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As a missionary, it’s often hard to go back to your mission field. It’s typically a bittersweet experience. You are excited to be back “home” again, but you notice that “home” isn’t what it used to be. You are happy to see the smiling faces of your friends and family, but you quickly realize that there are some faces missing. You rejoice when you see how certain people have flourished in their faith, but you are heartbroken to hear of others who have fallen away. Life has moved on, both for you and for them. Things are different. And different can often be disappointing.

I left Mexico City as an AIM student in August of 2003. Since then I have returned a few times and have experienced the bittersweet feelings that a typical AIMer feels when they go back. This year’s trip was different, though. I think I’d moved past the feelings of disappointment and was able to simply rejoice in the fact that God had given me the opportunity to live in that great city. I was once again blessed to see what God was doing and how He was working among the Christians in various parts of Mexico City.

One way I see God working is in the lives of the Molina family. Israel and Nelly Molina were some of my very first friends in Mexico. They were a sweet couple who had been married for about a year, and when my team arrived they already had a baby on the way. Israel was a local missionary, and Nelly was getting her degree in law. Israel led several small groups in the city and I was blessed to be a part of some of them. Each week I was able to visit with them, learn from them, and I quickly grew to love them.

Gael was their first child. I was on the field when he was born and left when he was barely one year old. Now they have three children. Gael is seven, Julianne is three, and Amelie is seven months old. (In the picture below you will see two of the three.) I was overjoyed to see my friends again and I praise God for their dedication to the Lord. They continue to work with the church in Tlalpan (an area in southern Mexico City), and they dream of reaching other parts of Mexico as well. They have a passion for Lord, and a genuine love for people that shines through in everything they do. Please pray for the Molinas as they are trying to secure just a few hundred dollars more in monthly support to continue this awesome work. If anyone personally would like to help them, contact us and we will get you connected to the Molinas.

So while going back to your field can bring a lot disappointment because of the changes that happened while you were gone, it can also bring joy. I was full of joy as I realized that the Molinas haven’t changed. Their family looks a little different than when I left, but their hearts are still on fire for the Lord and they are still focused on serving Him. Prasie God for that!