Jaachide’s Dream

Jaachide, Leader of the Silent HeroesIt is hard to describe what a city full of rubble, tents, and pain looks like but it is even harder to describe how it feels. The continual view of destruction and loss is painted with the smell of the daily, relentless struggle to survive. After a while it can begin to feel like you are floating in a sea of grey cinderblocks, twisted rebar, bright tent tops, pollution and smoke, But you aren’t – you are living and walking among people who have experienced more loss than you can wrap your mind around, more pain than you care to dwell on, and a daily wrestle with survival.The city sounds and sights began to fade as we headed down that long country road toward a small, virtually obscure tent town of another kind. As we got out of the truck and walked across the little makeshift bridge over the stream we didn’t know what to expect. Despite the heat, the wind, the dry air and the flapping tent covers, there they stood – waving, smiling and singing their hearts out. There are 34 of them now at this site and all 34 of them are without a possession in the world. But here they are safe, they are loved and they are given hope to heal and dream about tomorrow.Many of the children at Rêve Timoun are earthquake orphans. Some of them are there because their parents had to give them up, most of them lost both parents on January 12th, and all of them are without a home to return to. But they aren’t without hope or love, and that is perhaps what sets them apart as the lucky ones. As we introduced ourselves to the staff and the children, shouts of excitement erupted when they discovered the soccer ball, the cookies and the Coca Cola that we had in tow. It seemed like a humble offering on our part, but for them it broke up the monotony of another day and brought treats that they rarely had the opportunity to enjoy.Jaachide came forward and shook our hands, welcoming us to their new home. Jaachide didn’t lose his family in the earthquake, nor did he lose his home. He saw a need and realized he had nothing to lose – only everything to gain. He is the director of this tiny tent city of 34 kids and 10 adults and all that he does is full of a grace that is matched only by kindness.Before the earthquake Jaachide was an administrator in a church in Croix du Bouquet, on the outskirts of Port Au Prince. He had a secure job that was Monday to Friday. His time was his own and his space was his own. It was a simple life, but it was his. When the orphans began to trickle into Kay Papa Nou, run by his brother in law, David, Jaachide woke up one morning and realized where he needed to be. Jaachide gave up his job, his home and all of his personal conveniences to live among these kids and the workers, in a Coleman tent that is blue with a grey tarp. Here he helps to provides education, direction and a father figure for children who need him.Sitting with him outside his tent, I asked him why he would do this. You know what he said? He said, “These children are hurting. Many of them still cry because they miss their parents, their home and what they used to know. Some days all we can do is offer them love, affection and hope. They need to know that they have a place where they belong and where they are safe.”The sun was burning my feet and the wind was making my hair into a crazy tangled mess, but all I could feel were the tears that ran down my face as I sat there, absorbing the level of pain that had been met with an intense level of compassion and in that moment I was humbled. On that barren field we were among children who were learning to laugh again, and always they were surrounded by a small, committed army of silent heroes.And we had the chance to stand among them.The staff at Rêve Timoun live, eat and sleep in the tents with the children. They have set up a small school on their property and the children are continually reminded that they are not forgotten. They sleep four to a tent, with an adult in each one. Personal space or belongings really don’t exist, but together they survive and together they are learning how to move past survival into a future of hope.Currently, LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) is in Haiti for our first Hero Holiday. We believe it will be the first of many. To find out more on how to get involved, go to the Hero Holiday page at www.heroholiday.com. If you would like to help us to continue to help the children of Haiti, please go to www.livedifferent.com/donate and designate it to Haiti Hero Holiday.

Team 2 is back on the road!

It’s a beautiful evening for driving, as the sun is setting over the tree tops of northern Michigan and we cruise west on US Highway 2. Team 2 is a little under half way through the two thousand and some odd kilometer trip from our home base in Hamilton, ON to the prairie province of Manitoba, where we begin a five week tour through Central Canada.

