We continue with Briana’s letter to her supporters:

While working with the women, the language barrier posed a few difficulties during the lessons but once it was broken down, everything went smoothly. It’s amazing how far a smile and a small gesture can get you.  The women openly shared stories about their lives and welcomed us into their world with open arms. Leading the women’s Bible study on our own was an awesome experience, but I would have to say that playing with the children was my favorite.

The children were harder for me to understand because they talk a lot faster and slur their words together much more than the women do and they didn’t know how to rephrase what they were saying or slow down, which made it that much more difficult; however, spending time with the children was so rewarding.

My favorite kid was Fuzzy. He was three years old this year and was still the cutest little kid at the church (he even retained his chubby cheeks from last year). The great thing about Fuzzy is that you have to work really hard to keep his attention and get affection from him but once you earn it, he lights up and it makes your whole day. A bad day can be turned around in an instant at the sound of his giggly laugh.

Twice after evening chapel we would break off into our groups (young adult and high school) with a question that we each had to address. The first evening was “What do you have to lay down at the cross and give up to God?” and the second was “What do you feel God is saying to you or what do you think he has laid on your heart?”. It was during this time that we really bonded with each other by trusting our hearts with them and were pushed past former limits while reflecting and deciding to act on what God was telling us.

While in Mexico I not only spread God’s word to the people in Mexicali but was challenged in my faith-challenged to go further, deeper, and more intimate with God. This mission trip was a great experience but it didn’t stop when we crossed the border back into the States. I will now have to bring what I’ve learned and accomplished back with me and share it with those around me. Our purpose as Christians is to further the kingdom of God and share the gospel with everyone around us. I ask that you would continue to keep me in your prayers. Thank you so much for your support.

Briana Hutchinson

Ephesians 6: 19-20 “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.“

Briana is a freshman in the Honors College of Grand Valley State University where she is studying nursing.

When we met Briana and her parents to celebrate Sylvia’s birthday last Sunday, she gave us a thank-you letter.  It was a letter to those who had supported her recent mission trip to Mexico.  I asked and received her permission to share it with you.  She also sent along some photos for us to share.  Here is what she said:

Thank you so much for helping me make it down to Mexico this Winter to spread the word of God! I had a great time bonding with my team and making new friends as well as playing with the children and leading the women’s bible study group.

Our group of 52 teenagers, young adults, and adult leaders from Cornerstone Church flew to San Diego on December 28th, stayed in a hotel, and drove through the mountains into Mexicali the next day. We stayed at “The Institute” which consisted of a two-wing dormitory, a chapel, and a cafeteria which consisted of tables and folding chairs. 

The dormitory is a big open room with cement floors we slept on and bathrooms with community showers for each side, fortunately the college girls stayed in the “apartment” in the middle of the boy’s and girl’s wings which had a single bathroom with a real shower and tiled floors.

We ministered to the churches for four days. My college group went to Pastor Rafael’s church, where we went last year, while the high-schoolers went to a new place and tried to find people to come out to the church. We would show up to the church after breakfast, chapel, quiet time, and lunch at The Institute.  Until it was time to start the lessons for the day, we would play with the children–jump-roping, tag, piggy-back rides, soccer, volleyball, anything to entertain them.

All of the lessons (children’s, sport’s, and women’s) for the week were about Saul/Paul and how he changed from a persecutor of the Christian church into one of the greatest missionaries ever. The women of this church all have a solid faith so instead of trying to spread the gospel, our goal was to strengthen their knowledge of the Bible and try to challenge them with how to apply the lessons in their lives.

I lead this bible study with my friend Erin and our interpreter, who was in our college group. Each day we would give the lesson and then do a craft while we just relaxed and chatted. Once all the lessons were done, we would eat a picnic-style “dinner” and set up for the church service, during which the boys would give the sermon for the night while the children went outside for another lesson. Sometimes during worship, the band would play a song that I knew in English so we would sing the English words while everybody else sang them in Spanish. There were even a few Spanish songs we knew that we could sing along with them. After church, we would pack up and go back to The Institute for a snack and more singing and worship before bed.

Watch for part 2 tomorrow.

On the anniversary of the death of my great uncle, I pause to remember those family members who served our nation.  Fifth great grandfather John Hutchinson served under General George Washington and died at Valley Forge during the revolution.  His grandson (3rd great grandfather) John served in the war of 1812.  My father and two of his brothers fought in WWII.

On my mother’s side, her German immigrant fifth great grandfather George Rau (Rowe) died in the Revolution while defending a fort in Pennsylvania.  Grandfather John Wyman was released from the Civil War with a disability.  Her uncle Ezra T Rowe died in WWI.  Two of Mom’s brothers served in WWII.

My younger son (and Sylvia’s) is now retired after a career in the USAF.

There are others.  Most returned after doing their duty.  Some did not return.  In honor of them and of your relatives and friends that have served their country, I offer this song.

Our skin, hair and eyes may be of different hues, but it is the same red blood that flows through our veins.

I’ve felt “flat” all this week.  I usually post ahead and have items lined up in the queue to publish at 4 AM Eastern.  I haven’t been all that good at doing it this week.  I’ve had ideas, just lacked desire and drive to convert them into something that you might read.  A couple of my friends have reported similar experiences.  I hope it’s just summer and a case of the blahs.

Yesterday, I was making my bloggy rounds and visited my sister Clara’s blog.  You should visit and read her post from Tuesday.

Sylvia and I made the change nearly four months ago after reading that book.  We are glad that we did.

Okay, I’m not saying a lot here.  That’s because Clara said it for me, and I really do want you to visit her today.  Leave a comment and tell her, “Chuck sent me.”

Here’s wishing you and yours health and happiness.
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