Juarez Children's Education Program

Juarez Mission Trip - Jan 2012

2012-01-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

Joni and I prepare to build the house with our JCEP students

After a two-year absence, Joni and I decided to take the team back to Juarez. We never should have stayed away. As usual, we would build a house for a deserving family, feed several hundred kids at one of our libraries and interact with our JCEP sponsored children.

Getting off the plane in El Paso, it felt like coming home. Our hosts from Missions Ministries - Leo, Chris, Bill and Jesus - greeted our team of 26 people. We headed to WalMart to buy supplies for the trip before heading across the border into Mexico.
Monica poses with her new wheelchair, purchased with donations from friends of Stacy Ishigaki.

At WalMart, we stocked up on snacks and water for ourselves. We purchased food for our outreach. We also picked up a wheel chair, table and other housewarming gifts for Monica and Juan, who we would be building the house for. We piled into three vans and headed for Santa Teresa, New Mexico where we would cross the border.

The Santa Teresa crossing affords the safest route to the Colonias. We circle around Ciudad Juarez. The drive through the desert takes about 30 minutes from the border. We pass through beautiful deserts with the mountains surrounding Juarez in the distance. The Colonias are located south of the main city about 25 kilometers.
The team tilts up the first wall of the new house.

It is always jarring seeing the conditions in the Colonias. Created to “house” workers for the NAFTA factories, the lots are small and expensive. Most families live in block houses, abandoned buses or worse. The family we were building for lived in a 10 x 10 concrete room that was dark and cold.
Haley, Brian and Sara have been to traveled to Juarez together 8 times to build houses.

Around 6 pm, we arrived at the team center, an oasis in the Colonias. Built over several years and completed in 2005, the team center is a walled compound with 24-hour guards. There are 15 rooms, each with its own shower and bunks to sleep five people. There is a dining hall, medical center and four more rooms for the Mission Ministries staff.

We ate a satisfying dinner, prepared by the fine Mexican staff and went to bed. After waking early, we stuffed ourselves again and headed out to the build site. Our medical team of internist, optometrist and nurse stayed behind with five team members to serve as staff. We also had Therin and Marsha, pharmacists from Oklahoma, there to man the pharmacy.

At the build site, we greeted our family and set to nailing together the structure. The 12x36 foot slab had been poured in advance. Our Mexican build coaches laid out the precut boards. Our sizable team set about nailing them together.
Little Juan ride his rocking horse as his house is constructed.

Joni and I were glad to have our students from JCEP join us for construction. Susy, our librarian and the shepherd to all our children, pulled up in the JCEP van and the kids piled out. Calling them kids is a stretch these days, since many of them are now young adults. Anahi and Blanca will graduate from college this month with their basic studies degrees. They plan to attend garduate school in the fall. Edith, David, Samuel and Moises will graduate from high school this June. Also joining us were Margarita, who will graduate in 2013, Angel (2014) and Perla (2014). We were sorry to learn that Claudia, who would have graduated this summer, had gone to work, due to a death in the family and will not finish this year.
Joni, Susy and Scott congratulate Blanca and Anahi on their graduation from college.
The kids are experienced builders having joined us on all our trips in the past. With them pounding away, we had the house framed, roofed and insulated in a little more than three hours, a record time for us.
Dr. Seabolt completes an eye examination in the clinic.

In the afternoon, we helped out in the clinic and some took tours of the Colonias. At four we entertained the kids at the Kilometer 27 library, which JCEP had helped build in 2007. Caroline from our team, showed the kids how to make graham-cracker houses.
A youngster poses with her graham cracker house at the library,

Susy also introduced us to Carlos, David’s younger brother, who will be entering our program. He will graduate with Perla and Angel in 2014.

At the clinic, it had been a busy day. Chris Dunn treated patient after patient, many of them with pregnancy related issues, lots of sick folks with “gripa” and one young man with a mysterious rash. Beth Seabolt, our optometrist saw a dozen or so patients, some walking out with glasses, which allowed them to read for the first time in years. Others required prescription lenses. Beth has a friend who grinds the lenses for these and they will be sent down later. Michele Santilhano, a nurse, had joined us late, she handled a lot of the sick children, of which there are always many.
Ryan applies the trim from atop the roof.

My daughter Sara and Joni’s daughter Haley had helped out in the clinic, assisting Beth and taking entry information from patients, like blood pressure. Caroline and her kids had helped with translation and general duties.

In the evening, Leo showed slides of his work with the Tarahumara Indians. They live in the remote Copper Canyon. Leo makes the eleven-hour drive there every month for the past 8 years. He brings them food, seeds, and the word of God.
Colin Copper plays his accordion during devotions at the beginning of day 2.

Day Two donned cold and clear. We headed back out to the build site. The second day is for hanging drywall and painting. We decided to paint a second house on the site that was the home of Monica’s mother Cecilia. It had been built 15 years ago and badly needed a new coat of paint. Three hours later, we had finished the houses. The blueberry-colored paint made them nice and cheery. We swept out the three rooms, hung curtains and placed the housewarming gifts inside.
The team paint the older existing house to match the new one.

The key ceremony always brings tears from the recipient and the build team. Presenting the keys were our first-time members Sarah, Alberto and his son Betto. Everyone expressed their desires that the house would be a blessing not only to the family, but the community. The keys were handed over and everyone was ecstatic.
The key ceremony.

The table set inside was beautiful, Lorraine from our team had color coordinated a dining set and had it on the table. The wheel chair was there as well. Monica suffered from spina bifida as a child. She was examined by our doctors and found to have no feeling in legs. She gets ulcers because she cannot feel them forming.
Our JCEP students have helped us many builds. Giving back to their community.

In the afternoon we headed out to our second library in Kilometer 30. This is the one we built in 2008. We were happy to see the structure had held up well. Our furniture was clean and solid. The computers were working well. A sixth grade class came over and joined us for lunch. We had many crafts and activities. The Rule family took Polaroid pictures, which the kids could place on a star and decorate as a frame. The Coopers and Lucas’ entertained the kids with songs, Colin playing along on his accordion. Another group of younger kids descended a little later and the whole thing started up again.
Stacy Ishigaki spreads the love.

In the evening, we headed out to the church of the pastor who had helped find Monica for the house. We shared our experiences and got to Swim In the River of God”, a favorite song where everyone bridges the language gap by pantomiming the lyrics.
Nail painting at the outreach.

The next morning, we headed back to the airport and were gone. I am always amazed that a four-day trip can produce so much for the recipients, but even more for us. The transformative power of giving is something I should experience more often.
The team poses with the house.

JCEP Kids Update, Jan 2010

2010-01-25T18:51:00.000-08:00

JCEP Construction Crew, LtoR, Edith, Juana, Esmerelda, Anahi, Blanca, Karla, Angel, David, Claudia, Moises, Samuel

On our recent trip to Juarez to build houses we spent considerable time with the JCEP kids. (Read Mission Trip Report) I am pleased to report that all 13 are doing well and studying hard. All thirteen assisted in house construction. Despite the violence that continues to rock downtown Juarez, things continue to improve in the Colonias outside Juarez where our kids live.

Following are updates starting with our three college students, Anahi, Blanca and Esmerelda. Anahi continues to do well in school studying law. She reports a broken computer, which we need to have replaced, but her grades are good. She appreciated the In-N-Out T-shirt that she got from her US hosts Donna and Craig. Blanca also got a shirt. She is taking a short break from Psychology and is helping Susy with the library. She will return to school in May. Esmerelda is doing very well studying to become a teacher at the local community college.

Our high school students continue to study hard and advance. Karla will graduate next June. Juana is now a Junior. Our biggest group, the sophomores, includes the Three Amigo: Samuel, David and Moises. They were great in helping with construction, hanging the soffit plywood. Edith, Margarita and Claudia are also all sophomores.

Rounding out the group are Angel and Perla Lupita, both in 8th grade.

We got good news on the trip. Stacy, our English teacher from the U.S. immersion trip, is hoping to take a month to run a vacation English school for the kids in July. We are hoping it will work out.

In addition, Susy, our librarian and the shepherd for our students, and her husband Leo, who now runs Mission Ministries operations in Mexico, are coming to the SF Bay Area in March. We hope that we can have a reception so our JCEP supporters can all meet these special people.

It was really nice spending so much time with the kids and see them doing so well. Pictures say it all better. See them Below.

SRK
Claudia, Margarita, Edith and Juana take a break.
Karla, Esmerelda, Blanca and Anahi get ready to hammer.
Moises puts a nail in the soffit.
Stacy, Anahi, Joni, Karla, Blanca and Susy enjoy the crafts and food.

Trip report Jan 17-20, 2010

2010-01-25T18:12:00.000-08:00

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.

Big Ride 2009

2009-09-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

The Big Ride is over. 150.02 miles. It was the hardest one ever, because I picked a day day where the temperature went high into the 90's. I broke my personal record for water consumed. Much of it dumped on my head. This year I did the ride completely solo. A first. I missed my buddies.

Here are some photos I took from the bicycle while I was riding. It is quite a challenge to aim and time the shot to get what you want. But it also results in some interesting shots.

Thanks to all that supported the ride. It still is not too late. Hope to see everyone at the party and fundraiser on Sunday.

JCEP Kids Update

2009-08-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

(Photo Above: Blanca and Anahi cut watermelon for the Fiesta.)

Saturday, August 15

After the construction and medical team left Juarez, Timothy Purdy decided to stay behind with me to connect with the kids in our JCEP program. We dropped off the team at the airport and returned to the Colonia. Saturday afternoon was filled with visits to many of the homes where our kids lived. We disturbed many siestas, but were never met with less than smiles and invitations to sit and talk.

First we went to the home of Anahi, our second-year college student studying to become an attorney. I have become good friends with her family. Her father is now working on construction for a new factory near the Santa Teresa border, where a Taiwanese company will manufacture parts for Apple. We sat around the dining room table in the middle room of their Mission-Ministries-constructed house. He sent Anahi’s two younger sisters to buy us Cokes at the nearby aborrotes (small grocery store). Anahi shared her photos with Tim. Reliving her trip to the U.S. last summer.

Anahi has become somewhat of a big shot at her local church. On Friday night, when the rest of the team went to the local church, I went to see Anahi as the Master of Ceremonies at her church’s youth night. She introduced a very entertaining band, a young rapper and the minister. The whole evening lasted nearly four hours and the alter call alone was more than an hour. This varies greatly from our tidy one-hour services at my church. I am very proud of Anahi with her polish and confidence on stage in front of a large group. This public speaking will serve her well in her future career as an attorney.(Photo Above: The three amigos, Moises, Samuel and David after Anahi's church service.)

Next we dropped by the home of Leo and Susie. Leo now heads up Mission Ministries in Mexico. Susie is busy running both libraries and shepherding our thirteen JCEP students. They have taken in a young Tarahumara girl named Natividad. Leo is a missionary and visits the Tarahumara in Copper Canyon once per month. We conversed in Leo’s living room sitting beneath a big beautiful photo of their daughter Esmerelda, taken at her quinciñera (party celebrating a girl’s fifteenth birthday) a few years earlier. Esmerelda will be joining our group of students as she begins college to become a teacher this fall.

Within walking distance of Leo’s is the cluster of homes surrounding the original library, now called Library 1 by the locals. Juanita (11th grade JCEP student) lives with her family in this cluster. We spoke with her and her parents and enjoyed a baby that her Mom was watching for a friend.

In the back of the complex we awoke Angel (8th grade JCEP student) and his mother Rosa from their siesta. We didn’t stay long since Rosa appeared anxious to get back to her nap. She works hard in the Missions Ministries kitchen and had gotten up at 5 am to make breakfast for the team that morning. (Photo Left: Angel helping with house construction.)

We hopped in the car and made the short trek to Blanca’s house. Blanca is in her second year of college studying psychology. We hung out with Blanca and her family for more than an hour. Consuming more Coca Cola, which seems to be the hospitality drink of choice in these parts. Blanca’s dad speaks English very well. He has picked it up just by listening, reading and watching TV. He is still unemployed and Blanca’s Mom is also now unemployed having been laid of from her job at the Phillips ballast factory after many years of working the night shift.

Finally we drove down “Dead Horse Road” to kilometer 30. Kilometer 30 is named thus because it is approximately 30 Kilometers from the border. Dead Horse Road cuts through some bleak desert and is covered on both sides with trash, dumped and burned by the locals. The name comes from the fact that horse carcasses are occasionally dragged there to rot. I, in fact, had seen such a carcass last time I visited. (Photo Below: Dead Horse Road.)

We toured almost every road looking for the home of Jesus, our translator, driver and construction boss for the teams visiting. We finally found his house by spotting the gazebo he is building for his two daughters’ quinciñeras coming up in two years. This emphasized how important these coming out parties are for the girls here. Families spend a lot of money and time planning them.

Jesus’ house is the size of three MM houses all put together to make a very large and comfortable house. Jesus moved his family out to the desolate Kilometer 30 a couple of years ago and was able to buy his land cheap. This before there was even electricity in the neighborhood. Now he has electricity and a pretty nice place relative to his neighbors.

Our visits completed, Tim and I headed off to dinner at a restaurant, La Cabaña, which had been recommended near kilometer 20. The place was packed with the more upscale residents of town and we enjoyed a very good beef dish with tortillas, cheese and spices. With drinks the whole meal was $20. We brought back the sizable leftovers for our guard at the team center.

