I was with a mission group on the American side of the border and was speaking with an 18-year old mother about her children. She has three; the youngest is one-month old. Perhaps she answered a little too quickly when I inquired about the health of the children. Perhaps there was some body language that made me suspicious that she was not being truthful. Often, when we are helping people, they are reluctant to ask for more help. In any case, I did not believe her when she said that the children were all doing well.
I repeated the question and she repeated her answer, “The children are all in good health.”
I tried another approach and asked, “When was the last time the baby saw a doctor? Let’s see – he is one month old . . .” That did the trick. She broke eye contact, glanced at the ground and said, “Well, he has diarrhea and is not eating very well. But I took him to the doctor and the doctor sent me home. He would not see the baby because I have no insurance.”
Further conversation revealed that there has been three days diarrhea and very little eating. When I examined the baby, he looked healthy and had a good loud cry. Babies cry. However, after several minutes of watching this baby cry I realized that the baby formed no tears. These were classic causes and signs of dehydration.
The hospital admitted the little guy for severe dehydration caused by a viral infection The doctor began intravenous drips and treatment for the virus. All is fine. The baby and mom (and dad) all spent the night at the hospital and the infant was released 24-hours later.
Long-ago I stopped questioning why we are at a certain place at a certain time. I have not been in a U.S. colonia since 2001, and yet I explored this one with a mission group. I continue to be amazed that God uses somebody as unworthy as me. I wonder what could be accomplished if He used a good person, with language skills, building skills or even medical skills. But I will not spend much time wondering about His choices. I will reflect on the needs in the colonias, not only in Mexico, but also in the U.S.
Tomorrow – back to Acuña.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Armed and Dangerous
Just when I thought I had seen the worst of poorly prepared mission trips, I was invited to a meeting of a church school that organized a mission trip to Eagle Pass, Texas.
Two Catholic Schools in Houston will have children from the 7th through 12th grades travel to Eagle Pass and repair homes damaged in a hail-storm. The teens will also run a Vacation Bible School for the poor. No training or preparation was offered prior to the mission trip. No workshop is offered to explain the spirit of mission or the purpose of mission. No workshop is offered to provide the students with the agenda. In fact, the agenda is not really solid and the one of the adult organizers said that everyone will see the plan as it happens.
One assertive member of the organizing team owns a security company and will provide several guards free of charge. All will be in plain clothes and 'some will be armed and ready' according to the owner of the company. He went on to explain that they will bring a 'crash vehicle' that will crash into any vehicle trying to harm the teens. He also provided some information about his credentials. He has 'some experience' in a small sheriff's office and training in protection. He is licensed by Texas (as are all rent-a-cops in Texas). He recently protected a woman visiting Houston that is listed as a target by Muslim terrorists. He told us that the armed men will not brandish their weapons, which is a good thing. Brandishing a firearm is not only in bad taste but it is also a crime in Texas.
When a few of the students that will participate in the trip arrived at the meeting, the security officer advised them that, "If something goes down, look for me and my men. We will all wear the same type of ball cap. Also, we will turn on our Kel-Lites if something goes down. Just go towards the light."
For those that do not know (like the students) a Kel-Light is a brand of flashlight that is popular in law-enforcement. The fact that this security officer could not bring himself to say 'flashlight' spoke volumes.
As I started to recover from the shock of an armed teen mission trip to a town that only experienced 4-robberies during an entire year, I was jolted again. The pastor of the church approved of the inclusion of guns on a mission trip for teens.
Two Catholic Schools in Houston will have children from the 7th through 12th grades travel to Eagle Pass and repair homes damaged in a hail-storm. The teens will also run a Vacation Bible School for the poor. No training or preparation was offered prior to the mission trip. No workshop is offered to explain the spirit of mission or the purpose of mission. No workshop is offered to provide the students with the agenda. In fact, the agenda is not really solid and the one of the adult organizers said that everyone will see the plan as it happens.
One assertive member of the organizing team owns a security company and will provide several guards free of charge. All will be in plain clothes and 'some will be armed and ready' according to the owner of the company. He went on to explain that they will bring a 'crash vehicle' that will crash into any vehicle trying to harm the teens. He also provided some information about his credentials. He has 'some experience' in a small sheriff's office and training in protection. He is licensed by Texas (as are all rent-a-cops in Texas). He recently protected a woman visiting Houston that is listed as a target by Muslim terrorists. He told us that the armed men will not brandish their weapons, which is a good thing. Brandishing a firearm is not only in bad taste but it is also a crime in Texas.
