September
2006
Missions Trip
I don’t know about you, but as Latino parents, who came from poverty and are raising children in middle class America, we struggle with two things:
(Well, actually we struggle with a lot of things, but today I’m only going to address these two.)
1. How can we help our children become bilingual, and therefore, pass on to them the wealth of speaking, reading and writing in two languages?
2. How do we help our children become sensitive to those who don’t have all the comforts they enjoy?
I don’t want you to think that my husband and I have resolved this struggle. Actually, we’ve realized it is a continuous struggle, one we tackled daily by our choices. But a recent decision, seemed to be, the ‘kill two birds with one stone’, solution.
A missions trip to Nicaragua.
1. They’d get to practice their Spanish.
2. They’d get to see poverty, up close and personal and have a chance to positively contribute. Although, they’ve had limited exposure to poverty in Manhattan, we thought the distance and exotic location might have a greater impact.
What does the Bible say?
His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts.
You betcha!
My husband and son, just returned from seven days helping a missionary couple (Tony & Ginny Morales) in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
They have been transformed.
In seven days, the team of 16 ordinary American citizens, built a basketball court for a local Christian elementary school, ran a free dental and health clinic, conducted street outreach with puppetry, human videos and skits, gave a pastoral conference on marriage counseling, ministered to youth groups and even did a bit of shopping.
Did my son practice his Spanish? Yes.
Did he see poverty? Yes.
Did he come to appreciate his comfortable, blessed life here in the States? Yes.
But he wants to go back.
He wants to spend a whole year in that third world country.
My fourteen year old, i-pod loving, X-box maniac, computer addict, is willing to give it all up, because God opened his heart to see a need. A need he feels led to meet.
That was really my heart’s desire.
And God knew it.
More important than becoming bilingual. More important than relating to his parents’ childhood economic circumstances. More important than having a new experience.
A changed heart–that longs to do God’s will.
Every Christian mother’s desire for her child. Rejoice with me.
The Missions Trip by Violet Voices, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Written By: Vasthi Acosta
Posted under: On Being a Parent . 
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I cannot wait until my children are old enough for this. My eldest (age
has already felt God’s call to missionary work. She already wants to stody signlanguage and Spanish because she feels that the Lord wants her to know those. Paise the Lord for His call on our children’s lives.
I loved this post…can I send a six-year-old? LOL.
Vashti,
An article that makes me think outside what I usually do. Although not Latino, as a mother, I do know the issue of an American kid with much not connecting to it as blessing instead of entitlement. I cheer your son on in his new vision.
My husband and I love missions. I pray when the time comes God touches our children like He did yours.
I’m rejoicing, Vasthi! Awesome! How glorious our God is.
This really made me want to send my children on a missions trip. Thanks. Your blog was just what I needed to read today.
Beautiful, heart-tugging story…thank you for sharing it.
I’ve always wanted to go on a mission’s trip and have never had the funds. Hopefully when the opportunity arises, we’ll be able to go on one as a family…I should start saving now, huh. Or maybe write a best-seller. :O)
This was such a great story! I loved reading about the changes this trip made in your son’s life. We experienced similar things when we took our whole family to Kenya, Africa for one year. Our five kids were ages 9 - 15. This had a huge impact on their lives. Our kids are now ages 19 - 25 and each as a desire to serve the Lord and is open to going wherever He calls. Our oldest has taken mission trips back to Africa and other countries. Our next oldest soon leaves for Tanzania for two years as a missionary nurse. The next son is going into the Marines. The youngest two are still in college. So…if at all possible take your kids and go serve together! It can have an amazing impact on their hearts and lives.
Blessings, Carrie
Hi Vasthi,
As I said this morning , the desire to serve more and more is intoxicating. I pray that the confort of this country would not diminish in any way that desire.
Blessings