(Left to right: Tina, Kayla, Me, Daisy, Kim, and Andre.)
After almost two weeks of being home my mind continues to wander back to all that I have experienced in Mexico City! Firstly, I want to thank those, who have supported me in this trip whether that be through prayer or donation! If only I could talk to each of you in person (which I would not mind if you're free!), but I will try my best to fully convey just how much God has taken hold of my heart and has express His heart for Mexico City.
When my dad and I drove to the San Francisco Airport on the morning of the flight, I could not believe that after preparing for months for this trip, which consisted of meetings, events, and fundraisers, it was finally time to go to the place that the five of us talked and dreamt so much about. It was so crazy to me that this was actually happening!
After eight hours (give or take) and running to catch our transfer flight in Guadalajara, we landed safely and were all very tired yet excited for what God had in store for us. We were also surprised that the weather wasn't as humid as we expected-- which is a good thing! The first week of the trip consisted of going to the sites that were part of our ministry, such as loving and sharing the light of Christ with abandoned and abused old folks, an orphanage, as well as teaching classes at the community center. Even though many of us got sick during the trip, that didn't stop us from sharing who Christ was!
One of the greatest blessing and continual thread that I couldn't be more thankful for is the team that God has orchestrated to do His work in Mexico. There were moments-- MANY moments-- we would sit in the Lord's presence by journaling, talking with one anther about our thoughts and feelings, as well as impromptu worship nights-- various ways that allowed each of us to spend time with our Father. This team: Daisy, Kim, Kayla, Tina, Ellie, and Andres has been such a light and influence to me that they have helped me see so much of who God is just by the amount of love and desire for Christ they have. So much so that my initial reaction would be lead me to tears.
Below I have attached a playlist of the songs that Daisy, one of my dearest friends and team member played while we journaled, sat in community, cleaned, and/or prayed to. (Feel welcomed to play these songs as you read the rest of the blogpost! :D)
If you do not know already, this was my first ever mission trip, so with everything that I do, keeping an open mind and trying to experience things for how they are is vital for me to be completely present. This trip was also the first time I would be traveling without my parents to another country-- the farthest I've ever been away from them. Even though I am half Mexican, I am not fluent in Spanish; (although, I feel like I could get by because I know more or less a couple of phrases and words) I still would not be able to survive if it weren't for my team. Throughout the trip they were so willing to trans;ate and let me know what was going on whether we were at family dinners, events, or things that we saw while we walked the streets in Mexico!
After eight hours (give or take) and running to catch our transfer flight in Guadalajara, we landed safely and were all very tired yet excited for what God had in store for us. We were also surprised that the weather wasn't as humid as we expected-- which is a good thing! The first week of the trip consisted of going to the sites that were part of our ministry, such as loving and sharing the light of Christ with abandoned and abused old folks, an orphanage, as well as teaching classes at the community center. Even though many of us got sick during the trip, that didn't stop us from sharing who Christ was!
One of the greatest blessing and continual thread that I couldn't be more thankful for is the team that God has orchestrated to do His work in Mexico. There were moments-- MANY moments-- we would sit in the Lord's presence by journaling, talking with one anther about our thoughts and feelings, as well as impromptu worship nights-- various ways that allowed each of us to spend time with our Father. This team: Daisy, Kim, Kayla, Tina, Ellie, and Andres has been such a light and influence to me that they have helped me see so much of who God is just by the amount of love and desire for Christ they have. So much so that my initial reaction would be lead me to tears.
Below I have attached a playlist of the songs that Daisy, one of my dearest friends and team member played while we journaled, sat in community, cleaned, and/or prayed to. (Feel welcomed to play these songs as you read the rest of the blogpost! :D)
If you do not know already, this was my first ever mission trip, so with everything that I do, keeping an open mind and trying to experience things for how they are is vital for me to be completely present. This trip was also the first time I would be traveling without my parents to another country-- the farthest I've ever been away from them. Even though I am half Mexican, I am not fluent in Spanish; (although, I feel like I could get by because I know more or less a couple of phrases and words) I still would not be able to survive if it weren't for my team. Throughout the trip they were so willing to trans;ate and let me know what was going on whether we were at family dinners, events, or things that we saw while we walked the streets in Mexico!
As the trip progressed, the thought of wishing I could speak Spanish frequently came to mind. There were times I felt defeated thinking that if I spoke Spanish fluently, I could do so much more, but God proved me wrong!
He has shown me that I can do His work just as I am!
Being fluent in Spanish not did not matter to Him, all he wanted was ME and knowing that Christ wanted me to be a part of His work proves how much He wants a relationship with me-- with ALL of us. He accepts us for ALL that we are. My greatest hope throughout the trip-- throughout my life-- is that God uses me in anyway He sees fit and that I glorify Him in all that I do!
During the second week, I was also given the opportunity to write a blog post for the team, which you can read here. https://simpsonworldserve.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/team-mexico-city-week-2-update/ This opportunity was very exciting and I love writing that I spent a good amount of time on it proof-reading and making sure that I could convey in words what I felt!
During our last week, I started to become aware that some tasks we did during our day would be the last. We also took our last week to write notes to the children at the orphanage and to the old folks at the shelter. While we sat around the table writing and praying over each name that was written on each card, I cried like a baby. My heart turned and cracked for how much I was going to miss all the people I have gotten close to at each ministry site! I cried so much that my eyes were puffy the next morning. It was so hard saying goodbye, knowing that I was going to walk out those doors for the last time never failed to bring tears to my eyes. To think! The amount of love and care I have for these amazing and interesting people, God loves and cares for so much more! A kind of love I can never fathom. As I wrote this blogpost, I wish so much more to tell you about ALL of this in person! God has radically shown me who He is in so ways I never imagined.
As our team debriefed and thought about what we were leaving in Mexico, I'd like to quote one of our team leaders, Andres, about what he felt God was telling him:
"Just because you guys are leaving doesn't mean I'm going to!"
This quote has settled over my heart, knowing that God is going to continue to do His work over Mexico long after we leave! We have all grown deeper in Christ and with each other.
Now that I am home, my greatest prayer is that this experience and getting to witness the way in which God moves does not lose it's fire in my soul! I continue to thank God for this experience and I never stop thinking about those who have supported me in this! Thank you all so so much! Here are a couple of pictures from the trip or you could click the link to my Facebook to look at even more pictures!
Thank you so much for reading and I pray that God blesses you and shows you glimpses of who He is throughout your life!
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