Well we made it back alive and well! I think that without question, we certainly learned what it means to be fluid.
I want to say that when I said that we should count on thing not going as planned, I never realized that NOTHING would work according as planned!
From the start we had an auto mishap that set us back a little more than hour. That should have been our first indicator that this trip would be a bit "bumpy". Then, an hour or so before we got to Acuna we ran into a thunderstorm that packed winds and rain that caused us to slow down to about 25-30 mph. After entering Acuna, our plans changed more times than I can count. One time our plans changed 3 times in less than 10 minutes!
HOWEVER!!! Even though we had to be beyond flexible the trip was a great one! In fact part of the reason this was such a fantastic trip is due to the fluidity of the group. I do not believe I ever heard even a grumble as a result of all of the changes that took place. Most people would have at least been a little upset. Not our people. They were great. Thank you for being so patient.
God is great. The numerous areas of spiritual growth that I witnessed from this team was amazing. Here is a short list:
-The team as a whole showed great patience and fluidity as mentioned above.
-Gerald's willingness to attempt to put together a few words of encouragement for the congregation in Acuna despite sharing the same anxieties of standing before a crowd that I have (I can say from personal experience that this is a giant step).
-Joe's "mini-sermon" to the church in Acuna (again, another giant step).
-Mary's desire to reach the lost through handing out tracts.
-Marsha's desire to reach the lost through handing out tracts.
-Sissy's desire to reach the lost through handing out tracts.
-Rosalynn's desire to reach the lost through handing out tracts.
-Linda's desire to reach the lost through handing out tracts.
-Jacob's willingness to experience what it will be like to live in Mexico and his willingness to try different things.
-Everyone's desire to serve both churches through helping out with VBS.
-Everyone's desire to work hard and work late.
-Everyone's willingness to see God from a different perspective.
-Everyone's willingness to sacrifice the comforts of home for the unexpected of another country. I would like to say here that I am especially proud of Marsha in this area because she had prepared herself to sleep in a motel with a dirt floor. :) She was certainly relieved to find out when she saw her room that it was similar to a Motel 6.
- I grew as well. God enabled me to see the Spanish culture through a clearer lense. It is amazing how friendly the people are, just a stones throw from the U.S.A. The pastor displayed a true picture of the commandment that is like the greatest. He was only able to do this by obeying the greatest commandment first. This man loved the Lord and therefore loved his people as a result. Now if God will continue to grow me so that I may emulate the pastor. May we all emulate him.
It will be a week or so before I am able to post more pics since I will not get my cameras for another week or so. As soon as I get them I will post them on the blog.
I pray that we all have a bigger view of God than the view we had before we signed up for the trip. May God's name be made great.
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