Day 2: First Full Day

Well the first full day is done haha. not even a true work day in, and already ive brushed up on my spanish, toured the home, seen some really cool mexican culture, and danced as a taco (ill explain later). This year feels different already to me. its just me and Dad this year (love u Mom and Averi!) so things are already kinda different. I'm one of 9 teen guys this year, so there's a lot of empty space in the dorm, and empty spaces on the job sheets. theres kind of a feeling tht we have to fill those spots. We've got a big week of work ahead on us, but when it comes down to it, we're not necessarily making a huge difference in this country. yes we give a family a home, but there are still millions without them. we'll give many families food for a month, but they still have to make do for the next 11 months. this trip is more for us than it is for others. its a chance to truly feel a servant heart. to have the sole task of helping others. Our theme every year is 51 weeks, tht u spend 1 week in mexico, preparing to serve those at home for the other 51. this trip is a great chance to help people we dont know in a place thts very far away from home. but the hard part for us is to remember to keep that level of servitude in our lives for 51 more weeks. im very excited to see what opportunities we have over this week. prayers are always appreciated, because God is in control. its an honor to serve in his name. well, its lights out haha, im being told i have to go to bed. good nite

Brennan A.

Sen`or Taco doing a dance!

Sunday morning came early as we set up a skype connection with our home church and had Sawyer Eddy read a scripture live to broadcast to our members. Alexis Nunez, our NBYG sponsored child, read the same scripture to second service attendees. It truly was an East-West feel geographically that took even more meaning from the great distance that God pulls us from our transgressions in the song "As the East is from the West."

David Skidmore spoke in our morning assembly and set the tone for our weekly theme of "inhabit." The idea that finding "Waldo" in a sea of people can be difficult captures the idea of the difficulty we have being in the world and yet trying to "shine like stars" so that we can be seen reflecting God. Furthermore, his analogy of the popular video game "Guitar Hero" illustrated the importance of reading the manual and pushing the right buttons. To quote another alien from the movies, as he was about to leave Elliot to go back home, ET points to Elliot and says, "Be Good." But to be good at life, like to be good at guitar hero, you have to read the rules and push the right buttons. Only then will you be in harmony with God and His will. Only then will the song of your life sound right to reach the victorious end when it's "game over."

After a great authentic Mexican meal lovingly and skillfully prepared and served by the students and staff, we enjoyed some play time with the little ones outside and in the baby dorms. The "song we sing" during this time must sound sweetest to our God mixed with the laughter and squealing of child and teens alike.

Stephanie Basinger was the first recipient of the traditional "Festival of Sharing" hat: Interns Kinsley and Richard chose her because she was very assertive playing with the children despite the language barrier. Also, her initial goal has been to learn all the children's names so that she can form relationships better.

Our own kitchen crew prepared another awesome dinner (Deborah Garman, Nancy Webb, Anne Batey, Nancy Bagwell, Ruth Mayes, and Randy Hobbs) and we began our skit story. Using 3 young teenage video-gaming boys (Daniel Neeley, Gunnar Magnuson, and Kody Harvey), the story unfolds about how achieving victory over a game is limited on your own. A lot of effort can get you far, but the final success lies in the manual--the secret tips to get you through the enemy fighters to the final goal. But little do they know that this is not just a game, but a war for their very souls. Whose side will win? The Darth Siniestra side (Sam Bagwell and his henchmen), or commander Marco Antonio (David Skidmore)? The story continues.

We completed the evening with a surprise performance from a local folk dancing group who impressed us with their skill, charm, and colorful costumes. They danced some incredible steps and added some unwilling and unqualified NBYG members to join ...This added to the warm welcome and hospitality of our friends from Ensenada. But after all, we are family, aren't we?

We are the aliens and strangers here. We are the unfamiliar. Yet we read the word from Ephesians and it changes us (Eph. 2:19)

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."

So, the journey this week begins to discover our true habitation, our true family, our harmonious song, our ultimate destination.

Where is the instruction manual? Where is the tuning fork? Where is our real home? Murfreesboro? Ensenada? And where are you Waldo?

Jeff McClain

Fab Five Phrases

1. Where's Waldo?

2. Cinnamon Toast

3. Skyping Scripture

4. David Skidmore, Folkdance w/Knives

5. "Dear God, we're in Mexico..."