Happy Easter!

The Lord is risen! Today our friends in Santiago de Anaya are celebrating their new homes and their lives with Christ. Hard work over the past 40 days has brought many small miracles to a small village. Those of us in Virginia and North Carolina send warm thoughts of love and best wishes across the miles. Your hopes became our hopes, your dreams ours.

Our short stay changed many of our lives in ways we still aren't sure about. We have so much and really gave so little but the love we have received in return means so much to us all. Our Lord gave his life for us and asked that we dedicate ours - A very tough task. God, look over our dear friends from Santiago de Anaya. Send Marilyn home safely and let us all never forget the lessons of this memorable lenten season!

#15 - Sandy Goldman

As I sit and reflect on our time in Mexico and the beautiful people we met- I am struck by three themes that continue to come up:Simplicity, Resourcefulness, and Gratitude. The Mexican people lives, when compared to ours, is so much simpler--they cook meals from scratch, they wash their clothes by hand, they walk to the store (sometimes daily), they pour concrete by hand. One would think that their lives are infinitely more difficult than our own, and indeed in some ways it is. But their lives are also enriched by these simple tasks, they break for lunch for as long as two hours amid laughter and friendship, they bask in the shade of a mesquite tree enjoying the breeze on their faces, they go to sleep tired and achy knowing that they have worked hard for their dream and it is good.

Knowing that they can rely on little help from their government--Mexicans have learned to become very resourceful. Having no Lowe's to pop into, they make most of their tools by hand or recycled things. A block of wood or leftover windshield wiper becomes a scraper for mortar. A length of rope becomes a door handle and Maguey (a local cactus) becomes EVERYTHING! From alcohol from the juice to supper from the leaves, from clothing and household goods from the fibers to siding for their lean-to style homes from the skins. Nothing is ever wasted and usually can exist for two maybe three different purposes.

But the humbling difference that strikes us the most is the gratitude we see in these people. They are grateful for our presence and help, yes, but they are also grateful for their lives. They are grateful for the few meager days of rain received each year, the visit from a friend, a simple smile. They give God the glory for everything! Thanking them for a meal they prepared, the response is "Thanks be to God!" Their children are grateful for a simple game of soccer. Former Habitat home recipients come and help to make their neighbor's dream a reality and thank God that he has brought us across the border to them, making them feel favored by Him.

When Jesus told us to love our God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves-the Mexican people took Him literally. Each and every day, fraught with difficulties and hardships, these people live the Gospel. And so with sore limbs and over-flowing hearts we returned to reflect on our own lives with humbleness and a deeper understanding of God's love. We joined together for a cause, thinking to help those in need. In trying to be the blessing, we have been blessed.

#14 - Joan Freeland

My trip to Mexico was a unique and rewarding experience for me.

Unique, in that Mexico is such a diverse country. We were in the northern part of Mexico which is desert like with many types of cactus and very dry and dusty. Some of the land was completely immersed in water and when in receded deep valleys were formed, surrounded by mountains. A truly beautiful landscape. Mexico City was unique. Buildings were beautifully appointed, churches were awe inspiring with paintings, statues, bell towers that chimed so wonderfully, and gold gilt.

Rewarding in that the families for whom we were building the houses were friendly, kind, and very enjoyable. They opened their hearts, their families, and their lives to us – complete strangers. I know we opened our hearts to them and they will always hold a great deal of our hearts.

I was so blessed to have been a part of this “team” from VA and to have shared a part of their lives that will be forever a part of me. And I thank all of them for enriching my life.

#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.

#12 - Very Rev. Richard Fife

Lots of the learnings are clichéd but I found them to be true. We have so much here in US, take most of it for granted, how exciting it is to work with others who appreciate our help, importance of flexibility, different sense of time overseas, etc. Lots to think about. Imagine folks will be hearing about it in my preaching and teaching for some time to come. God was very good to us. We had a great team. Nan did a marvelous job. Habitat made a lot of connections for us. Certainly would have been a much different experience trying to do it on my/our own.

Good mix of work and fun. Big help having the Goldmans, our Spanish speakers. Tired every night but a good tired. Enjoyed the historic district of Mexico City immensely. Found our Habitat family to be very dear, industrious, hospitable, personable. Felt we connected well with the Charlotte, NC guys well after a while. The roof pour on the last Friday was a good way to end the work week. Thanks to all for making this great trip possible.

#11 - Nan Carmack

Big Mike from North Carolina said "Every day has been better than I imagined it." I echo these thoughts and am overwhelmed with gratitude at having been part of this experience. My new American and Mexican friends affirmed for me the humanity and joy that is found in all people, regardless of geography or economic condition. My new friends also affirm for me our strength as a flock--we are able to accomplish so much as one body, with the direction of the Good Shepherd.

Big Mike also grasped onto the hope demonstrated by the Mexican people in leaving the ends of rebar sticking out of their structures, in case they are able to "add on" someday. I think this physical demonstration of hope and faith are tangible lessons for those of us whose rebar might be less obvious. I have been thinking about what my rebar might look like. What I am hoping for? Where might faith and hard work get me? I am not sure of these answers yet, but I will hold onto the image of rebar--a straight, certain strength onto which I can build more houses of faith.

#10 Back to Mexico City

After another great breakfast at the Quinta Rivera hotel we boarded a bus back to Mexico City. Saturday was Nan Carmack's 40th birthday (sorry Nan) and "Happy Birthday" was sung with great gusto to start her day off.

The bus was much larger and we all had more room for sleep, reading and talking. The trip was scenic passing from the mountains to the plains of Mexico. We arrived in Mexico City just before noon. Our accommodations were back at the Tulip Ritz in central Mexico City.

Everyone wandered off in a different direction for shopping, museums or touring. Mexico City is certainly a beautiful city with many parks, churches, museums and statues. Lots of sales were made based on the amount of bags being brought back in to our hotel. Items included clothing, jewelry, blankets, purses and gifts for loved ones.

Dinner was followed by a great party surrounding the hotel bar. Final pictures were taken, addresses exchanged and hugs all around. Here are the official group photos:

Early Sunday morning we were transported by taxi through a mainly empty Mexico City streets (at breakneck speeds, of course). No troubles at the airport and all arrived safe and sound back in the USA.

We'll post some recollections later this week.