Week Four In Mexico

Another amazing week. We even got pulled over at the military check point to get the van searched for drugs. So much fun. The team was a little concerned but they quickly realized that it was OK. We even got two of the unarmed guys to pose for a picture with us. I got to work with a Native American team this week. They were so great. They practiced nailing and sawing before they came down. I have never heard of that. Even though the group was half the size of the other groups I have been building with; they finished the house in two days! They were very hard working and used to the heat (their reservation is in Arizona). I really liked getting to know them. When they first called the base to apply for building they said they really wanted to build a house but they didn't have the money. Later that same day someone called to say that they wanted to donate money to build a house and that they wanted it to be a Native American team. So cool. The family we built for was: Antionio, Sara, Jesus (15), Ailian (10), Alondra (15 Mo). Antionio makes $40 a week working in a factory. They have to pay $160 a month on the plot of land they bought. At the dedication it is usually the mom that starts crying first. This time it was Antionio. That is when everyone lost it. It was his turn to speak and he was having trouble getting his composure to speak. To have a Mexican man show that much emotion was very powerful. I'm sure it must be frustrating trying to provide for his family and to be given a house was overwhelming.

Week Three in Mexico

Another busy week down. This week was slightly less crazy because there were only two builds going on instead of five like the last two weeks. This meant that we had four staff on the house I was helping on. The team was really great. They were from a church in New Jersey. They had a lot of energy and really worked hard and very well together. The family was nice. There was Miguel, his wife Maria and their three kids Ulises (8), Angela (3) and Miguel (18 Mo.). I was a little sick on Sunday so I didn't get to go to church with the team. I got to do some stuff around the base though. Although it was a little strange being here with no one else around. We got the house finished in two days so we had a dedication party on the Tuesday. This was the first house I have done, as staff, that the team purchased furnishings for the house. Table with four chairs, plates and silverware, bunk beds, a range with a propane tank, towels and throw rugs. When we went to the build site on Tuesday, we told the family that they needed to go and help pick out a pinata for the party. After they left we set up everything in the house so it would be a complete surprise. When they got back we had the dedication which the whole neighborhood turned out for. When they went into the house Maria was so overwhelmed and was sobbing for about five minutes. Lots of people were crying. It was an amazing time. We went to a water park here in TJ for our day off. It was fun but I got sunburned.

Week Two in Mexico

This week was cooler fortunately. The team I was working with was almost all HS age with about 6 leaders that had some construction experience. Needless to say this week was a much easier build than last week. We finished in two days with time to dedicate on the second day. We went back there on the third day for evangelism and had about five people make a decision. The team was so funny. They had a redneck theme for their trip and had all adopted redneck names. They gave me one too; Jethro. The family we built for was Roberto and his wife Maria. They have five kids: Karla 11, Alexis 9, Janet 6, Michel 4 and Cecilia 1. They were living in a very small house with a dirt floor and scraps of wood for walls. Because the plot of land was small, that house had to be demolished to make room for the new house. As a result the kids stayed with their grandmother and the parents slept in their car for 10 days. They were so happy at the dedication.

Week One In Mexico

What a busy week! Thursday is the "day off" at the base. I came down last Thursday all ready for some building. Since it was the day off they had planned a fun day in San Diego on the water. I was really chomping at the bit to get started but it was a nice day with everyone.
Friday is the day that teams arrive for the week. When they get here they have spent a week at the base in Los Angeles doing missions work and getting trained in evangelism. Saturday is the first build day. This past week we had five separate teams building houses. This made it very hectic. Last year there were 30 summer staff; this year there are 7. Understaffed. Sunday each of the teams goes to a different local church to help put on a special service for the people there. Monday and Tuesday are the second and third build days. Wednesday the teams eat breakfast and go home. Thursday the staff gets things back in order and it all starts again.
I discovered just how difficult it can be to try and keep a group of J.H. and H.S. age youth motivated to build a house in 104 degree heat. SOOO sweaty. I didn't know I could sweat so much. I went through 3 liters each build day and sweated it all. It was so worth it. My team was from a Korean church in New Jersey. We built the house for a single mom, Maritza, and her two boys Ruben (8) and Jesus (6). She makes $80 a week and has to pay $150 a month for the land. It was such a blessing to be able to give her a house. The three of them worked very hard right along side us. Maritza even made food and drinks for us. I felt bad about that since I knew it could be a financial burden on her but I also knew that it was something she wanted to do and that we just had to appreciate her hospitality. At the house dedication she and Jesus were crying and I got all choked up too. It was very emotional. I can't wait until the new teams get here; the base is too quiet. I am anxious to meet the next family that I have the privilege to help build for. Until then it is time to wash clothes and get my tools ready.