What an Experience

Saturday, July 5th was the last day in Mexico.  We finished our trip by taking time to walk around downtown Merida to do some shopping and get some sweet ice cream treats.  It was a good opportunity for the kids to spend their pesos and for adults to brush up on their negotiation skills!  A few of us were feeling a bit under the weather and stayed back to rest and recuperate for the long flight home.  

We got to the airport around noon and checked in for a 3pm departure from Merida.  We connected in Dallas-Fort Worth before flying home to Atlanta.  We landed around 12:30am on Sunday morning and jumped on the bus to head back.  You could tell folks were exhausted and struggling to keep up their energy but I was really impressed how everyone got along well, helped each other out, and continued to have fun playing games on the plane and in the airports during layovers.  It was a long day with our family getting in bed around 3am but we sure were happy to be home!  

As we reflect on the last week there are a few special things that stand out to us.  I’m really proud of how our group worked together and got along so well.  There was laughter and singing all week and it was fun to see people finding joy in moments of hard work and tired bodies.  I’m grateful how everyone loved and supported our kids throughout the trip, including them in the work and the games and making sure they felt like they belonged.  Our kids made friends with new people from Tekax that made the trip special and made goodbye hard.  But they also grew in their friendships with the young men and women in the youth group that they brought home and can hold onto for years to come.  

This is our second time traveling to Mexico and working with Gabby.  And this is the second time that Gabby had to figure out how to buy more supplies because we surpassed what was planned and expected from our group.  There were some of the same people from last time and many new faces that went on a mission trip for the first time, but everyone worked hard.  We poured a lot of cement, painted a huge sanctuary, and hosted a great VBS camp with bible stories and craft projects that were a hit with everyone.  I think this group should be very proud of they way they served and work for the glory of God for the people in Tekax, Mexico.  None of us will probably return to this church but we pray that our efforts will help the people show God’s love for them for many, many years to come.

The people we met at Prince of Peace church in Tekax were special.  I was so grateful to hear the story of their church and be a part of the rebuilding process that started over 9 years ago.  Their faith and trust in God stood out as they preached and sang and worshiped with us over the course of the week.  It was truly special to worship with them in their new building Thursday before we left.  So many of us made friendships over the course of the week and there were many tears shared by Americans and Mexicans as we said our goodbyes.  God’s kingdom knows no bounds and it is truly wonderful to see people from such different places and backgrounds come together with the love of Jesus.  

We are grateful for all the people that supported us on this trip.  Many people were supported financially by friends and family and by the giving of our church family.  This made the trip affordable and allowed many the opportunity to go.  There were letters of encouragement for everyone to read along the way.  Our family was touched by the heartfelt letters people wrote to encourage us and share their love with us.  And we were supported in prayer along the way as we battled travel mercies, fatigue, sickness, and many other obstacles.  Thank you to everyone who supported the team.  I know our family got so much out of it and we look forward to returning in two years to see where the Lord takes us next.  

The Painters