Greetings from an increasingly growing tired Kelsey Maxine.
It has been an intense, yet spectacular week! I'll post a photo album to my Facebook page about the last week to give a visual of the amazing journey God has invited me to be a part of!
After a tremendous three month training seminar in Kona, Hawai'i with Youth With A Mission, my focus has brought me to Mexico and, eventually, will lead me to the Dominican Republic. The leaders on my outreach team are Andrew and Faith Dutton (Australia/New Zealand), and Heidi Cartledge (Oregon, USA). Team Dutton is a package deal complete with three lovely, rambunctious children we know and love as Emily(8), Michael(6), and Elijah(4); as well as family friend, Elisa age 15 (England, UK), along to help Mama Faith with schoolwork and babysitting! Elisa fits right in with the eleven students from DTS 360, who, at this point, are so much more like brothers and sisters than just friends.
Aaron - 20 - Vancouver, Canada
Bryan - 24 - Virginia, USA
Cassie - 24 - Russia / Missionary from China
Calvin - 20 - Washington State, USA
Florimond - 23 - France
Josef - 23 - Sweden
Kyle - 19 - Colorado, USA
Sam - 19 - Los Angeles, California, USA
Sâmila (aka Sammy) - 18 - Brazil
Serena - 23 - Vancouver, Canada
After finishing classes the end of March, we had the opportunity to minister to our University of the Nations Ohana (Family) and Kona Community. Our class organized and hosted a Father-Daughter banquet, we completed the last week of our work duties, and put together a kid's program as the annual staff gathering brought hundreds of YWAMers and their children to the Kona base. Finishing it all up serving the meal at a beach side barbecue, Monday was a hectic day filled with packing and cleaning our dorm rooms. Leaving from the beloved "Flags" gathering, the other half of our DTS360 class sent us off with prayers, hugs, and words of encouragement. They would leave the following morning for Eastern Europe, (ie. the Ukraine).
Our overnight flight left Hawai'i around 9pm local time and got us to Los Angeles by around 6am Tuesday morning. A connection flight just under an hour landed us in San Diego where the gang piled onto a rented bus and crossed the border. We were blessed, particularly so, as we crossed into Mexico with no questions, no matter we collectively have passports from nine different nations.
Arrangements have been made for us to stay at another Youth With A Mission base for the time being. The students reside in two trailers on this breathtaking campus... currently under construction. The staff welcomed us with open arms and immediately invited us to the ministries they serve their community with. Juan and Krissy have been so generous with their time and humbly exhibit the servant attitude Jesus calls His believers to live.
Wednesday morning, a small group awoke at 5:45, drove to an orphanage ten minutes away and served breakfast. A large home for nearly twenty children and nineteen infants, we enjoyed meeting the kids and singing praise songs before they walked to school. Our team met and started to discuss the vision God is showing us for the short term and long term plans for Tijuana and Mexico. That night, Calvin and Kyle prepared soup, our entire group drove to downtown TJ and a handful of the team served the hot meal to the homeless with Krissy. Myself, with a smaller group, joined Juan in a prayer walk through the heartbreaking streets of the Red Light District.
Thursday morning, the boys drove to Ensenada to help Juan with the equipment for an event over the weekend while the girls rode with Krissy to the Juvenile Detention Center. We met with six young ladies, ages ranging from 14 to 22. I was intimidated, not knowing what to expect, but the girls came into the classroom exchanging hugs, kisses, and cheerful "Hola's!" After a time of praise and worship, my friend Serena and I each shared our testimonies. This led into a wonderful time where two girls opened up and shared their own tragic tales. Each of the girls had given her life to Christ while imprisoned and the joy of the Lord was eminent through their demeanor. On Thursday afternoon, the girls again joined a group from the base for an afternoon program called "The Walking Circle". Our lack of knowledge when it comes to the Spanish Language is frustrating and limits the ways in which we connect with the people here, *pero, quiero aprender hablar mas espanol; y si, lo hare! (*but, I want to learn to speak more Spanish; and yes, I will!) Later on Thursday, we began practicing a thirteen minute drama, a silent skit set to music in which we the present Gospel in modern day examples of bondage to sin.
Friday was another marvelous combination of great ministry. At this point, it is common for my teammates to be divided into groups or partners. My day consisted of working on the base in the kitchen and cleaning guest rooms, enjoying my quiet time with the Lord, and returning to the Juvenile prison, this time with only one female teammate, Cassie, and a larger group of guys as we met with the male prisoners. Slightly more challenging, I trust God is stirring in the hearts of many of the broken men. Upon our return, our leaders surprised us in taking us out to a neighborhood for real deal Mexican food and later, homeade Mexican ice cream. We had an amazing time congratulating our team on a week of hard work. Our evening was again consumed with practicing the "Enslaved" drama so it would be perfect for Saturday's performance.
A local church here put on a phenomenal community gathering today. We left the base close to 9am and arrived at the City Hall in Rosarito. For three hours we set up skate ramps, stereo equipment, and tents for games and delicious Mexican food. Throughout the course of the day, between 800-1,000 people walked through the family friendly parking lot. DTS360 put on performances of our drama, a circus exhibition, and choreographed dance. The language barrier was experienced at it's most devastating caliber as the Gospel was preached and people everywhere raised their hands, having accepted Christ, and waited for someone to lead them in prayer. Without a translator, many of us stood with families and just praised God for His faithfulness, praying quietly in thanksgiving.
It's been another long night; Sammy led a team in learning yet another drama- tomorrow morning is Sunday and we've got an hour and a half of time to fill for a children's program at a local church. For the next seven weeks, the ministries I have been introduced to will be opportunities to which nothing else compares. I appreciate your prayers during this time.
Missing you from Mexico,
Kels
Paz y Amor
Dios de bendiga!
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