Day with the family

Last day of service-Handing out sack lunches

Friday was intended to be a day of rest, shopping, and sight seeing. It turned out to be one of the best days of service mostly because it was not on our agenda. Brittani, Jessica, and Mariah came up with a plan to give food to the homeless. Instead of bringing food home, they decided to cook the remaining pancake mix, make sandwiches, and pack goodies in a brown paper bag and hand out sack lunches to the homeless. Mariah was the chef and made all the pancakes, Jessica prepared turkey and PB&J sandwiches and Brittani packed the bags. Each bag contained a handwritten inspirational message on them to show how much we appreciated them. We hand delivered about 30 sack lunches to homeless and they were very excited and grateful for us.

Last tour- SWAMP tour!!

This tour was so awesome. The drive took about 45 min and it was worth it. Once we loaded the boat, I didn't know what to expect. Then all of a sudden the captain drives up to the cemetery bordering the river and says, "I had a friend that had to bury his grandma 3 times because her coffin kept rising out of the grave when it rained. I told him it wasn't going to be the last time you saw her. On the third time, they drilled holes in the casket and that was it." Next we sped up and spotted Alligators in the water. The captain began yelling, "Ici, Ici." French for here, here. He said the only way to get the Alligators close was to speak French. To my surprise one swam close to us and he said instead of feeding them boy scouts , they give them marshmallows. So he through out marshmallows and they ate them up.

Before the tour ended, he opened his captain's closet and pulled out a baby alligator he caught himself. He allowed everyone to hold it, to feel a cold blooded animal. Which he also stated women were cold blooded as well.

Quotes from Mexico 2012

"You're First Class...you don't need to do that!"

"I'm jumping off of EVERYTHING!"

"That's the best butter I've ever had!"

"They have a boat?"

"Where's Susan?"

"It was like someone walking in front of a train!"

"Are there 12 of us?"

Jania-"Ahhhhh!"
Austin-"We're not playing that game anymore!"

"Found it!"

"Tortilla!"

"Juicy Fruit anyone?"

"It's harder than it looks, ok!"

"Como se dice...."

"Can you get me a Jimmy John?"

"Is that why my face is burning?"

"We don't have that in Japan..."

"Oh I'm so sorry!"-"UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHH"

Dia final en Mexico!

Day 3- YS Fall's

Today I decided to opt out of our group’s adventure to the falls. Instead I went with a small group back to the Handbarry Home. Our group did a little more painting but mostly hung out with the kids. It was so awesome to be able to spend more quality time with them. Here are only a few of the many highlights of my time there. As I was scrubbing paint off of the floor, one girl asked me if I believed in God. I said yes and then asked about her. Her answer amazed me. She not only said yes, but also recited many of her favorite Scripture verses. It is so inspiring to see her faith and reliance on the Lord.
Another memorable moment happened in baby land. I was holding a boy named George who was under a year old. He loved the attention! He cried every time I tried to put him down. As I felt his little hand clasp on to me I thought about how fortune I was to have so much individual attention as a child. He is well cared for at the Handbarry Home, but every child could use a little extra love now and then…and I definitely needed it too!
Megan

Today I went to Hanbury Home instead of going to YSL falls. I am so happy I did because this day at Hanbury reminded me why I go on this trip. There were only 6 of us who went to Hanbury today, so only a little painting got finished. But, while waiting to be picked up for an hour, we got to hang out with the kids, and this was the highlight of my day. They are just so willing to give their love to us and so amazing to be around. They just crave any sort of affection and attention, that once you show them a little bit of kindness, they just light up the room. I absolutely enjoyed my time I spent at Hanbury today and do not regret not going to the falls. I made the right choice for myself and am so thankful I did because this trip would not have been the same for me if I did not go to Hanbury today.
Julie

Today we got to spend the day at YS falls. This was an awesome day to get to spend quality time with the people around us. It was great to see everyone around me, including myself build on relationships or make new ones! Although this week feels like a totally different environment than being back in the states, I hope that the relationships I made this week with the people I won’t forget don’t end when we get back! I know there is a reason for me being on this trip, and I can’t wait to share it with others when I get back home!! 
Heather Eichhorn



Today was a more relaxing day for most of us. We spent most of the day at Ys Falls. It was great getting to spend the day with all of my fellow students. I feel like being in uncomfortable situations (such as zip lining above the tree line and swinging into the water falls with a big rope) brought us all closer together. It was cool seeing everyone encouraging each other and laughing together. I just love how relationships develop throughout the week!
Nicole B.

Dia 3 en Mexico!

"There is so much joy in Mexico, and they have so much less than we do. We struggle to be happy, so I wish that we can find some kind of peace, even when we're cramming for an exam or dreading work. There are people here that don't have those opportunities, so maybe we should be grateful that we have the option to be stressed over our lives."

- Kelsey Coy
Mexico Trip Participant

Tomorrow is our last day... I cannot believe the accomplishments we have made. Building a church for a neighborhood here in Mexico. I believe I can feel every muscle that exists in my body. There isn't machinery for anything, just a cement mixer. Everything else is done my manpower. It is quite amazing how things are built by the power of hands. We have met amazing people in this community.

I hope to take home the positive attitude that exudes from our group while we have been here. This has been a wonderful experience for me.

Susan Abner