Michael Reinker
I had the pleasure of leading the final devotional at the ranch. We focused on two main points: You cannot serve both God and Money and you cannot add a day to your life by worrying. We were reminded of these themes in our time in Mexico and San Diego this evening.
Today we also got a chance to debrief our trip. We all agreed that the trip had been a great success. Our car arrived and we were on our way. The border crossing went smoothly and we are now back in the US.
Thank you once again for your support leading up to and during the trip. We helped construct buildings, paint a staircase, but most importantly developed relationships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Hannah's Laugh is Contagious
From Hannah Logue-
Today started off early. We woke up, had a really good devotional, which was a continuation of the sermon on the mount, and were on our way to Villarruita by 7:30. The drive was a mixture of sad and funny; we had to send Katherine Raymond on her way to the airport, and it was sad to see her go. Ironically, our day brightened up thanks to a bad traffic jam. I was in Tony’s car, and a Mexican driver tried to pass us on the shoulder. Well, Kathryn Compton (World Vision leader), who was right in front of us, was having none of that. (I would like to add that as I’m sitting here writing this, Tony is rapping to Brian’s guitar playing at the top of his lungs. Yea.) Anyway, she whipped the car halfway onto the shoulder to prevent what she later told us was, ‘Very bad behavior.’ The Mexican driver was reallyyyyyy irritated. Kathryn continued to block him from passing for several minutes. In fact, he never succeeded in getting past our blockade. The best part was seeing Kathryn roll down her window and give us a fist pump and a thumbs up. This incident doesn’t even begin to sum up Kathryn’s personality.
After we got to Villarruita, we spent the morning and early afternoon doing some serious manual labor. Tony, Brian, Marissa, Sarah, and Kaitlyn dug an irrigation ditch around the entire community center, while Mike and I measured and cut wood to build supports for the walls of the center. (Yes, Mama and Daddy, I did use an electric saw today!!! Tony was concerned that y’all may not approve; I assured him that I’ve been using electric saws since I was little. Even though that’s not entirely true….) It was a very productive work day, and a great time for our team to continue bonding.
It was so sad to say goodbye to everyone in the community when it was finally time for us to go. The women of the community told us how blessed they felt to have us there, and how much they loved us, and we thanked them for having us and also told them how much we loved them; it was an incredibly cool time of fellowship for all of us.
God has done amazing things this week. All of us are coming away from this trip having learned something about the greatness of the Lord. From our debriefing tonight, I would say that overall, we can agree that we have really seen the ‘realness’ of God this week. We are all also so amazed by how the people in these communities literally radiate the love of Christ. If everyone in the world, or even if every Christian, demonstrated the kind of love that these people, who have so much less than us, demonstrate, then the world would truly be a different place. I think also that all our hearts have changed in the way we view the poor; we realize the need to love them as Christ does. I can also say that, personally, I appreciate so much more the blessings that God has given to me; in addition, so much has been put into perspective. Things in my life that once seemed so important now seem so insignificant when I see how joyfully these people live, even though they have so much less than I do. There is truly something to be said for ‘blessed are the poor in spirit.
This has been an amazing trip. God has really moved and worked and it’s been incredible to see. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. We love you all!
Over and out,
Hannah
Ps. Love you to the fam!
Today started off early. We woke up, had a really good devotional, which was a continuation of the sermon on the mount, and were on our way to Villarruita by 7:30. The drive was a mixture of sad and funny; we had to send Katherine Raymond on her way to the airport, and it was sad to see her go. Ironically, our day brightened up thanks to a bad traffic jam. I was in Tony’s car, and a Mexican driver tried to pass us on the shoulder. Well, Kathryn Compton (World Vision leader), who was right in front of us, was having none of that. (I would like to add that as I’m sitting here writing this, Tony is rapping to Brian’s guitar playing at the top of his lungs. Yea.) Anyway, she whipped the car halfway onto the shoulder to prevent what she later told us was, ‘Very bad behavior.’ The Mexican driver was reallyyyyyy irritated. Kathryn continued to block him from passing for several minutes. In fact, he never succeeded in getting past our blockade. The best part was seeing Kathryn roll down her window and give us a fist pump and a thumbs up. This incident doesn’t even begin to sum up Kathryn’s personality.
