Journal Entry Day 1

Greetings from Weslaco, Texas!  Your missionaries arrived here early on Sunday afternoon, having traveled in three vans and two pick-up trucks.  As in the past, we spen some of our travel time getting to know the other members of our group.  Altogether, there are 35 members of our group.  We hail from 8 different Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and we range in age from teenagers to a few fifty and sixty-somethings.  Because of god planning and many cooperative drivers and story-tellers, we arrived here safely, and for the most part, in good moods.  Carol had already shopped for food and been graciously welcomed into our home and family away from home.  As usual, the Weslaco Church is making our stay even better than a Holiday Inn Express.  They go over the top with food and desserts.  (I understand ther is a freezer full of cookies already baked just for us.)

     This morning we left bright and early for our meeting with the site managers of Ministerio de Fe.  We were at the church to get our assignments and pick up our summer volunteer before 7:00 a.m. today.  We are building two houses again this year, and as in a previous year, the homes are around the block from each other.  This year we are back in the same colonia as the Church complex.  One of the major changes in the colonias this year has been the paved roads.  (Yes, you read that correctly . . . paved roads!)  Because it was an election year, several of the main "roads" in the colonia have been paved and there have been overpasses built on the major highway that runs along the factories, much like the Memorial Parkway in Huntsville.  It is really quite impressive and indicative of how much the colonias have changed in the 13 years we have been going there.  As you might expect, there are quite a few cell phone towers, and there appears to be some electricity in most areas.

     We have been divided into groups of about 15 each, making certain that there is a fair distribution of specialty workers, experienced missionaries, and rookies. For both teams, the only work that had been done on the home site prior to our arrival was the pouring of the foundation.  No blocks had been laid at either site.  The other site, apparently, is on a little bit of a slope, so much had to be done to level the first row of blocks.  At both sites, then, we mixed mortar, laid block, and formed a little bit or rebar.  I think the other site might have been able to begin forming the cages of rebar.  As in past years, each of us is called to certain labors at the home site.  At site number one, Anita and Emily showed their expertise at straigtening the rebar wire.  This requires a hammer and a lot of pounding for the Americans.  (Some of the Mexican women can get the rebar straight with two pounds of the hammer!)  I understand Emily explained the physics of forming rebar to her fellow laborers. 

     It will not surprise you to learn that it was quite warm today, although we did have a few clouds and warm breezes, as well as shady work areas at both sites.  Nevertheless, most of us began to wane shortly after resuming our work after our morning snack.  (It is easy on the first day to work harder and not pace ourselves in our eagerness to begin our hoOne of the humorous things that happened at site #1 involved David Gemmill and Ezekiel, who is the MDF foreman at that site.  Apparently, they both donned sunglasses to mimic Emily's infamous "two bad kitties" t-shirt.  Someone suggested that perhaps they were Tom Cruise, but most of the Mexican ladies, since they apparently knew who Tom Cruise was, disagreed.
 
     Both of the work sites have a summer volunteer who is helping by instructing us in building a house, communicating in Spanish with the Mexican workers and volunteers, and talking about their work with Ministerio de Fe.  Both helpers are young women, Addie and Ashley.  If you worked at Grank's site last summer, I believe Ashley was one of the volunteers with that group.  She is helping on my site, house #2, and Addie is with the #1 house group.  ( I am certain that Emily asked her as many questions as I asked Ashley, but I did not get a chance to talk with emily before I walked over here.  Tomorrow, I will try to let you know a little about her.)  Ashley has worked two summers with MDF, as well as spent two spring breaks buildign houses here.  She has been a student at William and Mary, but she is taking some time away from school to do a few other things.  After spending some time with friends, she plan to buy a one-way ticket to South AFrica, where she knows a couple who works with children who have been affected by AIDS in some way.  When she is done there, she willcome back to the states to complete her education.  Ashley is set on being a missionary to the folks in South Africa, and after talking to her today, I am certain that goal will be accomplished.  

     We were late getting to the church for lunch and worship today.  (Our goal for the house was to lay ten rows of block; we worked steadily until 1:00, and just completed five rows!)  At any rate, worhsip had already begun when we arrived at the church.  We slipped into the full sanctuary in time to sing a few songs and listen to a few workers talk about their love of God and their eagerness to serve others.  Since we were at the back of the church, it was hard to hear what the speakers said or to see the words of the songs we did not know.  Tomorrow, we hope to get there in time to eat and then worship.  Several of the workers had prepared food for us, so we ate their lunch of rice, a potato mixture, and tortillas, and then shared what we had made with some of the others at the worhip service. 