There are nine of us making this great voyage together. Rachelle, an LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) road team veteran who joined up with our team for our eastern tour is now back in Hamilton, where she’ll be looking after the dorm (and making sure Team 1 doesn’t make a mess when they get back :P). DJ is pumpin’ tunes from his iPod while he drives and by the rhythms he’s beating on the steering wheel, I’d say it’s a hardcore breakdown. Meagan is reading some Harry Potter; when a new Potter book comes out, I usually lose my wife for a day or two, but luckily she’s already read this one before. Christian is doing some writing; staring with great focus and determination at his laptop monitor. All three students (Bryan, Laura, and Melissa) are acting very studious at the moment, reading this month’s assigned book “Not For Sale” by David Batstone and working on their book reports. Hammer is also staring with great focus and determination at his laptop monitor, but he’s playing a video game, “Diablo” to be precise. And Nicole is not with us, but will be meeting up with us in Winnipeg tomorrow afternoon.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be on this bus right now, to be a part of LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute)’s Think Day tours. I’ve seen small glimpses of the huge impact that our message is having in the lives of students across this country. It’s a message that I believe can resonate with every student who hears it, and not because our teams are stacked with professionally trained speakers or high profile celebrities. Those who have been a part of our tours over the past 9 or so years all share something even more powerful: brokenness, hurt and pain. You see, in a society where those things are considered weakness, we see them as great strength. We have all made mistakes and we have all experienced times of great trial or suffering. While most would much rather burry the scars of their past and put on their best face for the world, we have seen the incredible disarming power of honesty and vulnerability, the healing and hope that can come when brave individuals give up on the masquerade and share their stories. There are seven such brave individuals sitting with me in this bus right now, and I am proud to call them friends.

After four years of travelling with LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) teams across this beautiful country, I am sad to say that this will be my last tour. Meagan and I will still be involved with LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute), but it’s time to pass on the torch  to someone else and settle down (our backs are sore and our hair is either going grey or falling out, not an exaggeration in the least). Night has fallen on Highway 2, but tomorrow brings another day of adventure and purpose for our team. Though you may not be travelling with one of our teams and speaking in front of thousands of Canadian students, I hope that you too will find the strength to share your own story with those around you. You may never know the life and hope that it can bring.

JP

p.s. Here’s a funny moment from our past tour we haven’t told you about yet: Some of the girls on our team really enjoy cooking for our team, so one evening while we were staying in a church, we went grocery shopping to get all the ingredients for Rachelle’s broccoli cheddar soup. While some were making other preparations for the soup, one team member, who will remain anonymous to prevent lifelong harassment, was asked to wash the broccoli. Alright, fine, it was Hammer (sorry dude). Anyway, after washing the nutritiously rich vegetable, Hammer handed it over to be chopped up and added to the soup. When supper was ready, Team 2 gathered in this church kitchen for a delicious meal lovingly prepared by Rachelle and some others. The first number of spoon-fulls were quite good, but within about five minutes of everyone digging in, hesitant whispers began to fill the air. We began taking a closer look at the soup. Small grey flecks that at first glance appeared to be pepper or pieces of the broccoli were now in question. As they came into focus, we began to notice many such flecks, numerous within each team member’s bowl, some very small, some much larger…and then we saw the legs. That was where the meal and appetite ended for most of the team that night, thanks to a special recipe that we now lovingly call BBS (Broccoli Bug Soup). Let me know if you want the recipe!

