Last post

Hi everyone!

One last post from me, Megan. :( 

I would also like to thank you all for following along and commenting. I loved being able to share your comments and encouragement during our nightly meetings! I was so excited when Christine asked me to write the blog, and I hope I was able to convey all that we did along with the emotions and lessons that came with it. As some of you may know, Mexico is very near and dear to my heart, and to be able to share it with all of you in this way, through words and photos, as well as being a voice for this team, was a huge privilege. 

Here are the last Q and A’s with the team! For all my team members reading, I hope you are catching up on rest! As well, I will be sending out USBs with all the photos hopefully before September, so look forward to that!

Alex

Q: Why did you want to come back to Mexico?

A: Ah, there is so much I can say, so much depth to this question. I would say I came first to serve  God and live out his love. I’ve been learning that this can look like so many things! I wanted to come back to love our friends here in Mexico, the Becerras and their church, Lupita and her family who lives at the church in Santa Ursula. To encourage them and revitalize their lives and their ministry. I acme to support too the youth in stepping out and discovering what it means to live this Christian life, to learn and grow in Jesus, and to serve and love to build His kingdom. 

Q: What was your favourite moment or part?

A: I’d have to say that I’ve loved just seeing our high school students (and recent graduates!) step out in courage and faith and serve tbhe people and community in Mexico. It has been so encouraging to see students stretch comfort zones, sing songs, play games, lead out, and speak a language other than our own with all the children and people to the churches of Huixquilucan and Santa Ursula. To witness God’s work in and through each and every person here is truly beautiful. 

Q: How have you seen growth in yourself since your last time here?

A: I am grateful to be able to say that I’ve seen how God has grown and prepared me in so many ways since my last time here with the team in 2012. I feel I’ve come to understand and really believe more and more that God loves and delights in us for who we are, and that there is nothing I can do or need to do to earn my worth and belonging as his son. God has been teaching me too more of what it means to serve him and serve others, that it is done through his power and strength and out of a place of fullness and overflow of his grace and love. It has been a joy to grow and learn in the Lord since 2012 and here in Mexico once again!

Tyler

I’ve had so many awesome times but the one that stands out the most would be the joy that we bring to the locals. Seeing their faces light up brings me joy and gives me a sense that what we are doing here is actually making a difference. Nothing has really surprised me about being here but I could say that the main differences here are first the poverty throughout the city and how densely populated the city is. Also the language barrier is another very different thing from at home as it restricts how we can communicate. Something that I have learned on this trip is how God is able to use us in great ways when we step up to doing things that are out of our comfort zone. Things for such as taking part in the dramas has shown me this. 

Kyle

I wanted to come bak to Mexico for a number of reasons, but most prominently I wanted to come back to continue to support and develop the relationships that have begun between earlier teams and the locals. I’ve been on a number of short term mission trips however I’ve never gone back to the same place twice. This made this trip to Mexico significant for me as it is my second time. My favourite moment was likely when I gave a photo of myself with a short letter written on the back to a boy named Salvador. It was a blessing to watch him and his mother read it together and see his face light up. Knowing that our team has such an impact on this family was very encouraging. I’ve learned so much about the lies of the enemy at work in my life. In the past, these lies debilitated me, but this trip it was amazing to focus on the truths that God has spoken over me, and call out the lies that I was choosing to believe. 

Ben

My favourite parts of Mexico were play futbol with the kids and also just hanging out with the locals. The kids just love playing no matter how good or bad one is at the game. The locals just loved on us. Writing this one the plane afterward, I already miss them. My three favourites were Luis, Obed and Oscar. There was one game we especially loved to play. We called it “futbol de dolor” or soccer game of pain. It was loads of fun. I was most surprised by how well the children and locals could understand and hold very meaningful conversations despite our limited or non-existent Spanish. I have learned especially that God’s love is the same everywhere. In each and every way it is expressed it remains the same. 

Brannon

My favourite part of Mexico was hanging out with the kids at VBS and making strong relationships with the locals. I was surprised at how the locals would go out of their way to help us out even though they were super tired. I learnt that people notice if you serve without a second thought and it really gets them thinking about why you act that way. 

Jennifer

One of my favourite parts of Mexico was meeting all the locals, and they quickly felt so much like family; they took amazing care of us and showed us so much love. Also I definitely enjoyed bonding with the kids at VBS; it really reminded me how VBS was for me as a kid, and I wanted them to have the same amazing experience that I had. I was surprised how fast the locals drive, it was so thrilling! I learned to step out of my comfort zone, regardless of how comfortable it made me feel. 

Lyndi

Q: Why did you want to come back to Mexico?

A: Where do I start! You know when a song, or a smell, or a certain location will take you through a stream of memories? Mexico always reminds me of the simple and most important things. The family I’ve been adopted into there, and the powerful memories I have from my experiences with them, always encourage me. Being able to return to the place where these memories were made is too good. I’m drawn to the raw faith and love that I see in the locals, and I absolutely love the opportunities I have to partner with them to serve. 

Q: Why did you want to come back?

A: There is never a shortage of laughter — whether it is at the expense of my language blunders or not, I can confidently say a day didn’t go by without a good laugh. On a more serious note, watching our youth collaborate to create and perform a drime was almost too much to process. They responded to God’s leading and demonstrated their desire to share truth with the communities we were serving. It was incredible to see how God moved through them in this. 

Megan

I wanted to come back Mexico City because I value the friendships I’ve made with the locals. I love learning Spanish and I love the culture. It’s amazing to me how much importance this culture places on looking out for each other and helping each other out. It’s also such a nurturing place. When people were sick, the locals took special care of us, from staying up late, giving us tea and meds, to making special meals that were easier on our tummies. Also, every time I looked, the two babies that were around the church complex were contentedly in someone else’s arms (other than their mothers). The phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child” really stood out to me on this trip, and it was amazing to see. I have several favourite moments from this trip. The drime really stands out to me, as something we have done that is completely different than previous years. I also felt extremely proud of the students in it and Lyndi who was the mastermind behind it. Their actions and the song was extremely powerful, and made me tear up almost every time. And as always, hanging out with the locals — Oscar and Luis specifically — has been so much fun. It’s amazing to me how meaningful a relationship can be with the amount of Spanglish (Spanish and English) we speak. We have our good old jokes — some from previous trips, some new from this trip, and I’ve also been able to hear from both of them their dreams and goals. Finally, on this trip I learned that I am more of a leader than I thought I was. Being able to chat and be there for the girls was more rewarding and encouraging than I had thought it would be, so I am so thankful God was able to work through me as I was in that position! 

Safe in Vancouver

Hey guys! Just a quick note to say that we have arrived, early, in Vancouver. Everyone here is pretty tired, but happy to be almost home. See you all pronto!

Headed Back to Canada!

A fantastic two weeks came to a close tonight with a 1:00am worship & Communion service. This service is one of my favorites as it mixes our Good Friday tradition of individual prayer with the communion elements. Tonight we had the four pastors (Jaime, Isaac, Dave and myself) serving the team and our hosts - always a powerful time of prayer & community.

This is probably my last closing service of M3 at Monte Sion as Dave has assumed the Youth Pastor position now.

We are headed to the airport and and now on our way back to Edmonton. See you in a few hours!

Terry

What Re-Entry Looks Like

I wanted to write to you friends and families about some of the re-entry process and what it might be like for your family member coming home.  This is not an exhaustive list, and not every person will feel all of these things, but I thought it might help you to know.  I copied some of this from what we had written 2 years ago, and have added some from what they've experienced this trip.  

• They will be incredibly tired.  Though they’ve tried to keep a schedule that allowed for sleep and naps, this has been a very busy trip.  The two VBS weeks combined, has left them physically tired.  And Mexico City & Huixquilucan noise sometimes keeps them up at night.  They will need good amounts of rest at home,  especially those who’ve been under the weather during the trip.  I don’t know if we’ve ever had a cold and the stomach flu happen to a team in one trip.
• Because of the busy nature of these days, students have had some time, to think over or "distill" some of the things they have learned and experienced, but probably not enough.  This is probably the most important part of the trip, and it may come slowly.  Having them talk over what they saw, experienced, did, felt, learned, going through pictures with you, describing things will be helpful to them.  Encourage them to talk, journal, spend time thinking.  Our devotion book we have been working through also has 4 or 5 days to work through post-trip as well.  Encourage your family member to keep that process going. Allowing God to continue that teaching process in them is crucial.  
• The team has been immersed in Mexican culture 24/7 for 14 days straight.  The only English they have heard is from their team members.  Canada/Edmonton will feel strange to them.  Re-entry into the culture they came from is often just as difficult as it was coming into the Mexican culture.  This will take a patient process, for some it will come easier, for some it might be more difficult.
• Saying goodbye to these people has been hard on the team. I wish we could have each one of you here with us so you could have a snapshot of the relationships and bonds they have built with the Nationals, and if you were in Mexico you'd have them too!  I think they've tried to describe them to you in what they've written on the blog so you have a small picture of what it’s been like for them.   These people love deeply, freely and completely generously.  They have laughed so hard together, cried together and prayed together.  Ask them about people they've met and let them tell you stories.
• Don't be surprised if you hear dissatisfaction from the team for they way we live as Canadians.  Please do not take this personally.  They've seen a lot and it's changed their perspective.  Each of them needs to find new ways to take their short-term missions experience and learn from it and live it out in Edmonton.  Things like how much we waste, how much we have.  They've seen humble circumstances and have seen how amazing and joy-filled these people are and how they live despite what they "don't have".  A lot of times we live like what we have will make us happier – and they’ve seen that that’s not the case in Mexico or with their Mexican friends.  It's very likely impacted them.  
• Many of them have felt God at work and have felt God closer than ever before.  They’ve spent a lot of dedicated time serving, praying, being challenged spiritually, challenging others spiritually, they’ve been asked hard questions; they’ve been intentionally encouraged.  It is a really rich spiritual environment they’re coming out of.   They will feel that void coming home.
• I've often asked the team to consider the habits they've built into their life in Mexico that have helped in deepening that walk with God, and then to consider how they can build some of those habits into their life in Edmonton.  God isn't more present in Mexico than at home - He's equally alive and active in Edmonton; some of it is about how you're choosing to include Him in your life.  And how intentional you are in investing in your spiritual life – or if you will allow other things to distract your focus. 
• They've developed a very rare yet precious closeness to the mission team. They "get" each other because of their shared experiences.  It will be important that they continue this bond and spend time talking to each other and getting together over the next days and weeks.  They will need each other, so talking on the phone, doing things together, and processing what they've learned and how it fits in Edmonton is really important.  Each of the team members has an accountability partner, and it would be good for them to connect as well.  
• And another point fitting with this, they've lived in VERY close quarters for these 15 days.  There were very few moments that the team wasn't sleeping right beside a team member, sitting on a lap or very close in a car or pew.  They’ve shared supplies, food, blankets, air mattresses, snacks, etc.  At first it was a bit hard, but now that's completely normal for them.  So, they might be a little lonely without someone beside them all the time.  
• Some of the kids have some anxiety about coming home.  Not because they don't love you :) But purely because they've made some changes in their life, or want to, and God has taught them some things that they're wanting to live out at home, but don't know how.  They might be nervous about it; afraid they'll fall back into old patterns. This could be something you might ask them about, and support them in.  
• Their clothes will be dirty.   There is lingering humidity and some things won't have dried out, so laundry right away will be really good.  And I could guarantee that everything they brought will need to be washed. 
• They haven't necessarily had much time to read the blog while we were gone, so they might want to spend time reading at home.  It’s also a great way to process the trip. 
• This is a unique missions trip as Terry and I are usually available right after the trip as their youth pastors to help them de-brief.  This year the trip was really about closing a chapter of youth ministry for both of us.  You need to know, and they need to know that we still value them very much and DO want to know how they’re doing, or how you’re doing.  Please encourage them to come talk to us!  We’re still here and care very much about them and helping them integrate what they’ve learned into their lives.

Bless you families!  It has been a true joy and privilege to have served you as youth pastors these 9 ½ years.   We’ve loved our time with each of you - and love your teens and you as families.  

We joyfully put the mantle on Dave as our new Youth Pastor and trust that God will continue the work He’s started and established in MOBY and F.I.T.   Gloria a Dios!   

       MOBY Mexico 2006 

MOBY Mexico 2008

                                                                         MOBY Mexico 2010

MOBY Mexico 2012

Just two weeks ago with our MOBY Mexico 2014 team.  Praise God M3!  

VBS finished!

Hola a todos! Megan here! As I preciously mentioned, we had a full team to finish off our week of VBS. It was a great, energetic day and we finished strong, so I am extremely proud of everyone! 

After pasole (an amazing soup!) for lunch, we headed off downtown for a couple hours to walk around and explore. We stopped off at Coyoacan (a fun place to hang out) for churros (stuffed full of Nutella, chocolate, strawberry sauce - there were a few different options), then headed out to El Burger Y Ya for tacos. 

It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day and a great way to wrap up 10 days of VBS. So grateful to God for the health we've had and for the kids we were able to meet and hopefully positively impact for eternity.  

Tacos with crema!

Downtown!

Yum. 

I believe tomorrow will entail another field trip, so if I am not able to post tomorrow, I will finish the individual entries when we get back. 

Love to everyone at home!

Last day of VBS

Hey guys! Quick note (from Megan) that we are are all healthy and ready to go for our last day of VBS today. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!

Gloria a Dios!

(From underneath the prayer huddle - shouting M3 after praying!) 

Salvation day complete

Hi everyone!

We were down three team members (different ones from yesterday) this morning due to some more stomach/digestive system-related illness. However, at various points during the VBS, each one came down from quarantine or their rooms to watch a bit of VBS, so I think we're on the mend once more. As of 10:15 Mexico time, all three seem to be doing much better, so hopefully a good night's sleep will cure any other sickness. Also, there are those who aren't dealing with upset stomachs, but are tired or have colds, so please pray that we would finish strong tomorrow. Please pray that God would give each us the discernment and self-awareness to know if we're getting sick and take as much precautionary measures as possible. While this hasn’t been the worst trip as far as heath goes, Kevin (our team nurse) has been so great at administering meds and checking up on people who aren’t feeling well. His care for people has been admirable! 

We started off this morning with a team meeting that included prayers for each other and the sick team members, and went on to have a great, energetic day of VBS. We presented the gospel message today to more than 50 kids, and although we may never know what effect we had on the kids, we know that we worked as hard as we could. It was amazing to see the locals explain the salvation bracelets (black for sin, red for Jesus’ blood, white for our sins being cleansed, green for new life and yellow/gold for eternal life in heaven) to the kids during craft time, and Sara Becerra (Pastor Jaime’s wife) give the kids an opportunity to give their lives to Christ at the end of the day. The kids had the chance to write on pieces of paper (which were then put up on the cross) asking Jesus to forgive their sins and that they wanted Him in their lives.

The cross in the church, covered in notes from children.

After lunch, we had a team meeting and a bit of free time.

Stuffed peppers for lunch!

For the sick people, the locals made a special meal — sweet rice, cooked plantains and apples.

It's funny — after my post last night describing what we did during our team meetings, our meeting last night wasn't spent talking, singing or praying — it was instead spent bonding and laughing. We played a game where we all had to write down on a piece of paper a random name (like Spiderman, Bugs Bunny, ect) and then everyone had to go around the room to guess who said what. Once someone guessed correctly, the person who was guessed joined the person who guessed correctly to work as a team. It was full of laughter and much fun, after a bit of a challenging day. 

Speaking of team meetings, we didn't have one today. We just got back from a fun outing out to a Christian bookstore for people to buy some bilingual Bibles, a market and then for churros. I had a nutella churro — it was AMAZING! We then returned back to the church for a quick supper and straight to bed.

I can't believe this missions trip is coming to a close so soon. Tomorrow I will post more entries from team members (here are some for today), how the last day of VBS went, and how you as families and friends can prepare for our return.

Here are a few more entries about people's thoughts about Mexico:

Kevin:

I think my favourite part of the trip so far was the drime that took place on the fourth day of VBS at Huixquilucan. What stood out most to me was how it portrayed the emotion of Christ’s death and the struggle between good and evil when Christ was pulling people towards Him, away from those holding them back. I also loved the tenderness when Jesus was healing the sick and the blind. I just thought it was so beautiful that even though I couldn’t understand the words to the song, I almost felt like I was there, witnessing it. One of the most surprising things for me is even though many of us don’t speak Spanish, we are still able to communicate with the children and show them God’s love through simple words and actions. On a slightly more casual note, I was also surprised by how quickly the weather can change and how extreme the thunderstorms can be. It’s nothing like what we experience at home.

Megan: Kevin, what have you learned so far?

Kevin: I’ve learned, Hola, como estas, buenos días… oh wait, that’s not what you were asking, right?

Something that God has put on my heart over the last few weeks is the idea that we don’t have to feel totally prepared and ready in order for God to use us. I felt really rushed before I came, and so I didn’t feel totally prepared for the trip. I was wondering, “How can God use me when I’m feeling so scattered right now?” But, when I got here, God presented me with a lot of places where I could support the students and where I could reach out to the kids and show them God’s love. It reminded me of all the people God sent who weren’t really ready or prepared, and yet, He worked through them. 

Emily:

I wanted to return to Mexico because of the people here.  I have been impacted by their love for us as a team, for the people they are ministering to, and for God. The relationships I have built with these people have impacted me so deeply and have taught me so much about what Christ-like love looks like. It’s so hard to pick one favourite moment! I have loved working with the children here. I love seeing their joy on their faces as they play games, or do crafts, or sing songs. Another favourite moment was definitely the Sunday service we had at Monte Sion. It was so powerful to worship together with the Mexicans and to realize that we love the same God. I have seen growth in myself in my willingness to step in and lead. During our last trip here, I was much more timid about using my Spanish and being in any sort of leadership role with the children. However, on this trip, I have been leading the crafts station for the children which has forced me to speak Spanish and to jump in with the kids which has been stretching, but so rewarding. 

Tuviere:

I would say my favourite part so far in my Mexican experience is seeing the blossoming relationships happening between the McKernan team and the Mexican children. Each time they come for VBS, they come with renewed energy and with bright smiles, hugging all members of the team. They have such infinite love, which is amazing, considering the short amount of time they have come to know us. I was surprised at how easy it is to communicate with the Mexicans considering how little my Spanish vocabulary is. One of my worries coming was the language barrier that was sure to exist between the Mexicans and I. However, the Mexicans have shown us such grace, staying patient when we needed a minute or two to translate. They were always trying to help us communicate, tuning into what little Spanish we knew. I have learned the value of community. Being in Mexico while so rewarding and great can also be quite exhausting. Our team has ben so amazing in the sense of community that it maintains. At least 5 people each day ask how I am doing and are always ready to offer a hand when needed. Without each of every member, our goal of sharing the truth would definitely be more difficult. 

Daniel:

Q: What has your favourite part of Mexico been so far?

A: Playing soccer with the Mexican kids and locals, and seeing everyone smiling together.

Q: What has been the most surprising part about being here?

A: The leaders really prepared us for coming to Mexico but when I arrived here I’ve found that the cultural differences are super cool. Honest, I love the sketchy driving, open markets and tasty tacos. I could stay here forever. :)

Q: What have you learned in your time in Mexico? 

A: I have learned plenty of Spanish. But the main thing is that the Mexican culture allows the locals to be amazing hosts. The only thing they let disturb us is an overfull stomach. They bend over backwards to provide for us, so perhaps I’ve learned that while we are here, the most important thing for them is building relationships with us.