Saturday (2/21) Today was a very big and exciting day. Me and dad drove up to Dayton Friday night because bad weather was coming. We got pizza in a hotel room before having to go to the airport. I got about 3 1/2 to 4 hours of sleep. Finally it was time…

We were able to get through the snow storm and bad roads and got to the airport at 3 AM and got everything in order. We went to our gate to wait for our first flight to Dallas. We had to wait about 30 to 45 minutes. Then we boarded our flight which was about two hours and 20 minutes long. I got some homework done on the ride.

Once we got there, our group, las chichas asumbrosas, and one other boy group went to TGI Fridays and had lunch. After lunch we went and picked up a drink from Starbucks. I got a tall vanilla bean frappucino. and we went to those places and still had extra time because we had a 4 1/2 hour layover. Then we went on our final flight to Monterey which the flight was about two hours and 20 minutes long. We landed, got through customs and got our luggage then we had about a two hour bus ride to back2back campus. When we got there, we had a big cookout with all the kids and staff. We got settled in and went over all the rules. Lights out! See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Sunday (2/22)

Today was very different and kind of out of my comfort zone. We started the day by making breakfast which was cereal and bread/toast. After breakfast we cleaned up and packed lunches for later in the day. Then we gathered and went over the schedule of the day. Then we had quiet time and devotionals.

We loaded the bus and went to church. We met the house kids there and the church service was very touching and I love how involved they were. After church we went to a park across the street to eat for lunch. At first it was the most awkward thing ever but later on we did a group activity and it was better.

Then we went up a huge mountain and had a scavenger hunt… which we won! And we went on a huge cement slide. Later we went back to back2back and ate a pizza with them and we played soccer. Then we got a tour of the house and the clinic. Then we had debriefing. Then people got showers and went down for the night. zzz. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Monday (2/23)

Today we woke up and got ready and went and ate breakfast. We had homework and quiet time and then went to Manantial de Amor (fountain of love). We got there and played games with the kids. I played UNO, twister, goldfish, and memory.

Then we ate lunch that Lorena had prepared which was potatoes, noodles, tortillas, and a meat thing with cheese in the middle. Then we cleaned up and left and went to Dreams which is a place that is under construction and going to be a Hope program soon. We moved a ton of 25 pound cinderblocks and then we had devotional time in the library.

After that we went to el Pollo Loco and the chicken was really good and we had a lot of fun. Then we came back we played soccer in the rain and that was really fun. Then we had debriefing and then we played a game and then we went to bed. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Tuesday (2/24)

Today was a huge accomplishment. We woke up got ready had breakfast and did homework and had quiet time like usual. After that we got our snacks and got on the bus to go to Manantial. We got there and Miss USA, (Nia Sanchez) and her fiancé (Daniel Booko) gave us a talk about dating, relationships, and self-confidence.

She also taught us some tae kwon do. Then we had lunch which was rice, these yummy corn things and it was SO good!! Then we went to Dreams and instead of taking three days to move the cement blocks we did it in 2. Then we went to back2back and played soccer game and did devotionals. Then we had dinner and then we played around. Then we had debriefing, ate snacks, and went to bed. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Wednesday (2/25)

Today we got ready and went and ate breakfast. We Skyped to the CHCA chapel because the founder of back2back, Beth Guckenberger was speaking. Then we had homework and quiet time. Then we got our things ready to get on the bus. We went to a ropes course today that was an hour away from back2back. We ate lunch first, then we went and picked up trash and then started the ropes course. Our first course was we had to use a stick of wood and jump over a thin rope.

We weren’t allowed to touch anything but the wood and other people. We eventually did it. Also, we only had 15 minutes to do it and we only had four lives. Our next course was we had to fit everyone through a spider web without touching the rope. We did it!

Our third course was very challenging. We had a 10 foot tall pole and a tire was around it. We had to somehow be tall enough to bring the tire up the pole, flip it over and put it back on. We had a lot of different ideas but none worked. Then we had 2 adults hold up a tall seventh grader and we did it!

Our last challenge was called the Leap of Faith. We had to climb up a 300-year-old tree it was about three stories high, step on a perch which was on a branch and try to grab this pole. We were harnessed and I was the first one to go. It was frightening!

After this we went to have a cookout at Douglas which was fun, and we met more kids and played soccer. Then we went back to back2back and we had spanish worship service. We also had a talk about how we could get involved in the back2back ministries. Lastly we got settled down and went to bed. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Thursday (2/26)

Today we got up and got ready and went and ate breakfast. Then we packed our snacks up for later in the day. Then we had homework time and did our devotionals, and then got on the bus. Instead of going to Manantial first today, we went to Dreams because every Thursday the kids go to the library for reading time. Then after reading time, we played a game called Lottery. You get a card with a picture on it, and a jar of play-doh. You then have to sculpt out the picture on the card. Then we put it on the table and everyone tries to guess each other’s.

After that we went to Manantial and played more games. Then we had lunch. We had tortillas, and rice. Then it was time for the kids to go to school. We took some pictures with them. Before they left, we gave all of them the bracelets we had made for them.

Then we went into their art studio and I bought some of their cool paintings. They were incredible. We went back to Dreams and we carried cement to different parts of the building. Some of us went and cleaned up the library and classrooms. I was one of those.

Then we went back to back2back and we had small group devotionals. We had dinner. We had to pack for the trip home tomorrow. We then went to the store and bought souvenirs. Then we had debriefing and went to bed. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Friday (2/27)

Today was the longest day ever!!! We got up at 4a and got ready to go to the Monterrey airport.  We arrived at 5a and got our bags through customs. Then we got on our plane for our layover in Dallas… so far so good. We got to Dallas and expected a 4 hour layover so we ate brunch, and hung out… without any electronics to play with.

Now it all starts to go downhill in Dallas.  First we get our 1st delay. Instead of boarding at 1:10p, it was backed up to 2:20p. Then the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th delay (get the point). We eventually had to change gates and by then all of us were dead.  We finally were able to board our plane around 7p. Then we had to wait on the tarmac for another 90 minutes to get the plan de-iced. 

We finally arrived into Dayton after midnight which ended up being a 7+ hour delay.  We were at the Dallas airport for almost 10 hours.. When I came through the gate in Dayton, my whole family was there waiting patiently on me.  It was great to be home again. I won’t soon forget my great experience on the Monterrey, Mexico Mission trip.