We ended the evening with a sunset walk trough the Colonia. Everyone was out enjoying the pleasant evening. We spotted a knot of people down the street and as we approached we saw Leo sitting outside surrounded by lots of folks. He was holding court and enjoying the evening. We chatted for a while before returning to the team center for the evening.

Sunday, August 16

The big plan for Sunday was to have a Fiesta at the MM team center. We invited all the JCEP kids and the Leo and Susie Pineda family. But we had some time to relax before going shopping in the afternoon.

I woke up early and decided to have a walk through the Colonia early in the morning. I took my camera hoping to get some good shots and indeed, I did. Being Sunday morning, the place was eerily quiet. It usually teems with activity the whole day. See my photos from walking around on my flicker site.

(Photo Above: Juanita, Perla and Claudia on the roof during house cosntruction.)In the afternoon, Tim and I made our way to WalMart in Juarez. We picked up burgers, vegetables, buns, soda, ice cream and watermelon. The WalMart has most of the same look and merchandise as the one in El Paso. Except you have to pay 4 pesos to park. The portion sizes of items seemed smaller too. Maybe people don’t buy in bulk or don’t have living-room-sized refrigerators.

We picked up Blanca and Anahi to help us prep for the party and dragged everything into the kitchen. A couple of hours later everyone started arriving. We had all the thirteen of current kids at the party. As a big surprise one of our graduates, Marta, came with her son Diego, age 14 months. It was great to see Marta. She is doing a great job as a Mom and is happily married with a husband who holds down a steady job.

The kids played basketball and fusball while I cooked the burgers. When they were ready, Anahi and Blanca assembled the burgers In-N-Out style with lettuce, tomato and onions. Everyone seemed to like the burgers and most even had a second.

(The kids from left to right: David, Angel, Moises, Perla Lupita, Samuel, Anahi, Margarita, Blanca, Esmerelda, Claudia, Carla, Juanita, Edith.)

I spent time speaking with each of the kids. We now have the following kids in the program.

Angel – 8th grader at Mexico Libre school. His Mom works in the Kitchen at MM. Angel is a smiling happy young man who worked hard helping us build the house earlier in the week.

Perla Lupita- 8th grader at Mexico Libre. Her Mom also works in the Kitchen at MM. Perla Lupita also helped on the house. She is very bright and charming young lady.

Claudia – 10th grader at Mexico Libre. I call Claudia Miss Mexico, because of her dazziling smile. She also is really gets great marks in school. (Photo Left: Claudia at construction site.)

Margarita – 10th grader at Mexico Libre. Margarita is quiet and intense. A very good student.

David – 10th grader at Mexico Libre. One of the three Amigos, David is a very good athlete and cleaned everyone’s clock in Fusball too.

Moises – 10th grader at Mexico Libre. Another Amigo, Moises is one of our standout English learners. He is always quick to engage in conversation and is quite confident.

Samuel – 10th grader, Mexico Libre. Samuel is quiet. But he gets the best grades of the bunch and Joel, the English teacher tells me he is the best at English as well.

Edith – 10th grader at new school. Edith just moved a little down the road and is attending a new high school that I do not know. I hope to see it next time I am in Juarez.

Juanita – 11th grader, Esperanza public school. Juanita has been in our program since the start, she would be our first kid to go through all 6 upper grades to graduation with our program. (Photo Left: Juanita on Slide)

Carla – 12th grader Mexico Libre. Carla is only in her second year in our program, but she is doing very well in English classes. She hopes to go to college next year.

Esmerelda – Freshman in teachers college. Esmerelda is Susie and Leo’s daughter. This is her first year in our program.

Blanca – 2nd year at Centro Cultural University de Cuidad Juarez. Blanca is studying psychology. She has been getting 9’s and 10’s on the 1 to 10 grading scale they use in Juarez. Blanca has become very conversational in English since her trip to the U.S. last summer.

Anahi – 2nd year at Centro Cultural University de Cuidad Juarez. Anahi is studying to become an attorney. She wants to work in the Colonia after graduation to help her people. Anahi has become a public speaker, leading youth worship services at church in front of 300 people. Her English is conversational after her immersion trip last summer.

It was really great to see everyone and spend so much time with them. Leo and Susie really are the glue of things and they are deeply involved with all the kids. Susie drives them to all functions in the Van we bought last year. We got group photos and the party went very late. (Photo Right: Margarita and Edith.)

I must say I really love spending time with these kids. They are special people and I am very blessed to be part of their lives. (Photo Below: Everyone at the Fiesta.)

SRK

Library 2 Up and Running Strong

2009-08-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

I got to visit our second library in Kilometer 30. Originally constructed by our team in January 2008 and outfitted with furniture and books earlier this year, it is now fully operational. There are two librarian/teachers in the library when it is open. The hours are 2 to 6, Monday through Friday. Susie spends most of her time here since it is even more heavily used than the original library. (Photo above of computer classroom.)

The library is equipped with computers and furniture paid for by funds from an anonymous donor. The tables are rugged, first-quality new tables and the chairs are equally rugged, blue plastic stacking chairs. In the main library there are tables for the smaller kids as well as adult-sized tables. There is a classroom equipped with six computers. There is an additional computer equipped study space in the main part of the library. (Photo at right: Susie Pineda our librarian and JCEP shepherd.)

We still are adding books but as of now have a nice stock. On school days the place is packed. It even had students on this Friday when school had not yet begun the new year.

Outside, the playground equipment is holding up well with the bat slide, teeter-totter and the swing. The soccer field is dirt but is lined with half-buried tires for a boundary. (Photo below: The Bat Slide with JCEP van a Library 2 in the background.)

Next to the library is the house we built last year for the family to watch over the library. So far the security has worked well. The government installed a four-headed overhead streetlight to help as well. There is a Missions Ministries medical clinic on the site as well. It is staffed once per week by a doctor from Juarez. (Photo below: Story time at the new library.)
The whole complex is right next door to the local primary school and is within a short walk of the kindergarten as well. I am assured it has been a great blessing to the area and has become somewhat of a community center.

Thanks to all that have supported JCEP and this effort. You have blessed many families in this poor community. (Photo Below: The tires surround the soccer field.)

SRK

Aug 2009 Construction Team Trip Report

2009-08-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

Duane Clapp and Hardwin Mead led sixteen folks, your author included, for a trip to build a house and staff the medical clinic in the Colonias outside of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. We were hosted by our friends at Missions Ministries. They run the construction teams and medical clinic. (Photo above: The construction team, JCEP kids that helped in construction and the family receiving the just completed home.)

After flying into El Paso on Southwest Airlines on Wednesday, we boarded vans for the trip across the border to the Colonias. The recent drug wars in Juarez don’t seem to have touched the Colonias. Outside of a few military checkpoints, the Colonias seem as bustling and crowded as ever. Walking outside in the streets one evening, the people were out in force welcoming us and sharing stories.

On Thursday morning we rose early and after a hearty breakfast at the Mission Ministries team center, began the construction. We built for a family of four who lived within a short drive of the center. The father, Baltasar, was just home from his night shift job as a security guard for Pemex, the Mexican oil monopoly. The mother Veronica and daughter Karen, 17 and Michelle, 10 pitched in pounding nails with our team. (Photo below: The team tilts up the first completed wall.)
We were also joined by five of the kids from the Juarez Children’s Educations Program (JCEP), our scholarship programs for Junior High, High School and college students. Our twelve-person construction team was relatively small, but with the extra help we got the walls tilted up within two hours. The roof was on by noon and we insulated and dry-walled the inside before 1:30, only five hours after we began!

While we were building, our medical team was seeing twenty-five families with a total of nearly eighty patients. The team was headed by Hardwin Mead. Nurse PJ Meys and medical students Ben Murray and Timothy Purdy completed our team. They were assisted by two translators and two staff members from Mission Ministries. Dave McCombs, President of Mission Ministries and his wife Judy also worked the clinic and pharmacy. (Photo Below: Hardwin Mead and our translator Joel, consult with an expectant mother before an ultrasound.)
Following another big dinner, Leo Pineda, the director of operations for Mission Ministries in Juarez told us his exciting trips to serve the Tarahumara Indians in the remote Copper Canyon of Mexico.

Day two again started early with devotionals and breakfast. We painted the house inside and out. Normally, we don’t finish the drywall the first day and cannot paint the inside, but this time we got it done. The keys were turned over by noon in a tearful and joyful presentation to the family. Marina Clapp and Debbie Scalero had purchased house-warming gifts for the family, on behalf of the team. The rugs, housewares and curtains made excellent gifts to get the home outfitted. The medical team took a break from treating another large group of patients to help dedicate the house.

I want to thank our construction team, for their hard work: our fearless leader Duane Clapp, Marina Clapp, Steve Schlepper, Nick and Debbie Scalero, Winslow Yee and his amazing twelve-year old son Everett, Richard Wolke, Austin Mead, Rex “the drywall lifter” Finato and Brian Mead, my fellow ceiling insulation installer. We were all led be Jesus, our construction manager and driver on the team and Bill Orange our long time collaborator on all things Juarez. I should also mention that the MM team of local construction experts was there as well, tackling some of the tough things like drywall cuts and electrical wiring.(Photo Below: A family staying at the women's shelter.)

In the evening the team headed out after dinner to church service with the family. Ben gave his testimony in Spanish. A very tired group returned back to the team center for an early turn-in.

On Saturday, the team returned to California having never spent a better four days. Tim and I stayed behind to tackle a few JCEP chores. More on that in my next blog.

I have some final thoughts I would like to share. Most years, Missions Ministries (MM) hosts 35 to 45 teams in Juarez to build as many as 65 houses. They also have helped JCEP build two Libraries and have constructed many churches. They have been severely hampered by a downturn in the number teams traveling to Juarez this past year. The biggest factor is fear of the recent drug-war casualties near the U.S-Mexico Border. I have been down twice this year and have never felt safer. We do not work in Ciudad Juarez, but in the Colonias (poor villages) some twenty miles southwest of the city. We travel around the city to get to the Colonias passing through the Santa Teresa, New Mexico port of entry. The Mexican army has several checkpoints and has been instrumental in cleaning up the police force and gangs.

If you feel called to serve others, there is no better way to do it in such a short time commitment and for so little money. Please contact me if you would like to join a team or receive more information. We need to get back off the sidelines and start supporting this great cause once more. (Photo Below: The Family getting the keys to their new home from Duane Clapp.)

SRK

Babies of Juarez

2009-01-29T19:26:00.000-08:00

In 2007, the Anderson family went to Juarez on a Mission trip. Like many they did not want to leave behind these great people, but wanted to continue helping. They noticed that babies sometimes go 4 days without a diaper change because the parents cannot afford diapers. Cloth diapers are impossible because of scarce and expensive water. They also noticed that the high infant mortality was due to malnourished mothers that cannot breast fed and cannot afford formula. So they started Babies of Juarez to help provide these items. It is a compelling story and one that offers hope for so many babies in the colonias where we at JCEP build and educate. Read about this great effort at www.babiesofjuarez.org.

Juarez Mission Trip and Library Opening Jan 2009

2009-01-22T19:12:00.000-08:00

Trip Summary

Joni and I traveled to Juarez with her family, my daughter Sara and a team of 43 people, including six medical professionals for our annual January trip. We built three houses for families in Kilometer 30, south of Cuidad Juarez. One house was built next to our library built last year. Caretakers will live in the house and watch over the library.

We had the grand opening for the library. (Photo Above) This included shelving books from an anonymous donor and those contributed by Fiesta Gardens School. These were added to books contributed by Menlo School the year before. We also installed computers and librarian desks. In addition, the tile and carpet were recently completed in the library. Also, the play structure outside the library was completed while we were there. The library will be open immediately for students to study after school.

The 12 students that we sponsor joined us. (Photo Above) They helped build the house next to the library. They also participated in the grand opening. Joni presented our 5 newest students with cross necklaces. We also presented blankets raised by Menlo School to Missions Ministries for distribution to the poor and clothes from many contributors.

The medical team treated over 100 patients. Including 3 pregnant ladies who received ultra-sounds. Many folks visited the New David L. Seabolt eye clinic, founded and staffed on our trip by Beth Seabolt and her assistant Julie Burlew.

Trip Diary January 18

We had a very early flight into Juarez. It was a direct flight but did have one stop in L.A. We arrived in El Paso around 1 PM and then had lunch at the airport. We proceeded to WalMart to pick up additional supplies including food, water, and food for the food outreach we would be doing on the trip. Unlike past years, we decided to forego eating dinner at a restaurant. Instead we bought our dinner and would travel to the team center before dark to eat. This was because of recent violence in Juarez resulting from the Mexican Government’s war on drugs. We felt it would be safer to not have the team out at night.

The team arrived at the Team Center in the Colonias without incident. We had a new route that took us on a new bypass highway above the city, giving us great views of Ciudad Juarez and El Paso. We unloaded and settled into our rooms. The team had dinner as a group in the kitchen. Everything was BYO. Sara and I had opted for the simple peanut butter sandwich, apples and chips. Many others we much more elaborate with roasted chicken, salads and microwaved cuisine. (Although I had told them I was not sure we had a microwave.) In good Christian fashion, everyone shared their food and I ended up having a little of everything. We shared some of our Oreos as well.