     Becasue we were late all the way around, the Pharr bridge was loaded to the turn-off with bumper-to-bumper trucks; we could not even get to the car line.  So we drove to Nuevo Progreso to cross back into the United States.  On our way ere, we passed a road block of sorts, which was manned with armed Mexican aarmy personnel.  They were obviously looking for a particular car as we were waved through.  It is always a little scary to see army personnel out and about in such force.

     (I am typing like crazy while the little clock in the corner ticks off my seconds!)

     Have I mentioned the food being prepared by Carol and Linda?  It is reason enough to come on a mission trip!  And those of us who are working hard building a house really look forward to our meal and fellowship with the other members of the group.  Last night, we had pork tenderloin, hash brown casserole, and Asian slaw, plus all the wonderful desserts prepared by the Weslaco folks; tonight it is some kind of macaroni and beef dish. 

     Tomnorrow, I expect we will complete the block and then perhaps mix some big batches of concrete for the columns.  (Our site received tow huge dumptruckfuls of gravel and sand . . .obviously in preparation for our next labor of love.

Journal Entry Day 2

Greetings from your missionaries in Mexico!  Today was another productive day doing the work of the Lord.  Elise is asking folks every day how they would rate their experience in the colonia.  Most of the answers I have heard have been 8's, 9's, or even 10's.  Some are somewhat reserved in their rating due to the fact that we all expect a "mountaintop experience"  by the end of the week, and if this day is a 10, what will that day be?

     At both work sites today, mortar was made and blocks were laid up to the tenth row.  At the other work site, several in our group are working on the "rebar" line.  In fact, Katie told me that is all she did today.  Alma, for who we built the house two years ago, is working on that rebar team, and so their time flies quickly with those fun-loving folks.   At our house, there is a small group of Mexican women who are doing the same thing in the next-door-neighbor's yard.  We all have been so busy laying block that I think Drew was the only person who got to go help there today.  Tomorrow will be a little different, as both sites will be making the forms for the columns, mixing the concret, andpouring the columns, and hopefully, pouring the floor.  So some of us will spend part of our day working the rebar line.

     At our house, we had five teams of block-layers and assistants.  (At the other house site, I believe the assistants are called "blockheads," and I actually think that is what I was, too!)  Each "team" has a master block layer, the one who actually sets the block and levels it; then there are one or two "assistants" who pass filled trowels, water the block or the mortar,  butter the block or make the sausages, and then hand the block up to the master block layer.  Other members of the team bring mortar to these teams when it is needed, as well as keep the mortar pile going.  As with so many other things, each block-layer has his or her preferences for how this is done, and we had five different styles going. 

     It was a full day of work for almost all of us!  However, there was some time to walk in the neighborhood, visit the other site, and even play some soccer with the neighborhood children.  We also took some time to pass out some of the gifts and candy we brought to the work site.  Sonjia brought a cactus dish for our lunch today.  It was very good, but quite spicy witha powerful after kick.  She served it with rice and tortillas.  Today was also the day that Deantin visited this colonia and led us in worship.  (Miss Virginia . . . Myra delivered your cake!)  He looks great, for those of you who know him, and he always remembers us.  In his "talk," he mentioned how this was the 13th year of Ministerio de Fe and so far they have built 1600 homes, which he pointed out were "hurricane home," having survived all of those weather events in tact.  We sang the songs we love and before the end of the service, he quizzed the Mexicans and Americans about some of the things he mentioned.  If you knew the right answer, you stood up and gave the information when called upon.  Both Sonjia, the woman for whom we are building the house, and Kayo won tee shirts today for their correct answers. 
 
    Last night, Theo started the Mexico Mission Ping Pong Tournament, as we drew for our first games.  Many have "played" their first matches, and we are into the second round of play for most people.  It might surprise you to learn that many matches are played in the middle of the night.  Tonight, Kerryl and Frank play, and it is billed as "the match not to miss!"  We are thinking that Theo and Robin will be the pre-game entertainment.  More later as the tournament progresses.  

