Administrative Notes

Hi Mexico crew!

If you have posting access on this site, please sign your posts. That way, our readers can see who is writing! The way the blog is set up, it shows that I (Andrea) have posted all the notes, but I'm not --- so sign your name please!

Andrea

E-mails?

Has anyone received an e-mail from any of the kids? What have they been up to? How has school gone for them? Let us know what they are up to these days please. Thank you!

Life Changing

Hi everyone!
I've been asked so many times how the trip to Mexico was and my reply is this: "Life Changing". From there I find it exciting and exhausting trying to explain what we experienced.
I want to thank everyone who supported this mission. For those of you who supported financially - thank you so, so much for making it possible to go on this Mission! For those of you who prayed for us - thank you thank you thank you. I cannot believe we didn't have any major issues with sickness - except for our 2 athsma attacks - and praise God that Alex and Courtney are ok. I also can't believe we returned 4 vans without any accidents (my knuckles still are white :) The driving was interesting - but our 4 drivers did a great job. I believe the prayers of our family and friends were very important to this trip - for the relationship we were able to build and for our safety on the trip. So, thanks for supporting us in prayer.
Kyle, Siri and I have already been talking about going back - whether it is with the church or our family making a trip. We are excited about building a relationship with this community in Apodaca.
I have put the photos together that I took onto 1 cd. I will be making copies so that the kids can have them. I will let you all know when I've finished that. I would also like to put together a DVD of our trip. I'll let you know when that is done as well.
Thanks mission group for the memories created. I think of you all often!
In Christ,
Jennifer

Mexican culture in America

Hola!! Como esta? I am doing great, but I still miss the kids. When I came home, I told my parents some stories about Mexico, but there were quite a few that I left out. Often, I find myself remembering those stories and I tell them to my parents where ever we are at. I guess it's driving them crazy, but it's in a good way. My brother, on the other hand, is going crazy over how much of the Mexican language I brought back with me. It has become a habit to use Spanish in my every day English language. I hope everyone is still telling stories to families and friends, and is keeping those Mexico memories alive!
Adios for now. Jessica

Unbelievable expirence

We have been back almost a week and it is hard to believe how different it is down there compared to here. Mission Mexico has forever changed my life forever. But i am sure that my life was not the only life changed. This trip was the trip of a life time. I can't get the kids, the people, and of course the holy spirit within the community.

When people ask what my favorite part was i always end up saying that with a trip like that you can't really have a favorite part because there is so much to choose from.

One of the many parts I will remember is the Sunday before we left we spent almost all day hanging out with the kids after the service at pastor Juan's church which was a blast to see what they did different in there service which wasn't that different at all. Then later that night we went to church at perla's church which was on the street outside in front. At the end of that service we all realized that it was time to go back to Fargo everyone all of a sudden was sad most of the group started crying and all the people down there where all saying don't cry while smiling.The funny part about Sunday is that everyone knew that we would have to leave eventually.

I will never forget the mission trip to Mexico it changed my life and like pastor Enrique said we will all see each other again either in the near future or when we get to heaven.


Dan Burgess

I still can't stop thinking about it.

Hey there! It has been three days since we got back to Fargo and I can't stop thinking about the things we saw on our trip. First, I miss all pf the kids that we met and had a blast playing with. Second, I listened to a song from Wicked, a musical, today and thought about them again. The words to this song include: "because I knew you, I have been changed for good." The people that we got to know in Mexico changed us for good and we changed them.
A third thing that has kept me thinking about Mexico is something that I got the opportunity to see and feel on the way home. Andrea, Kathie Strehlow and I went to the Oklahoma City Bombing memorial when we stopped in Oklahoma City. I don't know how familiar you all are with what happened so here's a quick summary. Two men were upset about how the government responded to a situation the previous year and decided to show their displeasure by attacking the federal building. On the morning of April 19, 1995, they drove a truck of explosives to the building, parked it on the street next to the building and blew it up.
168 people were killed that day. 19 of them were children in the day care whose parents worked in or close to the federal building. 19 INNOCENT CHILDREN were murdered for nothing! This thought blew me away, especially after spending a week working with wonderful, beautiful children in Mexico. I could not fathom what kind of person would do this to them. And then God saw fit to make the experience even more touching. As I was walking through the memeorial, I saw a little note spray painted on the wall of the building that now houses the memorial exhibit. On the day of the bombing a rescue worker spray painted this on the building:
Team 5 4-19-95
We seek the truth
We seek justice
The courts require it
The victims cry out for it
And God demands it

And I thought of the way in which God brought justice to the world. He brought it with his own flesh and blood. He gave his son, a shining reflection of God's power, perfection and glory, as a sacrifice to pay for the sin of the world. Jesus died 2,000 years ago for you and for me and for the men who killed 19 children on April 19, 1995. In some ways, this experience made the trip more profound and more meaningful to me. I loved every moment in Mexico, but this made the trip something that I can never forget.
God's Blessings,
Mason