After dinner, we had a band practice outside in the Pavilion. Adam Cropper on electric piano and Kyle Tessier-Lavigne on guitar anchored the band. We had many other participants, including, but not limited to Jadyn Petterson-Rae (vocals), James Hughes (guitar and harmonica) and Sean Rule (guitar). Mackenzie Scanlan, Brooke Hobbs, Hanna Elmore, Sara Kline and yours truly joined in on vocals. Bill Elmore and I also hopped in on guitar at various times. Lots of others played tambourine or maracas. We also had a Turkish Darbuka (A sort of single bongo) that no one ever truly mastered except for maybe Kyle or Randy Elmore.

We started off the band on five songs. The most famous being “Lean On Me” and “God of Wonders”. We also worked on “Donde Esta La Biblioteca”, a little ditty that evolved from a song we made up while building the library on the trip the previous year.

The band really came together that first night after being a little shaky prior to the trip.

January 19

We woke early for devotionals at 7 am. Dave McCombs the new head of our hosts at Missions Ministries spoke a little about his faith and then I followed with a talk about searching for the big “Why” while on your trip to Juarez. Why are we here? Why does God call us to serve? Why are we on this trip and what are we going to find out that deepens our purpose for living.

Breakfast followed at 7:30. We had our usual feast from Chef Carlos. Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes, Bacon, Fresh Tortillas, Fresh Salsa, Juice, Potatoes and more and more food.

After breakfast we loaded up the bus and drove the 3 kilometers to our three build sites. We would build three houses with only the 38 people left over after leaving the medical team at the center. Usually we like to have 15 people per house, but several people had dropped out of the trip at the last minute for various reasons, including safety concerns. Since we had committed to three houses, we didn’t want to disappoint a deserving family by building only two. Fortunately our teams really stepped up and completed the houses on schedule.

After dropping off the first two teams, our team pulled into our site at the library. The house 12x36 foot slab is situated on a little rise about 40 feet from the library so that the residents can keep an eye on the building. Jose, Flora and their young son Jesus helped us build. They are a young couple very excited to get their own house. They were living with in-laws in a very small house nearby.

Our team consisted of 13 people - four adults and the rest 15 and 14 year-olds. Many of the students had traveled with James Hughes their teacher and coordinator for philanthropic endeavors from Sacred Heart Prep in Menlo Park. Also on our team were my Brother-in-Law Bill Elmore and His Brother Randy Elmore. Sara, her cousin Hanna, Adam Cropper and the rest of their friends made up the team. We were coached, guided and heavily assisted by Leo, the head builder and pastor for Mission Ministries, Jesus Malia, bus driver and head builder and two other teams Mexican team’s builders.

We set about building immediately after a prayer from the local Pastor Jesus. First we nail together the frame for the side and roof. These lay on the ground while we nail on the siding. After about two hours, we tilt up the sides and pop on the roof frame. Plywood then goes on the rood, followed by tar and roofing paper. Electrical cable is strung inside and we insulate the walls and ceiling. Because of my height I always end up doing ceiling insulation. A dirty, messy job, but a satisfying one. My 5-person team of Sean Rule, Jadyn, Bill and James made it fun and fast. Randy cut in the window opening and James set in the windows.

By 1:30, we were done with day one of building. It is amazing to see a house up and framed with the roof on in about 5 hours.

We picked up the other teams who were also done and headed back to the team center for lunch. Carlos had prepared his usual feast, but we had little time to loiter. We quickly sent the majority of the team to the new community center at Pastor Jesus’ church near the team center.

The team fed more than 100 people with ham and other food we had purchased at WalMart. This was followed by crafts and entertainment with the kids. There were balloon figures, face painting, nail painting (for the adults and kids), drawing, and other crafts. As always a favorite was the Polaroid photos of kids. They paste them in frames made from popsicle sticks and then decorate the frames. Thanks to the Rule family for getting al the film and making the frames. 110 photos went very quickly. This will probably be the last time we will use Polaroid’s since they have been discontinued. It was quite the scavenger hunt finding them in stores.

The remainder of the team went with me to the library in Kilometer 30. Although we had built the building in January of 2008 and painted it on the inside in February, it was still not up and running. It took almost a year to get the electricity hooked up by the government. We also needed to carpet and tile. These had been done and awaited our books, furniture and computers. These had all been recently purchased thanks to an anonymous donor through MPPC.

Our team put together tables, set up bookcases and delivered the books and computers to the site. The tables and bookcases were temporary while our final furniture comes in. But the team did put together two of the three librarian desks. These were the “ready-to-assemble” type with instructions written in a language roughly resembling English. Our intrepid team got them assembled anyway.

In the evening we all reassembled at the team center for a nice dinner, followed by testimony by pastor Jesus, who told us about his journey from gang member to church founder and pastor. Then the band practiced again.

Tuesday, January 20.

We did it all again the next morning. Assembling for devotions at 7 am. James Hughes and the students from Sacred Heart told us inspiring verses and stories about the joy of serving others. Many of the students had been on other mission trips.

Sean Reidy told an inspiring story of a woman saving sea stars. There was a big storm and the beach was covered sea stars all destined to die if they stayed in the sand. The woman was throwing them back in the water one at a time. A man came up and said, “What difference can you make with so many more than you can save?” The woman picked up another star, threw it in the ocean and replied, “It sure made a difference to that one.”

Similarly, we cannot house every family in need in Juarez, nor educate every child, but we make a big difference in the lives of the ones we do help.

At 8:30 it was back out to the houses and finishing the construction. Dry wall was hung, taped and mudded. The outside of the houses were painted and trimmed. Around noon we had finished our work. As a full team we went to each house to commission the house. Each family was told how much the construction meant to the team. Then the family expressed their thoughts to the team. We presented housewarming gifts of curtains, carpets, sheets and towels. Then the keys were handed over. As usual, tears flowed from both the families and the teams.

After lunch, the entire team headed back to the library to finish the work and have the grand opening. It was like a colony of ants as books were coded and re-shelved, computers were assembled. Thanks here to Brian Cropper and Sara Kline for working hard to get them all set up and running. There was one more desk to assemble as well. Swings were hung on the new playground equipment. The band played through the song list giving everything a festive feel. The JCEP kids helped by taking out trash, helping with books and performing other tasks.

Anahi and Blanca were there as well. They regaled us, in English, with stories of their adventures in college. Anahi decided to go on the lawyer track instead of administration. Blanca is studying psychology. They take a one our bus ride; with one transfer each way every day. They were very happy when we presented them with laptops. The Hobbs family had contributed one for each of them. The girls were very happy that they could now do their work on the bus or at home instead of having to go to the library.

When all was ready, we gathered outside for the ribbon cutting. With Joni and I flanking our librarian Susie and Brian and Sara holding the ribbon Susie did the honors and cut it. It was a satisfying moment in the two-year quest to get he library open.

Joni then presented the necklaces to our five newest sponsored children, Moises, Perla, Angel, Carla and Edith. We went inside for one more round of tunes from the Band. Everything concluding with one big sing-a-long of Donde Esta La Biblioteca. It was one of the best days I can remember.

In the evening we got one more treat when Carlos the chef brought a group of children he works with to the team center to perform dance moves and sing to 6 songs. It was a joyous performance. Nothing was as fun as watching Carlos wave his arms and sing while instructing the kids.

Now all that was left was to get up the next morning and head to the airport for the trip home. God had once again blessed us with a fantastic team to do his work in Juarez. As we were leaving, Joni and I were cooking up a plan for a third library. The work never ends.

Juarez Kids Raisies Money for Primary School Kids

2009-01-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

When we were in Juarez last June, Charlene Flynn Golding and her daughter Caroline collected art from several of the children we met in the community we served. They produced a lovely set of postcards with art by each child, along with a photo and biography of each child. These are available for purchase on the website www.juarezkids.com. These are great items for sending quick notes to friends or family. Additionally, they need students to help sell the cards.

All the proceeds will go to Missions Ministries who will use the funds to pay for expenses related to school for kids in grades K-6. I wholeheartedly endorse this effort and am thankful for Caroline and Charlene and their great work.

SRK

Playground Equipment in K30

2008-10-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

Last year, a local Nor Cal family bought their children a play set for their yard. In order to set a good example for their children, they decided to donate money to JCEP to provide a playset for the children of the colonia outside Jaurez. Often things happen at a very deliberate pace in Mexico. The playground set was no different, but once it was complete, the results were spectacular.

This week the set was dedicated at the kindergarten we built in 2007. The set is three structures. A jungle gym-slide shaped like a bat, a teeter-totter and a swing set. A local craftsmen made them out of pipe. He welded them together and set them in concrete at the site. Jeff Piner, the local Missions Ministries head of operations, said the set will probably be working long after we are gone.

In January we will have a duplicate set for the library we built in Kilometer 30 in January 2008. God bless the donors and their family.

SRK

Book Drive - Fiesta Gardens School gives 5 Boxes

2008-10-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Warren Adams and his son Brennan went to Juarez with our team in February to build houses. When they got back, they decided to continue their mission work by raising books for our Library. Below is a letter which Warren composed to Missions Ministries regarding the books. Warren and I met in our men's small group at church. We have become great friends and he is an inspiration to me with his passion for helping others.

SRK

Date: October 20, 2008
To: Mission Ministries
Re: Books for Juarez
In February 2008, my son and I went to Juarez with Scott Kline and others from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. During our visit, we had an opportunity to see the library that had been built, and over the period of our trip, we painted the interior of the library.
My 7 year old son goes to Fiesta Gardens Fiesta Gardens International School (FGIS), which is a Spanish immersion program in San Mateo, California. During our trip back from Juarez, we came up with an idea to conduct a “Books for Juarez” drive with the hope that the children attending FGIS would donate unused Spanish and English speaking books to the library in Juarez.
Working with Shelia Spieller, the principal at FGIS, we organized a “Books for Juarez” flyer that was distributed to all FGIS students, and Scott and I gave a presentation to the students on the effort in Juarez, Mexico, and in particular, the construction of the library. We were able to reach about 200 to 300 hundred kids and broaden their knowledge of the world, which is one of the reasons FGIS agreed to participate in this effort.
On behalf of FGIS, and Juarez Children's Education Program, we are pleased to donate approximately 5 boxes of Spanish and English books to Mission Ministries for the library in Juarez.
Sincerely,
Warren J. Adams and Brennan Adams
Sheila Spieller, FGIS Principal

Big Ride 4 - 2008

2008-09-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Big Ride 4 was a big success this year. For the first time three riders finished. This year Rick Pepper and Stuart Wilson joined me for the ride. We covered roughly the same route as last year. The weather cooperated with a beautiful day on the coast and we finished the ride in less than 11 hours, about 1 hour faster than last year. The ride raised nearly $8000 for the JCEP scholarship and library programs in Juarez, with more money still coming in. Thanks to everyone that pledged money this year.

We started the ride at 6:30 AM on Sunday, September 21st, the day after my 49th birthday. The formula is to ride 200 miles minus my age, so this year’s ride was a scheduled 151 miler. It was a little foggy on the coast as we headed over the Santa Cruz Mountains toward San Gregorio. By the time we made it to our first rest stop in Santa Cruz, the sun had come out. (Early morning start below)

We did not know that the Santa Cruz triathlon was the same day, so as we made it to the edge of Santa Cruz, nice police officers kept waiving us through intersections thinking we were part of the event. Rick had spot of bother with a puncture, so we got to watch bikes go by as he changed it.

My wife, Pat met us at the Santa Cruz Warf with the Element full of sandwiches, Gatorade and other snacks. We refueled and then threaded our way through Santa Cruz, Aptos and towns south to Pajaro.

We took a quick break at a convenience store near mile 92 in Pajaro, for more water and energy drinks. Rick had a Red Bull. Then we were off to the mountains of Aromas. It is a steep climb up, but the downhill through the eucalyptus tree groves is invigorating. (Rick hams it up on the Aromas downhill with Scott and Stuart in background below.)

Next, we headed across the fields to our 120-mile rendezvous with Pat outside of Hollister. More fuel consumed, we began the last and hardest leg of our journey to Morgan Hill. It seems flat, but Stuart’s Garmin told us later that the last 30 miles are slightly uphill. Combine that with a steady headwind and the fatigue of the ride and our average speed was dropping.

We finally made it to the end in a parking lot near the McDonalds on Cochrane in Morgan Hill. French fries and large Cokes never tasted so good. We loaded the bikes and headed back to Menlo Park for showers and dinner at Chevy’s. (With ride ride behind them Scott, Stuart and Rick pose for the victory photo below.)

I want to thanks Rick and Stuart for being part of our cause and for setting the pace all day. The ride goes so much faster with friends. Thanks too to all those who gave money to sponsor the ride and continue to support our efforts in Juarez. This year’s immersion trip for our to graduates from Juarez would have never happened without that kind of support on past rides. Those girls will live a better life because of it.

Anahi and Blanca Return Home

2008-08-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

It was a glorious month for the girls in the U.S. On Friday the 25th, the girls graduated from their English class. After 18 three-hour classes, they made amazing progress. Each girl did a final presentation, telling us all in English about their trip. They made books with photos and presented them to all of us at their graduation. We can't say thanks enough to their teachers Stacy and Shaneka and teaching aid Kelsey. (Photo below of Kelsey, Blanca, Anahi and Stacy.)

