Hello there! This is Kristen AGAIN for another blog of our day in Mexico.
Today was our last day working with the Children of the Dump. Tomorrow is our fun day so we had to say goodbye to all of our Mexican brothers who helped us at the work sites. It has been such a blast working with them. They almost made cleaning an abandoned house with random wild life in it seem like fun. And it was great seeing how even though they live in a different country we are all the same in Christ's eyes.
Now to be a little less serious, the team pulled a prank on Scott today. :) Scott is notoriuosly known for being the prankster of the team. On monday he put a fake lizard on my bag, he would take grass and run it across our legs and yell, "Snake!Snake!", he "lost" Lionel's shoe, and did other various jokes during the week. So don't think that the team all united against Scott un-provoked.
Yesterday Susan found a broken cleaver knife, so that if you put it up against you it looked like you were stabbed. This gave us a wonderful idea...
Today we set the stage for the prank. Susan took some Ketchup and the knife to the site today, which was another nursery to clean out. We went into the kitchen while Scott was outside and scattered pots and pans everywhere. Ann sat down and spread Ketchup all over her leg. On the count of three, Susan and I dropped a bunch of pots and pans on the ground and I let out a convincing shriek of terror. Scott and Lionel came running and found, in terror, Ann laying on the ground with a cleaver knife sticking out of her leg. I tried not to laugh as Scott ran for the pathetic little first aid kit and pulled out a 3 inch bandaid. Then Ann yelled: "Gotcha!" and we all started laughing. After looking confused for a second, Scott laughed and admitted that it was a funny joke. :)
We then continued to the next project which was ANOTHER nursery to clean. This thing was so filthy that after one look we said, "Where's the power washer?" We proceded to power wash the whole place; including the bed rooms and the bathrooms. We found some dead scorpians and ALOT of cockroaches. It was disgusting! However, we worked together and the place was completed in about 2 hours.
Lionel suffered another wound today. While Isreal was lifting up a ladder, he wacked Lionel on the head and he fell and with a thud he landed on the ground. We ran up to him to make sure he was okay and after a few minutes he seemed okay. We were confused because our Mexican brothers just sat and watched it happen. When we asked them about it they said, "Isn't this another joke?" And so we learned our lesson about playing jokes about people hurting themselves.
And Scott didn't help inside. He stayed on the roof and took pictures. :(In Scott's defense...he was told to stay on the roof and take surveillance photos of a car casing the joint....although he did complain alot about the heat....this is a side note from Ann).
After we completed our tasks, we said our last goodbyes to our new amigos. We went back to our hotel and cleaned up and then went shopping. I successfully learned to bargain with the Mexican vendors. I wanted something and he wanted 300 pesos for it. I said 150 and stayed there until at last the vendor let me have my price. A couple times I pretended to walk away until they ran after and came down on their price. I was so proud of myself.
One last thing: Today Daniel, one of the people helping us, brought some native fruits to try. I went out of my comfort zone and decided to try it. Fortunately for me, I washed it in purified water before I ate it. (fyi: It was gross.)He later came up to me and said, " I am so sorry! I washed it in our water here! I didn't think about how you can't drink the water!" I explained that I had washed it before I ate it and that no harm was done. But he kept on saying, "I'm so sorry! I could have killed you!" So I guess I was almost killed today....
So that was our day today. Tomorrow is our fun day and we will be four wheeling through the forest. It has been an awsome experience so far. God has been teaching us some lessons about being humble, working hard, and helping those less fortunate. We will be back in the states in 2 days! Adios!
P.S. Susan says to say that God made the sunset beautiful today, which was true. It just doesn't look like that in Michigan...
Showing posts with label Mexico 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico 2010. Show all posts
2/12/10
2/11/10
Thusday in Mexico
Hello all! This is Kristen blogging in for our 3rd to last day here in Mexico.
Today began with a health counciense breakfast. For me that inclduded a double chocolate muffin, frence fries, and a pepsi. (*Ann does not endorse any food choices made by the individuals on this trip.) After that, we headed off to the church. On our trip to the work cite we created a team song. Inspired by the Black Eyed Peas, we created the song, "I gotta feeling, that todays gonna be a good day." That might not seem significant to most, but it was a huge step into the 21st century for those over 40.