After we got to Villarruita, we spent the morning and early afternoon doing some serious manual labor. Tony, Brian, Marissa, Sarah, and Kaitlyn dug an irrigation ditch around the entire community center, while Mike and I measured and cut wood to build supports for the walls of the center. (Yes, Mama and Daddy, I did use an electric saw today!!! Tony was concerned that y’all may not approve; I assured him that I’ve been using electric saws since I was little. Even though that’s not entirely true….) It was a very productive work day, and a great time for our team to continue bonding.
It was so sad to say goodbye to everyone in the community when it was finally time for us to go. The women of the community told us how blessed they felt to have us there, and how much they loved us, and we thanked them for having us and also told them how much we loved them; it was an incredibly cool time of fellowship for all of us.
God has done amazing things this week. All of us are coming away from this trip having learned something about the greatness of the Lord. From our debriefing tonight, I would say that overall, we can agree that we have really seen the ‘realness’ of God this week. We are all also so amazed by how the people in these communities literally radiate the love of Christ. If everyone in the world, or even if every Christian, demonstrated the kind of love that these people, who have so much less than us, demonstrate, then the world would truly be a different place. I think also that all our hearts have changed in the way we view the poor; we realize the need to love them as Christ does. I can also say that, personally, I appreciate so much more the blessings that God has given to me; in addition, so much has been put into perspective. Things in my life that once seemed so important now seem so insignificant when I see how joyfully these people live, even though they have so much less than I do. There is truly something to be said for ‘blessed are the poor in spirit.
This has been an amazing trip. God has really moved and worked and it’s been incredible to see. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. We love you all!
Over and out,
Hannah
Ps. Love you to the fam!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
8 points
Our team is in the groove. Today we all felt more familiar with the flow of the day, and it was great to see our strengths at play. Here are some snippets from me, (don't forget to read Marissa's post as well):
1. We are really tired after today’s great work. Please pray for God’s strength for us tomorrow.
2. Today’s community is certainly not at the same development level as Pedregal. This was really helpful to see. It was obvious based on the status of their community center, social services (or lack of) in their neighborhood, and even just the quality of bathrooms & sanitation available.
3. See www.worldvision.org/fronteranorte for the new website about World Vision’s North Borders Communities.
4. Families are important. We see it in the communities each day. I also see it in the Mexico 7. Each student is at a unique place in the adulthood process/transition. Thanks parents for your love and care for these students. You should be proud of these young adults.
5. Our Mexican friends really value introductions, personal stories, and even words from a pastor. I think this is pretty cool.
6. The drive from Tecate to Tijuana each day is on my top 10 most beautiful drives list. San Luis Obispo to Monterrey on the PCH is #1.
7. After working with hundreds of students for 4+ years, I realized on this trip that not one student (as in zero, 0%) is poor. It is great to work with the poor.
8. Thank you for funding my ministry to college students. I am confident the future Christian leaders of our world will serve the marginalized. I could not lead this trip without your partnership. Thanks!
1. We are really tired after today’s great work. Please pray for God’s strength for us tomorrow.
2. Today’s community is certainly not at the same development level as Pedregal. This was really helpful to see. It was obvious based on the status of their community center, social services (or lack of) in their neighborhood, and even just the quality of bathrooms & sanitation available.
3. See www.worldvision.org/fronteranorte for the new website about World Vision’s North Borders Communities.
4. Families are important. We see it in the communities each day. I also see it in the Mexico 7. Each student is at a unique place in the adulthood process/transition. Thanks parents for your love and care for these students. You should be proud of these young adults.
5. Our Mexican friends really value introductions, personal stories, and even words from a pastor. I think this is pretty cool.
6. The drive from Tecate to Tijuana each day is on my top 10 most beautiful drives list. San Luis Obispo to Monterrey on the PCH is #1.
