Multipliers: Mexico Missions

September 8, 2010

A little over a week ago I received an email from Diana, one of the leaders of Casa Hogar Elim, the children’s home in Nuevo Laredo, Mx that we work with regularly. It was a desperate email in regards to the trip we are leading in October to help 15 of the older kids from the orphanage travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mx to serve others ON a mission trip of their own.

This is a trip we have been working on for almost 2 years. These kids are incredibly excited and so are we. I have been working at this orphanage for about 14 years and I’ve watched many of these kids grow up in this home. It’s an amazing place, but if you read about poverty, you’ll learn that it’s a cyclical pattern that is very difficult to break. This trip is a small part of our attempt to begin investing in these kids in ways that will help them see beyond what is right in front of them and provide opportunities for them to become more and do more than they ever imagined.

For many years we’ve worked to help provide basic needs: Food, shelter, medical care, clothing, school supplies, etc…. for the kids at Casa Hogar Elim. Those things are urgent and must continue, but we believe we can’t stop there. It’s not enough to just provide them with essentials for survival. We must do more to provide them with essentials for living a purpose filled life. These kids are incredibly smart, funny, and caring. They have amazing opportunity. Getting to know them caused us to ask these questions: “What if they had the same opportunities as we have had? What does God really want to do with this incredible group of kids?”

I believe God wants to do a LOT with them, and I believe He wants to do a LOT through you in that process. You and I don’t have all that we have because we are smarter, work harder, are more deserving, or are better looking! We have been entrusted with so much in order to be a blessing to others, and these kids and this children’s home is a great opportunity to do just that. I can’t imagine what all God can do through these kids as they are challenged, encouraged, and equipped, to do more and use their gifts for His purposes.

So, back to the email. Diana was basically informing me that Mexicana Airlines had ceased operations the night before, and we had 18 plane tickets reserved on that airline. After a full day of looking for solutions and talking with numerous people we had a plan. First, we decided that the whole basis for the trip was to help these kids overcome their current circumstances that are mostly a result of the decisions of others around them. If we canceled the trip at this point we would be reinforcing the very thing we were trying to help them overcome. That wasn’t an option. Traveling by land had never been an option because of the distance and difficulty of the trip. So, we booked new flights on another airline.

At this point we are almost certain the cost of the original tickets will be refunded. However, the new tickets cost an additional $5000, and we are looking for sponsors who would like to invest in these kids and help cover this expense. We believe this trip is the beginning of (and a huge part) of an incredible opportunity to help these kids break the cycle of poverty (spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical poverty). We are so grateful to all of you who have already sponsored one of these kids or have provided clothes, shoes, or other items for the trip. We’re also grateful to all of you who have invested in Casa Hogar Elim over the years by doing construction work, painting rooms, providing Christmas presents, cooking meals, playing games, leading Bible school, cleaning and fixing teeth, and just loving on kids. You are all awesome! You are also what I would call a  Multiplier.

A Multiplier is just a leader of leaders, and by investing in these kids you are multiplying your resources and influence to help these kids learn how to do the same. Jesus didn’t just lead a small group of followers. He entrusted the future of the Church to a small group of leaders who multiplied their limited influence and resources to change the world. We believe these kids can do just that, and you are doing that as well by investing in them. Please join us by praying for the children of Casa Hogar Elim and the opportunities we have with them this fall. If you would like to help financially you can make checks payable to Beachside Community Church: Mexico Missions. P.O. Box 445 Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32549. Or, you can donate online here. All donations are tax deductible.

Check back in October for pictures and stories of an amazing journey!

Shaun

Update (11/15/2010): Here is a great highlight video of our trip!

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