A recent mission trip to Mexico was an eye-opener for several Charleston Southern University students. The university’s Christian vocal ensemble, New Vision, traveled to Mexico City Jan. 4-11.
New Vision, a Christian vocal ensemble from Charleston Southern University, traveled to Mexico City in early January.The group of 20 included New Vision director Allen Hendricks and CSU Spanish professor Pamela Peek. The group was hosted by International Mission Board missionary David Boyter. The schedule included worship opportunities at outdoor venues and at a homeless shelter. The singers spent a rainy day under a tarp that housed several families.
Worshiping at a homeless shelter impacted several students, including Katie Caulder, a senior from Beaufort. “I was like, these people are homeless – why are we doing an offering?” she said. “Then these guys started bringing trash bags full of aluminum cans and dropped them at the altar. Just when I thought I had nothing else to give God – I was emotionally and spiritually drained – these homeless people are giving aluminum cans they could have traded in for money.”
Caulder said the worshipers loved songs sung in both Spanish and English, with one of their favorites being the Southern gospel song, “Halfway.” “Language was a barrier when it came to conversation, but it never was a barrier when it came to worship,” she said.
It was the first international mission trip for 10 of the CSU students. Each returned with his or her own story. Many were saddened by the poverty but were humbled by the people’s contentment and their willingness to share.
For sophomore Clint Johnson, it was “a reminder of the call on my life – and every Christian’s life – to be salt and light. The mission field is when I wake up and step out of the dorm room. It’s wherever I am.”
Hendricks said it took three tries for the trip to happen, but he believes God’s timing was perfect. “We had a terrific – exhausting, but terrific – experience,” said Hendricks. “We have already scheduled a worship service at one Spanish speaking congregation in our area and have leads on a second. We’re finding international mission opportunities right here in our own community.”