Day 4 - Adult Reflections

What an amazingly productive day at the work site! At one point during work day we had a bucket line that was removing dirt from up to 5 different sections of the foundation at once! During lunch, an impromptu dance party we had on the dirt road which included neighbor kids was a tremendous and fun community building experience for all.  I am so proud of the teens and the teamwork, passion, humor, and dedication they have shown for the work we are doing, their care for each other, and the families we are working with. Time to rest up for another strenuous and rewarding day of work  Cinder blocks and cement bucket line here we come! 8)~~~ Ron Sangalang

  Hello on day 5 of our trip. It is about 5 AM on Wednesday. No we don't get your kids up this early, but I almost wish that some of them could. The crickets make their noise all night long start just before sunset. About 4:30 they start giving way to the sounds of the roosters, followed by the sound of the dogs barking as their families start to enter into a new day. The mornings are covered in fog which just adds a little mystery to the people and the place the we are in called LaGloria. Soon a few will rise and join me in out walk to the local bakery which opens at 6AM with some amazing pastries and then we are into another day.
  I can not echo enough what Ron has said above. All of you parents and siblings who have allowed us to share a week with your children should be amazingly proud of very proud. Not just for their work, but for the compassion they are continually showing for each other and the people of Mexico.
  To Mike Bowman and family. We are missing you on our work sites and in our Tijuana family. Know that you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts.
  And to all,  we feel your prayers and know that the work that we are doing could not be accomplished without them. Please to continue praying for us and the the work that we are doing.
  Lastly to my wife Allyse, I thank you again for allowing me to leave you for another week. Know that you are the most important part of my life and I am sure that my experiences here will make me a better person and husband.
  God Bless, Sal
 
I am amazed at how quickly time goes when you are busy.  We have been going going going.  At this point the group is used to the bathroom routines, chores, and working hard.  There is plenty of fun and joy to accompany the hard work.  It took little time for us to feel at home here.  
I am continually inspired by the way that these teens work together and are willing to do what ever is asked.  They have all worked hard at the work site moving buckets and digging and worked hard to process many of the injustices and differences that they are faced with when they look at daily life here in Tijuana.  
Yesterday I was struck by the difference between the US/Canada border and the US/Mexico border.  This week at the northern US border I saw an open park were people were walking and setting up for a wedding.  Yesterday at the southern US border the US side of the border was deserted while the beach was full of families and much construction and beautification was happening south of the 'wall'.  That in combination with the crosses representing those who have died trying to cross the border gave all of us much to think about.  Tonight Eduardo is going to talk to us about his experience with the border and growing up in Tijuana, a perspective that we don't often hear.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Jen