We are now spending our last few days in Mexico. I have to admit I am a little sad. This culture is strangely a big part of me. I’m probably one of the whitest girls on the team, yet I feel so at home here. I am burdened for this city and these people. I know deep inside I will be back here one day.
I am going to miss walking to Celina and Nestor’s house three times a day for meals. I will miss all the little friends I pass by along the way. There’s the baby lamb that is so cute I could pick him up and kiss him. Then, there’s the mother dog that just had her puppies a few days ago. We helped save one’s life one night. It was stuck between a fence and a piece of wood. Chad pushed it back over to its mom with the end of an umbrella. The mom was ready to attack us. She was biting the end of the umbrella pretty hard. Even now, she still gives us a little growl every time we peek over the fence to check on her. When we bring tortillas, she’s okay with us.
I will miss the roosters and chickens that swarm our tables at meal times. They cock their heads and stare, burning a hole in us with that one eye. Like dogs, they wait for something to drop. They sometimes even try to steal the food off our plates.
I will miss my little amiga across the street. I hear her shout “Amigaaaa!” every time I pass by her house. She often runs across the street to come eat with me. She is definitely one of the most hyper kids I have ever seen. She talks so fast and gets frustrated when I don’t understand every word she says.
I am certainly going to miss Celina, the pastor’s wife. She has been like a mother and friend to all of us here. I’ve been blessed to be able to go out and do ministry with her. She has a beautiful heart for the people of Palenque. She is a woman who serves the Lord with every part of her life. When she’s not cooking for us, she’s out in the community visiting families and praying for them. She has been a great example to me.
I am going to miss the people of this church. Their constant hunger for more of the Lord challenges me to want more. They are always seeking and asking questions. One of the most common prayer requests of theirs is, “Pray for me that I will seek harder after God and continue following Him.”
The youth here are rising up, as well. I have seen all of them step up and be bold since we’ve been here. I’ve watched them minister to drunks in the park. I’ve seen them embrace kids their own age. I see their desire for more of God in their lives.
During our time here, so many strongholds have been broken. People have been set free from drug addictions, alcoholism, generational curses, demons…you name it. The Lord did the work, and I know that He will continue it once we leave.
The darkness is becoming light each day. Chains are falling off. The captives are being set free. I am going to miss Palenque, but I praise the Lord every day for letting me take part in the work He is doing here.
