Mexico Mission - El Mesias Methodist Church - Calpulalpan

It is September and many weeks have passed since the members of the Mexico mission team have returned from their trip, but the memories are still fresh in our minds. We have received emails and pictures from the church members explaining and showing us the work they are continuing. The church is being built and their 25year + prayer is becoming a reality. Now, to share the details of our trip with all of you.

This past summer, Frank Kendrick, Ginna Ollis, Ginger Ollis, John Taylor, Diane Cardone, Pam Speas, Sudie Love, Lewis Hobgood, Carl Evans, Walter Bowers and Lee McDonald traveled to Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala, Mexico to begin construction of the sanctuary for a small Methodist community - El Mesias Methodist Church. This community had been praying and hoping for a building for over 25 years. Members from 4 United Methodist churches in the Columbia area were the first of 4 teams from South Carolina that traveled to Mexico to begin this church.

The May team, as we referred to ourselves, had the task of digging the foundation holes, constructing forms from rebar to be placed at the bottom of these holes, and constructing columns. When we arrived, we were pleased to see the church members had dug the majority of the foundation holes. By the time we left, there were 10 columns standing and forms in all 20 foundation holes - the foundation was becoming a reality. We were supervised by Mario and Rodolfo who were more than patient with each of us and by the end of the week, we had added some essential Spanish words necessary for construction - not there, over here, wait - to name a few.

One highlight of the trip was celebrating John Taylor's birthday Mexican style!

The members of the team would like to thank their churches for the prayers and support we were given. It takes a church to send a mission team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Frank Kendrick for stepping in as my co-team leader after Walter Bowers was forced to return to the U.S. the day after we arrived because of health reasons. We were and are still grateful to Frank. This summer the building continues! Seven teams from South Carolina will be traveling to Mexico to work on this project.

In a recent email from Mexico, the Pastor's daughter wrote to share their excitement over the upcoming summer and also to share the news that their congregation was collecting offerings for the building project and a regular offering each week. The church members are participating in work days once a month after church. This news, these people are two of the reasons UMVIM folks travel to foreign missions - we are touched by the goodness and dedication of those we meet.

Lee McDonald, UMVIM SC