My first Mission Trip (first of many, I hope)

Hola Amigos! I'm back from my mission trip and I have to say a HUGE thank you for all your prayers and support. I had a great time and I saw some amazing things. I believe that God was working in Cofradia and I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to experience it!

We stayed 6 nights at a church in Cofradia, Mexico. It was unlike any place I have ever been. Most of the people in that area have a Roman Catholic upbringing, but it is actually a mixture of catholocism and witchcraft. We heard several beliefs about curses and "keeping the evil spirits out". Their word for "priest" is the same word that they use for "healer" or "witchdoctor". The missionaries that have lived in that area for over 12 years have established a Christian church and are starting to really build a congregation. There were about 70-80 adults at church on Sunday, along with lots of kiddos!

During the week, we held a ladies bible study, studying the book of Ruth each morning. In the afternoon, we broke up into groups and had lunch at different houses in the village. We went to three villages, a different one each day. That was my favorite part of the trip, because we got to have some more intimate time with the ladies in their homes, and we ate some really delicious food! After lunch each day, we congregated at one house and all the ladies from that village "hung out" with us for the rest of the afternoon. This was when I presented my talk on first aid and newborn care. I also taught the ladies the Heimlech maneuver. They were very attentive, soaking up every word. I really pray that they remember some of the things I told them and that God uses that information to keep them healthy and maybe save a life one day. (I got word several days ago that a few days after we left, one of the women's sons was choking and the women remembered what I had taught them. She preformed the Heimlech maneuver on her son and he threw up the piece of candy he was choking on. She saved his life!! I am so honored that God used me to do that!) Some of the other ladies on the trip also had things to present during that time, but for most of the time we just talked and laughed together. Much of the trip was about building relationships.

The big project that we did was a drama on the story of Ruth. The ladies in the church all participated in the drama and we presented it to their friends and family at the end of the week. We served hot dogs for dinner, which brought a crowd! They estimate that about 400 people came to watch the drama! It was very exciting and there were two people that accepted Christ at the end of the night.

The thing that was most surprising to me was how open and welcoming the ladies in Cofradia are to us "gringas". The first day that we met them, they gave me hugs and kisses on the cheek, and treated me like an old friend. One woman, Delila, told me before I left that I was like a kindred spirit to her. And the crazy thing was that I felt that too, although I had probably exchanged less than 20 words with her the entire week. God transcends language!

The other surprising thing was how much I want to go back again next year. In the two weeks leading up to this trip, I was very stressed. Christmas had come and gone, and I hadn't put much preparation or mental energy into the trip. I had a long "to-do" list and not very much time. I knew that once I got to Mexico, the trip would probably be great, but I thought it was too much stress and I told myself that I will never do this again! But now I am eating my words. It is my prayer that God allows me to return to Cofradia next January. I plan on corresponding with several of the women that I met throughout this year, and I hope that I get to see them again next year, when we really will greet each other as "old friends".

Shannon leading the ladies in Holy Fit