In the midst of Poza Rica, a city in the state of Vera Cruz, Mexico, dwells about 60 children, teenagers and adults, living in an orphanage named Casa Hogar Alfa y Omega Orphanage. On July 7- 14, 2011, 47 youth and adults from Church of God congregations throughout the United States from Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Oregon and one from Puerto Rico, united as a team for one common purpose: to minister to the children and to meet the needs of this orphanage.
Throughout the week, the team had specific projects and tasks to accomplish. Initially, the enormous project was to lay down cement for a new multi-purpose building being built on the property. However, due to the weather conditions that hit Poza Rica as a result of Tropical Storm Irene, the project came to halt. Instead, the team executed indoor construction projects in the boys’ and girls’ dorms by building indoor closets, walk-in style closets, and desks for study, as well as screening for the windows.
The mornings with the children consisted of Bible lessons and stories, music and games, also fun-filled activities and crafts. The team participated and ministered in a couple of services featuring the Burnin’ Bush, drama, testimonies, and messages. At a trash dump where 23 families have constructed their homes, God’s love was shared through a time of worship, message, and bringing food. A time of refreshment was given to the workers of the orphanage by receiving a one-night retreat at the hotel without the interruption of children to receive relaxation, fellowship with the team, leadership development, and spiritual renewal, while a few members of the team took care of the children overnight. Also, the teenagers of the orphanage spent a couple hours with the team on another evening.
The final day in Poza Rica, the team went to Sam’s Club, purchasing six months of products for the orphanage, followed by organizing and throwing a birthday party for all the children and workers, including a piñata bust, birthday cake and birthday presents for everyone. Lastly, there was a special time of prayer over the facility, with team members anointing every room, every window, every door, every desk, and then by laying hands on the workers and children, and expressing our goodbyes.
In these brief moments, it cannot compare to the memories and stories that reside inside of the church groups that participated. Poza Rica Mission trips offered in the winter and summer are truly life changing. I encourage you to join in on the next opportunity to take part in what the Lord is doing at Casa Hogar Alfa y Omega Orphanage. Yes, there may be some hesitation, fear of the unknown, anxiety of where the finances will come from to go, but the Lord will provide a way if you walk by faith and not by sight. I have seen that to be true in my life and experience for the past two summers, traveling there with members of our youth group and our Youth Pastors, Mike and Peggy Nelson.
For more information about future trips, including a trip coming up in January, 2012, contact Youth and Discipleship Coordinator Tony Lane, at 423.478.7229 or go to www.cogyouth.org [1].
Nicole Burke
Soul’d Out Youth Ministry
Plant City Church of God
Plant City, Florida