One of the most amazing experiences in my life was a mission trip to Mexico that was organized by a Christian church I attended during my high school years. This trip was incredibly educational and life changing. To this day I give the church credit for giving me the opportunity to travel to a foreign country and observe a different culture.
The opportunity to go to Mexico came up when church leaders announced that the church would be going on a mission trip to Mexico. The purpose of the trip was to build a new home, a “shack,” for a Mexican family. Adults could attend, but it was a trip mainly for teenage church-goers. This trip was free for those who went, and was done in partnership with a Christian church in a small Mexican village.
A trip to Mexico? I’m in! I had never been to Mexico before, and had never even been out of the country before that time. It was the first time an opportunity to travel abroad was ever introduced to me.
I gathered copies of my birth certificate and other required documents that I needed to have on hand in case the border patrol or Mexican police needed information about me. The church leaders said there was a possibility that the Mexican police could arrest me for whatever reason, so it is important to have documents that explain who I am. I also purchased a few simple dresses that were required to be worn while inside the church in Mexico. Church leaders said to not drink tap water in Mexico because it might be contaminated.
We piled into three large white vans and set off for the Mexican border near San Diego, CA. We crossed the border into Tijuana, which immediately had a run-down look compared to the more modern California cities on the other side of the border. There were no sidewalks on the main road and most of the buildings had no external light signs, but instead had business names painted directly on the walls which meant the buildings were difficult to see at night.
We drove for five hours and eventually made it to the small Mexican village in Baja California where we would be staying for a week. I noticed how the village consisted of many small decaying shacks and outhouses.
We went to the most decayed shack in one of the poorer neighborhoods, which happened to be the shack we would demolish and rebuild. I walked inside and was amazed to see that there was no cement foundation, and that the shack was built directly on the ground. It was just one room that housed a family of five, and was filthy.
There was no plumbing or electricity, which was standard in the neighborhood. The family used candles to light the structure at night, and would walk to an outhouse located a few yards away to use the bathroom. From the outside it looked like it was about to collapse.
During the next few days, church members, mostly men, tore down the existing structure and put up a newer structure. They laid down a nice cement slab and built a new shack in no time. It was the nicest looking shack in town, and the family was very grateful.
I, and many other women, spent much time at the local church. I helped with church activities, such as food preparation, child care and other tasks. It was interesting to work closely with people from the local community and see how they conducted their lives.
One day we visited a family in the community who was more well off and lived in an actual house. Compared to local Mexican standards, this family was living in a mansion, but compared to American standards, it was an average house. It was actually less welcoming than an American house because it had grey cement floors with a rough finish, no decorative items and bare minimum furniture.
After a week we returned to the US and I was in shock of seeing actual third world living. It was an experience I am truly grateful for and have never forgotten.
I consider traveling to be one of the most educational activities a person can do. The opportunity to travel abroad never came up while I attended public school, and faculty never even entertained the idea of traveling abroad, such as through a foreign exchange program. I recall the French club went on a week-long trip to France, but that was only for club members. My school emphasized attending a 4-year university right after high school above all else. Nothing else mattered, not even travel.
I am supportive of any opportunity to travel abroad and observe other cultures, even if it is through the church.
Photo credit: David Bacon
Lauren Ell is an American blogger born and raised in Southern California and is currently based in Sweden. She discusses Epilepsy, Politics and Fun. Professionally Ell is an Online Marketing Consultant and Virtual Assistant. She is also founder and president of Republican Atheists. Connect with Lauren on Facebook and Twitter.