‘They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love’—Mexico Mission Trip
By BETHANY CARGILE
A team of people from different backgrounds, different ages, different churches, and different states coming together to make a difference for a person, a family and a community—It takes three days to build a house with Casas por Cristo, but only one moment to forever change a person and their family.
This year’s mission trip to Ciudad Acuña, Mexico was different than previous years. Ken Sanvidge, the director of Mexico Work Mission (MWM) 2.0, will most likely tell anyone that this was “the best trip and team ever.” Others on our team consisted of Allison Scroggs, Anthony Strite, Amanda Norris, Mark Stone, Caleb Steenhoek, Ralph and Nancy Gunn, Sarah Mechtly, Rick Mechtly, Jim and Floyce McBath, Ron Miller, Leslie Stone and Seth Brooks.
When we arrived to the worksite early Monday morning we were greeted by a man unrelated to the Chavarria family for whom we were building a house. This man had stayed throughout the night guarding the building materials for the family and would continue to do so every night until the house had been completed.
We were introduced to the father of the household, William, accompanied by his faithful dog, Rocky. Later in the day William’s wife, Elda, and their son, Martin, came to the worksite. The wood had been cut, the cement laid, and before we could even realize it, it was time to go back to our hotel and discuss the day.
Day two was by far the craziest occurrence anyone on our team had ever experienced. As soon as we arrived on the worksite the sky darkened and it began to rain. It rained almost nonstop that day, but it did not stop us. In the cold and pouring rain we turned walls into a house, put up the blackboard, and built the roof. Once the roof had been finished the clouds parted and a beautiful blue sky emerged. Our rained soaked clothes dried and we were no longer shivering. By the grace of God, we completed everything we needed to with the exception of nailing the chicken wire.
On day three I met José, a young boy less than 10 years old who will forever have a part of my heart. I sat there with my knees in the damp dirt cutting chicken wire when he came up to me. We didn’t speak the same language and could only communicate with small words and hand gestures. After watching me for only a minute he held out his small hand to ask for the cutters and started to help me cut the excess chicken wire around the house. He later helped me drive nails into the wire as tight as we could to the exterior and threw his hands up in the air if we missed the stud.
I was asked to cut more strips of chicken wire and he accompanied me holding one end of the wire and the measuring tape as I cut it to the appropriate length. Inside the house he climbed up on a ladder and helped staple the insulation to the ceiling with Sarah and I. As soon as we were out of staples he ran to get more. There was work and there was play.
When we weren’t too occupied José would attempt to hide a peso inside my ponytail and would laugh each time I shook it out. During a break he chased me around the property and we would almost fall to the ground laughing when he caught up to me. He was willing to help in all ways possible and didn’t stop until we were all done for the day. The house we were building was not even his house, but that did not stop him from helping and displaying God’s love.
Later that evening we were told of his story. José had suffered an extremely difficult beginning. He had been abandoned by his parents and left alone in the streets until Pastor Fidel brought José into his home where his family would raise him as their own. José does not remember much prior to living with Pastor Fidel and that may be for the best. By the powers of God through Pastor Fidel and his family José was able to overcome those challenges and be made new. Hearing his story brought tears to my eyes. Not just because of his tragedy but also because the day before I accepted a job for the Child Protective Services within our county to help children just like José.
The following day of dedication José and Pastor Fidel returned along with the Chavarria family and all who had helped to make this house a home. This dedication was unlike the previous year. The man who had stayed each night returned with a guitar and sang a song praising God. We planted a fruit tree which was watered with a gallon of water from America and a gallon of water from Mexico 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, to glorify God, to help one another, and to show His love. Pastor Fidel then prayed for all those who helped. His prayer was unlike any other prayer I have witnessed. We may not have understood a word he said, but that man put his hand on our heads and we all felt the power and word of God through him.
Throughout the dedication José never left my side. He placed a wildflower behind my ear, held my hand, and dried my tears from my cheeks. Small arms have never hugged my waist as tight as his. With every laugh, every tear, and every gesture I felt the power of Christ through that child. He may never know just how much his story and his actions have impacted my life but I will never forget him.
This may have only been my second mission trip with MWM 2.0 and Casas por Cristo, but this will forever be my favorite. The fellowship between our team members, the family, and the community was uplifting beyond belief. Each hand placed on that house will forever show the amazing God we have.
I encourage anyone who is willing and able to take the time necessary and join us next year. These trips are open to anyone over the age of 16. Past groups have ranged in ages from 17 to mid-70s 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 need to have any construction background to go and you do not have to belong to any denomination or group. This was my second year going and I gained more knowledge that I can continue to use for a lifetime.
However, these trips cost money and without donations from the public this would not have happened. Mexico Work Mission 2.0 is a nonprofit organization (501c3) and every penny donated allows us to continue. Donations can be sent to MWM 2.0, P.O. Box 507, Monticello, GA 31064.