When a few of the students that will participate in the trip arrived at the meeting, the security officer advised them that, "If something goes down, look for me and my men. We will all wear the same type of ball cap. Also, we will turn on our Kel-Lites if something goes down. Just go towards the light."
For those that do not know (like the students) a Kel-Light is a brand of flashlight that is popular in law-enforcement. The fact that this security officer could not bring himself to say 'flashlight' spoke volumes.
As I started to recover from the shock of an armed teen mission trip to a town that only experienced 4-robberies during an entire year, I was jolted again. The pastor of the church approved of the inclusion of guns on a mission trip for teens.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Mission Trips Not Available at this time due to situation in Acuna
May 2010
Three drug cartels and the Mexican Army are locked in a struggle for control of Northern Mexico and the violence struck in Acuna. Arson and one assassination has been confirmed and rumors of clashes are everywhere. It is strongly believed that the cartels and the army are rushing more men to Acuna and more violence is expected.
Paper Houses will not bring people into the colonias at this time. However, we will continue to walk the streets of the poor and help everywhere we are led.
Bob
Three drug cartels and the Mexican Army are locked in a struggle for control of Northern Mexico and the violence struck in Acuna. Arson and one assassination has been confirmed and rumors of clashes are everywhere. It is strongly believed that the cartels and the army are rushing more men to Acuna and more violence is expected.
Paper Houses will not bring people into the colonias at this time. However, we will continue to walk the streets of the poor and help everywhere we are led.
Bob
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Life is Still a Struggle and We Are Still There
The people in the colonias need our help, even if we are cannot go to them in person. As churches and groups with a long history of bringing help directly to the poor in Acuna stop their trips because of potential danger, they should not simply abandon these people and go to places where they feel there is more safety. Many have established friendships and relationships with the poor. We cannot abandon them in this distressing time.
The economy, news stories about border violence, the end of tourism, and the curtailment of mission trips clearly increased the need for help. Please support any reputable organization, like Paper Houses, that is operating in Acuna.
We will be walking these streets and delivering food, clothing, building material and remain present with these people. We continue to pay for shelters, medical care, school meals and a host of other things.
The economy, news stories about border violence, the end of tourism, and the curtailment of mission trips clearly increased the need for help. Please support any reputable organization, like Paper Houses, that is operating in Acuna.
We will be walking these streets and delivering food, clothing, building material and remain present with these people. We continue to pay for shelters, medical care, school meals and a host of other things.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Violence Causes More Mission Trip Concerns
Stories of interest on line today:
• Cartel Gangs form Alliance against Zeta
• Kidnapped Mexican journalist found with throat slit
• Mexicans plan smaller meetings for climate summit
• U.S. consulate hit by blast in Nuevo Laredo
MEXICO CITY — Three Mexican drug cartels have joined forces to destroy a ruthless gang of hit men that has grown into a feared trafficking outfit with reach into Central America, Mexican and U.S. officials said Monday.
The shift in allegiances is fueling bloody battles along the Texas border.
Intelligence reports indicate the Gulf cartel has recruited its former rival, La Familia, to crush the Zetas gang in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, said Ramon Pequeno, the head of the anti-narcotics division of Mexico's federal police.
An official with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said the Sinaloa cartel, Mexico's most powerful drug trafficking organization, has also joined the alliance against the Zetas, whose rise to power has come to threaten all three of the cartels.
How do we react?
Obviously, there are many people with second thoughts about mission trips on the Mexican Border. At this time, we have no public trips scheduled, but hope to add trips soon. These type of stories always translate into more need for the poor. Fewer church groups and charities will visit the colonias and this is completely understandable. However, the need is still there and charities must find ways to still help the hungry.
We continue to be in Acuña, almost every day. Two of our board members live in Del Rio, Texas and work in Acuña. Both have many family members living in Acuña and they have a good feel for what is happening. I will continue to visit every two or three weeks. The trouble is that nobody is sure what will happen. So far there has been no violence in Acuña, but the Zeta cartel is clearly the only cartel in Acuña.
I read these stories this morning and made a quick trip to Nuevo Laredo. Things are eerily quiet. Nobody will even talk about the explosion at the U.S. Consulate and family members are leaving the consulate and returning to the United States.
