Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
MEXIC08-FRIDAY!
Today, we spent the morning cleaning up the Back2Back base and packed all of our stuff out and then had some time to hang out before we headed to El Pollo Loco for some delicious lunch!
From there we headed to Grutas de Garcia caves. We took a Cable Car up the side of a mountain and entered a breathtaking cave that we spent the next hour or so walking through and standing in awe of God's creation! At the end of our time at the caves it was time to say goodbye to our dear friends Matt and Julie Cooper. They are having a MONUMENTAL long term impact in Monterrey and they are a huge part of our experience down here in Mexico!
We made it to the hotel safe and sound, ate a great dinner at Los Alitas next door and then spent some time as a team processing what God has done IN us. All week long we have been talking about what God has been doing THROUGH us but tonight's focus was what God is doing IN us. It was a helpful time that DC led us through! And we ended up all jumping in the pool with our clothes on! A bit of a Mexico friday night tradition...
Tomorrow it's up bright and early in the morning to get to the airport and start the trek home! We'll see everyone soon!
-Johnny
From there we headed to Grutas de Garcia caves. We took a Cable Car up the side of a mountain and entered a breathtaking cave that we spent the next hour or so walking through and standing in awe of God's creation! At the end of our time at the caves it was time to say goodbye to our dear friends Matt and Julie Cooper. They are having a MONUMENTAL long term impact in Monterrey and they are a huge part of our experience down here in Mexico!
We made it to the hotel safe and sound, ate a great dinner at Los Alitas next door and then spent some time as a team processing what God has done IN us. All week long we have been talking about what God has been doing THROUGH us but tonight's focus was what God is doing IN us. It was a helpful time that DC led us through! And we ended up all jumping in the pool with our clothes on! A bit of a Mexico friday night tradition...
Tomorrow it's up bright and early in the morning to get to the airport and start the trek home! We'll see everyone soon!
-Johnny
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Mexico Day 6 (Thursday)
hursday was an amazing day. We went back out to the Cadereyta today to grab some kids who just graduated kindergarten, six, and ninth grade. We loaded them and their moms on two buses and headed to a HUGE public pool to hang out, grill out, and give the students brand new back packs filled with all new school supplies for the upcoming year. Back2Back is really trying to encourage education and staying in school and this is one of the ways they do it. So we played hard all morning, most of the playing occured in the kiddy pool which was around 95 degree's and the water was rather not clear (you can do the math on that one). But the big pool was great, and our kids served like champs, loving on those kids all day. We then served all of them steak taco's and the local pastors and missionaries commented that it's probably been forever since any of the people in that community had steak. Seemed just like a typical afternoon in the park for us which put it in great perspective for our kids. So after that we put the kids and their mom's back on a bus and sent them on their way with lots of tears and waving goodbye, and we headed back to campus via a gas station for our kid's to fill up on sugary goodness. They've all had a great week, and it came out in our debrief time tonight. Tomorrow were cleaning up on campus in the morning then we head out for a El Pollo Loco Lunch followed by an afternoon cave expedition. We'll be staying in a hotel tomorrow night so this is our last night on campus. We'll see if I can get pictures up tomorrow night. See you all on saturday.
Love
-Jeff
Love
-Jeff
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Mexico Day Five (Wednesday)
Today we took the kids from Manatial de Amor out to a national park for a good old hang out day. Some of the kids went in the pool that the park hide, while another half of the group (mostly older kids) went on a 'hike' which was mis-advertised. It was essentially the closest you could get to rock climbing without needing a rope, and at times, DC and I did kind of want a rope. I was on the mountain almost all day so I have no pool shots, but I do have a bunch from the mountain. One of the local girls ended up needing a lot of extra breaks while climbing so DC and I stuck with here which was just fine with us. It gave us a lot of extra time to take pictures. Tomorrow is our last day doing a work project so be praying for the endurance of our kids. Let's finish strong and give it everything we got tomorrow. Thanks for the prayers and encouraging words. It has really been uplifting for our students during debriefs every night.
Love
-Jeff
Love
-Jeff
MEXIC08-WEDNESDAY!
