2008 Mexicali Mission Testimonies

Dana Christopher - Returning for 2009!
When I first arrived in Mexicali, I had no idea what to expect. I wondered whether there would be so much poverty and sadness in the community that I probably wouldn’t be able to handle. Our first day of work we went to a smaller town, where we began to make way for the foundation of a new church. We also instructed Vacation Bible School for the local children, conducted prayer walks and house visits. We even gave free hair cuts during a couple of our work days. I went to an orphanage to hang out with the kids who live there. At the end of the week we had to say our goodbyes. It was very difficult for we had grown an attachment and a love for the people of Mexicali. Every day was a blessing to see the people who housed us, and the children we worked with in Vacation Bible School. I saw god in their faces each day, which brightened mine. I have grown so much with my mission team and in my faith in God. I am so proud of everyone and what we have accomplished in Mexico – spreading the Word of God. Blessings.


Morgan Gates-Thomas Returning for 2009!
As I look back on this mission trip I can honestly say I am blessed to have gone on this trip. I know that in the past, most people talked about the Steubenville Youth Conference more than the actual mission work. I did that before also. But “Steubie” was not the best part of the trip by a long shot. I have come to love the people of Mexicali like family. I wish I would wake up and see them everyday.
I have never seen so much love in a person’s heart than in Pastor Ricardo. I wish I had that kind of love and I know if I work towards it I will. God has blessed the people of Mexicali.
The most significant part of my mission experience came on the last work day. In the afternoon there was going to be a group of us that took a trip to the local orphanage. I almost didn’t go but a friend of mine who went before told me I would never regret it as long as I lived. So I went and he was right. Bringing smiles to those kids’ faces was the best. There was one kid, Oscar, he loves baseball, so he asked me to play with him. I was tired and hot afterwards because that kid could hit a ball. And everytime he ran the bases he wouldn’t stop smiling. At the end of our time at the orphanage, we circled up and prayed. Oscar was holding my hand and he leaned his head on my arm and started wiping little tears away with my hand, because he was holding it. I will never forget that moment. I have been blessed and I thank God for it everyday.


Alexis Magnuson Returning for 2009!
It has been said that actions speak louder than words. Should this be true, love was definitely expressed in the city of Mexicali, Mexico. We, as missionaries, showed our love for the locals by participating in the construction of a new church, playing around and teaching the children of vacation bible school more about God; reaching out to them through prayer as we experienced the poverty; and working on housework.
The locals expressed their love for us by their amazing hospitality; the patience they had while we attempted to dig us those lessons from Spanish class and their fun attitudes. They truly touched our hearts as we did theirs.
I wish I could have everyone experience what I did on this mission trip, but unfortunately I can’t. However I can tell you what I will never forget.
Mexicali is in poverty. The people of Mexicali live in poor conditions. They have less… material things.
I went into this mission trip thinking I was going to be helping the people of Mexicali, which we all did. But I never believed I’d walk away with more.
On this mission trip, they taught me that material items are simply things. Here are people whose church currently has no walls, whose children dig around in the trash for toys, and they have a spirit that simply radiates.
The love we have for God is the most precious thing we could ever own. That’s what they taught me. That’s why I love the people of Mexicali. And why I will forever be praying for them.



