A Family Affair

St. Louise has a small group of parishioners who have developed a strong family bond over the past 10 years. Each year the core group (with occasional extras) heads to Tijuana, Mexico to help local families build needed additions to their modest dwelling places. Experanza International is the charitable organization that brings groups to Mexico from all over to do this volunteer work which is similar to “Habitat for Humanity.” This September the St Louise Adult Mission Trek will have 19 people ready to do manual labor alongside some of the local residents. Over the years some of St Louise’s trekkers got involved in the teen trek and then graduated to the adult trek when their children were out of high school. Kris Daly, leader of the Adult Mission Trek, went for years with her daughters. Now she still volunteers with the teens in July and heads up the adult trek in September. Geri Navaja went with his children for many years. Last year his wife(Alejandra) went for the first time with him and his daughter, Cat. This year Geri and Alejandra will have three of their other daughters going with them. 2014 will be my third trek. In 2011, when I wanted to go on the trek for my first time, my 18 year old grandson, Chris, said he wanted to go to “take care of Grandma.” I think he was a little worried that it might be dangerous (which it wasn’t!) I was delighted to have his company—it was a bonding experience. Then last year three of my grandchildren graduated from high school. I offered to have them join me as a “graduation gift.” Two of my grand-daughters (Grace and Kate) took me up on the offer. Again, I was delighted to share the experience with my family. I think it is something they will remember for the rest of their lives. This year I hadn’t planned to go on the Adult Mission Trek because of some work conflicts. But suddenly I felt the pull-- and let my boss know that I really wanted to volunteer again. When I told some of my family about my plans, my son-in-law --Per( who just retired from the military) said he was interested in going. I was excited because I knew that he would probably be a lot more help than me. Then his son (Chris) heard that Per was going and said that he’d really like to go again too! So, for the third time, it will be a family affair for me. I encourage anyone who has ever wanted to “help the poor” on a personal basis, to join us for the St. Louise Adult Mission Trek. We work hard part of the time but also get to go places and do things that you find new and exciting. When you come back from your week of service, you have a really warm feeling about our neighbors to the south who love their country, want to improve their home and just could use a little help from their neighbors to the north! And while you are at it, why not see if any of your family would like to do it too?