Taking It Home

Wow, our time here in Mexico has flown by. Tomorrow morning we will be boarding a plane and heading home. This past week here in Mexico has been incredible, but the trip does not stop when we get home. God continues his work here in Mexico through Pastor Willie and others. God also continues his work in each and every team member's lives using what we have learned and experienced to shape us. I was humbled by Pastos Willies words when he shared how much our group coming year after year means to him and his ministry. I am so proud of our group and glad that they allowed God to work through them. My prayer is that our team, myself included, will continue to be open to what God wants to do with our lives. I hope that this trip will not be just a good memory in the teams collection of experiences, but instead that this trip will bring changes to each individuals life and ministry that will effect the rest of their life.

Continue to keep us in your prayers. Your prayers have been felt and are greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing you all soon as we cellebrate the ressurection of our Lord.

-Pastor Jared

A core aspect of the calling of our Bridgeway family is to reach our world for Jesus Christ. This is not just tacked on to the end of our mission statement to dream big about the expanding ministry of our church but instead, it is a declaration that we have allgned our mission with God's plan for this world. We are willing to work, sweat, sacrifice, learn, give, and go in order to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Our young people are leading the way! It has been a joy to be able to join our student ministry on this trip. I have had the freedom to sit and ask questions and listen to stories from Mike and Terril, our missionaries, and hear from the Mexican pastors with whom we are working.

To sit and hear about a new church that was started after one of our studetns teams ministered to a community. To know that this team is being trusted with the responsibility to be the first team Mike and Terril have allowed to minister in a new town. To see the warm comfortable relationships our church has built with these Mexican believers it is clear that Bridgeway is moving forward with God's power to fulfill our calling.

Please continue to pray as we explore more ways to expand our support for and service to the church here in Mexico.

-Dave

This is my first time in Mexico and my first missions' trip as a Leader. Having been to South Africa with Bridgeway as a student, I didn't want to carry over those perceptions and expectations. My goal was to expect nothing, except that God would move. And He has! Every single Outreach we've done, multiple people have stood up to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. It's amazing to connect with people who don't even understand the language you speak.

Unity has been one of the many themes we've explored as a team this week. I've learned a lot about motivating and focusing a group of people to work towards a common goal through difficult circumstances. Mixing cement has probably been one of the hardest tasks to do, especially in the heatñ but I'm so proud of the team. Everyone's worked very hard. We've all poured out a lot physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I can't wait to see how everyone utilizes all we've learned back home.

Throughout this whole experience, I've learned a lot about myself as well. I'm at a point in my life where I have to make some important decisions. God's been letting me know that I don't have to limit myself. It's okay to think outside of the box and go for big goals. He is a big God and is able to do above and beyond all we could ever ask or imagine so we shouldn't withold anything from Him nor place limits on His plan for our lives.

I am so grateful I've had the opportunity to be a part of this. It's truly been an amazing journey!

-Chelsea

We are almost done with our week in Mexico and so much has happened! The work has been hard but rewarding, and the ministry has opened everyone's hearts! I feel exhausted but more spiritually filled. I'm ready to put it all out today and finish strong.

Over the trip, unity has been a big factor to keep us together and strive to keep good attitudes. God has stayed with us through it all, even venturing to a new town and new worksite. Growing closer to my team and seeing the growth in everybody's lives is an amazing experience. It's hard to write down all that happens down here, but God is definitely active and working in the citizens and team!

-Isaiah

I am so blessed to be a part of this team! Everyone has been physically woking so hard to accomplish as much as we can before we leave tomorrow. Ministry has been amazing. The students have been performing drama´s and songs and giving their testimonies. God is working through them, and I am so proud of how they are allowing God to use them and speak to and through them. God has been showing me so much during this trip. One of those things is that our plan is not always his plan, and our flexibility allows God plan to be revealed. Our team has had to be very flexible during this trip as plans have changed a lot, but we know that wherever we end up and whatever we end up doing, it is where God wants us to be and what God wants us to be doing. I can´t wait to come home to share with everyone about our trip. Please continue to be in prayer for our team as we travel back to Cancun tomorrow then home to MD on Friday. Pray that we continue to be a unified team so that God can use us without there being distractions among team members.

