Mexico Mission Trip

The Classrooms

2007-07-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Randy's Blog

2007-07-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

Randy is still down in Mexico with the Stockton group, and he is updating his own blog: http://www.randywray.com/

Please be sure to check it out to see how the project progresses!

--Rochelle

The work is not over yet!

2007-07-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Eugene, Arlington, and Tacoma groups have made it home safely, but the project continues with a new group from Stockton.

Some of the walls are up on the second story classrooms!

Stay posted, there is more to come via email with Randy.

Rochelle

Day Nine --- Are we there yet?

2007-07-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

We finished out the drive today and got into town around 6pm! It feels wonderful to be home, showered, and soon rested!

The trip all in all was a great experience, despite the minor setbacks.

We're home, we're safe, thank God.

When we left the work site in Ensenada, the base of the second floor classroom was nearly completed. The Tacoma group was planning on staying a few more days to finish out the work.

Until the next adventure...

Rochelle, and the Mexico Mission 2007 Team

Day Eight -- Thursday, The border

2007-07-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning we woke early and headed towards the states!

A long drive but finally we made it across the border with little trouble.

We dropped off a family from Virginia at the airport in Long Beach, and drove to Stockton to stay the night at the Wray's house. We got in at about 1 or 2 am and fell right asleep.

--Rochelle

Day Seven --- Wednesday (Again)

2007-07-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Landon is no longer allowed to touch the computer.

SOOO..... if you understood that last entry, disregard it, if you dont, then dont worry about it. heh.

Okay so today, we are finishing up the support for the second floor classrooms and we will begin to build the floor.

¡Everyone is safe and having fun!

Bryce loading the truck for a trip to the the dump.

The men at work, planning...

More scooping... fun fun fun!

Brandon can be the new support beam.

Jess Skywalker

A view from the top:

Joist pushing, at its best

Soon to be the 2nd story floor--

Time for lunch!!! Burritos by the bunches! YAY!

Josh will getterdone

YAY

Day Seven --- Wednesday

2007-07-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hola, soy Landon, yo estoy creando el blog entrada para hoy. todo el equipo murio. yo necesito un ride a Portland. Entonces, si una persona puede manejar a Ensenada, yo lo pagare como seis o siete pesos. Gracias.

PS- Rapido por favor, porque si yo paso mas tiempo en mexico, yo no entendere ingles nada mas.

Day Six -- Tuesday

2007-07-10T11:00:00.001-07:00

The day is far from over but so far we destroyed a little more, pulled a lot of nails, avoided injuries, and now we're doin' laundry!

It's only 11am, so maybe we'll tell you more of what we do tonight another time.

---------------------------

PART TWO

By the end of the day we had demolished the roof of the church kitchen and covered area, and had put the beams up for the new second story floor.

The big strong men lifted the beams up above to the high heavens.

Day Five -- Monday

2007-07-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: The computer I am using to update will not correct my spelling errors, because it uses spanish. So, HUSH.

Monday,

We destroyed the place. We got to work!!! Yay!!! Among many happy hearts there were 2 ankle injuries, 1 puncture wound, numerous abrasions and bruises, and red marks (from paint, mostly). We tore off a roof, painted, took nails out of wood, hammered nails into wood, played with heavy beams, got squished by them a little, and painted them red, it was an all around party! But really, it feels so good to work hard, and especially knowing that it is all for God and other people, and you are doing a good thing! We really are doing well!

We ended with a devotional, SHOWERS, and then we slept like rocks.

Day Four -- Sunday

2007-07-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

The day started out with a wonderful church service. The feeling you get is amazing when you are worshiping with people in multiple languages with different backgrounds. Even if you cannot understand every word, you can see God working through people, and you can understand how they feel. We stayed at the church until about 2:30, we sang songs in english and spanish, and Randy gave the lesson in both languages. After the sevice we all ate together as a group, it was an amazing spread of food prepared by the ladies of the church. (They have been feeding us all very well!!) We eventually left the church building and went shopping out on the town for a few hours, we took a lot of pictures, but they are no longer with us.

