Social - February 2003

Missionaries travel to Mexico

Trip takes team on a journey to self discovery

BY SARA FUNDERBURK, Special to LTN

February 12, 2003 - They traveled to Mexico with hopes of blessing its people. They returned, having been blessed themselves.

Over the Christmas holiday, First Baptist Church youth pastor Rev. Eddie Andrews lead a 31-member mission team to Agua Prieta, a small town located near the U.S. border.

“I lead these trips because people really experience what Christianity is all about,” he said. “After the trip, they have experienced what it means to walk as Jesus did.”

Flying into Arizona, the first night was spent sleeping on a concrete floor at a church outside of Tucson. The next day the group crossed into Mexico.

Lincoln attorney Rob Brown, on his first mission trip, was surprised by the living conditions.

“When we crossed, I realized that Mexico was very dirty, poor, and chaotic,” he said.

The visit was the second within a short time for a group from First Baptist. Another group had put a roof on the same Agua Prieta church the past summer.

The Lincolnton group soon found themselves drawn into the enthusiastic worship of the Mexican Christians.

“There were lots of people in worship and it didn’t matter to them how cold or dark it was because they were there to worship God,” said Lincolnton High sophomore Jessica Newton.

The First Baptist group shared in worship  through its clown, puppet, and drama teams and praise band.

At one of the churches, a child wanted to share his musical abilities with Ben Guynn, a 16-year-old praise band drummer.

“A 12-year-old was better than me playing drums,” Guynn said. “It showed me that I’m not the only person in the world that plays drums.”

Each day, small groups ventured in to Agua Prieta to lead winter Vacation Bible School for the Spanish-speaking children. Surprisingly, the language barrier was not a major issue.

“It was amazing to see how the different languages were not an obstacle at all,” said Lauren Mooneyhan, 17.

Fifty to seventy children showed up daily for VBS. Many were waiting as the mission teams arrived.

The children were accepting of the American strangers. Each day started out with a game of soccer, a Bible story and ended with crafts.

A construction crew also worked for two days,  painting and cleaning churches and soup kitchens.

“It humbled me,” said 16 year-old Joshua Lancaster said of the trip. “You realize the things we take for granted because they didn’t have anything.”

Oscar Mendoza, 22, was a great asset for the mission team. A Mexican native, he served as a translator.

“I was glad to go back to my country,” he said. “‘To remember is to live,’ we say. It always satisfies me when people visit a third world country and realize how lucky we are to live in a great country such as the United States.”

The trip was a bonding experience for group members.

“(It) gave me a chance to really learn about those who went on the trip,” said Noah Parker, a sales manager with United Parcel Service. “Getting away from my everyday routine gave me more time to listen to and refocus on God.”

And the trip was an eye-opening experience for some group members.

“I felt God move in me to make me a better role model because I am a senior.” said Lincolnton High senior Brandon Scott.

For Aaron James, lead guitarist for the praise band, the trip was unforgettable.

“This trip was the biggest life changing experience I have ever had,” he said.

His youth pastor says that is a frequent — and welcome — reaction to participating in a mission trip.

“Everyone returns with a fire to live as missionaries for the rest of their lives.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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