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to deliver students safely to their parents. Last night we got everyone home and got to celebrate with a long nights rest. A few exceptions to that statement of course. The Cube truck drivers got 5 hours in a hotel in Eugene OR from 1:30-7am and will be at Faith about 1pm with all of our luggage.
All of the team is safely through security at LAX and relaxing as we wait for a 3:30 flight. We'll be in Seattle at 6:06pm. Everyone is doing well after a long drive to the airport. We doubled the time it was expected to take with a huge accident clean up on I-5. When we got up to the accident site there were mangled semi trucks alongside the shoulder and a heavy duty front loader cleaning up 4 lanes of the interstate.
Aaron for the Faith SERVE Team.
With a sore and exausted body we have finished our Serve mission trip strong as a group. These few weeks have felt more similar to a month or two to me. With just the sheer amount of what has happened this week, when I replay the memories and see how strong, gracious, compassionate and righteous the Lord has been and is. The group of Faith A-1 that I was apart of was only a combination of personalities that worked so well together that it is only God that could pull something like having groups fall into place perfectly as He has. And God has shown many of us the power of what prayer can do, as at one site six people became family members in the Lord. Although I am making the whole experience sound sweeter than it really was. getting up in the middle of the night, making a break for the porta-potty is not the most enjoyable experience, as so many of us, including myself, have had. All of what has happened to each of us has been so specifically unique that not 1 of us would be able to give you the same experience through words. If you want more of a feel on the Serve 2010 mission trip to Tijuana, we will have to get some time to sit, and listen to the whole story.
Mexico was awesome. I got to play witha bunch of cute little mexican kids and babies because I discovered that I am really not good at hammering things. I did get to do some other things however, like writing lines for people to cut on and doing other things like carrying and stuff. I also think that God has really been speaking to me this past week. I've decided that I'm a go-er / missionary. I'm not sure where but I was thinking about China. He also showed me that I am more capable than I thought I was. Anyway, I love you all, see you soon.
~Katherine~
Down in Mexico, God opened my eyes to see how much people really need Jesus in their community. I learned the people down there don’t need materialistic items to experience joy; they experience their joy from their family. I also learned that these people are really in need of the Savior, and when I return home, I will have a completely different aspect of how our culture varies from theirs.
Nathan
Mexico was an incredible experience! I loved the people, the food and the weather. Most of all, I loved the way God was so present there. I got so much closer to Him during times of worship and devotionals and throughout the week we were able to see Him working in the hearts of the people there. It was also obvious that He had been preparing hearts even before we got there. The teaching was convicting and led to many great discussions within our group. I loved getting closer to God and to the people in my group. I got to know so many new people and have a lot of good memories laughing and laboring alongside them. It was a great opportunity!
~Derek~
This last week in Mexico was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!!I learned that God knows what I'm going to do with the next couple of years and I'm really excited to know what God will do in the rest of my life! I would love to tell all of you guys at home all the funny stories and serious stories over a cup of coffee. If you are reading this Grandma I want you to know that I love and I can't wait to see you and tell you all of my stories:)
Ashley
Wow! There is so much to say about all of the lessons we've learned from excellent missions speakers like Eddie Passmore, David Burdette, Brad Buser and his son, and the youth pastors from Converge NorthWest. We've also learned a lot about how Mexicans view relationships, cleanliness, and Americans. The students have been stretched to serve in ways they did not expect and to consider God's will for them in a new light. Personally, I've been more overwhelmed by God and challenged to play the role He has for me in inviting the uninvited among unreached people groups. The team I was on heard the heart of a Christian couple who had been praying and working for God to plant a church in their community and all that He has done for them. I had an opportunity to share the gospel with a Gnostic ice-cream vendor who had been deported from the US as an illegal alien but left his family behind. I heard about persecution of Christians in a neighboring Mexican state. Spending continuous time with other adult believers, students working for Christ and God in prayer, excellent worship, and Bible study has been very refreshing and a whole life "reset button" as it was intended to be. Ask me more anytime since I'd love to share more information with you.
Dios le bendiga!
En Jesu Christo,
Roberto MacDonald
Serve 2010 was a life changing experience. I got to see God rock your kid's world. All week He was stretching and testing them. They saw things and heard things that I know will change them for ever. I feel so blessed to have been able to share that with them. You all have amazing teens. When they get home, take the time to sit with them and hear what God has taught them. You now have a child that is excited for God and is ready to be used by the Lord.
~Bill~
So this last two weeks have been a really great learning experience, its been hard especially during the time in Mexico. There were hard teachings that I had to sit down and evaluate what they said and what I believe about it. Also, how it applies to me living here in the states and heading in the direction I believe God is taking me. I had a chance to see God work in the lives of our youth and those around us. I would Love to sit down and tell the stories of how God worked in Mexico just find me and say you want to hear about my trip to Mexico.
~Josh~