After a 30 minute car ride, we arrived at the site. After waiting an additional 15 minutes, we discovered we didn't have keys to get in. We then piled into the van again and drove 20 minutes more to a new site, to which we did have keys. It was way up into the mountains and far away, so it was a great photo op.
We were (again) cleaning out a old nursery school which the Children of the Dump owned. There were very few specimen of wild life except for some lizards and a salmader. And Ann thought she saw a lion, which turned out to be a cow. Lionel, however, won the purple heart for the day. He and Scott attacked the jungle outside the building and he had a bad run in with a bush with thorns. He still carries the scars.
Ann informed the crew we were leaving alittle early, so we ate at the church and then went home to clean up. Ann then prepared for her messege and the rest of us went shopping. I have now learned how to say "NO" and not feel bad because the vendors tried to sell everything but the kitchen sink to me..
We then went to feed the chilren at the school. My friend Alexia and I helped in the nursery watching the babies,which were very cute.
I then had to say goodbye to my good friend Alexia, because tomorrow is our last work day and she won't be there. I am excited to go back home but I am going to miss my friends here
Today began with a health counciense breakfast. For me that inclduded a double chocolate muffin, frence fries, and a pepsi. (*Ann does not endorse any food choices made by the individuals on this trip.) After that, we headed off to the church. On our trip to the work cite we created a team song. Inspired by the Black Eyed Peas, we created the song, "I gotta feeling, that todays gonna be a good day." That might not seem significant to most, but it was a huge step into the 21st century for those over 40.
After a 30 minute car ride, we arrived at the site. After waiting an additional 15 minutes, we discovered we didn't have keys to get in. We then piled into the van again and drove 20 minutes more to a new site, to which we did have keys. It was way up into the mountains and far away, so it was a great photo op.
We were (again) cleaning out a old nursery school which the Children of the Dump owned. There were very few specimen of wild life except for some lizards and a salmader. And Ann thought she saw a lion, which turned out to be a cow. Lionel, however, won the purple heart for the day. He and Scott attacked the jungle outside the building and he had a bad run in with a bush with thorns. He still carries the scars.
Ann informed the crew we were leaving alittle early, so we ate at the church and then went home to clean up. Ann then prepared for her messege and the rest of us went shopping. I have now learned how to say "NO" and not feel bad because the vendors tried to sell everything but the kitchen sink to me..
We then went to feed the chilren at the school. My friend Alexia and I helped in the nursery watching the babies,which were very cute.
I then had to say goodbye to my good friend Alexia, because tomorrow is our last work day and she won't be there. I am excited to go back home but I am going to miss my friends here
2/10/10
And the Women built a road...
Wow what a day, you never know what we will be doing from day to day but today was a real blinger. We were back to the day care building for some fun in the sun, not to work on our sun tans but to work on the jungle that had grown up all around the place. My job was to run the weed wacker, some old machine they found in the back room. The first thing you do is get an old hose and suck gas out out of the truck and into a plastic water bottle and gas her up and try to start the antique, are we having fun yet? The girls spent the morning moving rocks to build a driveway, Keith ran the wheel barrow and Lionel played he man attacking a fifty foot long bush on the side of a wall. No big crazed opposums or poison sewer frogs today but I was always on the lookout for something to jump or crawl out of the bush. We got lucky and finished the job. Back on the bus for that great twenty minute ride back to the hotel for a shower only to turn around to get back on the bus to go back to the church to meet the van to go get food at Vallarta Advertures. We bagged up all the leftover food and went to feed the kids. Have you ever taken a van ride in a small mini van with eight people sitting on kindergarden chairs with ten garbage bags full of bread, four trays of sweet rolls, two five gallon bottles of water two eight foot folding tables and three ten pound bags of oranges? The whole time you are bagging bread and holding on for your life. We finished up our day at the Happy Ant taco stand. Tomorrow is another adventure.
Today's blogger was Scott Bradley...he is our resident practical joker...watch out Scott the team is plotting to get you back.
A few thoughts from Ann...
