MEXICO MISSION TEAM LEFT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

Seven adults left Saturday, October 19 for their annual Mexico Mission Trip and traveled two days to Camp Cone Oasis in La Feria, Texas, where they will reside during their two-week stay. They will travel across the border each day to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, where they will build houses [12'x 16' shelter] for homeless families. Glen Alpine team members are: Rudy and Janice Arnold, Ron and Marilyn Bellamy, Herb and Barbara Creech [team leaders], Dane Faulkner, Norma Gray, Donnia Kestner, Lea Lawhead, and Jerry and Linda Morrell. Other teams members are Bob Carter [Hiltons UMC], Jerry Crawford [Higher Ground Baptist], Bob Creech [Vernon Heights Baptist], and Roger Hayes [Wheeler UMC].

Team members thank you for your support of their fund-raising efforts and your donations toward building supplies and materials expenses. They plan to build eleven homes. This work would not be possible without your support. Keep this team in your prayers as they travel, work and witness. A tragedy hit the Colonia of El Jardin a couple of weeks ago, where an explosion destroyed two homes and severely injured several people. Let us pray that our team may also minister to these residents in their time of hearing.

NOTE FROM THE MISSION TEAM...

"A huge thank you to Glen Alpine UMC from the Mexico Mission team and the people of Nueyo Progresso who received houses through your generosity." Thanks also to Hiltons UMC, Wheeler UMC, Vernon Heights Baptist and Higher Ground Baptist.

On Thursday, October 31, our 2002 Mission Team returned home from Nuevo Progresso with smiles on our faces, warm hearts and dry feet. We were smiling just to be home, our hearts were warm because of the smiles on the faces of the eleven families that had new houses to keep out the wind and the rain. Our feet had dried out after walking in the water and mud that surrounded most of the houses we built.

The wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of the team members who were blessed by the opportunity to reach out in love to our neighbors to the south. The 16 team members were from the following churches:

Glen Alpine UMC: Rudy and Janice Arnold, Ron and Marilyn Bellamy, Herb and Barbara Creech, Dane Faulkner, Norma Gray, Donnia Kestner, Lea Lawhead, Jerry and Linda Morrell; Hiltons UMC: Bob Carter; Wheeler UMC: Roger Hayes; Vernon Heights Baptist: Bob Creech; Higher Ground Baptist: Jerry Crawford.

Those who have participated in any way in this outreach ministry have reflected the light of Jesus Christ to our friends who are living in the darkness of poverty. We thank you, the team thanks you, and our neighbors in Mexico thank you for not passing by on the other side of the road.

The travel was long, the work was hard, and the conditions were wet and muddy, but no one complained because the tears of joy in the eyes of our friends receiving their new homes filled our hearts with love. Again we say thank you!
 

                                                                            Barbara and Herb Creech
                                                                            Chairpersons of Missions
                                                                            Glen Alpine UMC

Why ...  should  they?
Where We Do It -- Nuevo Progresso, Mexico.  Our Mission Team has built 32 homes to date.  The houses are 12' x 16', one room with two windows and two doors, with concrete floors.
	What We Do -- Build houses for those less fortunate.  Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  Matthew 25:40.
Families who will occupy the house  also help in the construction.
	Why We Do It -- Through the efforts of this Mission Program, a family now has a new home to call their own.  Because the Tri-Cities cares, children now have a roof over their head.
The Mission Team is greated by children from the Colonias.	The Mission Team is shown here with representatives of the local government.

How You Can Help -- The cost to build one house is approximately $1,200.  Our Team is wanting 180 people to donate $100 each for a total of $18,000 to build 15 houses.  All donations will go directly to purchase material for the construction of homes.

In the past, some have chosen to sponsor an entire house.  Maybe your church or Sunday School class would be interested in this for a Mission Project.  Contributions received are tax deductible through Glen Alpine United Methodist Church.

Glen Alpine United Methodist Church
3200 Glen Alpine Road
Kingsport, TN  37660
423-349-7831

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