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God is good all the time. I often don't believe this is true because of all the bad things that happen in my life, but now I realize that it isn't that God is not good, but that I have just been blind. Today was not the best in its start. I woke up three times last night and found out that two people were leaving our site because they were sick: our already small group had an even smaller group. Then on our way to the site, we got lost and were unable to find out where we were supposed to go. This made me think that we would be the last group to finish the house in the end which made me a bit disappointed, but hey, at least we got to watch the movie Minions. Eventually, we found our site and got started. I got to work on the chop saw (really scary thing that cuts wood) which was a great experience. The family we were building for was very sweet. Jorge, the father, shared his story with my friend and I from which I gained much insight into his life. About three months ago, Jorge and his family had won a lottery for the plot of land that we are building the house on. However despite the joy they had, they were soon met with an unexpected circumstance. Because their neighbors had not won the lottery, fifty of them (yes really, fifty of them) banded together and destroyed all of Jorge's property. Everything he had was completely gone; he told us how he had nothing, absolutely nothing. Yet, he wasn't really bitter about it. It was incredible how he trusted God despite the tragic event. At the end of the day, I found out that my worries for being unable to finish on time were wrong. We had all four of the exterior walls up and were right on schedule. Romans 8:28 says how "And we know in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." I am glad that we have a loving God whose grace and mercy are abundant.
-Sam Bek, Grade 10
REFLECTION TWO
Being back on a Tecate trip is a bit surreal. It was 16 years ago when I first arrived across the border, much like the other students on this trip. At the time, my concerns were how dirty I was going to get, the fact that I had never swung a hammer in my life, and whether I could finally work up the courage to talk to the girl I really liked. Little did I know how great of an impact that trip, and the three subsequent ones, would have on me, spiritually and emotionally.
The Tecate trips forced me far out of my sphere of comfort, causing me to suddenly grapple with the reality that people just 30 miles south of the most advanced country in history lived in abject poverty. Yet, I was impressed with the even more stunning fact that these same people were joyful, even in the midst of their circumstances. Most Americans would consider the houses we were building to be sheds, but the families we built them for saw them as mansions. Realizing this forever changed my heart, and it was through these trips I realized I had a future in missions.
Fast-forward to today, and I’ve returned as the physician for the trip and am a specialist in global and mission surgery, all outcomes of the calling I developed here in Tecate. I truly do believe God moves in the hearts of students on these trips, even the ones struggling with whether our faith is for them. Driving nails, painting walls and tiling roofs teaches students important skills of patience and perseverance, but it is the relationships they build with the families, with each other and (hopefully) good adult mentors, that ultimately teach them the meaning of spirit-led community. It has been a great honor to be here and support this purpose.
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REFLECTION TWO
Being back on a Tecate trip is a bit surreal. It was 16 years ago when I first arrived across the border, much like the other students on this trip. At the time, my concerns were how dirty I was going to get, the fact that I had never swung a hammer in my life, and whether I could finally work up the courage to talk to the girl I really liked. Little did I know how great of an impact that trip, and the three subsequent ones, would have on me, spiritually and emotionally.
The Tecate trips forced me far out of my sphere of comfort, causing me to suddenly grapple with the reality that people just 30 miles south of the most advanced country in history lived in abject poverty. Yet, I was impressed with the even more stunning fact that these same people were joyful, even in the midst of their circumstances. Most Americans would consider the houses we were building to be sheds, but the families we built them for saw them as mansions. Realizing this forever changed my heart, and it was through these trips I realized I had a future in missions.
Fast-forward to today, and I’ve returned as the physician for the trip and am a specialist in global and mission surgery, all outcomes of the calling I developed here in Tecate. I truly do believe God moves in the hearts of students on these trips, even the ones struggling with whether our faith is for them. Driving nails, painting walls and tiling roofs teaches students important skills of patience and perseverance, but it is the relationships they build with the families, with each other and (hopefully) good adult mentors, that ultimately teach them the meaning of spirit-led community. It has been a great honor to be here and support this purpose.
-Rey Henry, Camp Doctor, TKA Alumni '06
Capt., United States Air Force
PGY3, General Surgery, University of Southern California
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"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted," (Matthew 5:4) was the message at chapel tonight delivered by TKA Bible teacher and alumni, Stephen Petiti. Stephen gave many examples of suffering occurring in the world, from the Parkland shootings to the Syrian refugee crisis, and how we often shield ourselves from suffering and numb ourselves with a variety of entertainment. But God blesses those who mourn because we are drawn closer to Him in our suffering and He comforts us. The only solution for suffering is the Gospel, God's comfort. Stephen shared some of the difficulties he experienced in his life. He implored students to not wait to seek a closer relationship with God. He said when he was a student at TKA, he would have never have imagined the losses and suffering he would experience later in his life. Sometimes, people may think being a Christian protects us from suffering. But, "hard times will come" Stephen said. He gave many examples in God's Word that tell us Christians will suffer and be persecuted in this world. We will inevitably mourn, but we can be comforted if we seek to build a relationship with God now. He closed with three action items: 1) Be in God's Word, reading the Bible is best, but there are many great resources in books, online videos, and Christian websites 2) Build relationships with other believers and seek out mentors, like any of the adults in camp or teachers at school 3) Seek out what inspires your affections toward God, whether that be hiking and enjoying God's creation or eating good food and marveling that God gave us tastebuds....do whatever brings you joy and draws you closer to God. God created many things to bring us joy in this world! Stephen closed with Psalm 34:4-5: "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."
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