Mexico Mission Team 2008

Pics!

2008-07-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hola de México!

Check out some pics from the trip here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28190746@N02/?saved=1

Adios!!

We've Arrived

2008-06-29T20:06:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone!

We've arrived in Mexico ... yesterday. We'll put up some pictures in a little bit, but we're having technical difficulties right now.

Adios!

Mexico Team

The early group has landed ... finally.

2008-06-27T06:49:00.001-07:00

After some flight delays and changes and a few lost bags, Jill, Meagan, Joslynn and the Clows arrived at Rancho 3m Thursday night.

They may do a post and update us today.

See everyone at CCK at 5 a.m.!

Vote for our 2008 T-shirt

2008-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

So which will it be? Vote on the right side bar by May 31.

Meet Your Team #4

2008-04-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

The always fabulous ... Donna Mitchell.

1) Full name : Donna Jane (Levi) Mitchell
2) Nick name: D.J.
3) Age: 47
4) Family: Yes.....oh, Trystan 27, Erin 25, Morgan 21
5) Birthplace: Chattaboogie
6) Name one or multiple quirks about yourself: If I weren't a Christian I'd be a tree hugging, reclycling, going green, organic, hippie. (editor's note: we'll put Donna in charge of burning the bathroom trash)
7) What is something people who will live communally with for seven days will need to know about you? I like a noise fan on at night, totally dark and quiet to sleep...and I'm quiet in the mornings..... (editor's note: who wants to tell her about the swamp cooler?)
8) What food makes you gag? Raw oysters....or any weird meat food. Bad smells really make me gag.
9) Why do you want to go to Mexico? To serve in anyway I can....and to hang out with the fam.

Passports?

2008-03-31T16:41:00.001-07:00

Have you gotten your passport yet?

This is VERY important! If you have not done it, you need to do it NOW.

Meet Your Team #3

2008-03-31T16:33:00.001-07:00

The one and the only (thanks goodness there is just one) ...

1) Full name: David Gregory Puncochar

2) Nick name: Dave, Punc, Handbrake-o (editor's note: Dave would you care to explain this one to the group?)

3) Age: 32

4) Family: Jenny (wife) and Ana (daughter - 5 months)

5) Birthplace: Atlanta Georgia

6) Name one or multiple quirks about yourself: I still like to read the comics on the weekend paper.

7) What is something people who will live communally with for seven days will need to know about you? I sometimes need to take a siesta and I like to shower a lot. But I don't use a "loofa" like Aarne Clow. I just use soap like normal guys. Also…I only have one pair of shorts. You may need to just get used to it.

8) What food makes you gag? Chicken feet.

9) Why do you want to go to Mexico? I want to go back and see those kids from last year. I may be disillusioned, but I believe that by returning we will gain much more trust. With more trust, hopefully we can engage them and love them more deeply and hopefully nudge them towards the cross and to Faith in Christ. Also…I really miss 4 square and speaking Spanish!

Editor's Question: Dave - you aren't single or a teenager ... why do you get to go on this trip?

Meet Your Team #2

2008-03-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

It is my pleasure to introduce you to ...

Full Name: John William Bickers
Nick name: "Johnny be good"
Age: 16
Family: Bickers
Birthplace: Knoxville, TN
Quirks: Perfection has no quirks... and neither does [being] awe-inspiring. ;-) other than that I like to give people a hard time. (editor's note: wow. just wow.)
Something people need to know about me: There is nothing special people need to know about me other than I am sinner, believe it or not. (editor's note: What happened to perfection, John?)
Food that makes me gag: I can eat anything as long as it's sufficiently cooked.
Why I want to go to Mexico: Wait! We're going to mexico?? I guess I want to go. I can get a tan and hang out with my friends while im down there. Actually I want to go to Mexico to serve the people there and to bring glory to God. I also think this trip will help me to be grateful for the things God has given me. And my last reason for wanting to go is I believe this trip will draw me closer to God and it will help me to see what He is doing all over the world.

Does anyone have a snazzy picture of John that we could post?

How many days until take off?

2008-03-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

We leave for the Ranch in three and a half months and I know that it is going to fly by! Here is a list of some things that you can do to get ready for the trip and the mission.

1) Ladies, practice letting your hair air dry since we'll be hair dryer free for a week.
2) Start throwing toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing. (Okay, maybe not)
3) Be sure to be deep in God's Word and ask Him to show you His heart for the children we will be serving. Start with James 1:27, Psalm 82:3, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 10:18, Isaiah 1:17.
4) Pray daily for your heart to be ready, for the team to be ready and for provision for the needs of the Ranch.
5) Speak Spanish to whoever will listen. I like to practice on my dog.
6) Take a siesta every day at 2 p.m.!
7) Check out www.ranch3m.com to learn more about the ministry of the Ranch.
8) Tri-weekly bi-cep training for the fence crew.

