Agua Prieta Reflection - 2023

By Rita Schacherer

Editor's note: service trip participants were recently interviewed for KNIA/KRLS's "Let's Talk Knoxville." Click here to listen to that interview.

As we drove away from the home we had just built for Nellie and her family in Agua Prieta Mexico, I was tired, a bit stiff and dusty from the work we had done laying the adobe bricks, cleaning the excess mortar, hammering, climbing, cleaning, carrying water to the workers. A block or so from the home we came across another home we had built one year ago and the family members were standing outside to wave in greeting. We stopped for just a minute or two and, somewhat uncharacteristically for me, I was moved to get out of the van and hug that mother we had come to know one year ago. It was as if she was a long lost family member.
The privilege of serving others by building a shelter they can call their own is amazing. Inasmuch as that family had known a year in their own residence, I had known a year of remembering fellowship: the fellowship with my friends from Good Shepherd; the fellowship we had shared with friends of our congregation from Oregon and Arizona; and the fellowship shared with the family that would live in that home. That mother was with us most days during which we built that house. Though we didn’t speak the same language, we shared the joy of windows in the new home that opened and allowed a cooling breeze. We shared enjoyment of her children who wanted to help and sometimes helped more by drawing pictures with me while we all stayed out of the way. A year later that family and the memories are precious to me.
This year we came to know Nellie, a grandmother of two school age kids and mother of an adult daughter. Their family now inhabits the home we built this year. Nellie was present every day during our build. She slept in the shelter of her new home even when it was only a concrete slab, protecting the building materials from theft and the structure from damage. Nellie also dipped and carried bricks, hammered nails, carried materials to those who were building. Though we didn’t speak the same language, we understood enough that we could communicate about the tasks we were doing. She is now also our friend and fellow builder. I hope she gets acquainted with the precious neighbor lady we came to know last year. Both are strong, amazing moms and grandmas.
Our recent Bible study in Gather magazine helped us to think of Home as a Holy place where people are safe and growth is possible. Prayers that both of these homes are Holy Places and that our contributions helped to make it so. The opportunities we have, to learn God’s word, to worship, to serve are amazing preparation for a full life. All are invited to worship, learn, and serve with us at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.