Penasco Part 3

I'm currently on my third trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico, after my time in San Carlos. This week is proving to be yet another one that gets me out of my comfort zone, but teaches me a lot. Despite challenges, I am yet again being affirmed that I am in the right place in my life right now.

For those of you that are wondering about the Meza family, Juanita is still carrying the baby and her surgery has been moved back to later this month. Keep them in your prayers!

I am getting increasingly excited about my fast approaching trip back to the east coast. It looks like it will be a whirlwind of a two weeks, with stops in Hershey, PA, Warrenton, VA, Blacksburg, VA, Richmond, VA, Charlottesville, VA and maybe a couple other spots if I can stop my head from spinning. I'll be out from November 18-December 4, so please get in touch if you are in or near any of the afforementioned towns. I miss so many friends and family and I know there is no way I will be able to see them all, but I am hoping to maximize my time and opportunity to visit with people as much as possible.

One big thing that will be happening while I'm in the midatlantic will be a baptism. Mine! My parents will be baptising me in the Rappahannock River outside of Warrenton on November 21, in the afternoon. I know I will probably go into hypothermia but am so excited for this opportunity. I want to go ahead and thank my parents ahead of time for entering hypothermia with me, along with everyone that is helping to make this happen while I am busy in Mexico. If you will be anywhere near Warrenton on this date, please come out. I would love to see you there.

Thanks again for tuning in, I hope to have a post with a little more substance up in the next week.

Adelante!

-Clint

San Carlos

I've been in the field here and there recently, but it's been awhile since I was on a nice, long stretch. There's something different about being out for a couple of weeks as opposed to a couple days. You have to mentally prepare yourself and get into a different mode. When I go into Mexico for a couple of days, it really just feels sort of like a trip to the office. It's those long trips that truly make me feel like an Amor field specialist. For this reason, I have been extremely excited leading up to the trip I am currently on. Last Monday, I drove out to Globe, AZ, our home base when we are building homes in San Carlos. Tomorrow, I will be driving from here to Puerto Penasco, where I will remain until the 16th. Getting out here has been extremely refreshing, but has also taken me out of my comfort zone.

We're not in Kansas Anymore

About the only things that are the same here as when I build in Mexico are that I help build a house and I wear a blue shirt. The culture, style of home and relationship that I have with my groups have been radically different during this trip. I am always interested in adventure and doing something new, but it has been frustrating at times to have my normal routines interrupted. Perhaps the most trying part of a situation like this is trying to be as effective in our ministry as possible. When I struggle to figure out what I am doing, it makes it difficult to serve my groups to the best of my ability. In addition, my understanding of the Apache culture doesn't come near my understanding of the Mexican culture, which makes it hard to facilitate the cross cultural bonding I love to see on these trips.

There have been some awesome highlights during my time in San Carlos. First, it is absolutely beautiful here. Pine covered mountains loom over the desert landscape. Our camp has a small ridge directly above it which is perfect for observing the sunset here.

(I know it's unfair that this is how my work day ends.)

Next, we had a great group of guys out here this week. Altogether we had seven Amor staff and the men on this trip nearly all have a few years on me. It was an excellent time for me to learn from others' experience and maturity both in my work life and my personal life. Despite it's challenges, it has also been very interesting to be part of a different type of house build. The homes that we build in Mexico are very basic two room shelters. The homes we are building in San Carlos feature two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. We are even plumbing and running electricity in them. It's pretty impressive to see the scope of these projects. Finally, I have gotten an opportunity to at least be introduced to the Apache culture. It seems the Apaches are more reserved, but they are very warm nonetheless. I also had the opportunity to try some of the local cuisine, including frybread and Apache burgers.

(The Maize family prepares Apache frybread for us. It is exactly as it sounds. Fried bread. Delicious.)

(This is an Apache Burger. Two patties with all the fixins wrapped in frybread. I know that sounds like a lot to handle, but the most disconcerting thing about it was it's blurriness. I have a feeling I will revisit Apache Burgers in another post.)

