Missions Home
FRIDAY,
MARCH 19
Questions abound in my mind… do I matter? Do I make a difference?
Does my life impact others in meaningful and substantial
ways? Do I make others feel loved, special and valuable?
Mission trips are a time when I feel like I get a glimpse
at the answer… which is, yes. It is just in ways that I don’t
expect. When I think of making a difference, I think of doing
some grand and difficult task. This week reminded me that
I can make a difference by simply talking to kids in Spanish,
coloring pages with them, talking to our teenagers, cooking
food, being willing to do whatever is asked of me, and building
relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you God for reminding me that I shouldn’t minimize
the value of my gifts and that my gifts alongside the gifts
of everyone else’s work together to help make a difference
in all of our lives.
Sarah Villasenor's Mom
THURSDAY,
MARCH 18
I
am not an artist. At least not in the traditional sense
of the word – painting, drawing, crafts, etc. I have no sense
of proportion, which makes drawing difficult, and have
never been gifted with the aesthetic sensibilities necessary
to create visually appealing works of art. God has certainly
blessed me with many other talents for the ministry, but art
is not one of them.
Which
is why I find it interesting that the visual aspect of
creative arts has featured so prominently in my most recent
ministry
opportunities. This trip to Eagle Pass seems determined to
coax any and all of the little artistic talent I have out
of me.
This
year, I am once again part of the community center team.
Last year, my mom and I, along with quite a few others,
undertook a project to paint over graffiti at the center,
and replace it with a mural on one wall – the words “The
Children of Pueblo Nuevo,” surrounded with handprints from
all the children. I was very excited to see if it had survived
the year. Unfortunately, as we drove up to the center,
the wall was once again a uniform cream color, and marked
with new graffiti.
As
disappointing as that was, it presented a new opportunity.
We’re hoping to again paint over the graffiti and replace
it with a mural. This time, we’re going to be a bit more
ambitious, although our plans are far from final yet. Hopefully
pictures of the finished project – whatever it turns out
to be – will be available by the end of the week. For someone
who’s not an artist, the idea of painting something that
will be on the side of a building for all to see is more
than a bit daunting, but also exciting.
On
a less grand scale, but no less artistic, has been my experiences
with two amazing little girls who are part of the South
Main group. Three times now I’ve had the great privilege
to sit next to Lauren Rader and Macy Smith on drives to
and from the community center and dinner. Equipped with
giant pads of paper and crayons, they proceeded to teach
me how to draw a flower, a rainbow, a crown, and several
other items. In return, I taught them my favorite puppy
dog drawing and a car. Not masterpieces by any means, but
seeing Macy fill an entire sheet of paper with variations
on the dog I taught her reminded me of how even something
so small can mean so much to a child, just like what we’re
doing at the community center.
God
seems to be fond of drawing on the very traits we consider weaknesses
to carry out his work. He sent Moses to speak before
Pharaoh, despite his self-professed fear of public speaking.
It’s scary, it’s unnerving, and sometimes makes us wonder
why God couldn’t just let us do what we’re good at. It’s
also humbling, to realize that it’s not what we want, what
we think we’re best at, but what God wants that matters.
While I may be more comfortable leading sing-a-longs or playing
a game with the kids, God seems determined to push me outside
my comfort zone when it comes to serving Him. And that’s
what this mission trip, and many others, really seems to
be about. Stepping outside our comfort zones, what we’re
used to, what we’re good at, and seeing what can happen when
we let God use our weaknesses for his strength.
Rachel
Rentz
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
I woke up this morning bubbly with anticipation (honestly,
I was groggy from lack of sleep too). The All Church Mission
Trip began today, and I was eager to return to Eagle Pass,
spend time with my family serving as Christ’s hands, and
spend time with my church family deepening relationships
with those I already knew well and building relationships
with those whom I might only know by name or face.
Back to this morning…Google Maps says it takes five hours
and 20 minutes to get to Eagle Pass from Houston, but caravanning
with three vans and three cars filled with forty-three people
stretches the trip into a seven hour and 37 minute adventure,
but it is SO worth it! After checking-in, stretching, and
enjoying pizza, all fifty-six South Mainers ranging in age
from five to something slightly more than five gathered together
in worship. As we heard God’s Word and sang joyful hymns
of praise, the feeling of love was palpable. Specific memories
from last June came rushing back as I looked around the room:
Our youth are simply amazing and serve as ideal role models
for the children this week. Rebecca Moore pulls Macy Smith,
our youngest missionary, onto her lap effortlessly and envelops
her in a literal hug of love throughout the service. They
all sit together and sing together with smiles and joy that
you know comes from experiencing the love of our Lord and
Savior.
I see folks that came up to me earlier in the day and asked,
“Now who is that person over there? I recognize their face
from church but don’t really know them.” I smile knowing
that by the end of the week every one of us will have a strong
and long lasting relational bond that has come from sharing
a unique and Spirit led, common experience.
I see my three daughters, and although they are scattered
around the room with other youth, adults who love on my girls
as if they were their own, and some of their best friends
in the world, I am confident that being here in this place
at this time is the best gift Steve and I can give them to
invest in our family and invest in their futures!
Dolores Rader
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Mission
Trip Log - Eagle Pass 2010