What I did over Christmas vacation

Sounds like the classic freshman paper right? I actually did something significant this year. Significant enough to write about anyway. The kids and I went to Mexico for a mission trip. Our church has supported an orphanage in Reynosa for at least 3 years that I know of. It's a place that mothers who can't take care of their kids can drop them off and know that they will be fed, clothed, educated and given a clean safe place to sleep. The only thing that the mothers are supposed to do is agree to come visit on Sundays and go to church with the kids. Some follow through and eventually get back on thier feet and the kids go back to mom. Others disappear into the night never to return. Tough situation. So our church among others goes down and helps out by helping with funding, rebuilding, new construction, loving on the kids etc. Kind of you name it we do it.

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to go, and I decided to take the kids. Everyone has heard about the danger of border towns right now, but I have to say that we saw no violence, no danger, no issues at all-unless you count the open sewer line I had to drive through. That was nasty. But no danger to any of us. We had 27 people in our group and took 5 vehicles. Amazing place to be. God's hand is definitely on that compound and the safety experienced there is unsettling in a good way. I never worried about the kids during the 4 days we spent there. I didn't know exactly where they were at least 80% of the time. Just knew they were somewhere on the property.

The thing that impacted me the most kind of cropped up before we even left. I knew about this trip months back and knew that it would be good for the kids, but when I heard that out of the 30 churches that usually send groups down, only 2 came including us (and we had already gone down at least 3 times earlier in the year) I knew it was important to go. These people are running a ministry that is in real need of support. Not just financial, or even prayer, but visible shoulder to shoulder support. They stand in the gap in a very dark place. How can I talk about my struggles and faith if I don't come alongside those who face things much worse than I do? Anyway, I knew this was important to do and show my kids. If I am not willing to show my faith how I can I live it?

I'm still digesting the week. There was so much that happened. Went to a Mexican doctor, went to my first quincenera (I know that's spelled wrong, but you get the idea) learned how to caulk windows and eaves on the second story of a building while standing on scaffolding held together with baling wire. Each of those events could do their own post. Oh and Josh barfed at least twice. Never dull.

Like I said, still digesting and processing. I will definitely go back. Just have to plan a little more.

***See, I can do a post that isn't all woe is me!!***

Thanks Jenny-I can see you waving out there!