How I Know

In my day to day life, it is easy to overlook all the ways God is working in my life. While I know that God's love and presence is constant, I often fail to notice the ways God is moving and using me. I get caught up in the daily rituals and frantic pace of life. However, there are times when God's presence and purpose are crystal clear. For me, youth mission trip week is a time of blessing and seeing God at work in so many ways. While I see God at work each year on mission trip, this year was exceptional. This year was different.

CTCYM stands for Central Texas Conference Youth in Mission. It is our conference youth mission effort. Each year in June and July youth from all over our conference gather together to go out and be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. There are three types of youth mission trips; Senior High, Junior High and Combination. Acton participated in the combination trip this year meaning that youth that have completed 6th grade through graduation were elgible to go. Senior High and Combination trips travel outside the state of Texas for work. For every 5 youth that attend CTCYM requires 2 adults accompany them on the trip. Churches from around the conference are joined together to make a work group and are located together in a living center. The other churches we were grouped together with were Journey of Faith in Round Rock, FUMC Corsicana and University in Fort Worth. A living center is a church in the area that is to be served that functions as the home away from home during the week. The youth and adults eat and sleep there. Showers are usually taken at an a local high school or other facility that can accomodate. The youth and adults are divided into work teams that will spend the week together working, eating and worshiping. The work to be completed is light construction including building wheelchair ramps, sheetrock, flooring, painting and yard work. It is amazing what a group of youth can do.

Originally Acton was assigned to a living center in Willard MO. At the beginning, it was predicted that our living center would consist of 70 people. At the time registration ended we had grown to 106! What a wonderful blessing that was but it did present a new set of challenges. The church in Willard could host a group no larger than 75 people. In addition, the community was a suburb of Springfield MO and not much work was being found. The last thing the leadership team wanted was to take the youth on trip with nothing to do. When it became obvious that we were not able to find a place to house our large group or work to be done Ben and I started looking for a new location.

CTCYM groups were located in Arkansas and Missouri this year. We started our search with a call to Camden AR where Ben's dad lives. The Methodist church there was not able to accommodate us but did recommend we look at Pine Bluff. We were told the mission field there is great and two churches were large enough to house a group our size. The first church we called was FUMC Pine Bluff. We presented our case and was transferred to Ann Cain, the church administrator. We again told our story and Ann said "Let me call you back". This was at 11:00 on Thursday May 24. By 3:00 Ann had cleared all obstacles, including working around preparations for VBS starting the day after we leave, and we were good to go! Arrangements were made for a pre trip visit on Tuesday after Memorial Day.

That Tuesday I make the 6 hour drive to Pine Bluff and was greeted by Ann like I was her long lost best friend! She showed me around town, introduced me to key persons and made me and the upcoming team feel welcome. I took work applications to the Area Agency on Aging and to Central Park, a neighborhood similiar to Rancho Brazos. I left feeling refreshed and excited about what would happen when our group arrived. We had moved from Willard to Pine Bluff. Officially we were still listed as Willard on the CTCYM website but we had successfully moved.

Our trip was scheduled for June 10-16. Ben and I, along with the other leadership team arrived on Friday the 8th. We had 19 worksite applications including 9 ramps waiting for us!  Enough work to keep our 9 teams busy during the week. Each detail had fallen into place perfectly. God had brought us to a place that needed our help.

The first night of mission trip is always hectic. Always. This year was no exception. So who would show up at our living center? Kyland Dobbins, the conference CTCYM coordinator (among other things such as Volunteers in Mission and Disaster Response). . He makes the rounds during mission trip to each living center to see how everyone is doing. He came to us first on his way to north Little Rock. Kyland is an amazing man with a pure heart for service. We were blessed that he came to see us. He did not stay long but we enjoyed the time we had with him.

The next day I got a call from a man who is the construction coordinator for north Little Rock. We made polite conversation for a few minutes then he got to the point of his phone call. Little Rock had recieved 75 worksite applications and were overwhelmed with work. He wanted to know if we had plenty of work. I told him we had 19 job applications and were pretty busy. I didn't think we could make it to Little Rock to help. He said he had an application from a 98 year old man who needed a floor that lives in Pine Bluff. Kyland had been to his center last night and thought perhaps my living center could help since we were in Pine Bluff. Hmm.. interesting. I gave the man our construction coordinator's phone number and told him to call. Didn't think much else about it that day. It's not called Manic Monday for nothing.

