The trip home

We're getting breakfast at McDonald's in Rosarito at the moment. We'll likely be crossing the border in a couple hours.
We then plan to fly into SeaTac from Long Beach on Jetblue 294. The scheduled landing is 4:44pm, and we hope to be ready for curbside pickup at 5pm.
Thanks so much for your prayers!

Updates:

• We crossed the USA border at 11am.
• We all boarded our flight at 2:05pm with only minutes to spare!
• We landed in SeaTac at 4:35pm.

More thoughts from the team

Every time I come to Mexico on the mission trip I am so blessed.  This week has been no exception. This has been a great group to work with.  We got a lot done at the church at Colonet but also had a number of opportunities to get to know some of the people who attend church there.  I really enjoyed getting to know Josie (Rudy’s wife), Raquel, Hilda and Rosa who cooked dinner for us most of the week.  Rosa had just the right song for our Bible study on Wednesday night with the women at Colonet.  She was at the hotdog feed Friday night so I got to ask her to teach me how to sing it. I also got to be part of a small group that got to spend an afternoon with one of the moms from the Casa. We had lunch, did some shopping and got her hair cut. That was a bit out of my comfort zone but it was great getting to know her better.  Also it is always amazing to see how little things can break through the language barrier, Peter with his magic tricks, bubbles, pulling out a soccer ball, stringing up a piñata.  It really has been a great week.
- Debbie Williamson

Tonight, our final night in Mexico this year, was a fitting conclusion to our week.  We hosted a hot dog dinner at Rudy’s church in Colonet.   We were able to have one final visit there to look at all the things we had done this past week: the new fence and roof, the newly-painted education building, the trees and playground repairs.   Best of all, we were hosting the people the church is there to serve – the local people of the surrounding neighborhood, the town of Colonet and nearby migrant camps.  After setting up the barbeques and food, a couple of us drove vans around town and to a camp to pick-up our guests.  The night was awesome, with an energetic short worship service, hordes of children playing and many meals of hot dogs, beans and potato chips served, all capped off with a piñata and great fellowship.    Eating a hot dog while sitting inside the church building in a circle of little giggling Mexican girls, I had a deep sense of why we are here and how much we are all one in God’s eyes.
- Tom Utterback

It's been such a blessing to come back every year and see God's hand at work. It's been real amazing to see what God has done in their lives year after year.
- Adeliz Wright

Mexico was great I met new friends and I am looking forward to going next year.
- Adam Wright

Each year I am always so blessed and humbled with amazing servant hearted teams that God puts together. This year is no different, whether the team was completing construction, outreach events or loving on the moms and their kids, each member was hard working and open to what God wanted them to learn. This year marks a turning point for Pastor Rudy's church in Colonet, as we completed many of the painting, landscaping, soccer goals and smaller items that makes a church home to the community. In the last nine years, teams from our church have been part of two church plants and it wonderful to see how God is working in this area and I am excited to see what is next as they continue to preach the Gospel and spread the word of Jesus.
Thank you to all of the team members and their families. The trip would not be possible without your prayer and support.
- Heath Wright

More Photos!

Thoughts from the team!

Mexico has been an amazing experience. I never thought that I could make such a difference in the lives of people that I barely know. It has been such a blessing to participate.

- Olivia Davis

Mexico has been a great experience and I have learned many things. It’s really cool to see everyone together working as a team. I am happy God gave me the opportunity to be here.

- Kaitlin Taylor

This trip to Mexico has been absolutely amazing. It is such a blessing to return each year to see how God has worked in the communities of San Vicente and Colonet and to see His plan unfold for all those who love Him.

- Sonia Romo

Mexico has been a fantastic and beautiful place to work for our lord and savior Jesus Christ.  Working here is blessing.

- David Hamilton

This is my first mission trip and it’s been a really good experience. This trip has made me realize how blessed I am. The littlest things to me can be the big things to someone else. It’s great to see all these different groups from all over here for the same reason.

- Greer Brewer

This is my first time ever going on a mission. But I have always wanted to go on missions and help people in foreign countries. Even then it has been a great time with people I have grown to know and love! One of my favorite memories was meeting all the women at the center with their adorable children. And hearing their life stories and getting to really know these special women.

