Download the entire IMPACT 2011 Team Report here.

Stephanie Auerweck

While this was my first Impact missions trip, I have been on many other missions trips over the years. This trip brought new challenges and experiences. It was my first time in Mexico and I thoroughly enjoyed the views and weather. We spent most of the week in the rural village of Camichines. We had home cooked meals with fresh tropical fruits and fresh oranges for snacks every day. The first day I enjoyed working on sifting sand with Rick and Maria and getting to know them better. The rest of the week I spent most of my time up on the roof dumping the buckets of cement. I enjoyed the physical work with breaks to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and village. They gave me chances to pray for the people. During longer breaks and at meal times we got a chance to interact with the children and hear the story behind the orphanage and know that the work we were doing would be used to help in the spread of the gospel in this little village. My biggest challenge was being homesick for the first time as my husband was unable to come on the trip with me. God is faithful, and gave both of us strength to get through the week apart. 

Andrew Bell

I would like to start things off by thanking those who have helped and supported us before and after the trip.  Without all the volunteers helping out at fundraisers, all the prayer support while we were gone, and all the money donated to get us there and back, this trip wouldn't have happened. I would also like to thank my pregnant wife for allowing me another notch on my belt, and for agreeing to take care of Liam by herself for a week.  I love you!

As for the trip, it was a great time.  I have never had such a great time traveling North America reading a book in so may different places (I'm sure there will be montage of pictures in the slide show.....).  It was great to meet a new group of people, in a place I have been so many times, and to know that 2 years from now I will be able to show up at their door steps and be welcomed in as part of the family.  At first when we were told we were going to Camichines and that our living quarters were going to be tight I was kinda discouraged.  It is easy to go back to what you know and the people you already know, and to get back into the groove that you are used to.  But I am glad that God decided to move us to a new place we had never been before.  When we got to Chuy's house and the house we were going to live in, we saw that it was a beautiful place and the house was way bigger then we had been led to believe (we have been in tighter quarters before).  The food they cooked for us was amazing and we definitely all didn't lose any weight while there.  We were blessed with safety, great weather, laughter, friends, and a time with the Lord.  Who could ask for more?

John Ceselsky

This has to have been one of the least stressful mission trips that I have ever led – that is until the Saturday morning of our return (oh how I love the airport in Guadalajara). Throughout the process of building this team I could tell that the maturity level and travel experience of those going was going to make my life a lot easier – and I really thank the Lord for that as like so many of you, I have had a lot going on in life. But God blessed me with 12 wonderful and responsible teammates.

I am also thankful that this trip featured no significant hurdles to overcome – that is unless you count the manure-mud combination I had to wear on my pants all week – needless to say I had a wonderful bouquet all week. While we may have had a few upset stomachs, nothing impeded this group of people from accomplishing what our Father had laid before us.

On the worksite everyone jumped right in and a lot was accomplished – though much of it may not be seen, it was nonetheless important in the overall scheme of the ministry in Camichines. Perhaps the job that will most be remembered is Ken’s working on the bikes. Seeing a group of kids ride down the street or learn to ride bikes was a joy that brought tears to the eyes of some. It was a joy to see faces of orphaned children light up because of the simplest of things – maybe those of us who live in such a materialistic society could learn a thing or two from a group of orphans in a poor, rural community in the middle-of-nowhere Mexico. 

But that is the joy of serving the Lord. When we are faithful to do the things that he calls each of us to do – we not only become a blessing to others, but they become a blessing to us. Not only do we teach them, but they teach us. Not only do we model Christ to them, but they model him to us. Impact is not only about the impact we make upon others, but it is about the impact that the Lord makes upon each of us through the others that we serve.

Because of this, I would like to thank each of you for sending us – you enabled us to be blessed. And, I would also like to encourage each of you to consider being a part of our Impact program as we go forward. As long as the Lord gives us breath, he does so that we might serve him; no matter how old we are, no matter how limited our physical capabilities are, and no matter how busy we are.

Julie Ceselsky

We finally got to do something on this missions trip that we’ve always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity before!  We actually found out the day we left for Mexico that we’d be working at an orphanage!!  We also never worked or stayed in the countryside of Guadalajara, let alone in the middle of nowhere!  BUT, GOD was there and drew Amy and Chuy Acosta, and their 4 teenagers, after living most of their lives in the U.S., back to Mexico where Chuy grew up.  They didn’t know it was to start an orphanage, but that’s where God led them after a couple of years of living there.

