Since coming down here as staff last year I have been trying to get Miss Stephanie Pack to come down here and teach one of our weekly classes. Last week all my hard work paid off and Miss Pack, one of my teachers from Bible College, came down to teach the FYMs. Miss Pack is someone that I respect greatly. My first year in college she taught my English class. From that class we developed a mentoring relationship. She has taught me a lot about people, ministry, and life. She is part of the reason I am involved in missions. This experience for me was a time where I was able to hopefully give back to her as she saw one of her former students in active ministry.

Our week started off with a Monday airport run to pick her up. Her flight was to arrive at 7:00pm. I left Mexico around 3:00pm because I needed to have enough time to get across the border and then do a few errands before I went to the airport. Around 5:00pm Miss Pack calls me and says, "I am in New Orleans." My mind quickly calculated that New Orleans was nowhere on the way to Mexico so something must be wrong. There was a problem in Houston. A storm was over the airport so they could not land. She ended up in New Orleans for a few hours then she arrived in Houston at 9:00pm.

Her next flight had been delayed from the storm and was leaving in 20 minutes. She ran through the airport and arrived at her gate only to find out they had delayed the flight another hour. She called me and let me know because I was still patiently waiting in Harlingen at the airport. With all the changes she would make it to Harlingen around 11:00pm. I was getting a little tired when 11:00 rolled around but I was excited to see her and that seemed to give me some energy.

Around the time her flight should have been arriving the she called me and said she was still in Houston but she was leaving in just a little bit. Now the flight would arrive at 12:30am. When 12:30am arrived the screen changed and arrival time became 1:00am. I was watching the clock by this time and five minutes before 1:00am the loudspeaker came on in the airport and the arrival time got pushed back to 1:30am. I was really tired by this time but I stayed awake and at 1:30am, after traveling for 13 hours, Miss Pack finally arrived in Harlingen, TX.

Little did we know that our next adventure was just around the corner. We went to collect her bags and after watching the same 5 bags go around the carousal a few times we decided her bags were not there. We filed a claim with the one agent left in the airport. Around 2:00am we were finally ready for the hour and fifteen minute drive to where I live in Matamoros.

As soon as we crossed into Mexico the Mexican border guards stopped us. I pulled off as two men approached my truck. I unrolled my window and began to answer questions. He then asked for my information and the information for the truck. He compared everything and it all checked out so he let us go. All this was strange because entering Mexico has a red light, green light system to determine which cars to search. I got the red light but normally they look in your car and say okay then you go. I have never had anything like this happen. It was now 3:00am but a least we were on our way again and had only twenty minutes left.

I drove through the quiet downtown answering the few questions she had about the buildings. She noticed some police cars and asked what they were doing. I explained they give tickets for traffic violations and that I had never been pulled over. Within one minute of those words leaving my mouth a police car was behind us with his lights on. At this point I was really wondering how something as simple as picking up someone from the airport could turn into all this.

I unrolled my window as the first officer approached. He asked me if I spoke Spanish and I said not really. He looked annoyed and then went back to his car. I was hoping he was just going to let us go. Then another officer approached the car and began to question me. I told him I was a missionary and I was coming back from the airport that is why I was on the road. He kept telling me I was speeding and he was going to give me a ticket. When I asked how fast I was going he said I was going 50mph and the speed limit was 30mph. I knew I was not going that fast because I had just looked at the speedometer and it said 35mph. I tried to argue with him but it was to no avail and I finally left with a speeding ticket. The time was now 3:20am. We traveled the remaining ten minutes and FINALLY arrived where I live at 3:30am. I was exhausted. I gave her the quick tour, found her some clothes to wear (she had no luggage) and we both went to bed.

Tuesday morning came along sooner then I wanted. I was still tired when I woke up. We, Miss Pack, and I opted to not attend our FYM group morning worship and sharing time so we had a little longer to sleep. However, 10:30 rolled around and soon I was introducing Miss Pack to the FYMers. The hour-long class flew by and before I knew it lunch was over. The FYMers went off to their ministry locations and we headed back to collect Miss Pack's luggage from the airport in Harlingen, TX. On the way to get the luggage I stopped and paid my speeding ticket so Miss Pack got to experience the Mexican Police Station. I think she enjoyed the experience so maybe it was worth the $12 I had to pay.

The rest of the day was uneventful. We arrived back in Mexico around dinnertime. We talked with the FYMs about the afternoon ministry and Miss Pack got to know the group better. It was a nice time of fellowship. Later that evening we had our Spanish class which we have every Tuesday and Thursday night. Miss Pack enjoyed it and she said it was amazing how similar French and Spanish are. She speaks French and she actually understood a lot of Spanish. I was impressed.

On Wednesday we had class, lunch, then went to the jail for ministry in the afternoon. Three of the female FYMers go to the jail twice a week to do ministry. It is a neat opportunity for them because they get a chance to disciple and talk about God to many women in the jail. Miss Pack was unsure what to think when we pulled up to the parking lot of the jail and three people with machine guns greeted us, but once she got into the jail she was fine. In the jail Miss Pack had the opportunity of sharing and loving on one of the woman in the jail who speaks English. I enjoyed the experience of getting to sit back and watch as my mentor was sharing Jesus with this woman.

On Thursday we had class and then I got to spend the afternoon with Miss Pack. It was a great experience for me. I was able to talk with her and she ministered to my heart. The time of her being here has helped me to put a lot of things back in perspective. I began to see things from a total different angle and I got wise counsel on how I could improve my leadership abilities and myself.

Friday brought the end of our amazing week of classes. I was sad the classes were over because when she teaches she brings the Bible to life and I have not heard her teach since I was a freshman in college. Friday afternoon she went with some of the FYMers to minister at a private, upper class, English speaking, school in Matamoros. Twice a week we have a team of five FYMers that go to this school and help. They teach a first grade and PE class, tutor students, love on the kids, and help with anything else the staff needs. This is a time for the FYM's to practice operating in the gifts and talents God has given them; apply the new things they are learning from our classes; reach out to the community; and establish relationships with people.

Miss Pack jumped in along side them and helped them teach the first graders. I think she enjoyed the experience even though it is a very active class. The first thing she said to me after exiting the school was she had never seen such a wild group of children and the FYMers helping with that class is something a paid teacher would not even want to do. That shows me that God must be working in all this because the FYMers are still going back. God is using them in a unique way to reach the upper class of Matamoros.

Our Friday evening consisted of dinner and then what we call "girls and guys night." We divide the girls and guys then we have separate Bible study, fun activities with them. I lead the night for the girls and I had asked Miss Pack to share whatever was on her heart with them. Our fun thing was she made cookies with them and then in the Bible study she talked about being a woman of influence. The girls of course loved it and it was a nice time for me to be able to relax not worrying about preparing the Bible study.

On Saturday morning I took Miss Pack back to the airport. It was hard for me to say goodbye because I might not get to see her again until the summer. I did enjoy her visit very much. She defiantly impacted the team in a way I never could. They were challenged to grow and most of the embraced that challenge. I am thankful she took the time to come down here and give of herself to the entire team even if it was only a short visit.