It is now just 13 days or 2 weeks to the day until I leave for The Ultimate Workout Mission teen mission trip in Mexico at which, I will be staffing at (The official countdown clock to the time my flight takes off is on my website). If you aren't aware already, I will be a pastor at one of six different sites, each with about 24-28 high school-aged teenagers.The team of staff members at my site and I make up six members each, with a different main role: The Project Coordinator, Construction Superintendent, Pastor, Head Cook, and Medic/Nurse.
The countdown craze started this past weekend. I've slowly been pulling needed things out of their places around the house and placing them next to my giant brand new duffle bag. Today, I visited Walmart for some needed supplies while Big 5 Sporting Goods and Home Depot are to be visited soon. The checklist is out and the things still to be bought are highlighted. Although it's still two whole weeks until I leave, I already feel behind and as much as I want to relax and take a breather, there is so much to be done for this mission trip or for other things I need to take care of before I leave.
Once I arrive in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico on the afternoon of July 5th, my mission work almost starts immediately. My first project is a Reunion project with participants from any of the previous 19 Ultimate Workout Mission trips. This project starts the next morning and has two options for us participants to choose from. I don't know the full in-depth details yet, but both options are to build a church in 3 days which will be tough! We will be staying in a hotel for this project however, when I say we will just be in our rooms to shower and sleep, I mean just that! Plus, I'm almost completely positive that the hotel we will be staying in will be nothing compared to our American hotels here. :)
July 9-11 is Alumni Reunion Weekend. Everyone in attendance has been on an Ultimate Workout mission trip. Hanging out, reminiscing, catching up, and celebrating what God has done in missions as well as in our lives will all take place here. This will also be happening at a hotel about 90 minutes from Tuxtla Gutierrez in the colonial town of San Cristobel.
July 11-13 I take a 90 minute travel back to Tuxtla Gutierrez for staff orientation and training. Here we'll meet with our staffing groups to get oriented with our sites, various disciplines, worshipping together, covering logistics, and getting on the same page as we prepare for the big Ultimate Workout 20! There will also be some down time for us to get ready and eager for the arrival of the teenaged participants.
July 13-26 is UW20. 6 sites full of teenagers. 6 churches to be built. Very primitive living conditions. 6 Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for the local children. Some sites will be doing other ministry programs as well.
Again, right now where I stand, I'm placing everything I need to pack near by huge duffle bag. The things I need to get at stores are soon to be gotten. The lesson studies and activities I will be teaching are being preparing. I also should get started in practicing some of the praise music I will be using to lead out in praise at the site I will be at huh?
ALSO, on top of being a pastor and music leader, I will be a photo journalist for Insight Magazine. This requires me to take MANY pictures. I will also need to interview every participant at my site and write about the site and how it will have affected me by the end of the trip.
This is the update so far. Two weeks from today right now, I will be in Mexico. Stay tuned for more updates!
-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com
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