A Pastor’s Wife’s Response to a Missions Trip
On June 9-16, the International Department of Youth and Christian Education coordinated their 22nd missions trip to Poza Rica, Mexico, in the last ten years. Al’Lora Leonhardt, a pastor’s wife from Sheffield, Ohio, shares her testimony.
I don’t remember the exact moment when it happened, but I remember knowing as a teenager that God was calling me to some form of missions outside of the USA. However, God’s timing and plans are often different than we expect and here I am years later, finally stepping into the doorway of experiencing the joy and heartbreak, the fun and exhaustion, the hope and desperation of missions.
In June, three of us from Sheffield Church of God were privileged to journey with Coordinator Tony Lane and the other thirty-six STEP team members on the short-term missions trip to Poza Rica, Mexico to visit Casa Hogar, the Church of God orphanage. Even with the risk of sounding completely clichéd, I have to say that I will never be the same.
As we arrived in Mexico City that Tuesday, the anticipation was palpable! We were soon to find that God had pulled together a team that would become cherished friends as we worked together, sweated together, laughed together, prayed and worshiped together.
On Wednesday morning, June 10th, we headed to Casa Hogar for the first time, following poolside devotions and communion. Tony Lane spoke with us about our unity in Christ. We received our “It’s Not About Me” bracelets. These would be VERY helpful reminders as the week continued!
When we arrived at Casa Hogar, the kids were lined up the driveway with balloons to greet us. It was an awesome moment. The faces of the small kids were happy and expectant. We congregated at the top of the hill to meet everyone…Miguel with his laughing eyes, Mireli the Princessa, Charo with her typical teenage hesitation, and Juan de Dios with his handsome smile. Each of their 48+ faces is forever etched in my mind.
The language barrier was very frustrating for me, but I would later find that smiles, fun activities and, yes, even bottles of fingernail polish would help me to build connections in spite of language barriers. We toured the property and spent some time getting to know the Herreras, the staff and kids. Such beautiful people!
That evening we headed to Mission Belen (trash dump community) for an outdoor presentation of the gospel and food distribution to about 22+ families. Yosiry Suriel from New Jersey opened with a song in Spanish. Allie, a pastor’s daughter from Cleveland, TN, played her guitar and sang with some of the other team members. Unshackled Drama Team from Carrollton, Georgia performed. Linda from Tennessee shared the story The Three Trees, which pointed to the cross. Even though it was intensely hot, I was happy that I had dragged along my clown costume. Florecita and Lolly, clowns, enjoyed sharing the salvation message for the many kids gathered there. The kids were attentive, but also guarded since most of them had probably never seen clowns before! Lastly, Eric wrapped up with prayer for needs and nearly all of the residents responded to the call.
English and Spanish, laughter and music, saws and hammers merged to create the sounds of a truly enjoyable day as we spent time at Casa Hogar doing activities with the kids on Thursday. Some of us painted faces while others helped with crafts and puzzles. A few team members worked on the screens for the boy’s dormitory. They desperately needed protection from mosquitoes at night. It was such hard work in that heat. Did I mention it was HOT?
One of the 14 year old boys, Javier, continued to hover nearby, watching the face painting. He reminded me of my own 14 year old son. Too cool to ask, but terribly interested in what we were doing. We finally convinced him to give it a try. As he painted a spider on my arm, I though about how many times my own kids had their faces painted and how blessed they are with opportunities to explore their own talents. I won’t forget Javier’s bashful but proud smile afterwards. I hope to take him a paint set next time. Javier and the other children at Casa Hogar have God-given talents and abilities that the world needs to see.
That evening, we rode in the backs of trucks up to the Mountain Mission (Lucia’s Mission). Lolly and Florecita again had a fun time connecting with the kids. Every kid understands “Gimme five” or “Chocala”! Together, in English and Spanish, we shared the message of the cross and salvation using the cross paper tear and the salvation bag. The kids watched and listened intently. Many people on the team participated in the program, and then sandwiches were given out to the kids. Did I mention it was HOT!?
Friday morning, we headed to the beach at Tuxpan. The kids from Casa Hogar met us there and we had such a good time. They were all smiles! We quickly began giving out the swim shorts we had bought the night before. They loved the shorts and the beach.
Most of the older guys got together and played American football on the beach. It was so typical of men. Give them a ball and they immediately connect, language barriers aside! The younger ones played in the beautiful Gulf Coast water and sand all morning. We ate mangos cut like flowers with chili pepper sauce sprinkled on top. Yum! Did I mention it was HOT?
I remember spending a few minutes with Yazmin, one of the teen girls, playing in the sand with the little kids. The teen girls seemed to have a lot hidden behind those gorgeous eyes. Most of their stories are desperate. Casa Hogar is a refuge for them.
Saturday was a jam-packed day with the team heading to El Tahin in the morning. Afterwards, some of the team went to Sam’s Club to shop for 6 months of supplies for Casa Hogar while others went on to the orphanage to work on the screens project and to set up for the giant birthday party.
All of the kids had grateful smiles at the birthday party at which each child and staff person received a gift. Inflatables were rented for them to enjoy, which they loved, and the nail polish I had thrown in my bag at the last minute was a big hit with the older girls. Pampering is instant bonding for women regardless of language!
That evening was awesome, as the band, made up of Casa Hogar staff and family, played worship songs and we all sang and worshipped together. Nothing connects you like worship. There was such an amazing sense of unity. Some of the teen girls seemed to have real breakthroughs as they prayed. The STEP team members anointed the dorms and facilities with oil, asking the Holy Spirit to break bondages, protect the kids and provide for Casa Hogar. We ended in the Chapel where prophetic words were given by Tony Lane and Stephen Bush as God moved strongly on our hearts. Stephen Bush prophesied that Pastor Herrera, the General, is raising up an army of soldiers for the Lord who will change their world in various capacities. It was powerful.
Pastor Beltran welcomed us warmly at the church in Papantla that Sunday morning. Again, it was a wonderful experience to worship with brothers and sisters who, even though their language is different, their hearts are filled with love for God just like mine. Many team members participated in song and drama ministry that morning and Pastor Tony preached a great message, exhorting the young people to commit to purity. The altars filled.
Sunday evening was the outdoor concert in downtown Poza Rica featuring the Jesus-loving, dreadlock-wearing gospel rapper, Burning Bush. It was so much fun watching Burning Bush connect with the crowd as he rapped and we shouted back, “Hootie-Hoo!”
After prayers, hugs, and more pictures with the Herreras on Monday morning, we headed to Mexico City. The air was heavy, and so were our hearts. For me, it felt like leaving family.
After shopping in the Mexican market, we gathered for our final meeting together. As Tony affirmed the team and wrapped up the week, his care and concern for the ministry of Casa Hogar was passionately reiterated.
I’m profoundly affected by this trip. The ministry of Casa Hogar unquestionably fulfills the directive to Believers in James 1:27 to “look after orphans”. I want so much to continue to be a part of that. It is my hope and prayer that you will too. Cliché or not, you will never be the same.
For information on being involved in an upcoming trip, including the Christmas trip in January 2010, or one of the summer trips in 2010, contact Tony Lane at 423-478-7229 or write tlane@churchofgod.org.
Posted in Children's Ministries News, Poza Rica, STEP | |
