#13 Charlotte Hines

How truly blessed we are in the United States, and I guess I've known this much of my life. I've visited countries where the poverty is great, and I've prayed for people and given money to people who have almost nothing. This was a new experience for me, however. I've actually given of myself in a very new way.

When I first returned to the States, I looked at having gone to Mexico and participating in the Lenten Habitat Build as a gift to myself. I was wrong. It was God's gift to me, and it was God's gift to each of us who went. I'm sure there is not one of us who can say that we left Mexico without a feeling that our lives have been changed for the better. I went expecting to like my fellow Southwestern Virginians and those from North Carolina. I went expecting to like our Mexican families, but the big surprise to me was how much I would be drawn to them. How could we not respond to such graciousness and warmth? I admire the fact that while they were pleased to receive our help, they are proud of what they already have. The love they feel for their country and families and their culture was evident everywhere we went, and it was important to them that we understand this.

I certainly would like to think that we'll all remain in touch with each other and with our families from Santiago De Anaya, but even is this is not possible, I know we've developed a strong bond and will keep one another in our hearts. I can't imagine ending a day without including Anna and Felix and all of you in my prayers.