My GAGA 2009 Summary

Stats:

• 2 days of travel down to Mexico
• 4 days of work
• 2 days of travel back home
• 7 vehicles (3 fifteen-passenger vans, a Suburban, a pickup, an Airporter, and a one-ton truck)
• 4 trailers
• 82 people (not including the people from San Luis that helped us!)

Results:

• 3 houses
• 1 large church kitchen
• A VBS program
• Lots of memories

History:

• This is the 25th year of GAGA (Get Away Give Away). In these past 25 years, over 170 homes, and 30 churches have been built!

A few things to ponder…

• Seeing this huge group of adults and youth travel, worship and work together with one purpose… was amazing
• Crossing the US/Mexican border and seeing the extreme contrast of plenty and lack… was heart breaking
• Realizing that we were the answer to other people’s prayers… was satisfying

People to be grateful for…

• This trip was possible because many people gave money and other items, and many local businesses donated construction materials
• Several individuals came on the trip specifically to serve the team (our food preparers and nurse) allowing the rest of us to accomplish so much more
• We were led by an awesome set of youth pastors (Josh, Leslie, Brian, and Hunter) and builders (Van, Eric, Paul, and Clyde T.)
• All of the Fisher family. They do so many things to make this happen
• Clyde Parker — the man who started GAGA 25 years ago, and continues to serve in it

Side benefits:

• Sun!
• Palm trees
• Mexican food
• New friends
• Speaking Spanish again!

It was all very good, and somehow I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.

Deanne and Austin and I were on the kitchen-building crew, so most of the pictures in this slide show are of that project. (There are a few showing the other 3 homes also.)