2023 Mexico Serve Trip

In June, an intergenerational team of 11 went on the first Serve Trip since 2019 to visit our partners Tijuana Christian Mission and Women with Purpose in Tijuana and Rosarito, Mexico. The visit was one of connection, learning and renewal. To try to capture the experience, this article will paraphrase reflections from the team members.

[Kate Warren] Every day, breakfast was served at 7:00a and we were ready for the day when we entered the dining room. We usually had our heads on our pillows by 9:30p and were able to debrief with our roommates about our experiences and curiosities of the day! Our team grew closer every day and we put ourselves out there to engage in unique and fun ways with those we met in Mexico.

[Scott Schap] In focusing on building relationships and connection with our partners, the team engaged with 40 children, young adults, and staff who stay at the children’s home of Tijuana Christian Mission through broken Spanish conversation, lots of gesturing and smiles, play, and activities. Being able to connect with people through a game even through there is a language barrier is a great experience. Through sports I was able to do what I enjoy at home with people I’m not even able to communicate with. For service work we did many projects including making bund beds, cleaning and sorting the tool closet, and some smaller activities that gave the kids and us joy.

[Mary Sheldon] In some ways, it was what I thought it would be like at the orphanages. The children were so happy, smiling, and so thrilled with the crafts, puzzles, and their photos which we took and printed. In regards to the women’s shelter, it was beyond anything I could have imagined. Seeing the women’s shelter’s modern white walls and glass and the sereneness and quietness of the space.

[Kate Warren] God is VERY present in Tijuana (TJ). When looking out from the Women’s Shelter from the top of a mountain in Rosarito with the orphanage just below and being able to see the Pacific Ocean, it’s hard not see God’s love and grace working so beautifully! God is in the best of places and the worst of places. God likes to remind us all of our shared humanity. Sometimes it seems like God works harder in the hurt spaces – the people following God’s will in those places seem like they understand grace so, so well!

[Kate Warren] Our trip was quite a journey! I learned a lot along the way, like how to be more flexible, how to communicate with teens with broken Spanish, and how to consume street tacos every night-very easy!! I felt changed by the interactions I had with so many people there - from the teens and seeing them take care of us (cooking meals, cleaning our shared bath-rooms), the children welcoming us to play games and make bracelets-which we learned didn’t take much knowledge of Spanish to enjoy, and so much more! I’m so glad to have experienced those communities while learning about and growing deeper relationships with those from Hyde Park.

When the team members were asked what would you tell someone who is considering being part of the next Mexico Serve Team a handful said simply, “Just do it!” Kate Warren followed up with, “You’ll grow and learn and laugh a lot! God will see to it!”