Gullixson: Thoughts on teens, Easter and hope

“Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.”

It’s too bad that St. Francis of Assisi didn’t actually say that, as is often the claim. Quotes like that would come in handy at times like these, when words, particularly those related to religion, are so often twisted.

But the truth is evident even if the author isn’t. When all is said and done, it is often easier to hear deeds than words. And deeds can speak volumes.

I witnessed this in vivid terms a little over a week ago and can’t think of a more hopeful story to share on Easter.

I traveled with a busload of high school students from First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa to Mexico over spring break. Their objective wasn’t to enjoy a warm beach, swim and get a tan. They were there to build houses for families they didn’t know but now won’t likely forget.

And when I say they built homes, I have scores of photos and a very sore shoulder to prove that building, start to finish, was exactly what they did (I have to say, it’s a lot easier to write about the need for housing than it is to go out and do something about it, although it’s not as gratifying).

Before the trip, these 45 or so students held a fundraising auction and dinner in hopes of earning enough money for supplies and travel expenses to build two houses ($5,500 each). They raised enough to build three.

Then after a two-day bus trip and a drawn-out border crossing, they ventured into one of poorest areas south of Tijuana where they started Monday morning with nothing but three concrete pads and piles of two-by-fours, plywood and other building materials. By late Thursday, with the help of several experienced builders and some not-so-experienced adults (such as yours truly), they were handing the keys to new two-bedroom, 320-square-foot (not including the loft) homes over to families in what, more often than not, were teary-eyed ceremonies.

It was understandable. Most of these families have never known a home with a solid roof and walls. And most of these teens have never known such hard work - or been part of such a gift.

Many of these teens I have been acquainted with over the years through Little League, Scouts, soccer and sundry church activities. But I have to say I was never more proud of them - and never more optimistic about our next generation of leaders.

“I’m feeling very accomplished, very tired and very hot,” said Reilly Briggs, a senior at Santa Rosa High School, on the final day of construction. “But I also am really excited about the opportunity these families are going to have because of the work we have done here.”

This was her fourth trip to this area known as Las Carretas, a canyon that served as the city dump of Tijuana. Most families live in houses constructed from materials - tarps, cardboard, tires, etc. - salvaged from the landfill.

“I was sad to leave, but I’m excited that we got all the families their houses,” said Allie Ahern, a junior at Maria Carrillo High School. A highlight, she said, was when she reconnected with the children whom she built for the previous year. “They were all around and hugging me,” she said, taking a deep breath to reflect. “It felt good to know they were all doing so well,” she said.

That’s a familiar image on these trips, of students playing with children, carrying them on their shoulders, helping them paint, holding hands. As I was putting away tools on the last day, I watched as a couple of teens tried to explain to the two girls we built for, Yulia, 7, and Jeyly, 3, that this blue structure with white trim that had appeared on their property was not going away. “Es tu casa,” they told the girls.

The children just smiled. They didn’t understand.

I’m not sure I did either, really. Why would students be willing to do this?

“The joy of these building trips is that we no longer are simply speaking from a place of conviction. We are living into it,” said Cory Myers, director of youth ministries at First Presbyterian, who was on his 21st trip. “I think that most students are willing to forfeit a week of carefree days because there is something tangible that they can give to a community like Las Carretas. … This realization of real joy carries with it a momentum that changes their lives.”

All I know is it’s hopeful stuff - at a time when we can really use it. And the momentum is growing. Volunteer programs like this for high school and colleges students are cropping up all over. Some offer one-week “alternative spring break” trips not only to Mexico but to Ghana, Jamaica, Morocco and many other countries.

Students are also finding volunteer opportunities inside the United States. Hundreds, for example, have taken part in an organized initiative this week called Ferguson Alternative Spring Break, where students are helping to rebuild the city of Ferguson, Mo., and promote civic engagement. They’ve drawn students from as far away as New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

The students from Santa Rosa were working through a nonprofit called Baja Vision Ministries, run by a Sergio Gomez, a pastor who at the age of 11 found himself living on the street and has since made it his life’s work to help those in similar situations - preaching, if you will, through heart, hard work and Sheetrock. His group operates an orphanage as well as builds houses for poor families. So far, they’ve built thousands of them.

But they can’t do it without the hordes of young people being willing to cross the border to lend a hand. And they’re coming. The week we were there, we shared housing with more than 100 people from Salem, Ore. The day we left, 600 students and teachers were arriving from the Palo Alto area to build 17 homes and finish a high school.

As I said, it sure feels like there’s an Easter message in there somewhere.