible Schools, the Mexican kids got to hear about David and Goliath.  The missionaries usually end up learning more than the kids, but both children and high-schoolers alike were touched through God’s hand at all VBS sites.  – “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

Mexico’s own, “La Rondalla”, blew us all away once again at last night’s celebration service.   But we had a few excellent performances and moving testimonies of our own.  The service concluded with Rudy leading us through our ENTIRE repertoire of worship songs.  3 hours later, we departed from the Victoria church for the final time.  Time to party for one last night.  The morning came too soon, but we were all able to say our final good-byes, hand out our home-stay gifts, and get prayed for by Pastor Isaac one last time.

International crossing was no problem as all 3 buses, truck and trailor, and 150+ kids and leaders came across with minimal hold-ups.  We had safe traveling all the way up to Ontario where we are now bunking up for the night.  Most of us went across the street to the massive mall that puts Valley River to shame (just kidding, VRC is the best).  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  Mexico Mission ’06 ain’t over yet.  There are still many more lives to touch inside and outside of our group.  Adios, y Dios le bendiga! (Goodbye and God bless you!)

Mexico Team

P.S.  Tomorrow’s travels will take us to our last opportunity for an In n’ Out burger in Kettleman City for lunch.  The long and boring 6 hour stretch between L.A. and Sacramento.  Arrival at the Woodland motel at around 6 pm.

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