We flew into Atlanta on Wednesday and on Thursday and Friday we showed the English people around Atlanta. Taking them to some of the top tourist attractions around such as The CNN Center, The World of Coke, a Braves Game, and the Camp Creek Shopping Center. Early Saturday morning after about 2.5 hours of sleep for most people (not for the drivers, don't worry moms) we took off for Mexico. We stayed Saturday night in Arlington, Texas before arriving in El Paso Sunday Night. Monday morning we crossed the border into Mexico and the building began that day. In three days we finished the house. On Thursday we crossed back into El Paso, and the next day started making our way back to Atlanta, with stops along the way in San Antonio and New Orleans, before arriving back in Atlanta on the 4th of July. We finished off the trip with festivities such as fireworks in Centennial Olympic Park, climbing Stone Mountain, and shopping at Atlantic Station.
Some highlights of the trip .....
- I knew the students were really effected by what they were seeing when we drove into Mexico and none of them were talking. As we drove past the pallet houses on bumpy dirt roads the silence really showed that they were thinking about what they were seeing. Claire and Sarah were speechless and tearing up when they saw the quality of life. Seeing their love and compassion grow for the people of Juarez even over a few days was awesome.
- When we finished building the house we had a dedication ceremony. It's a chance for Casas to share the gospel with the family and why Casas exists. They also invite the build teams to share a thought with the family. Naomi and Sarah gave the keys to the family. As they spoke to the mother and spanish it brought tears to the mothers eyes and so many of us cried tears of joy as well. It was incredible.
- We made journals for every student and throughout the trip we had specific times set aside for journaling and we gave them questions to write about. The girls absolutely loved journal time and wrote every moment of the trip down! We also gave them a psalm during one of the journal times, and a group of a few of them were talking about it, pointing to specific verses, and journaling.
- Rafa showed up on site the second day, and immediately began jumping in and helping us. Rafa had a house built for his daughter by our Casas por Cristo leader, Pete. So when Rafa heard that Pete was back in the neighborhood building another house he wanted to come and help. Rafa wanted to give back to an organization that gave so much to his family. In our discussion groups we talked repeatedly about his attitude of gratitude, service, and sacrifice. I think he was an inspiration to a lot of our students.
- Favorite all time moment was our last night. We discussed what we had gotten out of the trip and what "nuggets" we would take home. Naomi shared that she had not felt like herself all year long, and that throughout the trip this was the first time in a while that she felt like herself. Fielder said he would take home the importance and power of really giving your time and life to working toward a cause. Kim said she realized we would never know the extent of how Canvas is affecting people... she said us being in England made the students want to come to Mexico, and them coming to mexico has given a family a new house, and we will never know the extent that the house will change the family and their community.
There is so much more to say about the trip, but I think this paints a pretty good picture. Here are a few photos:
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Hannah, Simish, and Mike at the World of Coke
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Alli and Mike on the worksite
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About to start pouring cement. Chicken Wire!   Cattleman's Steakhouse in El Paso, TX   At the pool, on the last day of the entire trip. |
What an awesome trip!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about yalls trip to Juarez. I wish someone had made me journal when I went! Also, I didn't not fail to notice that someone hit the Loft while at Atlantic Station. It looks like yall had a blast! Welcome back to Europe.
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