highschool

Jordyn Shares Her Experience in Mexico

I don’t even know where to begin describing the trip. I had so many amazing new experiences! Well going to Mexico was one. But for starters: I took the coldest shower of my life, felt a 7.2 earthquake, worked alongside men at a rehab center and never would have guessed that all of them have been in jail at least one point in their life (they were all so nice and gracious and even shared their lunch with us), found that kids with HIV really aren’t any different than any other kids, fed lunch to a girl with severe physical disabilities (which was one of the hardest things I had to do emotionally), rode in the bunk of a truck into a native reserve to do VBS which also resulted in my face and hair being caked with dirt, cuddled with stray puppies that probably had mange but were too cute to resist, played soccer against the locals and scored two goals (one which was against my own team), ate the best tacos and tortas in my life so that I don’t think Taco Bell will satisfy me ever again , and met some of the coolest people ever from the Foster City campus. I had so much fun and I think that what I fear the most is forgetting. But honestly I hope more comes out of this than just “an experience” or something that I just remember. The first day back, I already noticed myself making selfish decisions. Going on this trip has made me really want to try to change my character and constantly live in a way that brings glory to God. I want to be that kid that doesn’t rush to the front of the line, as Rob put it. I want to make this part of my life, part of who I am.

Brandon Shares His Experience In Mexico

Upon arriving to Porvenir, I had many expectations of the things I would have to endure for a week. Hearing about all the crime and disease in Mexico had made my choice of going there tough and challenging. But by falling upon the Lord, I knew that it was my purpose to go down to Mexico to serve God by helping those in need. My time in Mexico helped me open my eyes to see how much God affects people’s lives. The time I spent at Casa Gabrielle really impacted my life. Knowing that the only thing the children there needed was love really showed me that “Love” is the strongest medicine in the world. Coming from this experience I can truly say that God’s endless love for everyone and everything is everywhere. The time spent in Mexico, I have learned to appreciate the things that God has provided me. I will never take hot water and a bed for granted ever again. The time spent in Porvenir was definitely time well spent. Coming from CPC (Central Peninsula Church) Millbrae, it was definitely more challenging to make new friends. Through God’s work, all barriers were destroyed thankfully. I want to give a shout out to Casey Schade and Ross Goffigon. Ponchos and RayBans equals the good life. You guys impacted my life greatly. 

Rachel Shares About Her Experience In Mexico

I don’t think that someone can fully appreciate the work that other people in other countries do until they travel to a foreign country and do work themselves. My experience in Mexico allowed me to get outside the country to see and experience something that I had never been exposed to before.

When our van first crossed the border, it was like I’d entered a different world. Firstly, all the signs changed to Spanish, which wasn’t surprising, but suddenly I could only interpret them by their shape. Thank goodness for the universal red octagon! On our drive toward our destination, Porvenir, we passed by a few big cities that were drowning in poverty. Shacks built by the road were covered with graffiti and their walls were crumbling in. Looking back on it, this immediate change was an insightful look into our contrasting countries.

On my first workday, I went to a place called Casa Gabriel. In short, Casa Gabriel is an orphanage, founded by a husband and wife, that houses severely disabled children and kids that are HIV positive. To say that this first day experience stretched me is an understatement. I had no idea what to expect upon my arrival. The only thing I knew about this house was that it had a huge impact on the students that went last year. When I stepped inside the gates the first thing I saw was about 10 kids of all different sizes and ages playing on the ground under a canopy with toys like Jenga Blocks and toy cars. All of them looked “different.” Some were missing or had dwarfed limbs, most were in wheelchairs, very few could speak, and even fewer could speak English. It was sad and scary at the same time. I didn’t know how to respond to these kids. When I went inside, I saw a similar sight; only these children sat helplessly in wheelchairs, unable to move themselves. I felt uncomfortable and out of place. At that moment all that I wanted to do was to go outside and start painting the outside of the house (which was my assigned job for that day). I walked back outside and a boy came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder with one hand, while pointing to a wagon with the other. He jumped in and I got the message. For the next hour, Sergio and I traversed the streets with Woody and Blanco (Woody’s horse). Even though I warmed up a little to these orphans, I was happy when it was time to start painting the house.

On the second day, I went to a rehab center called Un Nuevo Porvenir (A New Porvenir) where we worked to roof a new building that will house recovering men. The guys that I talked to were so on fire for God and so dedicated to doing His will that it really convicted me in my own walk with God. Why do I have to do something bad or have something bad happen to me in order to realize my constant need for God’s grace? Their faith was incredible and their testimonies made me want to support the work they were doing so that more men in similar situations could come to know Christ through them.

Surprisingly, for the next two days I was assigned back to Casa Gabriel. Before leaving on my second day there, I prayed that God would open my eyes and help me to see why I had been placed in this uncomfortable position again. I have since realized that it was because Casa Gabriel was so difficult for me that God put me back there for two more days. Each visit warmed me to the children as I learned their names, faces, and personalities. On my second day there I experienced what was certainly the most impacting part of the whole trip for me. One of the small children, a four year old who could not walk or communicate, and was roughly the size of a thin one year old, needed to be fed by bottle for every meal. During one of the feeding times, I was blessed with the opportunity to feed this little girl, Lydia. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal, but when I was holding her, I felt sad, angry, and a little confused. In most situations, I don’t have a hard time believing that God can make good come out of any bad event, but looking at her little body, with her perfect eyes and perfect nose made me wonder why it had to be her that received this disadvantage in life. When she was an infant, her mother had tried to suffocate her, leaving this newborn with brain damage and developmental problems that she will carry for the rest of her life. It was hard to look at Lydia and know that she could have been a normal little four year old, running outside and playing with friends, if not for that event. Both days I got to feed her, and each day I felt the same. For my last day, instead of not wanting to go, I felt that she was the reason that God was having me go so many times and I was eager. The visits were stretching me and growing me in a way that none of the other projects could have. More comfortable, I sang to Lydia as I fed her that day.

