So it's been about 3 weeks sorry everyone. :) Since then I've helped build 3 homes...2 in Acuna and 1 in Juarez. After I blogged last, I spent 7 hours in a truck with 3 other interns to go to Acuna for 2 weeks including the 4th of July. I procrastinated on packing and only ended up getting 2 hours of sleep. oops the truck was uncomfortable so I didn't sleep muck on the way there. When we got to Del Rio(just across the border from Acuna) we stopped for lunch and went to Wal-Mart. We got stuff and crossed the border to stay with our Mexican rep David. This family is amazing! They treated us like part of the family. His wife Delia cooked us amazing food and David took us around to see our sites and churches. Little David and Irvin provided quite the entertainment while we were staying there.
The first week started out rough. Aubrie and I were leading a team from Iowa. We crossed the border to get our team and then crossed back. It was pouring and we did not know where we were going. We couldn't find street signs or anything. It was so frustrating. We finally found our way to the church, warehouse, and site. After that we took control. We got the form leveled and started building walls. The team was amazing and it didn't phase them that there was a lot of time in the van. They were troopers when they had to wheelbarrow concrete into the form. I was very thankful for this team. The house went up with few problems but that is to be expected. We didn't see the family much which was different for me. With the left over wood, the team made a sandbox for the son of the family we built for. It was such a great idea. This week I was not feeling well and was very thankful for Aubrie and how she led. Overall it was a great week. Acuna is hot and humid. It was a very interesting week to get aquainted with the city.
After we said goodbye to the team, we stayed with our Mexican rep over the weekend. Shane, Kevin, Aubrie, and I cooked them an American 4th of July dinner (on the 3rd and Irvin had a problem with that). We had hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, chips, and fruit pizza. :D It was amazing. We went to church with them that Sunday and it was cool to see a bigger Mexican church. Amazing! That night we stayed in Del Rio to get ready for our next builds.
This next week I built with Alexis and Andy. It was quite an experience. The truck got stuck, a mouse died, a concrete truck got stuck, and that was all in the morning. Hahaha! We had a team from the central IL area! It's always good to get some midwesterners down here. The team was great and I loved working with them. The Rio had flooded so water was out all over the city. We had to be super careful with water usage. The house went up according to plans. One day we went swimming in Acuna. It was sweet. We were the only ones there. It was even hotter this week than the last week and more humid. God got me through both of these weeks and I am thankful for that.
We drove back on Friday. I realized how much I missed El Paso and Juarez(and the dry heat). I was super excited to see El Paso and the house I am living in for the summer. On Saturday, a group of us went to Hueco Tanks. That place is so beautiful! I feel like I am losing my mind...I don't really remember the rest of that weekend...
But on Monday I went out with Janette and Jason and a team from the Quad Cities (yay midwest!). We were supposed to build a double but there wasn't enough room so we built a dingle or super single. Which ever you prefer. The team was sweet and worked well together. With Janette and Jason leading, I was able to do more work than I normally do. It was good to get back to that because I enjoy it as well. The dedication was beautiful and there was a lot of crying. Then they had a party for the community. It was pretty sweet. They even had a pinata! hahaha. We had lunch at Josue's :D and crossed over. It was an amazing week!
When I got back to the property, I had a package from home. It had homeade treats and some of my favorite candy but most importantly it had letters from some of my best friends. I cried. I miss them and I am very thankful that God put them in my life even though the drive me crazy at times. I can't wait to see them when I get home. It's going to be a party! hahaha
Friday we checked on the fire houses and finally decided we are going to build them 3 new homes. :) Then we had lunch at Josue's and Aubrie and I got to see a 15 year old Casas house. How crazy is that! We went over to the Robinson's for dinner and heard David's testimony and hung out there for awhile. It was great to hang out and talk. We haven't had a lot of time to do that lately. Today I slept in. It was amazing! Then Aubrie, Alexis, Kevin, Kurt, Caleb, and I had lunch together and the girls went shopping! So much fun just hanging out. Then we had dinner at Janette and Jason and watched Jim Gaffigan. Funny guy. Now I'm back at the house. I'm all packed and ready to head back to Acuna tomorrow. I'll be there for a week, back here for the weekend, and back to Acuna the following week.
Summer has been going by so quickly. I can't believe I've been here for 2 months already and we only have 4 weeks left. I love it here and I'm going to be sad to leave but I'm excited to see everyone back home.
I hope everyone is doing well at home or where ever you may be. May God bless you this week and show you his love in ways you've never seen. :D
<3 Lisa