-Amie

I feel as though this trip has done as much, spiritually, for me, as I hope it's done for all the people we have ministered to. God has made Himself clear and evident. I don't know if I have ever been in such a God centered, God fueled atmosphere. He's restructured my heart, my testimony, my outlook, and the hearts and souls of those we have encountered. He's been here in the fun, exhaustion, crazy, and the bland and occassional boring moments. He's taught me a lot about myself, my peers, and my Lord. I feel a stronger call, and stronger relationship with God, along with a stronger body. I ask everyone to pray for me, as I give the message and bring the word tonight. I got to get back to work now, but keep us in your prayers! God bless.

-Will

Friday was our first full length day. We got up and went to work. We were working on the roof of a children's home. We had to lift a lot of cinder blocks. It was hard work, but it went by fast. Then the night rolled around and I became very nervous. This was the time where I had interact with the Spanish speaking kids. They got there and I was frozen stiff. I had no idea what to do. I felt isolated. I felt like I didn't belong. And every time I tried to communicate with the kids, they would just leave. I was on the verge of tears. I tried not to cry. I had never felt so out of place in my entire life. I told the team that night and we prayed about it.

The next day was also a good work day. And then we went to a park for ministry. There were so many people but I wanted to do my best. So, this night I decided to do something different. I decided to join the kids' soccer game. This kids tried to talk to me and I got so scared. I only knew a few words so I told him I didn't speak Spanish. And what he did next, I will never forget. He started to teach me. He saw that I was in need so he helped me. God had blessed me through a 9 year old kid who didn't even speak English. I will never forget Daniel.

-Alex

This is my second year in Mexico, and again I love it here. It took until our first night of ministry for me to actually feel like I was in Mexico, and now it's out last day of work. Every one of us have really dug into the word for inspiration or encouragement while being here. It was great to see the YWAM team again, and as well as new members who have helped God show me what He wants for my future. I am excited to come home and share the amazing things God has done for me, but at the same time I'm not ready to leave Mexico.

To family and friends, I miss you and I love you! AND HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY BRANDI! I love you. You're a great best friend. Hope you had an awesome birthday. We'll go out for lunch my treat once I get back!

-Sierra

2009

2010

2011

 

Yesterday we went to El Divino Maestro where Pastor Armando is the senior pastor where we did a 45 minute show for the children's ministry. As always, it was a blast to hang out with the kids.

Above are pictures of my friend Hazel. SHE IS SO CUTE! I met her on my first trip back in '09. That's the first pic you see up top. But I was so fortunate to see her again both last year and this year (yesterday)!!!!!!!!! The first year I was so drawn to her after she caught my eye during worship. She just seemed so full with the spirit of God and it ministered to me. Often times, children can speak volumes about the most profound, abstract, and or complicated things in life. Just the simplicity of this little girl worshipping her God, unhindered by what she feels the world might think of her, truly touched me.

In my broken spanish I asked her, "Tu sabes mi de antes anos?!?!" "Si, si!!!" she said. "Quiero un photo conmigo?!" She smiled and shrugged her shoulders at the same time saying, "Ok!"

We are now in Maria Morales where Pastor Willie lives and has started his own church. Construction has started today. Concrete mixing by hand with shovels and pick axes...yum! Don't be jealous =)

-Dante

Day 3 felt like DAY 8!!!! We worked SO hard today, but we finished the roof the where the boys are going to sleep once the orphanage is finished!!! Everyone is safe. Caleb hurt his eye but he is fine. He is still his CRAZY SELF! I MISS MY FIANCEE AND SISTER AND MOM AND BROTHER SO MUCH!!! I'm so close to my family and to be so far away from them is difficult. I want to make sure they are all safe. So many people think that going on a missions trip is all about YOU and the work THEY will be doing, but part of the leap of faith is trusting that God has got EVERYTHING...including the stuff and people back home. I want my family to know...

"I think about you all day. God is doing such amazing things through me and my team that I wish you could be here to see it! I know you'd be so proud. I'd love for you to one day be a part of this mission I am on so that you can experience the things that words can't suffice in explaining. Tell my Brody I miss her SOOOO much and that she's my little princess!"

Check out this picture I'm putting down here. The kids at the orphanage bumrushed me for my bracelets. I had 3 "like christ" bracelets, 2 "build strong" bracelets, and 2 "WWJD" bracelets all on my right wrist. I gladly gave them all away. This is my friend Brian. I told him to hold up his bracelet with pride. It's amazing how the "build strong" theme can cross racial, social, and even cultural borders. WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!