Tuesday night at dinner, leadership sat tother and reviewed the day. Steve Lubbers starts talking about this 98 year old man, Horace Owens, he met just a few minutes earlier. This is the job referral that came from Little Rock. Steve said Mr. Owens needed a new floor in his house. Really this job is too big to start mid way through the week. Yet, there was something about Mr. Owens that compelled Steve and the rest of the construction crew to help him. The plan was that Steve along with Spencer (also on construction) would work all the next day tearing out the floor. The big fear was that they would find termites. It was actually less of a fear and more of a prediction but the work needed to be done. We didn't have a choice. God brought this man to us for a reason.

On Thursday and Friday, our teams were finishing the original jobs that were given to them then joining together at Mr. Owen's house to work on the floor. Mr. Owens told stories about his life and sang wonderful gospel songs to the teams. Despite his age, his voice was clear and strong. Mr. Owens was sharing his life of faith with the youth and they were hanging on every word.

On Friday night the clients are invited to join us for dinner and fellowship. I am not sure how many people invited Mr. Owens but I would guess every person who had worked on his house asked him to come fellowship with us. Mr. Owens did come as well as other family members! I think he and his family filled three tables! The youth were so excited that he had come.

Each team that had a guest was given a chance to introduce the homeowner and tell about the work that was done. When we had finished eating, Mr. Owens wanted to speak. He was moved to the front of the great hall and given a microphone. He thanked God and thanked us for the work that was done. He said he could not imagine that the floor would be so beautiful and that his prayers would be answered. He then sang for us. Amazing Grace-strong and pure. In praise and thanksgiving. Simply from his heart.

This is how I know God was working through us. I shudder to think about what would have happened with Mr. Owens if we had not been there. What if FUMC Pine Bluff had told us we couldn't come. That the church was too busy with Annual Conference and VBS the next week. What if they were not willing to take a risk and allow us to stay? Of if Kyland had come to see at the end of the week instead of the first of the week. Would he have remembered that we were in Pine Bluff? Or if we had decided that the job was too big and too late in the week to start?

But none of those things happened. God intervened each step of the way to bring us to Pine Bluff AR. We came so that this man could witness to the youth with his words, his songs and his life. Each person on the trip is required to fill out an evaluation. On almost every evaluation, spending time with Mr. Owens was listed as a highlight of the trip. The youth also expressed blessings in blessing others. Despite our large size, we did not have a single ugly word spoken or amy disagreements. Each person treated others with love and respect. No one complained about long days, lack of sleep or cold showers. In fact, each day the teams were up and ready to leave early. No one wanted to waste time that could be used for working. The Holy Spirit was moving among us. We know God was at work.

If you are on facebook you can find Mr. Owen's testimony and song on my wall Margret Amos Fields. It is also on youtube listed under Amazing Grace. Watch it and know.

Next year, don't miss your opportunity to know God's love and presence in a very real and tangible way. Watch as the Spirit moves in our youth as lives are transformed. I promise you will never be the same.

Mission Trip! United in Service!

Mission Trip started off great! Everyone met their teams, got to know people from other churches, and got to worship together! We are in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Our living center consists of the churches: Journey of Faith from Round Rock, Corsicana First, University from Fort Worth, and Acton. We are having a great time with everyone and getting along great! We came here with 18 projects to do, and hopefully we will return home with every single one completed! There are 9 teams made up of many youth and two or more adults. Our theme for the week is "United in Service."

Sunday was the start of our trip. Long drives, restroom breaks, and fast food sums up the day. When we all got to the living center and set up our stuff, we went to the felowship hall to meet our teams! Each team is made up from different people from different churches. Worship was great, with music, a message, and more! Eventually, after a long day everyone was excited to go to sleep! No one could contain their excitement of the week that would unfold.