Despite some awesome things that I have learned about the culture, life is extremely difficult on The Rez (This is how many refer to the San Carlos Reservation). Unemployment is hovering in the 75-77% range. Alcohol and drug abuse run rampant. Teenage pregnancy also seems to be extremely high. These facts are really just the beginning of the problems on The Rez. There have been a lot of things rolling through my mind as a result of my exposure to the area. My understanding of the history of the west and all it's repercussions is certainly lacking, but I can't help but get uneasy when I consider that past U.S. policy has helped contribute to some of the destructive patterns on The Rez. It's hard for me to understand it all, but I can come to one solid conclusion: There is a desperate need here and I am glad that Amor has come here to help serve it. I am extremely thankful that I have gotten to be a part of this effort. I am looking forward to coming back in the future so that I may become more intimate with the projects and problems here and better serve my brothers and sisters here.

(An example of an Amor home in San Carlos.)

Adelante!

-Clint

November

I saw this sign affixed to a fence surrounding a school or community center in a local neighborhood. I love how simple and straightforward it is. The thing that strikes me is that there is an action word in this definition of community. Simply existing around each other does not constitute a true community. Interacting with and caring for those around you indicates real community. I am blessed to have found an awesome community to be a part of here. I hope to share some more detailed thoughts on community with you in the not too distant future.

Life has gotten away from me lately. As a result, so has this blog. Right now I am getting ready to leave San Diego for pretty much all of November. Essentially, I will be doing field work with Amor for the first two weeks and then I will be visiting home for the second two. This is going to be an incredibly exciting time as we will be very busy in the field and it will feel much like our summer months. In addition, I will get to FINALLY visit home and catch back up with family and friends. I am excited to chronicle my experiences this month, but know I will be strapped for time and internet access much of the time. Stay tuned and see how it goes. Right now, I gotta finish getting ready.

Adelante!

-Clint

Disparities

Some weeks in the field I learn and see more than others. Last week in Puerto Penasco was certainly an example of one of those weeks. The group and family that I worked with were both incredible. I got to know some of my Amor friends and coworkers better. I got the tiniest bit more proficient at Spanish. And the desert sunrises and sunsets were incredible. It's hard to remember and keep track of everything that went through my head and heart during the week, but I have at least one more solid lesson to share following it.

Resort Town?

Many of the people for whom we build homes in Penasco are amongst the poorest we serve. As I mentioned in my previous post, the Flores Meza family's income was just $56 a week. Part of what makes this so unbelievable is what Penasco and neighboring Las Conchas have become to American visitors. Because of the beautiful desert, dunes and ocean, this area has become a very popular vacation spot for Americans. It's convenience is a big part of it's popularity, as it sits just over an hour from the border and within several hours of Phoenix. Over the last 20 years, luxury resorts and condos have sprung up in parts of Penasco (Rocky Point to many Americans) and Las Conchas. Whenever I travel highway 8, the main pipeline in and out of Penasco, I am struck by the fact that I lead missionaries with shovels and tools in their vehicles as we are surrounded RV's carrying 4-wheelers and other toys.

In truth, many of the people who visit Penasco on vacation have no idea just how bad things are in the areas that they don't frequent. I observed the shock on the faces of people who have vacationed in the area and never knew the extent of the poverty around them. Despite the fact that ignorance is bliss, I have found myself frustrated and in judgment of the people who visit Penasco for extravagant fun while such dire need exists there. The disparity between Americans with money to spare and the homeless Mexicans within miles has been too much for me to stand at moments.

Personal Reflection

Whenever I find myself in a position casting judgment on others, I try to take a step back for a more objective point of view. One of my favorite things to do is think about Jesus when a mob brought an adulteress to him and demanded that she be stoned. In this story, Jesus bends down to write something on the ground while everyone waits for his response. What he wrote is not revealed in scripture. It is my thought that the reason we don't find out what Jesus wrote is because it is irrelevant to the reaction of the crowd. What is relevant is that he gave them time. Time to consider the hypocrisy of their outrage and demands.

I gave myself a few moments of pause this week to reflect on the way I have judged those that don't understand or help what is going on in Penasco. I immediately looked to my living situation. Two things struck me. My lifestyle is not as comfortable as it once was, but globally speaking, I am living high on the hog. I eat well everyday, have far more clothes than I need, have far more bikes than I need and drive a car that is way beyond my needs. All this while I live 20 miles from Tijuana, a place where people often struggle to get a roof over their head and clean water to drink. If I look even closer, I live in an extremely diverse and impoverished area of San Diego. My apartment is on the border of City Heights and according to geographic information collected in 2005, the median household income was $19,393. The average household at that time consisted of five family members. That's just $3,879 a year for each person to survive on.

