Day Four, December 29, Friday

The day prior, I found unexpected joy in connecting with the Colonia community. Walking along the rough road, we encountered both locals and migrants, shared coffee and stories, and distributed dresses to neighbor girls while the rest of the team continued building the house.

For the first blog in this series, visit Reynosa, Mexico: An Introduction.

But this day is a different day. A very frustrating day for me, personally. I miss the opportunity to visit the dump with Sara and Rolando. I don’t have much work while the team installs the roof. They have enough hands to do what needs to be done. I keep busy with picking up wood and debris around the homesite and sweeping out the loft.

But, in the end, a very productive day overall because other good things happen as well.

• Sara and Monica leave with Christiana and other team members from Strategic Alliance to shop for food for the family.
• Final windows are installed.
• Cara shows the other women how to use the power tools.
• Denise does touch up painting on the outside.
• We start installing shelves inside using leftover lumber. The home has no insulation or inside drywall. Studs are exposed and we use them to craft additional shelves.
• Raquel stops by again, this time with Zacahuil (zaca-wheel)—Veracruz style tamales—wrapped in banana leaves. Instead of a firm masa, it has more of a polenta filling. Again work stops while everyone feasts.
• Camping-style stove and a large bottle of propane arrive. This will be for cooking.

During the evening worship, we meet Edrai who originally came as a translator for a Colorado group where he taught as a youth leader. While he ministered to those in the dump, God showed him an alter there. He followed the Spirit’s prompting and started the ministry Mercy Without Borders with Strategic Alliance.

We’re introduced to another example of using what we have. A table in the back of the worship room has beautiful potholders for sale. Someone who came to Reynosa saw the need for those most affected by poverty: women and young mothers with children. The desire to “do something” led to women looming potholders at home while also being able to care for their families. The potholders are sold online (and at during the mission trips): the Potholder Ministry began, and the workers earn money to purchase much needed food and supplies for their families.

It makes me wonder, what might we teach women in order to earn money for their families. What do they have in their basket? The last question comes from a Tuesday morning bible study which I’ll share that lesson in a future blog.

During the planning of the mission trip to Reynosa, some had expressed concern to our Pastor, Todd, about the safety of going on a trip to the border. Unease was expressed about children going. Todd stands up to speak during worship and brings to everyone’s attention that half of the two hundred people making up the thirteen groups on the trip are under the age of twenty. Families have been coming for years and bring their children. The younger ones spend the days playing American football and soccer (football to the rest of the world) with the community children. The older ones work, paint, build.

We bring the young people forward, circle them, pray over them. Seeing all the young people on the trip, all the families, makes me thankful that my husband has a heart to serve, and makes me want to share the same with my children and grandchildren.

I am struck how, if we look, we will find pockets of people, loving Jesus, loving others, serving others, all around the world. No fame. No glory. No headlines. Rarely viral. Just serving. Just loving. Because of Jesus.

My friends. Don’t stop loving God. And don’t stop doing what he’s called you to do. Quietly. Faithfully. To be Jesus to the least of these.

Grace & Peace