Tuesday, April 26, 2011

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " O "



I'm finally back from an OUTSTANDING Mission trip to
Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico.
There were 615 High School and College students giving up their
Easter vacation to share God's love.
There were so many
OPPORTUNITIES to help make lives better.
Six homes were built in ONE week and a school classroom plus
an Internet cafe were completed.
What an awesome job!
The first photo shows huge Army OILCLOTH canvas tents
that we slept in. Around 16 to a tent. We looked like the
OLD TV program "MASH ".
Please enlarge each picture to see all the detail.



This is the OUTDOOR kitchen where I spent my time. As
you can see we ate very well. Tri-Tip for a special night's dinner.
ONE of my jobs was OATMEAL duty.
We went through about 12
huge pans every morning.
 90 Dozen eggs were cracked for scrambled
eggs each day too.
OUR kitchen staff prepared 3 meals a day, for 9 days, for over 650 people.  That's at least 17,550 meals!!!
We were always busy, chopping, slicing, dicing and mixing something.
A gazillion ONIONS being chopped will clear anyONE'S sinus'.
What ORGANIZATION and OUTSTANDING team work.



Exactly ONE year ago the town we were in was devestated by
a large earthquake.
 At there best homes are very poor.
After
the shaker they were even worse.
Many condemned, but with
poverty so high, where do these people go and find new shelter?



The ONE day I was able to leave BaseCamp and see what the kids
were doing in the community will remain in my mind forever.
This is my new friend Antonio. He stole my heart.
Antonio ran up to me when I got OUT of OUR car and hugged me forever....
He didn't speak English but we communicated with smiles, hugs and my
fractured High School Spanish.
Antonio didn't want me to leave and tried to hide his tears.
It makes me ache just writing this.
Where is his future? I really don't know.

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31 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

My eyes watered when I read how sad Antonio was to see you go. He looks like a really good kid.

Roger Owen Green said...

lots of ova and oatmeal
sounds like a good cause
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh. I am crying. I just prayed for him. What a sweet child. May God bless him mightily. Thank you for going and for sharing love! You are a wonderful person who serves an even more wonderful Savior. Love to you and your husband and your church!

Sylvia K said...

What a terrific post for the day and what a wonderful project to be involved in! I got watery eyes, too, reading about Antonio! What a sweet little guy he is! I lived in Mexico for a year and there are some sad places as well as beautiful ones. And what a great program to be involved in! Have a great week!

Sylvia
ABC Team

kc bob said...

All I can say is WOW Sue! My eyes also watered when I read about Antonio. Thank you so much for going and for sharing.

Hilary said...

Beautiful YOU! Sue, you're a wonderful person for doing what you do. My heart aches for AntOniO and those who surround him. Thank you for helping out where you could.

Best O post ever!

Gigi Ann said...

What a beautiful post, and it is sad to see the sadness in other parts of the world. We can only hope for the best for Antonio.

Lisa said...

What an eye-opening and heart-wrenching experience. What a blessing your group was to them. Some languages are universal. No translation needed.

MadSnapper said...

O is for OH how wonderful..

Beverly said...

Ourstanding. I must say you all are an Organized bunch.

Dear Antonio...I'm sure you did leave a part of you there.

Reader Wil said...

You did an excellent job! This is what I did when I was still a student. I always went to work camps, and in two weeks I'll post an entry about a Quaker workcamp I took part in.You not only helped the local people but you also created friendship among the High School and College students!

Meryl said...

Amazing how powerful smiles can be!

Jane and Chris said...

Fabulous work!
Our church has forged friendships with Mexican migrant workers. We provide a weekly Spanish service, fun get togethers with the congregation etc
Jane x

Carver said...

Outstanding and heart warming post. I'll be sending out good thoughts for Antonio.

Wanda said...

Oh Sue, what an amazing trip. I just love the pictures, and you will have to tell us all about it when we see you in Tahoe.

Tumblewords: said...

That's a lot of food and a lot of love! Wonderful!!

Kate said...

I admire the mission work that you and your group always complete with such joy!!

Hildred said...

A wonderful outreach, - for the people who benefited from your great generosity and for yourselves, too, I'm sure as you fulfilled the work of the Lord.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Oh wonderful!

A Splash of Orange made my ABC this week, come and see. Thank you!

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a lot you got done just in just one week! And the amount of food you cooked and peple you fed is staggering.

Merisi in Vienna (and Venice so near and yet so far!) said...

Sue, thank you for this upliftung story about human goodness! 615 High School and College students, what a joyous testimony to helping fellow human beings in need.

Congratulations on your Post of the Week Award from Hilary! :-)

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

What an incredible story and mission. Antonio has changed your life forever.
Most certainly a haunting event (in a good way). I'm sure your heart will tell you what you need to do next. Whatever that is. Trust your heart.

MaR said...

What a beautiful project! Antonio looks so cute, hope he finds more people like you in his path.

ABC-W : O

Out on the prairie said...

That spainish comes back with usage.I have worked a few trips to Mexico, wish I was there for this one.

Cricket said...

I can't think of a more appropriate way to spend Easter break. Wonderful.

Congratulations on your fine work and your potw.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful compassion!

J.Rylie.C said...

I am getting addicted with this blogging hobby, I get to see beautiful places and learn interesting things. Very nice O you have here..

Mind lOOking at my O entry?, have a nice day!

MaggieGem said...

Awesome post, what a great thing you've done! And Antonio will be touched forever by kindness and generosity!

Congrats on POTW!

Beverley Baird said...

What an awesome trip that must have been! To do so much good and to be able to see the results so quickly! A lovely post!

Dave said...

A nice story Sue. Looks like your cooking team did a great job! - Dave

duopastorale said...

Wow, quite an operation!