Wednesday was yet again another GREAT DAY here in Monterrey! After a quick midweek cleanup of our dorms we loaded up the bus to go pick up the kids from Manantial De Amor. All the boys, girls and little ones joined us on 3 full busses and we traveled to a canyon park in Monterrey that is literally surrounded by mountains on all sides, it was absolutely gorgeous!
We ALL partnered up with kids and had lunch then part of the group decided to go on a hike/mountain climb that was a hardcore climb up the side of one of the mountains while the other group either played games and colored or went swimming in a pool that they have there at the park.
The hiking team was gone for a couple hours climbing up a trail and exploring a small cave and avoiding as many cactus' as they could! The swim team pretty much spent the entire 2-3 hours in the pool swimming, tossing, splashing and dunking kids! Everybody had a GREAT time with their little buddies! We ended our time at the park with some tamales for dinner and then it was time to load up the busses and say goodbye to our new friends! We had spent the last 3 days with all these kids and the relationships that formed during that time were truly remarkable! The team kept their composure together to send the kids off with smiles and laughter, but there were quite a few tears once our bus had departed.
Tonight at debrief the team had an amazing time of sharing stories of the day's activities and the way that they interacted with their buddy. There were many stories, but in the end the team was confident that God has a plan for each and every one of those kids lives and that our time here was part of that plan. And even though it is sad that we have to part ways with our buddies, we know that they are going to be continually loved by Back 2 Back and the wonderful men and women that run Manantial de Amor and who knows, we may see them again next year!
We hit it hard one more day (Thursday) with an outreach to the Cadereyta and some play time with the kids there that we met on Sunday! Thanks for your continued love and prayers!
-Johnny
We ALL partnered up with kids and had lunch then part of the group decided to go on a hike/mountain climb that was a hardcore climb up the side of one of the mountains while the other group either played games and colored or went swimming in a pool that they have there at the park.
The hiking team was gone for a couple hours climbing up a trail and exploring a small cave and avoiding as many cactus' as they could! The swim team pretty much spent the entire 2-3 hours in the pool swimming, tossing, splashing and dunking kids! Everybody had a GREAT time with their little buddies! We ended our time at the park with some tamales for dinner and then it was time to load up the busses and say goodbye to our new friends! We had spent the last 3 days with all these kids and the relationships that formed during that time were truly remarkable! The team kept their composure together to send the kids off with smiles and laughter, but there were quite a few tears once our bus had departed.
Tonight at debrief the team had an amazing time of sharing stories of the day's activities and the way that they interacted with their buddy. There were many stories, but in the end the team was confident that God has a plan for each and every one of those kids lives and that our time here was part of that plan. And even though it is sad that we have to part ways with our buddies, we know that they are going to be continually loved by Back 2 Back and the wonderful men and women that run Manantial de Amor and who knows, we may see them again next year!
We hit it hard one more day (Thursday) with an outreach to the Cadereyta and some play time with the kids there that we met on Sunday! Thanks for your continued love and prayers!
-Johnny
More Pics from Tuesday...
Here's some pics I snapped yesterday when i wasn't working. Most of them are from the group I was working with.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mexico Day Four (Tuesday)
Great day today. We got up and worked around campus for a few hours, then after lunch the kids from Manantial De Amor came over for a pool party that included some donkey burgers for dinner. The kids left after dinner and the boys of the teams took on the staff boys in a little game of basketball which we, of course, one. Now we're just hanging out, John and I are playing euchre and every one else is playing kick the can. Good things. See you all tomorrow.
MEXIC08-TUESDAY!
WOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Today was another GREAT DAY! The team did SOOOOOOOOO well again today despite another HOT HOT DAY!
We started off on campus working for about 2-3 hours. Most teams that come to Back 2 Back spend one day helping out with the campus expansion. B2B has been building homes as part of their Hope program. Once children hit 15 or the 9th grade they are done with the public school system as well as the ability to live in a casa hogar. So the Hope program consists of these 6 homes (2 unfinished) that house 7-8 former residents of the casa hogars, through funding that comes into B2B, is able to send these students to high school and college while providing housing and food here on campus with a host family (like the Cooper's) who love and encourage and teach and pray and do everything possible not only to care for these kids but to show them Jesus and help them take steps. The program is seeing HUGE success as the first couple students are preparing to graduate college and enter the work force.
