“As the rain came down, the house went up” How did a small group of 60 and 70 year old grandparents find themselves building a new home for a sweet family of four in the Colonia of Santa Fe just outside of Tecate, Mexico? Never mind that the morning of March 4, 2022 began with an unseasonably cold air mass, a torrential downpour flooding the streets and a slick mud coating nearly everything. We were ready to work together to do something we couldn’t have imagined! Prior to the pandemic, our church, Snohomish Community Church, located in Western Washington State, gave the congregation the opportunity to form small life groups. Many families offered to host in their home and facilitate a discussion that reinforced what we were learning during our Sunday morning sermons. Our group of strangers soon formed a strong emotional and spiritual bond as we would study God’s word and pray for each other every Tuesday evening. We met for as many months in person as we could until the pandemic took hold. There was a very real concern for those who were caring for grandchildren or had underlying health issues. Needing human connection, we continued via Zoom until we were all vaccinated and once again felt comfortable being in the same family room to continue our studies. Our life group was a safe harbor of support during a tumultuous time. Throughout 2020 and 2021, a number of us made the decision to retire from working after many years, so when we returned to inperson meetings, our study of Ephesians caused us to evaluate our lives and think about ways we could give back. Especially, now that some of us had a bit more time. We talked about our many blessings, our sense of gratitude and our desire to share God’s love. We discussed our desire to be humble and to serve others in additional ways. One night, our leader Doug, suggested that we think about a way we could do something together as a small group to serve others. He invited our friend Harry Wood to tell us about an opportunity to build a home in Mexico through Home for Home. A group email was sent to our entire group and eight of us signed on to the idea, without fully understanding what we would be doing. We anxiously prepared our hearts and minds for this opportunity. We made plane reservations and then we packed our bags. Arriving in San Diego we were picked up by Harry and Kent who drove us across the border and gave us a tour of the area before arriving at La Paloma Ranch. The next morning, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast and then drove in a lashing rainstorm to the building site. There we met our family, Sulma, Misiel, Alexander, and Joshua. The build site was muddy and the tar paper, chicken wire, and old plywood precariously attached to a concrete block wall was leaking into pots and bowls on what served as the kitchen table. The building materials had been delivered and we were ready to get to work. Because of our age, we had decided ahead of time to do the build during a two day period, instead of one. This proved to be a good idea because with the rain and high humidity it was hard to get the paint to dry. We kept praying for those little patches of blue sky we saw on the horizon to move over the top of us and stay for a while. We gathered with the family and prayed with Pastor Hector. Then it was go time! Hector, Harry and Kent got us started on the many tasks that needed to be done. It was amazing to witness how everyone contributed in the ways they could. Some framing walls, others painting while still others were running tools, equipment and lumber around our tight little job site. It was humbling to be part of such a team. All smiles and laughter in spite of the rain, organically working together along with Sulma, her husband and brother while the kids played with their cousins next door. As the day went on we were very humbled by the generosity of the neighborhood. Coming from our world of wealth and plenty to a place of such need was a shock. But when the neighbors who have so little by comparison began to throw bananas to our workers from their roof, brought hot coffee spiced with cinnamon and anise, and a huge jug of fresh squeezed pineapple juice, we couldn’t stop our tears. Even Alexander and Joshua ran to the little store down the road, spending their own money and brought back cookies for us. The house went up rapidly but when it was time to put on the sheet rock, the roof wasn’t quite finished. We rushed those last few hours of the day to get the rafters, plywood sheeting and roofing materials on to protect the sheetrock that was going up simultaneously with the roof. Even though the paint on the outside walls wasn’t dry, we kept going with the idea that we would touch up or even repaint the next day. By evening, we were exhausted but exhilarated, anxious to warm up, get dried off and return the next day. As we were leaving, several neighbors arrived to help David, Hector’s son for the rest of the day and into the evening to be sure the roof was finished as there were more storms predicted that night. The following morning, grateful for another hot shower, an amazing meal and some sleep, we were ready to return the next day to finish the house. All of us had purchased small gifts for the family so we loaded up and returned to the nearly finished home. Everyone worked hard to complete the last details, including the painting, wiring, and taping so we could put in the doors and windows and finish the trim. Joined by the family and a few neighbors, our tired but committed group worked hard and before we knew it the house was complete! Pastor Carlos and his beautiful wife Gina as well as many families from the church arrived just as we were ready to turn over the keys. We gave our gifts to this beautiful family one by one, a few toys for the boys, kitchen items, and pillows for Sulma and Misiel. Millie even made a gorgeous handmade quilt for their bed. Our small group leader Doug, full of compassion and emotion prayed for the family and the house. Then with Pastor Hector translating he shared a simple message. “God loves us. We love God. We came to share God’s love with your family by building this new home.” By then the sun was shining and we were all deeply touched by this experience. As Harry told us beforehand, “This experience will change your life forever, as you change the life of this family for generations, by providing them with a new home.” Then there was a celebration! The neighbor across the road allowed the church to set up a hot dog lunch and lots of chairs. All of the neighboring children and some of their parents came and heard God’s word. They learned Bible stories, sang songs and the ladies from our team were asked to help serve the lunch. Witnessing Sulma helping with the kids and thanking the church for coming, chopping onions and serving food and then observing Joshua and Alexander singing praises during worship time left us all with happy tears. With hugs all around we returned to the ranch reflecting on how much had been accomplished in just two days time. In the evening after dinner we joined with another group who also completed a house that day. They had a guitar and we all joined our voices in both English and Spanish to sing worship songs. In spite of a cold, windy rainstorm, a group of grandparents were able to come together to build a home for a family in Mexico in two days. But of course, we know that the home we built is only temporary, just as our own homes are. We focused during our nightly devotional time that our eternal homes are being built by Jesus. The heavenly mansion that awaits all of us will be a masterpiece because God knows just what we need! Our talented quilt maker Millie described our time in Mexico perfectly, “The rain came down and the house went up!” Thanks Home for Home! We can’t wait to come back again!