As I look at everything that Americans are missing as they pass through Penasco everyday, I also have to consider all of the needs as I am a passerby in my own neighborhood. Life is complicated and full of distractions, some worth pursuing and others not. Our lives and perception of our own needs certainly get in the way of helping those around us. As Jesus calmly draws in the sand and waits for me, I need to look inside, take stock and come to a better understanding of my true needs. Excising some of the wants that I believe to be necessities in my life can certainly put me in position to better serve those around me. I know that this will be a process and I know that I'm not ready to give up many of the things I should. Despite how daunting and discouraging striving toward these goals can be, I know where I can start.

I am going to put down my stone.

Adelante!

-Clint

Giving More

This past week, I traveled to Puerto Penasco, Mexico to meet a group from Arizona and build a house for another needy family. I arrived a day before the group and took some time to preview the site where we would be building. Upon my visit, I discovered a very friendly family eagerly awaiting a home. The Flores Meza family consisted of Oscar, his pregnant wife Juanita and their three beautiful daughters. They immediately struck me as loving and welcoming. It was great to learn that we would be building for such wonderful people over the coming days.

The next day, I got to meet the group I would be assisting with the construction of the new home. I brought them over the Arizona border with the help of a close Mexican Amor friend, Jorge, and they accompanied me south to Penasco. The group spanned from three middle school aged boys up to adults, including the pastor of their church and his wife, a youth leader. The group was very excited to work with us, as they had missed their yearly trip in 2009 and it was their first time in Penasco. It was great to have such an enthusiastic crew for the week. Starting from the first day, their commitment to the family was apparent. We were up at sunrise (a little earlier than I am used to, to be sure) the next day and quickly at work. This would start a pattern for the rest of the week, affording me the incredible opportunity to see the desert sunrise and sunset nearly every day. While the group did a wonderful job of being extremely productive, they were also very interactive with the family and surrounding community. Neighbors came to help with the build and the group welcomed them and put them to work. Watching the cross cultural bonding and cooperation was incredible.

(The sun sets in the desert. Incredible. I wish you could have been there.)

I learned an important lesson as help came from throughout the neighborhood. I was working on installing a door in the home when a young boy named Jesus started shadowing me. Jesus had been around the site helping with various tasks, but I knew that installing a door might be a little complicated for a boy his age. My initial impulse was to politely point him in another direction so that I could focus on my work. Fortunately, I resisted this temptation. Instead, I did my best to teach him to install some hinges through actions and gestures (My Spanish is atrocious). This was when Jesus started to teach me a lesson. This was not a boy who simply wanted some action without concern for the quality of his work. As I let him take on more and more responsibility, he diligently copied everything I showed him, even including some of my unnecessary idiosyncracies. This also gave me an opportunity to step away and share some of my story with the pastor I was working with. I also came to realize one more thing. I will meet a lot of boys much like Jesus during my tenure with Amor. Such an incredible experience has become day to day for me. His experience, on the other hand, was likely once or twice in a lifetime. The example our group set will cause many ripples in the life of Jesus and others. I'm thankful God took those tools out of my hand and placed them in those of Jesus.

An event that I would consider a miracle happened this past week as well. One of the leaders of our group was nearly fluent in Spanish and was able to communicate very well with the family to find out more about them. She eventually engaged Juanita in a conversation about her pregnancy. It turns out that she is about eight months pregnant, but is having some complications. The baby is currently sitting breach with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. For this reason, her doctors wanted to perform a c-section this week rather than risk a natural birth. The problem with this is that a c-section will cost the family about $800, which has to be paid up front. The Meza family not only does not have $800, they only make about $56 a week. My group found it impossible to walk away from this need and wanted to help. We contacted the church that is providing the Mezas with their new home and the pastor came out to meet with the family and group to verify all that was going on. In the end, the group visited various atm's throughout the town, in order to pull together over $1,100. They donated the money to the church so that the church may take care of the Mezas medical expenses and some incidental baby costs. I was blown away. This group accomplished two unbelievable feats. First, they helped provide for a desperate need. Second, they empowered the local church to assist this family, which is exactly what Amor strives to do in its ministry. They also ended up working for this family through a series of circumstances that they considered unfortunate. In the end, we were all glad for these circumstances, as they put this particular group with a big collective heart in the position to help this very serious need.

