Digging Holes, They Say It Builds Character

We have been in Creel three and a half weeks, Mexico six and a half weeks, with just a few days till we are back in the states. Outreach is starting to draw to a close. At the moment with my exhaustion from the past few weeks I am really looking forward to home. It will be good for this adventure to end. But it is odd thinking about the next transition ahead and all the uncertainty that comes with it.

We are traveling again. Back on a bus, headed to Juarez. Our ministry in Creel complete. We have wandered beyond the pine trees now, back in the desert.

These few weeks in Creel have been interesting. The main projects we have been working on at the YWAM base is digging holes for the foundation of an aquaponic system, moving storage items, sorting donated clothes, mixing and laying concrete, and doing kid programs at a few of the Tarahumaran villages near Creel.

Thinking back over our time in Creel something that stood out was the hospitality of the base and villages we visited. To be told before Creel that the Tarahumarans are very reserved people, cut off from outsiders, I was not expecting the openness we received. Even on the YWAM base I was a little surprised by the friendliness and hospitality given to us. Coming from Juarez where most of what we received was distrust and strict rules it was refreshing having freedom and reasonable expectations from the Creel staff. Everything from the walls creating the compound in Juarez to the open fields and cliffs in Creel.

We visited two villages near Creel, Santa Elias and Pitorreal, and did VBS with the children who lived there. Due to the culture being story oriented, we chose to tell our lessons through skits, it also made it easier with translation. Watching the kids and moms open up and laugh as they watched us was one of the little things that made it all worth it. We would play games, color pictures, and build relationships. Every day when we came back they would be sitting waiting for us to arrive.

It was all a testimony to the relationships that the staff in Creel have established. Twenty years of hard work and we had the opportunity to come in and be a part of it. For us to be able to work with the villages, help build the beginnings of the aquaponics system, work on other various projects throughout the base, we were able to see many parts of a fruitful ministry and bless the staff working there.

While in Creel we also had many opportunities to enjoy God’s creation. We were able to visit the Copper Canyon, hike to some hot springs, ride horses near the base, and many other wonderful things. We had the misfortune of dealing with bedbugs, and other small discomforts, but it was all a good experience, although exhausting at times.

It shall be interesting indeed heading back to the states so soon. Just two more weeks till home.