1999 Mexico Mission
Report: The intentions of this trip, as always, is first of all to teach the people of these colonies (villages) the Word of God. To do this, however, we concern ourselves with the natural needs these people have, which, of course, are many. A great man once said, “You can give a man a fish today, and you will have to give him a fish tomorrow. Or, you can teach a man to fish today, and he’ll have fish for the rest of his life.” Bro. Rob made arrangements with the villagers of Acuña to set up a block machine, purchased in the summer of 1999, in the middle of a colony. A cement slab and a protective covering over it allows the people of Acuña to made brick building block for free, with the exception of them donating every 10th block they make to widows and women who are unable to make their own blocks.
1999 Mexico Mission
This is the block machine purchased by the brethren of Christian Temple to help change the living conditions of the people of Ciudad Acuña, Mexico.
1999 Mexico Mission
The block machine in action! The wet mortar is shoveled into the machine and then shaken and shaped to form. It’s very hard work. The day this picture was taken the temperatures were well over 100 degrees.
1999 Mexico Mission
Brand new cement blocks lay in the sun curing.
1999 Mexico Mission
Sister Irene, Sister Nabe and girls from the village help to divide the many pounds of flour, lard, eggs, beans and rice to be given out to the families of Acuña.
1999 Mexico Mission
Brother Andy unloading one of the many 100 lb. bags of beans to be divided and distributed among the people of Acuña.
1999 Mexico Mission
In the same manner that Jesus fed the five thousand with three loaves and two fishes, the few hundred pounds of beans and rice was enough to give each family of the village a sack along with other provisions
1999 Mexico Mission
It’s hard to imagine these living conditions exist only 10 miles from the borders of the United States. These homes are built with cardboard, crates and various sheets of tin metal. Many of these shacks have only blankets for doors, no windows, dirt floors and no running water. The sanitation of the village is appalling.
1999 Mexico Mission
Traveling at their own expense, the families of Christian Temple travel thousands of miles to help pass out the clothing, food and household items. Here Brother Dale Powell is seen helping a man choose some pants and shoes.
1999 Mexico Mission
The candy and excitement of a possible new home have given these children to smile about!
1999 Mexico Mission
Julie holds a new baby doll and a sermon preached by Brother George Pike, translated into Spanish called, “The Life Of Ruth.”
1999 Mexico Mission
Nothing taken across the border of Mexico comes back, not even the boxes. After all the clothing is distributed this man carries a box and several lids home with him as building materials.