Here's a little perspective, only about 5% of the Mexican population is college educated. So that means two things 1) these students will have a GREAT opportunity to escape the cycle and provide for themselves and a future family and 2) the Hope program will be graduating 40-50 college educated students in the next few years who more than likely are following Jesus that will enter all fields of the workforce and will be influencing culture, government, politics, business, education and every other field they are entering! That is PRETTY AMAZING!
Ok, so that's the back story to what we were doing today! We were helping work on the last 2 homes. We had a team doing ThermoTek on the roof again, a team doing painting on the inside of one of the houses, a team painting outside, a team sorting and preparing backpacks for a back to school donation day in the Cadereyta on Thursday, a team digging a trench for some irrigation work, and teams building shelving and cleaning windows in the new Medical Facility on campus. The dream of that Facility is to have a place where the 400+ children in the casa hogars would have an opportunity for wellness check ups and all the normal shots and immunizations that we're used to here in the states! The team went crazy fast and got a TON done in the short time we had to work. The reason time was short was because the kids from Manantial De Amor were coming over for a pool party and a cookout!
The girls had the first turn in the pool while the boys started off playing soccer, games and legos! After that the girls hopped out and were playing games and spending some great time together while the boys hopped in the pool and had a great time! After that it was time for a cookout Mexican style consisting of cheeseburgers which include a slice of ham and guacamole! We had a great time!
Tonight then was the traditional B2B staff versus groups basketball game! And WE WON! Something tells me it may have helped having DC on our team....
We had a great evening at worship and team debrief and now the team is hanging out playing cards, laughing and having fun together! Know that you are all loved!
-Johnny
We started off on campus working for about 2-3 hours. Most teams that come to Back 2 Back spend one day helping out with the campus expansion. B2B has been building homes as part of their Hope program. Once children hit 15 or the 9th grade they are done with the public school system as well as the ability to live in a casa hogar. So the Hope program consists of these 6 homes (2 unfinished) that house 7-8 former residents of the casa hogars, through funding that comes into B2B, is able to send these students to high school and college while providing housing and food here on campus with a host family (like the Cooper's) who love and encourage and teach and pray and do everything possible not only to care for these kids but to show them Jesus and help them take steps. The program is seeing HUGE success as the first couple students are preparing to graduate college and enter the work force.
Here's a little perspective, only about 5% of the Mexican population is college educated. So that means two things 1) these students will have a GREAT opportunity to escape the cycle and provide for themselves and a future family and 2) the Hope program will be graduating 40-50 college educated students in the next few years who more than likely are following Jesus that will enter all fields of the workforce and will be influencing culture, government, politics, business, education and every other field they are entering! That is PRETTY AMAZING!
Ok, so that's the back story to what we were doing today! We were helping work on the last 2 homes. We had a team doing ThermoTek on the roof again, a team doing painting on the inside of one of the houses, a team painting outside, a team sorting and preparing backpacks for a back to school donation day in the Cadereyta on Thursday, a team digging a trench for some irrigation work, and teams building shelving and cleaning windows in the new Medical Facility on campus. The dream of that Facility is to have a place where the 400+ children in the casa hogars would have an opportunity for wellness check ups and all the normal shots and immunizations that we're used to here in the states! The team went crazy fast and got a TON done in the short time we had to work. The reason time was short was because the kids from Manantial De Amor were coming over for a pool party and a cookout!
The girls had the first turn in the pool while the boys started off playing soccer, games and legos! After that the girls hopped out and were playing games and spending some great time together while the boys hopped in the pool and had a great time! After that it was time for a cookout Mexican style consisting of cheeseburgers which include a slice of ham and guacamole! We had a great time!
Tonight then was the traditional B2B staff versus groups basketball game! And WE WON! Something tells me it may have helped having DC on our team....
We had a great evening at worship and team debrief and now the team is hanging out playing cards, laughing and having fun together! Know that you are all loved!
-Johnny
More Pics
Hey guys, DC here, not sure if you guys hopped over to my blog to see any of the photo's I've been taking so I'm going to put the slideshows on here too.