After Thoughts of Mission: Mexico 2008

Hey Everyone! It's been three days since we got back and there are still many, many thoughts and memories rolling around in my head. I miss every single child that we got to know really well. We spent multiple days just hanging out with the kids in the street. That was the hardest to leave behind. Even though there was a major language barrier between the kids and me, I was able to connect, get to know, and understand what they wanted. However, I make it seem like getting to understand what they wanted was simple; it was the complete opposite. There were many times when two girls who I grew really closeto my heart took my head in both hands and shook it back and forth, showing me that it was frustrating to try and explain. Simple gestures, like a heart for love and a thumbs up for good, made communication so much easier. The food was delicious; Thank you to Pastor Enrique and his many friends at the pool for grilling us authentic Mexican food. The sleeping quarters were perfect for what we needed; Thank you Pastor Juan for the accomodations.

One of my favorite days in Mexico was Sunday, the full day we spent there. The church service at Pastor Juan's church was amazing to be a part of. It was interesting to see that people came in and felt comfortable with being there. It was really cool to see how much Pastor Juan and other musicians get into the music and message. It is so hard to explain your thoughts and feelings that you experienced, but I know I will never forget the feelings that I had there.

As I looked over the pictures and blogs today, there was a definate pain in my heart. The memories are still very easy to picture and I often find myself thinking of what the kids are doing in right now. I know that we went down there to help spread the Word and help with construction, but I think that I was there to change my life as well as theirs. I really got to know two girls from my neighborhood, Ezmerelda and Johanna. They were always waiting for me when we got up in the morning and when we got by from eating at night. During the day, they were very content with piggy-back rides and vueltas (spinning in circles). They absolutely loved playing frisbee and Drip, Drip, Splash, which is a spin-off of Duck, Duck, Goose, only with water. By the end of the trip, both girls were calling me their sister and their best friend, which hit me very hard.

On the way home, I was told a story. There was this child at Perla's church the night that we were saying our goodbyes. One girl was saying adiós, but she was soon corrected by Hector. He said,"No adiós, hasta luego."-No goodbye, see you later. Please help support Mission: Mexico so the Atonement Youth will soon return. Each and every one of us have touched the children from all over in Monterrey and Apodaca. I think it is safe to say that every one of us have been touched in some way, too. I would like to thank Jesus for keeping us safe throughout the trip and for the great time we had with the kids.

Jessica Norstog

On our Way

Good morning!

It's 6:17 am and everyone is up eating breakfast before we head out. We have a long day of driving ahead of us, but we are praying for a quick and easy ride. The kids are ready to get home - ready to see their families, pets, friends - you name it. I don't doubt that the last hour or so will be filled with anticipation!

Tonight, when we reach the ND border, the kids will call their families to let them know the approximate time of arrival. When we arrive at Atonement, everyone will be responsible for helping to clean out the bus, unload, etc. Then, we will conclude our trip with a short closing. We ask that all kids and families stay near the bus and in the group. As Derek said last night, we started together - we end together - so please, remind your child to help out and stay for the conclusion.

This has been a wonderful mission. I have so enjoyed each child and their awesome personalities! Every one of them is so special, so unique and just incredible!

I also want to thank the spouses who sent their husbands/wives for the past 11 days! We were blessed with having the 7 best chaperones one could ever hope for. Gene, Jennifer, Kyle, Rob, Kathie, Cathy and Josh did an amazing job and they have been a blessing to Derek and I!

We will see you this evening. Pray for safe travels!!!

--- Andrea

Sunday ---

What an amazing ride the last few days have been!

Friday was an awesome day for a few reasons. First the boys from Atonement finished Perla's church floor. It looks fantastic. Our guys worked so hard, and this space is finished. Previously, it was a dirt floor, that was actually a combination of broken glass, tile, rocks, dust, dirt, garbage... you name it. It is the space where kids break the pinata at Christmas. When the pinata breaks, candy spills out and the children run out and get candy. Now, because of the work that our young men did on this mission trip, this is a safe and beautiful patio area that will exist for years to come and when children do the pinata, they will run, laugh and play in an area that was built by our boys - thanks be to God! Great work, boys! All of you showed strength, perseverance and character, and the Lord used you to make a difference. Aside from that, you all have amazed me with your maturity, wit, excitement and faith this week. I am so very proud of all of you and what you have done on this trip!