Brian Pavey Returning for 2009!
I have been made into a warrior for Christ. Before our long journey started, I had some questions, doubts and concerns about my faith in general. All I knew is that God kept putting the thought of a short-term missionary in my head, and as obsessive as I am, I did everything to make it happen.
The Lord started immediately to work in our group and in my life when we arrived at the Steubenville youth conference in San Diego. The things I experienced and the stories I heard will stay with me always. To be surrounded by five thousand crazy Catholic people who are “crunk for Christ” will almost always change a person’s life. Not only was I amazed by the intensity of the conference, the people who were in Seton’s group showed an absolute love for everyone they met and that touched my life as well. After coming out of the Steubie weekend, I was a zombie but a zombie with a heart bursting with Jesus. Little did I know that the Steubie conference was rest compared to what was about to come. What I was expecting in Mexico was extreme heat and dirt roads and I was not very wrong.
But the hospitality that we received blew my mind. Between air conditioning and great homemade food we were very blessed.
Unfortunately where we were working (about 30 minutes away from our home base) broke my heart in some ways and made me jealous in others.
The extreme poverty, filth and small sense of hopelessness made me want to sacrifice all of myself and I tried to do that to the best of my ability. A sadness overwhelmed me because I know how great many of these people are and how they could impact the world, but they don’t have the opportunities that we have.
I am jealous because their sense of pride in the community and their intense faith I could only pray to attain. This was life-changing for me.
My main attachment this mission trip was with the local children because I bonded with them so much that the language barrier was not a factor at all. The parents trusted me so much with their kids and that was so meaningful. The joy that everyone had in all of the sadness put perspective on my life and I couldn’t help my heart when it was breaking as the kids ran next to the wan as we were departing for the final time. This one boy in particular, Jose, will always stay in my heart and prayers.
We also worked at started work for the building of a church, which made our work tangible. Prayer walks and house visits were powerful as well.
In the prayer walks, we went deep into the neighborhood and what I saw made my life’s perspective completely different. The whole community and all the people were so welcoming. We were invited into many houses.
I will always hold the people of Mexicali in my heart and am very anxious to go back. I have been changed from a doubting Thomas into a confident warrior and I will battle for Christ. As a missionary for the rest of my life because of the satisfying life-changing things that you can do for a community. I gave all of myself and have given up sleep, but I would do it again everyday because of the tears and the kisses I received from the Mexicali people. That will always leave a permanent ache in my heart.
What a blessing I received. God bless.


Devon Collins Returning for 2009!
For me this was a mission of firsts: my first time crossing the border, first time in Mexico, first time with all of these wonderful people and my first time being so close to God, which of course is the main goal of a mission.
When we first arrived at the Steubenville Youth Conference I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous and scared. My mission teammates are the ones who helped me get through it, and without them I never would have succeeded. I had the time of my life and never felt closer to God. I knew I was ready for Mexico.
But nothing, no comforting words, no pictures or warnings could have prepared me for what I saw. The poverty, the children and just the neighborhood in general broke my heart in two. How was I going to handle seven days?
Then I met the wonderful local people who provided us with an air-conditioned house and wonderful meals everyday.
Each morning we had about three ministry choices that we’d ask God to choose for us.
I felt the Spirit calling me to house visiting. While walking the neighborhood, we felt led to stop and pray at a particular house. (Now at this point I was thinking like most of you are, how can you just have a ‘feeling’ about a house) Well, I swallowed my doubts and went on faith and it was the most rewarding experience of my life!
When we first began our house visiting walk, we passed a white house with a white gate. Something told me to stop, turn, look and pray. So we stopped, walked up to the gate and knocked.
A lady came out looking panicked, scared and nervous. That very morning people came and stole her outside water pipes and hoses. She said that it costs too much to replace what was stolen and she said that she’d probably be without water for a long time. We prayed with her and as we prayed, I saw a peace come over her assuring her that everything would be okay.
That experience changed my life and my thinking for the rest of the trip. I never saw her again but I think of her everyday. I will always be connected to her, Mexicali and everyone in that community.
Every time I hear ‘Mexico’ I will think of Mexicali and our family waiting for us to return. After this trip I found strength in myself I never knew I had and I know my life has changed for the better. Thank you.