7. After working with hundreds of students for 4+ years, I realized on this trip that not one student (as in zero, 0%) is poor. It is great to work with the poor.
8. Thank you for funding my ministry to college students. I am confident the future Christian leaders of our world will serve the marginalized. I could not lead this trip without your partnership. Thanks!
Another great day
From Marissa-
Today we visited the community of Villaurrutia. This community was very different from the community of Pedregal but once again, the people welcomed us with loving arms and treated us like family. Our group, along with the community, worked on different tasks throughout the day. The community is in the process of building a community center and so Tony, Mike, Brian and Hannah worked on putting beams up under the edge of the roof to support it. Then, with the help of Catherine, Mike designed and they all built a ladder we were all proud of. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn, Sarah and I picked up trash and then were archeologists for the day, digging and pulling a huge piece of metal and a gigantic rug out of the side of the mountain. We also planted some palm trees with the help of some eager young children who loved being around us and interacting with us.
Once again today, the women of the community made us an amazing lunch which included tamales. The whole community was excited to have us there and I could truly see the love of Christ in their lives and in their community. God was very present in our day and I could see him in the faces of the people in the community as we worked alongside them and in the beauty of the land he created. The community was up in the mountain and the view of mountains surrounding us was breathtaking.
Before we left Villaurrutia for the day, some of the women in the community gave us manicures and pedicures. This was very special because these women have been learning how to give manicures and pedicures in order to have a trade to use to help support their community. Tomorrow is our last day and we are all very excited to go back to Villaurrutia to finish the work we started today. Thanks again to all who have supported us and are praying for us!
Hasta mañana!
Marissa
Today we visited the community of Villaurrutia. This community was very different from the community of Pedregal but once again, the people welcomed us with loving arms and treated us like family. Our group, along with the community, worked on different tasks throughout the day. The community is in the process of building a community center and so Tony, Mike, Brian and Hannah worked on putting beams up under the edge of the roof to support it. Then, with the help of Catherine, Mike designed and they all built a ladder we were all proud of. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn, Sarah and I picked up trash and then were archeologists for the day, digging and pulling a huge piece of metal and a gigantic rug out of the side of the mountain. We also planted some palm trees with the help of some eager young children who loved being around us and interacting with us.
Once again today, the women of the community made us an amazing lunch which included tamales. The whole community was excited to have us there and I could truly see the love of Christ in their lives and in their community. God was very present in our day and I could see him in the faces of the people in the community as we worked alongside them and in the beauty of the land he created. The community was up in the mountain and the view of mountains surrounding us was breathtaking.
Before we left Villaurrutia for the day, some of the women in the community gave us manicures and pedicures. This was very special because these women have been learning how to give manicures and pedicures in order to have a trade to use to help support their community. Tomorrow is our last day and we are all very excited to go back to Villaurrutia to finish the work we started today. Thanks again to all who have supported us and are praying for us!
Hasta mañana!
Marissa
Monday, February 23, 2009
Love from Pedregal
From Brian-
Today, we returned to Pedregal to do more work in the community. We cleaned up the community center and watched a dusty, disorganized space transform into a place of gathering our Mexican brethren could be proud of. We visited the pastor of a small church whose prayer was for the safe upbringing of the community’s children in God’s love. We had an excellent lunch, yet again, with the community and played a game of intense futbol with the kids.
As much as I can go on about everything we did (and have been doing), I feel like I should share a little bit about just how much these people appreciate us being here. Before we left, our hosts thanked us for everything that we did for them. They brought out little boxes and bags for us – things that we were helping the children make earlier – festooned with glitter and the first letter of each of our names. They even made sure to use the first initial of my English name, which impressed me because here I go by Alejandro. These gifts may not appear like much to you, our friends back home, but to these people, who live on so little, it was a significant effort.
