Esperanza Day 5 & 6 (Wednesday & Thursday) ~ July 30-31, 2014

Yesterday we began prepping the roof for pouring cement. We put plywood across the top and along the edges to form a frame. We used 2x4s as support beams. We also constructed beams of rebar to form the internal structure of the roof. Later that evening, we went to the taqueria for round 2. It was good! Following our lovely experience at the taqueria we returned to the posada for our evening reflection, which took an emotional turn when Maria's words touched our hearts and made everyone cry. It was a unifying moment for our group.

Today was a doozy. It began with a visit to the Esperanza health clinic, where we met the nuns that ran the facility who gave us a tour of the facility. They explained that they do not only help patients in the community but help to teach the patients how to live healthier lives. After that we went to Dolores' casa for another day of preparing the roof for cement. Although we measured twice, we still managed to make a few mistakes which we were able to work around. We cut a lot of rebar, made some beams, and tied everything together to get ready for a huge cement pour tomorrow! At least 30 (100lb) bags of cement to make the roof.

Then we rushed back to the posada for quick showers to freshen up before we went to the orphanage. The orphanage was full of fun. We played soccer and dodgeball with the girls that live there. After an afternoon of hair braiding we headed inside so the girls could sing us a song. They sang a few Spanish songs and we sang "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo" as a group, then Evan gave a wonderful rendition of "What of Makes You Beautiful". Sadly, we had to say goodbye. Thanks for your support. God bless. ;)
~Bailey S. & Evan A.

An additional reflection from 2 of our adults:
On June 22, 2014, the Tijuana Mission Team from Sacred Heart Enumclaw attended mass together to receive a blessing from the parish in preparation for our trip to work for Esperanza.  At mass that Sunday we wore our Mission tee shirts with the team slogan, "Build Hope".  The sending forth song was "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo / We Are the Body for Christ".

As elder members of the group we see things a bit differently.  The act of working as a group, the teamwork demonstrated as we all performed menial tasks; some large tasks, many small, but together all are monumental in what was accomplished overall.  Our patron for this week, St. Therese of Liseux worked very hard on all the "little things", and that is what we saw this week.  Many "little" things are put together to make the whole.

If Jesus Christ was mortal today, he would be found walking streets where the need for hope is the greatest.  Like the streets of the Tijuana neighborhoods your team calls home this week.  For this week the Sacred Heart Enumclaw team, all of us working as one, have become the body of Christ.  El Cuerpo de Cristo, The Body of Christ is beautifully define by St. Theresa of Avila, when she says that "Christ has no hands but ours.....".  We truly see his hands at work this week at the job site, the posada where we eat and sleep and wherever we are.  When we sang the song "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo" for the orphans, we could see the love flow from us to them as their eyes lit up and their smiles grew larger.  Maybe they were impressed by our command of their language, but we believe it to be more than that.

By extension, since we represent the parish, families and friends that are generously financing and/or praying for us, you too can claim 'Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo'.  Sacred Heart Enumclaw should be extremely proud of the team you sent forth on June 22nd.  We are making a difference as we build hope (Esperanza) in Tijuana.  So if you are reading this blog, spread the good news, as the song continues, "We've answered 'Yes' to the call of the Lord.  We are the body of Christ, we've come to bring the good news to the world".

Tom H. & Pat N.

(Pictures to come tomorrow. Sleep is needed for what will be a full day tomorrow!)