Charity Anywhere Foundation

Expedition
Tijuana, Mexico
December 2001

Tijuana, Mexico Project
December 2001

Another wonderful expedition has just been completed. My report does not do it justice. We had 55 people at one time working for Charity Anywhere in the Tijuana area. We had many volunteers back home that had done some great work. We had blankets made, soap accumulated, clothing gathered, and medical supplies and equipment donated. We were very worried about crossing the border with so much stuff but we passed through without incident.

Our group was diverse. First we had 3 volunteers from Quito Ecuador. Dr. Zambrano, a dentist, joined us with his wife and son. He did dental work while he was there.

We had a nurse from Boise, Idaho with her two sons and daughter in law. Raquel Hansen did medical exams while she was there. George Carskedon was one of our adult leaders and was so great in working with Father Christopher at the Catholic Mission. He helped keep our good public relations with the mission on a positive note. Two young men from Boise also joined us. The Stevens children also came from Boise. Jeff spoke fluent Spanish and helped immensely when we need better understanding with our Spanish friends.

Twin Falls provided 12 volunteers. The complete Spaulding family came. McKenzie, the youngest of the group, was such a trooper. Her faith and prayers were helpful in the most impactful way. The faith of child was truly exhibited on this trip. The Spauldings had a neighbor boy join their family. Philip was such a worker. I thought he was family. We had 3 college gals come along and were they workers. You could not keep them from loving the people. Analee Carter, a previous volunteer on many expeditions was golden. She helped get the troops around TJ and worked on getting the house completed.

The Wasatch provided some more volunteers. The Pearce family brang 15 in there van and later 2 more joined them. They worked on the struggling LDS Branch building at Ojo Diagua, half way between TJ and Tecate. I could not believe how much they did on the house that was rented. I know that if Mrs. Pearce could have stayed another week she would have had Mahogany doors installed and stained glass windows placed in each room. We also had the Harward family from Provo come down. Richard, the dad, was such a hoot. When things got tense he knew just how to defuse the situation. The 5 of them were such workers.

For one day we had Jensen family from Alpine, Utah cross the border and help us with one of the projects. They came across dressed so nice and clean but when we were done with them they were dirty, tired but gratified. We gave them a real taste of Mexico by helping at Ojo Diagua.

We also had two young men from the Provo area come with us. Eric Newren, a previous volunteer was such a help in keeping the crews going. He knew the area and knew how things happened. His friend, Matt Burton, spoke fluent Spanish and helped with translating.

As you can tell, this was the biggest group we have ever had. It was a challenge to be productive but with their patience and desire to get the work done we was able to accomplish much. This Christmas expedition into TJ is becoming a tradition and the Mexican friends expect us to show up.

I will now give a written report on the details of the expedition.

Report on the 2001-2 Christmas Expedition to Tijuana and Ojo Diagua, Mexico.

Our expedition started in three different locations, Twin Falls, Idaho, Provo, Utah and Quito, Ecuador on Dec. 26.

The Utah and Idaho groups met in Las Vegas and we camped out in this beautiful home in North Las Vegas. We thank the Dan and Andrea Waites for providing such wonderful living conditions.

On Dec. 27 we left Las Vegas and drove straight to the border. We had rented a Ryder truck to get all the donated items across the border. We had a number of pieces of medical equipment that concerned us at the border. We piled all our baggage on top and when the Mexican customs officer raised the door all he saw was luggage for 50 people. That's right, we had fifty volunteers. They let us pass across and we were so relieved.

We immediately went to our housing at Guadalupe Catholic church and Mother Teresas Mission. After unloading, we found a taco stand and had supper. Our next assignment was to buy groceries for the next 3 days.

The next morning we went to work. I took the Alpine group out to Ojo Diagua LDS church where they were to stay and build. As soon as they were unloaded, I drove into Tecate to rendezvous with another family, the Jensens, with 7 volunteers. We got them busy filling in a floor to be poured with rocks and dirt. Later that afternoon they went into the mountains to help a lady build a 5x12 kitchen on her little house. They worked one day but we got a lot out of them.

When we got back to Ojo Diagua, the Pearce family was already doing repairs on the church. They built two classrooms on the second floor, did repairs to the bathrooms, laid a brick patio out front and cleaned the place up. When they left on Jan. 2 they were so proud at all they had done.

The TJ group was split into 3 groups. One was finishing some sheetrock work on a home we built last summer. Another group was putting on a new roof for a family of 7. The 3rd group was pouring a foundation for a new home for a lady with AIDS and 5 children.

Saturday we continued with our work. The new house was ready for walls. The roofing crew joined the new house crew. I took another crew out to Ojo Diagua to work on the kitchen. By night we all were very tired. Everyone was exhausted and ready for Sunday.

While all this construction was going on Dr. Zambrano, his wife, Maria and his son, Juan were doing dental work. A local dentist allowed us to do dental work in his office. Many of the patients had never seen a dentist. Also, we had a nurse from Boise, Raquel Hansen, do medical exams. She go to see many children.

This was our first medical expedition and we learned much. Dr. Zambrano is on our international board of directors and will be incharge of all future medical expeditions. He is planning one in Quito Ecuador. We welcome all doctors, dentists, nurses and medical people to join him.

We all went to church at Ojo Diagua. We had 50 people and they had 60. It was packed. The members provided us with lunch. It was an enjoyable time for all. We all came back to the mission for a Siesta. Once the siesta was over we then delivered the medical equipment to Sister Maria at the orphanage. It was an enjoyable visit with the wonderful nun. She is truly an angel. She has 13 children and they all have health problems.

We then delivered clothing, quilts, and soap to Sister Dorrie, another nun. She has a house for battered women and children. Also, she has a shower house for the street people on Saturdays. Towels, soap, small mens clothing are always neede.

This Sunday adventure seemed most appropriate on closing out the Sabbath Day. At 7 pm we had returned to the mission, had hamburgers and then we held the Charity Anywhere discussion meeting. Many of the group shared their feelings about this expedition. I was able to add 50 more new heroes to my BOOK OF HEROES. Our youngest was 9 and the oldest 60. In less that a week we had cemented some friendships that will last forever.

Monday morning we all returned to our work sites and finished our projects. As always, we never get them all done but we do leave building materials to have them finish it. The new house was done enough to give the lady keys to the front door. She was so grateful. The Alpine group, the Pearces, decided to stay on New Years Day and finish closing in the new classrooms. Some went to the shops on the border and came back to the mission with arms full of stash. Everyone gathered at the mission for Pizza and then we went to the LDS Tijuana STake New Years Eve Dance. It was a great dance and all enjoyed.

On New Years Day we packed up and headed home. We stopped at the LDS Temple and the beach on the way home.

Again, I always ask myself how can this expedition beat the previous ones. It just always happens. This was a great group of wonderful people. Thanks for supporting Charity Anywhere.

Love, Gordon

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