Mexico: Check!

Roof top view from the Ensanada base. Beach. Mountains. Poverty.

This past Wednesday afternoon, October 1, all 8 of us DTS students and 4 leaders left for a mid-lecture outreach to Mexico. Our destination was Ensanada, Mexico where we stayed at a YWAM base from Wednesday until Saturday. Saturday we left and spent the night in Tijuana, Mexico and came home Sunday. This trip has been amazing. I could spend days telling stories of what God did. I think the easiest way to hit all the highlights is to go by day. This will be a longer post, but it does not even begin to capture all the miracles God did.

Wednesday:

• Learned that most all of us get very crabby when we do not eat. 
• Somebody passed gas, did not admit to it. We all almost died. It was a bonding moment.
• Drove this crazy Mexico rode in at night. They did not have a shoulder and barely any guard rail and they went along mountain sides. They were crazy curvy, but that did not stop others from passing our van.
• Arrived at the Ensanada base. Our rooms had a view of the ocean! Many times the leader who used to work at the Ensanada base would get on me for calling it Ensalada, which means salad. I thought it was funny to call the base Salad, she did not.

Thursday:

The migrant camp I wanted to be left at.

• Chel, one of my roommates, and I went running on the beach. IT WAS AWESOME!
• During morning intersession with the Ensanada group lots of people were given words and images of breaking barriers of culture and language. Throughout the day, God proved himself faithful in breaking down barriers.
• Visited a girls safe house/rehab center. The average age of the girls is 14, meaning there were girls younger and older. All of these girls have had drugs in their system; they were either rescued or their families sent them. While we were there we shared parts of our testimony and encouraging words. We also were extremely blessed with bilingual worship and were able to hear parts of their stories.
• We visited a migrant camp. I wanted to live with them. The families were a mix of Mexicans and indigenous groups. They lived up on the mountain side and had an amazing view of the beach, mountains and the fields they worked in. We gave out milk, cookies and orange juice. I was able to braid some girls hair. I had my hair up in a bun and when I let my hair down for them to play with their eyes went huge in amazement of my long blond hair. I was also able to hold a baby. The little girl was under 6 months. Her fingers were so tiny. I told this beautiful girl how beautiful, precious and loved she is. Her mom only spoke an indigenous language, so she did not know English, but she was grinning a toothless smile. I wanted to move in and keep her. Despite language barriers we were able to love and play with the children as well as love on the adults.

Friday:

Sand dollars we collected on our window sill. You can
see now what I was blessed with looking at!

• Another morning run on the beach. Chel and I collected sand dollars. 
• We went to a boys home today. I was super nervous. I am a white girl who has never been pulled over by the cops, I could not imagine having any sort of connection with these boys. Of course these young men are more than what society has labeled them. We had bilingual worship, shared parts of our testimony, gave encouragement, then some of the boys shared theirs. We were able to pray over the boys, they were able to pray over us, then they shared their dreams. Lots of the boys desired to be good husbands and fathers, several wanted to serve God by working with children. It was so encouraging.
• Had a frappe from a coffee shop. I did not get sick from the ice in it. It was lovely.
• Went for a walk on the beach and watched the sunset. It was the most vibrant sunset I have ever seen!
• We went to the Red Light district of Ensanada. It was very interesting and not what I expected it to be. It was mostly just bars. The prostitution was extremely hidden, not open in the streets. Of course God blew our minds. There were 4 groups: one group from Ensanada at the base praying for us, an Ensanada group prayer walking, then our Vegas group was split into two groups. All of our groups were receiving words, visions and urging to pray for things that did not make sense, but when we all shared back at base, they all connected to each other group. Our prayers may not make sense, yet God can connect the crazy together.

Saturday:

T.J beach! I LOVE THE BEACH!

• Began the morning with a 6:30 a.m swim. It was so refreshing. A boy who has wrestled alligators went with us and brought boogie boards. So fun!
• Went to visit an orphanage in the mountains. The building was very nice with all donated items. They had a beautiful view of the mountains, farm land and poverty. I was able to again braid hair and have my hair braided. We sang songs, played soccer, and gave lots of piggyback rides.
• Traveled from Ensanada to Tijuana. The house we stayed in was on the beach, as in you walk off the drive way onto the sand. Within 30 minutes of being at the house, I was unpacked, and in the ocean!
• Went to the Red Light district in T.J. The prostitutes lined the streets here. Somehow I was at complete peace. We were able, through translators, able to pray for some of the girls. There was a man who gave his life to Christ and another prostitute who approached the other group, gave her life to Christ, and went to pack up her bags, all ready to leave the streets. It was beautiful. 
• Really wanted to sleep outside under the stars but I could not find any blankets. The room I stayed in was a little girls room. I tucked myself under the covers, surrounded by 8 pillows, feeling like a total princess. I then looked up and there were glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. I was in awe of God. He made me feel so precious. He provided for His princess.

Sunday:

• Crossed the boarder. We had some difficulties because our driver is in the process of applying for a green card. He was taken in for questioning, and God gave him the chance to tell the questioner about God. We were at the boarder for about 2 hours. 
• Had Panaras for lunch! YUM!
• Returned home. I have never been more excited in my entire life to be in the ghetto. 

Other highlights:

Ensanada base sign.

• Did not shower for 3 days. For those who know me well, this will make their jaws drop. 
• Remembered to not drink from the tap. It was a large accomplishment
• Not once did I request to have the van stop for a bathroom break. At one point we went 3 hours between bathroom breaks. Again, a shocker. I tend to need a stop at least every hour.
• Was able to use Spanish I learned over 2 years ago in high school. It was really fun being able to speak in a broken language. It was also good to feel hopeless. I never realized how I have always expected others to speak in English before.
• Realized I am really a beach bum.
• I love poverty. I loved being in the slums. Oh. My. Goodness!

Mexico was amazing! Thank you so much for all the prayers! With my appreciation and love!

Livia Pezley

Ensanada beach.