Any other ideas from past team members?

Meet Your Team #1

2008-03-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Mexico Team 2008!

As promised (though a bit delayed) the blog is up and running again. We'll start it off by intoducing you to our team chef, the lovely Miss Jill Brickey.

1) Full name: Jill Marie Brickey
2) Nick name: Jillian
3) Age: 23
4) Dad: Joe, Brother: Stephen
5) Birthplace: Knoxville, Tennessee
6) Quirks?: People say I'm a walking GPS because I have an innate sense of direction and I can memorize transportation networks, AND even though I love cooking and can cook for large groups of people I am too lazy to consistently cook for myself.
7) What should team members know about living with you?: I like my sleep and I must shower in the morning.
8) What food makes you gag?: Watching chicken feet sizzle in a skillet, and warm Country Time lemonade.
9) Why do you want to go to Mexico?: The reason I want to go (back) to Mexico is not necessarily because I enjoy missions or love working with kids, but that I have a desire to serve our team and equip them to better serve Rancho 3M. This year I have the privilege to serve as the team's kitchen manager, and my goal in cooking is to feed the team well so that they have a full stomach when they are serving on their assigned task teams. Last year I loved cooking for the team (and the Rancho 3M staff) and I loved ensuring that everyone was well feed and that "what people were going to eat" was not a concern for the admin team. I am already praying that this year the Lord would bless my efforts in the kitchen and would satisfy the hungry stomachs of our team (and that I would learn how to make cinnamon buns that would delight the team).

Welcome Home and Other Important Stuff

2007-07-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

You all made it home in one piece. Well done! We are very glad to have you back!

The next RELAY meeting (August 25) is open to youth AND singles! We are going to be sharing testimonies from Mexico. Anything from something that God did in your life to a funny story from the trip. Please e-mail me (mkittrell@knoxcstone.com) if you would like to share. At the meeting we will also show a longer slideshow of pictures!

My Favorite Mexico Things

2007-07-09T04:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Team,
Below are the lyrics from the Border Patrol's sing that they performed for us on the bus. Enjoy!

Jesus Vive!
LB

To the tune of "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music"

Bus rides, and plane rides and crossing the border.
Sermons in Spanish and fast food disorder.
Homes that are painted in pink, blue and green.
These are my favorite Mexico things

Eating and Sleeping and Serving together
Elephant belts that are made out of pleather
Bill Andrews fall means no toilets for teams
These are my favorite Mexico things

[Pierce's solo]

Lost my wallet! Couldn't find it.
Hope next time I'll learn.
So glad to be riding home with you all
and not at 3M as an intern.

Fencing and drywall and cooking and cleaning
All-week construction, rock and tree painting
Carlito's Carnival made the kids sing
These are my favorite Mexico things

Four square and soccer and playing at parks
Mosquito's that bite as we play in the dark
Doe Barbee's sweet rolls make mute people sing
These are my favorite Mexico things

[Pierce's solo]
National Anthem, I don't know it.
I feel like a fool.
Please don't tell my mother -she'll be so mad
Because I am home-schooled.

We're Home!

2007-07-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hello faithful blog readers,
We're home in Knoxville! I am sure that team members are enjoying extra long Sunday naps today. We are sorry that posting ended on Thursday, google wouldn't let us log in so we couldn't post on Friday. We hope testimonies and more pics will be coming soon.

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes the trip went incredibly well!

The Mexico Team 2007

Getting it done in Mexico.

2007-07-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
We're still going strong here at Rancho 3m. The weather today is wonderful for working, overcast and in the low 80s. It is a welcome relief for our fence crew who has been working all week in the scorching sun. The team has made a ton of progress on the kindergarten and on the fence, we have even been able to send people to work on the Pastors College in Juarez.

It seems like the whole team has become very comfortable in our surroundings here and with all of the precious kids here. It is going to be hard to say goodbye on Saturday. We have also had our prayers for love and unity answered. The 49 of us have had a wonderful time serving together and being gracious in our tight living conditions with small bathrooms and dozens of people packed into each bedroom.

Last night's cookout went really well. We ate some wonderful food and then enjoyed a bunch of relay race competitions with the kids (it was more like mass pandemonium than a competition, but, hey, it was fun) and ended the night with ice cream for everyone. I know we promised pictures of that ... but we only have a few right now ... so you'll have to wait for the slide show.

But here are some more peaks into our trip ... click here.

3:53 MST (5:53 EST): We re-linked the photo page to this blog. Sorry for the bad link...it's Leslie's fault. :-) Enjoy our pictures!

A Day in the Life

2007-07-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July everyone! We hope you're all enjoying the holiday. Tonight the team is having a traditional Fourth cookout with hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob, watermelon, jello cake and ice cream! We'll also be cooking for all of the kids and the Ranch staff pictures should be up from that tomorrow.

