"Some students didn't buy souvenirs, others did not buy junk food

or other luxuries; instead, they spent it on a shepherd who loves his sheep.

"One of the 31 went shopping. He spent nearly $700 at Wal-Mart - $700

and not an item for himself! That $700 provided two families with shoes,

cooking utensils, towels, rugs, storage containers, toys, plates, flatware,

diapers, knives, brooms, mops, and many other items too numerous to name.

"One of the 31 brought a fan for her to keep cool in the 101 degree

heat. She gave her battery-operated wonder to a family whose home had no

shade.

"After a hard day's work roofing the houses, the 31 went shopping

in the open air markets of Progresso, Mexico. One of the 31 saw a woman selling

packages of gum on the busy streets to provide food for her family. Many

tourists stepped over her to continue looking for the perfect souvenir. This

member of the 31 waited until (he thought) no one was looking and gave this

haggard woman a twenty dollar bill.

"Another member of the 31 saw this out of the corner of her eye and

was impacted by his� giving his 'spending money' to one in need.

She kept this to herself until she shared with the team what she saw as a 'God

Sighting.' Indeed it was. She saw Jesus in the giver and the one receiving

the gift. 'In as much as you have done for the least of these, you have

done it unto me.' Matthew 25:40.

"One of the 31 took off her shoes to give to someone who had none.

One of the 31 ran himself silly playing with two little boys who enjoyed

this gentle giant run with them on his shoulders.

Several of the 31 painted visors, made necklaces and bracelets while sitting

on the dirty ground with many cherub faces beaming up at them.

Many of the 31 sat in a small Mexican church that was as hot and humid as

Georgia in August with at least two children in their laps. It was hot and

sticky, but not one of these 31 denied a child a safe and loving lap to cuddle

up in.

"All 31 sat in a room nightly while students from the other churches

enjoyed free time and all the sugary treats the 'Cantina' had to

offer. These 31 sat and listened to stories of students (and adults) from

other groups so that they could get a nickname and bracelet too! This amazing

31 served the impoverished Mexican Colonia by day and their fellow campers

at night. They served even when it wasn't fun anymore ... and when no

one was looking.

"Friday, June 18, 10 p.m. - Thirty-one tired and emotionally spent

people boarded a charter bus that would bring them home - a home that

had not changed while they were away, but they would return forever changed.

Some would be more grateful for what they have, where they live, or maybe

just because they got to serve Jesus in a way that will impact them forever.

"Saturday, June 19, 6 p.m. - Thirty-one even more tired and emotionally

spent people stepped off a bus into culture shock. They had gotten used to

living in Mexico and realized how much extra stuff we have that we really

don't need ... or even want.

"Some will return to Mexico, some may even spend a large part of their

lives there. All of them will hold Mexico in their hearts and will one day

be reunited with those they served in their Father's house.

"I know this all sounds made up and too good to be true. I did not

hear about the adventures of the 31 from someone else. Nor did I hear it

from a friend of a friend who heard about the 31. I was there and I saw it

for myself.

"If you don't believe me, just ask Squirt or Streak... they saw

it too."