Here is a really nice update I recieved from Rocky and Sheri about a recent trip they took down th Reynosa to show some friends what they do and how God is using HERO makers to make a difference. It really tells the story of everyones first time down and the real emotional roller coaster you ride as you see the need and try to do what you can.

REYNOSA TRIP REPORT - HALLELUJAH

Refugio

After an easy border crossing, we began our day at Casa Irene at Refugio. We pulled onto the property and a man dropped his shovel, left his team and came running up to the truck to greet Rock. He was a Canadian from B.C. and they'd met at Refugio when their church team came down a year or two ago. It was fun to see - he was running to greet Rock and he wasn't even a HERO Maker. I felt like it was divine marketing by the Holy Spirit, for Don and Jeni's behalf ("and now a word from our Sponsor, "try HERO MAKERS, you'll like it!").

The house is really beautiful and soooo close to being finished. The living area has been painted a soft cucumber or celery and the white crown molding really dresses up the house. Big white ceiling fans are in.

I had a strange experience looking at the near-finished product, like I had Superman's x-ray vision, because I could still "see" the interior frame, the verses and prayers written on all the boards, the insulation we'd cut and stapled, stacks of sheet rock being cut, the mud and tape - it was as clear to me as the green walls. Of course, I could see all our gang inside, too - everyone on the teams I got to serve with... pretty overwhelming.

Even though the countertops have been paid for, they still aren't in. Tile work in the bathrooms needs to be completed and the fixtures reset. The American volunteer who lives in Reynosa and works with all the volunteer groups will be back on site within a few weeks. Rock is anxious to connect with him to press to get the rest of the house complete. We've done all we can do until they do their part. Can't wait to finally see children in Casa Irene - House of Peace. Amen.

Don and Jeni saw the quality in the first HERO Maker house, and then we toured one of the existing block homes at Refugio. Same floor plan, but the wear and tear showed. We visited the rest of the facility which is very nice, lots of fresh paint and all seven of the homes are now a pretty yellow. Refugio is one of the places that has a lot of American support and it shows.

Rio Bravo

Next we stopped at Rio Bravo, the place where we stay with our teams. We showed Don and Jeni their school and the rest of that facility, including the dorm-style homes for children. The contrast with the family-style home at Casa Irene was tough, although Rio Bravo is one of the best run homes - if not the best - over there. We were in the boys home and some of the living conditions made Jeni cry. I had forgotten the powerful impact of my first visit. To me the place is filled with love and happy experiences.

Lots of fresh yellow paint on the buildings here, too. We met Ray, our director friend, and right now there are a lot of sick kids, including his family. Please pray that whatever is going around stops, and everyone gets healthy quickly.

Pilar de Esperanza

Lastly we made the long drive across Reynosa to Pilar de Esperanza. New white stucco is on the HERO Maker house. Rock and David framed out the interior walls last month, and it was easy to picture what it will look like after having visited Casa Irene first.

Then we toured the rest of that facility. We were walking into the dining area when all the kids ran in for dinner. Many came up and shook our hands or hugged us before they sat down to eat. Don and Jeni could hardly talk. What they couldn't imagine or understand is how far this place has come since Rock first found it several years ago.

There is a new missionary there, Stephanie, who will stay through April at least, but they are desperate for more help. I believe Pauline said they had 48 children. Sarah is doing the cooking now, too, and Pauline is teaching all day and helping with homework at night. A few months ago the couple who was working in the kitchen went into town "for a few hours" and never returned. They had taken a change of clothes and their papers and left the rest behind. Rock guessed they may have jumped to the U.S. I asked Pauline if there was anything else I should know. She looked me in the eyes and said, "Just don't stop praying."

Reflections

We took Don and Jeni to lunch at our favorite place, La Diferente. Jeni shared about when her kids were small she'd been so concerned about getting them the brand-named shoes and bicycles they wanted. Her family's experience is an amazing contrast with how these children live.

Don and Jeni have lived right across the river for some time now and never ventured across, forming their fears and perceptions from stories and rumors. They were stunned at the size of Reynosa and how many familiar American businesses and restaurants are there. New housing developments are popping up everywhere - hundreds of identical small (800-900 sq.ft.) homes attached like vast honeycombs. You wonder how people are able find their own dwelling at night.

They asked where were all the people coming from? Evident everywhere was the press of the people from the south coming north for work at the factories and supporting businesses. Our tour of the children's homes and surrounding neighborhoods also provided insight into the constant stream of people we see coming across the river right by the front gate of our RV Park. Desperation and hope. My own compassion has been refreshed after our study in contrasts today.

I know Don and Jeni will be back again and again. Don was already saying he didn't think he could find his way back to the first two homes (implying he could to Pilar, I believe).

Jeni said it was the best day she'd had all year, and they both said, "We're so glad we asked the question." What question? "What is it that you guys really do?" Jeni already had some suggestions - thinking out loud about who to contact and how she wanted them to help.

It was a great experience for me, too, to look with fresh eyes at what we do, how long we've been at it (Rock's been coming since 1986 or 87), why we sold the house and moved, and at the progress that's been made just in these few years of HERO Maker history. Thank you, Jesus. It really is a privilege to get to do what we love with people that we love.

I could see Don and Jeni were shocked and feeling overwhelmed by all the need they encountered today. There is so much need; there is always opportunity to serve in all manner of ways. For several years I've been pinged about vocational training for the children at the homes. But I told Jeni, we take on what God gives us to do with the resources we have. He will add as we're faithful. Do what you can do and rejoice in that. If you focus on what you can't do anything about, you'll be discouraged, overwhelmed, and give up even the good you can do. I guess Rocky's really nailed the strategy: see the need, do what you can, TELL OTHERS! Oh yes, Hero MAKERS.

I was reminded today of a testimony from our friend and HERO Maker, Jose Aguilar. He talked about being on his first trip, feeling like he didn't make much of an impact - just moved shovels of dirt from here to there. It was over time and other trips that he saw the fruit... from the field, then the prep work (dirt shoveling), then foundation, then walls, then a home or a church...

That's what I was experiencing at Casa Irene... what didn't seem like much at any given time, over time and through the group effort the end product is amazing. And that's just a house. What about the lives that will be lived and changed there and who they impact for Christ? It really is amazing.

You may never take a HERO Makers trip, but I am sure you are "shoveling dirt" somewhere in your life! In the bigger picture and over time, the outcome will be amazing. Be faithful.