We thought that you guys would like to know what a normal day looks like for the team. Check it out below.

A Day in the Life of the Mexico Team:
5:45 a.m. Kitchen crew reports for duty
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
7:45 a.m. Group devotions and worship
9 a.m. Report to work assignments (Kindergarten, painting, fence, playing with kids etc.)
1 p.m. Lunch and siesta!
3 p.m. Back to work
6 p.m. Hit the showers
7 p.m. Dinner
8 p.m. Hang out with the kids, play soccer and basketball, hang out with the team
9 p.m. - 12 a.m. People pass out from exhaustion (time depends on the age group)

And now, more pictures some are from earlier this week and some are from today. click here.

Update from Tuesday

2007-07-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hello again from the Mexico Team!

It was a hot, hot, hot day in Guadelupe. Dean, the director, said it may have been the hottest of the summer so far ... lucky us. The team spent the day putting insulation and sheet rock in the kindergarten, digging holes for the fence posts, doing painting jobs and playing with the kids. We finished up eating dinner together and spending more time with the kids in the cool of the evening.

A funny side note from yesterday, is that we accidentally knocked out water service to the Ranch. Oops ... luckily our crack team of expert plumbers had the problem resolved in no time.

Without further ado ... more pictures for your viewing pleasure ... we know that is the only reason you're here.

click here.

Here's pictures

2007-07-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today we've been working on the kindergarten, fencing project, painting bathrooms and a school logo. This afternoon we are teaching the kids to play ultimate frisbee. The high temperature today is 101 deg. F so pray for our team's health and energy. Also please continue to pray that we would be a blessing to the children and staff at the Ranch.

To view pictures from the first three days of our team's trip to Rancho 3M, click here. We will try to post pictures periodically from here on out. Enjoy!

Hola from Rancho 3m!

2007-07-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

Hello from Guadelupe, Mexico!

The whole team is here together in Guadelupe.

We spent Saturday getting to El Paso (after a few interesting flight changes) and getting settled in at the Ranch. We had an orientation and learned the history of the Ranch from the director, Dean Adamek. We were also able to meet many of the children (ages 4 - 18 years) and play a huge game of fotball, that is soccer to you Americans!

On Sunday morning we worshipped at the Sovereign Grace Church in Juarez, Mexico, along with all of the children and staff from the Ranch. We spent the rest of the day in Juarez with Ranch staffers Matt and Lee, feasting on a Mexican lunch and hanging out in the market and a city park. We returned to the Ranch late and everyone is headed for bed. The real work begins tomorrow as we work on construction of a kindergarten, dorm repairs, a fencing project and play some ultimate frisbee with the kiddos.

The computer is being cantankerous and not letting me upload pictures, so hopefully there will be some to see tomorrow,

Buenos Noches!
From the Mexico Team

3 Days Until Take-off!

2007-06-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of information some of which you already know, but that will hopefully help you get organized in the midst of packing, saying good-bye, last minute shopping, etc. Please read the list carefully, as there is some new info that you might not be aware of!

TRANSPORTATION: The bus that is taking us to the airport is leaving at 5:30 AM! Please arrive at Cornerstone at 5:00 AM this Saturday, June 30.

DOCUMENTS: Remember everyone on the team must bring a photo ID!

PACKING: Please remember to follow the dress guidelines found in your Mexico notebook. If you have questions, feel free to contact Meg at MKittrell@knoxcstone.com. REMEMBER! Please do not pack any more luggage than you can carry by yourself at one time through the airport.

AIRPORT REGULATIONS: Please remember to be careful about what you pack in your carry on bag! Please visit the following website for a list of what you are and are not permitted to take in your carry on luggage: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm.

SPENDING MONEY: You may want to have spending money at the airports in case you want to purchase a snack along the way. We also have planned a day for you to visit the market in Juarez, so each person should bring $20-$50 in small bills, depending how much you want to take home for gifts, etc.

WEATHER: The forecast in Mexico is calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the high 90s. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen!

WEBSITE: Remember that this blog is going to be updated during the trip with pictures of the team over the week! You may want to pass the address on to family and friends so they can see how you are doing while in Mexico!

Welcome to the blog!

2007-06-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks for visiting our Mission Trip blog. A team of fifty teens, parents and single adults from CCK will be at the Rancho 3m Orphanage in Guadelupe, Mexico from June 30 - July 7. We hope to post to the blog daily to let you know what we're doing.

Please pray for us in our final days of preparation. Check out our list below to pray specifically.

That we will serve the staff and children of Rancho 3m well.
That unsaved children at the Ranch will respond to the Gospel.
That God will be with us during the trip and draw us near to Himself.
For Howard Varnedoe to be given strength and wisdom to lead us well.
That we will have hearts of servanthood and gratitude.
That all the details of travel, food, and schedules will run smoothly.
That our team will be strengthened in unity and love.