Friday

Friday July 20th

Our last full day...

        Well, this was our last full day. As Dan would usually say "this was another long day and we have yet a longer day tomorrow". Ha And it was true. Our last day was our free day. Pastor Freddy chartered a boat to the Santa Maria Island to go snorkeling. The pastor had gotten such a great price for our trip we were able to charter extra to take the interns with us. What a wonderful time of blessing them. They blessed us so much with their warm, kind and Christ filled hearts. They were so excited and thankful for us to offer for them to join us. It was amazing. I love being in the water, but to be able to see so many beautiful things was very awing  and exciting. We had 22 of us altogether. We took three boats for a 20 minute boat ride. We had a blast yelling from boat to boat, and Brad is "the king of the world". We landed on the beach and the fun began. It was so nice to see our two teams playing together, frisbees were flying (sorry Lauren for tackling you to get the frisbee first), exploring the big rocks for crabs, snorkeling, swimming the surf. We did that for about 1 1/2 hours.

        We then went back to the church for lunch together. Although tired we had another fun time together. It really has been amazing how these teens gelled together in such a short time. There was such a common heart that it could of only came from the Lord. I found myself sitting back in my chair and watching the joy of the teams mixed together laughing at all four tables. I just wanted to remember that great moment when we all were together as one. We then parted ways for a break before we when into Vallarta for an afternoon of shopping. Some of the kids went back early to play soccer with some of the other team. They were drenched in sweat and having a blast by the time we got there. Ha Just another sweaty moment in Mexico...

        We then got to the boardwalk of the Malcom to shop. WOW, what a place. There on the boardwalk was the ocean beach on one side and shops and restaurants on the other for about a mile....  2 1/2 hours goes fast. It was fun to hear the stories of the great bartering to get just the right things.... Can't wait to see Jordan and Brad with their ponchos on.

        We met the Vallarta youth group at the park with the interns with pizza and pop. They were playing and singing paise songs by the busy street stop light. They are so bold and have such evangelizing hearts. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and hard good byes. Each person was so blessed by each other. There were laughter and tears as we left. I have trained them well... tears flowed and somber feelings was in the air. This was the last time we would all be together again.

        Please do not think this was just another youth event. Our kids were stretched to unbelievable limits. There were ones that gave their public testimonies in the middle of town squares in front of many people, some performed their beautiful drama (10 times), (if you would like to see any of them Jonah has them all on video... ha ), we walk through neighborhood after neighborhood inviting people to the programs. Neighborhoods like nothing you could imagine, fed starving people, prayed with people in hospitals (emergency rooms to families sitting waiting around), this does not include any of the service projects for the churches and communities. Our kids are amazing and strong. They did not cower or stop until the jobs were done. We did 12 to 14 hours days. I AM SO PROUD OF THEM. When you see Brad, Jordan, Jonah, Lauren, Maddy, and Emily, ask them for a story, there are so many more then any blog can tell. My heart grew 4 sizes bigger this 10 days... You can ask Dan Steph, Vicky or me to... ha

        Pray for our team to keep the fire and set our town on fire.... They were the hands and feet of Jesus. Pray for the church in Mexico... they are an incredible people... hard working and full of life... all I saw was good people here in and out of the church. Thank you all for your interest in our journey, prays and support... I truly am blessed by you.

By the time you read this we will probably be in the air for our last 14 hour day journey home!!!!

The last adios from Mexico,
Mike