FBC Missions

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.

Buenos Dias!!  I am writing this from an internet café in Algodones, Mexico.  It’s a lot like a Starbuck’s.  It even has one of my favorites – Carmelo macchiato.

Please forgive the absence of a Day 6 entry.  We had quite the busy day yesterday.  I would say it was the busiest day I have yet to experience with a Mexico Mission team.

It started for me at 7:30 am as Wes and I picked up a group of about 24 students at Oaxacca to take to the asparagus fields. Most of the group consisted of girls.  I was very thankful to have Janelle Teach with me and her girls.  Janelle was the only translator available.  She was scared to death to do it but she rose up to do a great job.  Certainly a great bridge for her to cross with the Lord’s help.  Accompanying me were Sol, Doug, and Hunter from my own group on guitar and gymbee.   We ministered to about 35 field workers.  One of them had her 4 year old daughter with her.  We sang 3 songs as a group,  Sol sang Amazing Grace and Bibliano shared the gospel.  I loved every minute of it.  Afterwards, we handed out juice and rolls and care packages.  They were very appreciative of all that we had to offer them.

I arrived back in Victoria to discover the team working hard in the beautiful sun (70 degrees).  Tim Bennion and Dave Shunk’s boys are making great progress on the chain link fence.  They had only 25 posts to go at lunch.  They ended up finishing the job after lunch.  The medical center is nearly done.  They are putting the plywood on the roof as I write this.  Sacrificing themselves to finish the work instead of shopping are Matt Shum, Brittney Evarts, Steve Panter, and Mark Adkins.  Also staying behind were Mel Taylor and Kristen Wolford, finishing up on some sheetrocking in K-39.

I also had the privilege of accompanying Pastor Isaac to the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center with 13 leaders and students.  It was a powerful hour of ministry as Megan shared her testimony, Sol once again sang Amazing Grace, and I shared the gospel.  We witnessed over 20 hands go up among 35 individuals in the treatment center.

Last  night the service at Victoria went wonderfully.  The only thing that would have made it better was a win.  We lost by 1 point with a chance to go ahead with 7 seconds left but Bryan was unable to convert the freethrows.  It was the only freethrows he missed that night.  It was a great game with a crowd of people covering the whole court.  The service at half time had the touch of God’s Spirit on it.  We sang three songs, Jana shared a beautiful testimony, Paul Wright entertained us with three songs, our skit team rocked the court with a funny but meaningful message, and I batted clean up with a message on the deadly disease of sin.  I believe over 9 people gave their lives to Christ last night.  One of them was a basketball player.  Praise the Lord!

I hate to do this, but I’m going to have to shut down.  I’m suppose to be at the bus 15 minutes ago but find myself wanting to say more.  I guess you’ll just have to come to the Mexico Mission Report on April 9^th at 6:00 pm. to hear more of the details.  We are now heading for a grand fiesta at Tidy’s house in Oaxacca at 1:30 pm.  Can’t wait!

Keep praying for us.  We are still struggling with some fevers and sore throats.

-Mexico Mission Team