Tag: Mexic09

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It took us some time but we got it!

(the full 4 power tower: Top-Down: Abi Sroda, Jeff Myers, Jonathon Hampton, Me)

(3 going on 4)

After many attempts, and switching the people involved, and switching the method to get everyone up in the air, we finally got it!  We went through maybe 6 or 7 different combinations of people attempting to get just the right mix (weight, balance, strength, etc.) to pull this off. We failed many times but we all kept saying, "no we're gonna get this"...and we did! The coolest thing was that even the people who weren't, in the end, picked to be in the tower kept saying, "you guys almost got it, you can get it, you're so close"!

It's great to be encouraged by people on the team AND others who just want to see your team succeed!

I love this about our church.  We have scores of students, pastors, families, staff who want to see our ministry succeed and that's exactly why we do!

There's a leadership lesson in there, but I'm to brain dead to work it out right now...if you want to offer the one you see free to share it!

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It's over but it's not over

Mexico9 concludes today, but our work isn't done yet!  Kingdom work keeps going even though we're leaving Back2Back and headed back to Indiana...where it's less humid and 70's. (just sayin!) I saw this quote from the all-wise, all-knowing Dr. Suess and HAD to share it. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!" Those are some pretty sweet words to live by.  Dr. Suess really knows how to bring it...i'm making light of it, but it's really good stuff.  So that's why our team is rejoicing.  It was a great week and we'll remember it forever! As far as yesterday goes, we had a blast hanging out as a team.  We hung our around base all morning, then we went to a huge waterfall and took LOTS...AND LOTS of pictures.  Then we went out for a team dinner, headed to the hotel, and debriefed about the trip.  Then had some more fun after that. It was a GREAT NIGHT!  I loved watching everyone laugh and enjoy each others company.  We had a great group here and they know how to have a good time!

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Mexic09 Guest Blogger: Kara Weaver

(Kara at Kidzania with a few of the kids)

As I mentioned earlier I love to get different views of the stuff we do at GSM.  Here's vantage point #2 about this trip.  This post is from Kara Weaver, our GSM intern. She wrote: "Today we took children from some of the homes to what was essentially a mini village. As they entered the little town there were given a set amount of money from the bank. There were various different ways that they could use their money to buy items, food or play games. There were also different opportunities for them to find mock-work around the village in order to earn more money. Today, I was partnered with a young girl name Lupita. Originally, the two of us were in company with a young woman from Back2Back who is fluent in both English and Spanish and ended up being my translator in many occasions. However, there came a point during the day when Lupita and I were left together, her having no English and me no Spanish. We were waiting in line for Lupita to enter a little boutique and it came time for her to pay. The woman at the station asked Lupita for the money and she looked to me for help. She obviously had no idea what she needed to pay and was asking me for the answer. I tried to tell her that I didn't know and as I was attempting to talk to her when a mother of another child standing in line pushed me aside. She took the fake money from Lupita and sorted out what she we need and handed it to her. I was surprised at how incompetent I felt. I felt utterly dumb and helpless. Here was this young girl that I cared so much about. I wanted nothing more to love her, but I couldn't provide her with what she needed. I felt stupid. However, I'm obviously not stupid, but was just never equipped with the skills I needed to provide for her in that moment. In this moment my eyes were opened to a little bit of what the mothers of some of these children must be feeling. They are not dumb. They are not lacking in love for their children. However, as they were growing up they were never equipped with the skills needed to provide for their children. They often have to rely on others to help provide their children with what they need. Today I felt just a little bit of the pain and discouragement that they must feel." Kara shared this last night in our debrief and it really made an impact on the group.  Great words from our intern. I'm proud of Kara and all she's done with GSM over this internship and I'm thankful to have had some time to get to know her and have her on the team.  She's an amazing young lady and will continue to shake the gates of hell with her witness.

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Mexic09 Guest Blogger: Megan Wotring

(Megan and Joel at Kidzania)

I love hearing different people's views on the stuff we do around GSM, so tonight I pulled aside Megan Wotring to shed some light on this trip from her vantage point. Megan's a rockstar, she just graduated high school and is headed to Bethel in the fall.  She was a student in GSM, and next year she'll be one of our fearsome leaders! She wrote: "Throughout our time in Mexico this week, God has been ever present. God has changed my heart here, and what really hit home for me this week was the fact that peace is a state of mind.  Every day we have the choice to choose our own attitudes.  We have the choice to live each day with a purpose and thank God for what we're given.  The reality is this: your life has the potential to be everything you want it to be and more.  Not because of your circumstances, but only because you choose to make it great. Today we had the privilege to take a group of kids on a field trip to Kidzania, which is basically an indoor amusement park.  I had a chance to live out what I learned this week.  Joel and one of his buddies were about to go down a big slide and enter an underground play world.  In the meantime, Heather and I had about twenty minutes to spare while we waited for our friends to come back.  At this point, we were worn out from a week a hard work, hard play, and we were STARVING!!  We wanted SO badly to sneak out for a short time and go grab some food while our kids were underground, but we knew that wasn't the right thing to do.  We knew our responsibility to our friends was to wait for them, so that's exactly what we did. In the end, I'm glad I did the right thing.  When I saw Joel's smiling face as he came back upstairs, my heart melted.  His smile puts a smile on my face and makes me grateful for the relationship we made and gives me the strength and courage to keep moving and do the next right thing." From her above post, you can see why I asked her to write.  She's got wisdom beyond her years and I'm so glad she'll be a leader in GSM next year!

