We spent our last day in Progreso (Friday) with some more home visits for the women, wrapping up construction projects and finished sorting clothes. A small group from our team walked down to the school and found the principal and teachers outside with the school children. We were warmly welcomed and we presented a copy of "Tu Eres Especial" (You Are Special) to the teachers. The principal spoke English so that was great for translation. They thanked us many times for our part in the beginning with the school and said we could come back anytime!
Our afternoon block party had around 100 kids where we had games, face painting, music, crafts and prizes given away. Then there is the goodbye to the children of Progreso which is the hardest part. The fiesta is always a highlight and a good ending point to celebrate with the kids and display God's love for them.
The team ended their night with a Valentines/sweetheart dinner with friends at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Saturday was a free day for fishing, shopping, river walk and time with friends, concluding with a traditional good-bye dinner with sharing from both teams. Sunday afternoon was spent in Mazatlan with lunch at Ponchos and some time on the beach for walking, shopping or para-sailing.
It is difficult to sum up a week long trip that is part of a ten year plus adventure with our friends in Culiacan. Many exciting things happened this past week, so we want to try to paint a picture of some of those here:
1. It is exciting to see that God is at work in Culiacan, Mexico! and in our own lives as we were spiritually challenged and encouraged.
2. It is always a humbling experience working with our friends in Mexico. We are enriched by our cross culture experiences, with four cultures or more coming together. These mingling cultures are: suburban St. Paul, Culiacan, those living in poverty and an area of 2% population consider themselves Christians. We bless each other and work together for a common goal. We have much to learn from each other as it is not a one-way exchange.
3. We saw the commitment of our sister church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, to continuing work in Progreso. Cipriano, Arnoldo and Gaby are very involved in the work there along with Esperanza and others.
4.As a result of some meetings last week, it seems there are exciting new possibiiltes of connections with officials (city, state and country) and the school in Progreso.
5. Our opportunity as well as accomplishments of displaying Christ's care and love for us all was like a wonderful display of color in the drab and dirty area of Progreso.
6. It is always a challenge when we return from these trips that we carry the experience and our reactions into our daily lives. It is our desire and prayer that the work continues and lives are affected long term, not just for a flash.
Thank you again for your love and support for our team. May the growth and work carry on...
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