Manic Monday! Monday was a day of waiting and beginning. Many teams waited on lumber and fellowshipped with each other for hours. After the lumber was delivered, each team started working hard and fast. Many teams started by digging post holes and cutting wood into boards. Then the wheelchair ramps started coming together, piece by piece, board by board, and nail by nail. After the long work day, everyone was ready to return to the church for showers, and it was raining! Dinner was fantastic, delicious, and filling. Dessert was amazing too! Then at worship two Acton youth gave the message and it was very moving. We also sang songs, danced in the aisles, and praised the Lord. We had "family time" that night with our churches to talk about our week. Then it was lights out!

Tuesday! Tuesday, everyone was ready to go out and spread God's love. The teams were ready to go out and get started working as fast as they could! The only problem was it was raining. We were delayed on our start time, but everyone tried to do as much work as possible inside, so they wouldn't have to be in the rain. It passed over about lunch time, and everyone was ready to start working even harder, now that they could work outside. The wheelchair ramps were starting to look almost finished and the teams went to showers. Dinner was great again, and dessert was sweet and savory. Worship started and we were singing songs, when we saw a man, whom we did not know, and he was praising the Lord. We had an amazing guest speaker that night, who made us laugh, and made us really think about what the Bible is trying to say to us. It was a great worship service and then we went to bed once again!

Wednesday! Wednesday has just started. The Community Men of Pine Bluff, cooked us a delicious biscuit and gravy breakfast. We got to fellowship with them and hear one of their speakers. The teams were very eager to go to their work sites and finish the jobs they had today!

We cannot express how much excitement we have for the rest of the week. It is going to be great!

Courtney Traylor

Wednesday - A Day of Mixed Feelings!

We left Puebla early this morning and took a 3 hour (should have been two hour) bus trip to Mexico City.  We then had a 4 hour wait for our flight back to DFW.  We enjoyed our last meal together as a team.  We have grown very close as a team and as our time came closer to end the trip we all became a little sad.  Sad to be leaving the children behind in Mexico and not being together each and every day sharing this wonderful experience.

We landed at DFW at 6:15pm and spent the next hour getting thru customs and immigration.  What an adventure that can be!  Of course, our preacher got pulled aside and had her bags searched!  And lucky Doug lost his customs form so got to go thru twice!  We all decided it was nice to be back and able to flush the toilet paper!

We all gathered for our last prayer together and thanked God for this wonderful experience, for our safe travels, and especially for the Casa Hogar La Familia Children's Home.

Thanks again for all your prayers and your support.
Sheryl

I Am The Church

Today was a different kind of day. We boarded a bus at 7:30 to make the hour long trek to Puebla for a day of sightseeing and shopping. One might ask why did we take the time to do this? When visiting another country it is a good idea to take the time to get to know the history, the surroundings and inject money into the local economy. It is also a good way to wind down , reflect on the mission trip and take time to internalize the experience before returning  to the "real world" also known as life.

We went on a tour to see the largest pyramid in the world. For those of you who are confused, we are in Mexico and not Egypt. By measurements, the pyramid in Mexico is taller and wider than those in Egypt. Who knew! From the top, and yes I did walk to the top, you could see the entire city and the active volcano. It was a beautiful sight. It is not everyday that the view is so clear that you can see for hundreds of miles. We visited several cathedrals today that  were unlike any I have ever seen. Very ornate and decorated in a lot of gold. It was interesting to visit churches unlike our own worship spaces.

As we toured, walked and talked, each one of us would point out a child we could see and comment on how he or she looked like someone from Casa Hogar. The little girl in the hotel lobby looked like Elizabeth. A group of school children walking reminded us of Juan, Eduardo and Cris. I am not sure that these children we saw today actually looked like the ones at Casa Hogar but rather our hearts were missing the children we had come to love. I think a part of each one of us was still back at the home.

After shopping and dinner we spent time as a group reflecting on what this trip has meant to us and what we could have done better. Without a doubt, spending time with the children was the best part of the trip. Getting to witness how God is working in each of their lives was a blessing to each of us. We also expressed that we wished we could have been better prepared to be with the children such as learning names and the language. One feeling equally expressed was the desire to be able to share our experience with others, to encourage others to join in our efforts because although God is big enough, it is up to you and me to be the hands and feet. At dinner we sat next to a couple from Canada. While sharing conversation it came up why we were here in Mexico. We spent time telling them about the children, Juan Fransico and Silvia and the things we were able to do during our stay. We did not tell them this to brag on ourselves, but rather to call attention to the mighty works of our God. How lives are being changed through blessings that come from around the world. That God may be glorified through us. The work done on any mission trip is important but it is also important to be able to say why we do what we do and to encourage others to join our efforts.

