Day One - Headed to Mexico

Well, we've just returned from the packing party with the MOBY Mexico Missions Team. The bags are packed, numbered, inventoried, photographed. Ministry supplies are ready for ministry, Terry has the tickets, passports, documentation. We spent tonight getting everything organized and praying together for the 11 days ahead of them.

The team is excited, nervous, and probably trying to get a few hours of sleep before the taxi vans come to pick them up at 4:30 am.

This was a very full week for the team with the team helping at Vacation Bible School at church and emotionally, spiritually and practically preparing to go where God has called them.

I was overcome with gratitude today watching the last day of VBS. To see the children more deeply understand a Saviour that loves them is powerful. The children sang a song today called "Come to Jesus"...it talks about bringing our true selves before Jesus and He raising us up to LIVE. That's what it's all about. And our own children have experienced this love anew this week. I look at the generations that gather to make a VBS possible - young children, JH students and HS students leading, college students, working people, parents, grandparents....all combined to make the Family of God real and alive.

Now these 11 team members will experience a NEW sense of family in Mexico. For some on the team it is a reunion that has waited 2 years since our last Mission Trip there. There are people in Mexico City, Pastor Jaime, his wife Sarah, their children Isaac, Sarah...and the boys all incredibly excited about our return. For the new team members this is a whole leap of faith. I told the kids tonight that you will do amazing things there, you will be a deep encouragement to the people in Mexico City...but you will also be encouraged - beyond what you can imagine.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for the teams protection in their travels Saturday. Taxis arrive at the home they are staying at tonight at 4:30 am, Airport by 5 am, check-in and US customs. Pray for easy passages here.
• 7 am flight to Phoenix Arizona - 9:27 arrival....10 am departure to Mexico City (very short time window - please pray they make this flight). Arrival in Mexico City at 3:08 pm.
• Please pray that all 26 bags arrive with the team. (Personal and ministry supplies).
• The team will be met by the Pastor's Family (the Beccera's) and some church people and they will travel to Santa Ursula Mexico City for the remainder of Saturday and church Sunday.
• Pray for families as they send their loved ones to do ministry. We ask for your prayers too for us as a family. Our 3 children miss Daddy very much and have shed many tears anticipating these next weeks. It's going to keep me hopping holding the fort down here.
• Pray for Terry to pace himself. He is only 10 weeks post quadricep reattachement surgery to his knee. He does need to be careful about how much he's on his feet, walking etc.
• Pray that our students and leaders embrace the days ahead of them, and trust God to accomplish His purposes through them and in them.