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D r a k e and B r i t t a n y - same message - After seeing how
little the Mexican people have, we should be happy with what we have.
E r i c - It doesn’t matter what race you are or what language you
speak, you can still communicate with others and show them the love of Jesus (like we did
in the migrant camps).
C h r i s t i n a - We were able to go into a public school and witness
to them about Jesus, which is usually not allowed. (Pato added that he was so blessed by
this, because he normally would not have been allowed into a public school to talk to the
children about Jesus, and because our students were allowed to perform for the Mexican
students, Pato was able to be with us and share with these children.)
J u s t i n - Everyone had their own part to do on the team and we worked
together so well.
K y l e - Mexican kids weren’t afraid of us, and they felt free to
listen to the message we had and to receive Christ in their hearts.
J i m E. - I was blessed by the courage and strength of our kids
and the YWAM staff. It was a blessing to work with Pastor Niņo and his wife Ada and to
hear their testimony for the Lord.
E m i l y R. - I was blessed that we could give money to help
little Ricardo (the sick boy we prayed for in one of the migrant camps), so his mom could
buy the medicine needed to make him well.
E m i l y A. - It humbled my heart to see the little shacks that
the people have to live in. We have so much, but still we want more. I think I’ll
come back again to Mexico.
J i m C. - I am thankful for God protecting Eric when he fell out
of the top bunk bed and for Glenda’s testimony at Pastor Niņo’s church on
Sunday. Her testimony ministered to me and to the people in the church.
E r i k a - The YWAM commitment service was really neat. I know God is in
control and always there when we need Him.
B e n F. (YWAM) - The students impressed him because they
didn’t complain and stayed intense every time they did their presentations and skits.
C h r i s - It was also great getting to know the YWAM staff better and
seeing the walls come down within our own team. We got to know each other so much better,
and we made such good friendships with the YWAM staff and Pastor Niņo and his family.
C a r o l y n - The students’ testimonies were powerful. Even though
they are young, they have something significant to share. Ben and Michelle (two of the
YWAM staffers who helped us the entire time), just loved our kids and were godly examples
all week long.
G l e n d a - God has given me back a vision for world missions! I
appreciate Pastor Niņo and Ada and their heart for world missions as well. I felt humbled
and grateful to meet them and work with them, to hear their testimony, to eat a meal in
their home, to hear them pray, and to be ministered to by them. I am glad he took us to
minister to the Mixtecas and to love them (even if only for a short time). It was
significant that he knew exactly where all those migrant camps were! My greatest thrill
was when Cristina, a nine year old at one of the camps, trusted me enough to sit on my
lap. Her smile warmed my heart.
F e r m i n - It was a blessing to give children their first piece of
candy and see the joy on their faces.
S u s a n - What impressed me the most was the love our kids have for the
Mexican kids and the love that they have for Christ was shown through them through their
songs, skits, and their fellowship with the Mexican children and seeing how they‘ve
grown in the past seven days has been amazing.
R a c h e l - God has used this trip for me personally, not just as part
of the NCS Team. He has done a lot of healing through the culture here because I have a
Mexican and Indian heritage. He has brought me to the nationality I have denied for many
years because of the abuse I grew up in. He has broken my heart with the things that have
broken His. He has given me a love for individuals not just a nationality and a desire to
reach the lost for Jesus. He has also brought to mind the language I have suppressed for
many years. I was able to speak phrases I had never known or spoken before. The things
I’ve seen that affected the most was the unity of the YWAM staff and the outpouring
of the Holy spirit. They moved me out of a place of complacency. The first camp we came to
with Mixteca Indians, I met a a lady that said she was RICH because she had a house for
her family of seven children which YWAM had built for her. She saw that as a gift from
God. There’s talk of electricity coming to them, but that didn't matter to her
because she was rich in everything she already had. She saw everything as a blessing. This
whole mission brought the Beatitudes to life for me. My prayer is that this mission will
always burn in the hearts of the NCS children and that they will never forget it.
L i s a - God has re-affirmed in me this past week how much He cares
about hearts and obedience. I experienced God’s heart in moments of prayer, trials of
faith, and precious moments of eternity surrounded by “our time.” Seeing the
children worshipping and growing in Christ, praying for people who were needing to see
God, and experiencing God’s lessons in obedience and faith have made this week a
celebration of our Good & Faithful Father.
P a t o - As parents, it means a lot to see our kids smile and it was so
touching to see my son (Mickey) smile because of you guys. You all will always have an
angel with you. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He
delivers them.” Psalm 34:7
R e g i n a - I want to give thanks that all of us had the opportunity to
do this. Brittany attends Neighborhood and so she was able to participate in this. Thanks
especially to Rick, Chris, Kim, and Lisa for planning, organizing, and bringing us here
safely and effectively. I’m blessed that the kids really had this in their hearts and
the parents also. In going home, we are going to be stronger in the Lord and I hope
everyone remembers what happened on this trip and what the Lord has done in their lives
through this outreach.
F e l i s h a - I was blessed because we got to go into all those migrant
camps. We should be grateful for what we have, cause some people don’t have as much.
M i c h e l l e - I thought your team was the coolest team I have met
since leaving South Africa!
J a n e - In the first camp we went to, a young man named Carlos came to
receive Jesus as his Savior and Lord. If only for him, the trip was worth it, but we were
blessed by so much more.
S a r a h - I was blessed because people were welcoming us and in the
States people don’t do that unless they know you.
M i c k e y - I was blessed because everyone could come and Glenda’s
testimony was hecka tight.
K i m - I want to thank God for His incredible love for us and for the
many gifts He has given each of us this week during our mission trip to Mexico. Way back
in October He gave us the song “Your Love Oh Lord” for our ministry
presentations. In this song, it speaks of how great God’s love is and how we find our
strength in the shadow of His wings. On Sunday, when our ministry time began, a speaker at
Pastor Niņo’s church quoted Psalm 91 “he who dwells in the shelter of the Most
High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” I really believe this has been the
theme of this week. God has ministered His love to each of us and through us to the
precious people of Mexico, as we have stood in the shadow of His wings. “Your Love Oh
Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness stretches to the skies!”
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March 23, 2001