Well, we all arrived at the same place and so did all of our baggage. And that's 61 people changing planes and with one minor flight delay. So it's really quite a blessing. It's interesting... when you're dedicating time to do something for God, your senses and heart seem more open to the little things that just might be Him giving you the thumbs up...like your bag showing up.
So Day 1 was pretty much about getting here. It was also a real blessing to wisk across the border. We've had trips where we all got off the bus at the border, lugged our baggage out, stood in line, and had some of of our bags searched. It's quite an ordeal and delay. This time, however, the Mexican border police just stepped on the bus, looked around, and waved us on. I wonder what he saw? A bunch of Americans all wearing the same shirt. Surely not a family reunion (but in a way it is)? He's probably seen enough of this sort of thing to know it's a church group on a mission trip. I hope it made him feel good. About God, His people, teenagers and our country.
So we drove on through Tijuana then to the Pacific Coast and down the Baja peninsula to Ensenada and the City of Children where Ricardo greeted us and we began unloading and setting up supplies and dorms and kitchen for the week ahead.
After a brief orientation that included important information like -- "No candy, gum and grass" and "Do your business paperwork respectful of those who will come after." (Please ask someone you know on the trip what those two phrases refer to. It's sure to be an instant ice breaker.)
In the evening, we spent some time with the older Mexican teens. Tomorrow we'll spend time with little ones. We ended the evening with praise. And this, I must confess, is my favorite moment each day. In the cool of the evening after a good day of doing something good and feeling good and tired, we sit on the porch of the American dining hall with the lights out and the moon above us and sing together. We are in a distant place but so close to God and each other. This is the moment for me. And I'm lucky because it's an every day happening here. What makes the moment so special are the many moments leading up to it. It is a nice apostrophe to my day.
Then Skid asked us to share how we saw God's spirit greet us today.
Some of the answers -- "How smooth the trip was," "I was worried about being here for the first time and being with kids who don't speak our language but it was pretty normal just hanging around," "People asking about our shirts" (nearly everyone was asked as we traveled where we were going and what we were doing -- what a great opening to give Him the glory -- time for t-shirt testimony).
Skid encouraged us that God will speak to us this week. And it's easier to hear Him here without our day-to-day life's distractions. We just have to pay attention to what He is telling us.
The Festival of Sharing Hat (a cheesy orange hat bought at a yard sale and emblazoned with the words "Festival of Sharing" on it) was awarded to Brennan Alexander for being quick to volunteer and jump in and get things done. This is an award that will be passed around during the week.
And then to bed to the distant sounds of trucks on the highway a radio playing in the plant next door and Randy's snoring three buildings away.
Can't wait to see what God is doing tomorrow.
Until then. 10:10
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