MOSES is structured as a peer ministry. With the exception of the directors and a number of other adult coaches, trips are run by student leaders. These Student Leaders, who serve as either Team Shepherds or Team Directors, are really the ministers of MOSES, seeking to teach, encourage, mentor, and meet spiritual and emotional needs of the other participants. The other participants are those who sign up to come on our trips for personal interest and growth, often because a friend, parent or youth leader encouraged them.
The year was 1990. Pete and I were dorm counselors at the annual youth convention for the Christian Reformed Church. One of our speakers was a lady named Carolyn Koons, a professor at Azusa Pacific University in southern California. She spoke of her work in some of the border towns in Baja. Each summer, her organization, Mexico Outreach, took hundreds of youth from the US to minister in the impoverished areas of Baja. Carolyn told story after story of changed lives, not only those of the little Mexicans niňos who attended the VBS, but also of the teens who experienced this great culture shock and spiritual challenge.
I whispered to Pete that I thought MOSES should take a group to Mexico the next summer. He laughed, but when I got home, I began to make inquiries. Mexico Outreach sent me a packet of information, including songs, stores, crafts, games, etc. as well as loads of cultural information about the Mexican people, some basic words and expressions. A trip was planned for June of 1991 and 15 people committed to participate.
The most important thing that happened on our first trip to Ensenada, was that the Lord brought us to Elsa and Ernesto Cordero and Iglesia Principe de Paz. Had this not happened, I believe that our Ensenada experience would have been a one-time thing. But, with the prayers, abilities and love we’ve experienced from these people, we now have a relationship lasting over 20 years.
I whispered to Pete that I thought MOSES should take a group to Mexico the next summer. He laughed, but when I got home, I began to make inquiries. Mexico Outreach sent me a packet of information, including songs, stores, crafts, games, etc. as well as loads of cultural information about the Mexican people, some basic words and expressions. A trip was planned for June of 1991 and 15 people committed to participate.
The most important thing that happened on our first trip to Ensenada, was that the Lord brought us to Elsa and Ernesto Cordero and Iglesia Principe de Paz. Had this not happened, I believe that our Ensenada experience would have been a one-time thing. But, with the prayers, abilities and love we’ve experienced from these people, we now have a relationship lasting over 20 years.
2011 MEXICO TRIP REPORT
Ensenada 2011 was a wonderful experience. Our numbers were small, but our serving attitudes were big. Only a total of 30 MOSES people traveled to Ensenada over the 19 days. Our Trip II was cancelled, due to low enrollment, so we had just the combo and Trip I. Three people did fly in for the second week. What we lacked in numbers, we made up for in dedication and commitment. These young people worked hard! Improvements have been made to the hotel where we stay in Ensenada, the best of which is an motor on the overhead gate we close at night and when we aren’t there. It can only be activated from inside the office of the hotel. This gives us an even greater measure of security while we are there. The week prior to our arrival, Nancy Halberstadt arrived In Ensenada and, along with her dear friend and local church leader, Ciria Talamantes, provided a three-day VBS teacher training workshop. 125 churches of various denominations were represented, most from the greater Ensenada area, but some from several hours away. Attendees drive in and stay with friends in Ensenada. Well over 300 people attended this workshop for instruction, fellowship and prayer. When Nancy
and Ciria began doing the workshop some years back, the two of them did nearly all the teaching and leading. Now, they do very little. They coordinate it, but, prior to the workshop, several of the more experienced teachers are asked to lead devotions, present the lessons, lead the songs, demonstrate the puppet shows and games, etc. So many people are taking part in leading, further developing their gifts and showing others that they can do it too! The materials are used many times throughout the year, not only in the churches represented at the workshop, but in many of their mission churches, as far away as Acapulco and Cuba. Nancy estimates that 10,000 niños are reached each year with our VBS materials!
MOSES arrived in Ensenada on Friday, July 15. Our construction team went right to work on Saturday, while Nancy led the MOSES VBS teams in their preparation for the churches we would assist. Nearly all of the 15 churches we assisted this year were struggling, newer churches. We had to be prepared for almost anything. Thankfully, we had a number of young people from Iglesia Principe de Paz who had blocked off these two weeks to assist us. All were bilingual. For the first time, I felt as though our youth and the youth from the church really bonded. They didn’t come just to VBS, but spent their free time with us, joined us for meals and evening worship. We realize that these youth sacrificed work hours, time with friends and family, gas/bus money etc. to help us. What a blessing they were!
One church we served held their VBS in the front room of a house. It was packed the first day and quite oppressively stuffy. That afternoon I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a tarp and ten more small plastic chairs. With a bit of difficulty, we got the tarp in place the next morning and voila! We had an extra room! It was much more comfortable than inside. We still ran out of chairs and some children sat on the plastic bin lids, etc. but it worked. Our construction team, though small, worked very hard. Two houses were competed in record time plus an addition was put on another home. Both Thursday afternoons, our entire group gathered, along with a group of people from Iglesia Principe de Paz, friends and relatives of the new owners, to “bless” the house. Pastor Ernesto prays, we sing our benediction song and the owners are presented with the keys to the home and a Bible signed by those who worked on the house. It’s a very moving experience (no pun intended).
