While many South Valley residents were hunting for decorated eggs or enjoying elaborate family meals on Easter, 23 members of Gilroy’s The Foothills Church set off on a long journey: the church’s ninth annual missions trip to Mexicali, Mexico.
More than six months of planning lay behind this trip, according to Kevin Ratliff, one of the church’s pastors who was making his first trip this year. The congregation sponsored many fundraisers for the missions, including events at local restaurants when a portion of the revenue went to the church; a rummage sale raising more than $5,000; and they gave regular missions offerings to support this trip. In addition, each participant paid $350 toward expenses.
After an overnight stop in Riverside, the team arrived in Mexicali in two 15-passenger vans, two trucks and a large recreational vehicle. There they stayed in El Templo Sinai, a church that has been their destination every year.
The trip’s theme came from the Old Testament book of Micah: “To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” They applied this message while accomplishing projects set out before them.
One goal was to present a Vacation Bible School for children of the poor neighborhood where the is church located, based on the theme “Jesus calming the sea.” They provided music, Bible lessons in Spanish and English and skits to show how Jesus can calm the storms in the lives of the 250 participating children.
They provided refreshments and played soccer games, and took children from the local orphanage on a trip to the municipal swimming pool. According to organizers, on the last day, 57 of children asked Jesus to come into their hearts.
The other goal was to pour 17 yards of concrete for a new building on the church property, which formed the foundation for a structure with rooms for food preparation, offices and sleeping quarters.
At the end of the trip, a special service was held to celebrate the week’s accomplishments. Amid singing, prayer, preaching and testimonies, the Gilroy team bid a sentimental farewell to the Mexicali residents with whom they had spent the week.
Left behind was the recreational vehicle they had driven down, which was donated by Sea Grins; members of the Mexicali church will live in it while providing security to guard against thefts from break-ins the church has been experiencing.
At a debriefing barbecue held by the team upon their return to Gilroy, participants agreed the mission trip was a valuable experience.
“Everyone was enthusiastic about the love and acceptance they experienced in Mexicali,” Ratliff said. “We were grateful to share the grace of God in our lives with the wonderful people there.”
The Foothills Church is located at 8335 Church St. For more information, contact Pastor Kevin Ratliff at (408) 848-3100.
