Building . . . and Rebuilding:
Youth, college, and adult members participate in building a new concrete block home for a family in Reynosa, Mexico, during the annual summer mission trip. Through the years this experience has changed many lives on both sides of the border and enthusiasm for participation grows stronger each year.
This year’s Mexico Mission Trip will be June 12-21, 2009.
Mexico Mission Trip 2008
In June of this year, another team of volunteers packed bags, loaded vans, and waved good-bye in the second-level parking lot. The ride down was about as much fun as twelve-hour car trips can get. Those of us in the back played cards, read, and most of all slept. While the drivers pulled long hours, none appeared overly weary, as we were all ready to get to work.
A second day of driving placed us in McAllen, TX, right on the border. In a plea
sant RV park, we got much appreciated sleep and felt some relief of having the long drive finished. The drive in to Reynosa was much anticipated and full of excitement. A short drive brought us to the compound that would be our home for the next several days. our group was predominately veterans of this trip, bags were quickly 
carried and sorted. Cots emerged in neat rows and inflatable mattress motors hummed. The first view of the work site gives a sobering lesson on just how large a one room, twelve by twenty-four foot house seems. No time was spared and we were working quite efficiently on moving, mixing, and laying blocks. Seeing sand, gravel, and block evolve into a house was extremely rewarding. Our foreman, Roman, spoke excellent English, and Stever Fox was quick to translate for anyone in the group. The language barrier did not impede our progress at all. After working each day, we would return to the compound for lunch and a brief service in the chapel. Hymns were projected in front of the congregation; singing (in both languages) made up the bulk of the service.
The final worship service drew so many participants that we were spilling out the door. It dissolved into “thanks” and group shots with the family (Oscar and Maria, and their children, Genes and Oscar Jr.). While leaving a fair number of articles behind, we loaded the van and drove back into McAllen’s friendliest RV park to prepare for the ride back. This year’s trip was fantastic and immensely successful. 
Each person brought unique talents to make a rather impressive team. With the week finished, the only thing talked about more than this year’s trip was the one planned for next year.
Respectfully submitted,
Sam Goddard
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