FYI: I'm not a great photographer YET, but I love taking photo's and my goal in snapping photo's is to give you an opportunity to see what your students is doing throughout the day. Jeff is our official PROFESSIONAL photographer so expect greatness from his shots. I try to take as many photo's as I can of each kid as they are down here being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Also if you want to hear my thoughts on the day, hop over to my blog by clicking HERE.
-DC-
(There are a lot of photo's so to see all of them quicker just click on the slideshow and it should send you to my public gallery. If you're having trouble leave a comment and i'll give you the direct link.)
107 pics from the plane ride and first day:
370 from Sunday at the Cadereyta:
376 from Monday at Manantial De Amor
FYI: I'm not a great photographer YET, but I love taking photo's and my goal in snapping photo's is to give you an opportunity to see what your students is doing throughout the day. Jeff is our official PROFESSIONAL photographer so expect greatness from his shots. I try to take as many photo's as I can of each kid as they are down here being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Also if you want to hear my thoughts on the day, hop over to my blog by clicking HERE.
-DC-
(There are a lot of photo's so to see all of them quicker just click on the slideshow and it should send you to my public gallery. If you're having trouble leave a comment and i'll give you the direct link.)
107 pics from the plane ride and first day:
370 from Sunday at the Cadereyta:
376 from Monday at Manantial De Amor
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mexico Day Three (Monday)
Today was an amazing day. Just in a word to say how great our team is...I really wanted to put the camera down and work on something that would work me harder because the attitude of our team is..."I want to work." So DC and I both put our camera's down at one point and dug in with all we had. Good stuff today. Then tonight at Taco's Fede was a special moment. I have never laughed as hard in my life as I did tonight at Dinner and during debrief. I am LOVING this team in this trip. Let's press on! Keep the prayers and the comments coming. The kids are absolutely loving the comments you all are leaving.
Love
-Jeff
Love
-Jeff
MEXIC08-MONDAY!
Today was PHENOMENAL! Today was our "typical" morning schedule starting off with breakfast, quiet times and small group! It seemed like the team got a great day's rest and was ready to go!
We headed to Manantial De Amor to spend the day working and playing! The team broke up into work groups and got after it! Here's what the teams tackled:
-Finished painting some of the walls and buildings at Manantial
-Applied ThermoTek to the entire roof of the main building (imagine 5 gallon buckets of
marshmallow creme getting spread over an entire roof with deck
brushes...look for the pictures later)
-Played soccer with some of the kids
-Tore apart, removed, jackhammered, wheelbarrowed and dumped an old sidewalk that is on the back side of the main building. There have been some erosion problems causing the sidewalk to cave in. This team cleared ALL of it out
-Built wood forms to build a new retension wall where the sidewalk was
-Assembled rebar grids for when the concrete pouring begins on the sidewalk
-Played board games, card games and more soccer
This team GOT AFTER IT! And that whole "language barrier thing" is officially out the window! It's pretty amazing to watch our students and some of the kids from Manantial playing Uno and other card games and board games without ever speaking the same language.
It was another HOT day, but the team did great and hydrated like crazy! Tonight we're off to Tacos Fede for a FEAST! Pictures to come later, Jeff and DC have somehow been taking hundreds of pictures as well as working like crazy and they're uploading and checking all the pictures right now so I'm sure we'll get some good ones uploaded tonight!
Thanks for all the comments and love from home! The team loves hearing from you all!
-Johnny
We headed to Manantial De Amor to spend the day working and playing! The team broke up into work groups and got after it! Here's what the teams tackled:
-Finished painting some of the walls and buildings at Manantial
-Applied ThermoTek to the entire roof of the main building (imagine 5 gallon buckets of
marshmallow creme getting spread over an entire roof with deck
brushes...look for the pictures later)
-Played soccer with some of the kids
-Tore apart, removed, jackhammered, wheelbarrowed and dumped an old sidewalk that is on the back side of the main building. There have been some erosion problems causing the sidewalk to cave in. This team cleared ALL of it out
-Built wood forms to build a new retension wall where the sidewalk was
-Assembled rebar grids for when the concrete pouring begins on the sidewalk
-Played board games, card games and more soccer
This team GOT AFTER IT! And that whole "language barrier thing" is officially out the window! It's pretty amazing to watch our students and some of the kids from Manantial playing Uno and other card games and board games without ever speaking the same language.
