Churches build home in Mexico

Contributed by Sandy Castle of Horizon Presbyterian Church.

A group of 32 youth and adults representing Horizon Presbyterian Church went to Puerto Peņasco (Rocky Point) on the AMOR Mexico Mission Trip over Veterans Day weekend (Nov. 8-11).

The group included 20 people from Horizon and 12 people from the Chandler Presbyterian Church. The team built a two-room house for a family of five who had been living in a one-room shack. The family was chosen and sponsored by Amor Ministries. This is the 10th year that Horizon has gone to Mexico for an international youth mission trip.

Amor Ministries is a non-profit religious organization that works with the local churches in the United States and Mexico to help respond to the physical and spiritual poverty in Mexico. In its 28 years of existence, Amor has build 15,500 homes, churches and medical facilities.

The recipient family for this year's trip were Rafael Navarrete, 27, a bricklayer's assistant; his wife, Yesenia Leon, 25, a homemaker, and their daughters, 8-year-old Fatima Navarrete Leon and 6-year-old Osiris Navarrete Leon, and son, 2-year-old Rafael Navarrete Leon.

Amor Ministries sent the following note to Horizon before the trip:

"The Navarrete Leon family is eagerly awaiting your arrival. They live in a community called 'San Rafael,' in Puerto Peņasco. The family used to live in Guerrero, but moved to Puerto Peņasco 4 years ago to look for work. They are still paying for the land; the family together makes about $150 a week.

"They believe in God, and they attend services. They attend the Christian church. Rafael works in construction and has 5 months being unemployed. They currently live in 1 room. The roof is less than perfect, and the floor is made of dirt. The walls are bad, made of sheetrock. The outhouse is inadequate. They have access to propane, and a stove.

They do not have electricity, drinkable water, a telephone, a car, or a refrigerator. A message from the family: 'We hope in God that you can help us and may God bless you with more so you can continue doing His work.' "

The mission group worked three days.

The Chandler church sent 12 people, six adults and six kids. They want to be able to do a house of their own, so they came to learn from the seasoned Horizon group. Now they feel like next year they can convince their congregation to sponsor a trip and to send a big group on their own. The two church teams will also consider going together again next year to build a double house.

The high-school youth worked very hard and learned a lot, thanks to Terry Cottington, one of the leaders and the team construction manager. Terry put a lot of effort teaching each kid a specific skill. Since power tools are not allowed during the mission, it takes a lot more effort to do just about everything. We have some kids that have been so many times they could probably build one of these houses on their own.

Dana Sherf, one of Horizon's leaders, said, "It was fun watching some of the first-time kids. I overheard some of our girls, after we were done and they were walking into the house, in awe that they built this house and how much better the family's life was going to be."

One thing that is emphasized on these trips is for everyone to take time to talk to the family and play with the kids even though the communication barrier is tough. But surprisingly, there are innovative ways to get our point across. So, at any given time you would find one our kids hoisting one of the Mexican kids up on their shoulders, teaching them to play clapping games, running around kicking balls, or making a game of what ever we could find to play with.

To submit news items, visit your community's news page at azcentral.com, and click "Get Published" in the News By You section.