Safely Home

While many of you already have your youth or loved ones home... I thought it would be worthwhile to post on here that we DID in fact make it safely home around 12:45PM yesterday.

There are many stories to tell, some of which are only hinted at on these pages. I hope that as you converse, learn, and dig deeper with the team members that you can tease some of those stories out. God has done some amazing things in our lives, and in the lives of those we met, and we trust that He will continue to work on us and in Mexico in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Thank you for your prayers!

ETA

We've made some great time through the night, and at 7AM this morning we are stopping for dinner. We expect to arrive home at Bakerview for 1/1:30PM this afternoon.

Can't wait to see you all there!

The First Leg Home

We arrived in Benecia, CA tonight at around 10:15 PM. It was a long day, having left the orphanage around 6:15 this morning, but everyone is in good spirits.

It's always a hard thing to leave behind the memories that we made. There are so many important relationships, experiences and people in Mexico that we may not see again. Yet that doesn't diminish the importance in our hearts. These are real people, living a real life, and we are fortunate enough to help them in this moment. God is doing some pretty incredible things in our hearts, and we pray that He uses the small gestures we were able to leave behind to work in the lives of these people as well.

Tomorrow we have a little decompression, which is always a bitter sweet thing, as we process all of what we've learned. We'll be back on the road at 6:30 PM tomorrow night for a straight drive home. Your prayers for the drivers is MUCH appreciated.

We literally have thousands of photo's. Most of which will go up in the coming week after we arrive home. Check Facebook for them, or grab a team member to watch them.

On the way

After all the drama on the way down, it was surprisingly refreshing to pull up to Tijuana and practically walk right through. We left the Orphanage at 6:30 this morning, and arrived at the border around 10 and after meandering our way through the Tijuana streets to pull up to the crossing. Everyone except Darrell disembarked and walked through with the luggage.

Because I was first, they asked me a few more questions... 3 of them and waved us through without any problems. We usually schedule around an hour for the crossing, but we were through and driving again in 15 minutes.

Currently we are crawling through LA traffic on our way north, but everyone is in good spirits and happy to have begun the journey home.

Purpose

Today was a seminal moment. We worked this morning, finishing up various projects from around the Mission. Pulling cable, finishing a building, pouring concrete counter tops. It's fulfilling to see the work you've been doing come together into a finished project.

What really stands out yo everyone, however was getting off property today. We had the privilege of visiting the migrant camp this morning. Handing out soccer balls, quilts, clothes for all ages and shoes was a real impact. We're about to head into a debrief meeting, but for each of our youth I know it was a deeply moving experience to see how these people live day in and day out and have a real measurable impact on their lives.

Even though you ate thousands of miles away, this is because of each and every one of you. You have been praying, you have sent your children, you have supported with money and supplies. This part of the Kingdom is because of you. Thank you for being faithful.

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning (6AM) for the border, and straight north to San Francisco. Pray for the drivers, the border, and opportunities along the way. God is so good!

Purpose

Today was a seminal moment. We worked this morning, finishing up various projects from around the Mission. Pulling cable, finishing a building, pouring concrete counter tops. It's fulfilling to see the work you've been doing come together into a finished project.

What really stands out yo everyone, however was getting off property today. We had the privilege of visiting the migrant camp this morning. Handing out soccer balls, quilts, clothes for all ages and shoes was a real impact. We're about to head into a debrief meeting, but for each of our youth I know it was a deeply moving experience to see how these people live day in and day out and have a real measurable impact on their lives.

Even though you ate thousands of miles away, this is because of each and every one of you. You have been praying, you have sent your children, you have supported with money and supplies. This part of the Kingdom is because of you. Thank you for being faithful.

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning (6AM) for the border, and straight north to San Francisco. Pray for the drivers, the border, and opportunities along the way. God is so good!

Nearly done!

Towards the end of last night, a large portion of the group went down into town and took in the local hot springs. Water at the Orphanage has been scarce, so showers have been off limits! It has been a stinky few days. People were coming back last night saying they felt like a new person!

We also wrapped up last night with a fashion show with the kids from the orphanage showing off their new clothes and spending some time with us. It had a real party!

Hard to believe that today was the final full day of work here at the Orphanage. A crew went down into the local school to lay blocks for a small shed on site. Another crew finished pulling network cable so they can have internet throughout the Orphanage buildings. Another filled in the 900 feet of trenches we've dug, while others cleaned the bricks in the courtyard. Each and every one of the youth (and leaders!) have worked super hard in the past few days, and it shows!

Tomorrow we change pace a bit, the morning will be business as usual, but around 11am we will lead up into vans and head into a migrant camp to serve soup, give out clothes and play with them youth and kids. It is something I've really been looking forward to.

The last part of the day will be spent in La Beufedora shopping and experiencing an authentic taco stand. Our final day in Mexico!

The internet in Mexico has been tight, so this is likely the final post until Friday when we are back into the US. We'll be pulling out of the Orphanage around 7am and driving for the border. Two long days of travel will see us home!

Thank you for your continued prayers as we work and listen for what God is doing! It shows in the heart of the youth and the opportunities God has given us.