The last day in Mexicali

Monday was the hardest day of the whole trip. It began early as we raced against the clock to finish applying the first coat of cement to the exterior walls. The group worked diligently in 105 degree heat and successfully completed the job. Everyone had a hand in making sure the work got done and that even included both Pastors (Although some suggested that the photo of me on the staging might have been, well, staged.)

After lunch the girls decided to go into Mexicali to do some shopping. I was drafted to drive since I stayed home when they drove up the mountain earlier in our week. The other guys warned me that they would let me make up for it before the week was over. It was real interesting to see the shops and get a taste for what life on the streets of this city might be like. Everyone found a trinket or two, a hammock, a shirt or some souvenir to bring back home.

I have to confess that most of our shopping this year was done at Walmart and Proconsa (A hardware store). We traveled to the Super Ley grocery store a few times but we didn't really get the chance to check out the local shopping experience.

At 5:30 p.m. we headed back to El Buen Samaritano for the last time. Vacation Bible School began and after the kids left for class we set up the game for the night. There must have been sixty kids here for the final night of fun and games. It started well but soon rolled out of control as the kids ran around, pushed and shoved to get ahead. We had balloon races, hot potato games and sack races. In the end we had all we could do to keep up with them and the dust cloud that rose from our feet.

The kids had a great time though. They just wanted to keep playing. When Pastor Ramon brought out the Pinatas they all went wild. We had two featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse and then a third featuring Bob Spironja (Sponge Bob.) He was the hit of the night.

After the formal program ended, the people of the church had a pot-luck dinner and we sat around enjoying the cool breeze that had settled into the area. No one wanted to say good-bye. We took Pastor Alma and Ramon aside and presented them with a few gifts and as love offering we had collected and set aside for them. There were not too many dry eyes as we got ready to leave.

Ramon and Alma began with a house church and watched the dream materialize in front of them. They poured a lot of sweat equity into the church, often sacrificing what little they had for the good of the congregation. In a touching moment, Ramon asked us to join hands and we prayed together in a circle. I could not understand a word he said... but I understood every word he said. He praised God for all the blessings that we had received this week.

There is no doubt about it, these photos got harder to look at as the week went on. We came to Mexicali as strangers but left as friends. I put together a slide show each morning and this morning's was the hardest to watch. For we knew that today we would head home and life would return to normal for us.

But what a week it was. Thank you Lord.

Cal