Welcome to the Crossing Borders Mission Blog. This blog is designed so that you can hear mission testimonials and other events.

Jessica’s Story

Hello to Crossing Borders alumni and supporters, In 2007 Jessica Izquierdo attended Crossing Borders Mexico mission camp.  As it turns out, she was at a critical turning point in her life, and CB played a key part for her.  I found her story very inspiring and Jessica gave me permission to share it with you.  It’s only a very few weeks till this year’s camp.  I hope you’re making plans to attend (if you can) and/or passing along news of the camp to others.  We’ve received several applications so far, and we’re praying others will join us also. Here is Jess’s story:

Hi, my name is Jessica Izquierdo, and this is my story on how a little faith can make a big difference. Last year in 2007, I was privileged enough to participate in the Crossing Borders Mission Trip to Mexico. Before going on this trip I had just graduated high school with no intention of pursuing college, and I had no plans or ideas for what I wanted to study or where I wanted to go. I was stuck in the ‘no motivation’ zone.

I got sponsored by my church, Family Worship Center in Miramar, Florida, to go on the Crossing Borders Mission Trip. Getting to the camp, I had no idea what was in store for me. But it didn’t take long for me to realize what it was. The trip opened up my eyes to a whole new world I had never seen before. I learned that there are so many underprivileged people out there that genuinely need love and support by those who can give it. I watched foster children in Mexico smile after receiving such little things as a jump rope or a Frisbee, since they had nothing but the shirts on their backs. Being able to spend that time with them brought joy to my heart and a new purpose in my life. Right there and then I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to continue to make a difference in the generations yet to come.

So I took a semester at the community college in my hometown, and I reached a few bumps in the road—not only in school, but in my personal life. One thing led to another and by January of 2008 I moved away from home to Tallahassee, Florida on a quest to start over brand new. I managed to get a fulltime job to be able to support myself in living expenses such as rent and car payments. Living paycheck to paycheck, I soon realized that I wasn’t going to be able to afford to pay for the mission trip coming up again in the summer. I had very little faith that I would be able to get sponsored again or somehow raise the money. But this is where God shows his mercy…

I brought up the trip dates to my employer as a possibility that I might need those days off. And being the generous and Godly man that he is, he donated money towards my trip. He also spread the word out to employees, friends and family, and by the end of the week I had received $350 in donations. I was receiving donations left and right and from the unexpected. The Smith family, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at last year’s trip, also donated toward my camp fee. I was well on my way to paying off the entire trip. With a little bit more to go, I planned a car wash and asked a few friends and co-workers if they wanted to help. Sure enough, I had a loving crew who showed up ready for a challenge. Our goal was to make $100. After meeting such kind people in need of a car wash and a long hard day’s work, we made our goal—and more! Not only did we make the $100, but we made more than enough to pay off the remaining balance of my camp fees plus my airline ticket to get me from Florida to the Texas/Mexico border!

So here I am, staring at the calendar. One month and two weeks to go, the mission trip will be here sooner than I can expect it. I look forward to going again and I can’t wait to see those beautiful children once again. With my little faith, big things happened. Imagine if I would have had more faith. Through God anything is possible, and I have learned that when you ask, you shall receive.