Our women’s ministries are growing also, Last year, for the first time, we taught a canning class (tomatoes and mango jam). This year, we canned pickles. We also did our usual sewing class, making pajama pants/shorts again. Eleven ladies received machines donated by Larry French of Family Sewing Center (thanks, Larry!) I also showed a few ladies how to cut out a pattern and by the time we finished, every bit of fabric was gone! We worshipped at Iglesia Principe de Paz both Sundays and on both Wednesdays a youth band from the church came to the hotel to lead us in worship. This is always a wonderful time of praise, prayer and fellowship, I always
tell our groups that we assume we go to Ensenada to serve the Mexican people, but, in effect they always seem to serve us even more. In the 20 years we have traveled together I think we have taught each other much and grown together in our faith and in our relationships. Praise God!
Judy VanderArk
Ensenada 2011 was a wonderful experience. Our numbers were small, but our serving attitudes were big. Only a total of 30 MOSES people traveled to Ensenada over the 19 days. Our Trip II was cancelled, due to low enrollment, so we had just the combo and Trip I. Three people did fly in for the second week. What we lacked in numbers, we made up for in dedication and commitment. These young people worked hard! Improvements have been made to the hotel where we stay in Ensenada, the best of which is an motor on the overhead gate we close at night and when we aren’t there. It can only be activated from inside the office of the hotel. This gives us an even greater measure of security while we are there. The week prior to our arrival, Nancy Halberstadt arrived In Ensenada and, along with her dear friend and local church leader, Ciria Talamantes, provided a three-day VBS teacher training workshop. 125 churches of various denominations were represented, most from the greater Ensenada area, but some from several hours away. Attendees drive in and stay with friends in Ensenada. Well over 300 people attended this workshop for instruction, fellowship and prayer. When Nancy
and Ciria began doing the workshop some years back, the two of them did nearly all the teaching and leading. Now, they do very little. They coordinate it, but, prior to the workshop, several of the more experienced teachers are asked to lead devotions, present the lessons, lead the songs, demonstrate the puppet shows and games, etc. So many people are taking part in leading, further developing their gifts and showing others that they can do it too! The materials are used many times throughout the year, not only in the churches represented at the workshop, but in many of their mission churches, as far away as Acapulco and Cuba. Nancy estimates that 10,000 niños are reached each year with our VBS materials!
MOSES arrived in Ensenada on Friday, July 15. Our construction team went right to work on Saturday, while Nancy led the MOSES VBS teams in their preparation for the churches we would assist. Nearly all of the 15 churches we assisted this year were struggling, newer churches. We had to be prepared for almost anything. Thankfully, we had a number of young people from Iglesia Principe de Paz who had blocked off these two weeks to assist us. All were bilingual. For the first time, I felt as though our youth and the youth from the church really bonded. They didn’t come just to VBS, but spent their free time with us, joined us for meals and evening worship. We realize that these youth sacrificed work hours, time with friends and family, gas/bus money etc. to help us. What a blessing they were!
One church we served held their VBS in the front room of a house. It was packed the first day and quite oppressively stuffy. That afternoon I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a tarp and ten more small plastic chairs. With a bit of difficulty, we got the tarp in place the next morning and voila! We had an extra room! It was much more comfortable than inside. We still ran out of chairs and some children sat on the plastic bin lids, etc. but it worked. Our construction team, though small, worked very hard. Two houses were competed in record time plus an addition was put on another home. Both Thursday afternoons, our entire group gathered, along with a group of people from Iglesia Principe de Paz, friends and relatives of the new owners, to “bless” the house. Pastor Ernesto prays, we sing our benediction song and the owners are presented with the keys to the home and a Bible signed by those who worked on the house. It’s a very moving experience (no pun intended).
Our women’s ministries are growing also, Last year, for the first time, we taught a canning class (tomatoes and mango jam). This year, we canned pickles. We also did our usual sewing class, making pajama pants/shorts again. Eleven ladies received machines donated by Larry French of Family Sewing Center (thanks, Larry!) I also showed a few ladies how to cut out a pattern and by the time we finished, every bit of fabric was gone! We worshipped at Iglesia Principe de Paz both Sundays and on both Wednesdays a youth band from the church came to the hotel to lead us in worship. This is always a wonderful time of praise, prayer and fellowship, I always
tell our groups that we assume we go to Ensenada to serve the Mexican people, but, in effect they always seem to serve us even more. In the 20 years we have traveled together I think we have taught each other much and grown together in our faith and in our relationships. Praise God!
Judy VanderArk
MOSES INC.
Making OurSelves Equipped Servants
Est. 1988
Summer Trip I July 10 to July 22
Summer Trip II July 17 to July 29
Combo Trip July 10 to July 29
Summer Trip II July 17 to July 29
Combo Trip July 10 to July 29
Judy VanderArk | mosesjudy@gmail.com | 1380 Spaulding SE, Grand Rapids MI 49546.