Saturday (3/1)

From Mom: Today is the day! The alarm was set at 2:45 AM everything was packed and ready to go. Trevor got up and dressed without a problem Taylor and Tess got up with Trent to tell us goodbye. Kristy and Darryl picked us up and we headed to Dayton. We got to the airport at 4:15 along with everyone else. After we were alphabetized, we waited in line to check in. The airline desk was not prepared for a group our size and it took forever! We  almost missed our flight except we took up half the plane so they couldn’t leave without us. We left 30 minutes late at 7:20 headed to Dallas we had 3° to eat and everyone was starved (all 50 of us). Next flight was to Monterrey.

We landed and then had to maneuver customs. Paperwork in hand we all received our stamp and headed to baggage claim and then outside where it was beautifully warm.  We loaded up on two buses and set off on our ride to Back2Back – roughly 45 minutes to an hour drive all urban. Our guide was Steve, nice guy, he was informative. The compound has walls (stucco) all around it with a huge gate so you can’t see inside at all. Most striking thing about the area are the beautiful mountains on both sides. Check out this 360° view (may load slow). There are palm trees and lots of orange trees The air is filled with the smell of the orange blossoms.  It’s wonderful.

The kids eat in a main meeting/dining area and unload four tables full of (top and bottom) donations. Unpacked to dorm style accomodations. They then meet at the Palapa for a meeting and a grill out with residents of the campus. We toured the homes as well. Lights out at 9:45p.

Sunday (3/2)

From Mom: Breakfast starts at 7:30 with cereal and toast. Everyone was glad for SLEEP! 8a was small group discussion/Bible study and meeting 9 AM homework time 10 AM we boarded the vans for EJR-home. We stopped first at the church they attend up there and met with some of the children and broke off in groups to walk to area homes to invite residents to church. Culturally they want to be invited formerly. We then went to ERJ facility. We met at the Palapa and then ate lunch -rice tortillas and the stew.  I was lucky to have chili relleno-yum!. We toured their facility working toward being a self-sustaining farm.  Have 150 chickens (60 eggs/day), 6 goats and a citrus orchard.  Trevor picked up oranges which turned out to be grapefruit ;-). They are planning to plant a large garden and buy a cow. The kids all played together. We then went on a field trip to el museo de Historico & Montemorelos. It was an exciting day for the kids and the view from Montemorelos was beautiful – you could see the  beautiful mountains and city. We then headed back to ERJ and all the kids played together futbol (soccer), as well as with a ball and with a goat. It was very HOT. We then returned back to the Back2Back campus (about an hour drive). We won’t discuss the tree incident!! We ate supper together-rice and chicken and some stew, salad and muffins.

We had a briefing afterwards were everyone shares a picture of the day and reflection time. Our program for the night was a presentation by the HOPE kids which was very moving explaining how they are serving others. At the end they have all our group get together in the middle of the Palapa. They surrounded the group and prayed over them one by one and then all together.  It was one of the most humbling moments of my life.  God is….

Monday (3/3)

From Mom: So sorry to miss Taylor’s birthday I can’t believe she is already 12. We start every day with breakfast, homework, and small groups. Today at 10 AM off to ERJ.  The kids there go to school. There are two sessions – some go 8-12, other 2-6. The days are cold and  drizzly. We were divided into groups. The projects were (1) to demo outside walls of an old bathroom (2) inside bathroom (3) to move tires and ruble from demo to level an area for a playground (4) paint an old dorm building transformed into a library. The kids worked hard. One wasp sting,  one scrape from a flying rock, one scrape leg, earlier scape to leg/buttock… and embarassed a 14 yr old boy, one wipeout with road rash on knee.

We ate lunch -spaghetti, stew and ground beef, potatoes, peas and tortilla… fyi you can eat ANYTHING on a tortilla. We worked another hour or so then came into play with the kids. We played games, logos etc. and also celebrated Cecilia’s birthday (21) with cake and gifts. We headed back to B2B for dinner but everyone flocked to the shower first! Hot water was not to be found today… Supper was pasta with creamy tomato, ground beef, and cheese salad and a brownie, yum!  We had a debriefing with pictures of the day and reflection –  it’s cool. The kids talked about how much they’re enjoying being unplugged from technology. I will remember this! We turned in early in the day with sad sad news of Jay, one of our parents, finding out his father passed away today. Praying for them.  All the girls surrounded his daughter and prayed over her. Buenas Noches

