Home again, home again...

We are all back safe and sound in Baton Rouge!! The trip was amazing! It was truly life-changing! Ask any of us and I'm sure we'll talk your ear off! I am going to add some more pictures to the blog, but between George and I (Cheryl, by the way) we took almost 1,000 pictures! And there were a lot of other who had cameras!!

Pictures:
(1) Kenny kept us in stitches all week! A hard worker and a crack up!

(2)Amy hard at work with her hammer and brain bucket

(3) Cheryl helping roof the house

(4) Matt trying out the new doorway!

(5) Daniel taking a mandatory break (I think one of the Garza girls took this one!!)

(6) Michael looking manly working on the roof

(7) Blake...with a power tool... :o)

(8) Brad getting the roof ready for the tin

(9) Judy chatting with a Cuban refugee

(10) Lindsey checking out her handywork

(11) Elise was our window expert!

(12) Andrew...who knows...

(13) Barb putting up some trim on the house

(14) Amanda cleaning up the windows

(15) Lucy taking some time to pose

(16) George taking a quick break once the plumbing was in

(17) Tom and Mickey putting their heads together...it's a good thing they have their hardhats on or that might hurt!

(18) Hollie playing with the Garza girls...they ABSOLUTELY loved her...we weren't suprised

(19) Dustin making sure the door works

(20) The Garza girls were singing Josh a song...how cute!!

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Literally…these things literally went into the Garza family’s house.

Today we had a lot to do in order to finish on time. We split into teams to divide and conquer. One group working on plumbing, one on electricity, one on the roof, the interior walls, put up the trim, build the wheelchair ramp and a million other “little” things. It amazed us when we stepped back at lunch time to see how much we accomplished that morning.

The previous days we left the job site around 2:30, but today we didn’t leave until we were finished. This meant we didn’t leave Matamoros until 7:45pm!!

I could go into deep detail about how Cheryl almost fell off a ladder (don’t worry mom, I’m ok!) or how Andrew tried to talk politics in Spanish or how we smuggled Kenny across the border…but I won’t. What we really want to convey is what happened when the house was finished.

As we mentioned before, Mr. Garza is in a wheelchair so the last thing we did was build a concrete ramp for him. Once that was completed, we helped he and his family into their new house. The girls had already been in the house because they couldn’t wait! In fact, they had already danced in their room (they have never had a room all their own!) and tried teach Andrew a song in Spanish (which failed). We all gathered into their new house where they were greeted by a “welcome home” sign.

We spent a few very touching moments with the family as Michael (through Erick) tried to explain what this experience has meant to us. We then presented the family with a framed photo we took of the entire group with the family earlier in the week. We prayed a blessing on the house and shed a few tears. The family shed tears as well. They were very appreciative. Mrs. Garza’s comments thanked us saying “who comes to build a house for strangers?” It was our pleasure.

Yes, we may have been a blessing to them this week, but they were a blessing to us too. We learned so much on this trip and we will never be the same again.

We slowly headed to the vans with the girls trailing after us for multiple hugs. They even ran down the street as we drove away. We will keep in touch with this amazing family who has become family to us.

We returned to the SWGSM for a late dinner and some awards…

…And we closed with worship…

…Now it’s time for bed and while we’re anxious to see all of you at home, we’re equally as disappointed to leave behind such a wonderful adventure…

Okay, new pictures are up:

(1) Blake helping make sure the Garza's had power in their new house

(2) Dustin amazed us all with his electrical skills...he deserved a break!

(3) Elise finishing up the windows

(4) See...girls can install plumbing too!!

(5) The doorway on the left (where Mickey is standing) is the girls' room and the room on the right with the toilet...well, I think you know what that is :o)

(6) The Garza family inside their new house for the first time!

(7) Judy was a rockstar working on that ramp! Now Mr. Garza will have no trouble getting into his house!

(8) Mickey and Daniel getting the power turned on

(9) The side of the house finished!!

(10) The front of the house finished!!

Un Dia en Cielo

Un dia en Cielo…

Today (Wednesday) was a very special! The house is really starting to look like a house and we are coming down to tasks that take a few people (like putting up the trusses for the roof).

We decided to divide and conquer first thing in the morning. One group went on to Matamoros and the job site while the other stopped at the Home Depot for some supplies. Once we were all there, the working was in full swing! There was, of course, more painting and lots and lots of hammering. Today we had to secure the siding to the house at all of the studs and install the windows. We had to put up the trusses for the roof. We also had to start laying the pipes for the plumbing. All of this was done with the usual joy.

