U.S.-Mexico partnership rebuilds houses

United Methodists from First UMC, McAllen, and the Methodist Church of Mexico came together Labor Day weekend as a joint Volunteers in Mission team to build two homes that were lost during Hurricane Emily in the fishing village of Carbonera, Mexico.
Carbonera had more than 40 homes destroyed during the hurricane that hit the northern coast of Mexico in July.
The group gathered with the family, members of the community and pastor Sept. 4 to dedicate two new 16- by-24-foot two-room homes. The homes, constructed of cement block, were built on concrete foundations and have secured tin roofs. The homes were dedicated to the glory of God.
The team of 21 included 10 members of First UMC, McAllen, four members from the Methodist Church of Mexico, four maestros (master tradesmen) from Mexico and three men from Carbonera. The team stayed in a dorm next to the Templo Mar de Galilea (Sea of Galilea) Methodist Church of Mexico and ate meals prepared at the church.
So far, seven homes have been rebuilt by visiting teams.
Another Volunteers in Mission team from St. Mark UMC, McAllen, is to visit Carbonera in October to build a home