There was no difficulty in crossing into Nuevo Laredo. I seemed to be the only tourist in town and was certainly the only American shopping at the grocery store. I filled my SUV with everything I could think of for the shelters and people I would visit. Although most of the poor are living in concrete block houses, they are still in great need and the houses are small and in need of repair. Because of our inability to establish a regular presence in this city, our help is limited to simply giving people food, over the counter medicine, clothing and the knowledge that the charities in America are not abandoning them.
My drive was a little unnerving when I came upon a new check-point. I honestly do not know if these were soldiers or cartel. However, I've had experiences with both groups and simply explained that I had dispensa for a casa hogar. There was no problem.. Although I have magnetic signs on the SUV (Paper Houses Across the Border), later I was stopped by several police vehicles, but they were simply doing their job. I am in a black SUV, which is typical of the type of vehicle used by the drug gangs. They searched my SUV and then waived me on. (We must remember that most of the guns in this country originate from illegal shipments from the U.S., so searching my vehicle is reasonable).
I stopped at some homes and at two shelters. There were no problems. Everyone was both surprised and glad to see an American delivering some needed food.
Tomorrow I will go to another border town and make sure the people know they are not forgotten.
Some New Approaches to Charity in the Colonia would be a Good Thing!
Although we know that the greatest benefit of mission in the colonias is what it does for the Americans participating in the journey, perhaps some church groups and charities can temporarily shift their purpose to doing the most they can for the poor in the colonias.
I recently read about a church group that build three houses for poor people living in cardboard shacks in Acuña. Naturally, I am happy for the people that received the houses and it was a true blessing. I am certain it was a huge blessing for the youth and youth leaders that sacrificed their time and money to raise the money, travel to Acuña, and build the houses. This group was not from a border state, so airfare or a long drive was certainly involved.
The group's web-posting stated that the total cost of the trip that resulted in the students evangelizing, sharing time with the poor, and demonstrating their love by building the three houses was $45,000. The trip was a wonderful experience for the youth and a very positive experience for the poor of the colonias.
However, if church groups cease making these trips temporarily, they should still hold their year round fund-raisers and send $45,000 to a trusted church group in Acuña. There is one group that builds homes for the poor at a cost of $5,000 per home. That group could build nine homes, instead of three and would use local volunteers and labor.
The H.E.B. Acuña Food Bank is another charity that can use support. Think of the families that can be helped with $45,000 worth of food.
Please no not misinterpret what I am suggesting. The value of people actually walking the streets and working with the people in the colonias is beyond measure. However, if you are part of a group that no longer can travel on a mission trip to the colonias, consider the impact of simply having your trip elsewhere. If you have a history of helping in the colonias, don't break faith with the people you've helped. Today, and in the days to come they are going to need your help more than ever before.
I will be in Acuña within the next few days and continue to make my journeys. I am too selfish to stop going. This next trip will be especially rewarding because I am going to spend two day meeting children with medical needs.
• Cartel Gangs form Alliance against Zeta
• Kidnapped Mexican journalist found with throat slit
• Mexicans plan smaller meetings for climate summit
• U.S. consulate hit by blast in Nuevo Laredo
MEXICO CITY — Three Mexican drug cartels have joined forces to destroy a ruthless gang of hit men that has grown into a feared trafficking outfit with reach into Central America, Mexican and U.S. officials said Monday.
The shift in allegiances is fueling bloody battles along the Texas border.
Intelligence reports indicate the Gulf cartel has recruited its former rival, La Familia, to crush the Zetas gang in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, said Ramon Pequeno, the head of the anti-narcotics division of Mexico's federal police.
An official with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said the Sinaloa cartel, Mexico's most powerful drug trafficking organization, has also joined the alliance against the Zetas, whose rise to power has come to threaten all three of the cartels.
How do we react?
Obviously, there are many people with second thoughts about mission trips on the Mexican Border. At this time, we have no public trips scheduled, but hope to add trips soon. These type of stories always translate into more need for the poor. Fewer church groups and charities will visit the colonias and this is completely understandable. However, the need is still there and charities must find ways to still help the hungry.
We continue to be in Acuña, almost every day. Two of our board members live in Del Rio, Texas and work in Acuña. Both have many family members living in Acuña and they have a good feel for what is happening. I will continue to visit every two or three weeks. The trouble is that nobody is sure what will happen. So far there has been no violence in Acuña, but the Zeta cartel is clearly the only cartel in Acuña.
