by Meg Dehn

Pictures speak 1000 words…. In March, I was fortunate enough to experience my first Mission Trip.  My 11 year old daughter, Angela accompanied me and 6 others on a trip to Reynosa, Mexico.  The group was coordinated by a friend/Mega Homes’ homeowner.  Di Anna has been on many mission trips to this area of Mexico throughout her life and with the help of “Border of Hope” missionaries, she planned a trip of a lifetime for all of us.

We slept in Texas and worked in Mexico for 5 days.  Our days consisted of prayer time, crossing the border, and working with wonderful Mexican adults and children at a church and the pastor’s family home.  We painted the ceiling and walls of the church.  The youth in our group painted the church pews and we assisted in building an addition on the pastor’s home. 

The gracious people of the community where we worked made us an authentic Mexican lunch on our last day, which we truly enjoyed. We relaxed in conversation; while watching the American and Mexican children (and some adults) play a heated game of soccer.

We definitely made an impact by putting the finishing touches on a church where the community was already gathering in praise and we were able to help the Pastor and his family by enlarging their home. 

However, the impact was really on the eight of us, who were fortunate enough to be taught the big lessons of life; acceptance, humility, graciousness and real love!  Those who have less… truly seem to have more.

We came back home; to our families, our work and our schools and life does go on.  However, three months later and I continue to see the angelic faces of our new friends, very clearly in my mind.  I won’t forget the beauty we witnessed in some pretty ugly situations, the wonderful Kincaid family who gave up their life in Chicago to start “Border of Hope” missionary group and our group of 8 who went on this journey with open hearts and open minds…  only to be changed, spiritually, for a lifetime.

Stay tuned as we hope to plan another trip to help with more construction projects in the very near future.  It is a border worth crossing!

Click on the link below for more information about “Border of Hope”.  

Border of Hope