Mission Trip Experience!

                     Gloria A Ti. Glory to You. This is a phrase that I learned on a life changing journey. My mission trip to Mexico. All the Glory goes to God for this Mission trip. He made it happen. He made it work out. He made it change my heart. This mission trip was absolutely incredible. I learned about myself, who I am and what God has created me to do. I also learned more about God and how truly amazing He is. My plans for this trip were to go and change someones life; to do something really great for someone. Not that I didn't do these things but I think these things were done more for me than the people I met. The joy that I encountered through this trip is more than words can explain.I can not wait to go back to Oaxaca! It has become a part of my life now and I will never be the same.
 So much happened I could write a book about it so I'll explain my trip through pictures and captions (so I don't write a novel).

The orange building is the dormitory we stayed at, the gray one is the second dormitory that's being built. The name of the program is Armonia. It is for indigenous Mexican student who live to far away to go to a school so they choose to live here at Armonia about 8 hours from home in order to get an education and to hear the gospel.  The students here are all teenagers and they taught me so much about true joy . The kind that can only come from God. 

Another pic of the dormitory.

Day one of work! We moved a ton of wooden blocks and organized them all by size . It felt really good to do something for someone other than myself.

My bed for 9 days!

Piles of wood we moved. Doing this was actually really fun. We all started bonding and I made my first friend. Ernesto! The minute he said he knew who Selena y Los Dinos was I knew this guy was awesome. 

Ernesto! He cracked me up. Again even though we had a small language barrier

that didn't stop us from becoming friends!

My amazing youth leader and I at the pyramids. God used this wonderful  lady to help make this trip possible. I am so thankful for her. Love you Rae!

Yamii! A beautiful little girl with a  beautiful spirit. She was amazing. She taught me tons of Spanish and how to conserve water. She's only six! I miss her so much. I never thought God would use a 6 year old to teach me about Him.

Some of the shoes we brought for the students at Armonia and the people in the village! We had over 100 pairs. God is awesome for providing this for them!

This is Bendelisa, Yamii's older sister. She was just as precious and taught me just as much. She took my camera to take a picture of herself and there I am being awkward in the background while holding balloons.

jugamos cuerda! That's what all of the kids would run up to us saying all day. It means play  rope. They all loved jump rope. The had so much laughter and joy while playing it. It was so fun to just watch them play. I also never thought God would use watching little kids play jump rope to change my heart but He did. Again He amazes me. 

Balloon animals with the neighborhood kids. I forgot how to say yellow in Spanish and the little girl helped me out. 

The founder of Armomia, Saul!  God used Him to create something amazing!

This picture is worth 1,000 words. This moment right here changed my life. This is from the village when we went and visited one of the student's family. As soon as we walked up to their little house they immediately had us sit down. They then introduced themselves and started telling us about their lives. Then they offered us fruit. They have so little. They live in a house made out of clay and wood. And they offered us their food. Are you serious? I was in such awe. Then we gave them shoes and the little kids toys. They were so grateful I can't even explain it. The Dad hugged me. I started crying that's how powerful it was.  Then we all stood in a circle holding hands and I prayed. I prayed over a village where people barley  speak Spanish. I prayed over people that have so little but yet are the richest people I have ever met in my life. God gave me that opportunity and it was life changing. When we walked away from the house I started crying and I cry as I write this. Not tears of sadness but tears of joy. I can't believe God used me. I can't believe He did this in my life. God revealed himself to me so much in that moment. I have never felt so much love and grace. 

Us and some of the Armonia students after the church service. It was amazing. The fact that everyone was worshiping God in Spanish was beautiful. It showed me same God different language. It was so awesome to sing along to praise and worship songs in Spanish. Everyone was jumping up and down and praising the Lord and it was awesome. We took communion and even sang a song in front of the Church. It was an awesome experience. 

These are jut more random picture from the trip.Like Savannah and Mikinzi dancing to entertain everyone, the pyramids, all my new friends from Armonia and so on. I think I'll close it out with this. "At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need." 2 Corinthians 8:14 That describes this trip. I was supplied with so much from people who can't speak English and don't even hot water to shower in. But they have something a million times better than that. The joy that comes form God, the love of Christ in their hearts. Like I said I can't wait to go back. But I also can't wait to start doing things that God has called me to do because of this trip. Like minoring in Spanish in college. I want to be fluent I love the Spanish culture and God didn't give me that love for nothing.  And supporting Armonia. Sending money to them, pictures, love and anything else they need. Once more Gloria A Ti. Thank you Lord for the experience of a life time. I love you so much. But you Love me even more.

 Love,
Sofia.