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The purpose of the trip was to provide modest homes for two of the least fortunate families in Rosarito.
Ken traveled with 46 total adults and high school students. After a 2-day car ride to Rosarito, the group was housed in a camp that was a back-filled dump. They stayed in tents and used outhouses and showered with 2 gallons of water per day stored in 55 gallon drums.
“Each day as we arrived at the job site, local residents and many children would come to watch,” said Ken.
“A neighboring family asked for an application to receive a house. Children were a constant presence while we were there. They wanted attention, and we were able to provide a mini vacation Bible school for them. We spent time playing games with children of
all ages.”
Ken’s group built with no power tools—just like the local people—and they lived in conditions much the same as those they were helping. The families who were chosen to receive the new home helped every chance they could, and even the children from the neighborhood pitched in and worked alongside the group.
“My biggest challenge was to stay focused on the house-building project. The temptation was to spend more time with the local people, especially the children who desperately wanted attention,” said Ken.
Another goal of the trip was to give the volunteer adults and teens the opportunity to experience the life style of those we were helping.
“My most vivid recollection of the trip was watching tears come to the eyes of the man of the house we built as we dedicated their new home to God and sang with them in their language a song of dedication,” said Ken. “I highly recommend this type of project. Amor Ministries is a great organization. They have the
system down very well and provide as much or as little guidance as your group needs to complete your project.”
“It was awesome to see God work in the lives of a group of high school kids from a fairly affluent community, as they came together to help the most needy in another country. They willingly gave up summer vacations to live in conditions no one would choose, to help people they did not know, so they could show God’s love to them. Without exception,
I can say that anyone—adult or teenager who participated—would go again without question. We were all able to see what such a small sacrifice on
our part can make in the lives of others less fortunate.”
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The neighborhood was an old dump site that had been backfilled—with dirt and ants. The ants got into everything, including the tents and the vehicles. Ken’s group was killing ants all the way home.
The family whose house was being built had lived for years in this one-room makeshift dwelling.
Volunteers lived in a small tent area with no running water—and lots of ants.
Amor leader and teen place the final surface on the outside of the family’s new home.
An added bonus: a spur-of-the-moment Bible School was enjoyed by volunteers and local children alike.
Sterling believes in investing in people, and employees who participate in community outreach projects are offered time
off to give back. |