We had dinner at a taco bar called "MkTaco"! It was Delicious! We enjoyed being together and of course, the Mexican Coke, (it really tastes better down here). After dinner we went back to the church where most of our group were going to sleep that night along with Jess and some others from different groups. The girls moved all of their things from Javier's where they slept on Saturday night, and we got ready for another devotional.

Our devotional focused on the idea of putting others before yourself and the verse that states "May the first be last and the last first." We discussed in depth how we should react when we are treated unfairly, and how we should always be aware of where other people are coming from, and what they've been through. Having this devotional, I feel was God preparing us for what was to happen next. While we were in the church building, singing and praying and talking, we were robbed. Someone came through the gate and into the back room where the girls had put their things, the van was also rummaged through. They stole Tim's laptop, three digital cameras, a suitcase full of clothes, backpacks with ipod/mp3 players, and a whole pile of camera cards that we had been uploading to the laptop. I really do feel that this was something God wanted us to be prepared for, because after our devotional, I feel like our reactions were all fairly calm and rational. I know that having all my clothes stolen, and my camera that was VERY important to me, I would have felt a lot worse if I wasn't already in such an understanding and Godly mindstate from studying the word with others.

Needless to say, this situation is why we haven't updated in a few days. We have very few pictures from sunday, or any days before that, except for the few that are on the blog.

Now I am updating from Javier's computer, and the updates may become less frequent but we will try to recap each day.

I hope all is well in Oregon!

Rochelle

Day Three --- Saturday "Hola Mexico!"

2007-07-07T21:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much Long Beach Church of Christ for letting us stay!

Today we woke up way too early, after getting home from at 0130 and with little sleep we were thinking we would leave Long Beach very early, but we didn't.

We started our morning with fresh coffee and fruit...

Then we met up with the Arlington group, and headed south.

We made a pit stop at In-N-Out Burger to eat and let others catch up with us.

7 miles later we are over the border and following Randy and Jess driving the Mexican way toward Ensenada.

Upon arriving in Ensenada, we were greeted by Javier and his beautiful family, and back at the church we met up with the group from Tacoma.

Now we're headed for bed! What a day, what a day!

Day Two --- The Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland)

2007-07-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Friday, Day Two:

woke up tired and sore from sleeping on the floor in the kiddie-classrooms in Long Beach. Then off to breakfast at Polly’s.

From there we got out our big piratey-scrolly maps, and sailed to Disneyland. We found a secluded parking spot, miles away from the park… and hiked across a gauntlet of shopping, to make our way to “The Happiest Place on Earth!” LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!

Yay!!!!! The night ended with an amazing fireworks show!

This post made possible by the even tired-er minds of Tim and Rochelle…

Video of a Roller coaster: WOOOOOOOOhoOOOoOO!!

PS: We want to give out awards at the end of the trip. What are some good titles? “Best Packer” “Early Bird” Things like that… got any ideas? Leave a comment!

Day One - On the Road

2007-07-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Day One:

We left in the wee hours of Thursday morning and drove for forever. With Tim and Peggy as our captains, the teens slept, ate, played cards, and chatted for the entire day in the big white van and various rest-stops along the way. It was VERY hot!

We went to Stockton to the Wray’s new house. Liz made it the distance, without frying. We almost did, as it was 107 degrees once we pulled into Stockton about 5pm. From there we headed for Long Beach, another 7 ½ hours of blazing heat in the van. The air conditionitioner worked, kind of, mostly, sort of, sometimes not, but sometimes it was okay, and sometimes it was just hot.

We were quick to fall asleep in the Long Beach church, and up by 7am the next morning to go to Disneyland. And that’s another story all in it’s own.

From the tired minds of Tim and Rochelle

How to leave Comments:

2007-06-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

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The 2007 Team!

