Back to the grind

I'm back at work today. No pictures of the trip to Mexico yet.

I downloaded the pictures to my computer at home, and burned them onto a CD, but of course I left the CD at home. I will definitely try and get to posting a few pics tonight.

First of all, I just want to say what a humbling experience it was, going on a mission to Mexico to El Rancho de la Sus Ninos. Their water supply is from a well, and limited, so the running water is limited. Showers consist of a bucket and a cup. Electricity is from a generator. No air conditioning. Food is beans and rice and an entree.

The orphanage houses around 100 permanent resident kids, ranging from under 1 yr old, to teens. It is not supported by the state and all services are free. It is solely supported by donations from Christian Organizations. It supports a day care that supports around 100 kids, several outreach churches in the Tijuana area, and a bible college.

All of the facilities have been built with volunteer labor, with donated materials or materials bought with donated money. It has been in existence for 20 years and started out with absolutely nothing. It has teetered on the edge of dissolution several times, but always at the last minute and enexpected donation has come along and pulled them back from the brink.

The mission was physically challenging. I avoid physical labor, and digging ditches and pouring concrete in 105 degree weather was taxing (I lost 10 lbs in 7 days). It was also behaviorally challenging. Canvassing, participating in presentations and skits and Evangelizing is outside my comfort zone, but I always push myself to do things that are a challenge. Riding herd on a bunch of teenage kids was also a challenge.

But I didn't kill a single one of then, although I did threaten to "Come back there and slap the shit out of" a couple of them. Maybe not the best of language, but I guarantee you the message got across.