Home School Spanish Class Goes on a Missions Trip
to Mexico
Educational Adventure for All
Students from the F.C.A. Fun Friday Spanish Class
went on an educational adventure of a lifetime! This was F.C.A’s first
year to offer high school classes to home educators. This has long been
a need for many home schooling parents, particularly for high schoolers.
Classes such as: Biology, American History, Government, Economics, Algebra
1, Typing and Spanish were concluded at the end of May with great success.
The classes provided many benefits for students and parents alike. In addition
to aiding parents with difficult subject matter, many of the students have
become close friends.
Planning
The missions’ trip was planned for the week of April
18th – 24th. All the students anxiously planned for
the trip. The total number of students and chaperones were 16, including
5 chaperones and 11 students. We were able to secure airline tickets at
a fairly reasonable rate, at only $205 roundtrip per person. In addition
to the airfare we rented a large van, purchased groceries for a week, and
we gave a love offering to our missionaries. The total cost of the trip
per person averaged to be $350 (plus shopping money.)
Plane Trip
The plane ride down was smooth, but since we were
going to a very remote part of Texas, we had to split the flight up. Our
flight was scheduled to go from Nashville, TN to Houston, TX, and then
from Houston we all boarded a small propeller plane that took us to Laredo,
TX. We were met at the airport by Dennis Barnette, our Mexico missionary.
First Time in Mexico
As soon as we arrived in Laredo, we settled in.
We stayed at our missionaries property. On the same property as their house
is on, they had built a bunkhouse for males and another for females. After
getting a good look at our new living quarters for the next week, we all
went to eat a big Mexican dinner. Immediately after that we were on our
way to Mexico for Wednesday night church service.
The expectations of the students were very different
than reality. Nothing can prepare you for the culture shock that I believe
all of the first timers experienced. Poverty in America describes a very
wealthy Mexican. The living conditions and life styles were so different
than here in America. The villages that we visited had no running water,
nor electricity. The water is delivered in large water trucks into containers
on the Mexican’s front yard, on a weekly basis. Homes were built out of
pallets or scrap metal. Old sheets or cloth hung to cover the windows,
and little children ran around with no shoes. Their diet consisted of rice
and beans because there is no refrigeration.
These were the conditions of the land and people,
but the condition of the hearts of the people was something to be desired.
A sense of family unity and closeness was evident in their lives. Sisters
and brothers were seen hugging and helping one another, not hitting and
hurting, as we often see American children act. Though they had no material
possessions in which to keep them satisfied, they were in high spirits.
Even more than that they were content.
Missions Work
The days ahead were filled with a lot of excitement
for all. Each day was planned out with a full schedule. The next day, Thursday,
we walked through villages in close proximity to the church, and invited
all the children and parents to Bible School. It was pretty hot for us
spoiled American’s, the temperature was about 95, and there was no shade
to be found. We all split into groups of 4-5 each, and went door to door
with an invitation to Bible School, and we took some candies for the little
children.
We were shocked the next day to find that 150 children and parents
showed up for Bible School. We never imagined that many people would come.
We brought some Nest Entertainment Bible videos that were in Spanish, beautiful
children’s storybooks that we translated, and we came with a large suitcase
full of crafts, coloring pictures, and prizes. While the video was showing
the girls and ladies worked frantically in the back to prepare additional
crafts for all the extra children that showed up. The theme for the first
day of Bible School was “New Life in Christ,” the craft was a caterpillar
turned butterfly puppet, and the story talked of the transformation that
takes place in the life of a Christian. The little kids loved it, and the
young ladies from the Spanish class enjoyed working with each of the children.
While the young ladies were helping to teach the children
about Jesus, the men and young men were outside helping to expand the church
building. Many of them got sunburned, and returned the next day with sombreros.
One Mexican laughed when he saw the Americans with pink noses. He said
that the sun was a problem for white people because they burn.
The following day, Saturday, was to be the final day
of Bible School. The young men and young ladies both helped this day, and
during Sunday School the next day. Some of the teens even sang a special
for Sunday service. We all became attached to the children, and thoroughly
enjoyed being able to minister to the Mexican people. The church we ministered
at is growing and seeing many come to a saving knowledge of the Lord.
Shopping Day
A week full of hard work was rewarded by a full
day of shopping. We all went into the open markets looking for good deals.
The students conversed with vendors, and were able to get better prices
on some items. The girls bought purses, jewelry, wind chimes, and other
trinkets, while the boys bought ponchos, sombreros, leather cowboy hats,
wallets, and one student even bought a leather bullwhip. Later, back at
the dorms, the students were all rewarded with a trip to the park for cleaning
up so well. Some played on the swings, others walked the exercise track,
while others played basketball.
Time to go Home
Many of the students wanted to extend their stay.
The week passed by so quickly. As they say, time flies when your having
fun. Everyone expressed a great interest in returning the next year. As
a result plans have already been made to attend in February 2002. This
next trip will be opened for all F.C.A. members to attend. If you or your
family desire to be a part of the F.C.A. Missions Trip 2002, please contact
our office for more details at (615) 746-4663, or fill out the following
for. We will contact you by e-mail. Please visit our Sponsor a Mexican
Student page for more information.