First, you would fall in love with the 12 kids (10 & under), that the Acosta’s have taken into their home while not believing the abuse, malnutrition, uneducated, diseased lives that they came from!  And, unlike orphanages we know, there are a set of 4 siblings, a set of 3, 2 sets of 2, and only 1 without any.  So, when the Acosta’s are asked to help ‘a child’, it usually means ‘and their siblings’!  Regardless though, the kids act like one big family.  It takes about 2 weeks for the Acosta’s to get a new child/children acclimated to their daily routines (posted on the frig), and their discipline.  Afterwards the child/children find themselves in a much happier and better environment.  Not that there aren’t daily issues, but it’s still amazing how well-behaved they are:  staying in their bedrooms until breakfast, getting their own drinks, eating quietly, cleaning their own dishes, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, waiting patiently in line to use the 1 bathroom, etc…  

Some of our team painted the new bathroom in the girl’s room that would give them a few more toilets, sinks and a bathtub, but water comes in when it rains and the toilets don’t flush yet.  If only we had more time there, or more folks to help, because we were close to helping them increase their bathroom capacity by multiples!  So, please pray that this can happen and soon.  

Another need for prayer is their 2nd floor is still exposed to the elements.  This is where the boys will be living while getting their own, larger bathroom.  As you can imagine, especially as the kids get older, there’s a real need to separate the sexes more.  As far as future plans, that we hope we can help with, the Acosta’s have 10 acres of land nearby where they want to raise animals for their own food, build separate dormitories, and classrooms.  They have no choice but to home school their own and all the kids that they foster.  This is how the Mexican children are learning English, and how it could turn into a community school as well.

 So, what’s paying for all of this considering the Acosta’s can’t work outside their home, have no income, and unlike here, their government does not pay them for the children they ask them to take in?  Well, God, teams like ours though only a few weeks out of the year, private donors, and donations of other kinds.  Wal-Mart, which is not that close, donates their expired produce and bread.  Once a week the family gets an open bed truck filled with fruits and vegetables!  It’s so much that they have to give some to their neighbors.  And, the hand-me-down clothes that they get, require holding yard sales with the excess.
  So, if God’s enabled you, what’s your excuse for not going on a missions trip? 

* Money?

Well, you can see above how He can provide more than enough to feed and clothe the ‘least of these’ in the middle of nowhere!

* Too young?
Well, Amy & Chuy might be the missionaries everyone hears about, but their 4 biological kids have given up just as much, if not more considering their teenage years, and they work all day right alongside their parents. 

* Too old?

If you’re retired and your kids are grown, you finally have the time. A PCA Pastor from here, who just retired, and his wife, sold ALL that they had, left their 5 kids and grandkids to live with and help the Acosta’s for the next few years!

* No ability?

This year we took almost ½ the size of the team that we took 2 years ago. And, that’s with ½ of us having medical issues: 1 blind, 1 without an arm, 1 with a knee and another with a double hernia both needing surgery but couldn’t get before leaving, my chronic disease that worsens with travel and having little control over what I eat, 1 with serious asthma, and a number dealing with allergies in a different climate. But, look at what God did despite all of that -- that’s when He truly shines!

* Too hot?

Mexico’s rainy season is always in the middle of the summer when we go every other year. And, this year, it was about 20 degrees cooler than Baltimore! And, some of us were able to work inside the whole time preparing meals, painting, helping the kids, etc…

* Bathroom Issues?

If I survived sharing only 1 bathroom for a few days, just about anyone else can do it!

* Excessive?

You might think that this is what we pay our missionaries to do. But, this was the 1st time in over a decade of going to Mexico that the Trotter family was able to spend the entire week working alongside us. That was a real treat for us! And, they probably would have seen it as them helping us more than us helping them. They can’t be everywhere at once with the church they started, the other 2 that branched off from theirs, the Christian schools they help start/run, and now this orphanage which is not close to anyone.

* Better spent? 

