Grab Your Passports and Lets Go!

On April 25th our church headed down to Tijuana for an outreach. A couple in our church collect clothing and toys and every few months head down to give them to people that are in need. It was Elena's first international trip. I am ashamed that she is already 9 months old and hadn't been out of the country but that's just how life goes. We are hoping to take Elena on an airplane soon so that she can at least experience that before her 1st birthday (it's on July 26th!)

A van-full of us arrived at our outreach site at around 10ish and started setting up the tarps, bags of clothing and other necessary items. I really like how this outreach is organized as it is very efficient! We had set up three areas: one for shoes, another for clothing and one for toys. People were given tickets and told to stand in line according to their ticket as to avoid any issues.




Of course, we weren't able to leave Elena to roam around on her own so someone always had to be holding her.


Before the people were allowed into the distribution area they were each given a New Testament and our leader shared a message with them. He talked about what were were going to give them that day and how it was not going to cost them anything - it was free! He then went on to share about Jesus and how He offers salvation that is free also. And it doesn't wear out or fall apart like clothes or toys do - it lasts forever. We worked alongside some Mexican churches so we are hoping that these people will get connected with a church that is in their area.


All in all the whole distribution went very well. We were able to give away everything that we brought (a whole trailer-full). Everyone walked away with a bag of clothes and the kids each walked away with 1-2 toys. I was in the toy area during the distribution and boy, were some of those kids sneaky. The kid that had ticket #1 kept trying to sneak back in to get more toys. Did he think that I couldn't recognize him? Kids will be kids, no matter where they are from!

While there we also gave away cotton candy. It was a hit! From the time we started making it until we ran out of ingredients, there was a steady line of kids waiting for their first, second or third!



As is customary if you go down to Mexico, you have to stop at a taco stand and get some delicious carne asada tacos before going back over the border. They are absolutely delicious!

Elena didn't get any tacos but she did say she had a wonderful day and is very pleased she got to go to Mexico on her first international expedition. She didn't take a nap all day and by the time we got in the van at 2ish she was so tired! But she still managed to squeeze in a smile before falling asleep.


It is true. If you want to experience real joy, find someone else to serve. Taking your mind off of yourself has a way of re-invigorating your soul!