By: Tammy Allison
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
When Ashleigh Allison of Wauseon boarded an airplane en route for the Philippines in March of 2009, she had no way of knowing that not only would she be bringing back her younger brother but also a heart on fire for missions. As a fifth grader at the time, Ashleigh was exposed to third world poverty that many people never witness their entire life. Miles traveled through the Philippines opened her eyes to a world far different from rural Wauseon…young children bathed in dirty rivers, trash littered busy streets, and orphanages filled with children were waiting for permanent families.
Ashleigh returned from that trip with more than a new brother. She now had a firsthand awareness of the true needs in other parts of the world. Ashleigh became involved with the missions committee at her church, The First Church of God in Wauseon. Last year, she organized a youth letter writing project with area youth groups affiliated with the area Church of God churches so that children attending the Church of God in the Philippines would receive letters of love, concern, and support following a devastating typhoon.
Earlier this year, her family learned of an opportunity of a local mission trip to Mexico with the Fayette United Methodist Church. Ashleigh updated her passport and prepared for the experience of a lifetime. On November 12, she boarded a plane headed to McAllen, Texas and joined a team comprised of fifteen other mission minded individuals including doctors, nurses, pastors, youth, pharmacists, and individuals willing to assist however they were needed. The Fayette United Methodist Church participates in this mission trip annually. It is organized through the West Ohio Methodist Conference along with the Ohio Health and the Oriental Conference of the Mexican Methodist Church to assist the citizens of Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. The short-term mission trip lasted five days and consisted of two days of travel and set-up and three days of mission service. This mission allowed those attending the opportunity to foster Christian understanding, give medical care, and witness firsthand the living conditions of the Mexican people.
The team stayed at the First United Methodist Church in Mercedes, Texas and crossed the border to the clinic each day. Besides the medical care that is provided, the team also provided a fun opportunity for the local children to enjoy an outdoor party complete with a piñata. The team also had the opportunity to do some shopping in Nuevo Progresso for handmade items such as blankets, painted spoons, and chocolates. It was colder in Mexico than it typically is, and the team experienced temperatures in the 30s and 40s with no coats and no heat, but it did not deter their determination and caring spirit to help others.
Aaron Hylander, a youth leader at the Fayette church, has gone on the trip for four years. He shared, “I first got started going when Pastor Kathy asked the congregation if anyone would like to go. Even though I have no medical experience as I’m a teacher, I decided to go and help out in whatever way I could. I have been hooked ever since! Each time I go, I think of what Jesus said…”The Lord will reply, whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.” I see Christ in all of the patients we see at the clinic. Even though the trip isn’t more than a few days, it helps me to remember just how blessed I am, and I am more thankful for the little things in my life.”
Ashleigh returned from Mexico with a greater appreciation of the simple things generally taken for granted in this country. “It was an awesome experience to witness how fortunate I really am. I am thankful God allowed me this opportunity, and I appreciate all the support from my church, Wauseon First Church of God, my family, and the mission team I spent five days with.” She hopes this is the first of many more mission trips to come in her future.
Tammy may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com