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Christian thought it was going to just be another long shift at that hotel desk. It seemed like a pretty good gig for a musician who was trying to raise the money for another album recording. His band, The Someone, was hoping to be able to get the finances together quickly in this small, northern Alberta oil city. They were working there to make money and move on.Like most people that have had to make split second decisions, Christian wasn’t expecting what would happen that night. Working at the front desk of this small hotel meant many long hours with little excitement. So when they first walked in, he thought it was odd to see, but didn’t think much more of it. It was three guys and a young girl, about 14 or 15 years old. She was dressed up way too much and out way too late. They walked past the front desk and down the hallways towards one of the hotel rooms.Two hours later, when he looked up from the desk, it was now early in the morning and the hotel was dead quiet. No one was moving anywhere, and that is why it shocked him so much to see her standing there. She was scared, she had been crying, and she was wrapped up in a sheet. She didn’t know where she was and she didn’t know where else to turn. Christian did what he could to calm her down as he called 911. It was the middle of the winter in Northern Alberta, so without a second thought he wrapped his jacket around her as the police showed up to take her somewhere safe. As it all calmed down and he was left there in the aftershock of everything he had just witnessed the reality of what had happened sank in. He had just witnessed something that millions of women and children around the world are subject to endlessly – exploitation. And it wasn’t ok. He wasn’t ok with being silent about it – he had to be a voice.Shortly after that night, The Someone Band finished up their album and moved to Hamilton, Ontario to tour with LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute). As a band their goal is to reach students with the message that their lives are valuable and that they matter. As an individual, Christian is sure of what he wants his life message to be. Throughout our LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) Think Day presentations, different team members are able to share their personal stories and when he steps on the stage, he is a man on a mission. He shares that experience, and he encourages young women that they are not objects. They do not have to stay silent when they have experienced abuse, and they are worth more. It’s the message that many girls need to hear, because silence can hold them captive in pain and shame. And that is injustice.No one knows what led that girl to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, what lies she believed, or how she was coerced. The only thing anyone can know is that she was one of the lucky ones to walk away and to live in a place where there could be safety and help. She needed someone like Christian working at that front desk that night. Someone who was willing to care.Compassion happens in many shapes and forms and we never know when we will be given the opportunity to let it shine in our lives and choices. Christian’s story is one that challenges the common thought in our world: that it’s ok to look the other way. It’s not. As he stands there and encourages victims to get help, he also challenges others to open up their eyes and see what is happening around them, because each of us can make the difference between life and death.LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute)’s Think Day presentation is not just about motivating teenagers to make good choices – it’s about pushing them to think about the value and power of their lives and their decisions. That each one of us can change the world, starting where we are at today.To find out more about how to get LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute)’s Think Day into your local high school, how to get involved, or how to help us do what we do better and reach more students, please check out www.livedifferent.com.

Team 1’s Awesome Adventures!

What could be cooler than visiting the town of Banff and spending an evening in the Hot Springs? How about hitting up one of the biggest malls in North America, West Edmonton Mall? Or maybe snowboarding the mountains of Whistler?… let us pause here for a moment of silence as I reminisce carving through the ‘pow’, as us seasoned snowboarders call it… Man, that was unreal!! Shall we continue? How about whale watching off the islands of British Columbia? Which actually turned into a 4 meter high swell and wave boat ride through crazy pacific ocean coast! Unreal! Did I mention we met Joshua Jackson, aka Pacey from Dawson‘s Creek? These are just some of the many adventures we’ve had thus far on our west coast tour with the LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) team and The Ocean Buried. 

It’s been an unreal adventure for myself, not just because of the adventures, but for many reasons.

First let’s talk about billets. What is a billet? As the dictionary would define it, “a lodging for a soldier, student, etc., as in a private home or nonmilitary public building.” As I would define it, amazing people who willingly sacrifice their family’s privacy by opening up their home to us and providing amazing home cooked meals, which are a sweet relief from random McDonald’s and Subway stops, and who also turn out to be some of the coolest and generous people you’ll ever meet. Why do they do this? Because they believe… they believe in our purpose, which is the second reason this tour has been an unreal adventure.

I remember growing up questioning whether I’d ever do anything of significance. Through life situations and my own stupidity, I often questioned if I could make any difference in this world and often doubted my ability to do so. I’ve soon come around all that because of decisions I’ve made in my life and have been able to be apart of some really cool things reaching out to a lot of people, one of which has been this tour with LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) where our purpose has been to bring a message of purpose, no pun intended, to hundreds of students, letting them know they are valuable and able. Now that’s been pretty cool, and has definitely been an adventure. I remember the first show I was a part of. I believe it was a packed show with approximately 500 students in attendance. It was exhilarating being able to tell all these students they were created with purpose by sharing my own story of perseverance. Talk about the biggest high you’ve ever had. Look out LSD here comes the power to empower, Lol. No, not funny? Okay, I may be lame but nonetheless it was awesome. My favourite part has definitely been our Think Global workshops. I love this for multiple reasons. One, I get to educate some young minds and I don’t even have a teaching degree! Talk about your biggest loop hole ever! I totally worked the system, lol. Okay I didn’t. Second, I get to speak about global issues such as hunger and slavery and open the eyes of many students. Thirdly, it’s usually a little more informal and I get to be as serious as I want and as lame as I want all at once.