It was another HOT day, but the team did great and hydrated like crazy! Tonight we're off to Tacos Fede for a FEAST! Pictures to come later, Jeff and DC have somehow been taking hundreds of pictures as well as working like crazy and they're uploading and checking all the pictures right now so I'm sure we'll get some good ones uploaded tonight!
Thanks for all the comments and love from home! The team loves hearing from you all!
-Johnny
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Mexico Day two photo's via Mr. Myers
I'm loving this trip, I'm loving this group of students and leaders like none other. I'll let D.C. give you the low down on the day, but I will say that this week got off to a great start today.
Love
-Jeff
Love
-Jeff
MEXIC08-SUNDAY!
Today was a GREAT day!!! The started off a little earlier than usual today so we could pack a few extra things into the schedule.
We started off like we will everyday having some personal quiet times and then some small group time. Back2Back does a great job putting together a devotional guide that we use all week long that is Biblically based and helps lead us through what we are experiencing!
We then got a tour of the Back2Back campus so we could see and hear about all the amazing things God has been doing down here! It's amazing to see how fast stuff is being built down here, students that were here last year couldn't believe the difference and for Jeff and I who haven't been here in two years, it looks SOOO different!
We then loaded up the bus and headed out to the Cadereyta. The Cadereyta is where the government has located several hundred families that were former squatters and given them each a small piece of land to call their own, although they still don't have any plumbing, running water or electricity. The team broke up into 3 groups and spread out through the community to invite residents to lunch and a church service at the under construction community center. It didn't take long till there were kids coming out of everywhere! Soon everyone on the team was carrying a kid, giving a piggy back ride and playing like crazy! It was over 100 degrees and the whole team was going non stop loving these kids even when their shoulder got tired! We fed the whole community a hot dog lunch and had some ourselves and then jumped back on the bus to head back to base.
After some quick showers the team got dressed up to take part in a Quincienra, which is a girl's 15th birthday party. Traditionally in the Mexican culture turning 15 is a big deal and many families will go "all out" on the celebration. She was presented with several gifts including a watch to remember the time that she has, a ring to remember the continuing love of God and a Bible to be able to stay in the Word. It was a very cool thing for the team to get to be a part of! After the ceremony it was time to celebrate with a big feast, dancing and Quincienra cake! It was great!
We're getting ready to head down to evening worship and then team debrief time where we will share all of your love and encouragement and talk through today! We'll try and get pictures up as fast as we can, but the internet can be "interesting" sometimes!
-John
We started off like we will everyday having some personal quiet times and then some small group time. Back2Back does a great job putting together a devotional guide that we use all week long that is Biblically based and helps lead us through what we are experiencing!
We then got a tour of the Back2Back campus so we could see and hear about all the amazing things God has been doing down here! It's amazing to see how fast stuff is being built down here, students that were here last year couldn't believe the difference and for Jeff and I who haven't been here in two years, it looks SOOO different!
We then loaded up the bus and headed out to the Cadereyta. The Cadereyta is where the government has located several hundred families that were former squatters and given them each a small piece of land to call their own, although they still don't have any plumbing, running water or electricity. The team broke up into 3 groups and spread out through the community to invite residents to lunch and a church service at the under construction community center. It didn't take long till there were kids coming out of everywhere! Soon everyone on the team was carrying a kid, giving a piggy back ride and playing like crazy! It was over 100 degrees and the whole team was going non stop loving these kids even when their shoulder got tired! We fed the whole community a hot dog lunch and had some ourselves and then jumped back on the bus to head back to base.
After some quick showers the team got dressed up to take part in a Quincienra, which is a girl's 15th birthday party. Traditionally in the Mexican culture turning 15 is a big deal and many families will go "all out" on the celebration. She was presented with several gifts including a watch to remember the time that she has, a ring to remember the continuing love of God and a Bible to be able to stay in the Word. It was a very cool thing for the team to get to be a part of! After the ceremony it was time to celebrate with a big feast, dancing and Quincienra cake! It was great!
We're getting ready to head down to evening worship and then team debrief time where we will share all of your love and encouragement and talk through today! We'll try and get pictures up as fast as we can, but the internet can be "interesting" sometimes!