** One of the things that struck me today. On the bus ride today we talked with Oscar about his past work with mission group. He and his wife Ellen are house parents to  eight boys with two children of their own. He has done other work with another group. He said sometimes he felt a bit unsafe. His wife wanted to be in a “safe” area/environment. He said “tell me what place we are guaranteed to be 100% safe”. The only truly safe place is with God! My lesson for the day…

Another staff person told me her story. In Ohio she went to a presentation for B2B.  subsequently she took a mission trip, then did an internship with them.She was ofered a position to move down prior to the start of Mexico. She had to get rid of her apartment, move in with her sponsor, and raise dollars to sponsor her here. It was quite a process all along she felt it was a crazy idea but God led her all the way.  She is halfway through a 3 year commitment.

From Trevor: Today we went to ERJ to do work. My group had to help level our ground using tires, dirt, and rocks. While moving them, Justin found 4 tiny kittens in tire. Later, we found a bra, shoes, and some other clothing. After our task was finished, I went and demolish the bathroom with a sledgehammer. Then we went back to moving, filling, and covering tires. Then, Caroline asked for me to help her paint. Apparently she painted a whole beam the wrong color, so I painted it the right one. The result of this was getting paint on my hands. However, the paint wouldn’t wash off because it was oil based. So we had to pour  paint thinner on my hands. This did nothing, except for spread the paint all over my hands making it look ten times worse. After all of this I ate, and went back to Back2Back with bright red hands. I had some fun when people asked what was on my hands and I said I killed someone. If that tree hadn’t stopped mom from running the van down the hill yesterday, she would have killed someone.  I still can’t believe she wrecked their van. Oh and by the way, Happy Birthday Taylor! See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Tuesday (3/4)

From Mom: Today was another cold day… and when it’s cold outside, it’s cold inside (no furnaces). We started with breakfast, small group, homework. Hannah talked about the social system here in Mexico and the cycle they are trying to change at all levels social, physical, and  emotional.

 We met kids/adults from Caldareyta, a squatter village. It is a very poor area with a large unemployment which then leads to alcohol, drug abuse, neglect, and physical abuse. Pastor Angeland his wife are changing our community with the word of God and outreach. We met a Jumpolin – a huge treat for them. We then drove to the community and visited their church. Pastor Angel spoke to the kids so beautifully about being the future of the church. Even though we are from different countries we are brothers and sisters in Christ.  We encouraged them to stay away from those doing bad things. Encourage each other… God has a great plan for you! We greeted each other afterwards.

We then drove to El Pollo Loco. It was grilled chicken, chips, and salsa – YUM. That night we were treated to music by the HOPE kids and staff. it was awesome. We were all moved. We learned don’t just give things to the kids which is our tendency because they have a tough time. This says “you are a begger and validates this”. We have to help them change their life and realize this past doesn’t define them.

From Trevor: Today, we had the usual breakfast, quiet time, homework, leave for wherever schedule. However, today we went to a place called Jumpolin. It reminded me of Skyzone here in the U.S. There were two giant slides, trampolines, basketball hoops, a ball pit, fireman pole, and a foam pit. I had a great time. Me and Matthew Medosch had this game thing where we would try to push these two Mexican teens from Caderyta into the foam pit, and they would try to push us in it. That was very fun. We ate lunch and then got on the bus to go to Caderyta. There, we heard a sermon from the preacher there. After that we went to pollo loco. This place had the best fried chicken ever! They also had this really good soda that tasted like an orange creamcicle. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Wednesday (3/5)

From Mom: We went back to ERJ for the day. The projects continued on the playground, project library,  project bathroom, demo project. In addition, the chicken coop needed cleaned.  We started with playtime – exciting game of futbol for some and Legos/games for others.

We had a delicious lunch of tacos – fresh cooked tacos, beans and rice, salsa verde and a variety of fillings – pig, queso, juevo, y chorizo y cactus. We worked hard the rest of the day. Some of the kids/moms had fun catching chickens. The weather was beautiful 73°. The kids worked until 4-4:30p. That evening Rose’s son, who is now a chef, prepared our meal. He was a HOPE kid who went to culinary school.  It was awesome – best meal of the trip. It was a delicious soup with thin noodles and veggies. There were also meat and cheese empanadas with guacamole-like cream sauce. Tiramisu-like dessert. Mr. Treadway’s group (including Trevor) was the lucky group who got to clean up. After a quick shower, we enjoyed music by the B2B praise band – staff and HOPE kids. The music was mostly in Spanish, and lots of familiar tunes. It was great.

