Home

It is so bitter sweet being home. What an awesome time we all had. We were a small group but with everyone strengthens, we were unstoppable. Now as we go back to our lives at home, let's not forget the many blessings God has given us. Let's live out what we lived in Mexico and more. Like Amy said last night, "It's not the end. It's just the beginning."

Wonderful and loving God,
Help us to remember
our love
your love
new friends
old friends
friends in Mexico.
I want to pray for YPM and our church. May the relationship continue to help those who need it most. Thank you, so much.
In Jesus name, Amen.

-Ally

Last Day of Work

Today is our last day of work. This team has been just amazing. Everyone takes care of each other and does everything they can to help everyone out. We have impressed the Mexican leaders with what we've been able to accomplish as such a small group. We have three strong guys and seven tough ladies.

At night, the neighborhood children come to play with us. Each night we've done a little play (directed by Ally) about a story from the bible. Our theme is fish and water, so we did the miraculous catch of fish, the feeding of the 5000, and Jesus walking on water so far. Tonight we'll do Jesus by the lakeshore after his resurrection. After the story, they have a craft and play games. Peggy prepared the crafts for us, and the children are loving them. They are so well behaved as they complete them.

We are tired but grateful. Thanks to all who are reading this, praying for us, and have helped us get here.

Lost Entry--success

Yeah, I found it, that is the lost entry of Wednesday. It only took a couple hours to figure it out. Now I can sleep with a good conscience.....mission completed. I do hope you are reading Amy (chuckle, chuckle) I am working hard on this end, this computer stuff is not easy.....rather be with you guys that writing you. Give yourselves a big hug.

Mexico Mission 2010

To Amy, Barclay, Carolyn, Ally, Hilary, Kyla, Blair, Regan, and Dan.

This evening in the Wednesday service prayers were offered up for your safe keeping.

I know by now you have settled into somewhat of a routine and accomplishing all that this trip was planned for. Hope your days are sunny and warm and evenings not too hot.

I know you're enjoying the kids and having a good time with the language. May get a flurry or two so enjoy the warmth and bring it home.

For some reason I don't believe you received my last entry so this is a second draft as the first is floating in cyber space somewhere.

This is a something I heard a long time ago and it went something like this, It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end..

I believe that the spirit of our journey is as important, perhaps even more important, than the arrival at our destination. In order for us to realize genuine happiness, we must be willing to be content every step of the way. The journey we are on is the journey of real life.

Stay safe, Hugs and Peace. Peggy

Hello All

So glad to read your last entry and you are probably all tucked in for the night. I am sure you'll have no problems sleeping.

Just a little update on knee injury. Got in to see Orthopedic Surgeon today and good news. Although a fracture in knee cap, it will only take time to heal and no surgery required. Healing will take 4-6 weeks but that's ok. I feel very lucky that is the full extent of injury.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to see you off at the church in the wee hours of the morning and it was totally worth it.

I will keep you all in my hearts and prayers.....you're one great group.

Amy, I hope you get this and will write more later. Love to all and Peace, Peggy

We Made It!

We left early this morning (6 am flight), but I was glad we got to spend the whole day here. We got acclamated to our new surroundings and took an amazing siesta in our new hammocks. I'm astonished by how much has changed here in just over a year. Leona Vicario seems much busier. There are new houses, and many existing houses have improvements made to them. The mission house is also much improved - tile upstairs, paving stones around the perimeter, new plants and flowers. Lots of work has been done on the school since we were last here, too. The foundation has been laid for the rooms we'll construct this week (thank you First Foundation!) William told us these rooms will later serve as offices for the school. The YPM staff is gracious and friendly as always. It is so good to see them all again. My Spanish hasn't come back yet, but I think I improved even today. We are ready to get to work tomorrow, excited about what we'll be able to accomplish this week!

Preparing for the Journey

"An inch of surprise leads to a mile of gratefulness."

- Brother David Steindl-Rast

Every mission trip is unique. This will be my fourth trip with Yucatan Penninsula Missions, but the only think I'm expecting are surprises. Our team consists of high school youth, college students, young adults, and the young at heart. I am excited to see how this group finds the love of God in each other and in the people of Mexico and through the work we will do.

One of the first things we think about in preparing for a trip, missionary or otherwise, is how to prepare. What vaccinations do we need? What supplies must we buy? How much money do we take along? Do we have all our documentation?

In the anxiety these kinds of preparations can create, I would encourage our team to remember how Jesus' disciples were sent out on thier first mission.

Mark 6:6b-13
Then Jesus went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The disciples were successful in their mission, living off the kindness of strangers and making it up as they went along. Even as we make careful preparation, we can trust that it is Christ who sends us out and will uphold us on our journey when, inevitably, we are forced to seek out the kindness of strangers and make things up as we go.

Peace in our preparations.

Amy