- Angelica Conner

It’s my first mission trip and we have made fences, painted a building, built a roof, made cement and dug a lot holes. I feel really happy about helping the people at the church with a lot of stuff and everyone’s sharing testimonies.

- Colton Berge

Throughout the Mexico trip, this year, God has been showing me how much I am resistant to stepping out of my comfort zone, in order to serve Him fully. It is so easy to come here and offer to serve in the way that I want to serve. But I’ve come to realize that by not stepping out in faith, in situations that I may not be completely confident in, I am not fully trusting God to work through me. Additionally, I may be missing out on all that God has to show me. It is in the times that we are most uncomfortable that God grows us the most. I am so very blessed to have been able to come on this trip, and am looking forward to what more God has in store for the last couple days.

- Diana Neufeld

This trip has been a great experience; I am so glad that I got the chance to come here. I have been able to build relationships with several of the other missionaries, some better than others. But the people are very nice and very fun to play soccer with. Thank you all who made this trip possible for me to come and I hope to tell you guys more about it when I get back.

- Jordan Mott

Never did I think that going to Mexico on a mission trip would be something that I would do. But now that I am here and interacting with the people of Mexico it is totally different. I can’t believe the work being done here not only actual physical work but the work for God’s kingdom. I keep coming back to the Compound thinking there will be no way I can make it another day, but yet the next day comes and I am up and ready. God is definitely using this mission to reach the people of Mexico.

God Speed,

- Peter Berge

It’s been amazing! Serving, playing, and talking with the people here in Mexico has been great!

- Daniel Hug

Mexico was great

- Viviana Wright

What an amazing God we have, He has given us such a blessed week serving and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We have been able to paint one of the buildings inside and out, put up a chain link fence, planted trees, put a roof over the breezeway, build soccer goalposts, build a fire pit, and put up a new sign in Colonet.  We’ve also been able to paint one of the mom’s homes from the Casa, as well as hold a women’s bible study for both the women of Colonet and San Vicente, just to name some of the projects that we’ve done.  I am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a gracious, giving team of Christians.  Please pray for all of the people of Colonet, and San Vicente, that God will protect them and continue to show them His amazing Love.  Also, please pray for the mission team’s safe travels home.

- Tamy Gutierrez

I love being in Mexico Mission trip. This is my last year being on this trip. I learned a lot on this trip. I like playing with the kids at the Casa del Pastor and the migrant camps. God is shining his light through me. I will miss being here next year.

- Renett Randleman

It’s awesome to have a whole week to spend with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  I am amazed at how a simple game of soccer can break down the cultural, and language barriers present.  Rudy's testimony tonight really helped reinforce the work God has called him, and us to here in Mexico.  I can’t wait to come back next year and see what God has in store for the team next year, and to see how the people’s lives have changed.

- John Leskajan                    

Wednesday's report

Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement from home! God has blessed us so much in enabling us to bless so many people through our time and work. Here are a few of Wednesday's events.

At Rudy's church, "Primera Iglesia Evangelica de Colonet"

• Pulled chain-link fencing for many of the fence posts
• Finished welding the two new soccer goals
• Continued preparing the new church sign
• Planted many trees
• Finished the stove
• Added almost all of the roofing to the joists between buildings

Also that morning, a team of four painted most of the exterior Amelia's house in San Vicente. Amelia is a mom who came to Casa Del Pastor seven years ago, escaping a very difficult past. There she learned about and chose to follow Jesus! She worked very hard for three years to purchase the land for the house which she now lives in with her children, Alex & Lily.

In the afternoon we visited the Bella Vista migrant camp near Colonet, where we played with the kids and passed on many of the donations which we had received.

The ladies of the group split up to lead two women's bible studies in the evening, one in San Vicente and one in Colonet, while some of the guys played outdoors in Colonet with the men and kids.

Photos and more...

Jonathan from the Casa del Pastor

This has been a great week with an amazing team of 29 people from both campuses and 2 other churches [Journey and Life Center] and five skilled local church workers.


