Well, we made it back safe and sound but, exhausted from our mission trip to Matamoros, Mexico!  Praise the Lord there were close to 250 people that made decisions for the Lord!!  We also had one of our college students that has given her life to do Foreign Mission's in the Spanish speaking parts of the world!  God is so good!! 

We flew to McAllen, Texas and then rented vans to go to Brownsville, Texas where we stayed at the Missions Outreach Center there.  It was like going on a Music or Youth Camp!  We stayed in a room that had about 30 bunkbeds for the ladies and I imagine about the same for the men.  Lights out was a 10:30 pm each night however, we could stay up until midnight, if we wanted to.  But, we were so exhausted each night, we usually kept to the 10:30 pm schedule.  Breakfast was at 7 am each morning, although, sometimes, I was late getting to that!  We had to make our lunches each morning and put them into a cooler so that we could eat lunch at the church each day around noon.  The weather was very hot and humid, although, we were blessed a few days to have a cool breeze blowing on us and overcast skies!  Thank you, Lord,  for answered prayer!  :)  

We trained with the Amite Baptist Church, near Baton Rouge, LA on Sunday.  On Monday around 11 am we had a Block party for the community of Matamoros in a soccer field.  We saw many come to know the Lord that day!  I was blessed to counsel with four little boys who asked Jesus into their hearts!  I was so into what we were doing that I didn't notice that I had stumped my toe and it was bleeding!  Just a minor incident.

On Tuesday thru Thursday  mornings from 9:30 am to noon we had Vacation Bible School at the church and at the soccer field.  In the afternoons, we had VBS at a ladies house named Slyvia.  There was not much room there so, only a few of us could go there.  But, of those that went/participated we saw more children and parents come to know the Lord!  At VBS, we had Bible class, Music Class, Crafts, Snacks, and Recreation.  We also had an opening & closing ceremony of music, puppets, drama/skits, along with prayer.

On Friday we had a free day!  We got up and drove to South Padre Island, Texas, to swim and soak up the sun.  We didn't stay but only about an hour because many of us wanted to go back into Mexico to shop!   So, we drove back to the MOC in Brownsville for lunch and then drove back to Mexico to shop.  We actually parked in Texas and walked over the border into Mexico (Matamorus) to shop!  It was neat!  I bought two barettes that would have cost $20 or more in the USA but was only 2 for $5 there!  I also bought a purse, earrings, and a red Mexican skirt! 

We got up early on Saturday morning and drove to the airport and arrived in Huntsville about 1:30 pm at the airport!  It was a very rewarding experience!  If you haven't been on a mission trip before, I suggest that you try it out!  You will be blessed as well as be a blessing to those you minister to!

Jesus loves you and so do I!

Kathy