5 for 5 in Mexico

We made our way to San Diego today with a stop off at Las Canadas Resort just south of Ensenada.  Way a great time we had I was impressed that all the students did the 5 zip lines and 5 bridges.  Great times and some great videos to pot later.

We whipped through the border in 30 minutes and have arrived at the hotel.  What  a great time we have had the students have been punctual, helpful, and every understanding when plans change.  Look forward to a smooth ride home.

Beach Day

Today was one of our adventure days, we had a day off today with a trip to the beach and volcano.  Before we went out to the beach we stopped at the cemetery where a good friend has his daughter buried.  Santiago is one of the translators that has worked for Hero Holiday for the last couple of years.  About three years ago he lost his daughter to complication from birth.  Due to the lack of access to medicine in Mexico the doctors could not save her.  That same medicine is always available in the US and Canada.   His story is very touching and even though I have heard it a couple of times it still brings tears to my eyes, we take so much for granted in Canada. 

Santiago has a two year old son now he had complications when he was born as well.  He will be the only child they have.  The grave site is a picture of how easy it is in Mexico to loose a loved one.  There are many infant sites and many more have been added since last year.  It is sad to see that even in the cemetery the rich and poor are very easily identified by how elaborate the site are.  It's a sad reality that Mexicans deal with on a daily basis Canadians often only think about death when old.  Death is a part of life young or old in Mexico.

 

It was a great day I could have stayed at the beach all day watching the waves come crashing in.  Such power and beauty wrapped up in every wave.

Tomorrow we are getting ready to pack up, hit the local pool and have more more dinner out at Smokies.  It has been a great trip no hiccups along the way and great weather to add to the great students we have. 

School and House last year

Today we got to go back to the school we built last year and the house we built for Juan and Marcellina.  It was great to see them and their kids.  The house looked great as they have done some improvements and have electricity in the house.  Dad was out working in the cactus farm but mom was so glad to see us she even made lunch for us.  Apart from a paint job and some touch up the house and school looked good.  We had planned to work on the fence we started last year but the supplies were never delivered so we had to pass on the fence building.  The house we built last year was peach on the outside the light colour does not withstand the sand and rain storms well.  The family is still so happy to have the house and now with electricity they have a fridge and a washing machine as well. 

We also spent some time playing soccer at the school and walking around the community visiting with other families we have built for.  We went back in the evening to watch a movie outside with the community.  It was a great day to see what a year makes or even two years as we got to visit with a family Les built for two years ago. 

Taylor brought down this parachute to play with the kids they loved going under it and running around.  Tons of fun for hours on the playground. 

House Dedication

House Dedication

Yesterday was a full day as we furnished the house with two double beds, two single beds and one bunk bed, dresser and a kitchen table and chairs.  Filimon's house has 8 people living in it so by the time we had all the beds in and table it was full.  The furniture do make a great difference to the house as do the shelves and kitchen supplies that were bought for the family. 
Each house that is build by Hero Holiday is supplied with the same kitchen supplies and food.  The extras are provided by the team some clothes, shampoo and soap along with jump ropes and balls for the kids.  Each bed has two handmade blankets on them and we tried to find sheets and pillow but the local store was sold out. 


Part of the dedication day entails the family feeding the group.  Even thought they don't really have the money to feed us they insist as their way of thanking us.  Yesterday we had two lunches along with lots of pop.  Great food and I think I speak for the whole group, I ate to much.

With both houses done a day early we are off to the school we built last year.  The fence around the school still is not done so we will try to help put the fence up and play with the kids today.  The sun has disappeared this morning and a lite drizzle is coming down.  The group has done an amazing job there is very little complaining as plans change and ideas are thrown out as to what the next few days with hold. 

I am uploading a video of our house dedication along with some picutures from our house.

House 2012

Night Out in Mexico

When you travel to different countries you know that each country will be unique.  Mexico is no exception it has been a well established tradition to have at least one night our at Smokies.  Now before you think that we went to a up scale restaurant and sat down for a four course meal it's not quite like that.  Smokies is a road side taco stand on the main highway that runs north to south along the Baja.  The grill frying up pork and steak are cooked over an open charcoal and wood grill each and every taco is hand maid to order.  There are lots of salsa options from mild to really hot (Mexican hot) along with lettuce and other toppings.  The limit of tacos is four each along with a drink.  In Mexico the Coca Cola is still bottled in glass bottles and made with cane sugar, very good. 

Here is picture from our night out at Smokies.  Best tacos ever.

