Mexico Missions Memories - 2006
by Marianne Beausejour
What an experience. I have been on a number of Mexico missions and they were great. But, I was not prepared for the very special connection that Mariemont Community Church has with Casa Hogar Mama Paulita (CHMP). Over the last six or seven years, many church members have visited and bonded with the staff and children at CHMP. The strategy is different than other trips. It is not intended to be a simple mission experience, which is a good thing, but rather a relationship of trust and abiding that grows deeper each year.
I feel a debt to all those who have visited in the past and created the relationships from which I benefited. We were able to walk into an environment of trust and respect; everyone expectant that new friendships would be forged, old friendships renewed and new discoveries would result.  Luke Norman Starting in February, Luke made contacts and determined what would work and be of value to the staff and kids. He arrived in advance of our team and set up all the arrangements for side trips to waterfalls and beautiful parks. He organized our project supplies so that we could make improvements where needed. Mainly paint, but a few boys got into a sewer project. (Oh to be a girl at times – disqualified for some jobs.) Luke worked out the details for our meals. Delicious!!!! All our transportation to the neighboring towns, church and outings were handled and paid for by Luke! (I pray God blesses his socks off!) W e lived in the dorms, ate with the kids, cleaned up with the kids after meals, taught crafts and games, exchanged language teaching lessons, communicated often without translators, worshiped with them at the home and at church, assisted them in a neighborhood outreach that resulted in over 50 kids plus parents attending. The kids at the home did it all. They created the invitations, invited the guests, provided the crafts and treats, put on a show and gave their testimonies. It was impressive and people were impacted.  | | Sudoku puzzle |
I personally could not even count to ten in Spanish. Yet, one afternoon, I decided to teach the kids how to do Sudoku puzzles. They loved them. With hand signals and a few false starts, the crowd grew and we just ripped the pages out of the book so that all who were interested could try it out. Clearly there were a few who were naturals at it. Seeing the lights go on in their eyes as they smiled and figured it out. It was fun.The children are so personable and open – so ready to love and be loved. I left wishing that I had learned more Spanish and when Joy Norman commented that she was determined to learn for next year, I decided that she needed a partner.  So, we will get a group together who are simply interested in being able to communicate on a basic level. Watching our kids boldly try out whatever Spanish they knew was encouraging. Their Spanish grew in leaps and bounds. Well, with 4 days left, I decided that teaching Sudoku, and not knowing how to count to 10 was pretty lame. So, I now have four days of Spanish immersion under my belt. But, next year. Look out. I will be ready. ...the focus is on developing the child into a fully functioning, independent adult Another facet of the trip was getting to know the staff and hearing their hearts and dreams for the children at the home. These are not orphans. In fact, the Casa Hogar does not have the needed paperwork to even allow a child to be adopted. I realized that the focus is on developing the child into a fully functioning, independent adult by the time they leave, with a passion for the Bible and a love of Christ in their lives. The stories of the children and the way the staff has loved them into a real relationship with Christ — to hear of the hearts that have been healed and the forgiveness that has freed their souls — is truly a work of the Lord. And finally, the bonding we did with the other team members will change our lives now that we are home. Pastor Denis had designed a study of Ephesians for our time down there. We all spent time in the Word, had daily discussions, and talked about what impacted us each day. The reflection was powerful, as we stopped to debrief all that was happening in each other's lives. We will never look at Ephesians the same and we will look forward to what the Lord has for us as we reintegrate in Cincinnati. Already there is a move to learn Spanish for next year. But, don’t worry. ...the love of Christ breaks through more than our language barrierYou can be illiterate and still come and enjoy, just like many of us did this year. Words are powerful.But, the love of Christ breaks through more than our language barrier. It always amazes me. Just when I think that I am sacrificing my time to serve, I come home knowing that I was the one blessed and my heart overflows with gratitude, wondering how the Lord is able to give each of us more than we could have asked or imagined. What a God! May your summer include personal transformation. He doesn’t need you in Mexico to work in your life. He can work anywhere, anytime. We simply have to be open and expectant. Enjoy! §  Denis and Marianne Beausejour |
