International Missions

Christmas in Mexico 2008

As I write this, three weeks have passed since our team of five joined 80 people to minister in Piedras Negras, Mexico. I have been there many times and each trip leaves me feeling differently from the one before. People and places appear the same, yet different with each trip. Emotions always run high. It can be quite exhausting to experience joy, sorrow, exhilaration, and exhaustion all at once. But the best part of all is joining alongside Christ and experiencing all this as His hands, feet, heart, and mind. There are not words that can describe it.

I could take a practical approach and describe to you the physical work we did. We helped build a house for Tex and Marissa Bagley, the newlyweds that have committed to five years of service as missionaries in Piedras Negras. Annette Van Curen and I learned the fine art of sanding sheet-rock mud and stippling a ceiling. Jim Van Curen and my husband Joe put up crown molding and trim. We worked alongside Tex’s grandfather, father, and cousin. But it wasn’t about the work.

It was about working together to get this newlywed couple a home of their own; a home that would also be the headquarters for the management side of Hands and Feet Ministries, Mexico. It was working together to advance the kingdom of Christ. It was working as agents of Christ’s love.

The week was packed with opportunities to work as Christ’s ambassadors. We delivered 90 pounds of beans and flour, 44 pounds of rice, and 50 pounds of lard to the Aleluya Church. That food will feed 50 children for six weeks. Flavio and Maria were overjoyed.

Many of you remember also our Christmas bag project for the children at the Nava Christian School. Nava is a poor city about 25 miles from Piedras Negras. Calvary has worked on projects around that school before. Nearly 80 tote bags were filled with school supplies and goodies for the children at that school. They are so happy and grateful for the generosity and love shown them by God’s people. They give a heartfelt thank you to all that contributed.

We spent our evenings with the children at a new church called Monte Calvario. Alyssa Nobles led us in the Tres Noches de Navidad for the children there. Monte Calvario is a church that has asked for help from Hands and Feet Ministries as they build a new church and congregation. The American children performed the skits for the Mexican children and one night three of the children from Monte Calvario played the three wise men. It was fantastic fun and spiritually uplifting.

We spent a lot of time at the Casa de Misericordia orphanage. It was there I truly had my heart broken. It is always wonderful to play with the little ones, but there are also older children at the orphanage. They are not allowed to stay at the orphanage much past the age of 16. Many have been adopted, but many remain. All have the same desire; to have a family.

Let me tell you of Magaly. Magaly is 15 and has been at the orphanage for many years. Two adoptions have begun and fallen through. She is desperate for a family. As the American families come to visit, she wonders if one will take her to be their daughter. She runs to the doors to see if her favorites have arrived. My heart still grieves for her. Please pray that God opens a heart and home for her.

I can try to explain to you with words the wonder and magic of missions. I might even be successful at causing your heart to pound and your eyes to sparkle as you anticipate taking a trip of your own. But there is nothing like experiencing Christ firsthand. I encourage you to experience Christ by taking a trip of your own. There is no one too young or too old to be a missionary. God has gifted all of us to do something for Him and that gift never runs empty. Experience Him by using your gift.