Ventana gave me a fun first experience in Mexico and I’m glad I also got to learn more about God, Mexican culture, and what it’s like to minister to needy people. I feel like I grew closer to many of the other students on the trip and some of the people that live in Porvenir. When I got home, I heard a song on the radio that really sums up my feelings during and after my short, sweet sojourn in Porvenir, especially after holding helpless Lydia in my arms.

 

“I wanna know why pain makes me stronger

I wanna know why good men die

Why am I so afraid of the dark?

But I stray from the light…

Oh there’s so many questions stirring in me

And I wonder why

Sometimes the truth ain’t easy to find

I wanna know all the answers

But I’m learning that

These things take time.”

[Sanctus Real: These Things Take Time]

Mexico Packing List and Other Info

If you don't have a packing list or lost yours, you can download it here!Download Key info:packing

This Week In High School Ministry

Join us for our homeless outreach in the city this Saturday, March 20 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Meet at the church! Space is limited. Contact David for more info.

This Sunday, March 21 the High School Ministry meets from 11am - 12:15 pm at Charter Square.

Students and adults going to Mexico also have their first Mexico meeting this Sunday, March 21 from 1-3 pm at Charter Square. Don't forget that your Consent to Travel and Treatment forms are due, all money is due, and if you don't have a CPC Med Form on file, that is due to!

High School Life Groups meet at the various hubs on Wednesday, March 24 from 7-9 pm. If you are interested in joining a Life Group, contact Rob.

Next Friday, March 26 High School Students are invited to a high school worship night from 7-9:30 pm at Charter Square. Check out the Facebook invite!

Mexico Mission Trip Update

Please make sure to download this consent form, fill out, have your parents sign it and get it notarized. Please return it to David by Sunday, March 28. Download Consent to treatment and travel

This Week In High School Ministry and Important Life Group News!

The Service Project at the Serra/Millbrae Convalescent Home has been cancelled due to a flu outbreak at the Home.

The High School Ministry will meet this Sunday, January 31 at 11 am at Charter Square. We will continue our series in James.

We have our first Dominican Republic meeting this Sunday, January 31 at Charter Square from 1-3 pm. Your non-refundable $250 is also due!

This Wednesday, February 3 we will open another Life Group Hub in San Mateo. Don't forget that February 3 is a Life Group Fun night. Our Foster City Hub has outgrown the house we are using. Students who live in the San Mateo area will be meeting at our new hub at the Farbstein's starting February 10. Life Group leaders will be calling you this week with all the info.

2010 Dominican Republic Trip

The 2010 Dominican Republic Trip is here! This year CPC will be taking families, 20's and our high school seniors. If you are interested in serving in the Dominican Republic from June 22-29, download the brochure and the application.  There will be an informational DR meeting on Sunday, December 6 at 1pm at Charter Square. If you have questions contact Rob McIlovy. Download Go DR brochure  Download DR 2010 Application

Life House Meets on Sunday and a DR Dessert!

Life House meets this Sunday, July 12 from 5:30-7:30 pm.  If you want to hear more about the Dominican Republic Trip or you want to see all your DR friends, then join us for the DR Dessert at Charter on Friday, July 10 at 7 pm! Hope to see ya this weekend! 

Kevin Lim Shares About The Dominican Republic

I went up to this Dominican kid and said "Carrera?" and he knew exactly what I meant. Carrera means to race, but the concept of competition is universal to all guys. God really opened my eyes to what I call the universal human experience, or the things that tie the people on His green Earth together. 

In such a race-conscious society like the Bay Area (people always taking such pride in our "diversity" or keeping a watchout for what's not PC) we learn to look out for what's different, and there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes we Americans can fall into the mistake of building the concept of "The Other," and seeing the world as an "us vs. them" or a "white man helping our brown brothers." 

But what God opened my eyes to wasn't what was different between us missionaries and them -- whether it was difference between relative wealth and poverty, or language barriers -- but He opened up my eyes to what was the same. Stuff like, how all guys just wanna compete whether it's me having a "carrera" with a little kid to "la montana ala" or playing American football with other teenagers with different skin color than me. 

And when we're the same, it makes it easier for me to share with them, to play with them, to connect with people who don't even speak the same language as me. And it makes me understand how God can love all of us people the same, because we are the same, give or take a few social, financial, lingual standard deviations. 

For me, there were these street kids, like loitering teenagers in the US, that were basically treated how Americans treat loitering teenagers in the US -- looking down on them with downcast glances. But I made friends with them because of what we had in common -- maybe what all loitering teenagers have in common globally -- and that was "hip hop" culture. [What I got from hearsay by G.O. missionaries] The converative church in Santiago had not quite made the distinction between "hip hop" and "ghetto" like we have made in the US; and because of that, these street kids were pretty untouched by Christians -- they throught all hiphop teenagers shoot people. But I made friends with these street ids, and maybe, God used me, just another kid from San MaGHETTO who was into hip hop, to just spread a Christian presence into their lives -- to show them Christians can be into hip hop too, you don't have to choose between God and boxbeats. But it beats me what God's gonna do with that relationships I built with them. That's just supernatural.