Perhaps the most touching moment of my day, however, was this: before lunch, as I was walking out of the house from washing my hands, I was stopped by a little boy I had not met or talked to. This boy reached out to me, a complete stranger, and gave me a hug – and then motioned for me to pick him up. I did so, and in that moment I realized just how much the people of Pedregal love and trust us.
alejandro
Today, we returned to Pedregal to do more work in the community. We cleaned up the community center and watched a dusty, disorganized space transform into a place of gathering our Mexican brethren could be proud of. We visited the pastor of a small church whose prayer was for the safe upbringing of the community’s children in God’s love. We had an excellent lunch, yet again, with the community and played a game of intense futbol with the kids.
As much as I can go on about everything we did (and have been doing), I feel like I should share a little bit about just how much these people appreciate us being here. Before we left, our hosts thanked us for everything that we did for them. They brought out little boxes and bags for us – things that we were helping the children make earlier – festooned with glitter and the first letter of each of our names. They even made sure to use the first initial of my English name, which impressed me because here I go by Alejandro. These gifts may not appear like much to you, our friends back home, but to these people, who live on so little, it was a significant effort.
Perhaps the most touching moment of my day, however, was this: before lunch, as I was walking out of the house from washing my hands, I was stopped by a little boy I had not met or talked to. This boy reached out to me, a complete stranger, and gave me a hug – and then motioned for me to pick him up. I did so, and in that moment I realized just how much the people of Pedregal love and trust us.
alejandro
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Entonces
From Sarah-
I was a little nervous about writing the blog for the day since our day was incredibly overwhelming. I feel like there is so much pressure to try to relay our day to you but I will try to do my best.
Entonces (spanish word/filler for "so" that Tony overuses)…After a lot of rest, but a very cold night, we rose and had a wonderful breakfast at the ranch and devotion with Katherine and Catherine. Then we went to the church that Noe (local World Vision director) and his family attended. The people were wonderful and very welcoming to us. They even had a translator for us (which Kaitlyn has a slight infatuation for ;) )! The pastor used a really amazing illustration that really spoke to my heart. He was describing God’s grace and told how a little girl went out and found a really nice rock that she wanted to play with so she washed it off in the river, played with it, then buried it again so no one would take it. And she would go through this over and over. He said that this is how we often deal with our sins by burying it then washing it off over and over. Then he said that the truth of God’s grace is that it’s like placing the rock under a waterfall where God's grace is continuously washing us and that this is how it is in reality with our lives.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch with Noe’s family as well as Maricio (World Vision Staff) and his wife Vanessa. Then we spent a little bit of time at the beach. We stuck our feet in the cold water and sang some songs on the beach.
This afternoon we visited Pastor Tony’s church as well as the houses that they use to minister to the people in their community. This weighed very heavily on all of our hearts and we had some very good conversations on the way back to the ranch. Hearing many of their stories was very encouraging for us but also very draining and we have a lot to process personally and as a team.
We came back to the ranch to an amazing dinner of fish tacos and chocolate chip cookies. J We continued to debrief all together over dinner as well as heard from Katherine the mission and goals of World Vision which was really helpful for us to know as we go into the communities in the next few days. More than getting work done this week, it is more important for us to get to know the people, and to help them establish leadership so that they can become self-sufficient.
We are now settling into our night, getting clean and playing a “family game” soon. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support! We love you all!
<3 Sarah
I was a little nervous about writing the blog for the day since our day was incredibly overwhelming. I feel like there is so much pressure to try to relay our day to you but I will try to do my best.
Entonces (spanish word/filler for "so" that Tony overuses)…After a lot of rest, but a very cold night, we rose and had a wonderful breakfast at the ranch and devotion with Katherine and Catherine. Then we went to the church that Noe (local World Vision director) and his family attended. The people were wonderful and very welcoming to us. They even had a translator for us (which Kaitlyn has a slight infatuation for ;) )! The pastor used a really amazing illustration that really spoke to my heart. He was describing God’s grace and told how a little girl went out and found a really nice rock that she wanted to play with so she washed it off in the river, played with it, then buried it again so no one would take it. And she would go through this over and over. He said that this is how we often deal with our sins by burying it then washing it off over and over. Then he said that the truth of God’s grace is that it’s like placing the rock under a waterfall where God's grace is continuously washing us and that this is how it is in reality with our lives.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch with Noe’s family as well as Maricio (World Vision Staff) and his wife Vanessa. Then we spent a little bit of time at the beach. We stuck our feet in the cold water and sang some songs on the beach.
