This past week the ball got rolling on the upcoming trip to Tijuana this Summer. I got the initial paperwork concerning arrivals, departures, and etc. When I began posting about Tijuana last Summer, I had no idea what we'd be up against, what we would experience, and how much our lives would CHANGE. I had no clue that a different Rob would emerge back into the United States. At our training, we were told that going on a mission trip would change our lives. I had no idea.
When a person thinks about going to an orphanage in Tijuana, many people immediately picture children in tattered clothes and mournful faces. Facilities in disrepair. Piles of garbage everywhere. When we pulled up into the parking lot of Colina de Luz, we found a group of happy, laughing children who enjoy hanging with Americans and LOVE soccer! They had decent clothing that was either donated or made on-site by loving ladies there. The facilities were very nice, and despite being in a desert-like climate, it was beautiful. (You don't see a lot of grass in Tijuana. Lack of rain.) Our group jumped out of the van and got totally blown away in a soccer game. These kids were good. It was also World Cup season, so that added to the excitement of the game. There seemed to always be a soccer game going on in the parking lot that also doubled as the soccer field.
That night, we set up an inflatable water slide and bounce house, and let the kids go crazy. There were also balloon animals (a skill I was not able to master, despite intense training), face painting, and hot dog feast. It was the first time I ever tried mayo on a hot dog. (Not bad!) Then we presented the gospel to the group, using different colored Frisbees. Ex: Red represented the blood of Christ, etc. It was the first time I ever taught through an interpreter. Throughout the week, we traveled into the city to visit churches that partnered with the orphanage. When we began setting up the inflatables, the kids came out of the woodwork! It was like Disneyland for them! It was rewarding to see the smiles on these kids' faces as they enjoyed the carnivals. I was placed in charge of the bounce castle, and those boys like to roughhouse in there! Typically, I was the target of choice, LOL. There was a lot of tackling in there! Good cardio. They loved those Americans picking them up and tossing them around. :-) We always ended our carnival with the gospel presentation. A Spanish-speaking teacher would give a brief message after our Frisbee lesson, and kids would come forward to receive Christ. Neat to see!!
One of the days was devoted to work projects around the orphanage. Concrete, stucco, painting, and etc. I was on concrete duty. I was helping pour sand and rocks into the cement mixer to be poured into wheelbarrows and rolled across campus to another area where we were constructing a support wall. It was hard and heavy work! However, we knew that we were helping the orphanage in a valuable way.
I loved mealtime. I sat at the table with the boys. I loved the Spanish chatter all around me. There was a language barrier, but these kids had picked up some English words, and we did a lot of pantomiming. They would start their meals with songs or Bible verses. They would sing or quote first in Spanish, and then switch over to the English versions. Across the table from me was a boy named Daniel, whom I bonded with quickly. He had a small radio that was no bigger than an apple, but it was his pride and joy. Most of these kids had some small trinkets, but not much else. And they were happy. I think our kids in the U.S. could take a lesson from these kiddos in Tijuana. For a long time, my Facebook cover photo was a picture of Daniel and me. My profile pic was a picture of Oscar, who insisted on wearing my hat and sunglasses for a picture. It is one of my favorite pictures ever. The food was awesome, and I confess that I had never eaten sausage that had cow brain and intestines in it. I might add that I found this out AFTER I had eaten it. Rice was also plentiful. During mealtimes, the staff would wheel in a TV and let the kids watch World Cup soccer while they ate. Colina de Luz staff love these kids like their own. These kids are not up for adoption, Colina de Luz is their home and family. They stay until they age out, and some stay on after that. The orphanage staff teaches them about life, finances, career advice, and etc. so that they will be able to make it outside the orphanage on their own.
On our final day, the kids all came out to say good-bye. Tears filled our eyes as we waved good-bye back. These kids had stolen our hearts.
In July, we are going back to do it all again. We are returning to Colina de Luz to love on those kids again. We will be flying to San Diego on July 11th, have some training, and head into Tijuana on Monday the 13th. We will stay until Friday the 17th, and then fly home on the 18th. The total cost of this trip is $750. I already have some money set aside, but not nearly enough. If you have a heart for missions, you can have a part in this adventure by helping either financially or prayerfully. Donations can be sent to Westside Baptist Church, 400 West 12th, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Inside the envelope, note that the donation is for Rob Rue's Mexico trip. If God moves you, would you be willing to support me? If you are not able to support financially, could I ask you to pray for me? We are asking that people pray for 1) Safe travels 2) All members of the group fully funded, and 3) Hearts in Tijuana would be receptive to the Gospel.
I am excited. July can not get here soon enough. Ever since I came back, I have been ready to go back there. I'd go back there right now if it were possible. This trip gave me a whole new view of missions, and also spurred my heart that maybe missionary work might be in my future. That remains to be seen.
Thanks for taking the time to read this today. I pray for you daily, and ask that God bless you.
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