We've been home for over a month now and I still have a hard time capturing the impact this trip had on me and the amazing way that God is using these students to share HOPE through mission work. This was a first for me...and even more special to share it with Griffin and Millicent.
Early morning departure to meet up with our team and head to the airport....Ensenada or BUST!
Off we go....
Stop 1 - the airport and the goal was to get on the plane!
Success! We made it to San Diego.
Goal 2 - get over the border!
Success!
We made it and we had a home for the week at YUGO in Ensenada.
Found my girl across the border...
Found all my girls ready to dive in to NIGHT 1!
Even found my boy with his BUDDIES!
Let's Go!!!
Team Huddle to learn about what we were going to do on the 1st day of mission work.
Don't be jealous...the food pictures were for Rich to lure him to join next year!
These are "my girls" for the week.
Day 1 - we spent on the build site and were in charge of walls and painting.
Back to Yugo for dinner and worship and a quick snuggle with my big girl...who was experiencing all of this too, just with another team.
yep...the schedule and FOOD.
Griffin and Millie's groups travelled together. As a mama, this was the best!
Painting. Serving. Praying. Worshiping.
Until all hear...
Griffin was blessed with the best group and his leader is his "Big Bro" and also was with him last year.
A little chapel time for these 2! So grateful for the amazing young men and women who step up to serve and share their love of Jesus with my kids and with everyone else.
We had no fun...ever!!!
Nightly chapel was such a highlight - just singing our hearts out for Jesus after a full day of serving. Fill my cup Lord...
Cactus + Millie
VBS and Hope Bags Day - where we share the hope of Jesus in the community by sharing hope bags and also through VBS.
Mine :)
What a joy it is to be able to see your kids serve and their hearts for the families in Ensenada grow.
Girls trip to Ice Cream...a sweet reward for a day of serving.
A mini-beach trip too!
Back to Yugo to hang with Big Bro...eat some dinner and worship!
I mean...it's all fun and games until someone tries to get front row for worship.
My heart was full....serving the mamas at VBS and building along side my team.
So fun to "bump" into these 2 in the morning and night. We might have been at different places all day, but I would find a random squeeze when I could.
I mean...what goes on in Mexico...
Each night the staff lead us in worship and it was such a great way to close the night...we also got to start each morning with worship too! Talk about getting your heart right before pouring it all out.
If it wasn't for this lady...I don't know if I would have taken the leap. She has been and continues to be such a light for me and a rock in my walk with the Lord.
Did you say TACOS?
Wednesday night we got invited to Church service where we had run VBS for the week...
Everyone cleaned up so nice.
When the Lord moves in young hearts...so proud of E for leading us in worship and the boys jumping up to support him. God is so good!
The week flew by and each moment was so special...
A final goodbye to our gracious hosts at our church and to pray over this amazing community.
And then we got to see the house...pray for the family and truly leave our hearts in Ensenada.
YUGO is such an amazing organization and I feel blessed that we were able to partner with them.
We did it...thank you Jesus for what you did and for allowing us to share the Hope of you with others.
The key ceremony - when the house is presented to the family.
A final "adult" only taco stop...and time with some special people.
Final WORSHIP...and seeing our sweet boys sing their hearts out and pray together. It doesn't get much better than this.
Final night fireside...where we are truly able to reflect on the week and leave behind what has been weighing us down. For me, it was the hardest year of my life and this moment was a time for me to step into new hope that I am exactly where God wants me to be with exactly who He has placed along side me. What a gift it is to know Him, love Him and be able to share the hope of Jesus with others.
My ALMOST 12 year old...snuggles before the BIG day!
That's a wrap Ensenada....mission CROSS the border starts now! It was a journey...but we made it and my girl turned 12!!!
And she's officially 12!!!
Across the border and iced coffee in hand!
The MAAS family <3 - my love for you is so deep!
Silly boys and sponge bob popsicles, of course!
Hello Washington!
We made it...a little tired, but hearts overflowing. Until next time...or until ALL hear!!!
