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.