This is our last full day here in Mexico. Tomorrow we will pack up, clean up and head out. It has been a great and full week. These students have accomplished so much in a short amount of time. So much, we ran out of work today. This morning we worked a half day and then afterward the students had time to spend with the children at the Orphanage.
The students have been challenged to look at life through a different lens this week. To think more deeply about what really matters in life and what do we REALLY need to be content. We discussed where do we look for our value and how many times the places we look give us a false sense of value, Snapchat, Instagram, success, money, etc.
Tomorrow we begin our journey home. We are planning on leaving Door of Faith Orphanage around 8:30 am. It is about an hour to the border. Once in the borderline, it could take us 2-4 hours to cross depending on how many people are traveling that day. You just never know as some days are busier than others. Once across we will stop for lunch at In-N-Out before heading to the airport. Once we all are at In-n-Out I will text everyone to let you know we are all back stateside.
Re-entry for students can range from like nothing happened to be overwhelmed. Students have been without their cell phones for a week and many have expressed how nice that is to not have cell phones as it has relieved them of a lot of stress and pressure. They have commented on how they have been able to meet more people, play card games, and learn new card tricks. Community time has been great.
Some students will talk your ear off until 3 am in the morning others will need a little time to adjust to life back at home. They have all seen a level of poverty that is hard to comprehend through our time at the old Tijuana dump and time at a church housing refugees. But it has all been good. My hope is that they will process this trip with you. Therefore, below are some questions you can ask your students about the week:
- What was it like crossing the border the first time?
- What was the Mexico side of the border wall like when you visited it on Sunday?
- What was different about Mexico than at home? What was the same?
- What work site(s) were you on this week?
- What was the story of the people you were helping?
- What was the Canyon (old Tijuana dump like?)
- What did you do at the Canyon?
- What was the best part of the week?
- What was the hardest part of the week?
- What do you remember about Dj’s story?
- What did you learn about yourself?
It has been a joy spending a week with your student. We believe in each one of them and hope we have been a positive voice in their life this week reinforcing the values and qualities you want to see in your sons and daughters. Thank you for entrusting them to us for this week.
Lastly, we are having a reunion/fundraiser on August 24th at Marin Covenant Church, the same place we had our pre-trip parent and student meetings. It is our 10 year anniversary and we would love to have you celebrate with us! You and your students are invited. All you need to do is text us for tickets. For the phone # put “51555” in the body of the message text “B2LTix” This will take you to a place to purchase tickets. If you want to know more you can go to our website.
There is a new youtube video up (longer than yesterday).
Thanks,
Phil