Some might think the money and time it takes for a team to go on a missions trip could be better spent. But, can you put a price on your own children/grandchildren becoming Christians, growing in Christ and/or going into full-time Christian service? If not, what about a price on a child without any parents? Consider the price it cost Christ! Even though lives are touched where God calls us, and in the lives of our entire team, it would be worth ALL the effort and money if only 1 life abroad, or even here, would change for eternity as a result! We might not be able to change the world, but we can change at least 1 person’s world. 

THANK YOU for changing my world by supporting and praying for me on yet another missions trip, let alone all of the other changes in my life of late!

Julie

Leona Cicone

So this was my first missions trip ever. I have never been out of the country before. Many people asked me what I thought the trip would be like, but truthfully I didn’t have any expectations. At first, getting to Mexico was a little bit overwhelming. It’s a different culture with a different language. I was very worried and almost annoyed at the fact that I didn’t know Spanish. But I believe that God used this difficulty to spur me on to want to learn it. I have always been interested in different languages but this week I definitely feel that God was calling me to study them extensively.

Since I have never been out of the country for a week, I was excited. Everybody on the team said that this trip was one of the best they have ever been on, so I am very thankful that God put me on this trip. We were all safe with no injuries or sickness and we had delicious food. All these things made me feel very “at home” in Camichines. God gave me the peace I needed to work there. 

In Camichines, we met Amy and Chuy and their family. It was incredible to see God’s hand at work throughout their lives. Their faith in God increased mine and I am so glad and thankful that God allowed me and the team to help them.

I will definitely be going back to Mexico in two years to say hello to my new friends in God’s family. This was an incredible experience and there is truly nothing like it. God works in mysterious and miraculous ways and I am excited to see what he has in store for me.

Maria Forman

This was my second impact trip and my second time to Guadalajara Mexico. During this trip I enjoyed being able to see the people who I met last time as well as make some new friends. It was awesome having my mom come on the trip with me again which made it less hard to be in a place that was not familiar to me. On this trip I decided to try to branch out more and interact with the people from Mexico. 

This trip differed from my previous trip to Mexico because we stayed in more than one location. Like on my previous trip, we stayed in Bugambilias part of the time, but we also went to a city called Camichines. In Camichines we helped out at a foster home. We worked with the family as well as helped with building the roof on another house that is next door which will be used as a team house for future missions teams to use. 

One of the special aspects of this trip for me was being able to interact with the family. I really enjoyed meeting all the children, the parents, Amy and Chuy, and developing a relationship with them. Every morning one small group had the chance to make breakfast for the team and the family. This was a great time to serve the family. As our group prepared breakfast I took the opportunity to talk to Chuy and get to know him better. For lunch and dinner the team enjoyed eating with the family and having home cooked meals. It was great to have this homey feeling while being so far away from our own homes. Amy and Chuy really made us feel comfortable while living in a place much different from our own homes. 

Another aspect I found interesting about the home was how smoothly the family’s daily life went. Even in my house with just 4 people things do not run as smoothly. The children always sat in the same spot to eat and had their own cup. They prayed before the meals and cleaned up after meals. The younger kids put their dishes in the sink, the next age group washed their own dish plus one more, and the adults washed a few dishes. When it was time to go to bed the girls went to their own room and the boys went to their own room. The children had to stay in their beds all night until breakfast was ready. They could read and get up to use the bathroom, but other than that, they would stay in their rooms. When they got dressed, each child went to their own drawer to pick out what they would wear; they were only aloud to look in their own drawer. 

Being surrounded by all the children was truly a great experience and so much fun. I hope that I can return to Camichines and spend more time with the children for a summer. All in all I would have to say that my favorite memory from the trip was reading to the foster children at bedtime. They were so excited when I read them a book in Spanish. They were truly amazed that I knew how to read Spanish.

After finishing the books, the children asked me if I had to leave the next day. When I said I did they responded that they didn’t want me to leave and that they wanted me to stay. This broke my heart. These kids were so precious, and I didn’t want to go, but I hope that I will be able to return to see them again. I would like to thank John for being such a great leader on the trip. And I would like to thank the church and the people who supported us and prayed for us so I could go on this trip. This experience was such a great one and one that I will not forget.

