Mission Team - Catching Things Up

Well, once again, I apologize for not keeping you all up to date with our progress.  With the camp’s internet access down, there was not much that could be done.  We are on our way home, and since we have several hours of driving ahead of us, I figured I would get caught up.

If you recall, the first day had us laying the foundation for the house, as well as building all the walls.  The walls were stacked in sections, waiting for us to attach them to the foundation.  Day two was by far the most physically demanding day.  Not only were the temperatures extremely hot, with no cloud cover, we also had the most work in front of us.  As the first panel went up, there was much excitement from the team, and everyone seemed to be quite energized.  The new thing about this house build, compared to others, is the house was extended 4 feet, and there is now a bathroom.  That meant an extra wall.  The walls all came together pretty well, but we had some challenges with the roof.  Not only did we have to wrestle the roof framing up, but we then had to do our best to square it, and secure it.  Keep in mind, there were no power tools at all!  Everything was cut by hand!  Not sure the last time you built a structure with a handsaw, and hammer, but it was not easy. 

As soon as the exterior walls were up, the cement team began to wrap the house in tar paper (more nails), and then wrap the house in chicken wire for the stucco.  While this was taking place, we had a team wrestle 4’ x 8’ panels on to the roof, and then we began to (you guessed it) hammer again.  The impressive sight for me was how the cement team came together with a train of wheelbarrows, and mixed the stucco, and got the first coat on really quickly!  That team was amazing.  While this was taking place, the water-proofing for the roof began.  This was a new process that seemed too easy to be effective, but according to the 1Mission team, it works quite well.  You have to paint an adhesive that looks like thick paint, onto the roof panels.  After that dries, you lay a felt type material onto a fresh coat of adhesive, and then cover that with two additional coats.  This worked out very well.  The day at the build site finished with a strong structure, and a filthy, exhausted team.  We departed the site, and part of the group went for ice cream (a tradition), while the remainder headed back to camp to claim first showers (a must)!  

Our day ended with a fiesta, which included the families who were receiving houses.  We heard about the community service required, and exactly what they did to earn their houses.  Great time!

Written by Pastor Jay Boykin

Quick Update

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts, but the internet access has been down at base camp.  I am tethering off of someone's phone, so this will be very fast.  The team is safe, and the house is built.  Here is one picture.

I will follow-up when I can.  Love you guys!

Written by Pastor Jay Boykin

First Day of the Build

Well today was our first day of the house build.  We had the opportunity to meet the future home owner, as well as many children from the neighborhood.  The team hit the ground running, as we already had teams split up between cement and framing crews.  The cement crew had to mix cement, and lay the remainder of the foundation, while the framing crew needed to do...can you guess?  Yes, framing!  As you can see from the pictures, everyone worked very hard today.  We built several walls that we will raise tomorrow, after the foundation dries, and we sifted cement to use for the stucco walls. 

I have been very humbled by the experience, as people from the community, including people who previously had a house built for them, came to assist.  We had the chance to teach some children how to measure, and cut wood, and they were more than eager to carry 2x4's for us.

The temperature was very hot, and we had a few we had to sit down, but we are all fine.  Exhausted, but fine.  The team is resting right now, and we will have a community outreach event tonight.  We will show a movie, and serve popcorn.  More a little later.

Written by Pastor Jay Boykin

Travel Day With a Bonus!

Thought today was going to be low key!

The mission team began the day before the sun came up, as we departed Denver, headed for Phoenix.  There was so much energy from this team, and everyone seemed to be very excited for what God had planned.  After arriving in Phoenix, our advance team of Jerry Guildner and Tim Fish met us with our vans.

Of course, we had to stop at In and Out Burger for lunch.  The team enjoyed some tasty burgers, and fellowship time.  Being completely confessional, I was previously never that impressed with In and Out Burger, but they just moved up my list after I discovered that they print scriptures on the cups, fries baskets, and burger wrappers.  They are not Bad Daddy's, as Pastor Brian has previously mentioned, but I am now a fan!

Heading south for the border, most of the team took the opportunity to nap, read, or simply get to know each other better.  The drive was pretty uneventful, until we arrived at the border.  We waited in a surprisingly long line, opened the trailer for inspection, and then caught up with Lee Long.  Lee escorted us to an orphanage in Sonoyta, Mexico, and that is where we all had the highlight of our day.  This small orphanage, called Pasos de Amor is home to a great staff, and a wonderful group of children.  We had the opportunity to tour the facility, which included a store and a school.  The store, where excess donations are sold, helps to support the operations.  We then spent some time playing with the kids.  This was a very humbling experience, as these kids were all smiles.  They were not focused on what they did not have, but truly seemed to love each other, and the staff.  We played ball, received hugs, and dropped off some supplies for them.  In all honesty, I can say that they gave us way more than we gave them.

Back in the vans, we finished our ride to the 1Mission Base Camp.  The team moved into our new home for the next few days, and then shared a great (I do mean great!) meal.  We are all pretty tired, but everyone is excited to get to work tomorrow.  We have determined our major work teams, and are set to build!  

Please continue to pray for all of us.  The weather is hot, and we need to take precautions to stay hydrated tomorrow.  Thank you all for your prayers and support!


Written by Pastor Jay Boykin