The Pan de Vida Team
Yesterday I took a drive down to University Drive Alliance Church to hear a presentation by their Mexico team. Here’s the story – a few days after our team left Pan de Vida, the orphanage near Querétaro, they arrived. A team of 26, they were able to complete a large amount of construction, and also run a vacation Bible school for the kids (about 80-100 of them). The picture above is of the boys’ dorm at the orphanage.
Now, I have to admit, it was absolutely a joy and a delight to hear about what God had done, and to see pictures of what they had accomplished. I was able to talk to a few of the team members, and I wish I could have talked to more. (Actually, if any of you are reading this, please give me a call and we’ll go out for a manzana. Oh yes, I know where to get them. I have connections…) It sounds like it was a great team – ready to serve, excited to see what God would do.
Of course it was wonderful to hear about Mexico and see the pictures, but also painful. Painful because I had to leave it behind, and I’m not there now! But in the mean time, it’s always great to hear from someone who’s been there.
Recently some black top was put down in the loading zone behind our local grocery store. Our living room window faces that direction, and on Saturday night I was watching while a group of skateboarders took advantage of the new surface. This may be a rare event, because I imagine the owners won’t want the back of their store to become a local hangout. However, I was tempted to go out and watch, since I do love skateboarding. But, the dishes were important too, so I kept drying them.
I got thinking about how great opportunities like this come up every day. Opportunities to get together with people who have a common interest. That’s really a big part of church planting, and missions in general.
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I was reminded of this again last night, when someone was sharing. They were talking about one
guy on the team who loved skateboarding so much he had dragged his board all the way to Mexico. Everyone thought it was pretty crazy. But then they saw this guy giving rides to the kids in Mexico, and they saw the joy on the kids’ faces, and they realized it was all worthwhile.
What do you enjoy doing? A hobby, a passion, a sport? It just may be that God can use that in ways you never imagined. It’s great to see people connecting with other cultures in creative ways. When they see the joy and love that Jesus can bring through it all, they’re changed and excited and ready for more. What a great God we serve!
3 January 2008 @ 11:46 am
Hi
I ran across your blog post about Pan de Vida and it couldn’t help but pick my interest. You see I work at Pan de Vida and another children’s home at Dulce Refugio. Your name doesn’t ring a bell but I was there in 2005 when the University drive team visited Pan de Vida and this past July 2007 the University Drive team came to visit Dulce Refugio. I was wondering what your connection to Mexico is. Blessings from Mexico.
4 January 2008 @ 11:46 am
Hi Jeremy!
It was great to visit your blog – thanks for the link!
To answer your question, I live in Mexico with my wife and two children. We visited Pan de Vida in the summer of 2005 with a team from Lansing Avenue Baptist Chapel.
It was great to meet the team from University Drive Alliance – I would love to see them again sometime. 🙂
11 March 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Years ago ( actually 11 years.) I worked in an orphanage in Queretaro Mexico, I have wanted to get back in touch with the orphanage to go back as an adult. I do not know the names of the owners but i remember the name of the person who got us there from mexico city . He does mission work there. Ivin Presten. It was a christian orphanage. if any one can help me that would be great. please e mail me. clinton.office@bowesnet.com
thank you
1 May 2012 @ 8:39 am
Hey i went here on a mission trip when i was in college. We came as a group from southwest baptist univeristy. I loved it there and i have always wanted to get in touch to see how things are going there. Id like to come back and help some more but do not know how about doing that. I was there in 2004 or 2005.