Family Life Sugar Land, TX June 13-19
It was a joy to host the team from Sugar Land and work with Steven and Megan Bowen. We appreciate the following report written by Dale Meek.
In June, I went on my first ever mission trip. Fourteen of us from my local church, Family Life Christian Fellowship (http://www.flcf.com/), traveled to Chiapas, Mexico for one week (June 13-19). Chiapas is the southern-most state in Mexico, which borders Guatemala. It is also the most indigenous state in Mexico, with almost half the population still speaking their native Indian dialect. Our main purpose of the trip was to help build a church for a local congregation. We also attended a local church service, enjoyed fellowship with the locals, and took a trip to a nearby town for a day of lunch and shopping.
(photos set 1)
While there, we stayed in the town of Chenalho, a small town set amongst spectacular mountains (about 6000 feet elevation). Our lodging was in a dorm-type housing complex. We each had separate room facilities and bath, including a large kitchen and meeting area for our group. The Linscombes, a husband and wife who live in Chenalho, were our contacts. They are full-time missionaries who work with Mexico Outreach Ministries (http://www.mxoutreach.org/), and hosted and arranged all our activities during our stay.
On Saturday, June 13 we departed from Houston, flying to Mexico City and then a flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez. After a 2-hour car/van drive, we arrived in Chenalho. The next day, Sunday, we attended a local church service. Our entire group also had a part in the service.
(photos set 2)
During the next three days, Monday thru Wednesday, we helped build the church. The work site was a 45-minute drive each day from our complex. We left early each morning and worked until the afternoon. We had to walk down (and back up) a wet slippery slope/trail to the site each day. The cinder-block walls of the church were already up. On Monday we painted the church inside and out and put up beams for the roof. On Tuesday we mixed cement and laid the cement floor, and finished the tin metal roof. On Wednesday we cut and nailed together 22 wooden benches and also painted them. Many of the locals helped us with the work too, including the pastor and his family. We finished Wednesday afternoon and "dedicated" the church to the locals.
On Thursday, we took a day-trip to a nearby town and enjoyed a day of lunch and shopping. On Friday, June 19 we departed Chenalho, driving to Tuxtla Gutierrez. From there we flew to Mexico City and then a flight back to Houston.
It was a wonderful trip. Lots of hard work, but very rewarding! I hope to have a chance to go on another mission trip in the future!
In June, I went on my first ever mission trip. Fourteen of us from my local church, Family Life Christian Fellowship (http://www.flcf.com/), traveled to Chiapas, Mexico for one week (June 13-19). Chiapas is the southern-most state in Mexico, which borders Guatemala. It is also the most indigenous state in Mexico, with almost half the population still speaking their native Indian dialect. Our main purpose of the trip was to help build a church for a local congregation. We also attended a local church service, enjoyed fellowship with the locals, and took a trip to a nearby town for a day of lunch and shopping.
(photos set 1)
While there, we stayed in the town of Chenalho, a small town set amongst spectacular mountains (about 6000 feet elevation). Our lodging was in a dorm-type housing complex. We each had separate room facilities and bath, including a large kitchen and meeting area for our group. The Linscombes, a husband and wife who live in Chenalho, were our contacts. They are full-time missionaries who work with Mexico Outreach Ministries (http://www.mxoutreach.org/), and hosted and arranged all our activities during our stay.
On Saturday, June 13 we departed from Houston, flying to Mexico City and then a flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez. After a 2-hour car/van drive, we arrived in Chenalho. The next day, Sunday, we attended a local church service. Our entire group also had a part in the service.
(photos set 2)
During the next three days, Monday thru Wednesday, we helped build the church. The work site was a 45-minute drive each day from our complex. We left early each morning and worked until the afternoon. We had to walk down (and back up) a wet slippery slope/trail to the site each day. The cinder-block walls of the church were already up. On Monday we painted the church inside and out and put up beams for the roof. On Tuesday we mixed cement and laid the cement floor, and finished the tin metal roof. On Wednesday we cut and nailed together 22 wooden benches and also painted them. Many of the locals helped us with the work too, including the pastor and his family. We finished Wednesday afternoon and "dedicated" the church to the locals.
On Thursday, we took a day-trip to a nearby town and enjoyed a day of lunch and shopping. On Friday, June 19 we departed Chenalho, driving to Tuxtla Gutierrez. From there we flew to Mexico City and then a flight back to Houston.
It was a wonderful trip. Lots of hard work, but very rewarding! I hope to have a chance to go on another mission trip in the future!
posted by Russell & Charlotte at 7:58 PM
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