Thinking about Reynosa?

What are your plans for March 23-29, 2008? Myrtle Beach? Pensacola? Disney World? Sounds BORING. Are you ready to take a chance and put some real meaning into your life, and in the process travel to the sunny tropics? If so, Join us in Reynosa.

Mission Trip Myths and Facts:

• Myth: You have to be in perfect physical shape to participate.
  Fact: Have you taken a look at Rev. Stewart Rawson lately? He doesn't qualify for even last runner up of the Mr. Atlas Contest!

• Myth: Everyone gets sick when they eat the food or drink the water in Mexico.
  Fact: While occasionally some people have gotten a touch of the "traveler's sickness", it is typically mild and rarely does the individual need more than a couple of Pepto-Bismol. This is not to say that you still don't need to be careful, but an once of prevention, goes a long way.

• Myth: I won't be able to communicate with anyone if I don't speak Spanish.
  Fact: There are several people who do speak the language along for translating, but be ready to be amazed with how much you can say with a smile and a few gestures.

• Myth: Its dangerous in Mexico, someone might plant drugs on me, I'll have problems crossing the border.
  Fact: Yes, we are going to one of the poorer parts of Mexico, a place where people live in cardboard boxes, drink untreated water, eat food that we might not feed our pets, and where you have to watch out for crime. But this is where the work needs to be done. Stewart Rawson has been to Reynosa multiple times, as both a participant and a leader of groups. Faith Ministry has been operating in Reynosa for 10 years. All are familiar with the area where we will be working and will do our best to keep the trip safe. This is why we enforce rules about staying in groups, tell participants not to wander off alone, and control where and how we travel.

• Myth: The congregation pays all the expenses for people who go on mission trips.
  Fact: A mission trip is not possible without the prayers and support of the congregation. Without fund raising and donations few would be able to participate. However, participants also pay their share. However, if you want to go and can not afford the participant cost, please contact Stewart Rawson. We do not want the cost to be a barrier.

• Myth: I will not be a changed person when I come home.
  Fact: Ask Rick Abercrombie, Maria Partain, Alex and Sarah Kenny, Susan Mazur, Stephan Navarez, Mel Kelly, Ed Glasscock, Donald Gehm, Terry Candee, Karen Calhoun, Brad Woodward, or any of other people who have been to Reynosa if it changed them.

Volunteers are needed the fourth Sunday of each month from 6:00-8:00 AM to help serve breakfast to the homeless at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, downtown on Sumter Street. Trinity feeds over 200 men and women each week and McGregor has offered to help once a month. Please consider this worthwhile service opportunity and sign up in the back of the sanctuary or call Susan Mazur at 407-6703 for more information.

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