-John
Saturday, July 26, 2008
MEXIC08-WE MADE IT!
We just made it to base at Back2Back! We just got all the luggage off the bus and are headed to Worship right now.
The flight went well and everybody is fired up! I actually think some of us might have used a LOT of energy already...me being one of them!!! Let's just say I had fun on the bus ride over AND on the plane ride.
I tried to load some pictures but they wouldn't go so i'll try to do them later after worship.
-DC
The flight went well and everybody is fired up! I actually think some of us might have used a LOT of energy already...me being one of them!!! Let's just say I had fun on the bus ride over AND on the plane ride.
I tried to load some pictures but they wouldn't go so i'll try to do them later after worship.
-DC
Friday, July 25, 2008
MEET THE TEAM!
Here is the team that will be heading down to Monterrey in just a few short hours!
Be praying for safe travels and speedy processes at the airport as we navigate a group of 35 through check in, security and customs!
-DC Curry, Shea Coleman and Andy Cornish
-John Keim, Austin Bentley and Austin Fox-Welter
-Jeff Myers, Riley Robbins and Andrew Saylor
-Jonathan Hampton, Zach McFarland and Randal Mishler
-Katie Liverett, Tia Brown, Julia Kline, Aubrey Martinus and Lindsay Robbins
-Stephanie Rorie, Olivia Waltz, Maddie Helman, Nikki Risselmann and Valerie Risselmann
-Gessica Hufnagle, Amanda Parker, Nicole Ditto, Peyton Coney and Jessica Ekema
-Stacey VanPutten, Lacy Beebe, Kasie Kyle and Courtney Ekema
-Rachel Ditto, Tori Bruce, Heather Stevens and Kaitlyn Barnes
The team is listed by their small groups. Each morning these small groups will have a chance to talk through what the teams is reading together in the Bible each morning during our quiet times and to also do some debrief from what is happening on the trip in addition to the "all-team" debrief that happens each night. The small groups are also how we keep track of each other all week long, the first person listed is the adult leader for that group and they will be keeping track of their 2-4 students all week!
It's going to be an amazing trip! Thank you all for your prayers, your encouragement, your financial support and all the help you've provided in preparation of the trip!
We'll post once we've gotten to the base in Monterrey and are getting settled in!
Be praying for safe travels and speedy processes at the airport as we navigate a group of 35 through check in, security and customs!
-DC Curry, Shea Coleman and Andy Cornish
-John Keim, Austin Bentley and Austin Fox-Welter
-Jeff Myers, Riley Robbins and Andrew Saylor
-Jonathan Hampton, Zach McFarland and Randal Mishler
-Katie Liverett, Tia Brown, Julia Kline, Aubrey Martinus and Lindsay Robbins
-Stephanie Rorie, Olivia Waltz, Maddie Helman, Nikki Risselmann and Valerie Risselmann
-Gessica Hufnagle, Amanda Parker, Nicole Ditto, Peyton Coney and Jessica Ekema
-Stacey VanPutten, Lacy Beebe, Kasie Kyle and Courtney Ekema
-Rachel Ditto, Tori Bruce, Heather Stevens and Kaitlyn Barnes
The team is listed by their small groups. Each morning these small groups will have a chance to talk through what the teams is reading together in the Bible each morning during our quiet times and to also do some debrief from what is happening on the trip in addition to the "all-team" debrief that happens each night. The small groups are also how we keep track of each other all week long, the first person listed is the adult leader for that group and they will be keeping track of their 2-4 students all week!
It's going to be an amazing trip! Thank you all for your prayers, your encouragement, your financial support and all the help you've provided in preparation of the trip!
We'll post once we've gotten to the base in Monterrey and are getting settled in!
Friday, July 18, 2008
MEXIC08 Packing Party
Just a reminder that the MEXIC08 packing party is coming up on Friday, July 25th from 6:00-8:30 PM at GCC!
We'll be weighing everyone's personal bags just to make sure they're under 50 lbs. and we'll be taking all of our donations and packing them in the our donation suitcases. And then we'll load everything up into the trailer so we'll be ready to go on Saturday morning.
We'll be sharing a dinner together and going over all the final details of the trip. Parents are WELCOME to attend!
