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Missions- being a blessing or being blessed?

MEXICO

It doesn’t matter what your age is or if you have a family—you can go on the mission field and come home more blessed than the blessing you were while there. Marcella Borgschatz of Minnesota spent one month working with the destitute pre-schoolers at El Pozito in Tijuana, Mexico. Marcella says “the best part of my trip was working together with some very special people to make a difference in the lives of many children.” She fell in love with one-year-old Israel whom she nurtured, loved and gave encouraging words so he would eat. While she was there his health improved and he began to gain weight, becoming very active and everyone’s friend. Marcella encourages those going on the mission field to be prepared for a challenge. “The work will be hard,” she said, “but rewarding.” She also suggested to study up on the climate so you take the right clothes and other necessities, and to learn some of the language so it is easier to communicate. Even though language was a barrier for her, she managed to communicate through smiles and signs.

Patrick and Anita Rice from Vermont have been on the Children of Promise mission field four times—Anita to Guatemala and Patrick to Costa Rica, with their children joining them on two trips to Mexico. The latest trip was at Thanksgiving when they took the whole family to Tijuana, Mexico to help in El Pozo. Patrick did a lot of repairs on the buildings and during times of fellowship played his songs for the children. Anita cut hair, filled in for the cook so she could have a day off and helped out in other ways as well. The children enjoyed playing with the children and cuddling the babies.

Connie and Tyler Youngkin, Children of Promise missionaries and founders of the work in Tijuana, will begin renovating a larger building in which they will be moving both El Pozito and El Pozo. This move will allow them to care for more children—up to 100. Anita is waiting for the word when the work begins so they can go help. (If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Kathie Fagel at 888-667-7426 or via email. Anita has also volunteered to be a voice for the children served by Children of Promise. There are many children needing sponsors and many waiting to have a place of shelter with food and clothing and the love of Jesus shared with them.

Caroline Castillo is from New York and has served as a mid-term missionary to El Pozito since the fall of 2005. She cares for the little ones at El Pozito and has won their hearts. She will be leaving El Pozito in the Spring of 2006 and will be entering medical school.