I read these stories this morning and made a quick trip to Nuevo Laredo. Things are eerily quiet. Nobody will even talk about the explosion at the U.S. Consulate and family members are leaving the consulate and returning to the United States.
There was no difficulty in crossing into Nuevo Laredo. I seemed to be the only tourist in town and was certainly the only American shopping at the grocery store. I filled my SUV with everything I could think of for the shelters and people I would visit. Although most of the poor are living in concrete block houses, they are still in great need and the houses are small and in need of repair. Because of our inability to establish a regular presence in this city, our help is limited to simply giving people food, over the counter medicine, clothing and the knowledge that the charities in America are not abandoning them.
My drive was a little unnerving when I came upon a new check-point. I honestly do not know if these were soldiers or cartel. However, I've had experiences with both groups and simply explained that I had dispensa for a casa hogar. There was no problem.. Although I have magnetic signs on the SUV (Paper Houses Across the Border), later I was stopped by several police vehicles, but they were simply doing their job. I am in a black SUV, which is typical of the type of vehicle used by the drug gangs. They searched my SUV and then waived me on. (We must remember that most of the guns in this country originate from illegal shipments from the U.S., so searching my vehicle is reasonable).
I stopped at some homes and at two shelters. There were no problems. Everyone was both surprised and glad to see an American delivering some needed food.
Tomorrow I will go to another border town and make sure the people know they are not forgotten.
Some New Approaches to Charity in the Colonia would be a Good Thing!
Although we know that the greatest benefit of mission in the colonias is what it does for the Americans participating in the journey, perhaps some church groups and charities can temporarily shift their purpose to doing the most they can for the poor in the colonias.
I recently read about a church group that build three houses for poor people living in cardboard shacks in Acuña. Naturally, I am happy for the people that received the houses and it was a true blessing. I am certain it was a huge blessing for the youth and youth leaders that sacrificed their time and money to raise the money, travel to Acuña, and build the houses. This group was not from a border state, so airfare or a long drive was certainly involved.
The group's web-posting stated that the total cost of the trip that resulted in the students evangelizing, sharing time with the poor, and demonstrating their love by building the three houses was $45,000. The trip was a wonderful experience for the youth and a very positive experience for the poor of the colonias.
However, if church groups cease making these trips temporarily, they should still hold their year round fund-raisers and send $45,000 to a trusted church group in Acuña. There is one group that builds homes for the poor at a cost of $5,000 per home. That group could build nine homes, instead of three and would use local volunteers and labor.
The H.E.B. Acuña Food Bank is another charity that can use support. Think of the families that can be helped with $45,000 worth of food.
Please no not misinterpret what I am suggesting. The value of people actually walking the streets and working with the people in the colonias is beyond measure. However, if you are part of a group that no longer can travel on a mission trip to the colonias, consider the impact of simply having your trip elsewhere. If you have a history of helping in the colonias, don't break faith with the people you've helped. Today, and in the days to come they are going to need your help more than ever before.
I will be in Acuña within the next few days and continue to make my journeys. I am too selfish to stop going. This next trip will be especially rewarding because I am going to spend two day meeting children with medical needs.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Hello From Bob
Drug violence in Mexico border-towns, Americans in danger, drug cartels illegal immigrants and drugs all make for dramatic headlines. We are in Acuna, Mexico every week and on this Blog we will talk about these issues and what we actually see and hear.
We provide mission trips (at costs - no profit) and we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working in Mexico's colonias near the Texas border. We walk the streets and talk with everyone we meet as we provide shelter for children, free meals at elementary schools, medical care, and food to the working poor. We assist with educational needs, eye glasses, clothing and building material and try to do so in ways that allow these hard-working people to help themselves. These are the people staying in Mexico and trying to build their dream in their own country.
We need your input, advice and frank conversation.
Bob
We provide mission trips (at costs - no profit) and we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working in Mexico's colonias near the Texas border. We walk the streets and talk with everyone we meet as we provide shelter for children, free meals at elementary schools, medical care, and food to the working poor. We assist with educational needs, eye glasses, clothing and building material and try to do so in ways that allow these hard-working people to help themselves. These are the people staying in Mexico and trying to build their dream in their own country.
We need your input, advice and frank conversation.
Bob
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