Tonight I was asked to speak at the church for their evening service. I spoke on the idea that we all have a purpose and that we need to be busy preparing our lives so that when defining moments arrive we are ready to go forward fullfilling that those purposes. After the meeting I was asked to pray for many of the ladies who were wanting God to reveal his pusposes for thier lives and I talked with a number of ladies who told me the messages was a direct confirmation to what the Lord was speaking to them about. It was a great time. Now on to tomorrow's mystery job.
Today's blogger was Scott Bradley...he is our resident practical joker...watch out Scott the team is plotting to get you back.
A few thoughts from Ann...
Tonight I was asked to speak at the church for their evening service. I spoke on the idea that we all have a purpose and that we need to be busy preparing our lives so that when defining moments arrive we are ready to go forward fullfilling that those purposes. After the meeting I was asked to pray for many of the ladies who were wanting God to reveal his pusposes for thier lives and I talked with a number of ladies who told me the messages was a direct confirmation to what the Lord was speaking to them about. It was a great time. Now on to tomorrow's mystery job.
2/9/10
Tuesday with Lionel
Hello from Mexico,
I slept very well last night after what I thought was a lot of work on Monday. I had no idea what work is until we walked into the school building for todays assignment. I will get to that in a minute. Susan and I made sandwiches at Pete and Celina's home. Pressure was on to keep up with the great sandwiches that Kristin and Ann made yesterday. At breakfast, Kristin tried kiwi, thumbs down on the kiwi. At least she tried them. Scott, as usual, got up early and walked the town. He found a new bakery shop and munched some pasteries before he met up with the team. At breakfast, the team told Kristin what we appreciate/like about her. Trust me, she wasn't thrown off the island.
So, this building was so dirty that there was no place to put our backpacks down, out of the crud. The building has been used as storage for the most part...rooms full of toilets, cribs, baby high chairs, oppossums, tarantulas and 4" spiders that could easily carry off a baby. After a lot of screaming and jumping around...mostly on my part, we got the oppossum out of the building. Scott wanted to take the tarantula, several geckos, and lizards home with him, but we talked him out of it. (you owe me, Celeste).
Keith and Kristin worked hard sorting out the baby high chairs, Scott and Ann power washed a couple of rooms and floors, Susan cleaned the only bathroom that "sort of worked". Kristin swepted floors and everyone help move nearly 8000 pounds (estimated weight) of baby cribs, so that a room could be cleaned.
We went back to the hotel. I showered and was so dirty that I soaped down 3 times before I felt clean. I have a new appreciation of what dirty and nasty really is. Kristin said she didn't have "tan lines" but plenty of "dirt lines".
We went back to the School of Champions where Ann taught a bible class on the subject of "fear", Keith and I played basketball with the children, Scott played in the nursery, Susan took pictures and played with the kids, and Kristin helped out with a 5/6 year old childrens class. Susan brought bright stick on stickers for the kids shirts and they had a big kick out of them.
We finished the day with Italian dinner and Kristin, head down on the table, sleeping. Speaking of sleeping, GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!
Lionel
I slept very well last night after what I thought was a lot of work on Monday. I had no idea what work is until we walked into the school building for todays assignment. I will get to that in a minute. Susan and I made sandwiches at Pete and Celina's home. Pressure was on to keep up with the great sandwiches that Kristin and Ann made yesterday. At breakfast, Kristin tried kiwi, thumbs down on the kiwi. At least she tried them. Scott, as usual, got up early and walked the town. He found a new bakery shop and munched some pasteries before he met up with the team. At breakfast, the team told Kristin what we appreciate/like about her. Trust me, she wasn't thrown off the island.
So, this building was so dirty that there was no place to put our backpacks down, out of the crud. The building has been used as storage for the most part...rooms full of toilets, cribs, baby high chairs, oppossums, tarantulas and 4" spiders that could easily carry off a baby. After a lot of screaming and jumping around...mostly on my part, we got the oppossum out of the building. Scott wanted to take the tarantula, several geckos, and lizards home with him, but we talked him out of it. (you owe me, Celeste).
Keith and Kristin worked hard sorting out the baby high chairs, Scott and Ann power washed a couple of rooms and floors, Susan cleaned the only bathroom that "sort of worked". Kristin swepted floors and everyone help move nearly 8000 pounds (estimated weight) of baby cribs, so that a room could be cleaned.
