Just an hour or so south of San Diego, California, Mexican families near Tecate are living in extreme, grinding poverty. They live without running water or adequate shelter in a hostile physical environment of rugged, rocky hills. Many families literally live in garbage dumps because that is their only alternative. There is no trash pickup, and every unoccupied piece of land is cluttered with trash, abandoned furniture, and garbage. Employment is difficult to obtain. Boys are generally sent to school to obtain at least a grade school education, but girls often do not receive even an elementary school education because their families lack funds for school clothing and supplies. The lack of hope that the future will be better is evident on the faces of many of the people.

Nina and her daughter, Sarah Helena, participated in a short-term mission trip to the area after Christmas, 2006. The trip was organized by Club Dust, an organization that was founded in 1980 by a group of young Californians to help the poor of northern Mexico. Each winter and each summer, Club Dust organizes trips to build simple houses (and outhouses) for Mexican families who are identified by a local Mexican pastor. On the trip in December, five houses were built and dedicated in only four days. Only heaven knows the difference it made in the lives of the five families. One of the families was living in a car before receiving their new home. For about $5000, Club Dust can build a 16 by 20 foot home on a concrete slab foundation and an outhouse, which greatly improves the life of a poor family. Founding Family has contributed to the building of two homes in the past year.

Because she is not gifted in the construction area, Nina worked on a clothing, shoe and food giveaway that was organized and held in conjunction with the house build. Sarah Helena was really helpful even at 6 years of age in organizing and giving away the clothing and shoes. On the way home, Nina and Sarah stopped in Colorado, where they visited the headquarters of Compassion International. Sarah Helena chose a 7-year-old Mexican girl to sponsor through that organization and, without prompting from Nina, gave $20 she had received for Christmas toward the first month’s support. Seeing poverty, up close and personal, motivated her to give from her heart.

For Americans, it is an invaluable experience to leave our comfort zone, travel to a third world country, and experience how others live first hand. Although we can read reports of poverty and its effect, actually seeing a family trying to exist in such circumstances is a far more effective path to awareness. Consider joining FFCF staff or another organization, such as Club Dust on a trip overseas. You will never be the same.

Nina Ottinger

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