After graduation, the girls wanted to grab a lunch at their favorite restaurant, In-N-Out burger. I chronicle that event on my burger blog.

After lunch, Judy Hobbs took the girls to Carmel for the weekend. They got to spend time at a horse show, where Brooke Hobbs was showing. They also got to go to the Monterrey Aquarium where the loved the penguins.

We had a somewhat bittersweet goodbye party at our house on Sunday. Both host families, Joni's family, my family and the teachers joined us. We laughed at all the photos from the trip and had a great time reliving the month.

Finally, on the 28th, I flew with the girls back to El Paso. Each one had an extra bag filled with t-shirts and other momentos from the trip. After landing we had one last lunch together in Juarez and I drove them back to Mexico. We went to Anahi's house first.

I was really excited to see what they had learned. Anahi's mom speaks no english. When she was talking to me in Spanish, I was understanding well enough, but was too tired to respond in Spanish. Instead, I told the girls in English what I wanted to say and they quickly translated for Anahi's mom. This is something that never could have happened before the trip.

I just want to say how much everyone contributed to this great experiment. Our financial contributors, host families, teachers and many friends that supported the girls were all part of the team. We couldn't do it without you all.

SRK

Anahi and Blanca at Yosemite

2008-07-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

A lot of Northern Californians never make it to Yosemite - one of the most beautiful places in the world. We weren't going to let the girls miss out. So my daughter Sara and I decided to take them up.

It is a five hour drive from Menlo Park, so we left the night before and stayed near the park. We got up early the next morning and went straight to a Sequoia grove at the park. I think the girls weren't ready for a one-mile hike. They had to stop a few times on the way back which was uphill. But they did enjoy seeing the giant 2000 year-old trees. We saw one stump of a tree that had a hole cut in it from the old days. You could drive a truck through it.

Next we headed to the main valley. The waterfalls were still flowing nicely and the girls loved the "cascadas". We also stopped and waded in the Merced river and I taught them how to skip stones.

They ordered their own lunch in English at the historic Ahwahnee lodge. While we ate outside a wedding party paraded by for the coming nuptials out on the lawn.

After lunch we headed up to Glacier Point overlooking the entire park. It was beautiful and clear, despite all the fires in California. It was an awesome sight. On the ride back home, the girls had a 2 hour siesta, having been worn out from the day.

Blanca and Anahi at the beach and in San Francisco

2008-07-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

The long awaited day arrived when the girls would finally get to see the ocean. After a vigorous second week of English classes, they were ready for a break. It was really fun to take off for Half Moon Bay and have a conversation in English. It was amazing how much they knew after a week plus of classes.

It was cool and cloudy at the coast as we walked to the ocean. The smiles were huge as the girls rolled up their jeans and stuck their feet in to the cold water. They were both shocked to feel how cold the Pacific is in Northern California. But they loved it. We walked up and down the beach. The girls wrote their names in the sand and picked up shells.
Next we headed up the coast to San Francisco. Traffic was heavy for a Saturday, so the got to experience their first traffic jam. We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and then walked across the bridge as the fog blew across the top of the bridge.

We next headed off to the S.F. Museum of Modern Art for an exhibit by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I coldn't really get a read on what the girls thought of it. Maybe they were too worn out to have an opinion.

Anahi and Blanca - Independence Day

2008-07-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

We had a great day initiating Blanca and Anahi into the American culture with an old-fashioned block party at the home of the Hobbs family, Blanca's hosts. There was a hamburger BBQ, picnic, bike parade, and bagpipes. Later, after lunch the girls participated in a balloon toss.

After the festivities we headed off for pizza before and then took in fireworks. Brooke Hobbs joins the girls on the bench by the bay in the photo below.

Anahi and Blanca – July 2 – Class and Dentist

2008-07-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

Today, the Anahi and Blanca had their first day at their English class. With the help of Bill Elmore we were introduced to Helen Kim at East Side Prep in Palo Alto. Helen worked with Stacy Ishigaki and Shaneka Julian, two language teachers at East Side to put together a program for the girls. They will be studying three hours per day with Stacy and Shaneka trading off as teachers. Kelsey Seabolt, a young volunteer, will be helping as well. (In photo from left, Kelsey, Stacy, Anahi and Blanca)

Their first class was at 9 am. I stopped by at 11:30 to see how it was going. They all seemed to be having a good time. Stacy was teaching the girls how to talk about their past, the present and the future. Each one stood up and used drawings they had made to tell me about what they liked when they were ten years younger, what they like now and what they will be doing in ten years. I was pleased to hear that both girls had college in their plans. Blanca also envisioned herself married. Anahi said she would be an administrator. (She really wants to study criminology, but her dad thinks it would be a dangerous career.)

In the afternoon, the girls went to a dentist that Joni had arranged for Blanca. While the dentist filled teeth and pulled a tooth, Anahi assisted. Lots of thanks to Dr. Dale Weibel who volunteered his time to help.

In the evening they returned home, did homework and had dinner with their hosts. Anahi was so worn out, she took a nap before dinner.

SK

Blanca and Anahi come to the USA

2008-07-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

The big moment finally arrived today. Blanca and Anahi would come to the USA from Juarez. After three years of studying as JCEP students and graduating from high school on June 17, they were going to visit their sponsors and get some English immersion in the U.S. (The girls say goodbye to their familes in front of Blanca's house in Juarez.)

I decided to pick them up at Blanca’s house at 8 am. I arrived about 15 minutes early. Blanca was ready to go. She wheeled out her new suitcase that we had sent her for graduation. Her Mom, sister and little brother were out to see her off. A little later Anahi pulled up with her Mom and Dad. Her Dad was very emotional. He cried as he hugged her good bye and asked me to take good care of her. I promised him I would.

We headed off to the border in the Chevy Tahoe I had borrowed from Missions Ministries. We decided to go to the Santa Teresa, NM port of entry. It is quieter and, while farther, more consistent in the time it takes to get through. The girls were very nervous as we pulled up. The border agent asked us a few questions. He then directed us where to park and see the agent in the office to obtain a “Permiso”. (In the next photo the girls pose in front of the border in Santa Teresa, NM)

The Permiso is a document that states where the applicant will be staying in the U.S. and for how long. They are required to check back in when they return. I guess this was instated to track visitors that overstay their visas. It took about 10 minutes. Blanca and Anahi were fingerprinted and photographed again. I paid the $6 each and we were on our way. As we pulled out of the lot, there were big smiles on the girl’s faces.

The trip through New Mexico and into El Paso was very quiet. Blanca seemed impressed by the freeway overpasses; particularly the cloverleaf in downtown. At one point on highway 10, we had a view into a particularly bad slum in Juarez on the right and the University of Texas El Paso on the left. The girls focused on UTEP.

After dropping off the car, we shuttled to the airport. We checked the bags at the curb. I bought the girls Spanish language magazines and we proceeded to security. As we snaked through the cue, a border patrol officer decided to check identification and ask us some questions. He was a pleasant young fellow with blonde hair. I was surprised when he started asking the girls questions in Spanish. After a nervous moment while he had a colleague double check the visas using a magnifying glass, he smiled and gave us back the passports and we proceeded to x-ray.

I could tell the girls were very perplexed by the process. They had never been far from home, let alone in an airport. They took off their shoes, jackets and put their purses and backpacks through the x-ray.

Next we went off toward the gate. The crossing had gone so smoothly that we were two hours early for our flight. We decided to have an early lunch. The girls ordered chicken burritos and were treated to a large-portioned, bland burrito that neither came close to finishing.

Finally we boarded the plane. Southwest’s complicated new numbered boarding procedure is hard for most English speakers to understand. I think they would have been lost without some help. Blanca took the window seat. I was on the aisle. Anahi was in the middle. I had warned them about the acceleration. There were nervous giggles as we took off, but they both handled it well. Blanca took some pictures with a disposable camera she had bought. The desert and mountains looked pretty impressive from the sky. I told the attendant that they had never flown before. She brought them some plastic pilot’s wings, Southwest playing cards, a luggage tag and a pen as souvenirs of their first flight.

As we descended into L.A. Blanca had some trouble clearing her ears. When the landing gear banged into position she gave me a wide-open-eyes look. I assured her it was okay. We were soon at the gate and deplaned. We had an hour to kill at LAX, so I bought them some See’s chocolate. The clerk gave us 2 samples each so the girls were too full to eat what I bought.

Next we boarded the plane for San Jose. Already pros at flying, the girls traded seats with Anahi on the window. They loved seeing the ocean as we climbed out of LAX. They had told me that the ocean was their number one site to see in the U.S.

After arriving in San Jose, we met Joni and her daughter Haley at the baggage claim. The bags came off without incident. We piled into Joni’s Prius and headed to Menlo Park where Judy Hobbs was prepared to greet the girls. (Below, Blanca on the left and Anahi with Haley and Joni Cropper)

Judy’s daughter Brooke joined us. Brooke had just returned from our Mission Trip. The Hobbs’ will be hosting Blanca while she stays in the U.S. Craig and Donna Largent, Anahi’s hosts, joined us soon after. Then my wife Pat and daughter Sara came. Despite some great fruit, and chips with guacamole, the girls still did not eat much. I think they were still a little shell-shocked. (Judy and Brooke Hobbs with Blanca)

(Below are Craig and Donna Largent with Anahi)

After Brooke showed Blanca her room, Donna gave them some gifts of greeting. We then walked to the Largent’s house just a few blocks away and across the street from our house. Blanca and Anahi got to see Anahi’s room.

It was very strange to them that all of us here have pampered dogs. We learned in meeting the Hobbs’ poodle that Blanca is not comfortable with dogs, despite the fact that she has one back home. A dog’s life in Juarez is pretty bleak. None are neutered. All are skinny. Most are strays and few live very long. As I drove around the other day I saw a man throw a rock at a dog who was following him home. I saw another dog with a stump leg. Our dogs, mine included, are given more medical care than most people in the Colonias of Juarez. I wonder what the girls must think.

As I said good night to both the girls and they went off to spend the evening with their hosts, I hoped that they wouldn’t be confused by all they saw around them. I want them to realize that we want to aid them in their lives, not by changing them or making them like us, but by giving them opportunities for education so that they can make their own choices. I hope while they are here that they can learn English and see the love we have for them as God’s children and that they will be changed for the better. Somehow though, I also hope they don’t become like us in many respects. I hope they see all the good I see in the people of their community and that poverty or wealth doesn’t make the person valuable in God’s eyes.

SK

Juarez - Meeting New Kids, Anahi Blanca Shopping

2008-06-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

After dropping off the construction team at the El Paso airport, I headed to the back to the Colonias for a three o’clock meeting. Susie, our local librarian for Missions Ministries and the shepherd of our sponsored JCEP kids, had arranged a three o’clock meeting with the five new kids for 2008/2009 and their parents. I made it to the library a little before three and several people were already waiting.

We had a great meeting. I was assisted in translation by Susie’s husband Leo. I outlined the priorities of the program and the responsibilities of the parents and children. Mostly I focused on the need for the parents to commit to having the kids in school until they graduate from high school. I made them all promise to strive for this. I stressed how important for the girls to avoid sex and therefore unwanted children. All the parents nodded in agreement. I told the boys not to be making babies ether. The point being that they need to be responsible and put their future and education as a high priority.

I told them the three main goals are to graduate from school, to learn to use computers and to learn English. I also told them the kids must attend the twice-per-week English classes by Joel. Everyone agreed to the commitment. The five new kids are:

Perla (First Photo), age 12, grade 7. Perla is the daughter of Susana who worksin the Missions Ministries Kitchen.

Edith, age 14, grade 10. Edith has been attending English classes all year and is an excellent student.

Karla (Second Photo), age 15, grade 11, Karla has also been in English classes.

Angel (Third Photo), age 12, Grade 7, Angel is the son of Rosa from Missions Ministries kitchen staff.

Moises, age 14, grade 10, Moises is one of the best students in the English class.

As I left the class, I was glad to see that Blanca and Anahi were waiting for me. The were very excited about their upcoming trip to the U.S. Blanca had her hair cut and dyed for the occasion. Along with Anahi’s younger sister, Naomi, we decided to go shopping for some items they needed for the trip. We headed off to Soriana, the huge, WalMart-like store, about 15 minutes drive from the Colonia.

They mostly bought toiletries and hair stuff – and eye lash curlers. Apparently they needed to replace things that they share with their sisters and mothers. They were very organized and thoughtful. After we were done shopping, we sat down for some ice cream to cool off from the heat.

Juarez Mission Trip - June 25-28

2008-06-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

On June 25, 2008 I traveled with a team of 32 people to Juarez to build houses for two families. As usual, we worked with our partners at Missions Ministries on this trip.

One unusual aspect of this trip is that we had one house built primarily by teenagers, called Team Red, led by my daughter Sara and her cousin Hanna. They were accompanied by friends from their schools as well as other teenagers who had signed up for the trip.

The other house was built by a combination of members from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, several of whom came from our new North Campus. Kevin Kim, the youth minister there recruited may of them and led our construction team, dubbed Team Blue. My wife Patricia and my sister-in-law, Mary Jane Elmore were on tam blue as well.

