All-Church Mexico Mission!
June 17-24, 2023
A Reflection by
Team Member Gene Caselli
Buenos Días! The Mexico mission week was a week of works and words. Pastor Dave led us in a devotion time each night and challenged us to think on a word each day. They were good words for the work week: Gran Viaje, a great journey, Hogar/Casa, home and house, Descanso/ Trabajo Rest and work, Dámelo, asking God for something as in God, grant me…, and Acabo de Terminar
In all honesty, I will admit that my journey to join the group was reluctant. Camping without running water and bathrooms and doing construction work, Well those things might be best left to others. But, I felt nudged. I went to the meeting to support our organizers, Erik and Carlo, and listened. I took the flyer, and it got covered up in a stack on my desk. But something kept saying, “Mexico Mission trip”… (I think it was Erik!) I finally signed up and agreed to go. I was waiting to see how it would go. But, after working and building with the team from the church and eating and sleeping out doors, I realized what the purpose was for me… My life had been disrupted. I was to step out of myself and my comfortableness and work to make someone else’s life better. I realized the nudge was a call to be a disciple in this place and this time, to do something meaningful for others. The families we helped are some of the most vulnerable in the world. 
My next word is gratitude: to the church for your support. For your smiling faces when we returned, the cookies and the prayers. I am also grateful to the group for opening up your hearts to my 13 year-old nephew from Virginia who came with us. He wanted to make connections with the families by speaking Spanish and to help build the houses. He didn’t know anyone or any names. He was a stranger when he arrived. You made him feel welcome. That is what we are called to do—welcome strangers with love and I thank you. I also want to talk about our leaders—my word for them is ADMIRATION in capital letters. I am in awe at the organization, planning coordination that was done before we went to make it a success. The experience was smooth, the team made things happen and it appeared effortless. The team on the ground—each site had leaders and Erik was head of the kitchen, which was a fantastic success. Again, they have been called to give and they have my complete admiration.
Dios vive en éste hogar.
For me, that says it all. Got questions? E-mail mexico@pclg.org