From Trevor: There are only two days left before we leave Monterrey. I really am starting to miss my family and friends. Today we continued to work on our projects at ERJ.  We were able to get the second layer of tires on, and had that layer halfway covered by dirt. Then I went to help the demo team take out the tile. In order to do this we had to use a jackhammer. I had never used one before, so I didn’t know that when you jackhammer pieces fly everywhere and cut up your legs if you are wearing shorts. Then I went back to doing my job, and Justin kind of jumped and dropped the tire he was holding. So I didn’t know what happened so I went over there to see what happened, and we saw the ugly insect that freaked him out. It was a scorpion. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Thursday (3/6)

From Mom: The weather was again beautiful, like yesterday. After breakfast, small group and homework we headed to ERJ.  We started with another game of soccer. Today some of the moms joined in. Mary Jean and Shannon in the goal and I around midfield. Mr Fite, Ed, Oscar and Cruz joined the kids as well. We had lots of fun. We had planned to play until lunch which ended up to be an hour and a half I think!  Wow, I was tired! We had grilled/roasted chicken, rice and beans and of course tortilla. They had some salsa verde and guac.  They could cook for me every day:) We continued our projects with the addition of breaking up concrete around the library. I couldn’t watch for long. I just prayed no one ended up with a pick ax in their leg!  The retaining wall was coming along nicely as we added 5 loads of dirt to level it out. We were all getting very tired . We cleaned up our tools and called it a day.  They were very happy with our progress, but I wish we had a few more days to finish things. We all met under the palapa. The head of the orphanage and his wife spoke and thanked us. Oscar, Mr. Fite and both mexican and american students spoke and said prayers. We took pictures and said our goodbyes. It is sad to leave these sweet kids.

We headed back to B2B for a quick stop then on to Douglas. We took Pollo Loco to the orphanage which was a huge treat for them. We enjoyed it as well. Our 8th graders and parents who had been there last year were very excited. They had spent a lot of time at Douglas and wanted to see the kids they had bonded with last year. The kids were amazed at the huge concrete slide and had lots of fun. We were then invited to join them for worship. A sweet little girl about 5 years old, took my hand and led me up to the chapel. So cute! The music and the faith was powerful. You could feel God with us. It was funny though, I was sitting with a group of girls from the orphanage who suddenly began jumping around and screaming….a wasp. I took off a shoe and killed it… they thought that was funny. We soon left and returned to B2B. Good day/

From Trevor: Today I took another freezing cold shower. We had breakfast and went back to ERJ. We continued work on our projects. I moved tires, dirt, and rocks. But before all of this we played soccer. I had such a great time. I scored 3 goals and had a couple assists. After soccer we ate and got back to work. The thing that was different today that everybody was absolutely exhausted. After ERJ we said our goodbyes, and got back on the bus. We went back to Back2Back and then headed to Casa Hogar Douglas because of the requests by the eighth graders. We brought them pollo loco, (which was once again, amazing) and had some fun. At Douglas they have this huge concrete slide that is so much fun to go down. After going up the stairs and down the slide about twenty times, I went to go see where everyone went. Then I saw where everyone was, playing soccer. Then we attended their church, which was very moving. It’s funny how you can still worship even if you have no clue what the song is about. See Daily Updates from Senor Fite

Friday (3/7)

From Mom: We packed and cleaned up. We took lots of pictures. We were able to have market this morning which was fun. We were able to make grilled cheese for lunch…we couldn’t eat any more peanut butter! It was a longggggg day of travelling. our initial flight out of Monterrey was delayed (the cargo door was stuck) which made it tight to get through customs and security in time for our connection.  We made it with only just a few minutes to spare. It was great to come home and see so many faces to greet us. I missed my hubby and my girls. We slept well in our own warm bed. I am blessed to have been able to experience the trip to Monterrey.

From Trevor: Today, is the day that we leave Monterrey Mexico. So far, we’ve packed our bags, ate, and now it is “quiet time”. (when we meet with our small groups) Right now it is about 8:50, and I am having mixed emotions about leaving. I am very eager to see my friends and family, but at the same time I am going to miss all the people I have met down here. We leave at 12:00, and market is at 9:00. –We spent the whole day flying, and going through security. I think I got about 10 minutes of shut eye on the way to Dallas that was it. It was really nice to see my family, but I won’t forget the experience that I had in Monterrey, Mexico.