Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday and Friday
Today is our last work day. It has been a perfect week for weather, and we haven't had any injuries (aside from some things dropped on toes). Our job is mostly done -- today the roof goes on, and we will leave the tarring of it to the professional Mexican crew. Yesterday, while we were "off" they took off the frames around the crown and put up the main support beam across the peak of the roof. We will lay the rafters and roofing sheets today.
Wednesday began with a trip to the neighboring town of Anapra, where we visited some retired nuns and their service operation. They provide mental and physical health services to battered women, and offer special and remedial education to children in their neighborhood. On the way we stopped at an overlook of the valley along the new highway between Anapra and Ciudad Jaurez. We also stopped at our cook's house. Yolanda's house is one of the houses built by the Southern Exposure organization and she is the first person ever to "pay off" her home. It was very interesting to see the interior and what a homeowner can do with work like ours after they move in.
We also stopped by the Mexican offices of Southern Exposure, and heard about their additional services, including adult education and a scholarship program for financial aid to qualified students who wouldn't otherwise attend high school. Apparently school is free to all thru 6th grade, and ostensibly is free beyond that, but from 7th grade on there are not enough schools for everyone, so private schools have sprung up, but are costly.
In the afternoon, we went to the market for some shopping. We also stopped by the cathedral and the original Spanish mission church from the 1600's. Finally, we had a wonderful, and inexpensive, meal at a steak and seafood restaurant downtown.
I will try to post pictures of today's progress, later.....
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Day one
Today was mostly sunny and warm, but got quite windy on occasion. Our friends Dennis, Lorenzo, and Robert donated 10 cases of Pepsi products (Aquafina and Gatorade) that were very important in keeping us hydrated today. We staged the block, mixed cement, and laid about 6 courses of block during the day. Everyone is realizing how hard the work is, but also how rewarding. We met our family, which has 6 people in it. More on that later.
Everything is on plan. Check back tomorrow for our progress then.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Have arrived, and had a great lunch. Trudy's bag didn't make the same flight she did, so our guide, Matt, will have to go back this afternoon and retrieve it after the next flight.
After a short delay to change aircraft (the 1st one needed a tire change ) we have arrived safely in El Paso & are on our way across the border
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Getting Started
Our St. Mark Mexico Mission team met for dinner at Tres Margaritas on Sunday evening the 10th, to finalize paperwork, start practicing our Spanish, and to get to know one another. We have 12 people going to Cd. Juarez this year, 7 women and 5 men, from age 18 to 60+ ;-), married and single, couples, and those leaving their spouses and families at home.
We leave on the 24th of February, to El Paso, TX where the Southern Exposure organization will take us across the border.
more to follow when we get there on sunday....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)