Homes of Hope…Epilogue

In my life I have accomplished my fair share of success and have always tried to display compassion for my fellow human beings. Some say I am naive and living in a dream world, but it is my dream world and you are free to leave, when you feel compelled. My life has been a dramatic roll-a-coaster and I have had my peaks and valleys for sure. Getting on the plane to go with Sean and Chris I had no idea what I was getting into or how the trip would effect me. I just knew I was headed for some valuable time with my sons and that can never be a bad thing in my book. It is so rare these days, now that they are grown men, to find time and successive days to spend together. I jumped at the opportunity when Sean inquired if I wanted to go to Rosarito Beach and help build a house.

 

Welcome to My World

Welcome to My World

 

I was not prepared though for the experience and how it would change my life, my outlook on volunteering and the maturity displayed, by my two youngest sons. I have been to Ensenada and Rosarito Beach before, but it was a while back. I was not ready for the mecca of condos and house that had sprung up, not to mention new businesses. It was kind of a cultural overload at first. The massive construction initiatives and a great deal unfinished were everywhere.

 

Chris and Sean

Chris and Sean

 

I have traveled abroad and visited many countries that have issues with housing their population. The worst being the cardboard shanties outside of Kowloon, where immigrants from then Red China, swam the channel and landed on the free shore. It made me sick to my stomach. I was ill equipped for the living conditions we found in Tijuana and had to look away, when I realized in this day and age human beings still lived in squalor just to survive. A very esoteric feeling came over me at our arrival the first day and I was determined to do what I could physically to help this family.

 

Lifting a side wall

Lifting a side wall

 

I have not worked consistently that hard in a very long time and at the end of the first day I fell, literally into the bed. When the alarm went off the second morning I feared I wouldn’t be able to pitch in and complete the house, as my entire body ached and longed for rest. After breakfast and the inspirational talks given at YWAM/Homes of Hope it became much easier and I knew, no matter how I felt, I had to help finish the house. The ceremony after completion and the lunch was tough to go through and it was an emotional and heart wrenching moment.  When I told Reina I was glad she did not have to worry about getting wet any longer from her roof leaking we both started sobbing out of control.

 

The Team at the End of Day One

The Team at the End of Day One

 

We had time to shower and take a look at the beach and grounds, after we finished the house. I took a few photos of the beach and hotel since I wouldn’t have time to actually use the facilities. We then drove to the camp. Dinner was an excellent buffet again and we ate and sat waiting for the next item on the agenda. Dennis called each team up to the front and had each member state to the complete group how we felt about what had transpired over the past two days. Listening to others and especially my two sons, was an awe inspiring epiphany in my life. I could not contain my emotions and balled like a baby trying to get my words out to the group. I had no idea on Friday when we left Austin that this project sponsored by Defender Direct, my son Sean’s employer, would effect me this deeply. I was not composed at all. I grabbed a napkin and wiped away the tears and tried not to embarrass my sons, but this weekend and the project was a life changing phenomenon for me.

 

On the Pier Looking Back at the Hotel

On the Pier Looking Back at the Hotel

 

Horses on the Beach

Horses on the Beach

 

The next morning we grabbed our luggage and took the bus back across the border to San Diego and our flight home. We had about three hours to wait uin the airport and grab lunch, but mostly we just sank in our chairs and tried to rest and in the boys case, lay on the floor and nap. I thought and thought about the circumstances that brought me to this point in my life and felt I had done something good for a change and it wasn’t just write about places and destinations. I had perspired and worn myself out constructing a shelter, that this family would treasure for a long time to come and I met a team of people that wouldn’t let the hard labor, the sun or the lack of energy stop them from helping this family. I will do this again!

 

Three Tuckered Out Young Men... Brad with Chris and Sean laying on the Floor at the Airport

Three Tuckered Out Young Men… Brad with Chris and Sean laying on the Floor at the Airport

 

JOHN LENNON
“Imagine”
A Partial Quote of the Lyrics

 

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

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6 responses to “Homes of Hope…Epilogue”

  1. Jess says:

    This seems like a really great program. And I love how happy you look in that first picture!

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Jess,
      It is a very great program and if you get the opportunity to work with them, by all means go for it! Thanks.
      Mike

  2. This is awesome, Mike! Sounds like it was a powerful experience for you! Makes me want to get my hands dirty again…it’s been a little while!

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Jeremy,
      It was an epiphany and I will do it again. Its been a long time since I got my “hands dirty” doing construction and it felt good. This compounded, with the fact that I worked side by side with my two youngest sons, made it an amazing experience. I recommend it for everyone. It will change your life!
      Mike

  3. What a powerful experience! It is such a fulfilling feeling to know you have impacted another life in a way like building a home. Nice work! I’m hoping we get the chance to do some volunteer work while abroad.

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Dan,
      It was a very “powerful” experience and I still can’t type about it, without getting tears in my eyes. To do this with my sons was the ultimate volunteer work! If you get to volunteer try to do it with someone you love. It will be that much more memorable! Saludos mi amigo!
      Mike

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Amateur Traveler Episode 471 - Travel to Austin, Texas