Brendan Sugrue Returning for 2009!
Life changing. Powerful. Rewarding. Words are not enough to tell how amazing Mexicali was, but it’s a start. I’m very proud of off our missionaries. They have all inspired me to be a better man. At the Steubenville Youth Conference in San Diego I found my calling. I felt I needed to go around and minister, to step up and take charge. I was strong.
On Sunday afternoon, Padre Grady had to leave us and my struggles started. When we got to Mexicali, I was scared. The poverty overwhelmed me and I wanted to leave. But I prayed for strength and, with the help of some very special people, conquered my fear.
On the first day of ministry, I went prayer walking. We were told that we were ministering in the poorest neighborhood in the whole city. But here I saw some of the best people. I began to work with the little kids of the neighborhood. They were so grateful for us! They wanted to learn and wanted to have fun with us. I just hope that we changed their lives as much as they changed ours. But it wasn’t only the kids that changed our lives; our hosts were simply amazing to us.
They gave us great food, great music and great love. We all became family: our mission team, our hosts and our ministry leaders and interpreters. We all stuck together building a church, working with kids, praying with residents. Every single person was an important part of the effort.
I am very grateful that I was able to experience all of it with these fine missionaries. Mexicali is my second home now.
I am already missing everything about it. I can easily say that this is the best experience of my life. I have grown a lot in my faith and have seen my friends around me do it as well. Without them, this trip would not have been as awesome as it was.
Despite the huge poverty, extreme heat and lack of resources, Mexicali is a blessed place, one that I will never stop loving.


Sarah Cooper Returning for 2009!
Mexicali has changed my life forever in so many ways and during this mission trip I was made into a living witness of God’s love. Mexicali is a great city. It’s filled with poverty but the people couldn’t be happier or prouder to live where they do. All the people are loving, generous, and filled with friendship and hospitality. While in Mexicali, I helped out with Vacation Bible School, where one girl, Elizabeth, touched my heart forever.
She was always excited to be there at VBS, which took place outside, in the dirt, with only a tarp to keep the sun off of us. Elizabeth was truly a follower of Christ and that was apparent to anyone near her.
I was extremely sad when it came time to say goodbye to her and the rest of the kids. Right before we had to leave for the last time, she gave me a hug and said, “I love you and I hope you come back.” When those words came out of her mouth, I held back tears, trying not to make the kids any sadder than they already were. I met so man others that I will never forget too. Our hosts, cooks, translators, and another group of missionaries from Wisconsin were all such great people in different ways.
This entire trip was so much fun and I really deepened my relationship with God.
At the beginning of this mission trip I’d heard a few team member names, but I had no friends with me, and I’d never talked with anyone before. But by the end, we had shared so many great times. It’s incredible how much of a connection that you can make in just ten days. I laughed and cried with these people. We shared so man great friendships that will last for years to come. This mission trip was the most incredible experience that I’ve ever had, and I’m so glad that I went to Mexicali. Thank you and God bless you.


Vic Van Horn – Adult Trying to Return for 2009!
Wow! Over the last couple days our team talked about hos God ahs touched our lives on this trip. Now, having the time to reflect and process everything, I wondered was it when He touched me at the Steubenville Youth Conference when we were worshipping with over 5,000 other people? Was it in Father (Padre) Grady’s room when we were having our own special Mass? Maybe it was when He taught me to communicate in a universal language? Or how about when the people of the neighborhood began greeting us on the street as we caravanned down the road to our location?
Then I thought about the smiles we put on the faces of the pastor of the new church we were helping get started in the neighborhood with prayer walks, vacation bible school and construction. I thought about all those children in the orphanage filled with so much joy!
But I think God touched me most when He made me realize that we all became one family for God, in God and with God! I am so blessed!
God bless you all!


Nancy Venne “Barbarian Nancy”– Adult Returning for 2009!
As I sit here on the plane flying home, thoughts are racing through my mind about what had the greatest impact on my… Oh so much.
As usual the Steubenville Youth Conference was totally awesome and a great way to get us fired up to serve our Lord and His people.
Upon arrival at our mission site in Mexicali, we were greeted by our hosts with open arms and hearts, as we would continue to learn as the week progressed. Words can not begin to express their kindness and generosity, not to mention the ‘awesome’ food they prepared for us daily.
The community of people we helped during the week were amazing, until I witnessed the extreme poverty, I had no idea. Their home were so broken, but not their spirit! Although I don’t speak Spanish, we had very little problem with communication – love knows all languages.
As for my fellow mission team… WOW! We grew so close to one another, leaned on each other, cried on each other, and laughed very hard with each other… Okay now I’m crying again!
To sum it up, God is so awesome, He gave us more than we could have asked for, filled us with His Holy Spirit and sent us out to be His witnesses. I truly believe God is pleased.
I love you all and until we meet again, “Stinging Sally” (Nancy’s van) rocks!
Your sister in Christ, Nancy


