My Home In Mexico

This is the first time in six years that I am not spending spring break in Mexico. For six years I have raised money, worked to get ahead in my studies, and missed out on other trips; all so I could spend four days building a home for a stranger. I enjoyed the culture and sunshine, but for the most part, my time was spent working. I remember my first year, being part of the foundation building bucket brigade on day one, and not being able to lift my arms above my head for the rest of the week. I was a puny little eighth grader, who probably shouldn't have carried as much as I did, but I never noticed my sore shoulders while I was working. There is also the memory from my second trip, when another high school student and myself were asked to construct a wall unsupervised. To make the project even more challenging, the only building space available was on a road that had an uneven downward slope.We spent almost two hours measuring, cutting and nailing together the lumber; and with the project 99% done, we were told that this wall was the one with the door, not a window.

This meant that we not only had to build the correct wall, we had to tear apart the one we had put so much effort into. It was another hour before the wall was finished. And I can't forget the year that it rained so hard the my tent was completely flooded; or the time that bus two forgot to come pick us up and we had to fit about 75 (dirty and sweaty) people on one small bus.

You may be wondering, why I kept going for six consecutive years. Why I would choose to spend my vacation doing some of the hardest physical labor I have ever done. Strangely enough, the answer to why I did it is because it nurtured my spirit. Through the process of
constructing a small, one room house, I developed patience and trust. I experienced the satisfying feeling of putting 110% of my effort into a life changing project. The leaders of the work crews mentored me in both building techniques and growth in my relationship with God, and in turn, I had a chance to mentor those placed under my leadership. And the Mexican people, so excited to receive the simple gift we offered, not only taught me how to be grateful, but open my eyes to how powerful the gift of love is. My time in Mexico has awaken my desire to work on the mission field and I've come to realize that I have never felt more at home than when I was building a home for someone else.