2008 Woodie Awards
Love and labor make Mexico mission worth the trip
Lindsay Fontana
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Feature of the Week: TRAVELING
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I went on the Mexico Mission because some of my friends went the year before and told me how amazing the experience was. It was then, my junior year here that I was contemplating going on a mission. I knew my time here at Assumption was narrowing down, so I spoke with my parents and jumped right in to the process here at AC before heading to Mexico.
The experience was far from what I ever thought it would be. I could have been jaded because our society is materialistic and obsessed with being perfect. Going into this mission I was nervous about what to expect, and although I had some ideas, it was still all new to me. What worried me the most was how little Spanish I actually remembered from sophomore year of high school. I thought this could create a barrier between the Mexicans and myself.
Our first full day was spent in Mexico City where our first stop was the famous Basilica, which houses the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We got to hear the story behind it and then went into to join the lines so we could see the picture that is so precious to the Mexican religious heritage. Our trip included a visit to the oldest church in Mexico City and the Aztec ruins. I cannot forget the crazy hailstorm that night either and how we all just stood and watched the hail accumulate.
It was then time for us to split into two groups. This sent me in the direction of San Pedro, about thirty miles outside of Mexico City. Our first stop was Casa Manuel where we would be staying with men who were candidates to be Assumptionist priests. Then it was onto the worksite neighborhood to get a small tour from an extremely nice woman of the neighborhood. I particularly enjoyed our short stop in the neighborhood preschool where students and teachers were so excited to see us. The woman who came to meet with us was extremely nice. Everyone was friendly and hospitable, making the day fun and the time spent with the kids memorable.
Every other day was a workday in San Pedro. Although many of the sounds of night (dogs and a turkey) woke us up, we were up and waiting for the bus by 8:30 a.m. Upon our arrival at St. Augustine Church we were greeted and introduced to Don Nicolas who was in charge of overseeing the tasks we had to complete at the church. I was somewhat shocked when I first saw the church because it was outside with only a roof over top and no walls surrounding and enclosing it. I soon came to realize through the people that took particular interest in tending to our needs that this church was just the same as any other, filled with love and beliefs.
The experience was far from what I ever thought it would be. I could have been jaded because our society is materialistic and obsessed with being perfect. Going into this mission I was nervous about what to expect, and although I had some ideas, it was still all new to me. What worried me the most was how little Spanish I actually remembered from sophomore year of high school. I thought this could create a barrier between the Mexicans and myself.
Our first full day was spent in Mexico City where our first stop was the famous Basilica, which houses the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We got to hear the story behind it and then went into to join the lines so we could see the picture that is so precious to the Mexican religious heritage. Our trip included a visit to the oldest church in Mexico City and the Aztec ruins. I cannot forget the crazy hailstorm that night either and how we all just stood and watched the hail accumulate.
It was then time for us to split into two groups. This sent me in the direction of San Pedro, about thirty miles outside of Mexico City. Our first stop was Casa Manuel where we would be staying with men who were candidates to be Assumptionist priests. Then it was onto the worksite neighborhood to get a small tour from an extremely nice woman of the neighborhood. I particularly enjoyed our short stop in the neighborhood preschool where students and teachers were so excited to see us. The woman who came to meet with us was extremely nice. Everyone was friendly and hospitable, making the day fun and the time spent with the kids memorable.
Every other day was a workday in San Pedro. Although many of the sounds of night (dogs and a turkey) woke us up, we were up and waiting for the bus by 8:30 a.m. Upon our arrival at St. Augustine Church we were greeted and introduced to Don Nicolas who was in charge of overseeing the tasks we had to complete at the church. I was somewhat shocked when I first saw the church because it was outside with only a roof over top and no walls surrounding and enclosing it. I soon came to realize through the people that took particular interest in tending to our needs that this church was just the same as any other, filled with love and beliefs.