It’s so easy to take time for granted. I know in my life, I’ve been full of good intentions. Full of: One day, I will do what God wants me to do. One day, I will serve in ministry. One day, I will follow God’s calling. I do not want to live a lifetime of one-days, counting on some day. Because you’re not promised tomorrow; No one is. Time is never really on our side.
A core memory of mine was meeting a missionary kid around my age on the playground when I was 7. Looking back, playing on the swings with her planted a seed deep in my heart and psyche.
I was born in and still living in the Philippines at the time, and her family was stationed in Manila. I never knew a time when I didn’t speak English; it was always part of our school curriculum. We started talking as we were swinging. I remember how starkly she stood out. It was the first time I ever saw a blonde-haired, blue-eyed person in real life. She was a curiosity to me. I asked her where she came from and what she was doing there. She told me her dad was a missionary. I had no clue what a missionary was. She explained that her dad’s job was to tell people about Jesus and that her whole family were missionaries.
7-year-old me thought…..hmmmn!? I filed this information away in my brain as I kept swinging on the swing. I knew who Jesus was, but I didn’t understand how telling people about Him could be a job.
Fast forward a lifetime, and I became a single mom with young children. At times, the church we were attending would invite Missionaries to speak. That same childhood memory always came back to my mind. Wow! I thought, How cool would it be to live like that? For that to be your “job”. To live every day for Jesus.
The Missionaries had the best stories and shared the most inspiring messages. They made me want to be Gung Ho in my faith. I always felt super lame that my contribution to their cause was limited to prayers and a monetary offering. Meanwhile, they would travel back to the farthest reaches of the world to continue doing Jesus’ work. And I was left with that somewhat lonely, hopelessly wishful feeling of “maybe one day.”
I served locally wherever I could. I’ve been part of worship teams and participated in community outreach. I was even on the door-knocking team going around the neighborhood to invite people to church. On some Saturdays, I play the piano for seniors at a memory care facility while they eat their lunch. But I always held on to my hope of “one day” I will go on mission trips.
My kids are now older. It was finally the right time to let go of “one day” and instead “seize the day.”
The Parkcrest Church Missions team planned a 3-day trip to return to Centro Shalom Church in Tijuana. I jumped at the chance to come back. I went for a day trip earlier in the year. Centro Shalom’s leadership team and staff were deeply inspiring in their commitment to serving their community. I saw them honor their Instagram tagline firsthand. “Amar a Dios, amar a todos.” Love God, Love Everyone. Living out their mission to bring the Peace of the Gospel to the people of Tijuana.
The peace I felt when I visited their church property was palpable. The presence of God was thick in the air. I knew I would come back for an extended trip at the first opportunity that arose.
Centro Shalom is a fairly large property. It included the main sanctuary, the pastoral homes, and a few other homes, where some staff lived full-time. There was a cafeteria, classrooms, playground, even a CrossFit gym where the community can work out and where large events were held.
We arrived at the border, and parked on the US side and walked across to Tijuana. Kat Compton, the “Pastora” and Worship Leader, picked up our team as soon as we crossed. She drove us to Centro Shalom Church.
I expected us to stay in one of the dorm rooms they usually set up for Mission Teams since they recently had a medical team of over 20 doctors who provided care for their community. When we arrived, Kat told us they converted part of their own home to house smaller teams like ours. We were a humble but eager team of 4 women. I asked myself, would I give up personal space in my house for Jesus?
On the pillow of my bunk bed, I found a welcome note from the Manna Kids, along with our schedule and a bag of Mexican candy.
We had a full itinerary. Since elementary student populations are so high in Tijuana, the schools teach with a half-day schedule. They teach one half of the students in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. For the part of the day the students aren’t in school, the Manna Kids program provides care. Centro Shalom holds English classes, bible instruction and serve hot meals. We also helped at the cook-out dinner with the Youth Group of former Manna Kids at Clinica Reencuentro. There, the Middle and High School Students all helped us serve burgers to everyone at the recovery center.