     Today, we decided to circumvent the Pharr Bridge again by driving back and crossisng the border at Nuevo Progreso.  As we arrived at the crossing, the person sitting in the shotgun seat distributed our documents, so we were ready when the border patrol asked to see our passports.  Both Kayo and Elise handed over their passports for the officer to scan.  Then he asked Kayo how many children he had.  Kayo answered seven, which seemed to work for him, but which we all knew was the wrong answer, whether the man meant personal children or children in the van.  The passports were returned with the polite reminder to sign them, and we were on our way.  We have learned to wait until all the vans are through, which took a few minutes.  When we go back to the church, we learned that in the other vans, five passports were requested and scanned, and the officer implied that a driver's license was not quite good enough.  (We all know that is not quite true.)  One of those border patrol men suggested that the two persons in the front seats should have passports, making the border crossing easier. 

     One other exciting event on the way home . . . a warning ticket was issued to the first van for driving over the speed limit.  (That would be the Presbyterian van, the one in which I was riding, and the one that Kayo was driving.)  We all saw the state trooper nestled under a shady tree, and we hope that we were within the legal limit.  As we passed, he immediately put on his lights and turned his car around to pull us over, with the other two vans pulling in right behind him. Almost all the young people in our van were enjoying their second siesta of the trip home when the teacher in me barked out the orders:  "Wake up!  Sit up!  Put on your seat belts and don't say anything unless you are spoken to directly!  Put on your shoes, too!"  You have never seen six young persons, (and three adults,) move so quickly!  You all would have been so proud of your children's behavior and intuitiveness that this was a "real thing."  The officer let us off with a "warning," thank goodness.

     Our refreshment as we returned today was one of Carol's specialties . . . her mango salsa.  By the time I got in the door, there were about eight people gathered around the tablre, work boots and work stuff in one hand, and chips and salsa in the other hand, and the line was not moving at all.  If you have not tried it, it is spectacular! 

Journal Entry Day 3

Hola!  Today was what the old-timers call "hump day."  Wednesday is traditionally the day when we are the tiredest and not so smart.  In order to try to prevent that, Emily gave us a all a pep talk before we got on our vans to travel this morning.  (Yesterday, Emily spent alot of time with the children at her site.  She taught them how to do the "Hoky-poky" and how to make a "choo-choo.  She is ever the "maestra!")  When we  got in our van, our group received a second pep talk from Elise, just to make certain that we understood the inherent challenges of Wednesday.  She said we should be like ducks and just let the problems roll off of our backs like water.  For us, the secret word whenever a problem arose was "quack."  Neal even made a cheer for us before we began our work.  When we stopped at the colonia this morning for our beginning pit stop, Ashley had to wake someone to unlock the compound.  That's when we learned that the helper for house number 1 was not feeling well, so Ashley would be supervising both work sites.  Frank, of course, knew what to do, and Ezekiel was also helping them, so it was not too big of a problem.
   
     For both house sites, we were to frame the columns, mix the concrete and pour the columns, and then mix another batch of concrete and pour the floor.  For those of you who may be new to the process, the wood in the colonias is used and reused by as many house builders as possible.  It mysteriously arrives the night before we are to use it, and then is taken away when we no longer need it.  While the more experienced "carpenters" put up the forms, the rest of the group begins the big mixing . . . I think it was 18 wheelbarrows each of gravel and sand, seven 100 pound bags of cement, and enough water to make a good, but not too soupy, mix.  Then we form  bucket line and pass buckets of the concrete to those on the top of the scaffolds and continue until all columns are filled.  We next mixed another large batch, and those with stronger backs and arms wheelbarrowed concrete into the house where the MDF helper smoothed it out to make their floor.  Unfortunately, we had to do another smaller mixing at our house, in order to have enough for the floor.  The wheelbarrow at house site #1 got a flat tire halfway through the floor, so we sent our wheelbarrow over there.  Because that put them a little behind, some of our team joined them to help finish their morning work.  (While we waited fo rthe executive decisions to be made, Theo, Elise, and Drew walked to the corner store for a few Joyas and diet Cokes.  You can't imagine how good that tastes after a hard day of shoveling concrete.)  So as not to miss the worship service completely, Kayo took a van load of us over to the church for a quick lunch and then the worship service.  Sonia made a lot of food again today, and so it was important that there some of us there to share in that meal.  (Today, it was some kind of spicy chicken, rice, beans and of course, tortillas.)  The workers at house site #1 stayed at their site to eat dinner with their family, and then they came on to the church after that. 

