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Thirty members of First Baptist Church in George West, along with their Youth Pastor David Valverde, recently returned from a mission trip in Camargo, Mexico where they ministered to orphans.

Valverde said long ago before I arrived, First Baptist Church had a long and varied history of mission outreach. “It is part of our purpose and part of our mission to reach out to those in need. There’s a portion of scripture that says we should reach out locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally and spread the good word in all these areas.”

In September, Valverde researched various mission projects and decided an orphanage would be best undertaking to involve families not just youth. And this would give them an opportunity to serve together Valverde said. “I have some friends that started an orphanage in Africa and I have learned kids that have fallen on heartbreaking circumstances relate better to other kids,” continued Valverde. The orphanage in Camargo called Casa Hogar De Ninos, which was founded by Theresa Luna, the wife of Pastor Osdy Luna, from Primera Iglesia Bautista in Rio Grande City was particularly appealing because it is only 5 years old and it is smaller than other orphanages. “They only have 25-27 children as compared to larger orphanages with 140-150 children. Since we were planning on taking about 30 members it would give us an opportunity to give personal attention to the orphans,” said Valverde.

In early October, Valverde and FBC Pastor Bruce Irving drove to Camargo on a survey trip to make sure the orphanage would be a “good fit” for the group.” Pastor Luna took us over there [Camargo orphanage] and we met the staff and the children from Casa Hogar De Ninos orphanage. We brought back cards with the childrens’ photos, clothes and shoe sizes plus information on the staff. Just about every week after the Sunday service we had planning meetings for the mission trip said Valverde.

“We left it to different families and individuals from the church to sponsor the children and staff and buy them gifts of clothes, shoes, and toys,” said Valverde. The time finally arrived to leave for the mission. We loaded three vans and left after the Sunday service on Dec. 21, Valverde said.

“When we arrived on Sunday night we gave each child and staff member a Christmas gift,” said Valverde.

Ellen Nance a 7th grade student at GWJH said, “The trip to Mexico was better than I would have imagined. I was glad we went to see all the kids and how they lived. They showed me how lucky I was to have clean sheets, good food, and parents who love me and would do anything for me. I felt really guilty when I saw that they didn’t have much when I thought I didn’t have enough. To them, having toys and beds to share was a luxury. It felt good to show them that people care. Not just the pastor and his wife, but people from outside of Mexico. It was a great experience, I had a great time”.

“Students and adults painted, cleaned, prepared meals, cleared brush, played, presented puppet shows and celebrated the birth of Christ with presents brought to each child at the orphanage. The work was hard. The reward of caring was great.  Lives were changed because connections came naturally the minute the language of caring was demonstrated, ” said Crickett Iley.

“Our mission trip to Mexico was fun and tiring. When it was all said and done, I would say I had a great time, and I learned a lot being there. We have so much compared to what the children in the orphanage had. I realize that we take advantage of things we have. 

When we were there in Mexico, we were playing basketball but with no hoop like we have here. We made do with what we had. Which we used supports on a building as our goal. We just had to hit it to score a point. 

I so glad I went on this mission trip to the Mexico. I learned a lot but the thing that stood out the most to me is we made do with what we had there in Mexico and we didn’t regret one bit. So we should enjoy what we do have and not take advantage of it. We are so lucky; we have parents that love us, and we have a warm home we can go home to everyday,” said Derek Cantu an 8th grade student from GWJH.

After the work was done, Caleb White, Katherine Cansino, Elizabeth Cansino, and Ellen Nance performed a puppet show in the Spanish language for the children. “The December mission trip to Mexico was an eye opening experience for me because I didn’t realize that just a short three hours away, there was so much need,” said Elizabeth Cansino, a sophomore from GWHS.

“During the free recreation time we played football and then we ate together. That night we brought out the toys we bought for the orphanage. We built the toys that required assembly; afterward we just ‘hung out’,” Valverde said.

“The December Mission trip was an amazing experience, and it really made me realize all that I have and take for granted.  I’m glad that I got to be a part of this mission trip; it was wonderful to see the kids and how they are so thankful for what they have,” said Mary Cansino, an 8th grade student at GWJH.

“This mission trip was not about us, about our inconvenience with scheduling, or about our comfort, it was about them. The parents and youth really exemplified that when they were outside clearing brush in the cold. The group withstood the language barrier with grace and style. They did what they had to do to communicate with each other. The parents were pleased to see the love and compassion pour forth from their own children as they ministered to the orphans. The group is already making plans to go back next year,” Valverde said.