As we head home tomorrow, I pray that each member of the team shares the story of Casa Hogar and what this trip has meant to him or her. I pray that each one of us does not forget the faces of those sweet children who need our love. I pray that we remember the faith Juan Fransico, Silvia, Muriel and Ana have that God will provide. I pray that I have that same kind of faith. I pray I never forget the lessons learned this week.

Rev. Margret L. Fields

Monday - A Day of Celebrating!

Our team started the day off at Sandys for another wonderful breakfast. Doug shared a devotion about always being ready to receive God and to remember that he comes in many forms. And boy did we see God everywhere today, and in many celebrations! The ladies of the team were blessed to attend the kindergarten Mothers Day program at the school for Cris, Josue, and Suri. The kids danced and sang to their mothers. It was a beautiful celebration! The guys cleaned out the storage room and worked on door knobs that were not working. Many of us helped to clean up the playing field. Because of your support, we were able to pay for some electrical work so the cement roof could be poured today. This is a real celebration for now they can start to finish the inside. And more room means more children can be helped. We also have helped with new brakes for the van, new doorknobs, money for labor to clean up the yard in front of homes entrance, and have provided funds to celebrate school graduations! We have also celebrated many days by spoiling the kids with special meals. Today was Joanna's chicken spaghetti! Following our meal we had an evening full of celebration, praise and FUN. We started by playing games. You should have seen us - placing quarters on our foreheads and running to drop it into a basket. If you missed - back you went to try again! Oh, the laughs!!! And the celebrations when your quarter went in the basket. We also had kgreat fun playing musical chairs. Our own J.J. Celebrated by winning the first game! We shared a silly skit for them and then celebrated their many talents in song, dance and drama. The joy in watching those children is beyond measure. You just have to come and celebrate life with these children yourself. We ended the evening with a wedding anniversary cake and ice cream for the home parents, Juan Fransico and Silvia. What a blessing it was to celebrate with this wonderful family! We finally said our sad goodbyes with many hugs and kisses. But it is only goodbye till next time! Thank you, Lord, for the many celebrations we shared in today! Sheryl

I Really Shouldn't Be Here

I really shouldn't be in Mexico. I suffer from an anxiety disorder known as agoraphobia. This is a fancy name for a fear of being in places where escape is difficult or impossible. For me, this manifests itself in fear of being on an airplane, a bus or a vehicle that I am not driving. To get to Mexico I had to get on an airplane, take a 2 hour bus ride, take another hour long bus ride then hop in a van with a man driving that I have only met twice. I really shouldn't be here.

I am a person who likes routines and schedules. I do not like to try new things. I certainly don't like foods I don't know or can't see what is in it. I have an extreme fear of germs, of getting sick, especially something gastrointestinal. I really shouldn't be here.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one I have encountered on this trip that has had that thought. I look at the Casa Hogar La Familia Children's Home and see 32 children who at one time or another had that thought. I witnessed it yesterday when a family came to say what looked like final goodbyes to a pair of brothers. I watched from a distance as one child openly cried and sobbed and clung to his father. I stood helplessly as the grandmother, father, mother and two small children left them home without those boys. I wondered if Christian was thinking "I shouldn't be here!".

I look at the house parents, Juan Fransico and Silvia, who give their entire lives to these children, and wonder if they ever think that? These wonderful talented people could be anywhere doing anything, yet they made the choice to love these children and raise them up in Christ. Or what about their three children Damaly, Alexi and Daniel, who live in the home, sleep in the dorms with the other children, and share their birth parents with so many. Do they ever think "I really shouldn't be here"?

Muriel, a young lady who lives at the home as a volunteer, has been there for four years. She came knowing no Spanish and now serves as the translator when Americans come to stay and work. Muriel did not come by choice but she has willingly stayed. Muriel was originally sent to the home by her parents, on what I would guess, was a last resort to get her out of the house. Muriel tells the story that she told her parents "Send me anywhere but Mexico". I know four years ago she had the same thought I had "I really shouldn't be here".

