Hemos Llegado! We have Arrived!

Querida Familias del Equipo CCA Mexicano!

Hey guys! I know that you have been anxiously checking all day for news of the safe arrival of your students. Well your perseverence has finally been rewarded. The news is that all went well as we passed through our Miami airport experience.....no lost students, no lost passports, and best of all no lost luggage! We actually spent more time getting in and out of airports today than actual flight time! We were WARMLY greeted (in more ways than one) by the Aguayo family and members of the school and church. We then arrived and unpacked and settled into our quaint and historic hotel in downtown Merida. The city is beautiful and clean and full of opportunity for a great cultural experience. After a time for rest and relaxation our team gathered for our first evening meal together. Our students were introduced to The Broken Bread Meal, a dinner experience provided through the ministry of World Vision. It was a time where each one was given the opportunity to read about a young person from around the world who is living with a challening situation: orphans, refugees, homeless, living with AIDS. Pastor Mike then spoke to us about issues of hunger and uncertainty that many young people their own age face around the globe. We spent time at each table in prayer and support for these young people. We read their stories and saw their faces and had an opportunity to stand in the gap for them. We were then fed table by a table a simple bowl of corn meal porridge. This bowl of porridge was the equivalent of the meals that are provided in refugee camps in various parts of the world. These meals have all the nutrients and vitamins needed for a good basic meal. We were challenged to eat it all and to take the next few hours to consider physically and spiritually the impact and reality of huger that many face around the world today. We closed in prayer and thankfulness for God's abundant provision for us and we were challenged to consider what WE could do invidually as our response to being reminded of these global realities. You would be very proud of your young people. They have been respectful and positive and are walking through their first day here with joy and happy hearts. Tomorrow begins our first day of adventures. We will have breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and then be off to the church by 9 a.m. where will practice our VBS programs, prepare our crafts, practice our skits and continue to connect as teams for our first visit to the local villages. Please continue to stand in prayer for health, positive attitudes, team unity and personal growth! (That's all for me :) ) and of course for the students as well! :) Today has been a great day.....tomorrow awaits with great opportunites and adventures! Thank you for the privilege of getting to know your students better and for the opportunity to serve alongside with their youthful joy and enthusiasm. Feel free to send any comments. I will send pictures with the help of a few high tech students. You gotta love technology....once one gets it all figured out. More to come! Sincerely, Jan