Ode to Ran

On Friday we boarded the Habitat Express (toot, toot Ran!). I can not express the eye-opening that I experienced. The leaders of Habitat here in Cuernavaca are volunteers and they build homes for people that are approved based on a "need" point system. The recipients live in shacks made of metal and carboard very often and may have a tarp for a roof.

First, the recipients must either purchase land or attain it through a gift. Then a 7 meter by 6 meter house is build primarily of concrete brick and morter. It may have running water and a toilet in the city but rural homes typically do not. The recipients have 8 years to pay off the loan with no interest. I believe the cost of the home was roughly $3000. Even though they have a home to with a roof, it is nothing the likes of what we call homes ... or even garages.

One thing I noticed was the amount of garbage everywhere in the poorer areas. Refuse collection must be expensive and as a result, the cultural mindset over looks the trash that is so prominent. Their surroundings would be so much more palletable if they just cleaned up their area. It would be the difference between how you feel before the kids room is cleaned and after. They don´t see it though.

After the servie at the church in Alejandro, the members of the church threw us a fiesta! Children, food and tequila really broke down the barriers and brought the adults together. Oscar, Alfred and I became good friends as the evening progressed and the party spirit took over. Such wonderful people who were so thankful for a group of Americans to come and freshen up their church. We were given greeting cards and handkerchiefs to remember them by. It is amazing how people get along so easily when we share from the heart. Will and I taught some boys how to play Futball Americano and they picked up on the half-back option after one example. The boys wanted to play today but we went to the Temple of the Sun but the football was left behind.





As I heard the call for us to board the bus, I stopped and looked around me. I was in the valley of a gorgeous surrounding mountain range with the setting sun of dusk. That moment struck me as a God moment. My moment was perfect. As we boarded the bus, there were tears from the little girls who befriended our girls and the boys were left with our football. Who knows if they will remember us. I know I won´t forget them or the new friends I made. Father Arthuro has a real task on his hands keeping the 45 members coming back. I told him that if he believes, is tenacious and patient that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. He gave me a big hug. His issues and the bishops issues are about the survival of their mission here in Cuernavaca ... not the contemporary issues the church in the US deems so important. Acceptence and love are the equation, not determining barriers.

The temple of the sun was incredible but I can´t wait to see my family and sleep in my own bed.

I love you too Jen. Yes we can say that!

Dejo