I just returned from the most amazing journey! Over Martin Luther King weekend I went with my parents and 50 other people from our church to Tijuana, Mexico. It was only 4 days, but it was incredible. I'm not sure I even know how to communicate my feelings towards it, there simply are not words to describe it. Not only for what God did for that family, but how he blessed those he sent to do it. While there we built 3 homes for 3 families. The people with "Homes of Hope" down there are so organized and do a wonderful job directing us, so everything comes together pretty quickly. In our group ,~15-20 people, only a few had any handyman type experience, let alone the ability to build a house. What's awesome, and sooo God, is that no one got hurt! The family we came to know, was a family of seven. Roberto and Dalila are the parents, and they have 5 kids ranging from baby age to eleven. Their names are Lizeth, Abel, Martha, Sayid, and Roberto. A precious and beautiful family. They worked along side us the entire time. In fact everyone in the neighborhood came. I don't think there was a single child not covered in paint. And now, they have a new home. It's simple, but the floor isn't made of dirt, it has a door and windows, and electricity, which is much more than they had before. When we were finished building we put together the new furniture for the house before the family came to see the finished product. The bunk beds, new mattresses, sheets, pillows, kitchen table, plates, silverware, stove, etc. were all a surprise to the family. It was like our very own little "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Mexican style. What a blessing to swing a hammer for the Lord, and with such an end result. I will always cherish the friends I made there and look forward to seeing them again someday with our Lord and Savior. Thank you Father for allowing me to go, and thanks mom and dad for providing the way.
