When people plan their Christmas vacation, they seldom think about surrendering that week for a week of service to others that are less fortunate. But that is exactly what 30 people did from Moraine Valley Church in Palos Heights, Il. From early August until now families, singles and even a senior citizen saved and scraped and raised the money through sponsors to come to Texas and drive across the border into a land of the unknown, Reynosa Mexico. Upon arriving in the rain soaked, muddy roads, all of their eyes were opened to the unimaginable! People living in such deplorable conditions made even worse by the mud and rain soaked beds.
Well, everything changed in three short but hard worked days for 2 families as the team broke into two groups and built them a house adequate enough to remove them from the elements that hindered every aspect of what we would call a life. I call it from the pit to the palace. The mud drizzle made it challenge to get the houses built, but by Saturday, after we handed out this months food and hundreds of coats that were donated, the houses were well on their way to being finished. Half of the team was going to stay back on Sunday to take it easy and watch the Bears loose, but I saw that the weather was going to change big time and if we didn't finish, decorate and dedicate the houses, there would be a good chance we wouldn't be able to because of weather And that was the case, because we have been hunkered down in our house for 48 hours and the rain is still falling. So for one of the few times I am right I made the executive decision to take everyone to Mx and finish the houses on Sunday. And what a great day it was!!! Everyone worked hard, the girls went shopping, and I gathered up all the tools and retuned them to our place in the colonia.
David and his family came and sang some worship songs as we just breathed a sigh of relief that we got everything done. Then tears filled our eyes as we dedicated each house with prayer and testimonies from some team members. Jesus was definitely glorified by what had taken place over the last few days. The houses have been built, two families are dry and warm, Pastor Pat held the Pastors workshop he desired to hold, 30 peoples lives from America have been touched in one way shape or form, new relationships have been established within the team, Paula, Alan, Lynnea and I have thirty new friends, Families have been strengthened, lives have been changed. I think, no I know, Jesus is saying well done my good and faithful servants, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was cold and you gave me coats, I was homeless and you gave me a house!!!!