A.J. Henningsen

After this year’s mission trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, I have come to realize that one of the greatest benefits to these trips is that they provide a means of escape. Now, when I say escape, I don’t in any way mean vacation; if you’re looking at the idea of doing a mission trip simply to have a fun time or to be with friends (or keep a protective eye on your kids), you’re going for all the wrong reasons. Rather, I mean that these trips allow you to get away from the stress and monotony of life and focus on your personal relationship with God through service and stewardship—something we hardly ever do enough of. Coming off an already-hectic junior year of high school, I soon realized that I was simply trading one busy schedule for another—one filled with an internship, a job, and looking at colleges. I was wearing down from a long, restless year, and as a result I was, once again, drawing too much time and attention away from my spiritual life with God. So as the date for the trip drew nearer and nearer, I found that I not only was eager for the trip, but that in a way, I needed it badly, to put the world on hold and return to my relationship with God.

And so we embarked. We helped work construction on a children’s shelter run by a Christian couple, Amy and Chuy Acosta, in Camichines, outside of Guadalajara. The work was hard, but it was definitely worthwhile. The food was great; I think I slept better there than at home, too. And amid getting covered in concrete, stuffing ourselves with the Acosta’s amazing cooking, and interacting with the little kids at Camichines, I began feeling…for lack of a better word…better. I remembered that there was in fact a world outside of the one we see and work in, one that is fulfilled when we let Christ in and give us His peace and understanding. And now, back home, I remember that that private world between us and God never really leaves—it’s simply a matter of taking the time to drop by each day, whether that means reading the Bible or taking time in prayer. It took putting life on hold for a week and serving in Mexico to remind me, but at least now I can at least face the days with the peace He provides, and knowing that in all reality, these mission trips don’t just end once we step off the plane. Can’t wait for next year, wherever He leads us…

Alan Henningsen

This was my first time being on any mission trip, much less on an Impact team from Aisquith. I am of course familiar with them having prayed for the teams, and AJ having gone on three mission trips previously. I was asked about halfway through if it was what I expected. At that time, I kind of nonchalantly said yes, but in reality it was much more.

It was a real blessing to be part of the team, and I am humbled to have served the Lord Jesus alongside the rest of the team. It was amazing to experience a part of the ministry there where the Trotters, the Acostas, the Hohenbergers, and many others faithfully serve each day. The work was hard, but not difficult considering the reason we were there, and the hope and help we had from the Lord. Thank you all for your prayers. It was truly a blessing seeing and interacting with the children at Chuy and Amy Acota’s, and the love they have for them. The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ shines out from there into the community. It did not hurt that the food was fantastic. Thank you to all for preparing, serving, and cleaning. I hope to continue as well in the everyday mission field where God has placed me.

Thank you all for those who sponsored me, and to all of you for praying for us. If any of you have not gone, I can tell you it was areal blessing, and a wonderful experience.
Humbly,
Alan

Amanda Horst

To start, I just want to say that this year went by splendidly without any major sicknesses or health problems, and for that we probably have the wonderful homemade meals from the Acostas to thank. It was truly a blessing to be a part of the team this year and to see everything pan out just the way God had in mind.

Overall, this year’s trip to Mexico was absolutely amazing - stunning in every way. For the first time in my five years we were able to work directly with a family, and to stay within close proximity of them on the whole, being able to stay right across the street from the Acosta family with a pair of lovely missionaries, Jo Ann and Steve. God blessed us with the opportunity to work at an “orphanage” of types - more like a foster home really - and showed us what a true family is like; what God’s family should be like. As we did our varieties of work (ranging from juicing oranges, playing with the children and repairing bicycles, to hauling bricks, rocks, and cement across lawns as well as three story buildings) we were able to experience the lifestyles of people other than ourselves – and to fully immerse ourselves in it. We began to feel like we were a part of this large family and Mexico was our home away from home; almost as if we belonged there. The children and the Acosta family became as our siblings, parents, and friends with every day that went by until it was hard to say good bye to the bright young faces waving us goodbye as we left. 

Thank you so much for the time, thought, love, and prayer to all who were involved and from all who helped to support us as we were gone. I couldn’t have done this without you.
In Christ’s name,
Amanda

Eileen Ley

As we departed for Guadalajara, I must admit I was very apprehensive about what I would be able to accomplish, especially since the last time I was there I fainted and was taken to a hospital due to dehydration. 