Yesterday, we had the opporutnity to gather in large group and worship. We sang songs in the street near Juan's church and just enjoyed the fellowship of worship as a group. I have so enjoyed all of the kids. Our society, American society, is convinced that the youth are self absorbed, non committed, etc. etc. Not these kids. These kids are the best and the brightest, and they have amazed me with their desire to do good works and make a differnce in the world. They all want to come back, they all want to continue the work we have begun and I know in my heart that God will make that a reality! We have seen and felt His presence this week and know that this connection we are making here in Apodaca is not happen chance. Despite the hurdles, the ups and downs, learning curve - whatever you want to call it - are preparing us for the next time we come down. I have mental checklists (as does Derek) of all the things to keep in mind for next time. Soon, very soon, I know that God will bring us back to this place.


Before I came to Atonement, I was part of my music team, at LCC and two of my favorite songs were "Here I Am," and "Lead Me Lord." The choruses are:

"Here I am Lord/It is I Lord, I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord/If you Lead Me, I Will Hold Your People in my Heart"

Lead me, Lead Me Lord/By the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way
Be my way; be my truth; Be my life, my Lord,
And lead me, Lord, today.

I feel that these speak volumes to what we have done and where my heart is at as we conclude this trip. Though it has been a roller coaster, and many of us are exhausted, we feel that we are all in this together and that we will be back. Jesus called us to this place. We are called. We were led. We have been blessed and are blessed to have be

*** As a side note ***

Lucas, I am sorry I had to miss your birthday today. I know you and daddy had a great day at the zoo. I will see you as soon as I get home. Remember, Mommy and Daddy love you, Jesus Loves you and someday, you'll get to go to Mexico too!


August 1 -
Hey everybody at home.I miss you so much. I think about you all the time. But, I am having loads of fun. I've been spending my time playing street soccer with the kids and other fun games they have taught us. Also, on Wednesday, Erika and I were painting then we went the the guys and shoveled some dirt so they could pour concrete. Erika was quite the slacker... just kidding.
We go to the pool everyday to swim and shower. It's hot all the time and you never stop sweating but I am dealing with ti. We've been doing a lot of things around the churches, we are staying at to help out. We've met a lot of nice people and have made new friends. Sorry it took so long to write - we've been busy!

--- Love and Hugs, Kyli
P.S. I am really excited about the beach. Talk t you when I'm home!

Hey Mom and Dad, Sarah, Carla and Micah,
My trip has been wonderful so far. We've seen so much. The kids have been so much fun to play with! It's been REALLY hot. But we get to go to the pool and swim and take showers. We've also been doing tons of work around the churches - painting, cleaning, and me and Kylie even went over to help the guys dig for a new patio they are building. I'm so excited to go the beach on Monday! I'll have tons of stories and pictures to show you. Can't wait to see you all!
--- Much Love, Erika

July 31st

July 31st
It has been a wonderful experience in Mexico. I continue to be amazed at the kids we have on this trip and the hospitality we have been afforded by our hosts, Enrique, Juan and Perla, as well as their families and members of their churches. Our kids have been busy at work, painting Juan’s church, laying a floor at Perla’s and reaching out to children at Enrique’s. In fact, we had 44 kids at VBS today! Wow!
Lord, today I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this experience. Though we’ve had some incidents, and many challenges, our work and the impact of that work more than makes up for the frustration. Lord, help us remember that it is through perseverance and work that we grow. It is through our perseverance and understanding that YOU have a plan that we grow spiritually!

Today, Lord – I ask you to bless Sarah, Kirsten, Siri, and Jessica, Cassie, and Rachel who have connected so with the children. They talk nonstop about the kids we are serving and are already expressing a desire to return. I thank you for Nicole, Paige, Sierra, Ashley, Erica, Kim, Hannah and Kylie. Though these girls are staying at the other church and I haven’t had the opportunity to work with them a lot, I know that you are doing good things with them and through them. Their smiling faces are such a testament to what we are hoping to achieve and why we are here!!!
Wish us continued blessings and keep praying for us as we complete our mission!

--- Andrea

July 31st, Thursday 11:59.59
Today was another long day! We started the day out with a little scare. Some of the locals thought it would be funny to knock down a bee hive near our church. The bees went crazy and three of our kids got stung pretty bad. Mason got stung by more than one of them so he wasn’t feeling very well. Everyone is OK and feeling good though! Today we split up our whole group and went to different churches. At One church we had a bunch of girls painting all day! It looks great! At another church downtown a group taught vacation bible school. They said it was really fun and that the kids were great. The last group was at Enrique’s church and were excavating rock for a new porch/bathroom. It was extremely tough work because it was so HOT! Tonight we went to the city for dinner. It was probably an hour and a half or two hour drive. I think we were a little lost. We are now back at the church and are extremely exhausted! Good Night! God Bless and keep us, Alex and Rob in your prayers.
P.S. Alex is doing well! He and Rob are at Rob’s sister’s house in Dallas. The plan is to pick them up on our way back home.

By: Zac Johnson, Sarah Wolf, Collin Strehlow, and Tim Bjornson