The trip started off sad because one of our members stayed behind after loosing a precious baby in the womb the day before we were to leave. We were sad for him and his wife and pray blessing and healing on their family.
We met at the church at 11:30 pm, drove the church bus to Dullas, flew to chicago, then to California. Then we drove 3 rented 15 passenger vans an hour into Mexico. The trip was loooong but everything went very smoothly. When we got to Mexico Caravan Ministries alot of us were suprised with how 'basic' the accomadations were. 27 of us girls were in one small room with triple bunk beds. We used every bed and 4 people shared. There were 4 toilets for 40 girls (there was another group there too) 1 mirror and no outlets. No hair dryers and no hair straighteners - hey you were lucky to get a shower :) I quickly realized how spoiled and bratty I am and how I am so used to convenience. I kept looking at James like ' was he tricking us?' he said the accomadations were fine and the CBC group that he took before didnt complain when they came home? What was I missing? I was wondering why he looked so happy here and why he thought the place was so great. I was not seeing or feeling greatness!
Monday morning we headed to build our first home for a family. I put a few breakfast bars in my bag (they dont really like you to do that because it is offensive not to eat the mexican's food) I already told you how bratty I am. When we arrived up this very steep and dangerous (in my spoiled opinion) hill, we met the family we were building for. We started to talk to the man and he informed us that he just got out of prision. He had been in for 18 years. None of us were brave or stupid enough to ask what he had done but it was a little scary and humbling to be building the house for this man. They had one small shelter they were living in. They did not have a toilet but they had a stove, a lady, a little girl, the prision guy, a dog or two, a bed. They made our lunch in there. They also gave us drinks that were in re used pop bottles. They obviousally dont have dish washers so I stuck to the water we brought. I was so proud of the teens who ate and drank their food. I did eat some of the food but I have no idea what the meat was (dog is my guess)?! James ate my left overs. There was not alot of food so I am sure the family was very poor and sacrificed alot to feed us. James thought it tasted good. But by this time in the trip I was realizing that he was def wearing rose colored glasses and I needed to be more like him - but I was not feeling it yet and my glasses were still seeing a totally dif picture. Yes - I did eat one of my speial K breakfast bars in private. James was not very happy at me and couldnt believe I was having trouble loving every moment like he was. It was hot, people - and hammering nails on the roof and putting a house together in a place that I felt was a little on the dangerous side was a tad more difficult that I thought. And I was dying to go to the loo! There was no loo to be found. Our bladders got used to it after the fist day. James, of course, never found it to be a problem :) Mexico? a very humbling experience and a realization of how selfish and spoiled I am. Cara was my hero! She never stopped working and I am sure she didnt love it but I never heard her complain. She was my role model :) I dont think she even sneaked a breakfast bar!
At the end of the day , the ex prision guy said this was the best day of his life. He said no one had ever done something so nice for him and he couldnt imagine his life being any better than this. He meant it. He thought this 12 x 12 shelter we built for him and the lady and the little girl and the dogs was the best thing ever! He couldnt imagine being any happier than he felt right then. This man was crying. God showed love through us. God loved this man and HE choose to allow us to show this man love on HIS bahalf. I was so humbled and thankful that God used us/me. I had a hard day and the hardest part was seeing how selfish I was.
Tuesday was another great day giving a home to a family. We gave two of our guys away for the day to help pour a cement slab so our group had to work harder without the two guys which was actually more fun. Because everyone was needed at all times. Our lunch was actually good and we had a toilet! I didnt use it because there was a chicken or a rooster in there :)
Each morning we had a service were a missionary would speak to us. These times were so precious and we heard so many soul stiring things. I was starting to see why James liked it so much...
We heard things like ' we are blessed to be a blessing' (it means something totally dif when you are faced with such poverty). We are to be people of prayer, people of humility,people of surrender, people of understanding, people of faith. They told us to live intentional lives for the unreached people to hear. There are many people who have never heard about Jesus Christ. Ireland has and can hear, Americans can hear but there are people who do not know and we need to tell them. We need to be ready to go. I need to not get caught up in the material things of this world and culture. Dont be tied down with debt so if God says GO! We can pick up and GO! I want to go and let the lost know. I want to be caught doing God's business. God shouldnt be first on our list. HE IS THE LIST! I loved the talks and God stirred my heart to wake up to the people who have never heard. God cares for the poor. He wants me to care more,give more,keep less and go more!
Building the four homes was a great experience. It was great for the families to have a home and it was great what God did in my heart.
The last day we visited two orpahages. When we pulled up at the first orphanage, the little children were standing at the gate. So sad! When we came in I was blessed to see Annette and Emily both find little babies straight away. They would of taken the babies home if they could. We were all touched by the poverty in the orphanage. We brought juice and Pizza for the children. But the babies needed their milk. We asked a lady for the baby's bottle and she said 'sorry, no water'. Our hearts broke. The baby ended up drinking some of the juice we brought. We saw how we can send money for water. That's not hard and a very basic need for these precious babies. I saw a little boy Conor's age running around with a super hero mask on. There was still joy in the little children's eyes. The teenagers, however, seemed like they knew they would never be apart fo a 'family'. It was precious to see our team love on these children. May God bless these little children in a mighty way and may He use us to do it!
My trip to Mexico was sad. It was sad to see how poor they are and how rich we are. I am asking God what He would have me do with all of this infomation. We build the homes and then there is a group who come and tell these families about Christ and His love for them. The gospel is in Mexico. But there are countries that do not know. May God open my eyes more to this realization.
I think by the end of the week, we realized how great the accomadations truely were and how blessed we were to be apart of it. I don't think James loved having me along on this trip but I learned alot and admire him all the more! note to self - always carry clean water and a few breakfast bars :0)
Conor and Erin? they stayed at our house with Papa and Grandma and had a blast. Conor said the time with Papa and Grandma went by too quick. We are staying home for the rest of the year (and i may stay in my pajamas)!! We made a decision to get rid of TV watching in our home. There were alot of speakers that were a little rough around the edges and honestly, if these men can live without it - so can we! May God be glorified.
