Through My Eyes & The Way I Saw It

Through My Eyes &
The Way I Saw It
By Madeline Gonzalez, age 11

Operation Tijuana Mexico
2005

Introduction
I’m going to tell you about my first mission trip and how I saw it through my eyes, from start to finish.

CHAPTER 1

My trip was very exciting. I went with my Dad, Cece, Lisa, Karen, Cassidy, and Samantha. We started out Friday morning at 4:30 am and we went over to the Rasore’s house picked them up and off we went to Starbucks. After that we rested in our Mini Van and saw a lot of hungry people along the way. Our first stop along the way as at Dennys for breakfast. After we drove straight through and got to the Motel in San Yasetro, CA. We had a team meeting, and ate dinner with everyone. After that, I started my journey in Tijuana.

CHAPTER 2

So as I was saying, we unloaded the bus that Bobby & Dot Chance and their grandson Dakota had gotten donated all the way from Amarillo, Texas. So then after we were done putting all of the food items in Brian Bennetts/Frank Blondinas motorcycle trailer. Off we went at 8:30 pm for our first journey across the border.
We did get a green light at the border but all of a sudden I looked over and there were the Mexico Police flashing their flash lights at us trying to pull us over. So of course we pulled over and they wanted the registration papers on the bus, but of course we forgot them! So Bobby and my dad just decided to act like they had no idea what they were saying because of their Spanish accent. My dad and Bobby knew that they were NOT letting anyone across the Mexico Border, who had toys, clothes, food. So here we were stuck with no papers and everything they weren’t letting across. But of course Jesus was bigger and is bigger so with our prayers and hope and with His help we got across!

CHAPTER 3
Now We are Across But
Will We Make It Any Further?

Now we are across the border but, when we are following Brian, the Bus breaks down on a huge hill. We knew we would be fine because of Jesus was right there with us, and with all of the guys help, that bus was up the hill in about 5 min. Thank you Jesus!
We are at the church and I get to meet Pastor Marta for the first time. She is such an incredible person. Wow! That church is amazing. It was so cool to see all of the people there at night time even. When I walked in I saw all the toys that had come so far from Santa Rosa, CA. The whole entire room full of amazing toys, that are brand new. Pastor Marta was so impressed with our work, and so grateful.

CHAPTER 4
The Next Day

This is the day the Lord has made for me to serve my Jesus. We arrive at the church again on Saturday and see more toys that have arrived in the room. So here am I in a room even filled with more toys then the night before. It just looks like it is multiplying in seconds. WOW! There were 69 people with us on the StreetWise Team, going4god! It was amazing seeing people of all ages, (and I mean as little as 1 year old!). I was watching everyone and seeing all of the team work and effort that everyone had put in to this task, sorting toys, and setting up outside, talking to people from Mexico, and even just sharing the love for Jesus Christ, and telling them the true story.

CHAPTER 5
The Dump

I did go to the dump in Tijuana, Mexico, and saw all of the kids living there. I watched all the kids running along the bus, even trying to hang on to the bus just knowing that we had come to do good for them. Just seeing their faces that were so dirty and the biggest smiles I have ever seen before in my life. When we stopped there was actually 1 kid that came on to the bus and tried to take money that was left on the dash board. Just knowing that he didn’t have any parents was just devastating, and I realized then and there that we really do have so much and take a lot of things for granted. Like maybe we didn’t get to do an art project, and or didn’t get to have what we wanted for dinner that night or didn’t like what we have. We do complain a lot and to think that that little boy just wanted something, well guess what it turned out good, he got Jesus that day and I think we really did touch him with a toy and a peanut butter, jelly sandwich.
When I was taking pictures and handing out toys I just kept smiling and telling people that everything is going to be okay and that Jesus loves them, and that was just enough, I think. If we do as much as we can we will be able to make such a big difference in someone’s life! Just one half of a sandwich and a smile can make someone’s day very special. So we really do need to keep helping them and especially just PRAY for all of these people that have nothing! And also just visit them! It only takes one weekend, that’s all! As we left that dump I saw all the very happy kids with their new toys and eating their sandwiches. What an experience at the dump!

Last Chapter

Thank you to everyone who read my story and is going4god! Keep up the good work! And remember it only takes 1 weekend to touch 100’s of people and only about 2 minutes out of 24hrs. to pray for people so keep doing it! GOD BLESS YOU!