Day Two

It's hard to believe that today was only our second day here!  I feel like we've already experienced so much in such a short time.  This morning we took part in the church's VBS program, which started on Monday.  It was a little tough jumping in mid-week, especially with the language-barrier, but I give credit to our students for jumping right in.  There are over 100 kids involved in the VBS program, ranging all the way from infants to teenagers.  There are even 10-15 adults that stay around and have a class together, complete with memory verses and song motions.  It was an awesome experience for all of us just spending time with the kids and taking part in the games and songs.  

After the VBS program came to an end, we stayed around at the church for awhile longer practicing the VBS songs (which have a lot of motions!)  We did each song at least 4-5 times, so by the end of that hour, we had all had a full aerobic workout.  We need to bring some of these VBS songs back with us though...they really know how to rock it out!  We also worked on a  couple dramas and puppet songs to use in the ministry here.  I'm so proud of the way our students have jumped right in and risen to the opportunities they have had so far.  I'll be the first to say that it is challenging to try and engage people when you don't speak their language.  Yet, so many times today I watched our students singing, hugging, and loving on kids, even though they couldn't carry on a full conversation with them.  

Tonight we had dinner at the missionary's house and helped them celebrate his daughter Emma's 6th birthday.  It was a great time, and we couldn't be happier to be working with the Amiots...they have been fabulous thus far.  It's off to bed again...amazing how tired these days can leave you.  But it's a good tired...a fulfilling kind of tired.  I'm excited for another day of VBS tomorrow.  We're praying that God will continue to impact the lives of these students and adults!

Day One

Well...we made it. The days have seemed to mesh together in terms of leaving Monday night, traveling a good part of early Tuesday, and then hitting the ground running here in Mexico City. The great news is that we were blessed with very smooth travel. Everyone arrived safe and sound, as did all of our luggage.

It was a little shocking to try and take in just how big Mexico City really is.  I got a good glimpse as our plane came in for its landing, and it seemed to stretch on forever.  The traffic was every bit as crazy as they say, but we made it safely to our hotel.  We are staying about 1/2 hour northwest of the city center.

  

We jumped right into things tonight, as the church was having it's regular Tuesday evening service.  We sang a song and Adam and Alison shared their testimonies (they both did a great job).  I was speaker for the service, which was a little daunting with the language barrier.  I think it went pretty well, and it was AWESOME having Nathan to translate.  Our group really seemed to connect with the students in this church, and it was so cool to stand back and watch them interact, in spite of not being able to communicate easily.  It's going to be an awesome experience to work alongside this church in the ministries they have going on.  And the missonary and his family are awesome...they have done a great job coordinating our schedule for our time here.  After the service, we all went out together for a mexican dinner.  Yummy.  They don't do it quite like that in Duluth.  No one put up a fight going to bed tonight, and we've got VBS first thing tomorrow morning, so I'm going to sign off as well.  I'm so thankful to God for the way He watched over us today and for the way He is orchestrating this trip.  More to come...