When I think of Mexico for Spring Break, a slightly different image comes to mind. It involves a dusty place with lots of mesquite trees, cinder block buildings, and children.
Reynosa, Mexico is directly across the border from McAllen, Texas. For several years the college ministry at my church has been partnering with Faith Ministries, based out of McAllen, by sending students down during Spring Break. Faith Ministries, or Ministerio de Fe (website), works with the poor in Reynosa, and surrounding towns such as Naranjito, to build homes. These constructions are about the size of my dorm room, and made out of rough cinder block. However, for those who live in shelters made of plywood (or whatever else is around), these houses, which cost around $5000 to build, are a huge blessing, and not attainable without help.
I have had the opportunity to serve with the college ministry the past two years. We try to spend time with a specific church community in Naranjito, which is a poorer, more rural pueblo next to Reynosa. Faith Ministries has started several churches in this area, and has a center in Reynosa. We stay in the church in Naranjito, working with Pastor Alfredo and the church there. During the days groups work on building a house for a specific family, building relationships with that family and the other workers. In the evening, at least in my experience, there is time to shower, rest a little, and play with kids.I'm going to go ahead and post a few more pictures, and maybe comment on some of them. Later I'll write more about some specific stories and whatnot.
Some sweet tile in the airport in McAllen...took this one for Mom (:
EJ and I get excited about Mexico...
Ninos!!! (Me with Pati, Kyle with Alan and another kid)
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