MedNaz Students

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Mexico Mission: Day Six Recap

Today was our last day in Mexico! We got to our sites shortly after 8:00am with one goal - to finish!

We had the roofs to finish, chicken wire to tighten,doors to hang and stucco to slap on the walls.

Once the buildings were finished each team had the honor of handing over the keys. Joel's team at the single house gave Jaqueline and her beautiful daughters the keys while Lauren translated how honored they were to share God's love with them.

Over at the community center where we weren't building for a family but for an entire community- we had a large group gather with government officials showing up to receive the keys. We had a representative of the community at the site all week and he shared with Shawn that he hoped that this center would be a place that would draw people to Christ, by first meeting physical needs, restoring hope in the community, then building relationships that point people to Jesus.

Tonight we celebrated at camp to end the week! Tomorrow we have fun!

Mexico Day 6 from Mednaz students on Vimeo.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Mexico Mission: Day 5 Recap

Today we put up our walls, stretched bailing wire around the house, then tar paper followed by chicken wire. After hundreds of nails and nonstop pounding both buildings are looking awesome.

We did a little VBS with some neighbor kids, playing soccer, coloring and reading a story. It's awesome to watch our youth communicate despite the language barrier and it proves that actions do speak louder.

It was kind of a crazy day weather wise, it felt like Southern Oregon weather- started off raining, then sunny followed by wind and then clouds.

The highlight of the day was finishing our work and heading to the houses that were built last year. Alejandro was especially excited to see the group, calling many out by name and asking where some others were. He took Shawn inside and showed him couches, a little keyboard and drums and said ' I have church in here every Sunday." It was so awesome to see the hard work accomplished last year having a ripple effect and watching how God has used it.

Tonight around the campfire several teens shared what they thought God was teaching them this week. While the answers varied many shared they were learning that they are a part of God's bigger picture- His movement and His plan and that doesn't stop with Mexico.

Mexico from Mednaz students on Vimeo.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Mexico Mission: Day Four Recap

Today was all about being flexible and adaptable!

We built the walls and roof that would go on the foundation we laid yesterday.

The single house team had to work in an incredibly small space, with hardly any room around the edges they had to adapt and build on plywood on foundation. Joel organized the teams and they proved to be efficient- getting it all built and up!

The community center team was thrown a fun little curveball after they had already begun building. They changed up the building, adding some things we weren't prepared for, but Shawn helped the team redirect and get 15 walls built and ready to go up tomorrow. We also had a visit from a local man who has just started a contracting company and wanted to come and help out in the community (they also were 'power tools' in human form as Wyatt said)

Tomorrow is a big day and also the day fatigue sets in and can be a little tough to keep truckin'!

Mexico Day 4 from Mednaz students on Vimeo.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Mexico Mission Day Three: Recap

Today was all about laying the foundation. We know in order for anything to stand (past us leaving) the construction of the foundation is crucial.

There was a lot of mixing, shoveling, wheelbarrowing, sifting, pouring, and more mixing. It was true labor and everyone put in a full day.

Group one led by Joel Nye has a tough site, up on a little hill with hardly any space to work but that group did awesome, making friends with the family, and laying a sweet and smooth foundation to work upon. They even had a visit from a live mariachi band!

Group two led by Shawn has the opportunity to build a community center (size of a double house) This team did awesome even working with a few community members. The view from this center is pretty amazing, overseeing the city and the hills all around.

Showers were welcomed after a long, sweaty and dirty day. I think everyone will sleep good tonight.

Check out the recap from today! Thanks for your prayers. Right now your kids are singing worship to God and journaling.

Mexico Day 3 from Mednaz students on Vimeo.

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Mexico Day Two: Recap

As we wrap up day two of our trip, we end the travel phase and begin the real reason we are here. We left Bakersfield bright and early (it was brighter after the drivers had coffee) and hit the road for our 8ish hour day on the road. We stopped in San Diego for lunch and made it to Amore just after 2:00pm.

We made it across the border with all people accounted for and begin camp setup in the warm wind. As the sun set and the guys played some football it started to soak in for many who had not yet been here before. After a great dinner and some fresh churros Chad made us a great bonfire to sit around- worship the Lord and journal about what the day held for us, what we are asking God to do in us and a reflection on the day.

Tomorrow starts early as we head out to our campsites and get to work! Check out the video below for the recap and keep us in your prayers!

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