This afternoon we visited Pastor Tony’s church as well as the houses that they use to minister to the people in their community. This weighed very heavily on all of our hearts and we had some very good conversations on the way back to the ranch. Hearing many of their stories was very encouraging for us but also very draining and we have a lot to process personally and as a team.
We came back to the ranch to an amazing dinner of fish tacos and chocolate chip cookies. J We continued to debrief all together over dinner as well as heard from Katherine the mission and goals of World Vision which was really helpful for us to know as we go into the communities in the next few days. More than getting work done this week, it is more important for us to get to know the people, and to help them establish leadership so that they can become self-sufficient.
We are now settling into our night, getting clean and playing a “family game” soon. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support! We love you all!
<3 Sarah
Battling internet dragons and such
Friends,
Sorry for the delay in last night's post. Our internet at the ranch is tempermental at best. To scope out our abode in Tecate, see http://www.rancholapaloma.org/. We will try our best to post each night. If the internet cooperates, we will post some pictures as well.
We send a special hello to all our friends gathering at Huron Hills this morning.
Peace-Tony
Sorry for the delay in last night's post. Our internet at the ranch is tempermental at best. To scope out our abode in Tecate, see http://www.rancholapaloma.org/. We will try our best to post each night. If the internet cooperates, we will post some pictures as well.
We send a special hello to all our friends gathering at Huron Hills this morning.
Peace-Tony
Pintar and Pollo Feliz...
Kaitlyn here-
Our day started off bright and early. We rose at 7 to a breakfast of bagels and cereal graciously provided for us by the Knudsons. We then walked across the street and caught a trolley (only after the automatic ticket machine refused to give us the first 7 tickets we paid for) that took us to the US/Mexico border. Once we walked across (and yes, you literally just walk across the border), we were greeted on the other side by our three friends, Katherine, Catherine, and Noe, who drove us to Pedregal, our work site for the day.
Once we made it to Pedregal, Brian and Tony picked up trash around the community while Marissa, Sarah, Hannah, Mike, and I painted tires that line a stairway leading down the side of a steep hill. Around noon we had lunch – a wonderful meal of homemade tortillas, spaghetti, and vegetable soup. Afterward we painted the railing leading down the length of the stairs. Interestingly enough, the community of Pedregal wished the railing to be alternating red, white, and blue. When we had finished painting, we drove a short distance to watch a soccer game between some elementary aged kids who were the best soccer players most of us had ever seen. Needless to say we were relieved they didn’t ask us to participate.
Then, we finally made it to the ranch, our home for the week. Dinner at Pollo Feliz, a little restaurant in Tecate, was a nice way to end the day. We had rice, homemade tortillas, beans, chips, salsa, and some of the best chicken I have ever tasted. We were all so hungry that between 10 of us we had eaten 3 chickens, 2 bowls of rice, 3 bowls of beans, and 4 stacks of tortillas.
After dinner, we made it back to the ranch safely and were able to establish our beds, take showers, and begin to settle in for the night. The boys are currently playing cards of some sort, and the girls, all exhausted, and planning on going to bed…yes, at 7:45. In our defense, it’s 10:45 according to our bodies.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support.
<>< Kaitlyn
Our day started off bright and early. We rose at 7 to a breakfast of bagels and cereal graciously provided for us by the Knudsons. We then walked across the street and caught a trolley (only after the automatic ticket machine refused to give us the first 7 tickets we paid for) that took us to the US/Mexico border. Once we walked across (and yes, you literally just walk across the border), we were greeted on the other side by our three friends, Katherine, Catherine, and Noe, who drove us to Pedregal, our work site for the day.
