Last Friday, 17 of us piled into two large vans and headed to Reynosa, Mexico.
It took about 24 hours to get there. Thankfully, I didn't have to do any driving but I did copilot from mid-night to 4:30am. That's probably one of the hardest shifts to take.
We worked with Isaiah 55 Ministries. They run a school for the deaf and do other projects around town.
During the week, we worked on redoing the concrete in front of a local church, finishing projects around the dorm area, and paving a path through a local park.
Each morning the bell would ring at 6:30, breakfast was at 7:00 and we'd head to the work site by 8:00. We'd stop for lunch and for a coke break around 2:00. At 4:30 or 5:00 we'd start wrapping up for the day. Supper was typically at 6:30 followed by games, singing, and devotions.
Sunday, we held our own church and went shopping in Progreso. In the evening we played soccer with a bunch of Mexican kids.
Monday our hard work began. Our job was to tear out all of the concrete on one side of the church. It got up to 102 degrees. We were all quite hot and tired at the end of the day.
Tuesday, Darin, Caleb, Tiera, and I were pulled for another job. We loaded and hauled bricks all day long.
Moises, one of the Mexican workers said he's never been so sore in his life. I would have to agree.
Wednesday, we began laying the bricks. We had to use sledge hammers and pick axes to chop the rock out before we could level it to lay the bricks. I'm actually pretty decent at sledging. :)
Thursday, we began by helping the concrete crew finish up their job. In the afternoon we went back to the park and attempted to finish paving the path.
Friday, We got to go spend P.E. time with the kids at the deaf school. We got a tour of the school and then played soccer.
Friday afternoon, we packed up and drove away. We had to leave early because of Holy Week. The border line can get hours long and they wanted to get us back in the states before dark.
We crossed really quickly which gave us plenty of time to visit the Alamo!
We ate pizza on the river walk, which is gorgeous, and then continued on our way home.
It was an awesome week. After spending and entire week, and 48 hours in a van, I feel like I know everyone almost too well. :) There were lots of games of bags, laughing, singing, and staying up late rocking in the rocking chairs.
I was able to make it home in time for communion Saturday night. It was a wonderful way to end the week, remembering what Christ has done for us. That our lives, our work, should bring Him glory.
In Christ
~Michelle
It took about 24 hours to get there. Thankfully, I didn't have to do any driving but I did copilot from mid-night to 4:30am. That's probably one of the hardest shifts to take.
We worked with Isaiah 55 Ministries. They run a school for the deaf and do other projects around town.
During the week, we worked on redoing the concrete in front of a local church, finishing projects around the dorm area, and paving a path through a local park.
Each morning the bell would ring at 6:30, breakfast was at 7:00 and we'd head to the work site by 8:00. We'd stop for lunch and for a coke break around 2:00. At 4:30 or 5:00 we'd start wrapping up for the day. Supper was typically at 6:30 followed by games, singing, and devotions.
Sunday, we held our own church and went shopping in Progreso. In the evening we played soccer with a bunch of Mexican kids.
sitting around at the Isaiah 55 compound
Darin preaching from a trash can
these rocking chairs became our best friends
the kids goofing off after our soccer game
Monday our hard work began. Our job was to tear out all of the concrete on one side of the church. It got up to 102 degrees. We were all quite hot and tired at the end of the day.
clearing for the new cement
Moises, one of the Mexican workers said he's never been so sore in his life. I would have to agree.
our first load of bricks
evening game of bags
Wednesday, we began laying the bricks. We had to use sledge hammers and pick axes to chop the rock out before we could level it to lay the bricks. I'm actually pretty decent at sledging. :)
taking a break
clearing the path
the path taking shape
coke break
Moises in the background
the whole crew working hard to pour the concrete
dirty, hot, tired, sore...oh, yeah! :)
the finished product
back to paving
We didn't end up finishing the path. We probably made it 3/4 of the way though. Friday, We got to go spend P.E. time with the kids at the deaf school. We got a tour of the school and then played soccer.
the school
a class for the parents
soccer
my team...they were pretty cool :)
We crossed really quickly which gave us plenty of time to visit the Alamo!
yay
the whole group
It was an awesome week. After spending and entire week, and 48 hours in a van, I feel like I know everyone almost too well. :) There were lots of games of bags, laughing, singing, and staying up late rocking in the rocking chairs.
I was able to make it home in time for communion Saturday night. It was a wonderful way to end the week, remembering what Christ has done for us. That our lives, our work, should bring Him glory.
In Christ
~Michelle
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