Our amazing trip to Mexico

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I'm note even really sure how to begin this blog. Over the past few days I have been overwhelmed with so many thoughts, so many emotions. I'm not sure if my brain has really had a chance to begin processing all that I've experienced this weekend.

For the short version, watch the slideshow

We arrived in Tijuana late Friday evening. Not to long after we arrived we all settled into our bunks and it was lights out as a long weekend awaited us and we needed our rest. The home we were building was for a mother of two Teresa, and daughters Litzy (2) and Alison (6 months) who were living with Teresa's father in his 15x15 foot home. Teresa's father purchased the land next door to his home for his daughter and that's where her new home was to be built.

When we arrived we unloaded several van's of supplies and got right to work. Several different work stations were set up, some for painting and some for building. It wasn't long before the neighborhood kids were curiously checking out what we were up to with their heart melting and eager smiles. It was amazing getting to interact with these children. Although I don't speak but a few words of Spanish and the kids no English, no one let the language barrier keep us from getting to know one another. Mostly through gestures, smiles and a few misspoken words ;).

The children couldn't wait to get their hands on a paint brush and paint they did! It was a very awesome experience to take a step back and look over the work site and see not only our friends, but the family of the home we were building, and the neighborhood getting involved. We worked until late afternoon, and when it was time to call it a day not only did we have all four walls and roof up, but we had made some great connections with this family and the neighborhood children. We couldn't wait to come back the following morning to finish the home and to spend more time with everyone.

Sunday we arrived to the home site and got right to work. We finished up the roof, touched up the paint and assembled the furniture. While we were finishing up the home and all of the furnishings we asked Teresa to stay inside of her fathers home. Reason being, she had no idea that we were going to furnish the house and we wanted it to be a surprise. :) Once we were all finished with the home and had the inside all set up we asked Teresa and her girls to join us outside. We all had a chance to tell Teresa and her family (with the help of an interpreter) just what meeting her and her family and what the whole experience meant to us. She in turn thanked us. Even if no words were spoken, the look on her face was enough to know just how thankful she was. I truly was an emotional moment. It was now time for Teresa and her family to enter their new home for the first time. She was give her keys and went in to explore her new home. After a few moments we knocked on the door and she invited us in. Probably one of my favorite moments of the whole weekend.

We said our goodbyes and many hugs and tears were shed. Teresa, her family and the children of the neighborhood have definitely changed my life and I think it's safe to say that we've also changed theirs. To be a part of something so wonderfully fulfilling is amazing. To be honest it is a very different feeling when you know that you've done something to help another, but you walk away feeling as though you were the one benefiting from it... that's how this weekend felt. John and I are both so very grateful to have been part of this amazing experience. Anytime you can do something good for someone else and walk away not sure who got more out of it, you or the ones you helped... It must be a good thing! We certainly plan on going again next year, perhaps with one or both of my step-daughters.

If you would like to know more about how to get involved with a mission such as the one John and I just returned from or a hand full of other missions please click here or feel free to email me directly!

"Para cada casa es construido por alguien, pero Dios es el constructor de todo".

Hebrews 3:4