2007-06-30T12:46:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again!
We're almost ready to pack the van full of kids and hit the road!
There is less than a week until we're headed south!

(On the way down to Mexico in 2004...Tire problems...)
Please pray for our safety, and that the van will get us there without too many complications...

Here's the 2007 Mexico Team!

Tim

“Older than dirt, but still not old enough”

Tim describes himself as Stout, Jovial, and Fun.

He enjoys music, fishing, and the outdoors.

Tim has been participating in Mexico Mission trips since 1996!

He is looking forward to seeing Javier, Randy and their families, as well as going on a “Journey with the Teens”.

Peggy

“Old!”

Peggy describes herself as Peppy, Caring, and Forgetful.

She enjoys sewing, working in the yard, and traveling.

This will be Peggy’s first year in Mexico!

She is most looking forward to experiencing a different culture.

Landon

19 years old

Landon chooses these three words to describe his self “I hate descriptions”.

He enjoys reading, acting, listening to music and stating his mind.

Landon has been going on the Mexico Mission trips since 2004.

He is looking forward to seeing old friends.

Whitney

19 years old

Whitney describes herself as Organized, Diligent, and Compassionate,

She enjoys volleyball and art.

Whitney has been going on the Mexico Mission trips since 2002.

She is most excited about seeing her friends.

Bryce

18 years old

Bryce describes himself as Humorous, Committed, and Analytical.

He enjoys Legos and basketball.

Bryce has been on the Mexico Mission once before, in 2004.

Brandon

18 years old

Brandon describes himself as Sarcastic, White, and an Adrenaline-Junky.

He enjoys paintball, bow-shooting, snowboarding, and dirt-biking.

Brandon has been on the Mexico Mission once before, in 2004.

He is looking forward to this trip so he can have some time away from his siblings. (But don’t worry kids, he still loves you!)

Rochelle

17 years old

Rochelle describes herself as Silly, Creative, and Dedicated.

She enjoys photography, and running a coffee shop at her high school.

Rochelle has been on the Mexico Mission once before, in 2004.

She is looking forward to reuniting with the church in Ensenada and working hard while experiencing an exciting culture.

Merry

16 years old

Merry describes herself as Shy, Trustworthy, and Reliable.

She enjoys reading and writing.

This will be Merry’s first year in Mexico! (Watch out for the initiation! Just kidding…)

She is most excited to experience the culture in a foreign country.

Josh

15 years old

He enjoys computers and videogames.

This will be Josh’s first year in Mexico!

Chinese Water Dragon

The Chinese Water Dragon describes himself as scaly, beautiful, and green.

He enjoys swimming, and eating insects and goldfish.

This will be the Chinese Water Dragon’s first long car ride with a bunch of kids!

He is most looking forward to hanging out, eating and sleeping.

We'll be updating as often as we can on the trip, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back whenever you can!

-Rochelle

We're Going To Mexico! 2007

2007-06-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

(This post was moved from our old blog)

This is the first entry on the Mexico Mission Trip Blog.

The mission this year is to bring a small group of mostly teens down to Ensenada, Mexico to build a classroom off of the Church of Christ (Iglesia de Cristo).

We have made many friends within the body of that church over the years and have on past mission trips work on the building, as well as built houses for the people in their community who are struggling.

I am excited to go back and meet with Alfredo and Javier and their families, as this is my second time going on a mission trip to Ensenada.

If you're planning on going, or interested in doing so, we are having a meeting on Friday June 29th to get all our ducks in one row. For more information leave us a comment here or call Tim (that might be the most efficient choice).

Here are pictures of Ensenada from above, that I found on Google. These pictures were probably taken for a tourist agency, and hardly represents the views that we will see once we are down there.

Below are some highlights from the 2004 mission trip to Ensenada.

Joel and Randy Goofing off: (Hopefully this video works!)

Stay Tuned!

-Rochelle