Christmas Rebuilders prepare for Christmas Day departure
By MICHELLE BOSWORTH
Staff writer
Located on the outskirts of Reynosa, Mexico, Primera de Mayo Colonia is a shanty-town housing more than 1,800 residents. They came from South and Central Mexico in search of a better life. They found themselves stranded, destitute, and living in shacks created from an odd assortment of castoffs, such as pallets, tarps, 2x4s, and blankets. They have no running water, no sewer system, and for the most part, no electricity. Women cook over open fires, and children play outside. Cooler temperatures and rain means cold, muddy, drippy, cramped quarters for already stressed families.
For Lillian Bookless, a short-term mission trip to Primero de Mayo Colonia last December, became an eye-opener.
She, her husband, Don and their sons, Michael, Daniel, and Sam, and Lillian's sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Larry Buschman worked in conjunction with Johnny Cox, a missionary who builds homes in the colonia for those who cannot.
They built a storage room that is now part of a church and gave away a trailer-full of needed items. From that trip alone, 500 families were helped in some way. Lillian returned home "fired up."
Now bearing the name Christmas Rebuilders, 26 dedicated souls are poised "to share God's gifts" with the people of Primero de Mayo Colonia from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.
The men will focus on building a home with Johnny Cox. The women and children will be busy working at the "free store," giving away the articles donated to Christmas Rebuilders.
Through creative fund-raising efforts ranging from pink flamingos to elf auctions, this diverse group of people has not only raised money for the mission trip, but they also have forged an amazing spirit of unity amongst themselves. Each person is important to the group, and the group is important to each person.
With Lillian nodding her agreement, Mary Steketee said, "We firmly believe that each person was hand picked for this mission, and each one brings skills, gifts, and abilities that we need".
Community involvement runs along the same vein. Individuals, church groups, members of organizations, high school students, children, and businesses have all pitched in to lend a helping hand with sorting donated items, sewing diapers, assembling health and baby bed kits, becoming an elf for four hours, and donating food. Every token, no matter how large or small, breathes vitality into the mission of Christmas Rebuilders.
Now, only a few weeks away from venturing off to Mexico, feeling a little scared, yet excited, Mary Steketee shared how this whole trip is definitely not within her comfort zone. Aside from the group's goal of giving God's gifts to the poor, she nurtures an individual goal:
"My personal desire is for a window to be opened in our hearts to see what we can do in the world with our lives."
Lillian's eyes sparkle, her face lights up, and she becomes animated as she pulls out pictures and tells of Christmas 2003 (Feliz Navidad 2003) in the colonia. She is indeed a woman "fired up" with a mission
Radiating enthusiasm, they talk about a presentation already being planned for Jan. 9, at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The group is excited about going, but there is still work to be accomplished.
Volunteers are needed to sort and pack donated items at 9 a.m. Dec. 18 at Main Street Apartments. Call 947-3393 to help or volunteer in any way.
Additional donations still are being accepted through Wednesday. Needed items include baby clothes, children's clothes, blankets, plastic pants (for newborns), maternity clothes, Barbie doll clothes, and toys.
The Rebuilders also would like to borrow (or have donated) two quality digital cameras.
An additional 6x16 foot trailer may also be needed.
Financial support is still needed and will be accepted through Dec. 25.
Christmas Rebuilders would like to thank everyone who has helped make this mission trip possible.
