Why are you here?
We gathered
this morning bright and early after a late night to greet Bruce and Paula over
an amazing breakfast. We thought it would be important to share a little bit of
why we have decided to serve this spring, share a part of our testimony. Tam,
Collin, Kami, Todd, and Abby all were able to share, it was amazing to also get
to know Bruce, Paula, and the many other great missionaries serving with, and
for us.
Bruce shared
the fact that he and Paula retired and working in Mexico and helping people is
their retirement plan. They have trusted God to take care of them and serving
is their life. He claims that it’s more
rewarding and impactful than a life of collecting sea shells and he hopes
others will chose the same way.
Just food?
We piled
into the vans and a truck after breakfast to head to La Colonia. The drive took
a little while and we were a little bit nervous. Janet and Bruce emphasized
that we needed to be quiet as we crossed the border and that we might have to
leave the van if they needed to search it more extensively. It wasn’t clear to us if
it was if was legal to take the beans and rice with us, though Bruce didn't seem to concerned. We were hoping to just get a green light, but
in our van, we got a red one. This meant that they might search and XRAY our
van and they might give us trouble about the food. However, the border agent was
super sweet. She opened the back of the van, looked, and then asked Bruce ‘Just
Food’? And Bruce said yes. She just waved us through. What a relief! God was
really looking out for us in this moment.
Wow- Who built this?
Upon
arriving to Bruce and Paula’s meeting place in La Colonia, we were very
impressed by the conditions of the building. Being in a place with much poverty
and destruction we were quite surprised by the beauty of their facility. After
asking Bruce how it became possible, he explained to us that several other
mission teams were also serving in the La Colonia to help Bruce, Paula and the
community. It was crucial that they were able to create a solid meeting place
where they could worship, distribute food, clothing, and somewhere to build
community. Prior to this structure, they were meeting in a small dirt-driveway.
Now over 150 families are able to gather to worship the Lord and get the
essentials needed for their families because of this place. We were inspired by
the fact that missionaries just like us had funded and built this place.
Jesus came on a donkey
We were
there early and had time for our own little Palm Sunday Service with Bruce. We
sang some songs and he gave a sermon. It was short so he then asked if anyone
else wanted to share. Todd shared an interesting fact which is that Jesus came
on a donkey instead of a horse which means he came in peace not to take power
over us. Historically kings came on horses which meant that they were showing
power not peace.
Connect through play
Finally, the
people showed up at the meeting place. The Mexican people we came to serve and
meet arrived in bright cloths, many with kids in tow. We all (except Abby who speaks
Spanish) felt a little bit of a barrier in the way of connecting with the
people because it’s intimating to speak even a little Spanish when you just know
a little, and you don’t want to speak English, because that seems like you’re
assuming they will speak to you in your language. You just sit there and wish
you had spent time studying Spanish before you came. However, we had played a
game with our Mission Team, a ‘Minute to Win it’ which Tam brought along before
the people arrived. The game is very light hearted and involves putting a piece
of candy on two pencils tied together with yarn with tails. The tails go around
your ears and you use the length of the yarn to pull the pencils close to your
mouth so you can eat the candy. It’s harder than it sounds!
One of us
had the bright idea to bring the Minute to Win it and to play it with the
Mexican people because you can show people how to do it, instead of trying to
explain it. We engaged a few of the kids
initially, but soon drew a crowd! The kids were laughing and talking and having
such a good time. Dani showed a little girl and boy how to play, and she does
speak some Spanish so she was also able to talk to them some. They fell in love
with her and the next time they saw her during the food distribution they ran
up and hugged her. We were amazed by how easily we connected once we gave up on
a traditional way to connect (talking) and we just played with our new
friends.
Thank you Americanos
We were lucky
enough to have Pastor Jaimie come and preach in Spanish. He called us up and
asked us to sing “Te Doy Gloria”. It was moving to sing in Spanish to our
Mexican audience and to look out at them as we sang. Pastor Jaimie gave an impactful sermon, though
we couldn’t understand it, you could tell by the reaction of those who could.
He also started chanting ‘Thank you Americano’s’ and a few other words
indicating their appreciation of us. It was very sweet and made us feel so
welcome.
Food and more food
The last
event was to distribute the food. Bruce showed us a huge closet which was full
of peppers, flour, rice, beans, oil, and juice. We carried it all out and set
it up on tables. There was so much food, we kept thinking we didn’t need it all.
Bruce mentioned that usually between 150 and 200 families come for food, and
that they distribute it once a month. The rice and beans are free, God
provided, and the rest is purchased for $1000 at Sam’s Club. Bruce gave up his
health insurance to save enough money to support this effort. God said ‘give up
health insurance and feed the poor’, so Bruce and Paula did.
This distribution was supported by the money
raised for our mission trip, so that $1000 came from all of you who sent us
here. Thank you! People were very appreciative as they walked in with bags and
boxes to carry the food in. We were sad to learn that the distribution only
happens once and month and that Bruce and Paula are not always sure where the
$1000 a month will come from.
The living
conditions and life we witnessed today opened our eyes. We are here to do God’s
will and to help the 8 missionaries working in La Colonia and Reynosa to create
shelter, food, worship and community for the Mexican people. God is working and we are thankful, Josie, Tam and Kami.
We were
greeted by the family, where we got to meet the mother Liliana, and her three
kids Dulce, Carla, and Jose. They were warm and welcoming, and despite the
language barrier, you could feel the love and care. Whilst building, one would
think that the heat, close quarters, and sweat would make turn the team against
one another. That was the complete opposite. Everyone worked together joyfully,
resulting in more productivity and laughter. Everyone was willing to get
involved in the hard labor and really work their hardest for God. After a few
hours of working we were summoned to lunch in the family’s kitchen, where we saw
their current house and opened our eyes to see how blessed we are to have above
and beyond what we need, and how thankful we are that we get to serve this
wonderful family. Lunch consisted of fresh made empanadas, enchiladas and cold
Coca-Cola. We noticed how generously and joyfully they gave with what little
they had, and were humbled by how much food they provided for us when that money
could have been used going to the needs of their family.
After lunch, the team continued to work their
hardest, which resulted in all four walls getting up and having a very
productive work day. After we finished for the day we cleaned up the site, and
piled into the vans and had yet another fun ride with singing and a lot of
laughter. Arriving back at Bruce and Paula’s most of us took the time to shower
and reflect on the day, but there were a few crazy ones amongst the bunch that
chose to go running. Running was ‘very refreshing’ despite the intense humidity
and the stifling heat, claims one of the crazy few. 