We had heard that we might be working at an orphanage, but we did not know what duties we might have. As John put it “It most likely entails mixing lots of cement!” 
We worked at the Little Ranch of Hope in Camichines, Mexico. The Acosta family, Amy and Chuy, established the shelter less than four years ago. Amy is from Chicago, while Chuy is a native of Camichines, the rural town where they now live.

Before arriving to the home, we received careful instructions about the best ways to interact with the children. We were not to play favorites but to share our attention as evenly as we could. We were not to hug them or pick them up, nor were we to tickle them. We were to allow them to initiate the contact so that they felt safe around us. They loved reading to us or telling us jokes or having us push them in the swing. 

The ministry is truly a family affair. Each of the four Acosta teens contributes to the success of the ministry. This really touched me. I loved to see the willing, selfless and servant-hearts of these teenagers. The Acostas are warm and friendly, really working hard to build a loving and caring environment for the 12 foster children in their care.

The ministry does not get any support from the local or state governments. It survives purely on financial and in-kind donations. The ranch is more of a shelter than a traditional orphanage. This is because most of the children there have at least one living parent. However, their parents are unable or unwilling to care for them. Some of the kids are at the home because of neglect, others because of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. Never-the-less, each seems at peace in their new home. 
One of the loveliest features of the home is that it maintains the family unit whenever feasible. Most of the kids are there with their natural siblings. In fact, of the 12 foster kids, only one is there without a natural sibling. It seems very special to be able to live with your actual siblings when your birth parents are not around. 
One would imagine that keeping 12 children (ranging in age from 18 months to ten years old) cooperative and content would be a mammoth task, but the Acosta’s seem to have it down to a science. I told them they should write a book for the rest of us! The children live very calm and orderly lives. Each plays or reads quietly in his bed until about 9 am when breakfast is served. And even the itty bitty ones take a turn blessing the food before meals. The girls sit on one side of the table and the boys on the other. 

After breakfast, the kids carry their own dishes from the table, and those that are over three actually wash their dishes as well. In the morning, the kids do chores and go to school. They are home-schooled in English by stateside volunteers who devote a few months of their lives to the ministry. Surprisingly, nearly all the children there are perfectly bilingual and so have a wonderful advantage over their peers in town. After completing school and chores, the kids have a small snack and then take turns playing outdoors. There is a squeaky swing set and a large trampoline. And now thanks to the diligence of Larry Trotter and Ken Schumann, the kids can now ride one of umpteen bikes that were rehabbed during our visit. 

The mid-day meal was usually around 2 pm, and lunch is eaten just as orderly as breakfast. The children eat everything on their plates, and I should mention that not a one of them is overweight or obese. Thanks to donations from Wal-Mart, the kids usually have fresh fruits and veggies to compliment their tortillas and beans. While we were there we had lots of meat in our meals, but when guests are not there, more of their meals are vegetarian. 

Dinner is served at about 7 pm and the kids are usually in bed by 8. So clearly they get plenty of rest. Rested children do seem to have an easier time obeying. Each child is responsible for picking up their laundered clothes and putting them in their own drawer! Yes each child has a drawer, but two of the littlest girls have to share a single drawer until the dorm is expanded.

As you might imagine, there was plenty of work to do to feed the more than forty mouths at the Ranch that week. I was assigned to many indoor duties including squeezing hundreds of oranges to make juice for breakfast. I also washed a bunch of dishes most every day. 
Of course my Spanish skills came in very handy as I conversed with the cooks and the kids. I felt very at home there because the town looked exactly like Las Marias, the rural Puerto Rican town where my mom was born.

I did insist on a few outdoor assignments, and so I had the opportunity to help the team move several hundred bricks from the ground level to the second story of the house where the Acosta’s are planning to add a classroom, boys' dorm room, extra bathrooms and an efficiency apartment for their volunteers. I also helped a team sift sand for the cement and shovel up some construction debris to make room for a small garden.

I had the pleasure of attending movie night with the younger children while the ten and over kids participated in the neighborhood youth group meeting held out in the patio. We watched “Up” on a surprising large state-of-the-art flat screen TV. The children sat on their respective sofas, girls on one and boys on the other. And they shared a huge bowl of microwave popcorn. I was impressed at how kindly they shared with one another. They even made a point of making sure I had my fill.
My chin nearly hit the floor when four year old Luis swept up the popcorn crumbs that had fallen on the floor. The broom was twice his size, but he skillfully swept the kernels into the dust pan, which his three year old buddy held in place for him. Movie time was “snuggle time” so the littlest kids took turns on Amy’s lap as she sat in the rocker. Another missionary sat with the boys, while I sat with the girls.

