We are officially in Mexico!!!

We just wrapped up training camp and today is our first real day of the semester, and honestly it still doesn’t feel real. I’ve been waiting and praying for this season for what feels like forever, and now that we’re actually here I can already see God’s fingerprints all over it.

But before getting to today, I need to rewind because getting to Chiapas was its own story. Our travel days were not smooth at all. We missed our flight from Cancun to Chiapas and ended up having to stay the night in Cancun which at the time was stressful and frustrating because all I wanted was to get to the field and see everyone again. But God provided, like He always does, through people. Seth Barnes was with us and truly helped navigate everything with so much peace. Looking back it felt like one big reminder that He goes before us even when our plans fall apart. So a day late, we finally landed in Chiapas, and stepping off that plane felt like exhaling after holding my breath for a month.

Then came the reunion. I didn’t realize how deeply I missed everyone until they were standing in front of me again. After living in community so intensely for months, going home was a lot harder than I expected. It was quiet. Too quiet sometimes. Going from having people around constantly, praying with you, worshipping with you, laughing with you, even annoying you, to suddenly being home alone was such an odd whiplash. It made me realize how much Jesus uses community to sharpen us and sustain us. So finally seeing everyone again was like my heart settling. We hugged and screamed and jumped around like little kids, and it was one of those moments where you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. We also have five new teammates this semester and I genuinely love them already. It’s crazy how quickly people can become family when you’re pursuing the same mission. It feels like God hand-picked each of them for this exact season and I’m grateful.

This semester we’re living at an orphanage here in Chiapas, and the kids have already ruined me in the best way. During training camp we spent most free moments outside with them, playing, singing, laughing, just being present. I brought my ukulele this semester which I was really excited about… until a guitar case fell on it and snapped it in half a couple days ago. I was honestly sadder than I expected to be, but thankfully a new one is already on the way. Before it broke, I brought it out one of our first days and one little girl reached out for it with the sweetest curiosity. I showed her how to play a couple chords and her whole face lit up. It was one of those tiny holy moments where you realize how much joy can exist in such simple things.

The kids don’t care that we barely speak Spanish. They grab our hands, sit us down, and start braiding our hair like we’ve been their big sisters forever. It’s wild how love translates without language. But at the same time it breaks my heart knowing the things many of them have walked through. There are moments I look at them and think about how different their childhood should have been. Part of me wants to scoop them all up and take them home with me.

Along with spending time with the kids, we also get to help the orphanage in a tangible way by planting a garden for them. The food situation here is really tough. The Mexican government helps, but it’s not enough to feed over a hundred kids three meals a day. This garden will help them have long-term access to fresh food, and it feels really special to get to be part of something that will outlive our time here. We need to raise $2,500 to make that happen. If you feel led to help support this garden ministry, I will put the link below and truly anything helps, even the smallest amount. I love that this isn’t just a quick fix; it’s something that will continue to bless the kids long after we leave and to me that feels really special!

Personal fundraising update — I am currently sitting at 75% funded!!! Seeing how God has provided through people already has been so humbling and encouraging. But we aren’t finished yet, so I would love prayer as I trust Him for the final chunk. If you feel led to support me personally, that link will also be below. Being here again feels like coming home in a weird way. I can feel God stirring things in me and around me and I’m honestly just excited to see what He does. This semester feels like it’s going to stretch me, grow me, and break my heart in the best ways. It already kind of has. I’m grateful to be here. I’m grateful for these kids. I’m grateful for community. And more than anything, I’m grateful that God writes stories way better than I ever could. Mexico, we’re ready!

See you all next week for another update :)

GARDEN MINISTRY SUPPORT LINK

https://pushpay.com/g/adventuresinmissions?fnd=CSy3NW9yD_p1rJmKMCTE_A&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl

MY FUNDRAISING LINK

https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/spring-2026-journey-school-chiapas-mexico-and-guatemala/participants/emma-villani9