"Whatsoever You Do..."

Note:  This is an introductory post regarding our trip.  Please scroll down to see the latest update.

Dear Friends,

Thanks for checking out our web site.

In February of 2012, our family is planning to join another family from our church on a family mission trip to Reynosa, Mexico to build houses.

Imagine living in this house....

... and then being able to move into this house!

For a long time, we've thought about some day taking a mission trip as a family, but it never seemed financially possible.  And it still isn't, unless God blesses and unless we have your support.

We know that these are difficult financial times.  The trip coordinators in Texas, across the border from Reynosa know that too.  They have seen a drop from 30 people a month coming to build houses to 3 families a year.

The family above knows it too.  The facts are plain.  If you make $40,000 a year, you are richer than 96.83% of the world's population.  If you only make $25,000 a year, you are still richer than 90% of the world's population.

Jesus sees our service to "the least of these" as service to him.  We are warned in James to send more than well wishes, but to actually provide for people's needs.

Will you help us?  Will you send us?


We need to raise a minimum of $4,000.  This will cover our travel expenses, our passports, and half of the cost to build a house.  The average house for a family in Reynosa can be built for $3,500.  Can you imagine that?!  If our two families could each pay for an entire house, we could build two while we are there.  That would raise our goal to $5,800.

We would so appreciate your prayers, whether you can give financially or not.

If you are able to give, there is a "donate" button on the right sidebar.  Whatever you are able to give will bring us closer to the goal.  If you prefer to give by check, please comment below with your email and we will respond to you privately.  Your email will not be published.

We would also appreciate if you would forward the link to this site to family and friends who you think might be interested in supporting our work and the people of Reynosa.

We will continue to keep you posted on our progress and plans, and will look forward to sharing all that God will do in us and for others through this trip.


Blessings,
Trophy, Barb, Gabe, Kate, Jake and Noah

Status Update

January 20, 2012


Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful meeting with the two other families who are part of our Reynosa team.  We can't tell you how excited we all are and everyone is eager to see how God will work -- to bountifully bless a family (perhaps even two) and the missionaries who work full-time with these people.

Our trip dates have been set and they are a little later than originally planned, to allow for better weather and to accommodate the mission's schedule.  We will be leaving March 24, arrive at the mission the evening of the 25th, and be there all week (through Friday, I think).

We were told about the woman they built a house for last year.  She had graciously cooked the workers a meal of bean soup, having only three Kool-Aid powder container lids in which to serve.  She was so embarrassed to only be able to serve three workers at a time and then have to wash the lids and spoons to serve three more.  And she assured them that she used bottled water to make the soup.


One of the final things done by the work team is to "kick the family out of the house" and to set it up before the final "unveiling."  The house might be furnished with plastic patio furniture, new mattresses and linens, window coverings, and other items.  This woman was in tears as she was surprised with a shelf full of real plates and cups and bowls.

You can see water containers in the background here.  photo credit: Bruce & Paula Hepburn

And did you know that the citizens of Reynosa have no running water?  The government has supplied them with containers that they come and fill with water, but water is only delivered approximately once a month, or sometimes less.  So Bruce and Paula (the missionaries) deliver water as they are able.

The things we take for granted, that we assume are basic necessities (and almost our "right" to have) are in short supply in Mexico.  Imagine running out of drinkable water.  Imagine not having enough plates to feed even your family of four.


Our children will be going through their toys in anticipation of packing up boxes of extras to give as gifts to the sweet children in Reynosa.  And we'll be bagging up extra towels and blankets and clothing items.  If you have extra clothing, blankets, household items, towels, or anything useful, we would be more than pleased to take these with us to distribute.


God is blessing a family (or two) in Mexico through the donations you are sending.  We are amazed at God's goodness.  We still have quite a way to go and would love to be able to exceed our goal and build two houses or to purchase extra supplies for the warehouse.

Bruce and Paula (Mexico Missions) have updated their blog with a wonderful post last week:  The Yes Gets Blessed.  Wonderful things happen when we say YES.  Will you say YES with us?

Just take some time to go through their blog and see all the wonderful work they are doing.

Please continue to pray.  We are not quite half way to our goal.  Passports have been ordered and we are awaiting their arrival.  (That's a story for another post!)  The missionaries need a check about a month prior to our arrival to purchase building supplies and get the foundation laid before we arrive.

Thank you,
Barb

Passports!!!

God is so faithful and good!  We recently received a single check for $500 which more than meets our shortfall for passports.

So I will be starting the paperwork next week.  We are so excited!

Thank God for the blessing of the Body of Christ!

We had a friend take "mug shots" and I thought I'd share them.  [grin]  Oh, those boys need haircuts!

 Um, don't think we'll use this one!

Update and Passports

Hi friends.

We are quickly nearing the time when we should have our "mug shots" taken and get those applications for passports in the mail.  Since they take 4-6 weeks, I'm hesitant to wait until after Christmas and risk a delay causing problems with our plans.

I have a passport.  Trophy's expired long, long ago.  And all the children (okay, three children and one young adult) need passports.

The estimated cost is $690.  With what we have already, that leaves us with an immediate need of $263.

While I will be sending out letters with our Christmas cards in early December, and I know some of you plan to donate around the holidays, we sure would appreciate if we could raise what is needed a bit earlier so we can go ahead with the passport process.

There are many wonderful updates on the Hepburn's blog about the work they are doing.  When I see the picture of the trailer loaded with supplies, I get excited.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to not only be able to build a house, but to take blankets and food and Bibles and other household items -- to show the people of Reynosa how God not only provides, but provides abundantly and to show the love of the Body of Christ for the world?!

Please consider partnering with us.