Youth groups from California churches have had a long tradition
of traveling to Mexico during spring break to help ease
poverty.
This year, a team from the Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000
Miller Ave., went on a mission trip to Mexico April 2-9.
Youth groups from California churches have had a long tradition of traveling to Mexico during spring break to help ease poverty.
This year, a team from the Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave., went on a mission trip to Mexico April 2-9.
The 32 adults and teens drove south, spending a night sleeping at La Jolla Presbyterian Church before crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Their destination was the Rancho la Paloma Ministry Center, a five-acre site just across the border in the city of Tecate. They slept and ate there while making a daily 45-minute commute to the village of Colonia Rojo Gomez to their worksite.
Gilroy Presbyterian Church held special celebrations at both the 9 and 10:30 a.m. worship services April 18 to celebrate the success of the trip and the efforts of all those who were involved.
A video was shown on the giant screens at the front of the church. Produced by team members, it showed them at work and play: raising walls, sheet-rocking, nailing roofing material, singing, dancing, eating and interacting with their Mexican hosts.
A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to play daily with children at a local orphanage after construction work had been completed.
Several team members spoke to the congregation offering personal reactions to their experience.
– Bob Filice was an adult chaperone. He was influenced to attend by his daughter, who had participated in previous mission trips.
He explained how the events of the week helped him move beyond some “hurt from the past,” as he found himself closer to God through new relationships forged, the “miracle” of emerging unhurt from a potentially serious traffic accident on the Mexican highway and shared communion of tortillas and fruit punch.
– Jenni Sigl, a ninth-grader, made her first mission trip. Not knowing what to expect, she was nervous and wondered if the trip would really change her, and if so, how?
She found herself overcome by seeing the poverty around her and the ability of the local residents to find happiness in their lives despite the lack of all the comforts and luxuries that many of us take for granted.
She realized the importance of putting God first and letting happiness and love follow from that.
– Soquel Filice, an 11th grader, made her third mission trip. In Gilroy, she had found herself caught up in seeking success and approval from others, but during the course of the week, she slowly found her perspective changing, realizing that she must trust God to take control, becoming more free to follow where God wants to call her next.
– Trevor Van Laar, GPC’s Church Life Director and High School Ministries Leader, offered a brief message, referring to Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus walks across the water to a boat in which his disciples had been fishing. When Peter stepped out in faith, he was able to walk to his master.
Van Laar recalled the words of Pastor Hector, their Mexican building foreman, who saw every problem as an opportunity.
As Peter’s faith separated him from his companions in the boat, the faith of visitors like the team from Gilroy has resulted in more than 4,000 building projects being completed, “problems turned into opportunities.”
The mission trip members handled Sunday’s worship celebrations: playing the music, presenting messages, offering prayers and providing ushering. But the success of the project was due to the enthusiastic support of the whole congregation.
More than $5,000 was contributed to team fundraising. Additional money came from the church budget and individuals donated food, logistical support and building supplies, as well as athletic equipment, board games and sweatshirts for delivery to the orphanage.
For information about next year’s mission trip, call the church at
(408) 842-3000 or e-mail [email protected].
