Labor of Love: Mexico Mission Trip
By BETHANY CARGILE
AND
ALLISON SCROGGS
We, Bethany Cargile and Allison Scroggs, have always wanted to attend the Mexico Work Mission trips since we were old enough, but we were unable. This summer it was finally our time to go.
We were both raised in churches that emphasized the importance of mission work. God had called us to do work not necessarily where we were comfortable but where we were needed. Our bags were packed and we were eager to begin our first mission trip across borderlines.
During our travel a thousand miles from home to Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, we tried to mentally prepare ourselves for a long three days of labor. We did not have many expectations but we knew two families were going to be beyond grateful for the gift God had provided to them through our hands.
After a long two days of travel we crossed into Mexico from Del Rio, Texas. The sun had gone down but the heat remained. A cold shower and a quick night’s rest later it was time to venture to our worksites to begin building what would become a house. There were two teams of 15 people building for two separate families, the Campos and the Matias. Our team built for the Campos family.
That first morning on the worksite we were greeted by the wife of the household, Luz, her son, and her mother. They stayed long enough to introduce themselves then left to allow us to get busy. That day was spent measuring and cutting the wood and putting them together to make the walls and waiting for the cement truck. Temperatures rose to over 100 degrees but we made sure to take our breaks and drink plenty of water. We did not like to sit around and always found something to do to keep ourselves awake and occupied.
The second and third days were spent turning our walls into a house. The walls were put up with a million nails. Take it from us, it is not easy to hammer in a nail through wood and concrete. Every person had a job to do and we both learned how to do things we’ve never done before.
We were taught how to wire a house, install insulation, and put up drywall. Although we had never been on this trip before we were told with sarcasm just how wonderful chicken wire and stucco are. We discovered just how wonderful it was, but unfortunately there was no way to escape it. By the end of the third day we were all tightening chicken wire and reapplying stucco for the thousandth time. We were covered in bruises, cuts, and dried blood but on the evening of the third day we stood back to admire the creation we just helped to build.
The last full day in Mexico was Dedication Day. We were able to sleep in until 6 and eat another breakfast provided by Casas por Cristo, then head to the worksite to add a few final touches on the house. These final touches included hanging ceiling fans we were gifting to the family, painting the trim around the windows, and making sure the electricity was hooked up correctly.
As we finished, the family and the other team arrived at our worksite. Everyone circled up as the dedication began, and luckily, we had a translator for the family. We used the dedication time to tell the family that we appreciated the opportunity to come and help them, because they had unknowingly helped us too.
We also planted a walnut tree, which was watered with a gallon of water from America and a gallon of water from Mexico. All this was to symbolize that though we may be from different places, we are still the same. We are all brothers and sisters through Christ, here for the same purpose. That purpose is to glorify God and help each other out whenever possible.
Dedication ended with everyone observing communion, giving a Spanish-reading Bible to the family, and nailing a Casas por Cristo tag above the front door that was specific to that particular house. After hugs, thank you’s, and social media handles were exchanged, we headed to the other site and did it all over again.
Though the work week had come to an end, this was the single day that clearly made it worth the heat, cuts, bruises, and lack of sleep. We saw the faces of two very worthy families as they received an amenity that most of us take for granted. This house was not very big, nor was it anything fancy by our standards. However, this was like nothing they’d had before. Through them, we learned to be thankful for what we have, and to give what we can when we can. This was an experience we will not soon forget, but will gladly experience again at the next available chance.
Our main purpose for going on the work mission was to build houses for families in the name of Jesus Christ. However, there is so much more that happens behind the scenes. We began new friendships, started back old friendships, gained life lessons from the wise, and felt closer to God.
Everyone goes on mission trips for different reasons, but one reason remains the same. God. Without Him, this trip never would or could have happened. Because of Him two more families have felt His blessings and will praise Him everyday. Their stories will be told and others will want to hear the Word of God. We helped to build these houses not for our own satisfaction but to show these families that with God all things are possible. Through the blessings He has provided to ourselves we are able to share with others just how awesome our God is.
Others who went with our group included Ken Sanvidge, Buddy Cain, Jeff Cain, David Artessa, Bryce Crawford, Brody Degarmo, Savannah McGinnis, Jane McGinnis, John Parrish, Jacob Parrish, Anthony Strite, and Jeff Morton.
These trips are open to anyone over the age of sixteen. This summer’s group ranged in ages from seventeen to mid-seventies and from as far as Ohio. Some of the group had been to previous Mexico Work Mission trips and some had not. You don’t have to have any construction background to go on this trip. We had never built a house before or had the knowledge to do so, but we put ourselves out there and gained experiences that will stay with us forever.
The thought of actually building a house in three days seemed unrealistic to us, but it can be done. However, these trips costs money and without donations from the public this would not have happened. Mexico Work Mission (MWM) 2.0 is a nonprofit organization (501c3) and every penny donated allows us to continue on. Donations can be sent to MWM 2.0 P.O. Box 507, Monticello, GA 31064.