This miracle is not complete yet. Juanita will have her surgery this week and it is in the hands of God and her doctors to bring mother and baby through healthy. The truth is, we're not even sure that everything is okay with the baby now, we simply know she has a strong heartbeat. It is one of my deepest desires right now that I will be able to visit the Mezas again and find them healthy and happy in their new home. Please be a part of this miracle in action and pray that mother and baby will come through healthy. Thank you.

(Everyone stands proudly in front of the completed home. Oscar and beautiful, pregnant Juanita are in the first row on the right.)

Adelante!

-Clint

Living The Dream

( The view from my mexican "office," the cab of my well used and loved Toyota Tacoma, on a beautiful morning.)

Over the summer, I had a really meaningful exchange with a new friend that I made on a trip. Isaiah was one of three adult leaders with a youth group. At home, he is a graphic designer who runs his own business. He shared with me his experience working for a large design firm. While he enjoyed the nature of his work, he sometimes felt frustrated with the way business was done. After downsizing resulted in him being laid off, he started his own business. He commented that it was challenging at times, but he loved his job and what he did on his own. Running a business and doing what he loved was a true gift to him. He even managed to work his faith into the design of some products. As I listened, I was really happy for Isaiah, but my happiness quickly gave way to jealousy. Why does it always seem like somebody has a better deal? Why is it so hard for me to find my niche? I started to respond with, "Wow, it must be nice . . ." but then I caught myself.

A Conditioned Response

The truth is, the sentence I began but had the good sense not to finish was a programmed response. Since the beginning of my professional career, I don't think I was ever really happy with it. My experience was quite the opposite of Isaiah's. I really enjoyed my employers and appreciated the kind of people I worked around, but I just didn't care for the work. I became an accountant through a series of indecisions and although I was often assured I was good at my job, I never really enjoyed doing it. I struggled to keep my attention on the work and often questioned whether it challenged me in the ways I desired to be challenged. Over time, I always tried to give my best, but I just had a hard time finding joy in what I was doing. Although I had the skill set, it felt as if my personality and desires did not work with what I was doing, leaving me feeling as if I was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I made a great living and worked for wonderful people, but always found myself jealous of those around me. Whether someone I knew had a higher salary, a more fun working environment, or a more interesting job, I often found myself saying, "Wow, it must be nice to be doing what you want to do."

It Is Nice

As it turns out, it is nice. I have come to realize that I am doing exactly what I want to do right now. And more importantly, I am doing what I believe God wants me to do. It is really awesome to feel like your talents and passions are being utilized in your job. The interesting thing is that it's still not perfect. I consistently find difficulties and challenges that I sometimes do not want to deal with. Such events are different now than they were before. Rather than becoming a big source of discouragement or something that I lose sleep over, they are just part of my day. It's amazing how things change when you can find deep value and contentment with how you spend your time. The highs of my days are obviously great because they are the highs, but even the lows can be enjoyable. Sometimes it feels great to sacrifice for a cause to which I prescribe.

Several days ago, I was hanging around our apartment with Drew and he asked me how I was doing. It first crossed my mind to respond with the typical, "fine." After that, I gave it a little more thought. I told Drew that no matter what happened before or what happened in the future, I was happy with where my life was. No matter where I am led and how I feel about anything that happens in the future, I can be proud of what's happening now. Despite all of the crazy experiences and strange decisions in my life, right now I am surrounded by a tremendous group of people. With them, I am doing all I can to build homes for people that don't have them, educate Americans on poverty and share my testimony. I know that life doesn't revolve around what you do and not everyone gets a situation as amazing as mine. This time may be fleeting. Regardless, I am here now. Thanks for bringing these thoughts to the forefront of my mind, Isaiah. This is a profound gift and I will do my best to serve, grow and cherish every moment of it.

