Blogging In Mexico

They call this an "exploratory trip" into Mexico for Buckner International. It's a six-day trip Dec. 13-18 that will take us into the interior of our southern neighbor.

We've built a good international reputation for our mission work in eight countries, including China, Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Peru, Romania, Russia, and the U.S. A big part of the rep has been our work along the Texas-Mexico border. Now we're expanding into our ninth country, Mexico, and the opportunities look great.

I use the word "great" with more than one meaning: yes, the opportunity is great, but so is the immensity of the work. A quick look at our itinerary shows the variety of need in this country just to our south. After travelling most of the day Thursday (a flight to Mexico City, with a connection to Oaxaca), we'll meet up Friday with some Christians working in a Zapotec village, then tour a rehab center before visiting a children's ministry in the La Joya colonia. We'll meet in the evening with members of Iglesia Bautista Armonia Familia (Family Harmony Baptist Church) to discuss mission opportunities with them. And that's just Friday.

There are four of us from Buckner on the trip. Once we begin taking volunteer teams in, they'll run from a handful to dozens, depending on the work. I'm Russ Dilday, and I've been telling the Buckner story for several years. Analiz Gonzalez writes for Buckner Communications and will be doing all of the stories that come from the week. Brad Vinson, our multi-media guy, will be shooting video and attaching downloadable video for this blog.

We're led this week by Dexton Shores (more on him later), but I'll summarize him by saying he's one of the premier missiologists to Mexico anywhere. Although he's been a co-worker only a few months, he's our key to reaching into Mexico for ministry to children and communities.

I'll try to update daily, depending on Internet connections, and post photos muy pronto. Please pray for our team as we spend a very fast six days discovering what God has in store for the children of Mexico through Buckner.