The last and final reason this has been an unreal adventure is because of the team. Let’s just say our team gels almost too well. The Ocean Buried… awesome! Such a good group of guys and talk about hilarious! Furthermore, they’re a sick band and have some big hearts. Students… Killer! It’s cool to work along side Kelsey and Adrian; to laugh with them and laugh at them… jk. Nah, seriously, they rock and work really hard, and I believe, if they choose too, could make a real impact beyond what they have already done. The other leaders… well they’re okay… lol. Actually, they’re a good back bone. Its good to know there is someone to turn to on the road when you just need to vent, and I’m pretty sure anyone of these 9 peeps would be more than willing to lend an ear if I, or anyone, needed one.

So I’ll end with this oh beautiful blog readers: Tour equals Awesome Adventures which also equals Lives Changed including my own as I aspire to change others. Do you love how I threw in some math for all you math lovers? Do LOVE it?!

Keep it real!

Carl

Lo – ee – a

She had the most beautiful eyes and smile that he could never forget. He had already connected with a few of the other kids there, joking and playing, and always she was there, hanging at the back of the group, sticking her hand out and trying to give him a high five. Living on the fringe, always the one looking in, wondering what it is like on the other side.Adam was there to help our Hero Holiday staff prepare for our upcoming group, working alongside of the orphanage staff for what was about to happen. She showed up at the orphanage driveway with the other 29 kids that had been collected from a nearby tent city on the outskirts of Port Au Prince. All of them either orphaned or abandoned. She looked to be between three and four years old and like all of the other kids, she was scared and traumatized, not knowing where she was and what was next. Only unlike the other kids, she was always on the outside of the circles, hanging on the fringes. For some reason that none of the adults could understand, the other girls didn’t take to her. But Adam had noticed her.As days went by we started joking around more and I noticed that she hadn’t bonded closely to many other children. Wherever there are groups of kids there are always groups of friends, and in those groups there is always the one kid who is hanging out on the fringes. Sometimes they are in on the fun, but mostly they are excluded. That was her – trying so much to hang out with some of the older girls but never being accepted.This broke my heart because growing up that was my story: in high school that was me. There were a group of guys that I thought were the coolest kids ever and I would try to hang out with them, but if the car was full it was me who got excluded, if someone was to be made fun of, it was me.When I saw this happening to her I saw myself. Granted she is much younger, but it was the same thing. The only difference was, at the end of the day I went home to a family who loved and supported me. She doesn’t have that. Her parents gave her to Kay Papa Nou and they have no intention of coming back and finding her.From that day on I had my eye on her, watching her, laughing with her. I would be the one to notice her – at least for now. The day that everything shifted was the day we were going out to the field with David (the head of Kay Papa Nou) and the BBC news reporters who were coming to highlight the new tents that had been donated for the children. As I hopped over the creek onto the property she was standing there. She waited for me to cross the stream and then reached for my hand. After a while I picked her up and was walking around with her. We sat down and I could tell she was so overwhelmed with everything she was seeing: kids everywhere, news reporters, tents, possibly dreaming about a new home? In one week she had been left by her parents, was dropped off at Kay Papa Nou and now was possibly going to be calling this new tent city her home. As I sat with her in the field, older kids came and teased her. That’s when I got this overwhelming feeling of protection for her – I didn’t want her to ever feel unloved again.The next day I knew it was time to get ready to leave, but getting ready to say goodbye was difficult. She sat on the ground and didn’t move. I tried everything to make her laugh, but it wouldn’t work. So I picked her up and we sat on a chair in David’s office. As she put her head into my chest and fell asleep in my arms I just held her and didn’t want to let go – ever. I wanted her to know that she mattered to me. I want to work to make her world safe and filled with love.Although she looked to be about 3 and a half, when Adam asked her how old she was she said she didn’t know. And when he asked her what her name was, all she could manage in her little girl lisp was “Lo-ee-a”. Gloria. Will we be able to make a place in the world for the Glorias that are out there? Will their voice be heard and their lives remembered? They need to know what it is to be celebrated, to be cherished and to be made a priority. There is hope for them because there is hope for each one of us. Hero Holiday is returning to the children’s home in two weeks, and when we get there we will work to make Gloria’s world safe and secure and we will work to help each one of those kids know that together they are stronger and that each of them matters.Your voice can be added to Gloria’s. Your life can make a difference. To find out more about how to get involved with Hero Holiday in the areas that we work in, please check out www.livedifferent.com. We need your help to do what we do because together we are stronger. If you would like to help us do more, check out www.livedifferent.com/donate.”Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nancy Bunting

Every day, Nancy goes to a job that is not only challenging, but is also about progress. She is a site supervisor for Prominent Homes in Simcoe, Ontario. Together with the crew that she leads, she is responsible for getting the home ready for the brick and concrete work and for what will eventually become an impressive custom built home. And now, she is starting to realize what change can look like on a bigger scale.

