Thanks for checking in to follow us on our trip to Mexico. This year we will be doing all of our blogging and updating on Facebook. You will not need a Facebook profile to view the posts, it has been made public for everyone! Go to the following link to view all of this years Mexico Mission blogs:

www.facebook.com/mexicomission2012

Thanks for all of our prayers!

I’m sorry for not posting in two days, it has been very difficult to find a time and place to be able to do so. We’ve been very busy.

Wednesday was great. We continued to work hard around the churches doing various work projects and services. The students and leaders of Oaxaca really are doing an incredible job as they are building a church and the house of Colleen and Onesimo. They are greatly appreciated by the neighbors and our fellow missionaries for working so hard without any hindrances. In K-39, students are finishing up touch-up work around the church and an old house that stands next to it. Again, so many students showed incredible maturity in volunteering to work hard and diligently. K-28 has also been busy as they are coming to an end with some siding and painting on the church building in that town. Wes, the town leader, is very pleased with the work that is being done. Victoria has been slower in terms of amount of work to do. Most of the students have been able ride over to Oaxaca and K-39 during the hours for work, to pitch in some labor.

VBS came to a close yesterday. It was a blessing for all of us to be able to love on the children and show them continuous affection. We are all very grateful for those who lead VBS for all of the towns, they did an incredible job in preparation and organization. We went through great stories from the book of Daniel, and showed them the power of God over any tough situation. They enjoyed crafts, games, songs and time with all of the missionaries. We look forward to seeing them all next year and pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to all of His children.

My first blog post mentioned a student named Holly who was willing to give her testimony at the main church service on Sunday night. One of the Mexican women (a teacher in a local school) was in the congregation and was so impacted by Holly’s story that she asked the school’s principal if she would allow Holly to speak to the school. The principal allowed it. Holly did an incredible job sharing the hope she had at a high school. Unfortunately, the school system wouldn’t allow her to talk about God. She managed to talk about a hope that she had and Rudy invited all of the students to the basketball game that night, where they would be able to hear more about this “hope.” About fifteen students showed and five accepted Christ as their Savior! It reminds me that in the midst of scary life situations, God’s plan is bigger than ours and He works all things out for the good of those He has called (Romans 8:28).

We lost the basketball game against the Pistones Wednesday night. It was a close and intense game, but they managed to pull off another victory. Maybe next year…

Last night we were asked to compete in a Soccer game against a local high school team. We were destroyed… 7-2. But again, more importantly, during the half time, three people accepted Christ after hearing the songs, seeing the drama, and hearing about God’s unfailing love for them. One was the soccer coach of the opposing team. God is good.

Today we are finishing up projects and then heading to the Ranchito. It’s a large gathering of all the church members in all of the towns and our missionaries. We’ll enjoy games, carne asada, fellowship and relaxation. We leave early tomorrow morning so please pray for us as we bring our trip to an end. God has been faithful to do great works in many lives. God has been faithful to protect His missionaries. God has been faithful to impact the Mexicali Valley once again.

I hope to give you one more blog post in L.A. I’m not positive that will work out but continue to check in to see. Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. We ask that those prayers and thoughts will continue as we head back home tomorrow.

Blessings,

Hunter Gray (Hi Mom!)

We are on our second day, well into our work-projects and VBS (vacation Bible School).  We kicked off our VBS yesterday as kids came rolling in to meet new friends and see old ones.  We loved on the children and enjoyed being able to give them affection and attention through tag, piggy backs, games, songs, crafts, and stories.  They are a joy for us to be with.

After VBS yesterday we went to our host families where we changed into our evening clothes and met up at Delta for our first competitive game.  We won by 32 points in basketball against some Mexican neighbors.  The highlight wasn’t the win, but instead, during halftime when we were able to share the Gospel through song, words and skits.  Our skit team did great.

This morning a team from Victoria and K-28 went together to the asparagus fields where we met up with laborers.  We shared the Gospel with them as well and loved them by giving them care packages. I’m proud of Taylor VanderKley who stepped up and gave his testimony on how God has been working in his life recently.  He did great.

Please continue to pray for safety, health and our Mexican neighbors who are lost.  Thanks!  Hopefully I’ll be able to post again tomorrow!

God Bless,

Hunter Gray

I will continue to blog as often as I can to update and share with you the good works being done around us.  Please pray for our safety and that the Gospel would be well-received by our Mexican neighbors.  Hope all is well at home!

Here are some pictures from the trip so far– all the way through this morning as we began doing work projects around the church.

Blessings,

Hunter Gray

Here are a few pictures of our adventure in Mexico.  Yesterday was a great day full of service, children, and mud.  It had rained overnight which is very uncommon in this area…school was cancelled.  If this applied to the schools in Eugene, I don’t think we could finish grade school in our lifetime.

Continue to pray for us as we minister to the spiritually blind.

In Him,

Hunter G.

We apologize for such a late update on our mission, we have had numerous issues connecting to the internet!

We are in Mexico and having a blast!  Our train ride was a great opportunity for all of the missionaries to connect, hang out, and make lots of memories.  Although it was very difficult to sleep, the experience was worthwhile.

The team arrived in Mexico a little late due to a few necessary stops before the border.  We immediately attended the weekly church service held by the church in Victoria.  We were able to share about 4 songs and hear a great testimony from Katie Peterson (she did a wonderful job).  After the service, we were introduced to our host families who so lovingly took us to their homes.

Monday was our first full day in Mexico.  We started many different work projects like roofing, siding, painting, and most of the girls planned and prepared for Vacation Bible School.  Everyone has had such a great attitude about helping and serving others to give glory to God! It’s so wonderful to see all of the Mexican children enjoy stories from the Bible and memorize short scriptures.  Although we can barely communicate, a simple piggy-back ride and a jump-rope can bridge any separation between us and the kids.  They are very happy and a pleasure to love on.

God has been very faithful and protective of His children.  No serious injuries or illnesses!  Thank you Lord.  Lastnight at our basketball game in Delta, during halftime, our own students blew the audience away with a skit portraying God’s never-ending love for us.  After Rudy shared a short message with the audience, 3 people made a decision to accept Jesus as their Savior.  It was wonderful!

I hope you will still continue to pray for us as we continue to serve and love like Jesus.  Pray that we will be kept from any harm and remain safe as we finish our work this week.  I will hopefully give you an update tomorrow on how things are going and how God is working.  Thanks for everything!

God bless,

Hunter G.

Well, it’s finally here!  After months of training, preparation, and meetings we are finally within one day of departure.  Our bags are packed and loaded and our hearts are ready to serve wherever God leads us!

Over the last eight weeks leaders and students were required to memorize the first 16 verses in Matthew 5.  These words, from Jesus to his followers, are considered to be part of the greatest sermon ever preached.

” ¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them saying:
³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
⁷Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Feel free to quiz your children at any time on the scripture memorization!

We ask for your prayers as we travel down south tomorrow!  Please pray that the scripture we memorized and meditated on, God will send to our hearts and have it become part of our actions.  Also, we ask for prayer for God’s hand of protection and safety over our travels tomorrow as we embark on the great journey brought before us.

Thank you all for being a part of our trip and supporting us through prayer and love.  We will keep you updated!

In Him,

Rudy and Hunter

Today’s post is going to be very short because we are short on time. The whole group left Victoria at 9:00am and traveled to Algodones for some “de compras” (shopping). We are all mostly healthy, happy, and safe. God is good. Today we are looking forward to all enjoying carne asada at Tidy’s. Please continue to pray for safety and unity as we spend our last full day in the Mexicali Valley.

Dios le Bendiga,

-The Mexico Mission Team