Staying in Mexico and helping out at Los Olivos for two months has been the highlight of my year so far. I have participated in so many amazing experiences and God has taught me so much. I feel incredibly blessed and am so thankful for all of my supporters who made it possible for me to go. This summer has been life-changing.

I worked with many talented groups while I was in Mexico, including a group from my own church, Yarrow Alliance. They built a large kitchen beside a church in a small village called San Francisco. The intent was to start a feeding program for the children in the community, and the program has definitely been a success. I had the privilege of helping out there three days a week, and we served forty to sixty children each day. The pure joy on the childrens’ faces from simply blowing bubbles or getting a quesadilla was heartbreaking. Witnessing and being a part of God’s work in San Francisco has made me feel extremely blessed. God is working wonders in that community.

Another highlight from my summer was a daycare we helped out in. At the daycare we played with the children, and simply loving on them and seeing them smile was extremely rewarding. One little girl in particular caught my eye, mostly because she would not participate in any of the group activities. She could not have been more than five, and I never did catch her name. I asked her many times if she wanted to play, but she would just shake her head and watch the other children. So I put her on my lap and watched with her. By the end of the day we were both laughing and having a great time, and she wouldn’t let me put her down when I left. She has a special place in my heart. It still amazes me how such a small act of love towards someone can completely change and encourage them.

These words contain only a taste of what I experienced in Mexico. The simplicity of joy demonstrated through the children have really made an impression on my heart and God has revealed so much to me about loving others. Again, I want to thank everyone who has supported me through prayer and finances. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to serve others.

Kelsey Block – Yarrow Alliance Church