May 10, 2005

Scary to extraordinary! (Ensenada Mexico 2004)


My mission trip last year to Ensenada was amazing! There is no real way to describe how it affected me, all I can say is I was forever changed. If I were to sum up my whole trip into one word it would be extraordinary! It was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I mean I left my friends and family behind and I went to a foreign country where they didn't really speak much English. But my fear disappeared as soon as I got our of the car in Mexico and realized I was there for God and even if I couldn't speak the language God would help me find a way to tell people about Him. Just as I realized that this verse popped into my head Matthew 10:20 "for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you." This gave me so much reassurance that I didn't fear anything the whole rest of the week.

It was the most exciting week of my life ... the culture, the food, and the people who always had smiles on their faces no matter how little they had. The best part was knowing that I was there for God's purpose, knowing God was using me to tell people about the greatest gift they will ever receive. We worked on a shelter for abused women and evangelized to people we met. Once a day the neighborhood kids would come by the church and we did a VBS and then played with them. My relationships with my team and the members of the church that we were working with grew stronger every day. After just one week, we were a family that loved each other very much.

The week however did have to come to an end and saying goodbye to some of the most wonderful people I've ever met was terribly difficult. The one thing that made it somewhat bearable was knowing that I played a part in changing their lives. The interesting thing is those wonderful people changed my life just as much. I will never be the same as I was before I went to Mexico. It brought me closer to God and it made me realize that I as a teenager in a world of billions, can be used by God to change lives forever.

"Hagan brillar su luz delante de todos, para que ellos puedan ver las buenas obras de ustedes y alaben al Padre que est< en el cielo." Mateo 5:16

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Elizabeth M.

To assist more CVC youth like Elizabeth in experiencing life change through helping others in Mexico and Africa, consider donating items (and/or your garage for the day if you live in the Saratoga Springs subdivision) for the FAITH Missions Team Fund Raising Garage Sale - May 21, 2005
The Saratoga Springs subdivision is hosting an annual yard/garage sale that day, and our Global teams for Kenya, Chiapas and Ensenada are planning to sell donated items during the sale. For more info, please contact Jack Negrete.


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