What I Learned on the Road to Mexico

It's impossible to say just how much these trips to Mexico have meant to me.  

Since 1986 there were only 4 years when I didn't spend either Spring Break or Christmas break on a 2500 mile road trip "south of the border" to work, to learn, to grow.  

We did this for the chance to commune with God and others while serving across political borders, socio-economic boundaries, and cultural lines. 

If I could fully describe it, then you wouldn't have to go and experience it for yourself.  But you do.

But if I didn't try to describe it I wouldn't be a writer.  My "inner wordsmith" would keep battering my heart from the inside out for a chance to express the inexpressible.

Stories and poems must have the chance to do their work until you're called away from your life "up here" and drawn out and into the life "down there."

Only then will you take your place around the campfire after a day of manual labor, afraid to lick your blistered thumb for fear of the taste of wet wipes and hand sanitizer.

The heat and light from the fire attract the newbie "missionaries" who've just finished their campstove meal of tuna casserole, the only known recipe to incorporate 4 food groups with only 5 ingredients!

But the warmth of the fire is soon dwarfed by the intense passion of hearts united in praise and worship.  

The songbooks viewed by headlamp and the guitarists feeling their way through the chord changes with eyes closed to keep out the smoke.

The illumination is of another kind as each one shares of today's "God-sightings," amazing "coincidences" that appear as if they were planned.

Others speak of "Hearing God's Voice," knowing He spoke and remembering how clearly His point was made.

As Group Leader the opportunity to bring "The Talk" feels like on big "teachable moment."

Scripture comes alive as I talk not about "you should" or "you ought" but "this is what we've been living on this trip.

Themes of servanthood, sacrifice, changed values are viewed through eyes that have just seen Jesus in the face of a child.

Renewed purpose and clearer focus are applied to hearts that felt "at home" building a home for strangers in a foreign country.

"We left our warm houses and soft beds to sleep on the ground in tents for a few days.

So that Jose' and Maria and their family can have a dry place to lay their heads in days to come."

"We left the paved roads and smooth highway to bounce along through dirt and mudholes in search of real treasure.  

And we have found it - here among the community of the less advantaged."