Reflections on serving - Alexia Bills

What this trip meant to me is that God is so much bigger then my SMALL problems. How grateful I am to be a part of something so beautiful. To have made connections with some of the children out there. God has definetly blessed my life and has given me a new perspective on what matters in life. My relationship with Jesus has grown and will continue to grow. Thank you to the house parents out there how selfless they are to dedicate there lives to these beautiful children. Can I just say WOW. 

Team 2 Day 7 2024

 

Today (our last day) a few of us were able to be at the middle age children's home (Casa Matriz) when the kids woke up and did their morning singing and praise. Singing and Praising our Lord is a great way to start a day!

A few of us jumped up on the roof of the house that we've been painting (Casa Cuna) and was able to get the top trim painted before it became unbearably hot.

The finished product turned out very nice.

We had a couple, on our team, celebrate 10 years of marriage.

There was more sewing.

And the final repairs to the school bus seats were completed.

There was just enough time to hangout with old friends and make new lifelong ones.

We finished our last evening with many, many friends, a piñata, and several games.

We all wonder what the next year will bring. Will we be blessed enough to make the trip again next year? Will you be able to join us? Will the kids be reunited with their parents? Will we remember all their names when we return? Will the kids know that they are loved and be able to point to our God that loves and cares for them?

All good questions that only time will tell.

Until then, we will keep them in our prayers.

Team 2 Day 6 2024

Today was one of our team members birthday... Happy Birthday Alexia!

We visited one of the houses (Casa Esperanza) further out of the city where we helped clean up a bit.

 They have several children under 5 years old and there was lots of time to just love on the kids and the house parents.

We were able to finish the day with some shopping, dinner on a rooftop with an awesome view and another celebration of Alexia's Birthday.

Team 2 Day 5 2024

 

We were off and running with yet another day of projects.

There was still plenty of time to do the most important thing here... Play.

We were able to do an excursion with the team and 10 of the teenagers to a river to play for a while.

These are long days, but we feel that we're living life to the fullest here.

Team 1 Week Recap

Team 1 Week Recap

What a week! After getting back Saturday night, we are happy to have slept in our own beds, but we miss Colima already.

29 Team Members, 20+ Care Givers and Volunteers , 100+ Kids

Building a fence at Casa Cuna was hard work, but Francisco and his team of high schoolers should be proud of the dedication they showed in the hot and beating sun all week.

Painting is always fun as a group, but is still a difficult and meticulous task. Hoping Week 2 can pick up where we left off!

The activities we planned and ran included but weren't limited to: 

- Name Tags

- Duct Tape Wallets

- Water Balloons

- Soccer

- Jingle Bells

- Musical Chairs

- Jump Rope

- Tug of War

- Much More!

Most importantly, we made genuine connections between the kids, caregivers, volunteers, and everyone else we spent time with. The heartbeat of the trip seemed to be what we read in Hebrews 10:24-25

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 

What a trip - praying for continued encouragement and love for the Week 2 Team!