We'll see you guys then!
We'll be weighing everyone's personal bags just to make sure they're under 50 lbs. and we'll be taking all of our donations and packing them in the our donation suitcases. And then we'll load everything up into the trailer so we'll be ready to go on Saturday morning.
We'll be sharing a dinner together and going over all the final details of the trip. Parents are WELCOME to attend!
We'll see you guys then!
MEXIC08 Donations Plan
Donations
c Everyone checks in 2 suitcases at the airport
c 1 is for personal items from the packing list (under 50 lbs.), the other is for donations
c What we’re bringing for donations
o Everyone brings an elementary age backpack (K into 1st and 6th into 7th)
§ Walmart, Dollar General, Goodwill, etc.
§ Doesn’t have to be expensive, but should be nice
Everyone is bringing school supplies for 10 kids based on what your assigned below. If Crayons then you bring 10 boxes of crayons.
o Crayons—Kaitlyn, Lacy, Austin B., Tia, Tori
o Markers—Shea, Peyton, Andy, DC, Nicole
o Pens/Pencils—Rachel, Courtney, Jessica, Austin F., Jonathan
o Filler Paper—Maddie, Gessica, John, Julia
o Notebooks—Kasie, Katie, Aubrey, Zach
o Folders—Randall, Jeff, Amanda, Nikki,
o Glue/Tape/Erasers-Valerie, Lindsay, Riley, Stephanie, Andrew
o Rulers/Scissors—Heather, Kelsey, Stacey, Olivia
MEXIC08 Packing List
c Passport-TURNED IN BEFORE PACKING PARTY
c Bible, journal and pen
c Team T-shirt-WILL RECEIVE AT PACKING PARTY
c Water bottle (1) –for refilling with purified water
c Sun block (very important-everyone brings one) and bug spray
c Sunglasses
c Hat for working outside to keep the sun off your head
c Comfortable tennis shoes & socks for working in, also a pair of shoes that aren’t work shoes
c Flip flops or sandals for the pool
c Personal toiletries – shampoo, soap, toothbrush, feminine products, etc.
c Bedding for a twin size bed – Pillowcase, sheets, light blanket-bedding can be donated at end of week
c Towels & washcloth – at least 1 towel for showers and 1 for the pool
c Work clothes –clothes that don’t matter if they get ruined
c Regular clothes – Mostly shorts, capris & t-shirts, but you may want to include 1 pair of pants
c Swimsuit – One piece for girls
c Church Clothes – Girls: Skirt (finger length) or nice capris, Boys: Pants or khakis shorts, nice shirt
c Medicine – optional – aspirin, kaopectate, pepto bismol tablets, Tums, or any other prescribed medications (pack your prescription in your carry on).-THE TEAM WILL HAVE A FIRST AID KIT WITH ALL THIS AND MORE IN IT.
c Camera and film – your discretion
c Spending money - $50 to $100 – no traveler’s checks – small bills for the general store (Airport, souvenirs)
c Backpack for carrying sunscreen, towels, etc. while we’re there – this could be your carry-on bag
c Stuff to keep you occupied while traveling (playing cards, a book, journal, etc.)
c Pre-wrapped snack foods such as granola bars, peanut butter crackers, etc. (optional).
c Donation suitcase with donation backpack and pack of shirts
c iPods, cell phones (optional and at own risk) only time to really use would be on the plane and to fall asleep to at night. Other than that, these need to stay put away during the day. And I don’t think you want international cell phone charges on your bill! J
What not to bring
- short shorts – they must at least down to your mid-thigh
- tank tops
- spaghetti straps
- midriff shirts
- tight fitting clothes
- DVD players, laptops
- Anything else you have to think twice about!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
NEW WORK PROJECT!!!
Hey team, Johnny here and I just got another work project for the team.
J and Angie Aquila need some help doing some weeding and landscaping type work. The workday will be Saturday, May 10th from 1-4 PM at their house.
If you want to get in on this you need to email me, jkeim@gccwired.com, ASAP. There is room for 5 team members to go out and earn some cash for Mexico!
First to RSVP to me will get in!
J and Angie Aquila need some help doing some weeding and landscaping type work. The workday will be Saturday, May 10th from 1-4 PM at their house.
