Mission Mexico 2004  
 

Dear Journeyers,

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

I think the Lord calls us first to be a light in our own community, but also to go out into the world and be a light.  Over Spring Break a group of 9 went to represent the Journey in Acunya, Mexico.  It was the best trip I have ever taken in my life.  The Lord was really there and instead of us making a big impact on the Mexican people, they really made an impact on our lives.  I have asked some of the ones that went to write a paragraph about their expericnce, which you will see below, and I hope to have some pictures posted to this website soon.

Being in Mexico really opened my eyes.  We take things so for granted in America.  The majority of these people didn't even have electricity in their home and had outhouses for bathrooms.  The children were awesome.  They really blessed my heart.  They were so loving and open to us.  This trip is definately an experience I will never forget.  It was a great experience to go and share Jesus Christ with these people.    Ashley Jones

I had a wonderful time in Mexico.  Never has a stranger been so excited to see me.  We went there to show them who Jesus was and they ended up showing us who he was.  The ones that are already Christians have a lot more faith than most believers in America.  You could see Jesus in the kids faces.  They are the one's that made this trip enjoyable.  Justin Jackson

I recently went to Acunya, Mexico on a mission trip with fellow Journey attendants/staff.  I went unaware of the lessons and blessings that God was to show me.  We did street evangalism, door to door, food distribution, attended and preformed skits at mission servicees, as well as, having great fellowship and worship with fellow Christians.  While there, one would expect to share the Word with these people.  But, ohh...was that a blessed mistake.  In turn, the face of God was vividly projected upon me and others thru the hearts of these people.  I must admit that I am slightly jealous of the Mexican disciples with which we served.  They have no idea about the concept of doubt that we, in American society, are somewhat subconsciously taught.  Above all, I realized, was taught, that the Truth is all that God desires of us.  Like children we should come to Him with open hearts and minds.  Just as I saw the face of God in the children of Acunya, we should all be as those children.  Unaware of the earthly turmoil and the freedom of knowing that The Father will provide.  Everyone of you has impacted my life with Christ and has planted a mustard seed within me.  For this, my brothers, sisters, and family in Christ, I THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Dave Lovelace

Over spring break I traveled to Del Rio, Texas, for the third time to serve at Faith Mission International, a ministry serving the spiritual and physical needs of those in the border town of Acuna, Mexico.  As I have been each time, I was amazed both by the overwhelming spiritual poverty and the incredible faith of the Mexican people.  The trip allowed me to reconnect with several of the Mexican pastors and children whom I met last summer and see some of the progress that the mission has made over the past year.  One church, Pastor Rene's, was made only of cardboard and wooden pallet walls on my first trip last May.  By August it had a roof.  Now, the church has a nice building built by missionaries in January.  As you can see, one of the unique things about the Faith Mission is that the work carried on by short-term missionaries lasts more than the few short weeks they are there.  The Mexican pastors continue to shepherd their congregations toward God and strengthen them in their faith.  Each time I have been to Mexico, I have seen God move powerfully.  I hope that He has used me to do His work there, but I know He has done His work in me there.  To those who were on the trip, thank you for a wonderful experience.  Seeing God work in each of you affirmed my faith and brought me great joy.  As He brought us together for His service in Mexico, I am confident He will continue to use you and bless you throughout your lives.  Before the trip, I read this scripture, Joshua 3:5:  "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."  He did, and He will continue to do so.    In Christ,   Smith Lilley

I will post others as I get them.  In the pictures that will be posted there are a few school bus pictures.  These were their homes along with a bunch of cardboard shacks, most with no electricity.  But even with all this the people were so happy and friendly.

Love ya,

Cathey