For many, spring break symbolizes a week free of school, often including a vacation to Puerto Vallarta or Cancun. However, while some lounge by the pool with a tropical smoothie, others view a trip across the border as an opportunity to serve a foreign community.
Many churches across Fresno County, including Peoples Church, go to Mexico over spring break for missions work. From building houses to hosting children’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) and evangelism, students have the chance to help others in need.
Campus pastor Scott Falk believes missions trip experiences broaden students’ view of the world and life in America.
“I was a youth pastor for many years and I took kids down to Mexico every year during that time,” Falk said. “It was the highlight of our year. Mexico gives students an opportunity to live out the great commandment to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ It gives them a chance to see poverty firsthand and experience other cultures.”
Shane Darakjian, ’09, attends Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, a church in Fresno, and his youth group went to Mexico the week of spring break as well. Despite the seven-hour ride down, the trip was not without excitement.
“On our way back, one of the army personnel requested that we all exit the vehicle,” Darakjian said. “He checked our car thoroughly for any smuggled construction equipment. I told him that one item was a tent in my broken Spanish and the officer started shouting and was angry with me. Then after shouting at us for quite sometime they suddenly had a change of mind and decided to let us go.”
Though some experience difficulty crossing the border, the majority of groups report uneventful and safe passing. Clovis High sophomore Abby Rambo also traveled to Mexico with Peoples Church and enjoyed the experience of serving in a foreign country.
“The most touching part of the trip was when we visited a very old lady who was really sick and dying,” Rambo said. “Her granddaughter had been searching the area for someone to come and pray for her so our evangelism group went. After we prayed she started blessing us and calling us her ‘guardian angels’. That experience really changed my perspective of faith and trusting in God even during hard times.”
While many students experience life-changing encounters, some were unable to go because of sports practices or games. Riley Endicott, ’10, catcher for the varsity baseball team, could not attend because of the annual Fowler tournament.
“It was a bittersweet situation,” Endicott said. “I really wanted to go to Mexico because I knew I would grow closer to the Lord and would have the chance to share his love. But I also was excited to spend time bonding with the baseball team at the tournament.”
Although many participated in a missions trip, others relaxed, taking a break from school and sports. Emily Krieghoff, ’09, enjoyed the break from school.
“I wasn’t even considering Mexico because I had been so busy and I needed a break,” Krieghoff said. “During spring break I finally got a chance to just hang out with friends, watch movies, and relax at home. I definitely needed the time to just recover from the first quarter [of the second semester].”
Despite the appealing opportunity to catch up on homework and sleep, those who went on the excursion feel the trip was worth the hassle.
“Many people would think that it’s boring to spend a week in Mexico when you could be dong stuff with friends or relaxing,” Heather Lichti, ’10, said. “I love serving others and ministering while hanging out with my friends.”