Normally the weather in late June is scorching hot in Juarez. Indeed, when we arrived on June 25, it was pushing above 100 degrees. We did our usual stock up at WalMart for water and supplies, as well as house warming gifts for the two families. We then proceeded to dinner at the local Mexican restaurant, Carlos and Mickey’s. The food was great and it gave the team a chance to relax and bond after our flight. We then took the bus to the team center in the Colonias outside of Juarez, where we slept for the night.

(Team Blue puts up the first wall in the photo at right.)

June 26

We woke up early the next morning and had our devotionals 30 minutes earlier than usual at 6:30, in order to beat the heat. Winslow Yee gave us a great spiritual send off, reminding us that God requires us to serve others. Breakfast followed and we boarded the bus around 7:30.

When we arrived at the build sites, we were pleased to see that the skies were cloudy. In fact the temperature was quite comfortable. We would be building in Kilometer 34, a community carved out of the desert 34 kilometers from the boarder and about seven kilometers from the team center.

Team Red, with 16 teenagers and two brave adults would be building a house for Ruth and Ramon along with their six children and four additional extended family members. Although the house is only 12x36 with three rooms, it would be a big improvement to the shack they were living in. Ruth and her kids would work alongside team Red throughout the process.

Team Blue would be building for Carolina and Lupe. They shared the worst structure I have ever witnessed in Juarez with their son, his wife and four kids. The place was made out of a few sheets of masonite, a truck topper and what looked like pieces of an old boat. It had a dirt floor and ceiling that couldn’t have been more than five feet high. (See the photo below showing Carolina and Lupe's house with the new house we built in the background.)

The goal for each team is to construct the walls and rooms, put in the windows, door and insulation. All this happened the first day in about six hours of work. We are always fortunate to have the concrete slab foundation poured and the lumber cut prior to arrival. The team nails it all together with guidance from Missions Ministries construction leaders Leo and Jesus (Team Blue) and the rest of their team.

About the time we were putting the last nails into the composite roof, the sun broke through the clouds. We hopped on the bus and headed back to the team center for a great lunch.

Immediately we reloaded the bus and headed back to Kilometer 34 and the Marantha Iglesia of Pastor Luis. Luis is the pastor for the two families we were building for. At his church we had a craft fair for the children of his church. We made balloon animals, face painted and took pictures of the kids. They then framed the photos with popsicle sticks decorated by them. (In the photo below Erika Athens and Kelley Stanske get into the facepainting.)

The centerpiece of the craft fair was a project by Charlene Golding and her daughter Caroline. With the help of several other team members, they had children create art, and then photographed the art and the child. Along with a small bio on each child, they will compile a book of the art of approximately twenty children. They will sell the books to raise money for projects in Juarez.

Outside the church, a huge soccer game raged in the heat. Kids from our team and the local church mixed it up on the field of dirt. In the evening the team retired after another great meal and a full day.

June 27

The next morning we did it all over again. We were led in devotion by Charlene. Carlos the MM chef had prepared another great breakfast, but we didn’t savor it too long. We wanted to be back out at the site early again.

Day two is a bit easier than day one. Again we were blessed with morning clouds. We painted the outside of the houses and dry-walled, taped and mudded the inside. Then came the highlight of the trip - turning over the keys to the family. Kevin Kim did the honors for team Blue. Kevin hoped that the family would remember the house as an altar to God and a reminder of his grace.

I was very proud when Hanna and Sara handed over the keys to Ruth and her family (see picture below). As with Team Blue, we all ten prayed for the family and gave them housewarming gifts of blankets, pillows, bed pads, food and a couple of nice iron skillets.

After lunch we again returned to the church, this time for a food outreach. We made sandwiches of ham and cheese, served with chips, watermelon and a drink. The team prepared the plates and then served them to the seated congregation. The whole church and the MPPC team especially liked the finish with ice cream bars as the temperature had again climbed to around 100 degrees.

In the evening we returned to the church for worship with the congregation. The church is small, the same size as the houses we built. It was extremely hot with our 32 MPPC members and 50 or so of the congregation in the small room. Benjamin Kelly from our team played a clarinet song accompanied by Matthew Tsubota on drums. We then had Mark Lipinski, Brooke Hobbs and Winslow Yee, witness to the congregation. After a mercifully (in light of the heat) short sermon, the service was over. The team spent some time saying adios to our new friends and we returned to the team center, our evening complete. (In the photo below Jenny Buurma says shares a moment with a new friend.)

June 28

The next morning, Mary Jane Elmore, led us in devotions, helping us focus on how we had changed and how we would carry forward differently. It is amazing how much one can get from just a four-day trip and serving others. The team then headed to the airport for the trip home.

Getting The Visas for Blanca and Anahi, May 2008

2008-05-10T22:33:00.001-07:00

Juarez trip report May 10 to May 14, 2008.

May 10

I travel to Juarez and spend the night at the Mission Ministries team center in the Colonia. I am here to get Visa’s for two of our students, Blanca and Anahi. We plan on bringing them to the U.S. in July to meet their sponsors and spend some immersion time learning English. We have an appointment on Tuesday the 12th, but a lot of organizing to do first.

May 11

I got up early this morning and decided to attend church at Pastor Jesus’ church. There were about 30 people there. He has a loyal flock. Susie taught the kids class. I could understand about half of the sermon. So I am making some progress on my Spanish.

After church, I went over to Susie and Leo’s and we mapped out strategy for the Visa appointments on Tuesday. We went over the list of all the documents we need. Susie arranged to have the parent of Anahi and Blanca meet us on Monday morning to get some things notarized.

Susie told me that Martha had her baby last month. She has stayed on school. Martha’s mother has been taking care of the baby. Martha will graduate in June with Anahi and Blanca. I am disappointed Martha won’t be coming to the U.S., but am glad she will graduate.

Anahi and Blanca are both applying to college at Universidad Autonoma de Cuidad Juarez. They took a test last month for entry. They are to find out on the 18th if they are accepted. This is exciting news, that they have taken the initiative here. Blanca now wants to be a doctor.

I dropped by Operation Amigo today, alias the Canadian School. (See photo at right) I met the founders Al and Miriam Carruthers. Very nice people. They have 385 kids I their school. I mentioned we might want to get involved in scholarships. We are going to have dinner tomorrow night and discuss.

Joel stopped by this afternoon. He is going to accompany us on our visa trip tomorrow and on Tuesday. He just got his visa and is optimistic that the girls will too.

May 12

Morning devotions with a team of folks from Colorado. They are here to build two houses with Mission Ministries. After a great breakfast, I met the families of Anahi and Blanca at Susie’s house. We were off to downtown Juarez.

First stop was BanaMex. We needed to pay the 1450 pesos (appr. $140) per girl for the visa application fee. This is non-refundable even if we are rejected. We quickly were helped and had our receipts.

Next we had to find a Notary to verify the signatures of the parents on permission to leave the U.S. The Notary we tried had an alarm sounding in the building the whole time we were there. The Notary was not in and wouldn’t be for several hours. We were directed to another Notary in an office overlooking the Rio Grande. We could see El Paso from here. My cell phone switched to the U.S. AT&T network from the Mexican network. That is how close we were.

They were very professional and one hour and $105 later, we had the notarized letters of permission. This rounded out all the documents we needed. Most I had written or filled out prior to the trip. We were now ready for our Tuesday visa appointments. To celebrate I took the whole crew to Wendy’s for lunch. Blanca and Anahi each ordered the Baconator combo!

Late in the afternoon, I attended our English class for the students. Joel, our English teacher, had me administer a verbal test he had devised for the kids. I would ask the question, in English, “what am I doing?” From a list of verbs on the board, the kids had to answer. For instance I would take a pencil from the table and say “What am I doing?” The student would answer, “You are taking the pencil from the table.” They actually did quite well with verbs like speak, take, open, close and put. I think Joel is making good progress with the kids by making them be ready for tests and actually grading and ranking them. Samuel seems to be the best.

To test Samuel, I took a folding chair, held it by the back and pushed the seat open with my foot while asking, “What am I doing?” He quickly said “You are opening the chair with your foot.” Joel tells me Samuel is our star English student.

After class, I had dinner with Carruthers and discussed their school. It is an amazing operation. 385 kids with a staff of 28. All the kids are on scholarship with each family paying a little according to their ability. Kids rage from pre-kindergarten to 10th grade. Over the next 2 years they will add the top two grades as their kids advance. They have an agreement with a local Juarez University that the kids can goal to school there for free after graduation.

The school director is a local woman who hires al the teachers, also local. They showed me photos of their impressive looking faculty. They have a fulltime English teacher, a music program and feed the kids lunch every day.

I asked them how we could help. They said as the school grows, they are worried about meeting payroll. Their donor base is god but always comes up a little short. I asked how much they need to sponsor children. $20 per month for grade school, $25 for secondary (middle school) and $40 for high school. This is less than the cost of our kids in the JCEP. They might need to add some amount for overhead as well as the school grows.

They would be willing to pair children with sponsors similar to how we do with JCEP. I told them how we do our kids website and they were excited. I think there is more opportunity to explore here.

May 13, 2008

Today was the big day at the consulate. Anahi, Blanca, Joel and I arrived at 9:45 for our 10 am appointment. We waited in line to get checked in and were able to have both girls have the appointment together. Next we were off to the photo area. Waiting in line again, we got the girls photos taken. Then it was off to digital fingerprinting. Joel and I took a seat while the girls waited. They finished with this around 11 am. We were given the number 1147 and sat down to wait. The number being served was 1033. There must have been 1000 people waiting.

At 4:30 PM, our number was finally called. Finally our interview. But no, we waited inside in a queue with two other families ahead of us. When we finally made it to the interview, it was with a very nice American woman. She was very thorough in checking all our documents and asking me questions in English and then verifying them in Spanish with the girls. My heart sank when she asked for a medical authorization for Blanca. Since she is seventeen, she would not be allowed to give consent for medical procedures.

The lady approved Anahi, but not Blanca. We will have to return on Thursday with a notarized medical guardian letter from Blanca’s mom.

Still it is a victory. Anahi is approved and our caseworker assures us that the letter would be all we need for Blanca. Then both girls will get their visas on Friday.

As we returned home to the Colonia, the girls peppered me with questions in Spanish. Will we see the ocean? Where will we live? What kind of restaurants are there? They are very excited.

Then in the evening I was blessed with one of my fondest Juarez memories yet. Anahi’s mom, Tomasa, cooked dinner for me and six of our students. Blanca, Anahi, Margarita, Samuel, David ad Claudia. Susie picked them all up and joined us as well as Anahi’s father Luis and Anahi’s sister. What a feast. I had mentioned how much I like mole sauce. So we had chicken mole, chile rellenos and some of the best tortillas and refried beans I had ever tasted.

What a fun evening sitting around and telling stories. Answering questions about the U.S. and laughing. I re-quized the kids on their career aspirations. David and Samuel want to be lawyers. Anahi, Blanca and Claudia want to be doctors. Margarita wants to be a Science teacher.

After dinner, they all prayed for me and all our friends in California that support them. It was a special moment.

May 14, 2008

Back to the notary for the medical authorization. Bertha (Blanca’s Mom) cheerfully agreed to come along at 8:15, after working until 1 AM at the Phillips maquiladora the night before. She makes ballasts for fluorescent lights. It is a good job in Juarez. Folks usually make about $10 per shift.

Joel, Bertha and I found our way back to the notary. $50 later we had the needed letter. I drop them off and decide how to spend the remainder of my day.

I check in at the Canadian school trying to find the Carruthers for a tour. They aren’t there, but I get a nice tour from the principal of the high school. It is a very impressive operation. Right now they just have the 10th grade. They will add the other two grades over the next two years as the kids graduate to the next level. The kids seem happy. The school is well stocked with desks, equipment and computers. The principal is sharp and in charge. I like the fact that the locals run the school on a day-to-day basis. Al & Miriam, encourage this.

Later I double back and get the tour of the middle school with Miriam. Grades seven through nine are hosted here. I see several of our JCEP kids here including Claudia, Margarita and Moises. The kids are excited because they are throwing a party for the teachers that day on “teacher” day. They school has a nice gymnasium which the kids have decorated. They have cakes ready for the teachers. All the kids look sharp in their matching uniforms.

At five o'clock, i get to attend Joel's "beginner" English class. There are 15 students in here, including 4 new JCEP kids for next year. Perla, Angel, Arcadia and Karla. I sit in the back next to Karla (See photo) and am impressed with how Joel engages each student and comes into the class with an organized plan. Our new students all know their stuff.

In the evening, the Missions Ministries team throws a party for the workers and their families. It is a joyous affair with 3 jumpy houses, pizza and most treasured of all – ice cream. This is a big deal for the families. Everyone comes dressed up. The funds come from donations from teams that come down to build houses. Jeff collects them in lieu of tips. It is a special evening.

May 15, 2008

Having extended my stay an extra day, we head back to the consulate again. This time we have Bertha, Blanca, Joel and myself. Having been told we had to wait an extra day after approval to get the stamps, we don’t bring Anahi.

