By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent

Four families get much-needed housing

HARRISON -- Their parishes might be small, but their hearts are big. Members of St. Augustine Parish in Harrison and St. John Baptist Parish in Bloomville are still talking about the mission trip they made to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, and plans are already being made for another next year.

Traveling in a caravan of vans and trucks loaded with tools, paint, clothing, blankets and other supplies, the group headed south earlier this year to build four houses in an impoverished area. "We saw poverty that you can't believe unless you see it first hand," wrote Fritz Heller in his journal.

The 20 travelers ranged in age from 15 to 77. None had been involved in anything like this before, but they were determined. With help from Clarence and Marie Towle (parents of Deacon Dan Towle), who live in Texas near the Mexican border, the group was able to successfully complete the building project. The Towles regularly minister to the people of Nuevo Progreso throughout the year.

One of the biggest challenges before starting a building project, according to Clarence Towle, is making sure that the family owns the lot. "This is not always an exact science," he said, "but we went down knowing that we had four good sites."

The families who received the houses had been living in shacks or crammed in small living quarters with relatives. With the exception of Dr. Eunice Corujo, a member of St. Augustine, the northerners spoke little Spanish. But somehow they managed to communicate, and friendships soon developed.

"It's amazing what a smile and sign language can do," said Linda Lenzner.

Neighbors and friends of the families receiving the homes were always eager to help, as were the families themselves. "At all but one of the houses, the people fed us," explained Dan Towle. "That had to have been a huge stretch for them."

Moving into the four homes were a couple and a 2-year-old child, a single mother with three children, a couple with a new baby, and another couple with six children and a niece.

Although the houses were basic 14x16-foot, one-room structures with no electricity or running water, to the families they seemed like a castle compared to their previous living conditions.

Because of the many donations received, each house cost about $1,000 to build. For a few of the tasks, such as pouring concrete, local workers were hired.

It took the group three very long work days to complete the four houses. "We just showed up and pitched in to do whatever was needed," said Dan Lenzner.

Among the chief roofers was John Voermans. "It was a real eye-opener," he said. "You see things like this on TV, but until you see it in person, it is hard to believe. It makes you appreciate how fortunate we are."

Brittany Daigle, the youngest in the group, said it was an experience she will never forget. "I know I have touched people's lives, and I learned a lot from them," she noted. "And I learned how to pound nails. It was hard work." She and others also spent time distributing clothing and candy to local residents.

One 6-year-old girl approached William Frederick and pointed to his cap, indicating that she would like to have it. After a bit of convincing, he relented -- and the next day he had a sunburned head. "You can't help but fall in love with the kids," he said.

William and his wife, Roberta, arrived before the rest of the group and were on hand to greet them at Bobbie's Team House, a mission group house in Texas where they stayed. Group members paid their own expenses so that all funds raised by their parishes went directly to the people of Nuevo Progreso. There was a lot of parish support for the project, and fund-raising projects are already underway for next year's trip.

Before leaving the families in their new homes, the workers gave them a basket with a Bible, food, curtains and other items. Linda Lenzner was the seamstress in the group and made 12 pairs of curtains for the new homeowners.

Many tears were shed by all as they said good-bye to the families. "We were so thankful that we were able to do something that meant so much to these people," said William Frederick. "It gave all of us such a wonderful feeling."

A strong bond was also forged among members of the group, some of whom did not know each other well before the trip. "We learned a lot about one another, and you learn to give and take," said Michele Rein, parish director of both St. Augustine and St. John Baptist. "There were long, tiring days that stretched everyone--in a good way.

"Every person was so vital," she added. "We needed everyone. It was like part of the Body of Christ."

Many of the group are anxious to return, but they also want to give others the opportunity. While they plan to build more houses next year, Dan Towle emphasized that the purpose of the trips is not only to improve living conditions. "We hope to change their focus through education," he said. "We want to give them the tools they need to better themselves.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002