-Dante

First Work Day

Today, Friday April 15 2011, was our first official work day. Yesterday we were basically given an orientation and such. Now, back to today. We had breakfast at 8 oclock and then quiet time. After quiet time we practiced our dramas, music, dancing and went over the basic GP(gameplan) for the day. Then around 10 O`clock  we got in the vans and drove to the worksite. The van ride was craaazzzzyyy fun hahaha. Now the work site was in this....village you could say. The area was not...well the best way to describe it would be...ok bottom line these people were living in huts essentially. The roads were very bumpy and it was pretty hot and fairly dusty. The worksite was basically a communtiy center for the village and it even had a pool! Back to the worksite. We helped assemble the roof of the second story of the building and it was....fun I would say. We all worked together, had no arguements, everything ran smoothly and we did a great job. After that we had lunch, went to cool down in the pool, then went out into the comunnity and told the people we were having a ``program`` at five o`clock. We practiced some more, went over the GP, and did some other prep work. The program was a lot of fun and one woman accepted Christ after we had done our thing. There is a lot more I could write about, but I`ll go more into detail when we complete our mission here =). I look forward to the rest of our time here and I`m excited about what God is going to do through us as we continue to serve Him and follow His will. =)

-James

El Niños

Today we met with the children and it was Beautiful. I was mainly in charge of face paint and didn´t think I did that good of a job, but they loved it. It was kind of hard to communicate but besides that it was an excellent experience. They are wondeful and they really enjoyed the dances and skits. When they smile it just can melt away anyones hardness from their heart. We sang with them and gave them candies and balloons. It is a wonderful experince just to see these kids come out and worship God. Iask that you all take the time to pray for these young children and ask that all their essential needs be taken care of because these are our future, our next generation. It is great to see young children but when you see them happy and smiling because of just a natural deed you did... It makes it all worth while!

-Truly Blessed Shari

Today was a good day!! Everything went as planed and everyone worked at the sights with the best of their ability. God has protected and blessed us with his love and compassion. I can not wait for what the Lord has in stored for me this week.

-Caleb

So we're here! A brisk Maryland morning turned into a blistering Cancun afternoon in a blink of an eye. Smelling the familiar scents hit me instantly as I walked out of the airport and made my way into the packed van with no AC. Why is it that I kind of missed this? Then I realized. When you're a part of something that's bigger than you, you'll find that God can magically have you find comfort and peace in the most uncomfortable circumstances. The rest of the team and I are ready to work hard tomorrow. We're amped up to see the progress made on the orphanage. It was an insentive to see our YWAM (Youth With A Mission) friends again. Being able to reconnect with those we've made a lifelong connection with over the past two years is a blessing in and of itself.

We all went to the hotel for lunch and a quick orientation from Mike and Terril. Then it was off to the combio y bodega for essentials...and snacks in some cases. Then we went and introduced the team to Pastor Armando who's been doing ministry for over 50 years now. The man is 72 but he looks like he's 50. Pastor Armando is the pastor of the church that we are working with in regards to the orphanage. Then it was off to dinner at one of our favorite spots. Now I'm here writing this.

I took this shot of Alex on the roof of the church, El Divino Maestro, where Armando is the senior pastor. The students all prayed over different areas inside the church. I can't wait to see what God is going to do through this team. Don't forget about us as you're praying. Continue to pray that God will use us in a mighty way. I believe the overall agreement of this team is that we are ready to work hard and just be used.

Tomorrow I will get one of the students to write a blog. Hopefully, we can upload some video for you.

-Dante

Mexico team is through security!!! No, Cody Michener was not detained by authorities...yet =)

The team is chilling now eating McDonald's for breakfast. Don't be jealous. Continue to pray for us. Pray for travel mercies specifically at this time. We take off in about an hour. I miss my fiancee, brother, sister, and mom. They inspire me so much and I pray through God's grace, I can make them proud with the work my team and I complete in Cancun.

-Dante

Pastor Mike's message to our team all the way from LA!!

-Dante

 I can't believe that one week from now we will be in Mexico. I am super excited. I'm looking forward to the yummy food and the culture. I am looking forward to seeing old friends that we made the previous 2 years. I am excited to bond with the team. But most of all, I am excited to see God work. There's something about being in another country, being removed from the comforts of home and experiencing the culture shock, that makes us depend on God and on each other more than any other time. It is so cool to see the transformation that God does in each of my teammates and myself, and the people that we serve in Mexico that continues even after we come home. Every year God works in amazing and different ways, and I can't wait to see what he is going to do this year.

