Our 2010 Mission Family

Have you ever thought about the bonding that built over time during life's mundane activities among Jesus' disciples as the group grew to twelve and wandered throughout ancient Israel and Judea? The Bible tells us many stories of their milestone experiences together, but the detail of daily life in that time is thin. Some days, it's those "little things" that overshadow the highs and the lows of those milestones. Did Bartholomew accidentally drink unboiled water or eat raw salad in Sychar and spend a few days dearly regretting it? Did Thaddeus "lose" all of his money after successfully haggling for a bargain with a street vendor in Bethsaïda? Did Simon plot out activities for the next few days in Jericho, only to see unexpected rainstorms call for a complete revision of plans? They hadn't yet seen the Resurrection nor been filled with the Spirit. Just how mightily did those downturns weigh on their collective outlook? What challenges they must have faced in their daily lives, beyond those about which we read in the Bible!

Our 2010 mission team cannot compare to THE disciples, but we certainly hoped that our words and our deeds demonstrated our discipleship to the Word. Our 2010 team faced illness, bad weather, and theft. We got tired, wet, hot, angry, afraid, and frustrated. But we remained united in support of one another. We stayed true to our dedication to bring spiritual and material support to the school and adjacent community in El Tamarindo. One of the many great things about our mission trips is that although we return home to quotidian chores and concerns, each of us has faced and shared unanticipated difficulties. It is the sharing of those challenges which help form new friendships and create a bond not only with one another, but with those who made the trip in years past. There is even a level of inner fulfilment and satisfaction that links each one of us in spirit to everyone else, across time and distance, who has taken action to uplift those in need. Those friendships and bonds may possibly fade ever so slightly over time and distance, but will certainly never disappear nor be forgotten. What a blessing for us to have been able and willing to perform these deeds, and what a reward to have met and made friends with such wonderful people.

Pictured above are. . .

..... in the back row:

..... Yoel (our Dominican van driver), Phil, Jules, Gin, Marty, Karen, Alana, & Tim

..... in the front row:

..... Michael, Ivy, Michelle, & Ruddy (our Dominican security/translator ).