Puerto Penasco

Many Tucsonans head to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) to enjoy the beach and an inexpensive vacation. This past weekend I headed down to Rocky Point with my church, along with other churches and groups from Arizona, to participate in "Casa De Amor" (house of love), a house building project that is part of Amor Ministries.

This was my first house building trip, and my third or fourth trip to Rocky Point - and the most memorable. I will be doing an in depth story on the family we built for on borderbeat.net, but I wanted to blog about my feelings and thoughts about the trip because it was so meaningful to me.

As I said before, many Tucsonans head to Rocky Point to enjoy the beach, but this weekend I didn't even see the beach. I spent the entire weekend with a woman named Inez, getting to know about her and her family, and helping build a home for her.

Inez, me, my husband Sean, and Inez's husband Pasqual

She was amazed that our group cared enough about her and her family to come and build a home for them, and spend time getting to know them. She explained that most Americans come to Rocky Point to drink and party.

I was amazed at everything she told me. Her life had been extremely difficult, she had been treated horrificly by her mother and brothers, and her attitude was that of forgiveness, perserverance and gratitude. She said she and her husband spend time in prayer every night and every morning thanking God they have a place to sleep, a blessed marriage and a God that loves them and has not forgotten them. She told everyone who had helped build her new home that we were invited to stay there anytime we wanted, and to bring our families, even if it's crowded. She told me to say hello to my family, even though she didn't know them. She told me to be an encouragement and support to my family as we struggle through rough times. She told me to always remember the things that God does for me. Her wisdom was astounding. The other women I was with as she spoke to us were amazed. Our jaws were dropped and our eyes were wet with tears as she told us things about her life that she had never told another person, aside from her husband. She told us that we were all sisters. We were - and still are.

I wish that every person could meet someone like Inez. Someone with that amount of wisdom, humility, gratitude and love. What an incredible weekend in Rocky Point. While motorcycle bikers from all across the U.S. were there for a massive rally, partying and drinking like most Americans do, I was in the process of having my life changed. What a shame that they finished their weekend with empty beer bottles. I ended my weekend with a full heart and a bigger family.

Just a note: ANYONE can be part of Casa De Amor. You do not have to be part of a certain church to participate. PLEASE get involved. I promise you it will change your life, and will give you a better weekend than a beer on the beach.