RFC Youth Group Starts Their Hero Holiday in Mexico

RFC Youth Mexico Trip

Saturday & Sunday March 27^th& 28^th

              We have arrived safely in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico! But our journey was not without adventure! It started with a hoodie left on the plane in LA, and then Sofia, our Mexican team member, (she was an exchange student at our school and decided to join us on our trip since we were so close to her neck of the woods) had her flight delayed until noon, then 3:00, then 5:00, then 7:00, and finally left at 9:00! So we didn’t meet up with her until the next day on our way south to Vicente Guerrero. Sunday we were on our way. Made it over the Mexican border without incident, and then the van carrying our luggage broke down. We sat on the side of the road for about an hour waiting for a tow truck. When he arrived they found the van too heavy, but eventually Santiago was on his way with a flat deck to haul it down. With the van was too heavy for the trailer, we had to unload everything into the truck. We did arrived in time for supper!! We and our luggage are now safe at Erma’s dorm at last.

Monday March 29^th

              Our first day on the job site we were overwhelmed by the children! They were so trusting, and overjoyed to see us. We had a great time playing with them! Don’t worry we got some work done too. We managed to put the roof panels together and nearly have the walls put together! The weather was very hot, in spite of all our sunscreen, we have many ‘rosy’ sun kissed faces. Supper was thoroughly enjoyed at the local taco stand!  A few brave or crazy (you decide!) people tried the cow intestine instead of chicken or pork.

Thoughtful Trip Home For The Penticton Crew

 As the bus rolls north I sit here reflecting on the last eleven days as I prepare for the two day drive back
home. Today is the beginning of the last leg in what is now my fifth trip to Mexico – my Hawaii.
I can think of many words to describe this latest journey, not the least of which would be awesome!
Awesome TEAM, awesome staff, awesome “home away from home”, awesome family (how else do you
describe a dad who wanted the front of his new home ‘grande’ graffitied with the names of the TEAM),
awesome beach day(s), awesome “holy mole that’s hot” Mexican food, awesome church family (our
second project), awesome times around the fire and in the living room reflecting on life and our place in
it.
Each trip has left its own unique signature upon me and this trip has been no different. This has been the smallest
group so far but the small group allowed us to be together for all activities and this facilitated great
conversation and openness in our ability to share our experiences with one another. We shared tears
together, asked “soul searching” questions, were humbled by the humility of the people, and laughed so
much our jaws ache.
As the lush green hills flash by, the excitement of heading south eleven days ago has given way to
sadness – yes even tears – as we head north. I have never looked forward to this leg of the journey on
any of my trips and I take great comfort in knowing that my sadness is being shared by eighteen other
incredibly awesome people. Each “Blessed to be a blessing”, having received far more than we gave.

Les Clarke – Group Leader

A Brand New School Ready for Class!

Last Tuesday when we arrived in Mexico, I had no idea what to expect and how much this trip would change my perspective on so many things. Now, on the final day, I can take a moment to look back and let the trip sink in. I learned so much more in these last 10 days than some will ever learn in a lifetime, and I feel so privileged to have had this chance. Not only did I learn about poverty and the ways I can help, I learned about and experienced a new culture and what seems like a whole new world.Getting to work along side the Mexican people blew me away. Their willingness to help was incredible. Day after day we had women, children, and fathers on the work site constantly looking for some way to help us build. Even after a long day of work in the fields, they were there. Their perseverance and dedication was truly inspiring. I got to see first hand how much of an impact a school makes for a community in Mexico. Having an education and a chance to go to school is not taken lightly here. The enthusiasm shown by the kids towards school is a definite contrast to the way we, in Canada, treat our school system. It was quite refreshing to see how important and valuable an education is to everyone here.Along with learning about the values of the Mexican people, I learned a lot about my own values. Before coming on this trip I never thought I would do something like a Hero Holiday. It didn’t occur to me that I could make such a difference by just stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new. And little did I know, that I would step out of one comfort zone into a whole new way of thinking.If I had to pick a feeling or emotion that stood out the most in the last week, I would have to say my sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. Seeing a whole school go from the ground up and knowing I was a part of that was amazing. Not only being part of the building but being a part of bringing such a blessing to so many families is where I find the biggest sense of accomplishment. This trip was more than I could have ever asked for it to be.It was such a privilege to do my part and I will never forget a moment of it.~ Anna

Spring Break School Build

The past couple have days have been unforgettable. I have been on two previous Hero Holiday’s to the Dominican Republic however this is my first Hero Holiday to Mexico. The past couple of days we have been working on a school that forty nine children will be attending. Yesterday we worked on the inside of the school painting and completing the detail work. After laying all the wood on the roof, we had to do the messy job of tarring. I really enjoyed roofing since I have never done this before.It has been amazing to see the community coming together to help in the building of their new school. It really gives them a pride in their community. Even the men who work during the day (3am – 2pm) at local ranches pop by to help when they are finished. They put in grueling hours at their regular jobs, and yet they really wanted to contribute. These men have dug many of the holes for the play ground equipment’s foundation. I have been really enjoying my experience so far and I am looking forward to the school dedication on Monday where we will be handing off the school to the community.~ Emily, a Hero Holiday participant

What! At School on Spring Break?

