Photo TR: Mexico 2005 Missions Trip

[bgwfreak]

I wasn't doing the PTR's at the time I went last year to Mexico on a missions trip, so I thought I would share these with you.

 

So basically what happened is last August (yes August) we headed down to Mexico to atown about 4 hours west of Cancun called Merida (Yucatan) to help with the construction of a church there.

 

The humidity was just unreal. Worst ever for me. The temperatures were really that bad, around 90 most days but the humidity was so bad it just sapped all your energy. Oh and we had no air conditioning except when we got on the bus once a day.

 

Also here's my FIRST video I ever made. It's not too bad for a first attempt at filming/editing. Mexico 2005 Vid -->

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGar0QGkBU0

Two of our team members. Aren't they a cute couple? Aweeeeeeee.

Here I am about 30lbs ago. I'm glad I'm losing weight. Yikes!

Monkeys! Monkeys! Monkeys! Sorry we didn't see any donkeys.

We visited a local zoo. It was pretty pathetic. The government barely feeds these animals. It was depressing... Gimme some candy Gringo!

Here is the church's current building. We ate most of our meals here as well.

We ate dinner at this open air place. It was actually pretty comfortable in the shade like this. The people dance for you during dinner.

Here's a better view. The sanctuary will be a semi circle.

We arrived at the job site. You can see there's still a lot to be done.

I'm confused again. Are we at a Paramount Park???

Yay! We make it to Cancun. Nope, we aren't heading to the beach.

Ok... are we at Charlotte airport or Cancun's???? I'm so confused.

Hmm.... I think they stole this off one of Carowinds coasters.

On the bus to the airport. That's my brother on the left. He must have made Lynn laugh at something.

Here I am at the Charlotte airport. Yay we're heading for Mexico. Sadly there aren't any credits to be had where we are going.....

The little place behind the trees is where I slept for a week in August in Mexico. Thankfully we did have fans though. No A/C. I was so happy to get back to A/C in Charlotte!

Here I am looking like an idiot. But my employer should be happy.

Here's the pator for the church we were working at. He spoke very good English.

I think...I...can...reach...it.

Betty Sphagetti!! Or that's what we called her. She'd be jabbering away in Spanish to us and we'd have no idea what she was saying.

This is what I did most mornings. Haul dirt around in 5 gallon buckets.

This is what our street looked like where we were for a week. Most of the city looked this depressing.

Ryan is king no more! ;

This was a smart little thing. Because it's so hot there, the hot water heaters are on top of the houses and they heat naturally the water. The people have very little money for stuff like heating water.

Care to translate?

Here we are at Vacation Bible School. We did this each afternoon and worked on the job site each morning.

On the first Sunday night and the last night there the church had worship and sang all kinds of songs I had no idea what they were. But they were prettty!

Yo Gringo, give me some candy! Dulces!!!!

Monkey butt!

Did I mention it was hot? And with that I will close out this PTR. It was a great trip and I felt like I got more out than I gave to these people.

Here I am looking rather huge. It's amazing what losing a little weight will do. These are the two pastors we were working with.

Some of the kids that came out to VBS. It was cool that the parents and grandparents would stay and watch too. In America the parents dump them off at VBS and then leave!

Mexico through the blurry shot!

My sister-in-law. She so wanted to take this little girl home to Charlotte.

Some of the local workers on-site.

Another view of our street. Even the trees look depressing.

Here's our team of 16 and the local people from the church. Many of the women and children came out to help us each day!

I think I know what I'm doing...hmmm...where did my hammer go?

Here you can see the Sunday School rooms being built.

Here's my brother demonstrating how we slept every night. I actually slept great in these things!

[BeemerBoy]

Excellent job. Helping someone out is the single greatest feeling a human can ever experience. That was a really good turnout you had for the VBS. Those people are really gonna benefit from the work you guys put in, and it looked like you had a really good turnout for the VBS.

 

Funny you should post this today, because my wife and I just just attended a function on Sunday where this couple spoke about a planned mission trip to Ecuador next year. We are definitely considering it. I just hope they don't have any run-down zoos like you showed....there's really not much more depressing than that is there?

 

Anyway, again, nice job.

[bgwfreak]

Yeah I hope you don't have any bad zoos either if you go.

 

But as bad as the place was (the town) you would never know it from the people.

 

Everyone was so nice and the children were well behaved in church. I loved the people and would go back just to visit the people, but the heat is just awful. I think I might go back when the building is finished to see everyone and see the finished product. If I can actually fly then and they haven't banned us from doing that too.

[mmousefan]

OMG you came to my city!!!!!!!

 

Yes I live in Merida Yucatan Mexico.

 

Im glad you came here to help your church. We are not from the same church, Im a Roman Catholic, but Im always happy when someone makes the work of God. Im sure you brought happiness to all those people.

 

By the way, the things were you slept are called in spanish "hamacas" ( hammocks in english I think) and yes they are very comfortable. I sleep in hammock every nigth ( i have a bed but I only use it wen it gets very cold because its not as comfortable as the hammock)

 

Ill be posting some photos I took this morning on the historic downtown of my city. Hope you can check it out.

 

Joel "yes its really really hot in here" Saury

[bgwfreak]

WOOOOOOOOOW. Small World!!!

 

I couldn't remember the name Merida for anything when I was writing this.

 

I'm not exactly sure what side of town we were on but it was the Mount Moriah Presbyterian Church. (not sure the Spanish translation).

 

Anyway... small world.

[mmousefan]

Yes small world indeed.

 

I think you were on the south side of the city.

 

Oh and about the zoo, yes its very old, it was built on 1910 for the 100th aniversary of mexican independence, that why we called it "Centenary Park". They are relly trying to make a lot of improves in there but the space they actually have its small, thats why the goverment its going to build a new and bigger zoo in about two years.

 

Well, im going to post now my ptr.

Hope you see it.

 

Joel Saury