By Sue Taylor, High School Department
Twelve years ago this spring, I hopped into FBC’s old, white van with twelve rowdy young men. We, along with seventy other young people from the high school group, were on our way to Mexico. It was to be a trip of a “life-time” (and I was privileged to repeat that same journey for the next 11 years). Little did we know that our lives would be changed: we would fall in love with the people of the Pagiel church and touch lives for Jesus Christ.
Each trip has been quite an adventure, and I have taken three separate groups of young women from their freshman through senior years. In my first group, there was Marley and Kelsey. Marley was a young lady from a divorced family, who loved the Lord. She was interested in Japan and their culture and language but took the challenge to minister in Mexico. Marley arrived with some pre-conceived notions about the male dominated culture and a fear that she wouldn’t be able to do much without being conversant in Spanish, but she embraced the many opportunities to hang out with the children at VBS and devoted time on the construction projects. It was a stretching experience for her, but she continued to serve for 4 years and came to love the Mexican people and their culture. Today she is married, living in Bend with her husband, and working with the high school students in their church. She is a life changed forever!
Kelsey came from a family of rich Christian heritage, except for her parents. Her grandparents prayed for her and encouraged her to attend church. She went through the Spanish immersion program in Eugene and so had a great yearning to go to Mexico and speak with the people. She loved Jesus and wanted to share Him with others. Kelsey got to know our host family very well and fell in love with the people of the church. She worked in the VBS and the construction, and because she could speak the language, she shared Jesus whenever she could. Through her college years, Kelsey went on several mission trips with her church in Corvallis, and today, she is working for World Vision. She has a love for missions and orphans—another life changed forever!
My second group of girls included Heidi and Jeanene. Heidi’s family loves the Lord and encouraged her in her walk. She went all four years of high school to Mexico, and in her last year, she and her three friends lived with a family that didn’t speak any English. This proved a bit challenging. They rose to the occasion and practiced their Spanish and really reached out to the family. It was a blessing. Heidi continued serving on mission teams by going to Thailand with FBC in the spring of 2009. Soon after, she set out for a 5-month tour of the world with YWAM (Youth With a Mission). She shared Jesus in places all over the world and has a special heart for China. Currently, she is in Australia with YWAM and training for China as well as leading a team of college students. She will spend the next 2 years with YWAM. She is another life changed forever through our Mexico Mission!
Jeanene, daughter of Pastor Corey and Jeanne Rose, also went all four years to Mexico. She stayed with one family for 3 years and greatly impacted that family. The two children were impressed that she would give up her break from school to come to Mexico and share Jesus’ love with them and others. Their lives were changed. Her love for the Mexican people motivated Jeanene to study Spanish in college. The last 2 years, she has helped the high school group by going with us to help translate. She even spent one spring break in China sharing God’s love with college students. Her life has also been changed forever!
Max was a young man we took to Mexico 2 years ago. He wanted to go with us because he needed community service to graduate and wanted to play basketball with us. We didn’t know Max very well but decided he needed to be a part of our trip. He went through the training, went to Mexico, played basketball and participated in all the activities, but he did not always exemplify Jesus. He was pretty rough around the edges. He continued to come to all the high school activities and even brought his cousin. In May, he asked to speak with Rudy and came to know Jesus as his personal Savior. Once again—a life changed forever.
My life has also been changed forever as well! I have another family and church family in the Mexicali Valley. I have learned as much from them as I hope they have from me. These trips are truly life changing experiences for everyone who has the opportunity to go—adults and students alike. My third group of girls (all seniors) is excited to be a part of this year’s Mexico Mission. Please pray for all 113 of us as the countdown hits the five-week mark. Pray that God will prepare our minds and hearts for service in order to make an impact in the Mexicali Valley and once again, change lives forever.