Millar College of the Bible Mission Trip

It's hard to believe today was already Day 9 in Mexico! We once again woke to cooler temperatures, which was a nice break from the heat we had this week! Some of us even put on wind breakers during our time of worship.

After a few days of new locations and new ministry opportunities, it was time for a day here at the base. We had an enjoyable morning and afternoon helping Gary and Joanne with tasks around the house and yard. Cleaning, organizing, building, painting, cooking, and other tasks filled our hours. It was encouraging to see how our team pulled together to get the work done, and I loved seeing the fun and laughter that came with that. It's true that ordinary jobs can be enjoyable when – you have a servant attitude, and when you have fun with the people you do them with.

Today was National Kids' Day here in Mexico. In the evening we had the opportunity to participate in some of the festivities. We walked into the Presbyterian Church in Progreso and were hit with the sights and sounds of many happy kids playing on bouncy castles, a climbing wall, and a mechanical bull. As time went on, more kids arrived. Between the kids, our team, volunteers from the church, and parents, it was a pretty packed gym!! And it was a lot of fun. Gary made a guest appearance as a magician, as well as a clown show to close the night. Although creating balloon animals was the only specific task we were assigned, it was awesome to watch as the team made an effort to interact with the people who were there, especially the kids. It's so eye opening when we have these times of exposure to Mexican culture. Though the language barrier still makes it difficult, we are reminded that we can show love through simple actions, like smiles or hugs. Love truly is a universal language. One way I saw this tonight was through kids playing together, despite the barrier of speaking different languages.

April shared a devo this morning from Psalms 86, with a prayerful focus on God teaching us many things while we are here in Mexico. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O LORD, my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave."

This is our prayer today – that we would be willing to be taught, and that we won't forget the things God has been revealing to us here, after we leave this place. It has been a beautiful thing to be a part of this team – a part of this body of Christ seeking to serve alongside the partners, pastors, and missionaries here in Mexico. In God's strength we will continue to give ourselves fully to His work, trusting that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.