Serving Beyond Borders: Stories From Legacy’s Heart4Mexico Mission Trip

Taking a leap of faith to serve one of Legacy’s international mission partners, six members of our church followed the Lord’s call to spend a week in Mexico this summer.

Partnering with Heart4Mexico, the team had the privilege of supporting the local team, whose mission includes church planting and running Nana’s House, a group foster home, with the goal of being “a fountain of renewed hope and second chances” to those being served by the ministry.

“This mission trip is something I will never forget. Looking back, I can clearly see God's hand in bringing all six of us together to serve alongside their ministry staff…” said Maria Brower. “Every day was an opportunity to honor Him, love others, and witness the Holy Spirit moving in the lives of the children, adults, and in our own hearts. Each community we visited welcomed us with open arms and reminded me that God’s love knows no boundaries.”

Throughout the week, the team visited many church campuses and helped with everything from maintenance projects and cooking to running Vacation Bible School and spending time with kids at Nana’s House, but before all of that - the trip began with prayer and worship. 

Petitioning in Prayer

The group had the opportunity to attend one of four Sunday services hosted at La Fuente church in Tepic, the ministry hub of Heart4Mexico, founded by Dwight & Mary Jo Hansen. Reflecting on the service, Patsy Weinberg said, “I was moved to tears to hear the voices lifted to sing praises to God, and I kept thinking that this was a picture of what heaven will be like when all languages will come together to praise Him.” The team also spent Tuesday morning with the pastors and staff for their weekly prayer time, which included time in the worship center to pray for those who would fill the rows on Sunday. As she witnessed the staff cry out to God on behalf of their congregation, Patsy was reminded of Epaphras in Colossians 4:12, wrestling in prayer for the believers, that they would stand firm in the will of God.

Cross-Cultural Connections

Patsy had unique opportunities to connect with people across many stages of life while visiting Mexico, which was an answered prayer she had hoped for. One morning was spent playing with a little boy at Nana’s House, witnessing how his circumstances have not erased his joy. Other times were spent connecting with the women volunteers at many of the churches and bonding over language learning. Many of them have given countless hours to help prepare for events and create crafts and decorations with whatever they have to make people feel loved and appreciated.

One of the highlights of the trip for Patsy was getting to minister to an older woman who was at an adult Bible study led by Chrysti Bryant, another Legacy member serving with Heart4Mexico for the second year in a row. The woman opened up about her ongoing struggles with her marriage, and Patsy had the opportunity to share specific Scripture with her, pray for her, and encourage her heart. “Going on a mission trip softens your heart for people,” Patsy added. “Whether you go abroad or serve people in our community, it's easier to see those around us as Jesus sees us.”

Next Steps

Acknowledging that not everyone can go on an international mission trip, Patsy would encourage church members to consider engaging in the following ways:

Pray for those on the trips as well as all of our mission partners. This may seem like a trite thing to say, but the prayers of the people mean so very much. Everything is harder in the mission field, and your prayers are felt.

Become a member of the Connect Team or Hospitality Team at church. Or even if you can't commit to joining the team, show up early to church and make a point of saying hello to the people who sit around you. Your smile, kind words, and acknowledging their presence could make a true difference to a person. Legacy also depends on volunteers to set up and tear down for events: organize tables and chairs, assist with food service, assist with decorating for one-time events, serving as greeters, etc. 

Give financially to Legacy. God has blessed our congregation, and we continually seek to be a blessing to others here and around the globe. For example, one of the church plants in Mexico meets on a covered patio, and Legacy donated the funds to create an extended cover over more of the land as well as a better bathroom for the meeting space.

Go: If you are thinking about a mission trip in the future, consider these words from Maria: “Every smile, every conversation, every prayer, and every moment spent serving was a blessing that changed me just as much as I hope it blessed those we met. I returned home changed and still in awe of everything God is doing in Tepic. My prayer is that everyone God calls to Tepic will answer with a willing heart, trusting that He will use them in ways they never imagined.”