Church in the Son - Youth missions Trip July 17-25, 2005

Divine appointments for this youth group began even before they left US soil. Flight delays gave various team members opportunities to share the love of Jesus with others while in route to Mexico. Gordon led an individual to Christ before he reached Houston and some of the girls were able to pray with a lady who was so troubled with burdens for her family. This delay caused a change in arrival time, but it just increased the fire of the Holy Spirit already burning in hearts of this group!

The Monday morning arrival in Tuxtla gave only enough time to pack up the camping gear and supplies in Chenalho and drive immediately to our destination of Israelita. The additional 4 to 5 hour journey further than Chenalho found us leaving the cool mountain air and camping in the summer temperatures of the valley region. It would remain a challenging factor that week, but it is all part of the cost. Since the group is from Florida, they were somewhat acclimated, but none the less, it was hot!

Youth pastor Ryan Jordan had brought his team last year when the block church in Puntito was built. We didn't know if we would ever see them again after what we all went through that week. The conditions we had to deal with were extremely difficult, but much was learned and gained from that experience. So it brought us great joy when Pastor Ryan and 4 of his youth returned along with several new faces for another week just as challenging. These Floridians will have special jewels in their crowns for passing the endurance test and doing so with great attitudes!

Most of the journey to Israelita is just a winding dirt road crossing mountain ranges. It is necessary to stop a mile or so from the village and "everything" from that point must be "hand carried" to the designated location in the village. Israelita is built along the river so 10 months out of the year the only way in or out of the area is by crossing a swinging bridge. The wooden slats seemed to be so far apart and the bridge was higher and longer than we had anticipated. Even though the area had been scouted out and Russell had even taken pictures of the bridge, nothing had prepared us for the way it would swing when the children of Israeliata would run back and forth on it while we hung on for dear life. The whole village turned out to help us carry the enormous load we had, and we provided them with lots of entertainment as they watched us trying to keep our balance. Israelita is a small community. Most Mexicans have never heard of it, much less been there. God knew where it was though, and He loves these people. He also knew how to get help to them and show His love through a group of people who live several thousands of miles away.

Our 3 nights of tent camping, cooking on a open fire, bathing in the river and of course the out house experience is always a part of this type of missions trip. There are so many stories that can be written about this aspect of the trip alone, but may we just say that the group went to do a job, and we left with the mission accomplished in spite of the difficulties of our conditions. The church in Puntito was painted one morning. Transportation there and back was typical Indian taxi style where the group stood up to ride in the back of a truck with tall wooden sides. Those who had returned from last year were able to see many of the children they had bonded with the year before. The roof on the church in Israelita was erected and the cement floor was poured (by hand, of course). What a great team of workers!

There are always a few moments in each missions week where God takes the ordinary and touches our hearts in an extraordinary way. Of course everyone is always touched by their experiences and generally first timers to the mission work have never seen or been exposed to such poverty. Everyone is always touched by the joy of life and commitment to Christ that these precious poor people have. But we were all broken when we heard the cheers of excitement from the children when their moms said they could have our bags of trash. Angela began to cry, so did several others; they still may be crying. We know we will never forget what we heard!

Yes, we see extreme poverty, but it is the relationships that are built through such experiences as ours with the people of Israelita that keeps us all going back to do it all over again - in another village, but where the needs are just as great. Before our departure Pastor Ryan and Pablo asked to have special prayer with all of our new friends. They washed the feet of the pastors and leaders and it was incredible how God's glory and love surrounded that place. We were such a diverse group, speaking 3 different languages, but in those moments, we were completely unified in Christ as one body. We were dirty and sweaty and so were they, but no one cared or noticed. The tears flowed like a fountain and washed us inside and out. The sun was beating on us and it was probably over 100 degrees, but know one even noticed. We were cooled by the wind of God's Spirit and the tears of our new brothers and sisters.

Our group returned to Chenalho on late Thursday afternoon. Everyone was able to eventually get a good shower and enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by those helping with a team already in Chenalho. Dr. Jim Nichols had led this construction/medical team to another location that week as well. It was so enjoyable to be with all of them and share our stories with each other.

Our week concluded with a youth conference that was held in Tuxtla on Friday night through Sunday. The Word of God was rich and powerful. Each evening the Lord met with us in a very special manner. Sunday evening was such a glorious celebration in the presence of God. Pastor Ryan has done an excellent job in preparing his young people for service in God's kingdom. The ministry qualities were beyond what anyone would normally expect from teenagers, and we were all blessed by God using them. Very anointed ministry went forth and lives were changed forever. We are here to tell you that the Christian youth of America are amazing! Thank you Pastor Ryan and Church in the Son for a marvelous week!

One additional note of how God orchestrated the week must be shared as well. A few months prior to this missions trip, Pastor Ryan and his wife met a young Mexican man named Pablo and his wife Stacie at a neighborhood garage sale. They had moved to Orlando but had not found a church home. Pablo's parents pastor a church in Juarez, Mexico. Having grown up so close to El Paso gave Pablo the opportunity to be completely bilingual and observe many others interpreting in a English/ Spanish team. This young couple began attending Church in the Son and helping Pastor Ryan in youth ministry. Only days before the trip, the decision was made for Pablo and Stacie to join the team. Another divine appointment, we might add. Even though it was his first time to interpret for Pastor Ryan, Pablo's gift was instantly apparent and God has united all of our hearts. Everyone that was with us in Chiapas had an immediate bond with him, and we saw the favor and anointing of God in his life. Not just Pablo, but in Stacie as well. Please keep this couple in your prayers as they diligently seek God for His will and purpose for their lives. What a tremendous blessing they were to us all!