Mexico Day 6

Day 6

This would be our last day out in the village and it would be my most memorable day.

Vince, Vickie, Isaac and I would drive to Chan Chen first to say some goodbyes.  Since they have been coming here for a handful of years, they have made friends with a few and they have become dear to their hearts.  Our first stop was to see Nicoletta.  Vickie's grandson wanted to give a little boy this hat (probably a little to warm to wear it here though.  Vickie is showing him a picture of her grandson wearing the same hat.

 We weren't sure if he was excited about it or not.

Nicoletta also made Vickie and very pretty embroidered towel.

A couple of last minute photos before we headed out.

 Our next stop was to see Julia one last time.  She made Vickie a pair of earrings to match the bracelet she had made her earlier in the week.

 She very much wants us to try to sell her handcrafted products.  She is drawing some examples of what she can make and then she gave us a copy to take back with us.  

 As we sat there watching her draw, this dog sat outside her house, just watching us.

 As we said goodbye to Julia, I realized the weight this trip already had on me.  I had only met these people a couple of times, for very short periods of time, but they had already stolen my heart.  I truly wanted to get to know them better.  I wasn't ready to leave.  And as we said goodbye, tears began to fall.  It's hard to imagine loving people you just met and wanting your trip, away from your family, not to end.  Sometimes it's hard to love your own family the way God intended and that's when I realized, the only way I could love these people like I did, was because of Him.  God wants us to love all people like he loves us and I saw that love now.

After leaving Chan Chen, we headed back to Santa Clara so the men could install the stove.

Again, we were greeting by the older woman to hugged and kissed us.  Just a few of the children ran around.

 That is, until we started passing out toys and candy.

 Then they began coming out of the woodwork.

This little boy was so sweet.  He giggled every time we handed him something.  When he got the sucker.  When I gave him the Hot Wheels.  When Vickie handed him a bear.  He giggled and squealed like only a child who's never had new things before.  Again, they stole my heart.

 After all the toys and candy had been passed out, Isaac and I showed them how to make rubber band bracelets (Isaac taught me on one of our long car rides.

The rest of our time there, looked like this.  I was surrounded by children wanting more bracelets.  They learned pretty quickly too and started making their own.  We left them with the rest of the kit as we said goodbye.  

 This boy took some rubber bands to a quieter spot to make his.  

 About that time, Vickie started feeling bad.  She said she didn't feel great as we headed out that morning, but didn't want to stay home.  Within a few moments, it got worse and she found herself in the bathroom.  Luckily a doctor and nurse were there that day and checked her out.  Sadly, we decided to call it a day and head back home.  

This old lady was watching the doctors check Vickie out.  

This trip will always have a lasting impression on me.  It was my first missions trip and I hope, not the last.  Doug and Darla have made a commitment to serve God in a place without family and our modern American conveniences.  They are helping the Mayans live a better life by installing the stoves and by doing so, they are reaching them for Jesus.  After installing each stove, Doug explains why we are doing this for them and that there is a God who loves them.  

Vickie, Vince, Isaac, Darla, Lonnie, Debbie, Doug and myself.