Once we made it to Pedregal, Brian and Tony picked up trash around the community while Marissa, Sarah, Hannah, Mike, and I painted tires that line a stairway leading down the side of a steep hill. Around noon we had lunch – a wonderful meal of homemade tortillas, spaghetti, and vegetable soup. Afterward we painted the railing leading down the length of the stairs. Interestingly enough, the community of Pedregal wished the railing to be alternating red, white, and blue. When we had finished painting, we drove a short distance to watch a soccer game between some elementary aged kids who were the best soccer players most of us had ever seen. Needless to say we were relieved they didn’t ask us to participate.
Then, we finally made it to the ranch, our home for the week. Dinner at Pollo Feliz, a little restaurant in Tecate, was a nice way to end the day. We had rice, homemade tortillas, beans, chips, salsa, and some of the best chicken I have ever tasted. We were all so hungry that between 10 of us we had eaten 3 chickens, 2 bowls of rice, 3 bowls of beans, and 4 stacks of tortillas.
After dinner, we made it back to the ranch safely and were able to establish our beds, take showers, and begin to settle in for the night. The boys are currently playing cards of some sort, and the girls, all exhausted, and planning on going to bed…yes, at 7:45. In our defense, it’s 10:45 according to our bodies.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support.
<>< Kaitlyn
Saturday, February 21, 2009
It's late, we're safe, workday manana!
Hello friends! Day 1 has had our fair share of adventures. Our transport to the airport was delayed due to automobile malfunction. Special thanks to Ken White, Ruth Ann Logue, and Mariah Mlynarek for sending us off in a timely manner (Hi precious!). The team is in great spirits. Certainly stopping at In-n-Out at 1:30 am EST can only help morale. I am already tremendously proud of the resourcefulness of the Mexico 7 (the self-proclaimed name for our team.) Given the cost of travel, we booked the cheapest flight possible to the border, and tonight are crashing in two apartments in La Mesa. Marc, Holly, and baby Ally Knudson, along with Eric, Jaimie, and baby Makena Knudson were kind enough to pick us up and open their homes to us. Holly is the sister of one my mates, Mitch Sheahan. We first met over 8 years ago in the great state of Michigan, and she and Marc are great friends and ministry partners. With our late arrival in San Diego, it is a blessing to have such generous hosts. Thanks Knudsons!
My inclination in this late hour is the word “blessed” will be used quite a bit this week. I’ll spare you the late nite sermon, but each morning one of the Mexico 7 will lead the team in a discussion on the Sermon on the Mount. I prepared a devotion series from Jesus’ great sermon, and stellar commentary from Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy. Please read and read again Matthew 5-7 and I Corinthians 13 with us this week.
Yesterday we all signed our team covenant. One of our clauses states, “We will work hard, and play hard.” Tomorrow morning we rise early to cross the border dressed in our work clothes. We will work in 4 different communities in Tijuana throughout the week. If you have seen the hit movie Slumdog Millionare, or visited impoverished areas outside the U.S., these types of communities are where we will joyfully serve. Our work will range from painting to personally giving crayons and stickers to children in need.
Despite all the differences in culture, language, and opportunities, our team shares the “blessed are the poor in spirit…” with those living in the North Borders communities. God is so good to lovingly invite each of us into a personal relationship with Himself. I so hope you check back to hear from each of our students, to pray with us for God’s work In Tijuana, and to simply remind yourself of all the blessings God freely offers our broken world. Thanks so much to all of you that have financially and prayerfully contributed to this work. Way to apply Jesus’ words by storing up treasure in an eternally secure Kingdom! Peace-Tony
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
1st post!
Greetings, friends!
Welcome to the Missions Blog for theU College Ministry at Huron Hills. We will be updating this blog with reflections and thoughts during our mission trips, whenever possible, so come back often.
We are almost ready to leave for San Diego/Tijuana on Friday. Thank you for all the support that you have given us so far on this pioneer College Ministry mission trip!
in Christ,
brian s., aka "Alejandro"
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