After spending 2 months in the coldness of Italy, I was surprised when our team stepped out of the Tuxulu airport to be greeted with hot, humid air filling our lungs and the bright sun illuminating our faces. A big smile plastered over my face as I thought of the next 2 months that I would be spending in this beautiful country: Mexico. I loved Italy and all it had to offer. Sharing the gospel in high schools, learning how to intentionally rest, growing in community, and traveling to various parts of the country. But as our time came to a close and the date approached for when everyone would return from Christmas break, I couldn’t help but get excited for the next semester and this new season of my life. 

It’s been less than a week since we arrived at our new home. We are staying at an orphanage in Chiapas Mexico with kids from as young as a few months to older than 18 years old. These kids came from harsh backgrounds, being kicked out of or rescued from their homes of abuse and given a new home to start fresh and heal from the past with Jesus. We will be doing ministry with the kids every weekday involving playing games with them, teaching them English through sports, reading, and music, and simply hanging out with and getting to know them. As well as this, our team has the option to either participate in a ministry called Broken Rib coffee, which is connected to and supports the orphanage, or help out with an urban sustainable gardening project at the orphanage. 

Broken Rib coffee exists to support farmers that grow coffee beans and give back to the Mexican community in Chiapas. The ministry assists not only farmers that care for the coffee plants, but also building homes for the working poor, providing scholarships for students in school, and providing a solid home to orphans to give them a solid future! The coffee beans these farmers harvest come from high up in the hills of the rainforest, away from people and implanted in nature. 

A few days ago, our team got the chance to trek up the trails on an adventure leading to these cherry coffee bean plants. It took about 20 minutes of walking up the steep, muddy path to reach the plantations. Sweat dripped down our backs and foreheads as we walked, but the beauty of the rainforest made up for it. The sounds of tropical birds chirping rang through my ears and sunlight drifted between dark green leaves of the trees. And then, we saw it. Bundles upon bundles of coffee bean plants stretched before us, each plant containing beans with a bright red skin over it. I never would have expected this is what the plants would look like or this is the journey the farmers have to make to obtain the beans! The man leading us even took a machete with him in case we came across a jaguar along the way. I think that alone says a lot about how much risk these farmers are willing to endure to retrieve these beans and make them into coffee beans that contribute to honoring their region and helping others in their community. 

A part of our group is working with Broken Rib to learn more about the coffee making process, the business and marketing aspects to the ministry, and helping out at the coffee shop! If you love authentic, rich coffee and want to support the orphanage and the community in Mexico, please check out Broken Rib Coffee’s website where you can purchase their coffee beans and merch! All of their proceedings go towards the orphanage, farmers, and building houses and none of it is kept for themselves. Check them out @ brokenribcoffee.com!! 

The other ministry we are able to take part in is the urban sustainable gardening project the orphanage is running (what I will be partaking in). There is a garden area where we will be growing plants and teaching the kids how to care for them to make them thrive and use them for food! Along with this, we are looking for people back home that would be willing to give some money to help pay for seeds to plants as well as equipment to help plant. Let me know if you would be willing to donate some money towards purchasing seeds for planting or towards shovels, rakes, etc. We appreciate anything you would be willing to give to make this garden project real for teaching these kids valuable skills. 

Along with the garden project, some people will be painting murals throughout the orphanage, demonstrating God’s creation through the images of animals, plants, and other drawings. It’s amazing to see each person on our team use their God given gifts to serve his kingdom and make a difference here in Mexico in whatever way possible. 

As you can see, this semester is much more productive and busy than the last, so with that, I am working on being more intentional with how I spend my time. A big part of that is balancing out the time I want to spend with people in fellowship versus how much time I spend on school and learning and of course, in ministry. I want to make the most of the opportunity God has given me to be here and do all three things, so I’m making a goal this semester to organize my tasks wisely to complete them and continue learning and growing. 

This morning, I read James 1 which spoke to me in many ways. Being joyful when you face trials because they produce perseverance. Asking God for wisdom if you lack it. Believing in God rather than doubting. Being a doer of the word instead of a hearer. In Mexico and Guatemala, I want to follow all of these commands the Lord gives us. Because these are the tasks that are hardest for me to follow. 

Recently, I have been praying about the next steps after this trip for what God wants me to do. I’m still not completely sure, but I have still felt led to pursue nutrition and natural, holistic medicine like I did before I left for this trip. I have ideas of bigger goals I want to attain like being a naturopathic doctor and working abroad on missions, writing books, and traveling to other parts of the world to learn about how they practice natural medicine with the food and plants God gave us. 

I have known I wanted to do something in this realm for a while now, but have not actually done much to work towards that goal. Also, over these past couple of days, I have been struggling a lot with having faith in myself that I can actually do it and have been doubting my capabilities and Gods. 

After reading this scripture, I’ve realized I need to stop doubting myself and need to start taking actionable steps towards reaching this goal, otherwise I’m not going to get anywhere. 

A mentor that came for a few days named Josh gave some good advice when he said, “It’s your responsibility to take action in your life. You can’t wait for everything to come to you. You need to make it happen.” 

If you can take away anything from this, it would be to keep going back to your goals. Leaning on God’s strength to achieve them and asking him to provide you with discipline to keep moving forward. You can and will accomplish anything if you keep Christ at the center. 

Thank you for reading about the beginning of my time in Mexico! Please pray over the kids here that they will open up their hearts to us and to the love Jesus has for them. Pray against spiritual warfare that the Lord will put his shield over us and that we will remember the truths the Lord speaks over us rather than lies. Protect us against sickness and give us good health Jesus. Thank you for bringing me to this beautiful country and make me a vessel for you Lord. 

God bless, Hailey :)