     We were surprised to find Deantin at the worship service again today.  He talked a little bit about himself and the history of Faith Ministry.  Most of you are familiar with the fact that he once was a sports equipment salesman, but he took a faith step and began a ministry that would help meet the needs of the poorest in the colonias.  Many of us know the "Starfish Story," but Deantin repeated it for those who might be new to the work of Faith Ministry.  We sang two of our favorite songs, the one when we wander all over the sanctuary singing and shaking hands with as many of the folks as we can, and closed with "Unidos" and a prayer by Pastor Alfredo. 

     Deantin reminded us that the houses will be dedicated tomorrow during a church service at 1:30.  Although we are already scheduled to have lunch with Alma and her family, we trust we will be back at the church so as not to miss this service of dedication.  The families are all give a few minutes to say what they would like about their circumstances and to thank the missionaires for the house that was built.   Traditionally, it is a very moving service, one that makes us all realize how important we are to these families, and it is not just about the house.  We are all Christians celebrating the love of God and our love for each other.  We realize right away that we are making a difference in the lives of these people, just as the boy picking up starfish did for each of them.  What a wonderful way to spend a week!

     Last night, Pastor Ron was in charge of the Eventide.  His mini-sermon was a powerful way for us to end our day as he talked about the light each of us brings to our fellow Christians and to others in our path.  It made us all realize the difference our lives make in others, and the difference others' lives make in ours.  Several in our group talked about how we are always meeting other people who-all-of-a-sudden are put in our paths to make a difference.  It was the perfect way to end our Tuesday!  Ping-pong matches followed closely the conclusion of Eventide, and many were cheered on by a small "peanut gallery" of chairs set up around the table. 

     Tonight is the "ice cream social" where Daniel will show his powerpoint of our past mission trip.  This is one more opportunity for us to be missionaries.  It is always good to put faces with those names of people who have provided the terrific desserts all week!  We certainly eat like kings and queens while we are here, thanks to Carol, Linda, and the good folks from Weslaco First Pres.

     Thank you again for allowing us to be part of God's work in another country!  We are honored to serve, and the gifts we receive are many.  Please continue to pray for our safety at the work site, as well as a few cooling breezes and cloudy moments.  We are working hard for the Lord!

Journal Entry Day 4

     Greetings from your missionaries in south Texas and Mexico!  Before I tell about today's events, I want to let you know that the Weslaco Church held a delightful "ice cream social" for us yeasterday evening after our dinner.  We had the opportunity to visit some of our "old" friends from this church, as well as get acquainted with some of the members we had not met.  After enjoying a few new flavors of ice cream, Mexican caramel, and scrumptious brownies, we sang a few of our favorites in Spanish and Emily gave a statistical analysis of the make-up of our group.  It was really very interesting to hear us described in terms of familial relationships, (there are a lot of families on this trip), as well as occupation.  Daniel then presented his most recent powerpoint of the Mexico Mission trip 2006.  Some of you may have seen this before, but I had not.  Daniel puts pictures and music together to give us a media presentation of the mission.  This year, he dedicated to the memory of two others who loved to serve others in the Mexico colonias:  our friends Peter Duke and Lupe, both of whom passed away since our last trip.  Many of us were not prepared for that, and it really tugged at our heart strings as we all tried not to cry.  It made the presentation even more special for those of us who have missioned with those guys.

     This morning, we were met with the problem of no water in the colonias.  What an unexpected dilemma, which we tried to let roll off our backs.  We were supposed to pulloff the forms from the columns, pull out the nails, (and save them), and then make the ring from the same wood, tie the rebar cages on top of the walls, and then make concrete to pour into those forms.  Without water, we were temporarily put off our pace.  As usual, we are reminded of God's time and God's plan.  The lack of water to make concrete allowed all at the work sites to spend a little time fellowshipping with our fellow workers, both American and Mexican.  At our site, we quizzed Ashley and spent time talking with one another, and for the first time at this house, we helped tie some rebar cages.  Drew also sat in the road with some of the young children, coloring and drawing with them.  At the other site, they were better prepared to handle some free time.  While their forms were put up for the ring, the VBS material from Anita's church, Copeland, was passed out, and Emily taught the children how to  make necklaces.  The women at Karryl's church had sent dolls, and Emily even helped the children at their site make necklaces for the dolls.  Some of their young people used their free time to walk through the colonia giving away some of the toys they brought and talking with the neighbors.  When the water was turned back on, after about an hour, it began slowly . . . actually, it was more of a dribble.  At our site, one person was set to watch the bucket fill with water, dump it in the big barrel, and then start the process again.  Drew was able to do this and talk to the children, too!  At house #1, Daniel poured the entire ring, with others helping by handing the buckets of concrete up to him.  That certainly will put him in the running for the Paysinger Award, along with a few others who seem to do the work of a few men and women.  (No one can do the work of five Mexican women except Chris Paysinger!  People still talk about it in the colonias!)