As the trip grows closer, we would really appreciate your prayers. Please pray for our safety and health. Please pray that God softens our hearts and prepares us for what He is going to do in and through us. Please pray for the people that we are going to be ministering to, that God prepares them. Thank you so much for all your support! We could not do this without you.

-Sara

 I am so excited!! Our trip is only 2 weeks away. I feel so blessed to be part of the team this year, and even more blessed by everyone who has generously gave financially for me personally and for our entire team to be able to go. My prayer is that God would strengthen our relationships with each other so that we can be a unified team ready to connect and make relationships with the people we will meet in Mexico. My hope is that God will work through us to encourage people and bring more lives to him. I am looking forward to what God will do in and through me and our team. Please be in prayer for our team that the devil will not take any stronghold in our lives and that we would be flexible and submit to whatever God wants us to do as we prepare to leave 2 weeks from today and while we are in Mexico.

-Amie

 A little over a month from now our team will be departing for Mexico. God has brought us a long ways. We have spent time in trainings, team building, fundraising, praying and fasting together. Over this next month we will contine to prepare with more of the same.

Bridgeway is such a supportive community. Over the past several weeks I have had many people come up to me excited about the opportunity that our missions team has to be a part of God’s  work in Mexico. Many people want to know how they can help. My answer usually goes something  like this. More than anything we can use your prayers. People’s prayers on our behalf are felt and needed. We are also in the still in the process of raising funds. God has been consistently providing for us. To this point we have raised nearly 60% of what we need as a team. If you would like to support us financially please click on the link below.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. Please check back with this blog frequently  for more updates. Especially make sure you check this blog during our trip we hope give daily updates here while we are in Mexico.

-Jared

 I am looking forward and excited to see how God is going to use me this year. I am hoping and praying that I am able to better lead and speak more efficiently to the people there, whether it is one on one or in front of a big group. May God get the glory.

-Matt

This is my 2nd missions trip, but my 1st time going to mexico. When i was younger, about 11, i was blessed to have my mind and eyes opened to places other then where i live by going to Africa.  i helped deliver care packages and even was able to preach to the adults there, and the children. i’m dying to go back to Africa and am following Gods will on when, but im excited to see the relationships and the spiritual impact on me and the people speak to and work with in cancun.  I really want prayer though that god well put me and my heart in the right place to prepare me for this, im sure, life changing experience.  i just pray that god can use me as he sees fit.  31 more days!!

-Will

This will be my second year going to mexico and i cannot wait to go back! I can’t believe that in a month ill be in Mexico. This year i am trying to not have any expectations or compare this trip to last years. When going to Mexico this year, i am very exited to rekindle old friendships that i had made last year. For the first part of our trip we will be returning to work on the same orphanage that we worked on last year. I am very eager to se the progress that has been made over the past year, and to continue working on it! Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Can’t wait to go, 31 more days!!!

-Cody

This is my first year going on the mission trip to Mexico and I’m very excited to be part of this years team! From our previous meetings I have learned not to be expectant of anything in particular, so instead I’m simply excited to see what God will do through all of us, whatever it may be. As far as prayers go, please pray for the safety of the Mexico Team physically, mentally, and spiritually. Also, please pray for our leaders and that we can completely surrender ourselves to God so that he can use us completely.

-James

I can’t believe this is already my third year going to Mexico! I’m really excited because each year has brought it’s own unique experiences and challenges. I’ve always enjoyed the times we’ve spent performing for the different communities through singing, dancing and acting. The children are always so much fun and bring lots of entertainment. I can say from the past three years I’ve matured spiritually because in Mexico it’s not about just ‘believing’ in God, we’re sharing our testimonies every night with complete strangers and taken out of our comfort zones, but in a good way. This year I’m looking forward mostly to meeting new people and connecting with them spiritually and as friends. We encounter many people during our trip, but I want to be able to really connect with specific people even if it’s just one person and exchange our stories (it would be even cooler if we could speak in Spanish, but I’m not so sure about that! haha) I’m so excited, and counting down the days!

-Kylie

Support Letters!!!

Here we go! One of the biggest leaps of faith when being called to go on a missions trip is trusting God to provide financially. This Sunday, all of our team members will be bringing their written support letters to Common Ground to be prayed over and sent out together.

In previous years, God has provided above and beyond what any of us have needed. Last year, we even met our goal early, AND had enough left over to take about 5 more students! God never ceases to wow us. Personally, I am expectantly praying with confidence and faith, knowing that if His eye is on the sparrow, then He is certainly watching our team in ALL areas regarding this trip. Not just the finances.

-Dante