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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Funded.

I'm taking a big breath and letting it out in a sigh of relief!  Because of wonderful people (a.k.a you lovely people!)  I am fully funded for my Mexico Missions Trip!    I am so thankful for generous hearts, and lovely people, who want to help me be where God has put my heart.   You don't realize how much your generosity and prayers mean to me, but there is no true way for me to put my thankfulness into words!

In 15 days I will climb into a van with my youth group, and ride along for the 6 hours drive, until we arrive in Hermosillo, Mexico.  Let me tell you, that thought excites my heart beyond measure!  I am so ready, so, so, ready for this trip, for the fellowship, for the time spent with God, I am ready!  

Thank you, for blessing be, for encouraging my heart, for allowing me to include you in my journey with God.  Thank you.

With love,
Alyssa

Friday, February 14, 2014

My Mexico

Mexico, just the thought of it makes my heart jump.  It's one of my favorite places to be, to go, to visit.

In March, when I go down, it will be my 6th time visiting/investing in the lives at Casa Esperanza Para Ninos, this is the orphanage that we work with while we are down there.  My church is such a huge blessing, and they are offsetting the cost by a large amount (I am not sure of the exact number.) which makes it easier for more of the youth/college students to be able to go.  We still have a *small* amount that each of us have to raise, to be able to go on the trip, that amount is $315.  I think you can see where this blog post is going, but I don't want my readers to feel like I am *always* asking for money.  So please, allow me to tell you about "my" Mexico.  Allow me to share some of my joy, my heart, with you, then I will let you be the judge of whether you would like to help me get to Mexico.

In March it will be my 3rd time going on the large youth trips, I have also been on three smaller trips with groups of 4 or 5 people. Each trip has so many different things to offer, but I think the bigger trips may be my favorite.

I have never been very good at making friends, if you put me in the same room as someone new a lot of awkward small talk will happen, and eventually one of us will just walk away.  It's terrible. The Youth Mexico Trip gives you no other option than to build relationships with those around you, and whether you're pouring concrete, putting up sheet rock, installing door handles, making balloon animals, or dressing up like a clown, there is no room/time for small talk.  You are put in situations where you have to communicate with people that you otherwise wouldn't talk to.  Friendships are built, and it's pretty much effortlessly done.  I have made many friendships, and still have many of those connections to this day!  It helps me, (as I'm sure it does many others.) step out of my comfort zone, and reach out to those who are around me on a weekly basis.

Comfort zone.  That is another area that this trip has benefited me, as I'm sure it has others.  I am not one to go out of my comfort zone, or to be the center of attention.  It makes me nervous, and uncomfortable, I prefer to not do things that force me to be in that position.  Well on a Mexico trip, you kinda have no option.  Whether you are dressing up like a clown (pictured below) or dancing to songs that you don't understand, you have to act silly.  My first year going down to Mexico, I decided to volunteer myself to be a clown for Vacation Bible School.  It was honestly one of the funnest things!  Yes, I looked absolutely ridiculous, but the kids loved it, and I had fun too!

Attractive right? ;) 
The kids are truly amazing.  I don't think I can accurately describe their purely splendid personalities, smiles, and giggles.  Each and everyone of them, so perfect and special in their own little ways.  Your heart is so greatly impacted by them. They don't have to try, they probably don't even realize that impact that they have had on the many teens who have gone down.  Their selfless love, constant smiles, always pulling and tugging at you for a hug, or just some attention. Honestly, they are just truly incredible.

God always, every single time, without fail, shows me just a little more of His heart...and I adore it.

I find it so much easier to focus on God, and God alone while in Hermosillo, because there is very limited (and sometimes no) internet access, no phone service, and just pure community, with the other believers around you.  God says "This is how it's supposed to be.  Loving the least of these. Serving Me.  Loving one another. Fellowship." it's always so apparent, and clear in my heart that God is there. every minute. in every room. in every church. every van. every VBS. everywhere.

Worship is one of my favorite things, but when in Hermosillo, it is one of my very favorite things.  I love that we sing worship songs, anytime, anywhere!  Whether it's around a campfire, singing in English and Spanish, in the hallways of our hotel, in the van, wherever we are we sing, and it's in those moments that I feel God move, more than ever.  It's just so innocent, we have a guitar, and our voices, we sing lyrics that we've memorized from our favorite worship songs, and it's just such a joy.

La Vid, is the church that Casa (the orphanage) runs.  We go there on Sunday morning while in Hermosillo, and although I have no clue what the pastor is saying, I love it.  I don't understand the message, but I love that their church body is so welcoming, and loving towards us.  They take the time to translate their worship songs for us (even though we are more than willing to sing in Spanish!), as well as do some songs in English.  Funny thing is, they have some worship songs that they will only sing in English because they say it sounds better. :)

I could write on for hours, (and maybe on another day I will.) but I have laundry to do, and a bathroom to clean.  I love Mexico. More than I could ever put into words, like I truly don't think it's possible to put my love for this place into words.

I have a little under 30 days to come up with $315 dollars.  God's got a plan, He's got a will, I know He will provide. Maybe He will use you to help me go to "my Mexico"?

So, I have a question for you.

Will you help me get to Mexico?


My Mexico Fund: