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Friday, July 14th
We rolled out early this morning for our ministry at the coast. During the five-hour trip, we descended a mile in elevation to sea level and watched palm and banana plantations blur by.
Arriving in Melakee, the group split up for some relaxation. The guys saw a few fish while snorkeling and the girls played at a different beach in the waves that came crashing in.
In the evening, we celebrated Vanessa Myers’s birthday with a meal of fresh chicken, rice, and watermelon by the beach. Hanging up a piñata clown in the middle of a cobblestone street, we had fun watching the neighbor children crowd around to swing at the piñata and grab the candy. We passed out some tracts to them and had fun seeing their glee at the birthday event.
The guys’ plans for sleep were interrupted at 10:30 p.m. when one of them pulled back the covers and yelled. There were hundreds of ants swarming to the scene of some crumbs under the mattress! The guys fled to the flat roof above the building, where they slept until a night rain drove them inside. It was a long and adventurous day!
Coconut eaters
Saturday, July 15th (Contributed by Hannah Kinsel)
This morning, we left the ocean and went to the little coastal village of La Concha. Because there was no breeze at all here, it felt hotter than at the humid beachfront we had just left. Our struggle with the heat was worth it though, when the pastor and his family greeted us. We rested at their house under a huge mango tree and ate fresh mangos. Those of us who were taller kept bumping our heads on the green mangos on the tree!
After that, we went with the pastor to a ranch that wasn’t really a ranch. It was more like a very small town. After we passed out the tracts, we went back to the pastor’s house for lunch. After lunch some of us went on a little hike with two boys from the church family and saw inside a mango grove. When we got back, the others had already left for the town square to pass out invitations for that night.
When the others got back we all left for the hotel and changed into our team shirts, and left again to go to the square. Some of us gave testimonies and Michelle played the flute. We all worked together to make that night successful and I just want to give God the glory.
Morning at the beach
Sunday, July 16th (Contributed by Sarah and Laura Foulke)
Sunday was an incredible day for the team. It started with a few of the girls going to a ranch owned by a man whose family had recently become Christians. They looked around and got a taste of fresh cow’s milk. After the girls returned, the group headed to the pastor’s house in La Concha. His family served us a delicious breakfast. It was very inspiring to watch the hospitality of those who had so little. They all had so much love and energy, even the young children.
After breakfast we were given the opportunity to minister in the church with music and personal testimonies. The people in the church were warm, friendly, and very responsive. Their energy during the service was inspiring to watch. It wasn’t just a ritual for them to be there; they were truly brothers and sisters gathered to encourage and edify one another.
After the service we all gathered for another tasty meal of hominy and tomato soup. It was neat to try some real Mexican food. It was also really neat to just spend time with the people. It was almost like being at a family reunion, except we had never met them before and we were hindered by the language barrier. They are such an open people. The pastor was so thrilled that we were there that he told us he couldn’t wait for us to return and that we could do so anytime.
Later that afternoon we headed to another coastal village. It was a beautiful place and we enjoyed the ocean as the sun set. We were also able to observe some of the sea life, which included a large school of fish, a stingray, and many other small fish. It was wonderful to enjoy God’s creation in such a beautiful setting.
The tract team
Monday, July 17th
After a morning that included devotions on the beach, catching an octopus, enjoying a majestic view of the Pacific, and finding other sea life on the beach, we passed out tracts. The people seemed responsive. On the way home, we visited an orphanage in Colima for half an hour. We arrived home in the evening grateful for a good trip and glad to be back at home in the cool mountains.
Tuesday, July 18th
Today we went to Guadalajara for the last time. This city is a bustling place with lots of activity. Our drivers soldiered through traffic circles, speed bumps, and crowded streets to give us a final glimpse of the city. In the evening, we returned to the training center and met the Walsh family from Florida who will be attending a Spanish language school as a family in Guadalajara.
Tomorrow, the group will be hiking to the cross behind the training center, shopping at a local market, and sprucing up the training center a bit before an evening of sharing and testimonies.
Prayer requests:
- For the Lord’s blessing on the fellowship and commitments that are made tomorrow and unity for the team.
- For strength for the trip home and for true life-change to occur in all of us so that we love God more, disciple other people, and are stronger and more purposeful about what God has called us to.
