Are there gonna be bathrooms where we go?

So embarking on this missionary journey with 18 youth and 9 leaders was a pioneering pilgrimage for our team. But the 18 youth of Victory Church on the Rock Str8 Up Youth Group were fired up to go, often running ahead of Pastor Paul and Janice Juss and Jeff and Andrea Goulden who led the group!

We departed Grande Prairie, AB bright and early Wednesday morning on April 8th by plane and arrived in Ensenada, Baja Mexico by van where Richard and Cindy Allan were eagerly awaiting our arrival at the Victory Baja Mission House.

On arrival at the base our team was put to work right away. Nerves and fears surfaced as the team headed out on their first missionary task. We were handing out invitations to a Fiesta in the Park the coming Saturday. We loaded up the vans, and dropped off groups of youth and chaperones around the community. The language barrier was a challenge for us but we had no choice but to go forward anyways with the little Spanish we knew. We were successful as the community responded with smiles of gratitude, 'gracias amigo'.

That night we had the privilege to join a very small community church in a worship service. The power and presence of God touched our hearts as we worshipped; each culture in our native language. As they sang in Spanish, we sang in English. It truly was heavenly. The youth shared a silent drama that presented the Gospel and our youth worship team ministered in the presence of the Lord.

Often we didn't know what to expect and what would come our way; but the youth were prepared to serve and do whatever was required. In a small impoverished neighborhood, we fellowshipped with the local children and families. A group pitched in with shovels and spades as they built an outdoor toilet for a local family. Inside four small walls, finishing touches were done on a newly built home. The atmosphere was expectant and filled with the love of God. The youth poured out God's love and shared the Gospel with the children and families, the neighborhood responded with receptive hearts and poured back love and acceptance.

Everywhere the youth went they ministered; balloons, stickers, nail polish, candy, and hugs and kisses were handed out. We had a hair cutting station set up and saw many flock to us to be pampered by this. Many times the youth were brought to tears with the joy of ministering to the Mexican children. The poverty was heart breaking, but a new appreciation for God and His faithfulness grew in their hearts. The children were a blessing to us as they opened their hearts to the Gospel and God's love. It was amazing!

Throughout the week we were blessed and transformed with each new day. Our group devotional times were powerful moments with the Holy Spirit. As we poured out, God poured in. Each morning and evening we met as a group in the mission house, shared the Word of God, our experiences of the day, and lifted our voice in worship and thanks to Him for the lives that were touched each day.

We held fiestas in parks serving hot dogs, juice and handing out clothes, toys, toiletry items, and Bibles to the small communities. The Gospel was preached and many received Christ as their Lord. At the mission base, our troops went out around the community church and Bible School and picked garbage and handed out Gospel tracts as we visited with the locals. The smallest acts of kindness had a lasting impact in the people of Ensenada.

But by far the most powerful experience in ministering was our last day. We took a two hour journey up to Tijuana and set up in the local garbage dump. The youth built small shelters for the homeless, served a meal and handed out food and clothing. We shared the Gospel with them and prayed with the workers. By this time, the youth were seasoned at communicating and serving. They definitely pressed past any barriers and wanted to reach every person with God's power. The Holy Spirit was tangible as each youth sought to fill a need for the strangers they ministered to.

Upon leaving, the only question that remained was, when can we come back? We came to Ensenada to serve Christ and spread His love, but in the process the youth were transformed by obeying the Great Commission. Praise the Lord!