     You might be wondering about the summer volunteer for house #1.  Addie was taken to the doctor in the states today, since she was still unable to keep her food down.  Most think she has only caught a little bug, but they were concerned she might become dehydrated, so they took her on, just to be safe.  I wil try to give you the "rest of the story" tomorrrow. 

     As you already know, today we were going to Alma's home for lunch.  As it happened, house #1 finished first, and they went on to Alma's house.  We got done around 12:40, so we went when we finished.  Although it was not as leisurely as we would have liked, some did get to spend a little more time enjoying her delicious meal and visiting.  Alma served some spectacular tamales, a macaroni salad witha habanara pepper dressing, and frest fruit.  (Needless to say, we had anticipated this, and only made lunches for our amigos and amigas today.) 

     We arrived at the church with time to spare; we did not want to miss the dedication of the homes this year!  After a few songs and a brief sermon by Pastor Alfredo, (the topic was "Who is your neighbor?" and he used the  story of the Godd Samaritan as his text), Isdro introduced each of the families.  There were five homes built this week in the colonias, two of them by the people in your mission group.  Each family was given the opportunity to say a few words about how grateful they were to God and to the people who built them a home.  After the service, all were asked to come forward and welcome the families with handshakes and hugs.  Before we left, we took a few minutes for photos and to hand out some gifts.  (Boyd, we have show your pictures all over the colonia and at the church, and today, Isidro said he know those young men, and he would deliver your photos and gifts to them.)  Pastor Alfredo made a group picture for all the cameras in the group, after which, we returned to Weslaco.

     This evening, our dinner is an hour later so that some of our folks can shop in Nueva Progresso.  So we are eating at 7:30 and Jaina is serving Communion following our meal.  It will be a little later evening, but the worship tonight is always so meanigful to all of us.  Tomorrow, with water willing, we will be laying the last three rows of block and doing a little tidying up around our home site.  Linda and Carol will travel with us, bringing food for our families, and Communion will be served at the home sites.  It also willb e a special service for all of us who have made good friends and built a home for a family.  What a wonderful gift we are able to give these people!  Thank you, again, for sending us to do God's work in another country.  We are blessed to be a blessing!! 

Journal Entry Day 5

  On Thursday evening, our meal was Texas-size baked potatoes, and any leftovers from the rest of the week.  (The food was just as good the second time around.)  We then walked out to the Weslaco church courtyard for a candlelight communion service led by Pastor Ron Schultz.  We sang “Sanctuary” and “Spirit of the Living Lord;” Lynn sang a beautiful song in Spanish, also about the Spirit of the Lord.  As Ron spoke of the power of the Holy Spirit, we could actually feel the breath of the Lord on us.  With communion elements of tortillas and juice, we walked to the table to receive the body and blood of Christ.  Many of us went together with our prayer partners, serving communion to each other.  As always, it was a very powerful service for all of us.

    

     Before departing for work on Friday morning, we said our good-byes to Ron, Stephen, and Anthony.  They had planned to leave that day in order to be back in time for prior commitments.  We would miss them, but Carol and Linda, as well as Dick Gibson, (co-chair of the mission project from the Weslaco church,) were going to the work sites today.  (Linda and Carol had used Thursday afternoon to pull together a fabulous lunch for the families:  brisket, potato salad, chocolate cake, rolls, lemonade and tea.)  When we arrived in the colonias, our work site was without water again, but a small trickle soon began to drip from the faucet, beginning the slow process of filling the buckets to fill the barrels.  At both houses, the primary job of the day was pulling down the forms and laying the last two rows of block.  In between mixing mortar and passing and laying blocks, there was time for soccer with the neighbor children, playing with the kids, chinking the holes in the walls, and putting a plaque by the door.  In the recent past, we have begun to use the leftover mortar to create a house plaque which includes the family’s name, the house number, a Bible verse, and the names of those who worked to build the home. 

