The Last Night Here in San Vicente

Hola Familia,

Como estan? It feels weird to be wrapping up our Mexican missionary escapades, but we finally are. Our time here has been awesome…but faith driven nonetheless. It’s difficult for me to think how long it seems like I have been away (only two weeks) when it will be a few months this fall. This trip has meant more to me in so many ways than the previous two (stories for when I get back). I hope all is well with you guys. I miss you and love you. Give Will a hug for me.

Laura

So I am writing again. Wow, two days in a row! I don’t really have a whole lot to say except that our trip is quickly coming to an end. Just like Laura said, this year has been absolutely awesome and I have so many great memories and stories to tell you all back home. This trip has stretched me in many ways, and has tested my patience and drawn me closer to God. I am truly grateful that I was able to come down again this summer and I encourage anyone who is considering coming next summer, to take the step out in faith and say yes to a couple weeks in Mexico serving God. Thank you all for your prayers and support back home. Mom, Dad, and Josh: Miss and love you all. See you Sunday! Tell Shiggy HI! Taisha: Thanks for posting comments! I miss you too! Randy Joe: Talk to you Sunday! (How did you like my random comment last night? J)

- Rach (According to Billy, Rach the elf)

From Ralph:

To Moms, dads, spouses and others: Tomorrow is our last day in San Vicente, Saturday we will spend at another location focusing on physical rest, and emotional and spiritual unwinding and some debriefing time in preparation for our return. When we arrive home Sunday night we will be different. Our experiences here have impacted all of us. It would be un-human for it not to have touched us, more so, God and the people of San Vicente have touched us. We will be filled with experiences, many we will be unable to fully communicate the emotions or events that occurred, but we will want to try. Be patient with us, our exhaustion may take precedence on Sunday night, but by Monday and Tuesday and over the next several weeks we will want to try and share as experiences come to our minds. Our team experiences have brought us together too. We have been like a mini body of Christ as he has used us to build, love, encourage, reach out, help each other as well as laugh and pray together. We’ve sweated together, gotten exhausted together, been silly and serious, endured chaos and hours of preaching, stayed up late and tomorrow gotten up early (4:45am!!).

It is my prayer that God has grown each of us and I know it is true with many as I have seen the quiet and reserved step to the plate and swing the bat and hit the ball very well and the not so quiet step out by example and leadership. Here youth truly become young adults. There are no kids on our team. We are all together pursuing Christ as God has created us to do.

So, ready or not here we come and see ya Sunday nite!! Ralph