It's My Life - Melody Carlson [23]
And right now everyone on the bus is singing real loud, so (not wanting to appear unenthusiastic, especially at the onset of this important mission) I'll have to sign off and join the group! Adios, amigos!
EIGHT
Monday, August 13 (run for the border!)
After many not and grueling hours of travel (just barely out of town, our old Greyhound totally blew its air-conditioning unit!), we have actually crossed the border into Mexico! Ole! We went through Tijuana about an hour ago, stopping for a late lunch at a church that was expecting us and threw quite a grand little fiesta with all kinds of fantastic Mexican food. And they had a guitar and brass band, and then we sang a couple songs for them and they all gathered around us and prayed for our mission. Really sweet people. It's amazing how you can meet someone you've never seen before; you don't even speak the same language (well, just barely); and you'll probably never see them again (at least this side of eternity); but somehow you just instantly bond with them, like your hearts just totally understand each other. Well, only God can do that!
Now the bus is all quiet (and hot) and most of the kids are snoozing. We slept in sleeping bags on a church floor last night, and I don't think anyone got a whole lot of rest. But for some reason I'm wide awake. Too excited, I guess. And, to be honest, a little cranky.
Here's why. Well, we start out this trip and Beanie and Andrea and I are all hanging together. Not that we're ignoring others, but we're kind of like the three amigos (or so I think). But last night after we had a potluck at the church, we got to go play at a water park to cool off (okay, so going on a Mexico mission isn't all hard work and sacrifice), but anyway, Andrea (who did bring her Hawaiian bikini) seemed to be flirting with Josh (who despite his earlier judgments did seem to appreciate that bikini after all–meanwhile ol’ Cate's wearing her sensible one-piece!). Anyway, before the night's over, it seems like Andrea and Josh are kind of pairing off. Okay, there was no touching or kissing or anything like that going on, but today on the bus they're sitting together, and right now she's sleeping with her head on his shoulder. Now, why does this make me so grumped out? Maybe I'm just hot and tired. I'll try to get some sleep. And now it seems that Andrea has been replaced by Zach (who's being very sweet, by the way), so I guess maybe it'll be Beanie and Zach and me (the new three amigos).
Tuesday, August 14 (we're here!)
We got in late yesterday afternoon and they had a sort of welcome dinner for us (although we got the privilege of cleaning up afterwards). Then we were assigned rooms and stuff. Beanie, Andrea, me, and Tricia (a quiet girl from McFadden that I've been trying to reach out to) are all sharing a room that's about ten by ten (we have bunk beds) and pretty tight. I'm sleeping up and Beanie is down. (I get too claustrophobic down there, but it's hot up here.) We're already in bed (only 9:30) but the generator goes off at ten, and then other than flashlights it'll be completely dark. But I don't think anyone minds too much, we're pretty tired and we're supposed to be up at six!
We've only seen part of the compound but it seems pretty big. This was a mission that was originally set up as an orphanage (thousands of kids are orphaned in Mexico every year). But it's grown into quite a bit more than that. And tomorrow we'll have the full tour and get our job assignments. Beanie and I both asked to work directly with the young children. Andrea wants to be on the construction crew (but I think it's because that's what Josh is doing). Tricia is working in the kitchen compound. And Zach offered to work with the older kids (he has experience with this). So we'll see how it goes.
Thursday, August 16 (really hard stuff)
I was too exhausted yesterday to write anything.