Justin Bartlett Returning for 2009!
To describe in words my experience in Mexicali is next to impossible. The people of Mexicali will remain in my heart forever. Every time I hear the name Mexicali, I won’t think of a city that’s battling poverty, ubt our home were our family is waiting for our return.
I could tell you for hours about our experiences in Mexicali, but it would only be words and that would only nick the surface of what happens on missions and how it changes lives here and where we minister.
If you want to understand then I challenge you to take a step out of your comfort zone and join us, and help change lives.
I promise you won’t regret it.


Katie Van Horn Returning for 2009!
I never thought I would be going on a mission trip. I had never been out of the country and I hardly knew anyone. I had heard fantastic things about mission and it inspired me to take a leap of faith. It was also extremely comforting to know I had people praying for us back home. Steubenville was too amazing to describe. It was the greatest feeling to be with so many other people worshipping the same God.
Throughout my time there, I felt God’s presence stronger than ever before.
The first day in Mexico was difficult for me. The heat and poverty were so overwhelming. As the week passed, we developed strong relationships with the other mission team and the locals. I experienced the power of prayer and felt like I had opened up much more than I expected. I loved seeing how much everyone in Mexicali appreciated our help. It is so satisfying to know that we made a difference in the lives of such caring people.
I know that I am a different person because of this trip. I felt so strong about my faith and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.


Anthony Woods Returning for 2009!
This was a totally different experience than my first mission trip because we didn’t have any (veteran) missionaries like Brasie or Smyth to show us how to worship or find God and because we had to do this on our own it made us stronger and made me believe that God is easily accessible to everyone, anytime, not just on mission trips.


Tammy Marrah – adult ROK, she's getting married this summer. I guess it's an acceptable excuse for being the only missionary from last year that is NOT returning for 2009!
By now you’ve heard a number of things about Mexicali. You’ve heard that our first day there it was 104° and it steadily progressed to 118° (that’s shade temperature!) on our last day there. You’ve heard about the food and seen pictures of how poverty affects our brothers and sisters in Christ.
What I’d like to share with you now is what Mexicali has meant to me, considering I’ve been to Mexico a dozen times before.
This was my fifth mission trip, and my second one this summer. But this one was different – more personal. Three years ago, my marriage to a Mexican national ended in divorce. In many ways this trip was about my own inner healing and peace. By sharing bits and pieces of my own story with my fellow missionaries, I grew closer to Christ. And by getting to know our Mexican hosts at the church, I felt like this part of my life has now come full circle. Last night, Lupita (the pastor’s wife and our incredible cook!) reminded me that the Lord has great plans for me. Twice she echoed the words of a Scripture verse that has popped up in my life, time and time again over the last three years.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe – plans for a future full of hope!


Paul Graff Returning for 2009!
At the start of the trip, I really wasn’t all that excited for the upcoming week. I pretty much saw it as a week that’d just kinda work like penance for what I’ve done. I never really interacted with anyone and I kinda wanted to stay home and play computer games.
However, I made a very important decision after the trip kicked off.
I decided that I’d give this week my best. So, when the Steubenville Youth Conference started, I sang, I prayed, I clapped, there wasn’t much rom to dance so that wasn’t possible.
That warmed me up for the best week of my life. There was a lot that happened, but one thing really stands out. It was Wednesday and I had chosen ATL (Ask The Lord) as my ministry. This ministry gathers a group, prays and does whatever they feel the Lord is leading them to. We started off by praying for guidance on what to do. I could only think about a guy digging down the street, so we went down there, but there wasn’t anything special. So we prayed again, this time we got signs that pointed us down another street. Once we were down there, Melissa had a strong feeling to go to a house she’s never seen before, but she knew where it was. On our way down there we met an ice cream man. We all got ice cream, and talked with him for a bit, and prayed over him. As we left it was apparent we made his day, and cheered him up a ton.
We continued on and reached the house Melissa wanted to see. The owners of the home were gone, and there wasn’t anything really special about it.
I realized that God sent us to that house, because he wanted us to help the guy selling ice cream. It really opened my eyes to how God works, and it made me feel really good to help someone like that.