 On March 15th our Mexico Public Spring Hero Holiday started. Participants from all across Canada met in San Diego to start their Mexican Adventure. While down south, this team is rebuilding a school that was destroyed during the some deadly flooding to the Baja in January 2010. Here is their take on the first day on the work site:

Today was my first time on a work site and I enjoyed it a lot. Coming into Mexico I had such mixed feelings. I was shocked to see the difference when we crossed the boarder into Mexico from the US. There was a major difference! I was excited and happy to be going to Mexico but was saddened and depressed when I saw the homes and how people live here. I had no idea this morning when I woke up what to expect but I was thrilled with what happens on the work site. We started today with the wall frames and painting. The weather was very hot with a breeze of the ocean, so it was bearable. The people living around the job site were eager to help which I thought was amazing because people in Canada hire people to always do the work for them. Even though we could barely understand each other, we appreciated each others company. I am really looking forward the work we will complete tomorrow.

~ Melissa, a participant here in Mexico

We made it! 8 months ago this was just a fantasy.. but here I am today standing on Mexican soil. And I wouldn’t spend my spring break any other way. So far this experience has been happy, sad, scary, beautiful and just all around amazing. And we still have another week! Everything about Mexico is different than Canada. I am amazed at how lucky we are and how luxurious our lives are compared to the locals here. It has been quite a shock and a good wake up call for me. The people from Hero Holiday have been nothing but wonderful! The SOL students are so great and very welcoming.Today was our first day of building. It was so much fun to be a part of the building process of a whole school. We got a lot accomplished in just one day. Despite the blistering sun, we managed to get up two walls and cut all the boards for the other two walls and the roof, which we will build tomorrow. Along side many of the local mothers and children we painted the trim and doors a vibrant blue to match their vibrant personalities.Now its time for dinner (tacos!) and some Rn’R…~Anna, enjoying Mexico

Penticton Trip in a Nut Shell

 Over the past couple days life has changed from docile, boring, everyday experiences to the extraordinary. We have been introduced to life in Mexico. From the building of family’s home,  to playing with the young children, who happen to be very friendly and open with us. It has been an eye-opening few days we’ve had, and we will not forget or recount on them lightly.We arrived in Mexico last Monday at midday. we had previously boarded the plane through Allegiant Air. It was beautiful, the clouds looked like giant marshmallows, the sky bright and shinning as we flew over the tiny cities bellow. After the flight we arrived in San Diego and took the white bus to a Mexican buffet. Then, after we were stuffed and ready to relax, we were driven to the KOA campground where we had fun in the pool and then slept over in their log cabins. When we arrived in Mexico at the Hero Holiday house we were introduced to the other student leaders, most of them we already knew. It was a happy reunion, there were a lot of stories to be retold of one another’s experiences. The next day we began the build at the first house. We were introduced to the family, the father, mother, and their five children, the youngest being only a month old. We started by building the four walls and the roof the first day; then, because of the rough winds we had to leave raising the four walls and the roof until the second. We shingled the roof on the third, and did the finishing touches on the fourth day, all the while playing and being entertained by the kids and the local Mexican people. Some of us went to the school for ESL and taught English, we were given instruction from the student leaders and Teachers.Last night we had A dance party at Don Diego’s with another group from Victoria .The them was 80’s. It was a blast!Today we built a building for one of the churches in town. It was up by 2:00 pm. The Mexican people there helped build it with us and afterward they painted it with us as well. It was a fast build. It was so much fun playing with the kids and interacting with the people there. At lunch time we were served hot tamales and noodle salad while watching some of the church members and kids perform. They used tambourines and danced to the rhythm of the Latino based christian music. It was all in spanish. Even though most of us, including myself, could not understand it, it was still very beautiful and moving. We finished and headed back home for dinner.Now I am here writing this to you and hoping tomorrow is just as amazing as today. Thank-you for reading and good tidings, your fellow Hero Holiday volunteer,Lisa Marie Dianne Brunin. =)

Penticton Students ‘Back At It’ In Mexico

“Viva la Mexico!! We have arrived – made it through a few army check stops and the border crossing – “red light green light” experience. We had to get off the bus collect our luggage then one at a time push a traffic light button – if it turned green you just walked on through – red – they made you stop  and get your bags checked (just ask Deryn) but they let her come with us!The drive down was amazing with a stop for Taco’s along the way.It is soooo greeeen down here – so much rain but unfortunately serious wash outs everywhere.We are now settled in at the Hero Holiday House and enjoying the “home” atmosphere.The weather is windy, damp and chilly but the “bus boggin” is great.The house building has begun and the TEAM is awesome. The roof panels and walls were completed and tomorrow the house will rise from the ground and either stand or be carried off in the wind currents.One amazing event today was the witnessing of Jim working as it was too dusty for him to see the rake handle to lean on. However, it was reassuring to see him understand the nature of the work. Way to go Jim. Clark, you would have been proud of him.Well, as you can see we are not having much fun but this TEAM is truly amazing and today they proved their worth through the building and ESL teaching at the school. Stay tuned for more amazing stories.Les Clarke – Group Leader

