Do you like to get your hands dirty? Does the smile of a young child touch your heart? Do you share Franciscan values like Solidarity with the Poor, Cross-Cultural Bridge-Building, Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, Simplicity of Lifestyle, Community, Humility, Mission, Ecumenism, and Contemplation? Do you like making new friends and having fun?
If the answers to these questions are yes, then we may just have the service trip for you. St. Francis Builds is a opportunity to explore, live out and reflect upon Franciscan values in the context of a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip to Latin America.
COCHABAMBA, Bolivia (St. Anthony Messenger) – The Bolivians were a bit baffled, trying to imagine what the gringos were doing in Cochabamba. “We thought, 'Who is going to pay their own expense, for their tickets for the trip, pay for their food, only to come here to help a Bolivian family?'” said Elías Agreda Dia.
There were so many touching moments it is difficult to narrow it down to only one. Just a few random thoughts:
The grace and dignity Jean Cooke showed even tho sick and far from home.
The tremendous courage Hillary had to go so far out of her "comfort zone".
Lou, the ex marine and mountain climber, being led around by the little children.
Angelina, sitting on the little hill watching her house being built.
Elias, so excited he practically ran from one chore to the next.
The giggles from the littlest girls when they kicked the soccer ball.
The children splashing in the water barrels.
But to me the most touching moment was the poetic line from Aricela-
I may never see you again, but your handprints will always be on my walls.
So much of the week was truly touched by God. There is much to be said for a simpler life. I discovered things about myself that may otherwise have taken a lifetime, or even a deathto discover. I believe that the reason this experience was so powerful is because we became very fond very quickly of people with whom we had a very definite time limit. We knew we would never see them again so the time we had had to be quality time.
It is easy to forget that all of our time is limited, and that the time God gives us with those we love is also limited, we just don't know the limit. It should all be quality time.
To have learned this is more than enough reason to do one of these trips. Bill Collins
