I went back to Mexico this year to experience the awesomeness of God. The first time I went, I was a student. The second time, I was a leader. This time I went all alone, which suited me just fine until 3 days before the plane took off. ‘You’re going all alone…’, I thought, ‘What if everyone hates you and gives you wedges and shoves you in the locker??!?’ Of course, I knew that no one would shove me in a locker because there weren’t any at the campsite. But my fears were real.
After a long night, I landed in San Diego and an Amor staff person, Jon, picked me up at the airport. Soon we were off to pick up Vanessa, John and Brian. 9 of us ‘Barnies’ spent the first night together at camp in Mexico, and then travelled back over the border into San Diego to help check in groups. There was one group from Saskatchewan, I think they were called ‘Prarie Farm Church’. I was happy to see a few Canadians amongst the 1500 people in camp that week, and I spent some time visiting with my new Canadian friends.
The first day I built with a group from the UK. They were hilarious, loud, and welcoming, despite constant rain and cloudiness. Day two I met up with my main group from Templeton, California. They fed me, I broke their coffee pot (oops!), and they invited me into their group like I was one of them. But the Canadian in me showed up when- my skin soon went from pale to hot pink and peeling in one day (I was gross). They bought me a dolphin necklace, and I promised to send them ketsup and all dressed chips (they dont have those flavors there… seriously?).
My nights were spent around the campfire with fellow ‘Barnies’. We came from all over the map, and it was interesting to learn about other places. It’s amazing how different we all are, even though we are all from North America. Apparently us Canadians say ‘eh’ a lot, and say the word ‘mom’ funny. But I dont get it…
The family we served made us a feast on the last day! We ate, and ate, and ate… I wish I had room for more. The father of the household helped during the day and the kids were on school break so we got to see them a lot. I cant speak a work of spanish (okay… banyo and olah) and we somehow managed to communicate just fine.
God did amazing things that week. The staff, the Barnies, the UK group, the group from Templeton, and the family… the best part of my experience was seeing how we all served eachother in one way or another. I saw Jesus’ face in those who I met, and they saw Jesus’ face in mine. Praise be to God. Amen.