What made today so special were the things that happened in between the work. One at a time, a few of the local children starting making their way down the street, probably hearing that we had a soccer ball and candy! They were very excited to play “futbol” with the Americans and more than happy to take the candy off our hands. We chatted with them about their favorite “futbol” teams and school. They were great!

In the afternoon, Krista took us in two groups to “Casa Bethel.” Casa Bethel is commonly called an orphanage, but in reality it is a home for children. The difference being that the children living here have not lost their parents, their parents simply can’t take care of them. Some of them have been removed from their homes and some have been sent there by parents who don’t have the means to raise their own children. Many of the adults who work at Casa Bethel lived there as children. Unfortunately when we went, the children were still in school so we did not get to meet many of the 50-some children who live there. We did get to met Ricardo who is a deaf and mute. He was extremely sweet and very excited to show us his room and dance with Kenny!!

While at Casa Bethel we had some enlightening conversations with Krista about the Mexican culture and immigration issues.

One member of our group pointed out last night that we work hard all day long, but when it’s time to leave the Garza family for the day, we tend to slow down a bit. We are trying to savor every moment we have with them. Even the girls try to slow us down when we start cleaning up. Ashley and Leslie have discovered out cameras and want to take a lot of pictures! I went to get my bag and Leslie had taken it. They are also trying to savor the time we have together. As we prepare for our last day with the Garza family, we struggle with how to leave them. We can’t just pack into the vans and drive off….

Check back for an update on our last day…

Con la paz de Jesucristo…

(pictures to come later...)

Feliberto Pereira

This evening we had the pleasure of hearing Feliberto Pereira tell his amazing story. Feliberto was a Cuban refugee from Cuba. Feliberto has an amazing story and we'd like to share the highlights with you...

Feliberto was lucky enough to be one of the last to graduate from a Cuban seminary before Fidel Castro closed all religious institutions. Feliberto was told that he was not allowed to leave the walls of his church. He was called a parasite because he was not working for the Communist government. He was forced to be a teacher and he was told he had to sign a paper renouncing his faith and saying that he was an Atheist. Additionally he had to take classes and read books on being Communist. After all of that, he refused to sign a paper saying he did not believe in God. He was sentenced to 2 years hard labor. He faced death many many times. He was caught trying to give scriptures to another pastor also imprisoned and was accused of working for the American CIA.

In November of 1969 Feliberto was granted Political Asylum in the United States. By a miracle from God, he escaped with the help of a guard who not actually a Communist and made it to the United States. He was lucky enough to get the chance to bring his wife and two small children with him.

Feliberto ended up in South Texas helping other refugees like himself. Over the years he has taken in many, many refugees. He helps them get political asylum and other things they need while in the United States. We had the opportunity to meet 3 of these refugees. They are from Honduras, Columbia and Cuba. They each have amazing stories which we'll be happy to tell you if you're interested!!

Feliberto is an amazing man who has an amazing ministry. The Casitas project is only one of many branches of his ministry! They have a rice and beans ministry for families in the area who can't afford to put food on the table and a children's home called "Casa Bethel."

We were all extremely inspired!! Most of us have his book, if you ask, I'm sure someone will lend it to you! :o)

When 0 walls become 4

This morning we got an extra early start to our day so we could get a lot done...and boy did we! After a brief stop at the Soriana for ice (of course), we arrived at the Garza Casita to begin Day two of our project!

Before I really get started, I need to include a very important "shout out." We could NOT be working as hard as we are this week if it weren't for three VERY important people: Judy, Barb and Lucy. They have been keeping up hydrated and cool. Yes, we take breaks, but they bring us water and Gatorade while we're working and cool rags for our necks. They are our cheerleaders and the keepers of our health while we're working!

First thing, we raised the first wall!! It was an amazing sight. We were led in this endeavor by our resident "stud," Erick (those of you who have built a wall before will understand that poor attempt at job sight humor). You should have seen the look on Senor Garza's face! Priceless! With very few problems (ask Amy and Cheryl about the nails....) we got all 4 walls up! It is starting to really look like a house!!

Of course there was more painting to be done! We finished up the siding and moved on to the trim. The trim is brown. As we began painting, we realized it was oil based paint...do you know what happens if you get oil based paint all over your hands? Well, about 1/2 of the FCCBRLA mission crew knows! IT DOESN'T COME OFF!! Eventually we realized it was going to take paint thinner to wash off...while Andrew and Krista went to the hardware store, Mr. Garza began washing the paint off our hands using gasoline!! But you know what...it worked! Lesson learned.

