Mexico Summer Missions Update!

Last night we held a missions training for the upcoming Community and Family Trip to Mexico with Tapestries of Life Ministries June 23-30, where we will continue the construction of what will be the largest orphanage in Mexico, and the only Christian orphanage in the country with governmental permission to place children in homes outside of Mexico.  The team this summer consists of thirteen folks ranging in age from 10 to 50.  We've been doing a family trip to TLM since 2002, and the dynamics are powerful.  Every year at least some of the members of the group are "first timers," and this year we have six.  For them, particularly for those who are children, being part of their first cross-cultural missions experience is great. 

Emmy, our thirteen year old and I are the "veterans" on the trip this year as this will be Emmy's seventh trip to Guadalupe and my eighth.  Abby, our older daughter will be making her fifth trip to the orphanage.  Since the trip is primarily a work, or construction trip it can be challenging to find meaningful work for the younger ones, but part of the joy of the annual trips is that you get to see children maturing into young adults who can accomplish a great deal.  Besides, the younger a person is when he or she makes the cross-cultural missions "plunge," the more easily the person sees the need and the relative ease of making the trips.  As we get older we tend to have many reasons (excuses?) for not participating in missions beyond our borders, but children tend to see the adventure, as well as the opportunity to make a difference in Jesus' name.  Please pray for the team as we continue to prepare for the trip, which is now only 30 days away!  Pray specifically that God will open doors of opportunity for us to share the new life of Jesus with individuals both on the way to and from Mexico, and during our week there.  Pray also that God will give us the strength for the work in the hot and humid climate (typical daytime temperatures in late june are 95-105!).  Remember, as you pray for us, you become a vital part of the team.  Dios te bendiga!