San Marcos Mission Trip 2011

June 30, 2011: Work Day 4

Alyssa J.

Today I switched job sites and went to help out the porch people , as I call them. It was fun until I got paint in my hair, but I got revenge. People wrote stuff on the back of my t-shirt. At dinner it was really cool because I got to meet the landowners!

            I think that the thing that will stick is just all the amazing work we have done to change people’s lives. That is something that will always be there for remembrance.

Anna B.

For me the things that are going to stick are…

1.)    How terrible it was to take showers in 5 minutes

2.)    The amount of drama 20 girls create

3.)    How good it feels to improve something

4.)    The feeling of working together with your friends

5.)    My new appreciation of alone time

6.)    And finally how a group of people can come so close in 5 days.

7.)    NIGHT NIGHT!!!!!! 

June 29, 2011: Work Day 3 

Erin R.

Today I saw God when I knew I was helping someone.  When we were making the finishing touches on the paint, I could see God and tell that he was proud.  When I do something this great, I feel joy.  I feel love from the person I help and from the people that help me make this person’s life better.  I love that I can help make a difference!

Callie M.

Today, I saw God in Marisa.  She helped me through the super strong currents when I almost floated away.  She helped me so much in the river.  Almost every time I went up or down the river, she was there.  It was like God helping me through lie.  Marisa was guiding me through the super strong currents!

Ashlyn L.

People brought drinks and snacks to our worksite right after I started feeling dehydrated and I also think it was very nice to take time out of their day.  They didn’t even have to anyways.  It was really nice of them!

June 28, 2011: Work Day 2

Blind Spots

I have many blind spots in life. But today I saw a really big problem I have not seen.

            It was when we went to the church service at the church in town. The minister told us how much he appreciated our work. He also said that it is helping the community a lot. The last thing he said though was that 80% of the people in San Marcos are in poverty. I knew people were in poverty but I had no idea it was that bad.       

            If he had not told us that, I would have never guessed that the community is so poor. Everybody is so nice and thankful for what they have. I haven’t met a single person who was not ungrateful for what very little they have.

If I could ask god a favor this week it would be to help the families who are in poverty. Just to help them get back on their feet. Make them a path to a better life. Help them follow it to have a better life.  

Student wished to remain anonymous.  

Abby S.

My blind spot is...

Not seeing how fortunate I am compared to other people.  I need to wake up and realize how lucky I am.  Today we worked on this house.  David, our worksite leader, had said that the family came by the other day, and one little girl was jumping up and down, realizing that her room was being renovated.  He also said she was crying.  When I heard these words come out of his mouth, I was so grateful, not only for the things I have, but for waht we were doing to the house.  I just can't wait to say thanks to them and say you're welcome for what we did.   

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June 27, 2011: Work Day 1

We challenged our students today to practice seeing the world through Jesus’ eyes and these are some of their reflections.  

Lauren W.

I am going to try very hard not to take things for granted and I am not going to complain about sharing a bathroom with my little sister.  

Carissa O.

I saw the world through God’s eyes by seeing how little stuff the woman we helped out today had.  I compared to what I had and saw how grateful I was to have the stuff that I have now.  By just seeing that, it made me want to do so much more in helping others out.  I see that there are so much more people out there who have it worse than me.  It makes me want to get out there and try to convince other people who have it better than most people and let them help others so that we can draw closer to one another—also to let those people learn how important it is to help one another so that they too can get closer to God and their neighbors around them.  Since there is a lot of people in the world, I know that there are some that do bad, but I know that most people out there have at the very least a little good in them and hope that they can share it with the world.  That is what I saw through God’s eyes today.

Emily J.

Today, working on someone’s house was a great experience for me.  To see such a big group of people coming together to help someone else was an amazing sight.  Knowing that even though we were sweating and super hot that someone else would treasure our outcome of work was special.  It was awful to hear all of the things people had to worry about every time they went to bed at night.  When can I fix the house? How will my kids ever have a great childhood? When will I ever find a job? These just being a few of their worries, really puts it into perspective.  I think that if God saw all the people we’re helping, he would be very proud.  God would love to see people do what he called them to do.  

Brenna R.

Well, on the river, me, Carrie, and Marisa got lost.  We didn’t know where we were, where to go, or if we would be ok.  The reason I say that this is me seeing through God’s eyes is because I had to be worried about me, the people around me, and the things around me.  My question is: Does God feel that way? Because I felt scared, then the people came and all was fine, but I am still wondering, is that what God goes through? Having to worry non-stop about the people he or she created and if they are ok?

That's it for today!  Check out our videos and photos on facebook.com/fumchurstyouth  

Can't wait for a great day tomorrow!