The other goal for today was to dig the trench for the plumbing. The Garza's have never had a bathroom that Mr. Garza could access in his wheelchair, so we're going to install one for them! The trench did pose some problems...including a broken water line...who broke the water line? Ask Michael. :o) Dustin wrangled with a giant rock in the trench and I believe he was victorious!

Of course after lunch, the girls came home and we were again greeted by their smiling faces and their hugs. Leslie, the youngest one, came tearing around the corner to see us! How exciting! After having lunch, a group started playing soccer in a little yard across the street. It drew two other children from the neighborhood who had a blast playing soccer and eating our candy!

Daily Highlight: Kenny taught the Garza hijas (daughters) a dance to "Jump on It." Don't worry, we have video of the whole thing! :o)

After lunch we kept on with the trench and putting up the siding. And once again the work day just seemed to fly!! We couldn't believe that it was time to leave!

Pictures:
(1) Two of the kids that came to play "futbol"

(2) Matt and Daniel waiting for us to bring them the last piece of siding for this wall...great job, guys!

(3/4) Mr and Mrs. Garza hammering in nails on their Casita

(5) Barb bringing us water to keep us hydrated!! What would we do without her!?

(6) Putting up the first wall!!

(7) Mickey working hard...as usual!!

(8) Anyone know how to get oil based paint off your hands?...or Kenny's pants...

(9) How we started the day...


Keep checking back...we have a lot more to share! Thanks for checking in with us...we love hearing about your comments!!

Con la Paz de Jesucristo,

Crossing Borders

Work Day #1:

There is no word big enough to encompass what we experienced today. We got up bright and early, had breakfast and piled into the vans to head to Matamoros, Mexico. Crossing the boarder was no problem, except when Andrew threw Cheryl to the wolves…the soldier at the boarder asked (in Spanish, of course) where in Mexico we were going. What was Andrew’s response?: “Buenas Dias…(confused look)…Cheryl?” Thanks Packman. But we were admitted to Matamoros anyway…

We had our first cultural experience right off the bat. We were meeting the men with the building material at the Soriana (read: Soriana, think: Wal-Mart) at 9:00…but they didn’t get there precisely on time. Mexican time is a big more elastic than US time. But no worries, we were soon on our way to meet the Garza family.

Senor y Senora Garza are amazing, lovely people. Besides being extremely small and falling apart, their house has a lot of limits that make it unlivable for their family. Mr. Garza was hit by a car while riding his bicycle to work and suffered a spinal cord injury. Their house does not have a bathroom that he can access in his wheelchair. When we pulled up to the house we began working and didn’t stop until we were forced to stop for lunch!

We unloaded the building materials, shared a prayer for the Garza family and this project and Erick and Krista put us right to work! Most of the group were painting the siding for the house while a small handful of us (led by Erick) began the construction of the walls.

For most of us, the best part of the day was after our run to Soriana for a restroom break. We returned to find that the Garza daughters had arrived home from school! Ashley (7) and Leslie (5) are two of the most adorable little girls! As we piled out of the van, they gave each one of us a big hug with HUGE smiles on their faces!! We presented them with Dora the Explorer toys and they were beyond thrilled!! We shared lunch with the Garza family and got right back to work!

After lunch the entire Garza family chipped in! They were helping paint the siding. There was an instant bond, a connection just like family. The girls even teased Andrew about his “cabeza grande!” (Large head for those who do not understand Spanish.)

The language barrier was there, but everyone was trying their darnedest to communicate anyway! There was a little frustration, many successes and a lot of laughs!

Personally, I was expecting to be deeply saddened by these people’s lot in life. Instead, we left the Garza family invigorated. We left with a spring in our step talking about how we couldn’t wait to come back tomorrow!

And for those out there keeping track...no one was left in Mexico!

Pictures:

(1) The inside of the Garza home...Erick is not a terribly tall person and he cannot stand up inside! And that's it!! One tiny room, one tiny bed for 4 people!!

(2) What we started with...

(3) Cheryl the builder says "Can we build it? Si, se puede!" (And safety first!!)

(4) Amanda P. hammering in the first nail!

(5) What the Casita looked like when we left today!

(6) The Garza daughters (hijas) Ashley (left) and Leslie (right) with their new Dora "caballitos" toys!

Thanks again to all that have us in their prayers this week! You are all in ours as well!

...stay tuned to see what we accomplish tomorrow!!

En la paz de Jesucristo...

Happy Birthday Blake!

Today was Blake's 15th Birthday!! To celebrate, we had cookies and a pinata!!

Feliz Cumpleanos!!