Mas!

On this Mexico trip, my mind was full of thoughts like:
“What is everybody doing today?”
“How did Kathy’s visit to Theresa go this morning?”
“Does the van need gas?”
“David looks like he’s limping.”
“What an amazing group!”
“I’m pooped…”

It was awesome to be a leader. Brian was one of the motivational heads, the steady keel, one of the forces behind our mission and powerful in prayer. I was one of the main coordinators, making sure we actually got moving in the morning and so forth. My favorite part of this trip was centered around our little group… meeting people in Mexico was awesome and I hope that my presence was an encouragement, but my greatest joy comes from relationships built in our little group.

Most of our group wanted to remain fairly independent on this trip, following their hearts’ desires and being free to pursue God’s will. But as the coordinator, trying to facilitate projects and trips, I got to touch bases with everybody frequently. On the way home from a women’s only trip to La Esperanza (“The Hope” a drug/alcohol rehab facility) I talked with Marcia for a long time, learning things about her, her family, her husband, kids, and herself. I love you Marcia, dear heart! And Kathy, oh dear wonderful Kathy! We would often stop to talk, me checking to see how she was doing, her sharing her heart, me sharing mine, both of us encouraging each other. What a wonderful woman-to-woman relationship! And it couldn’t have happened if we weren’t working together towards a similar goal. Thank you Kathy.

I also got to know all the “kids” better and John and Jim… it was a sweet time. On the way home (I will tell you more of the trip later) something happened to me that has never happened before. I was really motion sick on the way home and when we arrived at the airport and had been there a little while, the whole group came over and prayed for me! I have always tried to maintain the appearance (silly of me really) that I am self-sufficient, independent and strong. But how I needed them! Thank you all of you! What a blessed moment to have friends stand around me, with me… it touched me. I want to be more open, more willing to risk myself relationally, more real with you all. And I did feel better… I actually slept on the plane for two hours!

Here I will type what I have written in my journal from the week, though it is incomplete too:
Monday, February 6th, 2006

Much has happened and changed and litle has happened or changed. Brian and I woke up in Melissa’s bed at my parents house Saturday morning at 4:25 am. We were at the airport by 5:15 am. There were several people all the way from Timber Valley to see us off – it surpised me… never had non-relatives send me off before. I appreciated the support. The airplane lifted off at 6:55 am and it was fun to be in the air again, though my stomach grew more and more unsettled as time wen on. We had a layover in San Jose that was just long enough for a bathroom break – praise the Lord! I was worrying as we cam about details… still am, but thank you Lord for being in control!

We didn’t have to wait long for Ralph (lives in Tijuana, has a van that Harry owns that he drives up to let us use) but we did have to call him to pick us up and he took maybe an hour. We made several stops in San Diego, including lunch at KFC before heading over the border. They didn’t ask to see in any of our bags at the border, but only asked how many people there were. We got to Ralph’s and then Brian drove, heading to Vicent Guererro. He managed the big van in Mexico traffic really well and din’t seem stressed out, but did run over a curb an dmake some cars honk as he nearly missed and exit/turn.

…. tired fingers already… more coming!