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6 Reasons Why Our Monthly Partners are V.I.P.’s

In LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute), we believe in the power of each life to make a difference, and when those lives join together so much more can be achieved. We value each donor and financial partner and because of that, we thought we should share 6 reasons why we believe our Monthly Partners are V.I.P.’s…

1. Monthly partners makes it possible for us to effectively strategize today for how we can be the most effective tomorrow.
2. Every dollar makes a difference! We value the partner behind the financial commitment because we recognize that we need each other.
3. LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) values the trust relationship we have with our donors – whether they are one-time donors or monthly partners. However, our monthly partners are also part of a communication network that keeps them informed of what is happening on a monthly basis, as well as updates on special projects and emergency situations.
4. Everyone has a voice! We love to hear from our monthly partners and allow their voice to be heard on our website and through our communication networks.
5. Monthly partners are people who are discerning philanthropists and tuned in to what they can do to make a difference, both locally and globally. They see the bigger picture and they know that their lives are a valuable part of it.
6. Monthly partners are socially conscious and progressive because they recognize that the time to invest in the future is TODAY!

If you would like to know more about how to get involved in our monthly partnership, email partners@Live Different (formerly Absolute).org or go to www.LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute).org/donate. Together anything is possible!

Just Another Day for Our Holiday of Heroes.

Dear diary,Today we woke up after a late night of pranks and stories to a gentle sound of our door flying off its hinges thanks to Brett, telling us to get ready for another day of loads work and great fun. I slowly climbed out of my top bunk and noticed that the sun was shining, it was going to be another beautiful day in Vicente Guerrero. My roommates hustled to the kitchen because they have now gone 4 hours without ramming their guts with some food. I slide on my Daisy dukes and slowly slip the fruit of the loom undershirt on thanks to the lobster colored burn we received in our first battle against the scalding sun in quest for the perfect tan and make my way to the kitchen.We all fill our water bottles and file into the wagon and I sit in the back with my 5 amigos.  We manage to finish our 384ounces of Redbull in the last 3 days which would account for the 10 hours of sleep since we left our homes in Canada. We arrive to the work site with eagerness and a sudden 2nd wind from the late nights and over consumption of Redbull. We quickly meet the family with a strong hand shake and an attempt at the Spanish they only understand.We jumped right in the work and threw the walls up all thanks to our great leadership and great workmanship. The kids see the pale skinned Gringos and instantly we get a smile to our face no matter how early it is, another new face turns up on site and they set up shop to sell us Mexican sweaters and jewelry. When we started  putting on the roof Hurricane Javier decided to blow strong, but the fierce winds are defeated by our perseverance and team work; we were not going to let those young children see any weakness from our Canadian spirit.We quickly break for lunch and drove to the Pemex so the ladies in the group could use the facilities; even though we have 2 on site both of which are perfectly acceptable..Arriving back to the family we didn’t let any time waste we got right to work…… playing with the lil’ tykes and trying to communicate with them but we quickly notice that they don’t take our Spanish serious at all. Some of our team pushed the kids on the swings and some started handing out chili watermelon suckers that were LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute)ly disgusting to our virgin taste buds but the kids loved them. We ran out within seconds but with their warm community spirit they shared with their brothers and sisters. One angel in our group thought she would spoil these Mexican bundles of joy a little more and told the couple kids she’d buy them ice cream.Word spread round the village and $40 Americano dollars later all the kids were happy and filled with cold cream.We then busted our behinds and got the roof tarred and shingled and called it a day. Standing on the roof with Kayla, Cory, Rory, Deborah, Justice, Corbin and Kira working hard and having more fun then the board game Trouble. The feeling of a day’s job well done, laughter from the children, team bonding, and the sticky feeling of tar all over your body and beautiful clothing filled my heart and spirit.We all loaded the bus and thought of the wondrous day we just wrapped up.Now we sit around this computer screen reflecting on our day and listening to lightly played Jimmy Buffet we have some laughs and have some good reflecting time, drinking Redbulls like they are going out of style and planning our pranks on the first guy to fall asleep in our room. Today was awesome, everything from the opening of the school to piggy-back rides to the ice cream man selling out within minutes. Just another day for our holiday of heroes.~ Jordon, Justis, & Corbin (Hero Holiday Participants in Mexico)

A Close to RFC’s Trip.

