Ninos de Mexico Mission Trip

Below is an email from Panda Rodriguez who, along with her husband, led a team of 10 this past summer to Mexico:

Our mision team of 10 arrived safely in Mexico on August 6 where we were greeted by our host and three of the kids from Ninos. This year we would be helping Iglesia de Cristo, the church that the four homes attend, with their VBS. We found this information out a few weeks before our trip. We purchased small soccer balls, cones, waterballs, jump ropes and a few other items so we would be ready for the first day or two of VBS. The rest of our supplies would be purchased in Mexico whenever we could get to the store.

VBS ran Monday - Thursday from 9:00 until 1:00. We were in charge of games, so we had to come up with different ones and provide the supplies. Our team also supplied paper products and drinks for snack time. We had some good homemade snacks! We had 5 team members leading games, sometimes even without a translator. The kids were separated by age into 5 groups and one of our team members was with each group. It was rather funny when some of us had to try and say the Bible memory verse in Spanish. We think the teacher just needed a really good laugh! Our team started bonding with all the kids from day one. We enjoyed getting to know them and trying to sing worship songs in Spanish. Yes, we were undignified! We donated all the game supplies to the church so they could be given out to the local children.

Saturday night we were asked to pray for two of the houseparents during our week at Ninos: Amelia Coronel-Bethel Home because her father was very ill and passed away on Monday and Sarahi Soriano-Genesis Home as she was having complications with her pregnancy and was put on bedrest.

Monday afternoon we painted two of the school classrooms. We also sorted the donations of clothing, shoes, toys and books that we had brought with us. Later in the week we applied a second coat of paint. Our team purchased sour candy, soccer balls, basketballs and volleyballs for the four homes. We brought Gatorade bottles, towels and backpacks for the boys' soccer team. We were able to visit and play with the children at each home. Some sponsors from TCC sent a gift to their child and they were excited to receive a present. They enjoyed beating us at futbol! We enjoyed spending time with them and loving them! We visited Dr. Noe's home and the clinic. He told us about his ministry to the Indians in Chilapa. He not only does a weekend of meeting medical needs, he also does a weekend of preaching. His heart for these people is amazing and he also takes some of the Ninos children with him.

Our team raised extra money so on Friday evening we were able to have a party for the children, staff and church staff. We purchased hot dogs, chips, cookies, drinks, coffee and pinatas for around 100 people. Fun was had by all!!!

This year was really special because they let a few kids go with each mission team on their outings, so they could each have some special time with a group. Our team purchased gifts for the kids that went with us. Three of the boys went with us to the airport and we had lunch with them before we went thorough security. Tears were shed when we waved goodbye to our Ninos family.

Thanks to all the prayers, we let the light of Jesus shine through in everything we did while in Mexico. We had an awesome team this year and a lot of laughs. Thank you to everyone who supported our team in one way or another. We were truly blessed on this trip. May God continue His good work in Mexico through the children and staff at Ninos.

Ninos de Mexico's Current Need

Many of you are familiar with and have been very faithful to Ninos de Mexico, a mission with which TCC has partnered for over ten years. In fact, every two years, TCC sends a mission team led by Panda and Rob Rodriguez to Mexico to assist Ninos' efforts. Since 1966, Ninos' purpose has been to evangelize to Mexico's lost people, primarily through orphaned children whom they counsel, educate and house via one of their four schools and multiple church plants. Currently, Ninos de Mexico is running an urgent deficit of $53,000. This past Wednesday evening, a special offering was taken for Ninos and we collected $1,371.50 for them. Thank you so much to those who have given! We will continue to accept funds to help them meet their need. If you would like to help, please make out checks to Tomoka Christian Church and note "Ninos de Mexico" in the memo line. Checks may be dropped in the offering bag at any Tomoka Christian service. For more information on Ninos de Mexico's great work, check out their website here.

The Largest City in the World

A team from Tomoka Christian recently spent a week at an orphanage in Mexico City called Ninos de Mexico. Bryan Maynard was a member of that team. A report from him is here.

I was a late addition to the Ninos de Mexico mission team after someone else canceled. It was my first mission trip, but hopefully not my last! I really did not know what to expect, except for long busy days with lots of work to do. Our work project included work at the houses and at the church helping with Vacation Bible School.

We arrived in Mexico on Saturday afternoon and met some of the staff: Matt, Tiffany, and Erin. Such young people doing great work at Ninos! We also met the kids of Esperanza House and toured their facility. Afterward we played a nice game of supposedly non-competitive volleyball. We failed miserably against those teenagers!

A friend had given me Philippians 1:2 for our journey. During our devotion time Saturday night I read Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:19. I would pray this verse at the start of each day during our trip.

Sunday morning we went to the church and met the pastor and attended the worship service. It was different hearing songs we sing at Tomoka translated to Spanish. It actually made the worship service very comfortable for me. The building sits beside a busy street and sidewalk that was very noisy all morning. However, one thing that really struck me was when the worship leader began to pray before communion the street became very quiet. At that moment I felt that the Holy Spirit was in control. After the worship service two young ladies were baptized. Could this day get better?

Sunday afternoon the church staff invited us to dinner at the church. We met more of the staff and also planned some of the activities we would use during the week for Vacation Bible School. After our dinner we broke into two vans and went into the community to parks, playgrounds, and a grocery store to hand out flyers to children inviting them to VBS.

VBS was an amazing experience. We arrived early Monday morning only to find a few children running about. Soon after, the vans started arriving with many children. When everyone was finally counted the Monday total was 150. We thought that it couldn’t get any better. We were wrong! It wasn’t up to us. Tuesday’s total was 162. Wednesday’s total was 170. Thursday was 210, and on Friday they counted 230. By Friday there were not enough chairs for everyone to sit. The room was filled! It was a great feeling just being in the room.

Our team was very busy all week. We took care of the games at VBS. We also helped with the arts and crafts, in the nursery. Anywhere we were needed we did our best to help.

We had the opportunity to visit each of the four houses, meet the children and the house parents. We also met Dr. Noe and saw the medical clinic.

Ninos and the church are a tremendous outreach to the community there. They do so much with so little, in contrast to the U.S. culture that has so much and does so little.

As for me, it was definitely an eye-opening experience. I look at things differently than before. I can still see the look on the kids’ faces, the smiles. I remember the way they had trouble communicating with me, and me likewise. I must learn how speak some basic Spanish before going back!

I hope to have the opportunity to return to Ninos, and also have my wife and son share the experience with me.

May we give God all the glory. Adios for now.