There was a community of make-shift shanty houses near the church with no running water where some of the kids in the Manna program lived. So Pastor Elmo, the Head Pastor, and Pastor Miguel, the Associate Pastor, were working to convert a donated trailer into a mobile shower. Our small team of four helped sand the exterior of the trailer to prepare it for primer and painting.
I thought, What a wonderful project! When I’m in a funk, have a headache, and generally don’t feel well, an extra shower literally does me wonders. I couldn’t even imagine not having running water available to shower.
It was a simple, basic need they are trying to meet that most of us take for granted. With my first-world mentality, I’ve complained about not enough water pressure. Or that the water is taking too long to reach the right temperature.
The Pastors showed us the plans for the inside of the trailer and how it would work. It would be solar-powered with a few shower stalls. They will even have a family stall where parents with small children can shower their kids. Our team began our work. Although admittedly, I was doubtful of the skill and the level of contribution I could offer or achieve. Nonetheless, I gave it my best effort.
Our Parkcrest team had a full 3-day schedule. However, “living” at Centro Shalom for those three short days showed me their everyday itinerary.
Whether they have Teams or don’t have Teams of volunteers, they have a full calendar, day in and day out. Tirelessly and lovingly serving their community. Elmo and Kat are discipling the next generation to continue the work.
Most of their staff and youth leaders are Millennial “cuspers” and Gen Z-ers. These wonderful, energetic young people are on fire to do the Lord’s work. They are mighty and bold Prayer Warriors. I know it sounds cliche to say going on a mission trip is life-changing, but it is. From the comfort of home, we pray prayers of wanting to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It’s eye opening to see people living by that sentiment daily. Obeying Jesus command, Love God. Love Everyone. Amor a Dios, Amor a todos.
I encourage you to visit their website, pray for them, and donate if you are able to. Maybe even build your own team. Reach out to Centro Shalom to visit, serve and see for yourself. The church is well named – while there, I felt centered and at peace.
Without meaning to, I usually wake up at the 4th watch of the night, between 3:30 and 5:00 am. One might ask, Why do you wake up at such an ungodly hour? I think of it not as an ungodly hour but quite the opposite. To me, it is God’s hour. This is the time when I seek Him before I face the day. Before I get lost endlessly multitasking, a list-filled agenda. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed. He went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. While I was praying in the Comptons’ kitchen, I found this frame on their wall. The Best is Yet to Come….
Regret is my constant accuser. I was thinking why did I start my “some day” so late in life? That early morning, I realized that some day was here and now, and I was living in that moment. What I learned from my first three-day mission trip was written on the wall. It was a promise:
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
On our last day, the Pastors said we can do an activity with the Manna kids. Our best idea was to have fun and learn a trending TikTok dance with them. =) This will forever be our team’s theme song for that Memorial weekend Mission Trip.
Thank you Centro Shalom Family, you rekindled my heart for service to the Lord. You are the salt of the earth! I carry you in my thoughts and prayers. “You can’t bottle it!” But I will never forget the feeling, and I take it with me wherever I go. God willing, I will see you all again in August!
Meanwhile,
Time is still of the Essence!
And I am back at my station.
One of many Keyboard Warriors in Full Armor clacking away in colorful light.
Silently shouting the Truth on the Internet Wilderness
Lord, I pray that my lifetime achievement be;
None of me and all of You.
Jesus Everyday. Every day, Jesus.
To You, Lord, all the glory, honor and praise. Now and Forevermore
Queen,
This is an amazing retelling of what happened and God’s work that goes on in TJ!!! Love you Queen! Can’t wait to go back! “You just can’t bottle it”
Love you too Queen =)
I can’t wait to go back with you in August. We also forged a friendship there that I will be forever grateful for! Thanks for your support and taking time to read the post.
I’m so happy you got to go on this trip, mom. I know how much you were looking forward to this. It’s funny to imagine you sanding the portable shower, haha, next time make sure to bring a mask to protect your lungs! I can’t wait to hear about your next trip in August!
Haha I know, they didn’t seem to mind my lack of power tool skills! It was an awesome experience. Thank you for supporting me always and taking care of your sibs while I was away. love you so much.