Melissa Gillard Returning for 2009!
Every second of every minute of every hour of every day I felt God. His presence lifted my spirit and guided me along the right path next to Jesus and truly the poverty did not affect me whatsoever because everyone I saw and met in Mexicali, was clothes, fed and always happy. So where or how they lived didn’t matter, all that matters for them is do they know God?
Our mission team provided that knowledge of God! This experience gave me passion for Christ and a longing to constantly be filled with His love.
I want to be a full time missionary for God!


Jason Patton Returning for 2009!
This mission brought me so much, and to think I almost didn’t come because I thought I wasn’t going to know anyone. As I think about our whole trip on the plane going home, everything is coming back to me. The dancing at the Steubenville Youth Conference and building a church and meeting some of the greatest people ever.
This trip really opened my eyes to a whole new world. As we walked the dirt roads meeting locals and praying for them. What really got to me is when we were prayer walking around Mexicali, we started walking back to the poorest part of the neighborhood. The houses were barely standing and there was a landfill in the back. Garbage and waste ran down into a canal. But out in the distance was the background of pretty mountains.
I will most definitely miss the wonderful people that we got to meet from our hosts to our little amigos. From giving endless piggy back rides and endless smiles, all those memories make my heart beat and smile. For people who have it so hard they have bigger smiles and bigger hearts than anyone I have ever met.
And with this wonderful mission family we have created and as a veteran I was nervous for the newbies but, there was no difference between anyone. But now I can say that there are no newbies – just a bunch of people who came together and really put forth a lot of love and effort and now we created a truly awesome little family.


Katie Jones Returning for 2009!
This being my second mission trip I felt like I knew what to expect. I was extremely wrong. When we arrived at the Steubenville Youth Conference, I was thinking “OK, I know how these conferences go. I will have the same experience as I did last year, and then I will go to Mexico.”
Steubenville was amazing, every song, every activity was so powerful. The last night of Adoration was the most powerful and beautiful one I have ever seen. I had stepped up to what God was calling me to do and tat was to take a small leadership role. After being so high on Christ we ran for the border and arrived in Mexicali Mexico.
On our way to the church we were staying I could already see the poverty in that neighborhood, but that wasn’t anything close to what we were going to see later on that night.
After getting settled in, we went to a church service. We pulled up to the church and I could not ever explain the amount of sadness and fear I felt in that area. The “church” where we went was a large square of dirt with four or five benches. To see that broke my heart, that was were these people gathered to hear God’s Word.
But throughout the week my fears left and my faith grew. What a mission!


Tim Graff - Adult Returning for 2009!
As we arrived at the church in Mexico, I saw it was going to be a great mission trip. I first went up to a group of kids and attempted to talk to them. One of the kids had a long cord of some sort. I though it was a jump rope, everyone started laughing.
Through the difficulties of the language the kids in Mexico changed my life. The kids through poverty, and some said they didn’t get fed every day. Yet these kids were always positive and upbeat. Every day they showed up with a huge smile and were willing to learn about the Lord.
When I went to the orphanage I was really tired but instantly I was filled with energy. The kids there were very inspirational. It was like 115° outside and we were playing soccer. Of course I et whoever lost had to buy Coke. We got crushed by the kids! So I bought the whole orphanage and everyone there pop and some chips. The kids were so thankful and appreciated it a lot. Just some cokes sparked them so much. I continued to go to the orphanage two more times and every time was even better. The last day as we elft one of the kids gave me his shirt we made. My heart instantly was filled with love. I fell in love with all the kids in Mexico!


