Short-term Trip (Mexico) Part 1

Tony Habashy and family with FMC's Teresa Kiehl, right of Tony

   Back in April of this year, my family led a short-term trip to the General Cepeda mission base in Mexico. Our planning started right after a talk at the Spiritual Life Center with the Romero and Bailey Families. A question addressed to us at the end of the session asked: Will the Alvarezes return to full-time foreign mission? I answered, "We are not sure at this time. We are enjoying working stateside with Father Jarrod in the (Wichita) diocese by giving talks, sharing our experiences, and possibly setting up some short-term trips throughout the year." I wondered what all the whispering was about after all those words flew out of my mouth. It didn't take long after the meeting when our friend, Tony, came up and said  exclaimed, "Short-term mission?! I don't care when we go, but we want to go with you." So, it began.

Fr. Beat celebrated the Holy Mass in the ranchos

   By the next day, an excited Tony was calling and messaging with a list of people who were interested as well. The first plans in January started with a date for travelling in July...then June...then May...and what the heck let's just go in April! I have to remind y'all that we had never assembled anything like this trip before. Yes, we had hosted other groups while at our post but not from the ground up. So, after passport applications, preparatory talks, and other discussions we finally had a core group of about 30+ including my family. This consisted of 3 families and 4 singles and a very funny priest, Father Jerry Beat. One item of concern was the money needed for travel, fees, lodging, etc. All in all the total came to be about $10,000 dollars since most did not have passports. We knew that it was a lot of money to raise in such a short time but we committed to it and PRAYED! We soon set up a garage sale to help with the funding and began asking around for donations. It was a little depressing at one of the earlier prep meetings when we found out that we had a whopping $50 in the group mission fund. If God wanted us to go, we were going to need a lot of help very quickly.

   Building the Kingdom is hard work. The devil knows it and will do whatever it takes to complicate our plans. Not seeing the funds coming in soon enough was discouraging to some. Safety while in Mexico was also a concern from others from well-meaning co-workers at their workplace. Doubts were starting to creep in and ruin this opportunity for grace. The devil HATES missions. Even Father Jerry was asked by some why he was going to this dangerous country. Father replied, "There are 20+ children going. If I back out now, then I'll look like a real wimp!"

   Over the next weeks, we started seeing some online donations from co-workers, family, and friends. Father would bring in checks of $100, $300, and even one for $1,000. A family even decided to donate their share of the cost since they weren't able to go...they were a family of 8! Soon we were on the "do-able" side of the cost. April was just around the corner!

P.S. This post will have to be in parts. There were so many miracles and blessings from this trip so stay tuned!!!

P.P.S. Thanks to Britto for all of the amazing pics. He was part of the awesome group!