I know this happened back over spring break, but I didn't have time to tell you about it then. AND, I really wanted to share this with you. So here it is:
Almost every year for as long as I can remember, a group of people from the Edmond church of Christ traveled to Aquiles, Mexico for a spring break mission trip. I have friends who have gone on this trip since they were little. I've had opportunities myself to go on this trip before now. And despite all the great things I heard about this trip, I made excuses not to go: "I have allergies" or "I don't sleep in tents" or "I will die without running water" or "I have other plans." There's many more I can think of. I had fully intended to NOT go this year. "It's dangerous." "I have things I need to do here." But then there was that voice telling me that I should go. But I was still hesitant. "Where am I going to get the money?" Then, for Valentine's Day, I received a gift that had a note which said my trip had been paid for. Best Valentine's Day gift EVER.
As it got closer to time to go, I got more and more anxious. Not really about the safety factor. More about the maintaining good hygiene factor and having enough clothes and not forgetting anything. Oh, and how I was suppose to catch up on all the school stuff I needed to do during spring break. When the week of the trip came around, I was running around like a mad person trying to get things done. And pack. I did really well, actually. You should be proud. I got everything I needed for 10 days into a duffle bag, tote bag & backpack. (Really, this is epic. I have been known to bring a duffle bag & a 30" rolling suitcase on weekend retreats.)
Finally, we were off to Mexico! It was kind of a long trip down, spending one night in Temple, TX and another in McAllen, TX before crossing the border. Once you get to the border, the safety situation starts to seem like a bigger issue. There was lots of picture taking. Then you get in, and there's a checkpoint. Then, we made it a little ways and all these military vehicles with guys with big guns start flying by on the highway. Then, they pulled us over. And we sat there for a little while. I guess I can't speak for everyone else, but I was trying not to laugh as I contemplated the thought that these may not be legit military people and they may not want us there. Anyways, they let us go and we made it safely to Aquiles.
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| Family picture at the border. (That's my little brother, for those of you who don't know.) |
The objective upon arrival is to get camp set up. Literally. Putting up tents, cleaning outhouses (if you can even do that), getting the kitchen put together. Important things. Our first full day in Aquiles in Sunday, so we go worship at the little church building, and then us students take the kids back to camp for VBS during the sermon. Afterwards, we eat lunch with EVERYONE. It's a little crazy, but great.
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| The tent I stayed in. AKA the "Taj Mahal." It has 4 bedrooms. |
Monday marks the first day of work projects and VBS. That morning, I put together boxes for care packages then helped carry and shovel rocks for the concrete crew. That is some exhausting work. I went to La Union for VBS that afternoon (intending to go to a different village for VBS everyday) but I fell in love. The kids were totally crazy. But I love them. I knew that day, I would go to La Union everyday. Tuesday morning, we filled the care packages with food and a Bible. That was quite the event. Obviously, that afternoon, I was back in La Union. More craziness. More fun. But don't ever let a bunch of little girls talk you into getting on a janky teeter-totter, where you will inevitably be hanging in the air at the mercy of the pile of girls holding the other side down. Scariest moments of my life. But totally worth it. The next couple of mornings involved more care package things, and the afternoons--VBS at La Union! The last day at La Union was rough though. It was really hard to leave. Especially since I had somehow managed to end up with a precious little girl, Tiffany, attached to my hip. She didn't want to leave either.
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| My little Tiffany. |
I spent Thursday night sleeping in the van, since we had to have the tents and luggage packed away. We rolled out of camp insanely early Friday morning and headed for San Antonio, TX. We got in, got cleaned up and went out for dinner at some burger place. It was good. Then, I walked around downtown with a group of people. We ran into an All-American Rejects concert and listened to that for a little bit. Went by the Alamo. Things like that. Saturday, I ate breakfast at the hotel and then went with a friend to get a dress for Gamma's spring banquet. We both had luck at Macy's. That afternoon, I went to the zoo with a group of people and had a good time. Saturday night, we all went and saw "The Hunger Games" (I had not read the books at this point). We left early Sunday morning and made it back late that afternoon.
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| The best van of them all. 7 minutes in heaVAN. |
It was really, seriously a fantastic trip. I had a wonderful time. I got to know several people better. I was touched by the kindness and generosity of the people in the valley. I learned a lot. My only regret is not going sooner. I know that's cliche, but it's very true. I absolutely loved it. I definitely plan to go next year!!! This post in no way, does this mission trip justice. This video, comes pretty close:
10 Things I Learned (in no particular order):
1. "No mas" and "sientense por favor" are very important things to know at VBS
2. Showers made of PVC aren't that bad
3. Bugs in Mexico don't seem to like me
4. I can sleep well in a tent...with Ambien (but it's important to only take it once you're in your tent, ready to go to bed)
5. Mexicans are very open about breastfeeding
6. You don't have to know Spanish to communicate
7. I don't have the attention span to play Spades
8. Don't stand still for too long at VBS or you might be lassoed
9. Making popcorn in a pan over a gas stove is an art
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