Saturday April 3rd

TJ – Today started off with a bang! We sprung into action with hearty breakfast. It was a very important day and proper nutrition was a must. With the school now finished, it was time for the dedication ceremony. The dedication was pretty much the final right of passage for the school before it became operational. We all said a little speech about what the week had meant to us and emotional stuff like that. This was followed by speeches from both of the teachers and the two government officials. It was a memorable time and to see the joy on each one of their faces will not be forgotten any time soon. Seeing the teachers as we handed over the keys to the school was something else. They were grinning ear to ear and could not contain their excitement. It was an awesome experience to be a part of. Another thing that struck me, and I think the rest of the group of the group as well, was the amazing generosity of the community. They all teamed up to feed us lunch after the dedication ceremony. This was quite something for me because these people come from such poverty, yet they were willing to give the little that they had to prepare us a meal as a way to say thank-you. This was both awesome and inspirational for me personally.

Jeannine – Starting the day off shopping for the school was so fun! We got a ton of school supplies, maps and posters for the walls of each classroom, note books of all kinds, even a mop and broom! Then we headed over to the school for the dedication, along with all our school bags, Canadian pins for the kids, and a bin of Lego for each class as well! Santiago explained everything to the teacher who seemed a little overwhelmed by it all. A few things still to come are white boards and desks from the government (that they promised once again at the speeches!) and the washing (‘dirty’) water and clean drinking water that we also raised funds for. One really neat thing we found out today was that the new ‘bano’ (bathroom) is actually going to be a double boys/girls bathroom – so we bought signs for the doors to make it official!

              The dedication ceremony was very emotional for me, seeing every one of the youth share what the build meant to them was so special, words like “my best spring break ever” and “I’ll never forget” were very touching. One of the biggest surprises for me has been Sofia (our Mexican team member) she said her ‘bit’ in Spanish and the response was amazing, the government official Fernando responded to her personally. It means so much to the community to have a fellow Mexican caring about their situation and actually doing something to make a difference! I totally underestimated the impact this would have!

              Lunch was tamale’s made by the community, and they insisted on serving us each individually as we sat down! Very touching! And Very Yummy!

              Then came the event we’d all been waiting for – Mexico versus Canada in a soccer match, Sofia chose to play for her home country – traitor! She’ll be finding another ride home! The school’s teachers were really determined to win, and no matter how much we cheated (Harv actually tackled one of the teachers!)They didn’t surrender!  Maria (one of little Mexican girls who won our hearts) was loudly chanting “CA–NA–DA, CA–NA–DA” over, and over and over! In spite of all this support Mexico won 6-3. We are pretty sure it had something to do with Santiago being the only official on site, and will demand a rematch some day!

              Later some of the guys on the team expressed that game as the highlight of the week. It truly seems that poverty cannot destroy joy. Apparently ‘things’ do NOT bring happiness, because those kids have very few things, and you couldn’t find a more joyful bunch anywhere. I think there may be a lesson there for us all.

              Tonight we went out for our traditional team supper thanks to Syd & Dave! We went to Gaston’s on the beach and it was GREAT!! Thanks from all of us!!!!

Earth Quake in the Baja – Hero Holiday not Affected.

As many of you have heard by now, a 7.2 magnitude earth quake shook the Mexican/US border on Sunday, April 4th. Our Hero Holiday staff reported that they felt the rumble but that no one was injured and our building did not sustain any damage.At this time, we have two Hero Holidays on the go. Today the RFC Youth Group is starting to make their way back to the US for their flight home to Canada. That is without a quick stop at a local market called, La Bufadora, where they will be able to pick up all the Mexican souvenirs that they can fit in their luggage. The other team from the Holy Family Catholic School Board will continue their house build.Please continue to check our website for more blogs from our Hero Holiday teams.If you have any questions or concerns regarding our teams in Mexico, please feel free to contact our office in Hamilton, ON. The toll free number is 1-866-432-4464Have a great day!Nettie BrownLiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) Programs Administrator