 

     Traditionally, we give a Bible to each family, as well as a few small “housewarming gifts.”  Both families received a Bible, a New Testament for Children, and gifts of blankets, “Tupperware,” Ziplock bags, beans, cooking oil, and dry milk.  One family had requested a set of dishes; the other asked for a thermos and a blender.  We packed all the gifts in a laundry basket and presented them, after the home dedication, to each family.  Communion was served at house site #1 for all who wished to receive it.  The mother at house site #2 had to wait for her children to get home from school, so Jaina took Communion to her, and some of the food was brought to her, as well.  Everyone else was served at house site #1.  In an effort to create order, Neal lined up the children, just like we do here, so they could each receive a plate of the food we brought.  We then served the families and the neighbors, serving ourselves last.  There was plenty of food, and as the word spread throughout the community, others came for lunch.  Some of our old friends had asked where we would be eating, so they also arrived from other work sites to share a meal and fellowship with us.

 

     Our church service on Friday was led by Deantin.  Daniel brought his powerpoint and showed it for the group.  Our Mexican friends were just as delighted to see themselves in the photos as we are, and they clapped when they recognized themselves or their friends in the presentation.  Once again, we all were moved by the presentation, with both Mexican and American workers united by the blessings of the mission work we do together.  They say "a picture is worth a thousand words," and music unites us all.  Because Daniel shared so graciously his presentation of photographs and song, we were united in our love of the Lord. 

 

     One of the members of our mission group was David Gemmill, a member of Frank's church who worked with "Soles 4 Souls," a mission that provides new or gently used shoes for those who need them.  Through his church, David raised 750 pairs of shoes for this organization; in return, "Soles 4 Souls" gave him 1000 pairs of shoes to give to Faith Ministry.  On Friday, these shoes were give to all who needed them.  What was not given that day, will be given to needy folks in the colonias. 

 

     As you already probably know, on our return to America that Friday, we waited a long time in line at the border.  As we moved within sight of the actual border, the Presbyterian van died.  Fortunately, one of our vans was in front of us and could help explain our predicament to the corssing guards.  When it was time to push our van, the strong youth in our van jumped out to give us the momentum we needed.  When we arrived at the crossing gate, the young men jumped back in the van to be counted as American citizens.  Then they jumped back out to push us into a checkpoint parking place where the border patrol assisted us with a "jump" from their portable charger.  We made it back safely to the church where a member of the Weslaco church provided assistance in getting our van into the Ford place to be repaired.  Within a little over an hour, the Presbyterian van had a new alternator, and we were back in business.  After quick showers, we were off to Nueva Progreso for some quick shopping and our traditional meal at Arturo's.  All of us enjoyed the food, as well as the jazz trio who graciously took our musical requests.  Before we left the restaurant, we also got to enjoy an all-female Mariachi band which was playing for a party in an another part of the restaurant.  Those nine girls were "dressed to the nines" in white frilly blouses, long black skirts, black boots, rhinestone-studded belts, and rhinestone and white bows in their hair.  What a treat it was to listen to them play and sing!

 

     On Saturday morning, we awoke at 5:00 a.m. to pack and tidy up the church space.  (Neal and Bill were lent a vehicle by one of the Weslaco chuirch members, and they had already left for an early flight out of McAllen.  Carol, who was also flying home, was picked up at 6:00 by another member of the host church.  The rest of us packed the trailer and vans and left Weslaco around 6:30 that morning.  As usual, when we reached Houston, we were deluged by their normal Saturday gully-washers.  We stopped for a quick lunch in Beaumont, and then were on our way to Baton Rouge.  At the Lousiana border, our trailer got a flat tire, causing small delay in our plans.  Fortunately, again, we had lots of our young men offering to assist with the repair.  This group of mission workers is fortunate to have good humor and talents galore so that even obstacles are turned into blessings.  So we arrived in Baton Rouge in plenty of time to have a nice dinner at Drusilla's, as well as our traditional "awards" ceremony, which recognizes the gifts of our group during the week of mission work.  Our drive on Sunday was relatively uneventful as we journeyed home through Mississippi and Alabama. 

 

     How lucky we are to be able to mission in another country, even one as close as Mexico!  While we work to build homes for those less fortunate, we are always reminded over and over that we are so blessed.  Every day we spend there affirms that "we are the church together!"  Laboring side by side with our amigos and amigas is a gift from God.  Thank you, again, for allowing us to be your emissaries for Christ!  It was an honor and a blessing!