Meetings

~ andrewbartle21 ~ Leave a comment

Uno en Uno

In Spanish Uno en Uno means one on one. A huge part of how the spirit moves students on this trip is through one on ones. It truly is magical watching people be moved through their one on ones as each person really finds their story. I found my story last year and being able to see other people finding joy in realizing they actually have a story has brought so much joy into our team’s hearts. We are making life long bonds through a team of strangers and that is powerful. Not only is it bettering our sense of community here but it’s also setting up so many great friendships back home. Not the fake friendships that are so prevalent in our society these days, but instead a true friendship where nothing is hidden and each other’s brokenness is mended through love. I’m extremely proud to be a part of this amazing group of people and I’m so excited to see how the Holy Spirit continues to thrive relationships and change lives for the better.

-Andrew Bartle

And the Work Begins

~ rachelcallie ~ Leave a comment

Today we woke up at a prompt 6:30 am after an awesome night of large group followed by one-on-ones. We had yummy pancakes for breakfast made by the awesome ladies of Shalom, and then we were off to Blas Pascal for our first day of work. The workday started off with stretches led by the talented Allyson Peppenhorst; we then split up into groups doing different work, including painting, bovedilla(cinder block)-passing, and bucket-carrying. While the painters jammed out to Taylor Swift in rooms filled with the aroma of paint, the bovedilla and bucket crews worked in the sweltering heat. Everywhere you looked, you could see sweaty but smiling faces. Believe it or not, the work was fun once we found our rhythm, and everyone really began to work as a team. About halfway through our work time, we were corralled inside for the much-anticipated fruit break, complete with watermelon, mangos, plums and cantaloupe. We all took our time resting and discussing the day thus far, but before we knew it, it was time to return to our posts and finish the day strong. I worked on the roof, where we cleaned up the floor so we would have plenty of space to stack bovedillas tomorrow. At 1:30, we heard Daniel yell, “We’re gonna stop for today,” which we accepted thankfully. Everyone was exhausted, but a few of us—myself, Brad, Caleb, Noah, Carolyn and Emma—still found enough energy to sing a very tired rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody as we rode the bus back to the church. For lunch we had beef, plantains, potatoes, and rice, which everyone found delicious. As we were eating, rain began to POUR and a little made its way into the church’s gym which serves as our cafeteria. Everyone was eager to head back to the hotel so we could shower, nap, and get ready for VBS tonight. 

We are having so much fun, and we cannot thank all of you enough for making this trip a reality for all 56 of us. Pictures of today’s work are coming later!!!

-Rachel 

pictures!!

~ rachelcallie ~ Leave a comment

Hey guys!!

I know everyone is probably dying to see some more pictures, so here’s some from yesterday and today. We’ve been having so much fun!! We’re all so excited to start work tomorrow, bright and early; much love from Mérida!

p.s. Happy birthday Dad!! I love you! 🙂 -Rachel

¡día dos!

~ allysonpepp ~ 1 Comment

Buenos Días! We got up and had an early start with a delicious breakfast including ham & cheese quesidillas, fresh cantaloupe, cinnamon rolls, STRONG coffee, and of course LaLa’s (basically Danimals for adults lol). It’s amazing what waking up at a good hour how different the temperature is. There’s a nice breeze and I’d say it felt around 85°.

Now when we left for church at 8:45, it was already sticky and in the upper 90°’s. We walk the 2 blocks from our hotel to Shalom Church and sit in the balcony as a group. Their band comes out at 9 and begins worshipping. Though we could not understand the words for the most part, we still all jammed to the talented band and followed las palabras (the words) the best we could. We were all overjoyed when “This is Amazing Grace” came on because it was such a good-feeling, familiar beat, yet we couldn’t keep up with the band’s pace. Overall, Shalom’s worship was very similar to Browns Bridge Church and it was truly a rewarding experience to be able to hear worship from a different culture.

When the pastor started preaching, we tried to decipher and follow the verses he was preaching about, but most of us caught up on our journaling or read the scripture that the service was focusing on.

Rachel Jennings

~ rachelcallie ~ Leave a comment

IMG_9458hi everyone!!

My name is Rachel Jennings, and this year I’ll be a senior at North Forsyth High School. I volunteer in Upstreet at the 9:00 service, where I am a small group leader for a group of third(almost fourth!)-grade girls.

This is my second time going to Merida, Mexico (the picture above is from last year’s trip!!), and I could not be more happy that I get to return to the place and the people that stole my heart. That week taught me so much about faith and community, and I am crazy excited to see what God has planned for this team as a whole and for each individual that helps make it up.

I will be bringing my camera to Mexico, so you’ll probably be seeing some pictures from me throughout the week. Thank you so much for all your support and prayers; don’t forget that we leave in TWO DAYS!!!!

Lake Day

~ vterrell ~ Leave a comment

We could not ask for a better send off than lake day at the Harpers! What an incredible opportunity to spend time with these amazing students and leaders…can’t wait to serve with each one in Mexico. Here are a few pics that I hope you find encouraging!

We eat well and play hard…yep, all is good!

¡Hola!

~ allysonpepp ~ Leave a comment

seniorpic

Hola amigos!! My name is Allyson Peppenhorst, and I’m a rising senior at South Forsyth High School and I’ve attended Browns Bridge Community Church for almost 7 years now. I can’t wait to share my story as I venture to Merida with an amazing team of 57 unique individuals!!

 A couple key things you should know about me :

  1. I have a severe obsession with sunflowers
  2. I’ve been playing competitive soccer since I was 4 and would like to potentially continue to play in college
  3. One of my all time favorite things to do is eat
  4. My favorite foods are : crab legs, cheesecake, acai bowls, kale, chips y salsa, & ect.
  5.  I have at least a cup of coffee a day & it causes my bank account to cry
  6. I love everything about the beach partly because I think I’m part mermaid  ; )
  7. I have a unicorn pillowpet named Barthlomew who travels with me everyone (Mexico here we come!!)
  8. My family is a brady bunch with 4 siblings
  9. I love nothing more than having in-depth conversations about our amazing Father
  10. My favorite verse is “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” Proverbs 31:25

I’m so incredibly blessed and excited to serve in Mexico for it’s always been a dream of mine to travel the world and spread God’s love! I hope you enjoy what I have to say about our trip! Vámonos!!!

“Declare His glory among the nations” Psalm 96:3