Cont Missions Trip

This is Saturday the first day that we worked on the site. We drove about 30 min from our camp to the work site. It was at the very tip top of a gnarly dirt hill, scattered with run down and mix matched hut type homes... I do not really know how to explain it... When we arrived the cement slab was already poured and ready to go. It was our responsibility to build (everything by hand, no power tools) the frame and the roof the first day. It was exciting to be a part of each process. The men of the trip were gracious and taught us all how to do each task, never pushing us aside. I got a chance to do it all, and I LOVED it. My favorite was hanging from the frame, nailing at the tops of the walls. (that was the second day I guess, but that would be my favorite) I only have a few pictures, I will add more from my friend Jessi's camera once I get them. But here they are for now.
Also, the little boys in the picture are some of the neighborhood boys that would run through whenever they pleased. I sat with the little man in the striped shirt and handsome smile attempting to tell him that "Jesus Christo, is in his heart" as I pointed at my heart... he was really excited for a few minutes then once he realized "Jesus Christo" was about all the spanish I could speak he bolted... very sweet boy though, he was one of my favorites. AND if you look at the pics showing the frame up on the left you can see a make shift ply board room-ish looking thing, that is the bathroom. With a sheet from the hospital nailed at the top only (waving in the wind) as the door. There is a toilet (that has NEVER been cleaned) that sits on top of a hole in the ground.(therefore it does not flush gravity just takes its course) There was always standing water (well not water I guess... pee and poop to be exact!) so as you are squatting you have to pee OH SO gently as to not splash everyone elses left overs all over the back of your own legs... it was interesting to say the least! We were on site from 8AM til 6PM and headed back to camp for dinner showers and worship time before bed and starting all over again the next morning.

Cont Missions Trip

Well I mentioned before that I was grateful for growing up in the outdoors and being prepared for it all... well the showers we had available to us were a first for me. When we camp we usually dont shower or just dump buckets over our heads. When we raft we grab some shampoo and jump in the river. Well this shower was a whole new version. The big blue barrels outside the white wall catches and holds the water. You grab a USED 2 gallon water jug with a hole in the top and dip it into the blue barrel filling your jug or jugs. Then bring them in and CAREFULLY get them up on top of the 2x4s that are hung by rebar inside the roofless walls. The water is not too clean so you have to be careful to keep it out of your eyes and mouth... but other than that it is the most refreshing and inspiring shower I have ever taken. I thoroughly enjoyed it and even went back to take another in the dark and take more photos... more than anything I was just thankful to have another first under my belt!

Cont Missions Trip

after setting up camp we all settled in and got to know each other. JT and I took the kite out and I showed him how to fly it, he was a natural once we got our communication down... and a fire off in the distance.

Cont Missions Trip

Here are more pictures of camp and the wonderful people that served in our group. The handsome man in the black shirt is Jeff. Jeff Jessi and I had the pleasure of all sitting up front whenever we drove the Tahoe. Needless to say we got real comfortable real quick. Since Jessi and I are both VERY open people... we both shared our stories and testimony between the three of us. Jeff was floored after hearing some specific stories of things both Jessi and I have been through. Jeff let us know that he is there for us as a fatherly figure to fill in for any gaps that there may be for what ever reason. It is a beautiful thing to meet people of God who, worship Him and live for Him and are willing to share what they can and offer up their time energy and encouragement to someone they just met 72 hours ago! God bless you Jeff, you words of encouragement and accountability are already doing a great work in me, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love Traci
PS Barry the other handsome man in the pic with Jeff... he is pretty darn cool too. He taught me a lot over the weekend, skills and memories I will cherish forever. Thank you both for being such wonderful men, I am thankful to have met you and enjoyed the experience with you. Cheers to many MANY more!!!

Cont Missions Trip

The first day (Friday) was all travel and camp set up. Jeff drove our Tahoe and Barry drove his Expedition and Mikes drove his parents Element. After loading the trailer we headed South to a Carl's Jr (our meeting point) just before the Mexico boarder. After grabbing lunch off we went into Mexico. Of course getting IN to Mexico was much simpler than leaving it... but it was still nerve racking (for me at least) the unknown was exciting and nerve racking. So off we drove East after crossing the boarder into and through Tijuana. These are some pictures from the vehicles. They live a much different lifestyle and concept of life in Tijuana. I couldn't have anything BUT respect for them and their way of life. Things we take for granted and would throw away with out EVER thinking if it could be used/recycled for another purpose.... they turn into wall for their homes and roofs for their home or "doors" for their bathrooms (outhouse style bathrooms) I gained so much respect for them and their ability to survive and manage in such less then standard conditions. About a 45 min drive from the boarder we arrived at our "home" for the weekend. We stayed at a compound. The group is called Amor, they have been running groups like ourselves in and out of their safely for the past 30 years, 16,000 some houses built. All through the local mexican pastors.(not missionaries)You can see their website for yourself at http://www.amor.org for more specifics on what they do. The camp/compound is a large lot of dirt. We arrived stretched our legs and set up camp... unfortunately it was 108 and WINDY so that was not as simple as it normally would be, but non the less it got done and we got conditioned to the heat quickly. I found myself very grateful to my Dad for being raised on camping and the outdoors. I was pleased (especially since I did not have my husband to rely on like most everyone else did) that I had put up a few tents in my short 25 years and the port-a-potty was no stranger to me... they were actually WAY nicer then any of them we are used when rafting back in Oregon. So I was feeling right at home and more in my element then I have since moving to California almost 4 years ago!