Mexico 2012!

Mexico

(May 24th- June 1st)

        Where do I even begin?? This was my second year in Cordoba, Mexico at the Mexican-Indian Training Center (MITC)! My number one goal this year- To have a better relationship with not only the people I am going with, but the students at the school! The week started off great. I was, of course, on the paint crew. This year I was accompanied by John and Janet Crawford, Olivia Wilbanks, and Anna Kate Minyard. It was sooo much fun! We laughed so much in the long hours in the sun! Talking about everything from the Beatles to She's the Man! We painted a whole building in just the first day. (Little Secret: The first week only painting one building all week!..just sayin').I think all week, we completed 4 whole buildings! It was amazing!

        When we weren't painting, we were doing anything from going to the soccer fields, or to the local orphanage, or to one of the many churches associated with the school. The soccer fields is something all the guy students ad staff do every monday! It is very true what people say about Mexicans being good at soccer!! Then there is the orphanage, one of my top memories of the trip!!When I am with kids, it is so easy for me to speak Spanish!! Of course, I was put in charge of all things balloons, again! I loved being able to make something for all the kids to play with. We played a version of follow-the-leader witht he balloons! It was so much fun for us and the kids!

Then there are the many churches that we went to!! Early on in the week, it was very obvious that the youth of our group were going to be singing at some of the churches. Turns out, we sang at least song at every church service we went to. Mark on guitar, Anna Kate and I with vocals and Laura with flute and vocals. We sang Day by Day and Victory in Jesus. Anna Kate and Mark did a few songs on the side but mostly we sang together! We sang Day by Day a total of around 10 times in the week were there. Let's just say we got really good at singing together!

Through all this, There is the time we are at the school just hangin'! Meal Times at 6, 2 and 7 are the best times to get to know the students. I definitely achieved my goal!! From inside jokes about guys with Eunice, to Perry el ornidorrinco with Lewis to just laughing about anything with Narahim; I made long life friends this summer! Another time to get to know the students is clean up time after every meal! From scrapping excess food to drying to putting away, you always have contact with someone else! The mexicans stand at four sink and bleach, scrape, clean and rinse so quickly, youre almost never standing still. Sometimes, if youre lucky, they will let you help in the washing process. Its amazing!

Literally could write about memories and details all night, but my battery is running out so, yeah. The Lord helped our group in so many ways and blessed our trip. I not only feel closer to the students but the people I went down there with. I love it down there and hope to return next summer.

The Fabulous 5! We all got really close on the trip! (Olivia, Laura, Mark, Anna Kate, then Me!)

P.S. This post was supposed to be Mexico and Bonnarroo but i couldnt stop writing so. Wait for another post on Bonnarroo!!