We arrive at 8:15 and are told to wait in line again like before. After passing security, I talk the guard into letting us skip the next line to get a number. Having been assured by our caseworker that we would not have to wait again, we sit down for the anticipated short wait. Two and a half hours later our number comes up.

We head to the window and are not happy to see a different caseworker. The young man tells us that our person is not in today. He checks the computer for notes and then proceeds to ask all the same questions we answered the previous day. He asks for the proofs of permission for both girls and I remind him Anahi is already approved and that all Blanca needed was the medical permission. He finally relents and says we have everything we need and the visas are approved. He asks where Anahi’s passport is and I explain we were told we had to wait a day to get the stamps. He says, no, we could have gotten them right then.

Will he give Blanca hers since she is here? No, they have to be done at the same time since they are on the same case number. We will have to come back tomorrow. I decide that rather than blowing my top, I will be thankful for the approval. I ask him to write on our appointment slip for the next day that we are approved. He obliges. I ask him his name in case we have problems, and he demurs, pointing to a pamphlet labeled U.S. Constitution, he says that is his name. A bit confused, we leave.

Now I am faced with the same decision of whether to extend my stay another day. I decide to let Joel handle it the next day. He promises to call me immediately the next day and let me know what happens. “No problem” he optimistically assures me.

After dropping Blanca and Bertha off, I thank Joel and head for the airport. I can’t help but think I should stay. But it sure is nice to see Pat at the airport when I arrive back in San Jose.

May 16, 2008

I have trouble working all day, knowing Joel is probably waiting in line and being treated condescendingly by the consulate folks the next day. Noon rolls by, 2 pm and my heart sinks thinking they didn’t get the visas. I try Joel’s cell, but I have the wrong number. I call Anahi’s mom and she tells me they will be back at 12:30. Which was 2 plus hours previous. Must be my Spanish misunderstanding what she says.

Finally, after 3, Joel calls and says they got the stamps. The girls have a one-year visa and can go on the trip! We are all so excited. God has blessed again.

Article Profiling Team Member

2008-03-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

There was a nice article published in the "Country Almanac" a local paper here in Menlo Parl. It tells the story of Izzy Hillburg's trip to Juarez in February with our Juarez team. I think it is a great perspective. You can see the article at almanac article.

Juarez – February 17-22, 2008

2008-02-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

We traveled with a team of 48 people to Juarez to build houses for three families, do food outreaches and craft programs at a women’s shelter and local church and paint the inside walls in our new library. In addition, I stayed an extra 2 days to work on getting visas for our students to comes to the U.S. next summer for English immersion. We also got to give our new van to Susie, our children’s shephard after her van was wrecked last fall.

One of my favorite things about this trip was the team we took. We had several returning trip veterans as well as many Juarez rookies. My daughter Sara accompanied us for the fourth time. Also my niece Hanna and brother-in-law Bill. Sara and Hanna kind of became the leaders among the younger kids along with the Prioleau kids who had been several times as well. Bill and I enjoyed playing guitar and leading singing of songs along with our song-leader Sally Prioleau.

I got a great email from Katie Neider, who was on the trip with her family. Her husband Bryan, and daughters Megan (16) and Brooke (12). Typically, our church, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC), pays for one house per team. We wanted to build three houses so we needed to raise a additional $15,000. Below are the comments that Katie sent to people that she had gotten contributions from toward building the second ad third houses on this trip.

“We just got back from Juarez, Mexico where we have been for the past several days. Although it wasn't a vacation, I would have to say it was probably the best trip I have ever taken.

“The four of us went with a group of 50 people from our church. The church has teams of people who go to Juarez every other month or so to build houses for the horribly poor community there. We headed down on Sunday and spent most of the day just getting there. We stayed in a Team Center that they have built for the the teams of people who go down to build houses. The Team Center is surrounded by a tall cement barricade, topped with a layer of broken glass embedded in the cement with a final layer of barbed wire. It has guards 24/7 along with a not so friendly guard dog. We felt very safe. :-) Each family got to stay in their own room with our own bathroom and shower. However, you were lucky to be able to take a shower as water is a scarce commodity there. If the water did turn on, you were wise to be in and out within minutes as it would just shut off with no notice. There is a small kitchen staff who cooked all of the meals so we had all of our meals at the Team Center. (Katie is shown below presenting blankets to the family she helped build a house for.)

“On Monday morning, all of us headed out to the "construction" sites. We had raised enough money to build three houses. We broke up the 50 people into three groups, each group responsible for building a house. We learned that many families had gone to the church in town to put in their plea for a house to be built for them. Based on need, these families were chosen. When we arrived at our location, it took my breath away. Our family (like most in Juarez), was living in a two room shack. We met the family and worked side by side with them over the course of the next two days. When we got there, a cement slab was already there for us. The wood was pre-cut also. Our group of 18 people (10 who were kids) was headed up by a man named Chris who told us exactly what to do. It was an amazing sight to see all of us pounding away to create the frame of the house. Next we pounded away to nail on the siding. The most amazing moment is when we lined up and lifted up the walls to create the house. Next came the roof. By 2pm the first day, we had a little house built and had even finished roofing it. We had also "installed" the windows and put in the insulation inside. Throughout the day, this wonderful family helped us however they could. At 2pm, we all went back to the Team Center and had lunch. As soon as lunch was over, we were back in the van and went out to a battered women's shelter to make sandwiches for them and to play with their kids. These women and children were in such a tragic situation but still had the most beautiful smiles on their faces. Around 6pm, we headed back to the Team Center for dinner (yes, we all gained weight on this trip!). After dinner, a man named Jeff, showed us an incredible slide show along with a narrative about the situation each person in the slide show was facing. Jeff and his wife Jenny, had first gone on a trip to Juarez like ours three years ago. They became so passionate about the situation in Juarez, that they gave up their jobs and beautiful home in a gated community to live in the Team Center to organize all of this outreach. We all went to bed with our eyes widened to the situation not far from "home".

“The next morning, we headed back to the house that we were working on. We spent all morning painting the exterior of the house and putting up the dry wall in the interior of the house. Again, the family helped us paint. Even though they didn't speak any English, we had felt quite close with the family by this time. At one point, I had walked into their old "house". It is a feeling that I will never forget in my life. You can read many things and see many pictures but nothing will compare to standing inside the "house" that they had been living in. Their floor was dirt. Can you imagine never, ever being able to feel clean. Ever. Waking up and putting your feet into dirt the first thing. I will never forget the look and smell of the situation that they were living in. Water is so scarce that being able to clean is not high on the priority list. Up until the time that I had walked into this house, I had been "worried" about their new house because it was just a cement slab. Silly me, I had been concerned about how cold that cement would be for them. Not until I had stood in their dirt floor had I realized what a wonderful dream it was for them to have a cement floor. Very sobering.

“By 1pm the second day we had completed our house. We then got together with the other two construction teams so we that we could have a ceremony at each house to "hand over the keys". With the help of an interpreter, the family was able to share their feelings of gratitude and we were able to share our feelings of honor to be able to do this for them. Bryan speaks spanish quite well so he was the only one who was able to speak to them directly in their language. As you can imagine, it was quite an emotional moment after growing to care so much about these people.

“After these wonderful ceremonies, we headed back to the Team Center to have lunch, and then off to a local church for another food outreach. We again made sandwiches for them, gave out ice cream and played with the kids. The families who we had built these houses for were all at this outreach. By now it was dinner time, so back to the Team Center to eat, and then back in the Van to go to a church service. Again, these families were there among the church community. I had a little nine year old girl sitting next to me clutching my hand for the entire service. By now, it is late and time for bed to get ready for our flight home on Wednesday morning.

“I am so very thankful that we were given this chance. I would like to go back again next year with our family. We have gone on many wonderful vacations but nothing compares to this.

xoxo, Katie”

Katie’s fresh perspective, reminds me of the excitement I felt the first time went to Juarez. It is a rare person who is not equally changed by the short trip.

Another great thing on the trip was my friend Jonathon. A dentist here in Northern California, Jonathon decided to sign on for the trip after doing some outreach dentistry for the church last April. Jonathon brought his assistant Lydia along. He also brought $5000 worth of donated supplies and equipment. In two days he treated some 26 people, performing root canals, fillings, extractions and various other dental miracles. Jonathon and Lydia actually worked to long they burned out the shop-vac that is used for suction at the team center. (Jonathon and Lydia do their magic below.)

Another good friend Warren, brought along his son Brennon age 7. Warren lead the construction team on our house. Our team, dubbed “Team Azul”, consisted of lots of children including the Peterson triplets, age 8. We also had three high school freshmen, including my daughter Sara, niece Hanna and our friend Kelley. Kelley’s mom Cindy was a tireless worker as well, particularly gifted at the trim on the house. Cindy will be working with Joni and I on JCEP in the future, so it was good to have her see the colonia first hand.

After dropping the team off at the airport on Wednesday, I stayed behind to see if I could get some visas for the four girls we planned to bring to the U.S. next July for a month of English immersion. These are the four oldest girls in our JCEP program, Miriam, Martha, Blanca and Anahi.

I was sad to find out that our recent high school graduate Miriam had decided not to enroll in college and instead succumbed to the temptation of a job. $10 per day is a serious temptation for someone who has almost nothing. Even sadder was the news that Martha is now pregnant. Even though she plans on finishing high school this June, she is out for the trip to the U.S. for obvious reasons.

That leaves Anahi and Blanca for the summer trip. I spent a day at the U.S. embassy in Juarez trying to find out what we need to do to get them visas. The list is long, but after a day of frustrations, I finally got to talk to someone by phone who gave me the full scoop. I came home without visas, but at least I know what we need to do.

One highlight of my trip was the Wednesday night English class that we sponsor. I dropped in on our teacher Joel and his class. The English is proceeding nicely. Even from my last visit in January, I see improvement. Joel has been giving tests and it seems to have inspired the students. Two of our new students for next year, Edith and Moises were there. Also Anahi, Blanca, David, Samuel, Juana and Claudia. Margarita was out sick.

During the class I started quizzing them in English. “What is this?” I would ask while pointing at the air conditioner, wall or blackboard. The class got every one correct!

We also got our new van on the trip. It is a 12 passenger chevy van in excellent condition. It is a vast improvement on the mini-van we had. Susie will be able to easily fit all 12 students.

Finally, we painted the inside of our new library which was built in January. Thanks to the volunteers both days that volunteered to help. Including, Louis, Kevin, Warren, Brennan, Russ, Harry, Donna, Leilani, Alana, Marc, Isabelle and Brooke.

Blessed again, I never fail to have my faith strengthened each time I travel to Juarez.

SK

Juarez Mexico – January 20-23 , 2008 - Library

2008-01-23T20:26:00.000-08:00

January 20-23 Joni and I traveled with a team 54 friends, family and Menlo Park Presbyterian Church members to Juarez. This was more than our usual trip to build a house. In addition to building a house for a deserving family in the Colonias, we were to construct a new library with funds we raised through the Juarez Children’s Education Program (JCEP) at our fundraiser last May. A medical team also made the trip with two doctors, a nurse and an eye-doctor, the first ever at the Juarez clinic.

The library was in Kilometer 30 (K30), one of the poorest of the poor neighborhoods outside of Juarez. Unless they are lucky enough to have a house built by our partners Missions Ministries or one of several other groups serving the areas, families live in shacks made of cardboard, pallets, and blocks or just about anything they can scrounge. The area is only partially served with electricity. There is no sewer system or running water. Families have an outhouse and get their water from the trucks that make regular rounds, filling their 50-gallon drums with water.

Recently a primary school serving grades one through six was built in K30. Additionally, we had built kindergartens last October. Now that the kids in the neighborhood have a school, we decided a library for after school activities would be a huge boost. Our partners at Mission Ministries (MM) have run a similar library for a few years. See previous blog at (www.jcepbolg.blogspot.com).

MM recently was granted the land for this library on a plot next to the primary school. They have also recently erected a medical clinic there. When we arrived, they had poured the slab for a 48x24 library with three rooms including a computer room, a classroom and reading and study room.

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up to a sunny day. After breakfast and devotions, the building crews set out to the site at 8 am. The medical team stayed behind at the team center clinic. Seventeen of the team members split off to build the house and the rest of us began the process of building the library. We were happy to be joined by seven of our JCEP sponsored children and Susie Pinada, the MM librarian and shepherd for our JCEP kids.

Day one was one of the longest we have experienced. We erected the walls, put in the windows, insulated, put on the roof, which was tarred and papered and trimmed out the structure. The kids on the crew loved doing the roof work. Those of us blessed with height got to hang insulation on the ceiling. The house team finished before us and many of them came over to help us get things done. Special thanks to Beth Kawasaki and Chris Henshaw for pulling double-duty on the house and the library hanging insulation. My shoulders couldn’t have done it without them. With just a short break for lunch, we finished around 5:30.

The short bus trip back to the team center ended with a great meal thanks to Carlos and the staff. An exhausted team showered up and reconvened later for a slide show by Jeff Piner, the resident American leader at the team center. Jeff regaled us with stories of sadness and hope - stories of people traveling to Juarez and how they have helped the local people. One particular story involved a young girl with a clubfoot. She was cured with surgery paid for by a teenager from MPPC, who raised the money after hearing the story and returning home.