We went back to the hotel. I showered and was so dirty that I soaped down 3 times before I felt clean. I have a new appreciation of what dirty and nasty really is. Kristin said she didn't have "tan lines" but plenty of "dirt lines".
We went back to the School of Champions where Ann taught a bible class on the subject of "fear", Keith and I played basketball with the children, Scott played in the nursery, Susan took pictures and played with the kids, and Kristin helped out with a 5/6 year old childrens class. Susan brought bright stick on stickers for the kids shirts and they had a big kick out of them.
We finished the day with Italian dinner and Kristin, head down on the table, sleeping. Speaking of sleeping, GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!
Lionel
2/8/10
Monday...off to work we go!
Hola! This is Kristen writing the blog for today! :)
This morning was Ann and mine´s turn to make lunch for the team so we had to wake up at 7:00 am to walk to Pete and Celinas`s house to make sandwiches. They were already up and expecting us. I was informed by Ann that I was too liberal in my jelly usage, but then later we confirmed to be superb sandwiches.
After breakfast, which was at our cafe where we eat everyday, we hopped on the city bus for another adventurous ride. In Mexico, they drive crazy on one way cobble-stone streets full of people. I was thankful to arrive at the church. We then got a ride from Israel, one of the drivers, to the School of Champions.
Today was day one of the sprucing-up the school project. We arrived and were asked to help set up the computers for the temporary computer lab. The school did have a computer lab set up, but they had been experiencing power surges which broke 3 computers, so they had to move it until they could fix it. And when I say computer lab, I don't mean the million dollar ones we have at home. I mean a 2 room building with dirt floors and one chalk board, which happens to have 6 computers in it. It was humbling to see how they saw that as rich, and inb America it would be considered poor.
After the lab was set up, we went to the old nursery. The building was abandoned because the program had flopped, and now they were going to permanently move their computer lab to the old nursery. We walked in and saw that the place was a mess!! They didn´t have a door, just a gate, so all the dirt blew in and covered everything. We started by moving all the garbage out onto the street. When we took the old, ratty toys that had been used in the nursery out to the street, the children swarmed and fought over the sad excuse of a toy. It made me very sad to watch it, because I have plenty of old toys which are way nicer than a rag doll and beaten up spider man.
After all the garbage was out, we started cleaning. Scott found three lizards and put them on his arm and shirt and continued to work! I stayed far away from him. We swept, mopped, whiped, and cleaned out almost everything in that building. Well, Ann, Susan and I did. The guys spent the whole time trying to fix a broken washing machine, and never succeded :)
After that we had lunch, and that is when I was informed of my exquisite sandwich making abilities. After that, Ann had to finish mopping so the guys and I went out to clean the playground. But before we made it out, Scott pulled a prank on me. He somehow had a rubber lizard with him, so he put it in my bag so when I reached into it I saw the lizard and jumped! It was funny....after. The team is plotting to get him back.
The afternoon was spent picking up garbage from the park. As we were working, the kids got out of school and came to play and talk with us. One girl even helped us clean! We have alot of cute photos of scott and I with the kids and playing on the playground. They practiced their English with us, and were proud to remember to say, "Bye bye" when we left.
All that's left to do today is to have our team meeting and have dinner. Tomorrow we will be doing alot more, even though we arrived at our hotel exhausted.
One last note: I gave everyone on the team Spanish nick names. Scott is Chameleon because of the lizards. Lionel is Leon, meaning lion, Susan is Dulce, meaning sweet, Keith is Señor Choque, meaning Mr. Shock, because he electrocuted himself today. The team has named me Princesa Ojo Azul, meaning princess blue eyes, and our fearless leader, Ann, is El capitan, or la protona, meaning the boss.
This morning was Ann and mine´s turn to make lunch for the team so we had to wake up at 7:00 am to walk to Pete and Celinas`s house to make sandwiches. They were already up and expecting us. I was informed by Ann that I was too liberal in my jelly usage, but then later we confirmed to be superb sandwiches.
After breakfast, which was at our cafe where we eat everyday, we hopped on the city bus for another adventurous ride. In Mexico, they drive crazy on one way cobble-stone streets full of people. I was thankful to arrive at the church. We then got a ride from Israel, one of the drivers, to the School of Champions.
