Trip report Jan 17-20, 2010

33 team members made the trip to Juarez for our most recent mission trip. Considering all the bad press and the economic times, we were very impressed with the size of the team. The team built two houses, fed over 100 people and treated a standing room only crowd for two days at the Missions Ministries medical center. Above: Hanna and Sara prepare for contruction.

Once again it was another safe and successful trip. Recently, many churches have pulled back from sending teams due to excessive caution. I think this is unwarranted and results from lack of knowledge of the situation in the area where we work. The Missions Ministries folks have done much to make the trips work with minimal risk. Local police and military keep and eye out for their teams and even the gangs have said they will leave us alone because of the work we are doing. I am glad that this team did not take the overly cautious attitude or hundreds in Juarez would be a lot worse off. Jesus and his disciples never avoided going where they were needed despite great risks. I want to thank my team for following that example.

The construction teams were divided by age between the adults and the kids ranging in age from 13-18. The kids included all our JCEP kids, many of them building their 5th or 6th house. Joni and David Cropper went with the adult team. I went with the kids where I belong. Both houses were completed in the usual two days, but the kid’s house was done before noon the second day! My niece Hanna and daughter Sara headed up the kids house, they have each been to Juarez seven times now. The Cropper kids, Brian, Adam and Haley have been six times. Hanna never stopped pointing out the fact that she had been one more time.

In the afternoon the first day, we also took a team over to the local women’s shelter, there we fed the mothers and kids staying there and did crafts with them. The second day we did the same at a local church. We fed nearly one hundred people. The favorite food is always the ice cream., since most families do not have freezers. The double line was long and orderly, despite the anticipation.
Above: Roofing Team
The medical team consisted of many returning Juarez veterans and a few new folks. Dr. Hardwin Mead headed the medical team. Beth Seabolt ran an eye clinic with Radhika Kumar dispensing glasses and advice to lots of grateful people. We had Christl Kirchner an OB/Gyn nurse practitioner treating patients. Sally Marsh staffed the pharmacy with help of many folks on the team. With Nicolas Barcelo translating, and many others including the local team assisting, it was a very effective medical mission.Above: Hardwin treats a young patient.
The last night we attended worship services at the same church for which we had done the food outreach. We were all knocked out when the pastor spent much of the sermon expressing sympathy for Haiti and its people, despite all the challenges happening in Juarez. It was a fitting ending to a great trip. SRKAbove:Ice Cream line.