SMT Mexico – Update #2

Week two began for us on Monday morning as we sat in the lobby of our hotel waiting to leave for our visit at the Children’s Home in Mexico City. Around 10 a.m. we met Fernando and Ezequiel (cousins) who work at the Children’s Home in the music department. Altogether, we rode on the Metro (Subway) for about an hour and they taught us where to go and when to get off, so that the rest of the week we could do it without them. When we arrived to the Home, we met with the officers, Captains Luis and Noemi Camarillo, who used that time to give us a schedule for the week and to welcome us into the new place. After getting to know them a bit more we got to meet most of the 90 kids that live there! They welcomed us by speaking English. Then of course, they topped it off with a huge hug for each of the team members. Fernando and Ezequiel gave us a tour of the home and gave us advice on what we would be experiencing during the week. Christy, the officer’s daughter, became part of our team as she would help with translating and would help prepare our meals. When we returned back to the hotel on Monday night, we gathered in one of the rooms for devotional time and we prepared to say goodbye to Viki. After having her by our side for a week, we were not ready to depart with the one who believed in us and encouraged us on a daily basis. Viki left Tuesday morning.

A typical day for us at the home meant teaching VBS, setting up for lunch, and assisting in the kitchen. Half the team rode on their school bus to help watch the kids, and the other half washed all the dishes. Then we would eat lunch with our hosts. After lunch we had a few moments to ourselves and would then prepare for our individual music classes. Greg taught band, Johanna taught piano with the help of Jose, and Makayla, Kim, and Shannon taught dance. Once our classes were over we would set up for dinner, play in the playground for a bit, and then eat a home cooked meal with our hosts. Most nights we would have to wait until 9 to leave because the traffic was so bad. We decided to use that time of waiting for our devotions which we did on the roof of the building for the rest of the week. What a beautiful view of the city.

We taught the kids some English songs, and they walked around for days singing them to each other.

On Thursday, our schedule changed a bit. Instead of teaching our music classes, we used that time to share our testimony with them. After dinner, the team went up to the roof to get one last glance at the beautiful city from above, and as we were walking back inside we heard music playing from the chapel. It was Fernando and Ezequiel, who wanted to play a worship song for us. Then as we sat there singing along and watching them play, kids started running in and getting their chairs because they wanted to be part of the worship experience. This meeting was not mandatory and it had not been announced, but the kids were choosing to praise God that night. When the altar call was made, we realized how much hurt all the kids were experiencing. Many of them were under the age of 14 and they had already lived through fear, pain, abuse, and things we would never wish on anyone. Regardless of the language barrier for some of the team, we still prayed for each kid and while we hoped to impact the kids, they were the ones who touched our hearts and helped us realize how much we need to constantly seek God’s help.

Friday was officially our last day with everyone from the Children’s Home. We drove out of the city near Cuernavaca to have a full day at the pool. We had breakfast and lunch there, and the kids swam all day. Before we left, Capt. Camarillo had planned a small service and during that time, everyone that was there prayed over us before we would have to depart for our next destination. We are beyond grateful for the work that is done at the Children’s Home and for the kids. We witnessed so much passion for God, for the kids, and for music. As we prepare for our next visit to the Children’s Home in Puebla, we ask that you continue to pray for the Children’s Home in Mexico City, and for our time in Puebla.

Dios les bendiga,
Shannon Cabrera and Equípo México