What I'm taking away

As the mission team finishes up their work today and prepare to return home, Rev. Wheat has asked us to reflect on “what are we taking away from Mexico?” We certainly all have some many memories of laying cement blocks, roofing and painting endless number of boards which seem to just keep coming. I have acquired many memories of the families. I think everyone has very fond memories of the children playing in the yard. They certainly were very curious about what was happening to their home. They laughed, sang and played games with the volunteers. I was most surprised with how helpful they were with keeping things picked up and cleaned up. The mother was so excited to see each step of the build. As soon as the windows were installed, she was busily cleaning them. As we left, they family was busily moving into their new space. It was such a blessing to see the excitement in their eyes.

The area we are building in is so different from my world. The buildings are small and most are just 2x4s and plywood cobbled together. These peoples are just scratching out a life in a dry and barren land. They have no electricity and the water must be trucked in. Yet they are so thankful for everything they have. The children run and play through dirt roads and always seem to be smiling. A simple game of tag or playing with a sling-shot make them very happy. They so enjoyed being spun around by their arm. It makes me very happy to know these children will have more room to life and grow in. It looks like the 5 children have been sharing 2 beds. With the new addition the boys will be in one room and the girls in another. They will still be sharing beds but will now have spaces of their own.

I fill blessed to have been part of this mission and will treasure these memories for years.

John Fisher