If you want to get in on this you need to email me, jkeim@gccwired.com, ASAP. There is room for 5 team members to go out and earn some cash for Mexico!
First to RSVP to me will get in!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thoughts from Acts
Hey team, Johnny here! Didn't get a chance before the big RV trip to get some thoughts posted on here from Acts but wanted to get the discussion going! So, HERE WE GO~
Remember to get your passport papers going!
One of the first things I noticed as I was reading was how Paul did not go out alone on his first trip in Chapters 13 and 14. In Chapter 13 verse 2 it actually says “the Holy Spirit said, ‘Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them.” This can show us that it was not just a man’s good idea to go out as a pair, but that God intended for Saul and Barnabas to go out together. And I believe God has intended for us to serve in teams on our mission trips and here’s why.
--We are all very different and we all bring something unique to the team. Some of us may speak Spanish, some of us may sing, some of us may be great with kids, some of us may love manual labor, some of us may be a great encourager, some of us may be prayer warriors. See when we all come together with what we each have, the team becomes a whole lot stronger
--When you are together with a common purpose you can keep each other accountable. If we begin to get tired on this trip or begin to lose focus on why we’re there, there are people on this team who will lovingly help you remember what the trip is all about.
--The team outperforms the individual in the long haul every time. We will love more kids, get more work done, share Jesus with more people when we work as a team.
I’m so excited about the team we have going to Mexico!
What else have you found in your time reading Acts 13-28? Share your ideas and thoughts by posting a comment below.
Remember to get your passport papers going!
Friday, March 7, 2008
And We're Off!!!
Hey team, Johnny here and MEXIC08 is off and running! We have an amazing team! We have amazing leaders! God has called us to do something amazing!
In a few short months we will all be jumping on a plane together and heading south of the border! Students from Penn, Mishawaka, Jimtown, New Prairie and more. There are freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. There are long term mission veterans and there are first timers. How on Earth is this team all brought together? Because God has changed each of our lives and has set MEXIC08 in front of all of us as our next step!
Have you started praying for the team yet? Have you started praying for those down in Monterrey that we will be serving? Have you started reading Acts 13-28? Let's dive in together! Let's engage this ENTIRE process from first meeting to the very end! We've started diving in and will open up the discussion soon!
If you missed the first meeting, it is very important that you get caught up on what's going on. If you missed the first meeting then you likely don't even know about the blog, which means if you know someone who is going to Mexico but missed the first meeting, then make sure they read this post!
If you missed the first meeting, you need to stop by the student ministries office and pick up what you missed. You will need to pick up a folder which includes your journal and pen, 2 sample mission support letters as well as donor contribution forms and return address labels for your support to come directly to GCC. I'll be posting the cliff notes on how to write the whole support letter soon.
Also if you need more donor contribution forms or return labels those are now printed and available up there!
And now I leave you with a little training in Spanish...
Donde est el banos? (That means "Where are the bathrooms?" a very important phrase to know)
In a few short months we will all be jumping on a plane together and heading south of the border! Students from Penn, Mishawaka, Jimtown, New Prairie and more. There are freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. There are long term mission veterans and there are first timers. How on Earth is this team all brought together? Because God has changed each of our lives and has set MEXIC08 in front of all of us as our next step!
Have you started praying for the team yet? Have you started praying for those down in Monterrey that we will be serving? Have you started reading Acts 13-28? Let's dive in together! Let's engage this ENTIRE process from first meeting to the very end! We've started diving in and will open up the discussion soon!
If you missed the first meeting, it is very important that you get caught up on what's going on. If you missed the first meeting then you likely don't even know about the blog, which means if you know someone who is going to Mexico but missed the first meeting, then make sure they read this post!
If you missed the first meeting, you need to stop by the student ministries office and pick up what you missed. You will need to pick up a folder which includes your journal and pen, 2 sample mission support letters as well as donor contribution forms and return address labels for your support to come directly to GCC. I'll be posting the cliff notes on how to write the whole support letter soon.
Also if you need more donor contribution forms or return labels those are now printed and available up there!
And now I leave you with a little training in Spanish...
Donde est el banos? (That means "Where are the bathrooms?" a very important phrase to know)
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