Bad Connection

Well, it's true the Internet connection in Mexico is not like it is at home.  The last day and a half the Internet was down probably due to the earth quakes near Mexico City.  Yesterday, was another beautiful day on the Baja, we had a great day on the build site nearly completing our house.  So to celebrate and take a break we took the family to the beach.  The ocean is only a about 1 km from the house but the family has no way to get there and back as well it would be considered a luxury to them.  Many of the kids jumped in the water as the family huddled in a blanket and watched the crazy while people play in the freezing water.  Dad (Filimon) was in the water but only to go clam digging for dinner.

Today we finished our house with a bit later start and a early finish time.  Tonight we are headed back to the community to watch a movie outside.  We will be dedicating the house tomorrow along with getting supplies for the houses and finishing up any last minutes touch ups.

We also went to Smokies but more about that later.

First Day of Building

We had a great first day on the job. Sun was shinning and not much wind. We did meet the rest of the family making 8 in one house. We got started on the house with lots of help. Everyone worked hard we have the house up and center wall up. Most of the outside is painted a nice deep red. I will get some pictures up soon.

Usually on the first day of a build our aim is to get the four roof panels done and the four walls built but that is often as far as we get.  However, both teams today have their house standing, and some of the paint on the outside of the house.  When we left today about 4:30 Filimon the dad our our site was working away painting the remaining outside of the house.  It is amazing to see them jump right in and help out.  They want to be a part of building their house and work along side us.  Filimon's house will have 8 people living in it as his oldest son and his family will be living with them as well as his younger two children.

Here is a little video at the build today maybe this will help you see the site a bit better.

Arrived

We have made it to our house. We also had a chance to see where we will be building our two homes. Great families to build for and get to know as we work along side them.

We are off to Mexico... One.. No ... Two more stops then off to the Border. One stop at Starbucks and homedepot and one At the insurance office for the bus. Necessities???

Sunny SD

We have arrived at our hotel in sunny San Diego.  Though we did have snow the most we saw was between Penticton and Vancouver.  We did have some over the grapevine but not much.  All is well 32 hours to our hotel is a record for quickest trip I have been on.  We even made a stop at LAX to say goodbye to our bus driver and wife as they had to head home to Calgary to take care of another group.  Dan will take us the rest of the way into Mexico tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers and support,
Clark

It's almost time!

Ready to go?

It is a question that is often asked when going on a trip.  I can say that my bags are packed, I have checked the packing list twice, double checks that my passport is in and that I have money for food.  I have thought through how to carry all my luggage and have thought of taking less stuff.  Yet when the sun sets tonight on my final comfy sleep for two weeks I don't know that I will be ready? 

How do I get ready for a trip like this, so much at stake.  The lives of young people in your hands the lives of Mexico people we will be building for at your mercy.  However, as we board the bus tomorrow morning there is no other risk I would rather take to build homes and invite young people to see a different way of life.  A life that is not worse then ours though we often see it that way.  A life where happiness is found in a simple way of living, taking one day at a time trusting that God will sustain life and provide the next meal and shelter.  Ready, ready for this life changing opportunity for me to see that deep down I have trust issues.  I like the security my lifestyle; home, food, work, and lots to go around.  Do I really trust that God will provide when I so often look to myself to provide the needs of my family?

Can I trust God that he will provide for me?  Can I trust God enough that I would be willing to suffer and even face death?  Suffering is not a two week experience but a way of life for followers of Jesus.  Are you ready to go, go and follow Jesus today!  

Clark

Maria and Filimon March - March Hero Holiday

Katheryne and Jesus - Mexico Hero Holiday

Families

Only 12 days remain before the Bus pulls out of the FBC parking lot.  Details are coming together nicely.  The Life Different team has been so supportive and flexible as we raise money and get the last minutes details sorted out.

Here are the two families we will be building for this year.

Katheryne (17 years old) and Jesus (19 years old) have an 8-month-old baby boy named Abdiel. They are currently living with Katheryne’s mother and older brother. Jesus was recently laid off from his job; he is looking for work but they are struggling to pay for diapers and food. They use a trailer for their kitchen and they live in a small concrete house with her mother. A piece of land has been donated to them so they had a chance at getting a house. This family has been through a lot in the past few weeks. Katheryne’s stepfather died trying to save his son from drowning. The son survived but her stepfather passed away.
When we first met Katheryne she was 6 months pregnant but she lost the baby on February 7th. We attended the baby girl’s funeral and we are already very attached to this family as I am sure you all will be too.

 Filimon (48) and Maria (40) and their two children Sara (14) and Gregario (12). Filimon and Gregario both had surgeries in the fall of 2011. Filimon has been unable to work for several months due to his health issues so their daughter Sara has dropped out of school to join her mom, Maria, working in the fields to support their family. They live in a two-room house made of scraps of wood, cardboard and plastic. We are excited to have you guys come down to Mexico and build a new house for this family.