Youth Mission Update Monday night

This was a really late night for our youth and sponsors. They got out of the job site just before 8 p.m. and then had an hour and 15 min. drive back to camp. They were hungry, tired and in need of showers when Jerry called.

Today's work involved clearing the land and leveling the ground. Jerry said that work alone lasted until 1 p.m., then it was on to pouring a 20' x 22' slab of concrete that they mixed by hand. That completed the day. Jerry said it was "the toughest thing I've ever done as far as physical labor." Interim youth leader Mark A. said the kids were getting along great and truly working hard. He said he'd much rather do this work with the high schoolers rather than adults because adults would be too serious about the work and this was more fun.

This is Mark's fourth consecutive year in Mexico. He said the weather's been hotter, but when they left the site, Jerry's truck registered 102°.

Now about the Barraza Mota family: The husband and wife are in their late 40s, they have four children in their teens and older, and one of the oldest has a child who lives with the family. The husband works as a security guard and makes $80/week. They have no car. They've been living in a shack made up of walls of pallets that have cardboard tacked to them. Jerry said you can see 1000s of these. "It's an ocean of people who have nothing," Jerry said.

Mark said they all talked last night about what they're learning about themselves, about God and why they are there. "God's going to stretch us and test us in different ways," Mark said. He told them they'd all get to a breaking point and wonder why they are there. "We're told to serve," Mark said.

Tomorrow's work includes getting the house framed and if there's time, starting on the roof. Jerry said they don't get to work past 8 p.m., they are rushed out and escorted from the area because it isn't safe after dark. Jerry said they're having fun, there have been no injuries and they are all drinking tons of water.

More tomorrow night. Sorry we don't have any new pictures, they've been trying to send some but the technology isn't working. We'll have to see them when they return. For those of you who left messages on the blog, they've been delivered. Thanks for posting!

LMF