Our stay ended too quickly. We were all touched by the grateful cheers and applause with which the children sent us off, as well as with the delightfully personalized thank you gifts and letters they gave us on our last day. It was an honor and a privilege to share this time with this remarkable family, and I pray that God blesses them and keeps them safe as He provides for each of their needs in the coming years.

This visit to Mexico was delightful. God blessed us with perfect weather conditions for working and living sans AC. We had lovely times working alongside the MTW missionaries and their local counterparts. Compared to our last visit, we concluded the week in nearly perfect health. Finally, I especially praise God for our team’s hospital-free experience! 

Ken Schumann

There was no doubt in my mind that God wanted me to go back to Guadalajara this summer. This was a more confident feeling I've had from the previous trips. Sure, in the past I prayed about the trip but was still a little reluctant, or nervous before going. But, this year everything fell into place immediately, which got me really excited knowing that God had something special planned for our group.

Because the exact details of the trip were still unknown of what our work would consist of and our living accommodations, a bible verse came to mind, John 14:1 “ Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” Putting our trust in something that is not foreseen is what makes God's plans so special. 

Once we arrived in Bugambilias Larry Trotter gave us more information about the family we were going to help and stay with in Camichines. Camichines is a small rural town of about 700 people. We were going to work with Chuy and Amy's family who had 12 foster children and 4 biological children of their own. They provided a wonderful ministry of foster care, youth and adult bible studies and home schooling. Our group would be staying across the street with friends, Pastor Steve and his wife Joanne. This couple had just retired and volunteered to move to Camichines and help out Chuy and Amy's ministry for a couple of years. How many people do you know at retirement would make a lifestyle change like this? It was a good thing our group was small because our living conditions in were tight. We had to share one toilet, one shower and one sink, but it's amazing how we all quickly adapted. 

Monday morning we loaded up the van and headed to Chuy and Amy's house. Larry Trotter mentioned something that stuck with me. He said, “ If you want to witness a Christian couple who is grounded in their faith, and how God has blessed their ministry, then there's no better example than Chuy and Amy.” He was right; God's providence was truly at work in this family. Spending time with their family reminded me of Thanksgiving, but it was like that everyday. Lots of food, people everywhere, and many conversations going on simultaneously. I was fortunate enough to talk with Chuy during our long trips into town to get bike parts. The conversations we had were great and we really got to know more about each other. He grew up in Camichines and worked on his parents farm planting and harvesting sugar cane crops. He eventually immigrated to Chicago, where he would unknowingly meet his wife Amy while managing a Denny's restaurant. He has a very strong work ethic and a great passion to serve the Lord, which gives him the strength to continue their wonderful ministry.

Our group consisted of 13 people with a diverse set of talents that allowed us to get a lot work accomplished. My job was going to be different this year, instead of doing heavy labor; I was going to restore 16 bikes that were in desperate need of repairs. I was really excited about this, because after talking with Larry Trotter he and I mentioned our dreams of owning a bike shop that would include full service repairs. So our dream came true for 4 days as we set up shop on Chuy's back patio, and starting assessing how much work it was going to take to repair all the bikes. These bikes varied in sizes from toddler up to adult, were donated, but were also left out in the rain for over a year … not good. So me, Larry and his daughter Natalia started on the repairs, it was going to be a welcomed challenge. Luckily there was a small bike shop in town that allowed me to purchase various parts so these bikes would be safe for the children to ride. It was a lot more work than I had anticipated and would not have been possible without Larry and Natalia's help. When we finished 4 of the children's bikes on Tuesday their reaction was if it was Christmas morning. The remaining kids (especially the girls) starting to get really excited and kept asking us when their bike was going to be ready. They even started to help clean the bikes; it was a very touching moment. By Wednesday a majority of the kid’s bikes were repaired and Sandy Trotter would take them out for a group ride. This would be the highlight of their day for the remainder of the week. Thursday evening our repair shop came to a close, it was a bittersweet moment as we restored 15 bikes. I gathered some of the kids and we headed out for one last group ride. They took me to their favorite trail that opened up to these beautiful blue Agave fields, gorgeous mountains and deep blue skies with cumulus clouds. The scenery was absolutely breath- taking. At that moment I wished I didn't have to leave and wanted to spend more time in Camichines. Then I realized that this was their backyard that they would be exploring on their bikes. I had no idea that such a simple talent I had of repairing bikes would have such an impact on these children. It's amazing how God can use our gifts no matter how small or great to bring joy in His ministry.