Making A House A Home

Between yesterday and today, the houses have been pieced together rapidly. Lots of hard work, painting and sawing have brought the group two standing houses. Everyone is experimenting with different ways to help out; whether it be playing with the kids, roofing or helping with the interiors. The work days so far have been amazing, and it is very fulfilling to see everyone working together as one well oiled machine. This experience has me doubting that any of us will ever be able to forget this community and the families within. Each member of this town is doing what they can to help; the kids are always eager to help paint to their maximum height and parents willing to help us communicate. Piggy-Back after piggy-back we are creating trust and relationships with these kids despite the language barrier. Weather tonight canceled our evening activity of candy and beach time, but an interesting group discussion had everyone soon forgetting the sugar craze. Readers, I challenge you to balance your wants and needs and see how those may fluctuate to those of something living in the conditions of a developing area.Until Tomorrow, Greer C-WTo see more pictures, click here.

We Finally Made It!

Hola! We have arrived safe and sound, with a few minor speed bumps.Friday started out with an all too familiar ferry ride to Vancouver followed by an unfamiliar ride down to the border crossing and then on to Seattle. From SeaTac we endured a three hour long flight, no movies mind you, to San Diego. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our Hero Holiday leader, Charles,  who gave us a brief introduction of what we were getting ourselves into. After our 12 hour travels, we mobbed the local supermarket for late night snacks, ranging from veggies to cold canned soup. Finally, we arrived at the hotel and crawled into our beds by 12 am. However, our deep sleeps were rudely interrupted by a 5 am wake up call (prank courtesy of an unknown mischievous caller.) Little did we know, that was not going to be our only problem.Morning came all to soon for some of us, but thankfully after a kick start of caffeine we were out the door…Maybe a little too quickly. Upon boarding the bus Charles asked for everyone to have their passports on hand for our arrival into Mexico. So here I was, settled into the bus and ready to go when I realized my passport was not on hand. Not only was my passport not on hand, it wasn’t anywhere in my hotel room, nor was it in my bag, Sam’s or Emily’s. After a mild panic attack and belongings sprawled across the Best Western parking lot, Brett (our driver and other facilitator) called the airport to track down my missing identification. A quick phone call later we were informed the Alaska Airways staff wouldn’t be able to look around for about an hour. Not taking no for an answer off we went to the airport, and thankfully along the way we got a phone call and YES my passport had been found on the plane. Turns out I did return my tray table to the upright and locked position but however I did not check the seat pocket in front of me. Lesson learned. (Sorry mom and dad, lots of love…Greer)After the morning mishap, the bus full of tired travelers started the journey to the Mexican border crossing.  San Diego had clean streets and structured houses, giving no foresight into what we would encounter on the other side of the border.  At the crossing we were unloaded from our bus for a random bag search, initiated from a button that picked the lucky travelers to be investigated by armed military forces.  After the border we finally saw the poverty that we were expecting.  Dirt roads, broken down houses and rusty cars were the beginnings to this huge eye-opening experience.  In one case, the fences in Tijuana were bordered with makeshift glass in place of wire. The bus ride was both fascinating and saddening. Our home here is in divvied into a girls and boys dorm which we should probably be heading to sleep soon in. It is 10:20 p.m. which means lights out! We will report more tomorrow, about the families and constructing of the houses.Hasta Manana!Layla, Britny, Greer and Angela

A Job Well Done.

Dear Blog,

   The build at Adoffo Lopez Mateos is now completed! The last couple days were very busy for our team. Thursday we put the roof panels on, and then the asphalt roofing. This took awhile because of the sizing on the panels needed to be adjusted but together under Randy, Brett, and Andrew’s guidance for the 5 of us, all hammering like crazy, got everything done on time. I have went on the Hero Holiday in 2007 but only got as far as the ladder. I was too chicken to walk out on the roof. This year I was brave and took those steps off the ladder. Not only did I help nail down the roof but got to enjoy the breeze and amazing view! 

  The rest of Thursday and Friday we finished putting the inside walls up, painting, also painting the bano and shower, putting in the windows and doors and a lot of finishing touches. Randy’s boots after 14 years of loyal service have finally hit the dust during this build and rather then scrap them entirely he used duct tape to hold them together, so maybe they will make it to 15 years. 

   Now today, we put everything together in the house- all the beautiful things that were sent down from Canada and additional items for the family bought at the Mexican Wal-Mart. The beds were complete with frames, mattresses and beautiful handmade quilts. The family and we builders enjoyed a wonderful dedication together, along with tears and hugs of appreciation from all. Then Marcia turned over the keys to Anastasia who opened the door and the family went in to see everything. The game of checkers were a real hit. The strawberries in a lovely keepsake dish from Lance and Pat were also a favorite.The family then introduced us to a special sit down with home made Mexican soup. The skies then opened up and the rain came down. Just as we finished. Now this family has a safe and dry place to get away from the rain. 

   Tonight we gathered at Don Diego’s and reminisced about what the high points were during the week as well as feasted on our last meal in Mexico. What a great trip.

~ Nora, a participant headed home from a Mexico Hero Holiday