by Mariann Colburn (Calvary Chapel, Madison)

When you think of college students in Mexico on spring break what images come to mind? You probably picture students having fun and soaking up the sun on the beach. Well a group of eight college students, two recent graduates and two staff people from Madison’s Calvary Chapel campus ministry went to Mexico for spring break. It was anything but a typical vacation. We went on a mission trip to Saltillo, Mexico. The purpose of the trip was to help one of the local churches with some painting and VBS.
 

This trip provided the opportunity for our group to experience the church at large and to learn that even if you don’t speak the same language you can still come together in Christ. We found that we sang some of the same songs, just in different languages. We learned that basketball and soccer can be enjoyed in any language and children in Mexico like making cotton ball lambs as much as children in Wisconsin do. Through Christ we can bridge language differences. 

The first couple of days we encountered strong winds. They blew dust and dirt everywhere. Nothing stayed clean. Listening to the strength of the wind at night reminded us to trust in God. Washing the dirt off ourselves and the floors every day reminded us how Jesus washes away the dirt of our sin and makes us new creations. 
 

As we watched the walls take on color with paint we also watched how God fills our lives with the color of new relationships and a deeper understanding of his love and grace. We learned that things don’t always go as planned, but “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).