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Teens, Adults Build Library Addition in Mexico
MEXICO MISSION TRIP MEMBERS
Mark DeVries
Jan Overton
Gary Overton
Will Overton
John Fletcher
Kathleen Fletcher
Liz Fletcher
Teri King
Kristen King
Amber McAdams
Trip Shearer
Tom Gallagher
Wes Gallagher
Rich Ford
Kevin Ford
David Cole
Stephen Cole
Christina Cole
Terry Mills
David Mills
Carlton Brown
Alex Brown
Celeste Holt
Will Holt |
The day-by-day account of the parent/youth summer mission trip below was compiled by David Cole, CUPS Board of Directors member and active member of FPC's mission efforts.
On Saturday, July 9, 2005, a group of eleven parents, four teenage girls (age 14), seven boys (5 age 14, and 1 age 15) a grandparent and youth pastor, a total of twenty-four people representing First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, left for a week's mission trip with CUPS in Mexico. The group flew to Harlingen, Texas, arriving at around 4 p.m. where they were met by Rick Valdez, the Summer Intern with CUPS. Our baggage was loaded on Rick's truck and he led our vans to the Bestwestern Palm Aire Motel in Weslaco, TX, where we spent the night.
Sunday morning, July 10 - After an early breakfast, the group attended the 8 a.m. Spanish Mass at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Weslaco. After church, we returned to the motel and loaded up our baggage into Rick's truck and headed to the Mexican border to get our visas, do some shopping, have lunch, then move on the Valle Hermosa and the La Quinta Condel Motel which, would be our place of lodging during our stay in Mexico. We got settled in our rooms, had time to enjoy some fellowship, then had a good Mexican dinner at the motel, followed by some free time and closing with a devotional. At dinner, the group was introduced to Louise Flippen who directs CUPS field operations in Mexico.
Monday morning, July 11 - After a 7 a.m. breakfast at the motel, we went to CUPS warehouse to load building supplies, tools, etc., that we would need for the day. During our stop at the warehouse, the group met Julio and Fidencio, Mexican workers with CUPS. We then left for the work site in Las Higuerillas, a fishing village about an hour's trip from the motel. Upon arrival, we unloaded work supplies at the library that we were going to add an addition onto which would double its size. Under the direction of Julio and Fidencio, the ground site was prepared for the concrete slab floor. This involved leveling the site by adding fill dirt, tamping it firm, and framing for the concrete mixer. As the mix was completed, it was taken by wheelbarrow to the pour site, a process that continued until enough mix was made to complete the concrete floor slab. We then cleaned up the equipment and stored our tools and supplies to end the work day. During the day, we had several members of the village help. There were four ladies, two of whom are the health promoters for the village, and three men. Also, a young high school girl was at the library helping younger children improve their reading and writing skills. Upon return to the motel, we cleaned up, had some free time, ate a good dinner, and ended our day with a devotional.
Tuesday, July 12 - We stopped at the warehouse for additional building materials. When we arrived at the work site, we unloaded the building materials, and again under the skilled direction of Julio and Findencio, we began framing the addition to the library building. When the work day was complete, the building was framed, windows were in, exterior siding was on and most of the roof structure was in place. We enjoyed another good evening upon returning to the motel, which ended with our devotional.
Wednesday, July 13 – Upon arrival to the work site, we completed the roof structure and put on the sheet of metal roofing. With the exterior work nearly complete, work began inside the addition. Drywall ceiling was put up and then we began putting up interior paneling. The exterior trim around the windows and on the new building corners was also installed and caulked. On this day, Louise asked us if we would consider giving our excess concrete supplies, sand, gravel, and mix to a family whose home had been burned down and in which the husband/father and a child had died. Some in our group had seen the site and met the mother when Louise took them on a tour of the village. We all agreed we should donate the supplies, and during part of the work day, the youth and some adults loaded several loads of sand, gravel, and mix and took them to the site where the home will be built. Community members are going to help build the home and the first task was to pour the concrete slab floor. Our group who took the supplies to the site asked if they could take the concrete mixer to the site on Thursday and prepare the slab with the community help. We all agreed with their request. We closed a great day of work and fellowship with our evening devotional.
Thursday, July 14, our last day of work – We arrived at the site and part of the group left to pour the concrete slab for the family's new home, while the remainder went to work to complete the interior work of the addition to the library. This involved taping and pasting the ceiling joints, complete installing the interior paneling, putting up interior trim around the windows, the double doorway now connecting the new addition to the original building, around the ceiling/wall panel joints and baseboard. We had helpers from the community again today. Also, around mid-day, to the surprise of all, including Louise, we were visited by several men and a lady from the Education Department for the area, a trip that had been arranged by a community leader. We were busy at work when they arrived and the young high school girl was working with 6 students. This group was so impressed that the leader said additional bookcases and books would be provided to the library. In fact, they returned later in the day with some sample books that would be included in the ones to be sent. This was "swim day at the nearby beach", so around 2p.m., it was announced we would end the work day and leave for the beach (the other group that went to pour concrete had returned). We still had some trim work to complete in the library addition and the youth/adult team stated they wanted to stay and complete the job. They got their wish and when the van returned to pick them up, the job was complete and the tools, etc. were safely in the trailer. We all enjoyed the swim at the beach. We ended our day with a dinner at the motel with Louise and Julio, followed by our devotional.
Friday, July 15, our day to return home – After breakfast, we loaded our baggage onto the truck, got in the vans and headed for the airport in Harlingen, TX, to catch our flight home to Nashville. We arrived in Nashville on time and most of the group had family members there to welcome us home. After retrieving our baggage, there were last minute "good byes" with hugs and some kisses; then we headed for our respective homes.
Our project had been well planned and the work moved smoothly each day under the skilled direction of Julio and Findencio. The youth in our group were outstanding workers and not one tried to avoid our most difficult tasks. If they did not know how to do the job, they took direction and learned readily. The adults were also good workers. The most important thing was the team effort and consistent harmony between our group, Julio, Findencio, and the community workers.
One day we had a mother come to us with her small daughter that had stepped on a nail that went through the sole of her shoe into the near center of her foot. She knew Louise was there and thought medical help would be present. Our able nurse, Teri King, did an outstanding job in getting the little girl calmed down and the treated her wound. The mother was given medicine and bandages, with instructions for caring for the wound to help prevent infection.
As a personal note, this was one of the best mission trips that I have been on. However, I must add that all of the CUPS trips I have been on have been good experiences, too.
I overlooked one activity that needs to be reported and that was when the group attended The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico Templo Peniel for Wednesday night service. The pastor, Armando Hernandez, had us take part in the service which was translated from Spanish for us by Louise. Also, our group had learned a verse of "Amazing Grace" in Spanish, which we sang during the service. I haven been to this church on each of the CUPS trips I have made and I saw members that have attended on my past visits.
Click Here to view more photos from the Adult/Youth Mexico Mission Trip
Click Here to view EVEN more photos from the Adult/Youth Mexico Mission Trip |
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