Up again early the next morning, the team split up again to their various tasks. This day required us to finish the dry wall and taping inside the structure and to paint and caulk the outside. Our large team was able to complete all but the taping before lunchtime. Amazing work!

We then all convened over at the house for the key ceremony. The family of six, was given the keys to a beautiful new 12x36, three-room structure. The family had worked side-by-side with our team the entire time. Many tears of joy from out team and the family testified to the community created in two days.

After lunch the build team split again. About fifteen of us returned to the library to complete work. The rest headed off to a local women’s shelter to prepare meals and do crafts for approximately 40 women and children. The women’s shelter was founded by a local woman, abused since age six who later escaped the specter of prostitution by running away and making a life for herself. She raised the money to lease a building and with no salary, now takes in abused women and their children. Often they run low on food and have little support. Jeff Piner has adopted their cause and we help any way we can. We left behind large quantities of extra food and diapers for the families.

In the late afternoon, we had finally finished the library. We had a sunset dedication, handing over the keys to Susie. One of my favorite moments of the trip was when Annaliese Yukawa and Virginia Girard, seventh graders from Menlo School, presented Susie with 207 Spanish language books for the school. The girls had raised these books in a book drive. Following the handing over of the keys, we all laid hands on Susie and prayed that the library would be used to give community and opportunity for the children of K30, and maybe do something to help break the cycle of poverty there.

In the evening we had attended a rousing church service at the church of Pastor Francisco who had sponsored the family who go the house. Judy Hobbs led us in songs and spoke to the church of our great privilege to be there.

I sit on the plane home as I write this and can’t thank everyone who helped, but sure would like to. I particularly want to thank everyone who gave the money, more than $15,000, to JCEP to pay for the construction. Also, our team was great, paying out of their own pockets to travel to Juarez to build. All the kids, with their spirit of happily giving in service to others. Kari Hansen and her son Caleb who had a blanket drive at their school that garnered 100 blankets. Susan Siegel for translating at the clinic, food outreach, morning testimonial and for arranging transportation to the airport when the New Mexico police impounded our bus. Kenny Ludwig, my friend and Zen-like roommate for keeping a positive and flexible attitude of love at all times. Joni Cropper, my partner and leader of our trip, and her fantastic family who all made huge contributions to the trip. And all of you reading this who continue to support our efforts in Juarez.

A lot of things happened on this trip that I didn’t get to see or know. I thank everyone who came and blessed us with their love, sweat and dedication. But most of all I thank God, without whom none of this would be possible.

May God Bless You All
SK

October 2007 Trip - Kindergarten, Passports

2007-10-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Juarez with a team of 14 from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC), my home church. As always, it was a four-day trip to build houses and serve the poor in the Colonias outside of Juarez. We had a great team led by my friend Andrew Doolittle. A unique aspect of this trip was that in addition to building a house for a family, we would also be building the third of three kindergarten buildings in Kilometer 30 (K30). I also stayed an extra two days to visit with the children sponsored by our charity, the Juarez Children’s Education Program (JCEP). Another goal was to start the process of obtain passports for our 4 oldest girls, so they could come to the U.S. next summer for English Classes and immersion.

In Mexico, there are three years of kindergarten for children, starting at age three. They must attend the three years before they can go to first grade at age six. The government then provides school mostly for free through grade six. After that it costs about $700 per child per year to attend school through graduating grade 12. JCEP provides scholarships for children attending grades 7-12.

K30 is maybe the poorest of all the Colonias. People live in abandoned buses, shacks made of pallets and cardboard, cars, whatever they can find. Like all the Colonias, there is no running water and no sewer system. Unlike the others, most homes have no access to electricity. There is one main power line running into the Colonia. Our kindergarten was built close enough to this line that it will have power.

October 7, 2007

After flying into El Paso on Sunday the 7th, we took a bus over to the team center for Missions Ministries. They are the organization that makes it all happen in Juarez. They provide the lodging, transportation and food for the team. They also plan the houses, purchase and prepare the materials and with the help of a local pastor, select the family who will get the house. In this case, they also worked with local officials to secure land for the Kindergarten.

In K30 they have a primary school (grades 1 through 6) called “Primaria”. No middle school (grades 7-9), called “Secondaria” and no high school (grades 10-12) called “Baccileries”. It appears that kids that had attended kindergarten elsewhere are allowed to attend the Primaria. However, younger children, without the ability to go to kindergarten elsewhere, would miss out on Primaria and possibly on school completely.

October 8, 2007

Monday morning our team was up early for a fine breakfast and devotionals, then off to the sites of the house and the kindergarten. The family receiving the house was a wonderful couple that had fallen on hard time. Living with a relative, they had sent their kids away to live elsewhere, because there was no room for them. Now, they would be getting a house and the kids were to arrive Friday to their soon-to-be-completed new home. Eight of our team stayed to build that house and the remaining six us set off for the kindergarten site.

The weather was cool and windy with lots of blowing dust as we pulled into the site. To 12x36 foot buildings in rain-slicker yellow and green trim stood on either side of a slab of concrete of the same dimensions. Stacks of wood and other materials sat nearby. After the local pastor, Pastor Martin, blessed the site and the team, we pulled out our hammers and nail aprons and got to work.

The goal for the construction of a house, or in our case a similarly sized kindergarten, is to get the frame up with siding and a roof the first day. We also cut in windows and a door and put insulation in the walls and roof. The second day we drywall, and mud the inside as well as paint the outside.

Our team of five included the Dressler family, Don and Gail and their lovely 15-year-old daughter Sarah. Another member was Jack Marsal who I knew from Dads-Kids campouts with MPPC many years before. Greg Bowman, who I had met at the Café services at church, rounded out our crew. We received significant aid from the Mission Ministries construction team of 5 capable local men. Missions Ministries is a significant employer in the area with 36 employees including construction crews, kitchen and house cleaning staff. They also have three full-time missionaries in Juarez.

We pounded away at our 16-penny framing nails. It takes a while to get into the rhythm, but once we got going the walls came together fast. I managed to hit my thumb with my hammer, causing a fair amount of skin to peel off and blood to flow forth. None-the-less, we were tilting up walls in a few hours. With the help of the other house crew, we successfully fought the wind and had all four walls and the roof frame standing by noon or so. Later we installed the insulation, cut and mounted the windows. The local crew handled papering the roof. Day one ended with a great meal of chicken-fried steak and fajitas in fresh flour tortillas.

After dinner I headed over to the library that Missions Ministries provides for the children of Kilometer 27, near the team center. The library has three rooms, the largest of which JCEP funded last October 2006. A library room with stacks of books and reading tables is in the front. Behind is a computer room – sans internet – and a classroom. 9 of the children we sponsor in JCEP were there taking an English lesson from Joel. We recently installed Joel as the thirds in a series of tutors that JCEP pays for through Mission Ministries. Joel is by far the best so far. The kids like him and seem to be making steady progress. But nothing replaces immersion, which we hope to accomplish next summer.

October 9, 2007

Our crew rose again on Tuesday to do it again. Back at the sites the painting and dry walling began. A few local Moms joined us for painting. Around noon, more families of the kindergartners started arriving for the impending dedication. The second day building is always a little easier and more fun.

One of the crew found a small snake. They took turns scaring the local ladies with the snake. Don even elicited a squeal from Sarah. Their respective building crews had personalized the first two buildings. The Colorado crew had fashioned a rainbow out of children’s handprints. The Hawaii crew had done the same as a Palm tree. We decided to make a Golden Gate Bridge from handprints. We lined up the children. They dipped their hands in the paint and soon we had an orange bridge on the side of our yellow kindergarten.

The dedication followed. Maria Louisa was there. She had been responsible for helping us acquire the land for the kindergartens as well as another site. That site will house a library funded by JCEP and constructed by our MPPC team in January.

Our team then traveled back to the site of the now completed house. We joined the rest of the team for the dedication of the house. This ceremony is the high point of any team trip. The team speaks to the family and prays for them. Then the family expresses their thanks. Next the keys are handed over in the “Kodak Moment”. The mother was sobbing the entire ceremony. She said it was her hearts desire fulfilled. Many of our team was sobbing as well. The couple had helped build the house the entire time. Their gratitude to God was palpable. It was a very moving experience.

After a lunch we set off to a women’s shelter for a food outreach and craft time with mothers and kids at the shelter. The shelter was constructed with donations, but has no ongoing funding of any significance. Anita runs the place. Taking in mothers with small children who have been beaten, abused or kicked out of their homes. There were at least a dozen Mom’s and 30 kids sharing the eight rooms. Jeff Piner, the local Missions Ministries head, told me that he has taken food over, when their pantry in completely empty. Each week, they pray for food. Usually, their needs are met. Sometimes, they are not.

We grilled hot dogs on a portable grill. Each person got a dog, grapes, a bag of chips and a juice bag. There wasn’t much left at the end. We also brought staples like rice, beans, diapers and baby formula. The joy in the children in a place of such sorrow is astounding. I never cease to be amazed how children can put their misery aside and find joy in the moment. I held a little guy in diapers and a black t-shirt. (Being a black T-shirt guy myself how could I resist.) He was walking around with the base of his shirt in his mouth forming a kangaroo-pocket for three half-eaten bags of chips. He quietly sat on my lap for ten minutes or so without making a sound besides the occasional crunch of a chip. I saw him on other laps throughout the day.

The mothers have a lot more trouble looking joyous. I saw women who looked younger than my 14 year-old daughter. Many really have nowhere to go from here. If they are lucky, they reconcile with a reformed husband. But I doubt that is a common occurrence. I intend to find out more about the shelter on my next trip.

The craft fair was also a hit. The kids made tambourines, bracelets, and other crafts our team members had brought. Marina Clapp, who had packed it all in advance, expertly coordinated it all. Gaby Wolff, a German national and teacher at the German School in Menlo Park painted faces. The Mexican flag and flowers were two favorites. Normally, we do these craft outreaches at churches. Most of the kids have seen them before and seem to get board after a little while. These kids had not seen them before. They would have stayed way beyond our three hours if we could have let them.

We returned to the team center. I think everyone was moved by what we saw. We quickly ate another great meal and headed out to a church service with Pastor Martin. Pastor Martin is a very interesting fellow. He told me a story of how, before he became a Pastor, his appendix had ruptured. His family took him to the hospital where he was turned away, because they cold take no more patients. He went four days without treatment; finally an emergency room took him. But when they examined him the pronounced him dead. With his family praying the body bag was brought out and he was placed in it. Suddenly he came became conscious. He got his operation and a huge scare to show for it. It was then that he gave his life to God and became a Pastor.

The service was inspiring. Recently Martin’s church was broken into. His guitar, amplifier, drums and sound system were all stolen. Nonplussed, he put his foot on a chair, not having a guitar strap and thrashed away at an acoustic guitar. The whole congregation clapped furiously and one woman shook a tambourine. The joy in the singing is such as I have never heard. I could not help but get caught up, singing at the top of my lungs in my bad Spanish. Both Gaby Wolff and Duane Clapp spoke at the service. Their talks are inspiring. Gaby discovered the Christianity on her own growing up in Germany. Duane brings a grace and gratitude to Christianity that I hope to achieve some day.

October 10, 2007

On Wednesday morning the team returned to Menlo Park. I tagged along to the airport to rent a car, getting the last car at the last counter. I returned to the Colonias and picked up Leo Rios. Leo is a pastor and is lead builder for the Mission Ministries team in Juarez. Leo came to know Christ after years in the gangs of Juarez. He is probably the most servant-minded person I have ever met.

Leo agreed to head into Juarez with me. I wanted to find out how to get passports for the 4 girls we plan to bring to the U.S next summer. We found the office and waited our turn. Turns out we needed to bring the girls along. They must fill out the forms themselves. We found out what else we needed to do and headed back to the Colonia.

I went out with Suzie Pinara Rios to speak with the girls. Suzie is our shepherd for the children we sponsor with the JCEP. She also runs the library for Mission Ministries. We arranged to have the girls get their photos at school and return the next morning.

The hardest girl to find was Martha. She had just moved in with her sister in Kilometer 20, about 7 kilometers from the team center. Susie only knew she was in number 10, but not which street she lived on. There must be 150 identical government-built row houses on 10 identical streets. We knocked on every number 10 until Martha answered. Suzie’s daughter Estelle and I even made up a song in Spanish about our search.

Donde esta Martha
Donde esta Martha
Quiero Encantrarle.
Donde esta Martha.

October 11, 2007

On Thursday morning, Leo and I gathered up the 4 girls, Miriam (age 20), Anahi (18), Martha (18) and Blanca (16) and headed into Juarez back to the passport office. Blanca’s mother accompanied us, as she was a minor and needed parental consent to obtain a passport.

A passport is the first half of a requirement to go to the U.S. The girls will also need a Visa Laser to go. This is attained from the U.S. embassy after they get the passport.

The passport office is in a shopping mall. As we approached the office a security guard greeted Blanca with a smile and a hug. It turns out he is a neighbor in kilometer 27 where Blanca lives and the team center is located. He offered to help us speed things up by getting the forms we needed to fill out and skip the line. He also had some great advice.

