#4 Of My Favorite Things - Mexico Missions!

I can remember soon after accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior I would say, "Lord please don't make me go to the mission field!" Little did I know how the Lord would prepare my heart to serve him on The Mission Field. As a young girl I attended GA's, Girls Auxiliary and learned about Lottie Moon who went to serve the Lord in China. It sounded scary to a young girl like me to leave everything that was familiar and go to a foreign land.

Only the Lord knew what he would have me do in my adult life. As a very little girl I would visit Tijuana with family. It always felt exciting to be there. When we had foreign exchange students I only took one girl with me who was Yugoslavian but came from Germany to Mexico and gave away clothing and toys to a community outside of Tijuana. She had never done anything like that and really enjoyed it!

Entering the Border

In the mid 90's a friend of mine moved to Mexico to manage vacation homes for various people that lived in the community of Bajamar. She invited me and my family to come for vacation and stay at "Casa Garcia." After about 5 years I finally took her up on her offer and couldn't believe why I didn't take her up on this sooner! We only had to pay for the cost of cleaning, it was such a deal! We did spend 4 years vacationing with her. She showed me places around Ensenada and helped to acclimate me to the culture. It was funny being that she was the blond, blue-eyed American showing this Mexican how to respond to her people. She took me to places to eat and I had my first fish taco with her at La Bufadora. During this time visiting Mexico I would hear about these Mexico Missions trips sponsored by Family Ties from CCV. There was that word again, Missions. Lord, I know you aren't sending me anywhere to do Mission work. The Lord knew what he was doing. He had already been preparing my heart for Mexico through my friend.

The Entrance to Bajamar where my good friend lived for many years.

I finally heard the call to serve in Mexico but I told the Lord I wanted to stay somewhere where I would be comfortable. My friend allowed me to bring people along and stay at "Casa Garcia." It was a 4 bedroom villa with a courtyard in the center. Everyone I would bring absolutely loved staying there. I had no idea how easy it was to serve in Mexico. We helped at a Casa Hogar where children are brought so their parents could get back on their feet. With my love of cooking I would give the kitchen help a break and fix lunch for everyone. I had no idea I could serve the Lord in this way! I did this for a number of years until my friend had a brain aneurysm and died two years ago. Shortly after this things at Casa Hogar weren't going well and we had to leave the ministry we were doing there. This was a very sad time as I was enjoying the work we were doing.

The Church/School we have partnered with.

Ready to serve at the BBQ!

In time the Lord would lead us to two new places to do ministry. This past March we had a meet and greet BBQ at the church/school and the ladies with their children from the Restoration Home joined us. Once again I was back feeding The Multitudes! This past week we had a 5 day Mexico Missions trip where my husband went from Wednesday thru Sunday and I came Friday to Sunday. The foundation was being laid for the school that is at the Church we support. There was also work done at The Restoration Home for the women and children. On Saturday was an outreach held where we all worked together to minister to the community of El Zorillo and Pipila. It all went very well! The parents were involved in workshops learning how to parent while the children were told a Bible lesson, watched an experiment done by my husband filling a balloon with hydrogen. Then we had a carnival and then ran an obstacle course. Everyone had so much fun!

I didn't have to do anything with the food on this trip but I did help with cutting up watermelons. It was while doing that I felt the Lord telling me to come spend my birthday at the Restoration Home in July. I told Rebeca what I was planning on doing and she asked me if I wanted to stay in the dorm with the ladies or in the triangle house? I opted for The Triangle House. I have known since last October at The Women's Retreat that the Lord wanted me to stay with these ladies at The Restoration Home. It seems like it will be the best time for me to go is during July when I have my vacation scheduled. I am excited to go! One friend has already asked if she could come with me. My mom is even planning on coming but she will be stay with the Pastor and his wife. Lord only knows who else he will send.

The Rebecca's!

This is where I will live for 10 days at The Restoration Home.

So here I am ready and willing to serve on the Mission Field in Mexico. I get such a wonderful feeling inside when I see the hillside as we cross the border into Tijuana. In July I will spend 10 days with the Ladies at the Restoration Home. I don't have the comforts of "Casa Garcia." I will be spending 10 days in one of the triangle houses. No running water, no heating or air conditioning but I will have electricity! None of the comforts of home but if I am to suffer for the Lord I know of no better way than this!

God has truly changed my heart for Missions and I am so happy for that!