A young couple was presented this morning during worship as an engaged couple. Cintya has lived in the home most of her life. She has graduated technical school and is now a cosmetologist. Her fiance Omar works at the home. Omar's life has not been easy either. He recently completed a rehabilitation program in Peubla prior to coming to the home. I imagine he had a life filled with struggles and challenges, some of which he will face for a lifetime if he wants to maintain a clean life. I wonder if Omar ever imagined that God would place him in such a spirit filled place as Casa Hogar. I wonder if he ever thought "I really shouldn't be here".

I worshiped twice today. Once a 6:00 am at a prayer service at the home. Five of us attended this service. When we first arrived there were about a dozen people there. As the service went on, more children came out, most in their pajamas, eyes barely open, but hands and voices raised to God. We sang and prayed for an hour. I felt the very presence of God among us. At the end of the service the children greeted us with hugs and kisses. It was a feeling that I cannot describe.

After another amazing breakfast at Sandy's, which was opened just for us, the entire team headed back for the regular worship service. For an hour we sang and danced. Although the songs were new and the language was not our own, we understood fully that the Lord is to be praised! In the second hour we prayed for a couple that came to present their two small daughters (both under the age of 3) to the church. This was the second time they had come to that church and they asked for prayers as they continued to "search for God". We prayed for Cintya and Omar as they were presented as an engaged couple. We listened to the word brought by Juan Fransico warning us of the dangers of being impulsive and to look toward the pastor for guidance. We were reminded that each of us brings unique gifts for God to use.  I even had the honor of presenting a prayer at the end of the service. Two hours of worship and I felt like  I could have done that all day long. Maybe I should be here.

We spent the rest of the day playing with the children and preparing a hamburger lunch for the home. I watched as older ones played with younger ones. As each child would see a job that needed to be done, he or she would just go do it. I heard "Ma" over and over again and watched Silvia respond with love and patience at each cry of her name. I witnessed a table full of youth and children hanging on every word Juan Fransico spoke. I saw children come take the hand of someone from our team to lead him or her to a game or just to sit and "talk".  I played volleyball with Christian, several other children and Doug from our team. All the children took turns serving the ball, cheered each other on and didn't argue about if the ball was in or out of bounds. No one kept score and no one cared. Christian watched his family leave him yesterday,  perhaps for the final time, yet he did not act like he didn't want to be at the home. I observed Omar serving without being asked, a smile on his face, a laugh on his lips. He might not have thought he would be there but I think he was glad that he is.

As for me, I really shouldn't be here. Except for one thing. God has called me into service. I wasn't called to do what I always do, to play it safe, to be in my comfort zone. God did not grant me gifts and graces so I could stay in my perfect world and have everything I need. It is not about me. It is about Juan Fransico, Silvia, Cintya, Omar and so many more that I have not met yet. It is about being there to hear Christian's cry and to do the only thing I knew how to do which is to hold him and love him. No words were needed. So in the end, yes, I really should be here.

One final thought. There are orphanges all over the world. Some provide only the basics such as food, clothing and shelter. Casa Hogar is different. Juan Fransico and Silvia could do the bare minimum and no one would blame them for that. Instead, they have dedicated their lives, their children's lives, to making disciples for the transformation of the world. This is not an easy task. Yet they do it with love, discipline and guidance from the Holy Spirit. You feel it when you walk into the home. You witness it while watching each person treat another with respect and love.  I really should be here because God is here. I will go where God sends me, even when I don't think I should be there. I hope you will join me in praying for the children, the volunteers and the house family. Pray for the families that for one reason or another had to leave a child there. Pray for those struggling with that decision and for the children that will come. Pray that the rest of us open our hearts to God's calling in our lives and that we have the courage to follow and to be in places we really shouldn't be.

Rev. Margret L. Fields

May 19, 2012

Breakfast at Sandy's was excellent again! Pancakes, scrambled eggs with ham, tortillas, tomatoes, bannans with cream, orange juice, coffee or tea. Very, very filling!