He told us about a passport and visa consulting office upstairs. There, we could get passport photos, have copies of important documents made and consult with and expert on the process. We were assigned to Juliana - a lovely local woman who spoke very good English. I made a pointed out to the girls what a great job she had as a result of speaking English. Juliana organized each girl’s package, making sure that all the documents where in the correct order and that everything needed was present. She also made the copies so the girls could take their extra document back home. Three passport photos were taken. The whole service cost around $20.

Juliana also told us that when we came back to get the Visa Laser, that we should get visitor rather than student visas. They are easier to get.

Next we had to go to a bank to pay for the passports. We found a bank nearby and went inside, leaving the girls and Blanca’s Mom in the truck. The line was huge. There was one line for Bank customers and our line, which was for non-customers. We waited for 40 minutes while three women behind glass slowly serviced three or for bank customers to every non-bank customer. Finally making it to the front and paying our $153 (1630 pesos) per passport. We were given a certificate for each passport.

We proceeded back to the passport office. The girls waited in line while Leo and I took a seat. After twenty minutes or so they made it to the front. The passport official laboriously examined each packet of I.D.’s, Birth Certificates, school transcripts and other items. Only Martha’s passed muster. Anahi’s birth certificate cut off the A in her first name. Blanca’s Secondaria (middle school) diploma was missing a stamp. Miriam didn’t have her primary school certificate.

We had to head back out. The passport official had told us about a machine in another mall nearby where you could print out documents. It seemed unbelievable to me, but when we arrived, a brown machine stood there looking very official. We entered Anahi’s name, birth date and government ID number, put in 63 pesos and out popped a brand new replica of her birth certificate, in color and complete wit signatures.

We hoped we could get the other documents, but they were not listed. We were all hot and tired and decided to break for lunch at Wendy’s before heading back to the Colonia. Wendy’s in Mexico are cleaner and have as good or better food than those in the U.S. They are almost identical to U.S. Wendy’s except that they have sliced jalapeños at the ketchup bar.

After our feast, we headed back t the Colonia. The Secondaria was just getting out and Blanca ran inside to see if someone would stamp her graduation certificate. Our timing was good. Blanca got the stamp and the day was saved. We then dropped of Leo, Blanca’s Mon and Miriam and the remaining four of us retraced our path back to the passport office after picking up Miriam’s paperwork at her home.

The rest of the day was routine. We turned in the paperwork, paid the 120 peso processing fee and were told the passports would be ready the following Tuesday. Yes, three business days to get a passport - a far sight better than the current 4 to 6 months in the U.S.

That evening I had a great dinner with the kids at a local restaurant. David used my camera to take pictures of each kid.

After dinner, we walked back to the Biblioteca for English class with teacher Joel. Joel was delayed doing translation at the team center clinic, so I took on the role of maestro (teacher). I had a good time teaching the class mostly in English. The kids did better understanding me than I would have expected. We covered small talk like. “What is your father’s name?” and “How old is your sister?”. I had one child ask the questions in English then another would answer in English. They did better than I expected. Usually getting the hang of it after an example or two.

Next we did favorite colors and favorite animals. Finally, Joel arrived and liked what he saw, so I finished out the class talking about animals some more. They would tell me an animal in Spanish. I would write it on the board and then tell them the English word. I would have them repeat it. Then I covered up the board and had them tell me from memory the name of the animals.

When class was over, I took Miriam and Anahi home. One of my favorite moments on the trip was when I dropped Anahi off. In English, she told me, “Thank you for all you do for us. God Bless you.” I almost cried as I hugged her.

Other issues:

Both Juan Carlos and Nancy Margarita have left the area. No one knows where Juan Carlos went. Someone says he is at school, but I could not confirm. Nancy Margarita moved to Durango.

I asked Susie to look for two kids to replace them. Carlos, who runs the kitchen, told me that about two children of ladies who work in the kitchen. Angel 12 and Carla 13. Susie will check them out. She also has another child in mind.

Jeff Piner gave me information on Operation Amigo, a school run by a Canadian couple that might be a good partner for us in sponsoring other children.

While at the shelter, I met Anna and Kate. Two young ladies from New York that are living in Juarez for one year with a group called Youth Works. They were establishing a pre-school program two days per week at the shelter. They had very few materials to help them. I think this might be a good outreach for a team from the church in the January or February trip.

I met the team from Cherry Hills that came in after the MPPC team left. They had brought down mattresses for their family. They had also bought frames from a man in the Colonia who sells them for $29 each. We might want to do this for our families.

SK

Juarez Reunion Party - September 2007

2007-09-09T22:42:00.000-07:00

Juarez Reunion, September 9, 2007

All at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC) Juarez reunion had a great time on September 9. After church, at the home of the family of Noreen and Jim Carruthers in Atherton, approximately 150 people gathered for lunch and fellowship. Three members of the Missions Ministries Juarez team were in attendance as the guests of honor.

People who had been to Juarez were invited to attend, as well as those interested in going or learning more about Juarez. There were tables set up to get more information on future trips, other mission opportunities, Juarez Children’s Education Program (JCEP), and a Juarez-specific medical mission table. The kids also set up a replica of a Juarez house on the lawn using rope to outline the footprint of a typical 12x36 house.

One unexpected surprise was Dennis, who organized the first trip to Juarez for MPPC. He had been to Juarez with Cherry Hills Church in Colorado. When he moved to Menlo Park, he suggested the trip.

After a great lunch of burgers, dogs, salads and desserts, the guests of honor were introduced: Jeff & Jennifer Pinar and Jesus “the bus driver”, from Juarez. Maybe the highlight of the afternoon was Jesus signing a song, in English, a capello, for the entire crowd. Massive applause ensued. Then Jeff told some of his stories of Juarez. Jeff has a gift for illustrating the poverty and need in Juarez, but always shows us how God can use each of us to overcome it. As usual, Jeff was truly inspiring.

It only lasted two hours, but the Juarez Reunion planted seeds that should bear fruit for years. In fact, many folks signed up for future trips.

Special thanks to the Juarez committee for putting on the event: Joni Cropper, Andrew Doolittle, Kim Blomdal, Bennie Ingraham, Bruce & Sharon Maule, John Blaha, Erik Davenport, John Arledge, Bill Brown. Thanks to the Carruthers for the use of their home. Thanks to Dana Anderson and David Cropper for grilling. Pat Kline and Bill Elmore for helping set up and running lunch. Hardwin Meade for manning the medical table with Erik. Thanks to Susan Petterson for maning the JCEP table. Thanks to Sara Kline, Hanna Elmore, Sarah and Emily Blaha, Haley and Brian Cropper, Tyler Maule and the Carruthers kids for pitching in on the kids table and building the house.

Scott Kline

June 2007 JCEP Trip - Graduations, Museum Trips

2007-06-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Juarez Diary Day 1, June 19, 2007

After a restful night if sleep at the Holiday Inn in Juarez, I was picked up at 8:30 am by Susie in the van we purchased for the program. The van was packed as we headed off to the graduation of Juanita at the nearby mall. In the van was Miriam, Juan Carlos, Susie, Susie’s daughter Esmerelda, Juanita and her sister, who was also graduating, Juanita’s Mom and Joel, my translator.

The graduation was held in an old circle type theater. It was filled to standing room only. There were six other schools graduating at the same place. The occasion was quite festive. Several singers performed between the readings of the names of graduates. They were all former graduates of the schools represented. One man in particular was quite popular as evidenced by the girl screaming for him.

Juanita seemed quite proud of her accomplishment. She will now be off to high school next year. I was somewhat disappointed to see that she had a boy friend also in attendance.

After graduation, Joel and I decided to take Miriam around to visit colleges. She had her eye on two particular schools. They seem to be more technical or community college in nature. We were particularly fond of one. Miriam will be signing up for a three year Business Administration course if she attends that school. There is also a program called “derecho” that has something to do with the import and export business. Her high school teacher told her this would be good. I think it sounded too specific and that she should take the business administration course. The BA course also has 5 semesters of English.

Joel turns out to be a well-spoken and quite cosmopolitan fellow. He has worked for TDK ad RCA ad even knows some Japanese from his trips for TDK. After inquiring to Miriam and finding out the Enrique, our current teacher of English isn’t that good, I think we should explore getting Joel aboard. Casey mentioned this as well.

Day 2,June 20, 2007

Found my way out to the Colonia for a 10 am meeting with the families of the kids. Most of the fathers were there and all of the mothers. The families of Juan Carlos and Nancy Margarita did not attend. Susie indicated that Nancy might drop out of the program. She has not been attending lately.

We told them about the program and that we wanted their commitment for another year. I told them that the English classes were a requirement, despite the fact they do not like Enrigue. (We should replace him with Joel. Susie agrees. I need to confirm this with Casey.) We also told them about the potential trip to the U.S.A. to learn English. All raised their hands saying they would let their children go.

Anahi’s father Luis came up after and was very appreciative. He has started a new body shop business. He speaks passable English.

In the afternoon, Susie, Joel, Miriam and I went to the U.S. Embassy immigration office to find out more about what we need to do to get the kids to the U.S. The first thing is that they need passports. Then they will need either a student or a visitor visa. It seems a visitor visa is easier to get, but they might require a student visa. Joel got the number and website. He will call and find out what needs to be done.

Later in the day we scouted out Museums for or Museum trip scheduled for the next day.

Some issues we covered. Susie and Leo think that a Biblioteca in Kilometer 30 is a good idea. Leo mentioned to Susie that he thinks she should run it to get it started ad train a librarian. Jesus says that Elizabeth, pastor Miguel’s wife, cannot run it because she is a pastor. I asked why and he said it is the law. I need to find out more about this.

Miriam agreed to help out in the Biblioteca in exchange for us paying for her school.

Day 3, June 21, 2007

I had morning devotionals with the team from San Carlos, CA that was here to build. Their leader, Camela, had emailed me a few times about the trip. It was good to meet her in person. Another woman Sarah, had seen our JCEP website and was asking about the program. I invited them to our September 9 reunion.

I also traveled out to K30 to see the site they were building the new house upon. Then I stopped by to visit, Pancho, the child that the April team had befriended when they built a house for his family. While there I met with Elizabeth, Pastor Miguel’s wife. She showed to his house. He was not there, but his mother eventually answered the door and said he was fine. She did not appear to be in very good shape.

Elizabeth showed be the new stage in her church that MM had built. She also told me she has two children in high school. She also told me about a neighbor that is working two jobs to put himself through college in the fall. The unasked question of help is always there.

I was asked directly for help by Rosa - Miguel’s half-sister and an MM employee. She is also a close friend of Jennifer Pinar. She had a daughter in second grade that cannot learn without a special school. Sounds like ADD. She needs $600.

Next, it was off to “El Centro” and the Museo de Historia. I piled the four high school girls, Miriam, Anahi, Blanca and Martha, along with Miriam’s little brother in the rental car I had. Susie took the rest of the kids, minus, Nancy Margarita along with three of her kids and Juanita’s sister Martha, in the van. Joel drove her van.

We had a great tour from a docent young man who knew the history of Juarez well. We learned lot’s about Pancho Villa. There was also a great Don Quixote temporary exhibit.

Next we drove over to the Museo de Arte - a really cool 60’s era modernist structure. There were two excellent modern art exhibits. One exhibit showed abstract paintings. The other showed plastic and mixed media text. Again we had a very sophisticated, knowledgeable tour guide.

When the tour ended we were directed outside to some tables. They had set up an art project using paper, glue and colored sand. The kids were shown geometric art and asked to make their own. Using a compass and pencil, they drew shapes on the paper. Then they would place glue in sections and put one color of sand on the paper. After dumping off the extra sand, they would repeat with another color until they had a finished multicolor art piece. They really enjoyed this activity.

Then we rushed to get Blanca to her afternoon job at the ballast factory. She works there with her mom until summer when school starts. We then took all the kids to Wendy’s for a late lunch.

I thought this was a very productive trip. We got the kids out of the Colonia and hopefully got them thinking about a bigger world of opportunity for them. I made it really clear they were to work on getting passports and visas in the hope for bringing the girls to the U.S next summer.

I told them I would return again in October with the MPPC team and Joni would return in January.

Also, I had a very good conversation with Leo regarding the new Biblioteca. He thinks Susie should run it until the new librarian can be trained. This is a very good sign.

SK

January 2007 Short Term Mission Trip

2007-01-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

January 14 to 17 Joni and I traveled to Juarez with 46 members of our Menlo Park Presbyterian Church team to build three houses for families in the colonias near the children we sponsor. Although the weather was very cold, the reception was warm. We completed three houses in the customer two days of work.

We also got to catch up with our 11 children. All are doing well. Joni gave necklaces with crosses to our 5 newest kids. These were David, Samuel, Margarita, Claudia and Nancy Margarita.

We also got to introduce several of the kids to new pen pals. We will be pairing kids in the U.S. with kids in Juarez. The idea is for them to write letters in both Spanish and English. The American kids are all studying Spanish. As you know the Juarez kids are all learning English. Our new English tutor. Enrique is doing well with the kids. Several greeted us with greeting in English. Also, we got some letters in English thanking us for our Sponsorship.

As another update, in October, we approved funds for a new van. Suzy can now drive the kids around in style after only having a subcompact that could take 4 at a time. Thanks for all your contributions that made this possible.

In June, Miriam will be graduating from high school. This is a big event. She hopes to attend a community college or trade school after graduation. Also, Juanita will be graduating from middle school and heading to high school.

SK