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Do you have a problem?

"If we look better to those we share a pew with than those we share our street with, there's a problem." - Beth Guckenberger

Brooke and I live by a similar quote we heard years ago in a church service at GCC that challenged us much like the above quote:

"We want the people who know us the best, to love us the most!"

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Guest Blogger: Hampy Hamperton!

We're hanging  out in the LDM before we leave for the day.  Love the leaders we have!!!

Guest Blogger: Hampy Hamperton

Where to begin. I don't speak Spanish, but the communication that takes place is more sincere and meaningful than what you could imagine. A smile and a grabbing of your hand as you run towards the pool or a game is about as sincere as you can get. One thing I appreciate about trips like this is that the distractions from back home are taken away and you are able to see God work in ways that you might miss at home. As a leader on this trip, I love being able to follow the lead of the staff from GCC. DC, Johnny, Jeff, Seth, Steph, Katie, and Kara have brought it from Day one (or when they finally arrived on Sunday.) When the people running point are revved up, the whole group catches that fire and adds volume to it. (This is what Papa B was talking about a few weeks back in the weekend service.) As the week goes on, the group has continued to grow closer and get to know each other better and that will only help to make GSM even more amazing. Yes I'm getting excited as I type this right now b/c I can't wait to see my campers again when GSM starts up.

We two more days here and I know without a doubt that we still have memories to make and lives to impact. Time to bring the heat!!!!!!!!

p.s. I love DC Curry and we all miss Brooke Brooke Brooke : )

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We're all smiles

One of the things I love about this week here in Mexico is watching all the students and kids smile from ear to ear as they play and have fun together. These kids LOOOOOVE Aubrey and so does our staff.  I'm glad she's here on this trip sharing her joy with all of us.

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No it's good they're not tired!

(My caption: Seth, "Dude what are you looking at?"

Jeff, "I don't know but do you see it?"

Seth, "not yet"

Jeff, "keep looking!"

Seth, "OK!")

hahahaha I love this photo, when I saw it I HAD to snap it! My team has been running like crazy ALL SUMMER and this trip is the last stretch of our summer-long sprint.  I took this photo yesterday to show you guys we really do work in student ministry.  (kidding, it was just a great photo) This is the face of momentary fatigue.  We had just finished swimming with our kids for 4 hours straight without getting out of the pool!!!! It was so great...EVERYONE was pruney! You better believe we have a good time but I tell you the truth, sometimes, we are flat out WHOOPED!!! With that said, I'm asking God for his strength this week so we can finish strong just like we've been all week! We all know "it's not how you start it's how you finish!"  "Great games are won in the 4th quarter." "The only thing people remember is the ending." If you get a moment or feel inclined pray for our  staff team to have strength to finish the race this week.  We're doing amazing and this trip is off the charts!!!  It's a great way to cap off our summer mission trip experiences! BUT it's not over yet, so pray for us!  Godspeed! Our Staff Team: Me, Katie, John, Steph, Jeff, Seth, Kara,

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Busy for Christ?

(This picture doesn't reflect the nature of this post. It's just a great photo of Olivia making a difference for Christ.)

Can we be busy for Christ and still be missing the point?

Loved the question.

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The most creative comment yet

(Katie, Becca, and Emily)

Every night on this mission trip we read all the comments from the Mexic09 blog and tonight we read one of that most creative blog comments I've ever read.  I loved it. Here it is: "My thoughts for the team: As I watched the bus go down the drive that day... It struck me that this is what parents pray. That their child would have a heart for others who need. Instead of being filled with lust and greed. I’m so proud of the students and leaders who gave... Their time and love so others can be saved. They could have been home and sleeping till noon... Or hanging at Starbucks or going to the dunes. Instead they chose to serve God and spread His love... They acted on the calling they heard from above. Showing God’s grace is their goal they had in mind... Smiling, caring, loving and just being kind. They’ve turned toward God and in the right direction... Step by step they are in perfection. God be with you as you finish out the week... Making memories that together you will always keep. Katie Sellers and all, Thanks for sharing His love! Katie's dad"