Stopped by the bakery to order 100 cookies for our lunch of pizza!!! Love that pizza! Today at the Casa Hogar was craft and game day! We started by making necklaces with the crosses that Larry Avery made for each child. Then on to the games! Started with the three legged race with three teams. Then the sack rack, again with same three teams. Limbo dance with the smallest going under first. All the kids participated while Doug and Chris sang the limbo song! So fun! Water balloons were next. Still with the same three teams-little ones, elementary and older children. So much laughter and so muh water. Next came volleyball. We had purchased the net and Marshall, Ben and Chris found the poles and dug the holes. All the children of all ages, including us, could play which made for a fun day! Inside for free form foam craft (say that three times fast). So many of the students were really creative. I even received a special art picture with my name on it from Angelina. Juan Fransico and his praise band practiced for awhile. What an excellent Mexican rehersal. They have 2 sets of tamborine gals, one younger and one older. The girls have to be in good standing to be one of the dancers. While the praise band was practicing some of our people were playing table games, playing outside or preparing food, or just laughing a lot! Great day!

On the way back to the hotel we stopped for ice cream. It is Marshall's favorite thing to do! Then a new grocery store was found! Quite nice and more purchasing for the casa.

In Mexican style we ate dinner late. Los Pencas is a really upscale restaurant. While having dinner Joanna shared that the bakery store was really sweet and make 100 cookies for us in a beautiful basket. Doug was impressed with the people of the neighborhood watching our games as we were in their race track area. Sheryll thought the kids really liked to be tickled, chased and flipped upside down. At our delicious dinner Margret won the bet for the bill $1330-that's pecos not dollars!!! Thank you Lord for a very special, wonderful day!
JJ










4

Visit to Casa Hogar finally!

We are staying in a great hotel and sleeping pretty good on a hard bed! Went to a place called Sandy's for breakfast. Had breakfast enchiladas with shredded chicken, some type of green sauce and shredded cheese then a cup of cantaloupe. Totally full and then went to the home. Met Muriel and Sylvia and most of the kids. Muriel and Sylvia gave us a tour of the home with Muriel translating. The boys and girls have separate sleeping quarters. ThEy have one big room where they eat, play and worship. After the tour we all sat down at the tables in the main room and decided what we were going to do this week. Marshall suggested we ask them what they really needed and both ladies said their washing machines were on their last legs. It was decided to buy 2 new machines. Both ladies were blown away so Sheryl, Stephen, Ben, and the ladies went to Ttown and bought 3 machines, one of which is a green machine. While they were gone, the rest of us washed all the white chairs, tables, and cleaned the bookshelves. The kids ate lunch and and then Ben, Marshall, and Chris put up the volleyball net in the field next to the home for tomorrow. We had a super time with the kids decorating pillowcases we are going to take back to our Club Mad kids at church. The kids in Club Mad painted pillowcases for the kids here. The kids here are a joy to be with - they are so well mannered and really love and take care of each other. They all have chores and keep there rooms picked up and clean. Hope you are enjoying following us on our trip. Thanks for all your prayers.

First day

We left on time, 9 of us on an adventure to Mexico to work and visit the Casa Hogar la Familia Childrens Home in Tecamacalco. No problems with security or the 2 bus rides, the first to Puebla and the second to where we are now. We are staying in the Hotel Santa Julia. We had great supper of tacos and now we are getting ready to leave for breakfast and go to the home.

Mexico Mission Trip May 2012

Mexico Mission Trip Team says “Adios”

     The team has finished with their fundraisers and has gathered up supplies and is ready to go to Casa Hogar La Familia Childrens Home in Mexico.

On May 17^th we leave from DFW and fly to Mexico City, where we will then take an executive bus to Puebla and on to Tecamachalco where we will check into our hotel.  The children will know we are coming so we will run by that evening to say “Buenas Noches!” and to give out hugs from AUMC.

   While there we will spend much time with the children giving them some one on one time as well as construction on the home.  We have many craft projects planned and a “Fun Day Saturday” which will involve games and food!

Sunday morning will be spent worshipping our Lord at the home along with many from the community.

     Follow our trip thru this blog site!

     We ask that you remember the team and those at the Children’s Home with prayers every day till we return on May 23^rd.  We thank you for all your support!

     Muchas bendiciones,

            Sheryl Crumrine, Chris Byrd, Ben & Margret Fields, Joanna Gentry, Doug Long, J.J. Mainord, Stephen Miller, Marshall Sansbury