Thanks to all who supported me, and thank you for all your prayers.
Ken Schumann

Karen Wallace

John always tells us when we sign up for an Impact missions trip to put aside any expectations, and he was right – a mission trip is never the same, even when it is at the same location. Some of it was the same - such as the flight, the first few nights at Bugambilias and the Sunday picnic at the Trotter’s. But was I in for a rude awakening on Monday morning. Instead of our usual 15 minute drive to Santa Ana for the construction site, we were driving out to a poor small town in the rural area of Mexico by the name of Camichines to do some work for a family of six and 12 foster children, kind of like the Duggar family on TLC but with sixteen kids and counting.

The poverty of the town was evident and it seemed more so than in the city. The property we arrived at consisted of a large house with an unfinished story above it and another unfinished 2 story structure across from it. Chuy and Amy Acosta had embarked on quite a large project for the Lord which was to try to provide a decent Christian home for abused children in the foster care program in Mexico. Their home provided discipline, food, clothing, shelter, and education and a large dose of Christian love.
I was extremely impressed by the behavior of the kids and the love and respect they had for each other and their foster Mom and Dad. Everyone pitched in to keep the house running. Every child was assigned chores weekly and cleaned up their own dishes after meals. The older Costas children ranging in ages from 12 through 17 helped take care of the little ones. And amidst all this business, Amy home-schools all the kids with the help of a MTW intern named Lacy who was living with the family through October. 

We ate most of our meals with the family and the meals were prepared with love by Amy and her cook Huli with fresh and bacteria free ingredients. No one got sick on this trip which was probably attributed to the careful washing and preparation of the ingredients for the meals. Especially delicious was the Pesole which was a wedding soup prepared with hominy for our last meal with them, 
Mexico is always one of our mission’s trips where we seem to make new friendships and renew old ones. Not enough can be said about the hospitality and graciousness of the Trotters(a special thank you to Sandy for helping Ken and myself in the jewelry stored in Tlaquepaque on our day off) and for the fun cookout at their beautiful home in Bugambilias.

Rick Willis

I have been pleased for the past four years to be a part of our Impact Team here at Aisquith but never as much as this year’s team. It seems every year the trips bring a different lesson for each person on the team and I didn’t have to wait long for mine to begin. Before the trip even began I sustained a knee injury that requires surgery and I would have to wait until we got home to have it done. I had to rely on and God and the rest of the team to help me through the week. I still thought this is where God wanted me to be. Though physically I was limited in what I was able to do, I still felt I was part of a great mission experience.

I was able to see how one family became a light for Jesus in a dark area of the world and how God can use them to spread the Gospel to those who are truly in need His healing touch. In one week our team joined with them and became a part of their work. We got to see smiling faces of children that got to ride bikes that Ken repaired. We became a total family who gathered around a huge meal table where we shared large meals prepared with loving hands and nothing says fellowship better than that. We all, host and team alike, shared together, ate together, worked together and prayed together. This made the whole trip beyond successful. It was OUTSTANDING!

The team was small but this was good. What I thought would happen did. We bonded together better than we had on past trips I’ve been on. I was fearful of being without my wife but it all worked out though I thought the whole time this was a trip she would have adored. The conditions weren’t the best in Camichines but we made do. One shower for both men and women, tight quarters, and not all the modern conveniences and we helped each other survive. My teammates even showed how much they cared for me. I don’t think one of them missed a time to remind me I needed to be easy on my leg. Sometimes it drove me crazy but all the time I knew they were only displaying the love Christ gave them and I want to thank each for their caring from the bottom of my heart. This was a trip that was the closest I felt to being like the missionary I had hoped to be when I was younger. All I can say is I pray that other folks of Aisquith will join us on another adventure next year.