Dear Editor,
Three years ago I signed up for a trip that has impacted my life
in ways I will never forget. The event? St. Mary’s Youth Mission
Trip. The place? Tijuana, Mexico. This year will be the youth
group’s fourth year participating in the Mexico mission, and each
year the number of participants continues to grow.
Dear Editor,
Three years ago I signed up for a trip that has impacted my life in ways I will never forget. The event? St. Mary’s Youth Mission Trip. The place? Tijuana, Mexico. This year will be the youth group’s fourth year participating in the Mexico mission, and each year the number of participants continues to grow. The trip is six days long: two days traveling and four days building homes for the needy families of Tijuana.
Last year more than 70 participants caravanned down to Mexico in minivans. The living conditions for the week are far from luxurious. After a long hard day of work we return to a dirt campsite and shower with a limited two gallons of water per day. While this may sound tough, the feeling left in your heart by far makes up for the living conditions.
I can hardly believe myself when I say that we built four homes last year – in three and a half days. It’s so hard to imagine the way the people of Tijuana live every single day. We often take for granted many things that are luxuries to them. The families told us that we were “true blessings from God.” We were their “ángeles.” The endless gratitude that these families gave us was all that it took to repay for all that we had done.
I know that I’m not the only one that left Mexico with memories of the children. They are the children that have to walk to and from school everyday in the heat. They are the ones that have very few, if any, “nice” clothes. They are the children that touched us the most. It was their continuous smiles, and their eagerness to help that kept us going. Their excitement over the littlest things, such as water paints, really made me appreciate all the things I am fortunate to have.
Beyond being grateful, there were the bonds of strength that were made and the sweat of hard work. The tears of gratitude were all priceless. I helped change someone’s life and although I may not think of the families every day, I know that they will never forget us. We changed their lives greatly, but I don’t think they know how greatly they impacted mine.
This trip would not be possible without lots and lots of fundraising! Each year the Mexico mission participants have an adult dinner dance and all proceeds go to supporting the cost of the trip. I have worked at the event several times and have gotten such positive feedback. The theme is a Mexican Fiesta and this year there will be homemade carnitas and enchiladas, raffle prizes, a live DJ, flavored margaritas and a guaranteed good time for a small donation of $25 per person. Every cent made helps send our group to Mexico to help needy families and we need all the support we can get.
Please reserve Feb. 26 on your calendars to attend this exciting event at Cullen Hall (St. Mary Gym) from 6pm to midnight. Contact: Clorete Almeida 848-6034 with questions and to purchase tickets. We all look forward to seeing you there!
Stephanie Eliason, Gilroy