Phil Peterson - Partial mission
One word comes to mind when I think of God's presence in my life, wondrous. I can tell you that without him in my life right now I would be like a lost dog without tags, hopelessly wondering around, looking up and down, left and right, trying to find just a small fragment of hope of the way home.
I usually start my testimony with an "As usual I didn't plan on going to wherever this year," and this year is exactly the same, well besides starting my testimony out that way. I've been hit really hard this year with many hardships in my life. My mom was diagnosed with a very advanced form of Cancer, shortly after my parents decided they wanted a divorce, and to top it off my father decided that he no longer wanted me living with him. Which brings me right into how I arrived in Mexicali so late.
The night after my dad told me to move out I was staying at my Grandma's house trying to make the best of life and trying to stay strong. When I finally went to bed It was like a brick wall of emotion hit me and I couldn't breath. I tried so hard to fall asleep but couldn't. After several hours I decided=2 0I would send the Mexicali Mission Team a message about what happened and ask for some prayers. Shortly after I received a phone call from a really long number I had never seen before, I answered it and to my surprise it was Wes. He had a band of Missionaries praying as well as some wanting to talk to me. The love that they poured out on me that night was astonishing. I literally felt like I was right with them, Kait Scronce offered me some amazing advice about time and how weeks and even years is only seconds to God. She explained that we needed to get me through the next couple seconds, and that the next couple seconds was building my testimony so that some day I would be able to share that with someone. Someone that needs to hear what I went though.
At the end of our conversation I was invited to fly down and spend the remainder of the Missions with everyone. Without any doubt I got onto a plane flew to San Diego, transferred onto a bus where I was one of the only English speaking individuals and after going to 3 wrong Bus stations in Mexico I finally was able to find this amazing Family. This amazing Family from my hometown that I didn't even know I had.
My testimony mainly took place outside of the Mission. However the Mission Team is where I saw God. You wouldn't believe how fast everyone come to love and care for you on a summer mission here at SEAS. You meet people that your going to stay friends with for years to come, while helping others at the same time. What do you have to lose??? If you wondering if your being called to serve on a summer mission just ask God. If he want you to be there He'll make it happen. Just ask anyone about my history here at SEAS. They'll tell you all about it! Thanks for all your support everyone. God Bless!


Wes Slawson - Adult Returning for 2009!
Sometimes it takes a comment from a total stranger to put things into perspective. Our Mexicali mission team was boarding the plane in San Diego for our return flight home. We all had our Mexicali mission shirts on and I was one of the last ones to board the plane.
Moving down the narrow aisle towards the back of the plane, my eyes met with a woman seated on the aisle about five rows ahead of me. She was smiling very widely at me and I wondered for a moment if I knew her.
When I was about to pass her, she spoke directly to me words that I will remember for a very long time, “You all look so very tanned and very tired. It must have been good. Thank you for serving!” I thought about her words a long time after I plopped into my seat.
I glanced around our section of the plane at our team. Yup, we were brown from our days in the Mexican sun. There might still be some dark dust from the dirt roads trapped in our skin too.
Our team looked tired as well and that’s what had me thinking the most. They had given full effort every single day of the trip.
It started at the Steubenville Youth Conference in San Diego. Our group was more focused on ministering to others than in receiving for themselves. They took such good care of each other, sacrificing their time to make sure that their teammates got the help and healing that they needed. In Mexicali, it not only continued, it magnified.
Our guys made sure that our ladies always were escorted through our ministry neighborhoods. Teens went to the neighborhood grocery to bring cold Gatorade to those digging holes in the hot afternoon sun. During times of prayer ministry back at our host site, our teens would instinctively come alongside other teammates to be with them, lending prayer support. Throughout the day and night, you’d see small groups huddled together to encourage, cry with and pour love – Christ’s love, into each other – teens to teens, adults to teens, teens to adults.
Oh, yeah, we helped some people in Mexico too.

Jesus said, "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35