CBSM Mission to Mexico 2K6

Wow I only got here Wednesday morning and there is only one word to describe my day spent here: AMAZING, and i am so sad that i had to leave so soon.

Thursday and Friday were our travel days and from what Mathew had told us the trip would be a rough one, so its safe to say that every ones nerves werre up abou t one thing or another.

Thrusday morning the bus was scheduked to arrive at our hotel at 7. It was running a little late so by the time we got the luggage onto the bus and got seated our selves it was roughly about 8. Once we got onto the bus I´m sure everyones felt a lot better . From the appetizers to the amazing leg rest right down to the cheesy movie. If we were going to get car sick at least we wiould be comfortable. The ride went pretty smoothly. A few people werent feeling too good but overall being light headed was the most anyone had to worry about because of the altitude change. Once arrived at our highest stop we were able to get around and strech our legs. If we were able to survie at this altitude the trip would be no problemo. When we reached our first destination a camp where we would stay the night every one was feeling pretty good. WE got a tour and the place wa beatuiful. It was bright and had a villa thee going on. The flowere especiaally were moy bonito! After we recieved out rooming assigntments we went down to the local plaza wheere we were able tochange moey and buy little sbacks and such. The peopl ewere etrememly friendly and i never saw a non smiling face. After abou an hour of didle dadling and just enjoying or sourroudungs, we headed back to the camp where we had dinner. Which we thought just consisted of soup. But we were wrong there was a delicious main course of chiken rice and carrots nad a peach dessert. WE had aboutan hour or so of free time ater dinner and a few of us played hide and seek whih was really fun. Thenpraise and worship came. Eric led us in woship on guitar and imust say he is opne talented and blessed kid Then pMathew preached n a much needed topic: DRAMA so we now have a no drama policy and its owrking quite well. Most of us went to bed because we had to be ready by 5 the next mornig but some stayed up a while later to play cool peruvian games. Friday morning, our luggage had to be outside by 5 so many of su woe ip at about 4:30. We had breakfst loaded hte bus and headed out to the train stain. The buses were a little small so we were cramped and had to sit on each others lap or stand. but the train staiton was omly about 20 minuted away. At the train saition we waited for the tarain for about 20 minutes. When it came we loaded up and set of yet again. NOt many people were too nervous because there was no way it could be any worse than yeaterdays.

The seats in the train were across from each other and held two people a bench. IT wasn't he most comfortable thing but it was livable. The thing everyone most anticapated was the bathroom which was said to practically be ahole above the tracks...it wasnt. Because we had reserved thet rain the locals couldnt get on which made them upset. Once a guy even refused to let go of the train and clung onto the back until the condustor had to remove hiim. The train ride wasnt so bad. We al slept having awakened early, read, listened to ipods played games and enjoy the beauty of nature God had provided for us. and let me say...ti was beautiful. Very surreal.

Midway we stopped to stretch our legs and then continued. AfFter four hours our train ride was over And we had about an hour of free time to enjoy the town. While waling through the plaza there was a 3 hour long parade and we were taken up to a balcony so we could get a better view, almost like royalty. everyone wanting to take picturs with you or just to shake your hand . We watched about 20 or 30 minutes of the parade then went to shop WE all go various hats gloves and scarves which were about the coolest things ever because the lady was weaving some right in front o us. Then we got on the bus bus for Liracy. It was a little bumpy so it was hard to read or sleep so everyone pretty much just taled or listened to music. The roads were so small so a lot of us feared that the bus would fall off of the mountain. As we were driving through i was ust taking in all the beauty that sourrounded me once more. that God created single handedly. It never got old. I still feel as though i am looking a t a picture in a postcard because its almost too good to be true. With 3 minutes to our destination we were able to get out and my goodness i have never een so many llamas in my life!! Sadly one of out translators wasnt feeling so well so she had to go on the oxygen tank but she was in tip top shape in no time. Wow we finally made it. The leaders are staying at one hotel and the students at another. Though there is one shower and no warm water in our hotel it i still so beautiful Eveything is bright and inviting. EVeyone is so welcoming. We even made new friends with some guinea pgs which were soon to become our dinner. hahaha. hungry becasuse lunch wasnt much we had a terrific dinner of omething that resembled shinese fried rice. sooo goood. because everything is in 1 minutes distance of each other we walk everywhere. after dnner wecame back to our hotel for praise and worship. It was micheal c. birthday so we sang happy birthday andd janet gave him athe present his mom had bought. Through everyhing that was shared druing praise and worship, you could tell that our own personal growth in God in kicking in. i think we are all beginging to get revealtions of why we are really here on this mission trip. why God has put us here withall these people. why we are not at basketball camp or in florida. but in Peru. we are also becoming one unit instead of several groups. PErsopnally what i{ve learned through thee few days is that god truly is wonderful and he can rovide in any situtation. i am so very excited or the rest of the trip and i know God has many more amazing plans for us. I cant wait to see you all. God Bless you all,

Ismatu