Today was day one of the sprucing-up the school project. We arrived and were asked to help set up the computers for the temporary computer lab. The school did have a computer lab set up, but they had been experiencing power surges which broke 3 computers, so they had to move it until they could fix it. And when I say computer lab, I don't mean the million dollar ones we have at home. I mean a 2 room building with dirt floors and one chalk board, which happens to have 6 computers in it. It was humbling to see how they saw that as rich, and inb America it would be considered poor.
After the lab was set up, we went to the old nursery. The building was abandoned because the program had flopped, and now they were going to permanently move their computer lab to the old nursery. We walked in and saw that the place was a mess!! They didn´t have a door, just a gate, so all the dirt blew in and covered everything. We started by moving all the garbage out onto the street. When we took the old, ratty toys that had been used in the nursery out to the street, the children swarmed and fought over the sad excuse of a toy. It made me very sad to watch it, because I have plenty of old toys which are way nicer than a rag doll and beaten up spider man.
After all the garbage was out, we started cleaning. Scott found three lizards and put them on his arm and shirt and continued to work! I stayed far away from him. We swept, mopped, whiped, and cleaned out almost everything in that building. Well, Ann, Susan and I did. The guys spent the whole time trying to fix a broken washing machine, and never succeded :)
After that we had lunch, and that is when I was informed of my exquisite sandwich making abilities. After that, Ann had to finish mopping so the guys and I went out to clean the playground. But before we made it out, Scott pulled a prank on me. He somehow had a rubber lizard with him, so he put it in my bag so when I reached into it I saw the lizard and jumped! It was funny....after. The team is plotting to get him back.
The afternoon was spent picking up garbage from the park. As we were working, the kids got out of school and came to play and talk with us. One girl even helped us clean! We have alot of cute photos of scott and I with the kids and playing on the playground. They practiced their English with us, and were proud to remember to say, "Bye bye" when we left.
All that's left to do today is to have our team meeting and have dinner. Tomorrow we will be doing alot more, even though we arrived at our hotel exhausted.
One last note: I gave everyone on the team Spanish nick names. Scott is Chameleon because of the lizards. Lionel is Leon, meaning lion, Susan is Dulce, meaning sweet, Keith is Señor Choque, meaning Mr. Shock, because he electrocuted himself today. The team has named me Princesa Ojo Azul, meaning princess blue eyes, and our fearless leader, Ann, is El capitan, or la protona, meaning the boss.
2/7/10
Sunday night
I awoke to a wonderful clear Sunday. Today we get to wear our Sunday best clothes. Scott was the most colorful with bright plaid shorts. Ann and Kristen with their color coordinated blues, and Susan, Lionel and myself with more conservative khakis and collared shirts. Pete and Celina were our hosts again as we prepared for church and the rest of day. We left for the church service at Perdon y Amistad in Puerto Vallarta which means Forgiveness and Friendship. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Pastor Saul Gonzales and his wife Raquel. Church service proved to be inspirational. Pastor Saul presented a strong message on conversion. The central theme was the absolute need to have a total trust in God and that total conversion requires ones internal conversion to God and the external conversion to love your neighbor which comes from the heart thru God. Not all who claim to be Christians are actually genuine believers. Another key point he emphasized for me is that we all must forgive those who have failed us but that forgiveness does not mean trust. That has to be earned.
However, even more inspirational for me was that the amount of enthusiasm, joy and open friendliness that the congregation demonstrated throughout the service and afterwards. There was a feeling of hope and faith even with those who are very needy. Kristen had the opportunity to attend Sunday school with Alexia whom she met last night and was excited about how well accepted she was with the teenagers in her group and that she was able to interact with them.
After church the eight of us took an extended hike into the hills and forest around the city where we experienced the full gamut of living conditions from the poverty stricken small shacks to the 10,000 aquare foot condos with fantastic views of the bay. We took many pictures of people, animals and scenery that had a significant impact on us. It was a great experience to actually see, listen and talk to the local people and we are now looking forward to starting tomorrow with a full days work in updating the Day Care building near the School of Champions. We all felt that at our team meeting we have excellent comradery and look forward to having a great impact on the ability to provide better educational resources for the children at the school.