Adelante!

-Clint

New Addition

Two weeks ago, I had to say goodbye to a very important part of my life. I shared with you the history that SI 2.0 and I had together. While our time was brief, under a year, she quickly captured my heart and imagination through some incredible adventures together. It was wonderful to be able to share more about her and the time we had together with you. There was only one thing I didn't share with you on that day. I had already met someone new.

A New Bike in My Life

You see, despite all of their obnoxious branding, Trek Bicycles sells awesome bikes and does great business. A clear indication of these characteristics is how nicely they handled my cracked frame. I brought SI 2.0 to the local Trek Superstore and showed them the crack. They quickly filed a warrantee claim and had something new headed my way. I really appreciate Trek for standing behind their product. There is no way I could have afforded to replace my broken frame. That said, when I brought SI 2.0 to her final resting place, there was already someone new waiting for me there. There she was in an unassuming box, sitting on the floor of the shop area. Without even seeing her or making her acquaintance, I already knew her name: SI 3.0. As I removed her from the box, I immediately noticed she was clad in white, a daring and disrespectful choice to be sure, as I was saying goodbye to SI 2.0. I looked back and forth, in surprise at SI 3.0 and longingly at the worn, used, carbon and teal paint of SI 2.0. I was upset by my loss, but I knew that I had to leave SI 2.0 there at the shop, lest her damaged headtube cause a catostrophic accident in the future.

Don't Judge Me

Several days later, I returned to the Trek Superstore. The mechanics there had removed all of the parts from SI 2.0 and replaced them on SI 3.0. It saddened me to think of SI 2.0 broken and stripped bare, possibly thrown in the trash somewhere. That said, SI 3.0 looked hot. The white color she wore was more brash than the presentation of SI 2.0, and the way that my pink crankset completely clashed with her white and red colorway only added to her in your face attitude, much like a female version of Hansel. Being SI 2.0's younger sister, all of SI 2.0's components fit perfectly on her. I had to admit despite my misgivings, I had met a younger, snappier, less worn version of my old companion. In addition, there was nothing I could do to get SI 2.0 back. She was damaged and no longer usable. I accepted SI 3.0 from the mechanic and took her over to the buru to get her home.

(Here, SI 3.0 sits in front of the buru. I won't lie, the buru expressed extreme displeasure with the fact that I was already bringing someone new around, but supported us nonetheless.)

Together, the buru and I took SI 3.0 home so that we could make sure she was properly adjusted, hoping to take her out on some trails and get to know her better in the not too distant future.

Our Relationship Thus Far

Unfortunately, the last couple of weeks have remained busy and for much of that time, my leg remained sore, so I have only gotten to ride SI 3.0 once. On that one ride she performed admirably, and by admirably I mean pretty much exactly like SI 2.0. Let's be honest, she was built exactly like Superfly 2.0, so the ride is exactly the same. For the way things have worked out there, I am very pleased. In other areas, our relationship has been a little more rocky. Since she insists on wearing white all the time, SI 3.0 has proven to be a lot more high maintenance. In order to keep looking so flashy, she has to be constant cleaned and tended to. This is not the only area in which she requires additional attention. SI 2.0 understood, perhaps better than I did, that she was just a bike. She sat quietly leaned against the wall or clamped into my work stand when not in use. She understood that I have a busy life and just moved into a new place and that I sometimes wouldn't be able to take her out as often as we both liked. SI 3.0 is just the opposite. She incessantly complains when she is not in use. She always reminds me that she is more at home on a trail than leaning against the wall in the living room. I try to tell her that I would like to be riding more too, but my claims fall on deaf handlebars. In addition, she doesn't always take care of me the way SI 2.0 did. The one time we did go out for a ride, she didn't make me an after ride snack. This was something SI 2.0 always thoughfully did. I'm not ready to give up on her, as some of this is probably my fault. Whether spoken aloud, or simply considered in my mind, I am constantly comparing her to SI 2.0. I miss her teal and the way it went great with my pink crankset. I still have every right to miss her because it's only been a few weeks, right? The fact is, SI 2.0 was broken and I needed a new frame, but maybe I did move on too fast. Wherever she is, I just hope SI 2.0 understands.

Adelante!

-Clint