By Sarah Stirk

Our two-week mission trip to Glorieta, New Mexico and Monterrey, México, began at four a.m., August 2nd, at Pastor Kelly Manire’s house in Richmond, B.C.  Our team consisted of  Kelly, Jeanne, Melissa and Matthew Manire, Adria, Marcy, Jesselyne and me.

It was Collegiate Week in Glorieta, and we were responsible for helping leaders and students around the campus in any way we could, such as directing lost students to their classes. We were also blessed to be able to attend many of these classes. Before and after worship times, we staffed our “Canadian booth” and talk to other students about Vancouver Focus and the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary. Our biggest and possibly most enjoyable job was hosting Open Mike night, which ran from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. three of the nights we were there. It was amazing to see so much God-given talent up there on stage and great to hang out with our new friends.

When our week in Glorieta ended, we dropped Melissa and Matthew off at Kelly’s mom’s place in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and then drove through Texas and down to the border with México. And that’s when we nearly got into serious trouble.

We entered México in the late afternoon and enjoyed ourselves pronouncing the words on the signs along the road and figuring out what they meant. But just as we got to where we could see the lights of Monterrey, there was an immigration spot-check, and we were pulled over. The immigration officer didn’t speak English, so I translated as best I could the questions he had for our group. It turned out we were missing a sticker for our vehicle—and had to go back to the border to get it.

It took most of the following day to sort things out. We finally arrived in Monterrey at around 9:30 that night and were greeted by our Canadian friend Nicole, and several of her friends from Berea Baptist Church, the church we would be helping. We promptly went out for tacos!

On our first full day in Monterrey, we went to the church grounds and spent our morning painting a swing set, trimming hedges, laying grass, and helping to cut down some trees. What I found really great was that we were not seen as being there to work for the church but to work with them. For every project that they had for us, there were an equal number of volunteers to help and who got to know us.  

The next day, Saturday, we went to a city called Montemorelos, where the church has established a mission called Las Palmas. We helped lead a Bible school for the neighborhood children and then visited  the campsite where the church holds its retreats.

On Sunday, we met with Pastor Isaías and he told us about the various missions their church has started. It was very inspiring to see how God is working through this church. We worshipped with our friends. With the help of translators, we were able to express our gratitude to the congregation for having us. After the service, everyone ate together and then made sandwiches which we gave out just outside the local hospital.

The hospital has no waiting room and so people have to wait outside. We offered them a sandwich and some juice and they listened to a gospel message while they waited. We were fortunate to have enough food to even give out seconds.  

Afterwards, we all went out for a farewell dinner, as it was our last night in Monterrey, said our goodbyes and drove back to Texas.  Our trip home was problem-free and we arrived safe and sound.

During the time I spent in México, as I connected with people and spoke with them, I could really feel God impressing on me that this was why He has gifted me with the ability to speak Spanish—to be on mission for Him.

Sarah Stirk is a member of Westlynn Baptist Church in North Vancouver, B.C., and a third-year student at UBC.