Today's blog was written by Keith Pierce
However, even more inspirational for me was that the amount of enthusiasm, joy and open friendliness that the congregation demonstrated throughout the service and afterwards. There was a feeling of hope and faith even with those who are very needy. Kristen had the opportunity to attend Sunday school with Alexia whom she met last night and was excited about how well accepted she was with the teenagers in her group and that she was able to interact with them.
After church the eight of us took an extended hike into the hills and forest around the city where we experienced the full gamut of living conditions from the poverty stricken small shacks to the 10,000 aquare foot condos with fantastic views of the bay. We took many pictures of people, animals and scenery that had a significant impact on us. It was a great experience to actually see, listen and talk to the local people and we are now looking forward to starting tomorrow with a full days work in updating the Day Care building near the School of Champions. We all felt that at our team meeting we have excellent comradery and look forward to having a great impact on the ability to provide better educational resources for the children at the school.
Today's blog was written by Keith Pierce
Saturday in Puerto VAllarta
Greetings from a first time blogger (Susan). We began the day as tourist and ended the day ovewhelmed with emotion.
Scott, Kieth, Lionel and I started the day with an 7:00 am walk along the beach watching the city come to life.
After breakfast we took the bus up to the church and toured the School of Champions. The kids attend public school and then come to the School of Champions to learn trade skills. Electricity to keep the computers running is one of the current building challenges.
A van tour of the neighborhoods surrounding the dump and an drive through the dump itself was a very emotional experience. The small shacks made only from items found in the garbage were filled with children all eager to welcome us with amazing smiles and waving hands. Back home hearing about this communty making a living off the dump is very different than seeing the reality of those words. Individuals with a metal poker and a bag tied to their waist stand on a mountian of trash riping open garbage bags and carfully examing contents seeking items (metal, cardboard, plastic...) that will bring a few pesos. Items we would discarded without a thought are an only source of income for the families surounding the dump. Words to describe this are hard to find.
In the evening Kristin, Lionel and I went back to help the delivering food to 6 areas around and in the dump. At each stop, kids and parents gathered very appreciative to have the opportuntiy to have something that evening.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Dios le bendiga
Susan
Scott, Kieth, Lionel and I started the day with an 7:00 am walk along the beach watching the city come to life.
After breakfast we took the bus up to the church and toured the School of Champions. The kids attend public school and then come to the School of Champions to learn trade skills. Electricity to keep the computers running is one of the current building challenges.
A van tour of the neighborhoods surrounding the dump and an drive through the dump itself was a very emotional experience. The small shacks made only from items found in the garbage were filled with children all eager to welcome us with amazing smiles and waving hands. Back home hearing about this communty making a living off the dump is very different than seeing the reality of those words. Individuals with a metal poker and a bag tied to their waist stand on a mountian of trash riping open garbage bags and carfully examing contents seeking items (metal, cardboard, plastic...) that will bring a few pesos. Items we would discarded without a thought are an only source of income for the families surounding the dump. Words to describe this are hard to find.
In the evening Kristin, Lionel and I went back to help the delivering food to 6 areas around and in the dump. At each stop, kids and parents gathered very appreciative to have the opportuntiy to have something that evening.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Dios le bendiga
Susan
2/5/10
Mexico...Friday night
This is just a quick note to let you all know that we have arrived in Mexico safe and sound. The flights were relatively smooth as flights go. Tomorrow we will be taking a tour of the Children of the Dump facility and seeing where we will be working and then running the errands getting food and other supplies for our week of work. Thanks for the prayers....and please keep praying.
1/25/10
Mexico 2010
Well it is that time of year....we are heading off with another team to work in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with the children of the Dump. This year we have a team of 6 who will be primarily doing work projects to improve the facilities for the ministry. Starting on Feb. 6th we will be updating you all on our daily adventures, mishaps , fun times and God moments. Please pray for this team and for our travel to and from Mexico. If you have ever read any of my other trip posts, you know that there always seems to be a travel story...and most of them are of delays. I appreciate any prayers leading up to the travel and throughout the trip. Thanks ahead of time for being part of the team through your prayer. We surely need it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)