In two days about 75 18 in' deep post holes were laid in very hard rocky ground, in addition to all the other projects mentioned. Many testimonies of our team members, both adult and youth, have been shared with feeling, openness, and gratitude to our God. Everyone has gotten close and we're enjoying the team our God put together. We saw RVCC's [and Dan and Marcie's] Steve Hamilton who has been down here 4 months before returning home this week. He plans to come back for a year beginning in August!

One row of 35 posts

Wood cook pit made for the church caretaker family

Joists for a metal shade roof between two buildings

Neighbor [and new church attender] who made mud [adobe] bricks

to replace the cardboard section of their house

Construction, Friends, and Testimonies

Tuesday was another amazing day in Mexico. The team continued to focus on construction at Pastor Rudy's church which included the following:

Post holes and roof work!

• Completed the fence post holes for the church property.
• Prepared the roof wood supports to connect the two church buildings.

• Finished painting the future training classroom building.
• Poured concrete for an outdoor cooking area and front porch pad for the family who lives on the church property.
• Built a soccer goal post for the church field.
• Put together the concrete blocks for the shower room.

This afternoon some of the women and youth girls invited Lorenza and her children (a new believer from the Women's Shelter) to lunch, clothes shopping, and a visit to the local salon. It was great to see the team continue to show so much love and kindness.

During dinner we heard Pilar Garcia's testimony about God's constant love and protection as he guided her out of a life of drugs and unhappiness into a loving relationship with him. She is now married and all three of her children are in school and believers.

Tomorrow we will continue to work on more construction projects, visit our first Migrant camp, and have two women's Bible Studies.

Thank you all for your prayer and support!

A busy work day!

After a very busy work day, we will definitely enjoy our sleep.

The work is going smoothly and quickly! Today the team worked mostly in Colonet at Rudy's church.
There was severe wind in the afternoon which created a dusty environment to work in.

Here's a summary of some of what was accomplished:

• Completed the teeter totter which was started last year.
• Erected fence posts for 350 ft. of chain-link fence.
• Painted the new educational center inside and out.
• Laid cement pads for the educational center and a new shower.
• Some of the team members also worked on one of the women's home to repair her water tank and install a drain field for the gray water.

We had dinner with Juanita and her nine kids who is one of the American missionaries that overseas the Women's Center. Her testimony was amazing, then off to tacos and ice cream.

The team has shown their heart for service to so many... Thank you all for the continued prayers! As always, our God is amazing in so many ways!

A mostly relaxing day

Thank you all for your continued prayers! We're all safe and headed to bed!

A few events from Sunday:

• Had the first of our daily breakfasts and team devotional times at the hostel.
• Visited Rudy's church in Colonet where Marcelino spoke on Psalm 24:1-6.
• Had a birthday dinner & party for moms and kids at Casa Del Pastor.
• Planned for our busy work-week which will start early Monday morning.

Casa Del Pastor:

We've arrived!

Finally ready to go to bed after a busy day. Buying food for 29 people for a week is actually a lot of work, but we all worked together and did it quickly.
Crossing the border was completely smooth. Praise God! Thanks for your continued prayers! We were happy to arrive in San Vicente at 10:30.
Excited to see Rudy and check out his church, but for now, time to go to sleep.

We're off!

The Mexico team met at 4:30 this morning at the RVCC Parkland campus. We just landed in Long Beach. After we pick up rental vehicles and shop for supplies we plan to head to the border crossing early this evening.
Join us in praying for a safe & smooth drive to San Vicente and for an overwhelmingly successful week ahead!

Pray for the 2012 Team

Since 1995 members of Rainier View Christian Church have been traveling to San Vicente, Mexico to serve Christ. San Vicente is located 120 miles south of the US/Mexican Boarder near San Diego. It is our desire to assist, encourage the missionaries and indigenous pastors in their labor of love for Christ, the local people and the migrant workers from Southern Mexico.

This year's team will travel to Mexico on June 23 and will return on June 30. Please pray for safe travel, for the team, and for a fruitful week of serving the men, women and children they will meet.

Feel free to encourage the team by sharing your prayers for them and their journey to Mexico in the comments below.