Continued…

“My first mission trip was with City of Refuge Reynosa in July 2013. I was taken to a shack the first day, not so much to meet the family who lived there, but to see the living conditions. Rocks the size of golf balls and larger scattered the dirt floor. Holes in the makeshift roof and walls meant the floor turns to mud when it rains and the sleeping family of five gets wet in the two small beds they share. Their two daughters immediately started playing with my daughter while the mom avoided eye contact with me. I think she was embarrassed that I was intruding on her home. There was no kitchen or bathroom. Just the one room. 

 I was told the night before at a brief “what to expect” meeting that God had a plan for each of us that week. We were encouraged to connect with one person and share the gospel. That terrified me. I didn’t feel brave enough or qualified to do that. The week sped by and we finished a house for a family and it was an awesome experience. But the mom’s face from that first day kept coming to mind, and since their home was right across the dirt road from the mission house. I saw her outside sometimes doing chores. On the last day, someone yelled out “30 minutes before the van leaves. Say your goodbyes!” I could feel my heart start to race and I felt slightly sick. I grabbed a translator and my bible and headed to the shack. I don’t remember what I read to her or what I said. But when I prayed, I remember saying, “God is going to give you a new house soon.” I was horrified at my own words because I didn’t know if they were true. The translator even hesitated before translating that part, but what was done was done. Before I left, I requested that the missionaries inform me if and when she would be put on the list for a new house. I was told it would most likely be far off, but they would let me know. 

My church didn’t have another trip planned until the following summer, but I felt a strong pull to return and asked about coming on another church’s trip in November. God worked it out and I was headed back. I couldn’t wait to see this family again. When we arrived, on of the missionaries hugged me and expressed her surprise that I was back. As she let me go she said, “Guess whose house we’re building this week.” I knew instantly.

 That week was the most amazing week of my life. We worked in 30 and 40 degree weather and in the rain (very unusual for November in Mexico). When the house was finished the team headed to the mission house. A friend and I stayed behind to sweep the floors of the new house and I got to see their oldest daughter enter her new home for the first time. I will never forget her reaction. That was worth it all.

 The next day, they started moving their few belongings out of the shack. I stepped into the old home and noticed for the first time, a verse that was spray-painted on the wall. In Spanish it said, “The Lord is my shepherd. I have all I need.” Tears welled up in my eyes. I’ve never been so humbled as in that moment. What a gift that family gave me.

 I’ve made 5 trips so far and hope to make many more. This family is my family. I have the coordinates of their home tattooed on my forearm as a reminder of how amazing God is and remains. This is why I’m a sponsor.”