That's me laying a cinder block
Many of you know that I have participated in quite a few Mexico Mission trips over the years. My first several trips were youth trips starting around 20 years ago when my kids were still in high school. I have been fortunate to have accompanied all four of my children on Mexico trips…these trips impacted them immensely, and I was privileged to be a part of it.
As the years have gone by, our church has continued with these mission trips — some adult trips and some high school trips. Probably the best aspect of these endeavors has been the relationships we have established with the local pastors in the Reynosa area. Yes, we help with construction needs. And yes, we conduct VBS for neighborhood kids (sometimes 50 or more!). But the ongoing thread is to really know the pastors, encourage their ministries and rejoice together with each victory.
Some ask, “Why don’t you just send money instead of going in person? Wouldn’t that be more efficient?“ That is a good question which deserves a good answer: the recipients themselves tell us that the very best thing we can do for them is to be there in person. Our presence demonstrates that we really care about them and their ministries. Money helps, of course, especially from those who can’t make the trip, but a personal visit is so much more powerful. Aren’t you glad that God sent his son to Earth in person instead of simply sending us a donation?
We fall in love with the kids every year.
Why am I writing about a Mexico mission trip? Because I will be on one next week. Our team will be driving 20 hours in a 15 passenger, 1986 Dodge van which we will be giving away to a needy church. Of course we will fly home. As always, I am pumped!
Now: how about some recommended reading?
- 3 Things I Learned Delivering Pizzas at Entreprelife
- Alternative Currency at Punch Debt in the Face
- Reader Question: Where to Keep Your Savings? at 20s Finance
- Where is My Tax Refund? at Faith and Finance
- How to Quit Your Job With Grace at Invest it Wisely
- Learning Personal Finance: A Guide to Successful Financial Health (Part 1) at Money Help For Christians
- Are Name Brands a Racket? at Free Money Wisdom
- Do These Three Things to Avoid Poverty at One Money Design
Craft time at VBS
- Would You Invest A Portion of Your Emergency Fund? at Bible Money Matters
- Keep Learning in Order to Keep Making Money at Squirrelers
- Another Milestone: Celebrating Two-Million Page Views! at Len Penzo dot com
- Jeremy Lin Can Teach Us All Something at Everyday Tips and Thoughts
- Can money buy love? Before you answer, think about this at Wealth Informatics
- I Love Taxes at Krantcents
- Go Bungee Jumping at Retire by 40
- How to Clean Tile Grout at Money Beagle
Joe elsewhere on the net
Check out my recent staff posts at Christian PF:
Surviving Spouses: Financial Do’s and Don’ts
Life Lessons From Six Famous Failures
What is the True Cost of Purchasing a Vehicle?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for including me. Good luck on the upcoming trip!
Thanks for the links, I really appreciate it. Enjoy your trip, I know you will.
Thanks for including me! I’m honored!
Joe, thank you for the mention. Our church has mission trips to Mexico as well. Hope to do that someday. God bless your trip and your great work!
I love your mission trip posts, so I am looking forward to reading one when you get back.
There is so much more to life than just giving money. Giving time benefits everyone. Both parties learn more, understand more, and it just makes the world a better place. For example, my son tutored at an inner-city school not too long ago and it made a huge impact on him. His dream now is to teach. Don’t know if he will continue down that path, but giving is such a powerful thing, and in a wonderful way.
Safe travels, and thanks for the link!
I love mission trip posts. What a great utilization of your talents and time!
I believe going there instead of sending money does show a different side of a commitment to help. Plus Mexico is relatively close to the US. Way to go. I like the beard, it makes you look younger.
Thanks for the inclusion! As you know, nothing beats being there in person as far as the experience goes.
Nice infoThanks for sharing
What is VBS?
Evan — please accept my apology for using abbreviations. VBS has traditionally stood for Vacation Bible School … a short bible oriented class for kids out of school for the summer. But in our case it should have been simply Bible School because the Mexican children were NOT on summer vacation.
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