Four Points Monclova

TOILET PAPER!!!!

by HAWLEYJ

Pack for HEAT! I didn't see a drop of rain the entire time. Don't bring too expensive of anything unless you plan on having it with you at all times. Good shoes! The streets are almost all dirt and rocks. Bring nicer clothes if you plan on going to church. Mexico is conservative in their Sunday dress. Especially for the ladies. TOILET PAPER!! Many bathrooms at people's houses, etc. will not have toilet paper. Bring your own just in case. In addition, DON'T FLUSH THE PAPER!!! The basket next to the stool is for the dirty paper. Yeah, I'm serious. Whatever you need to take pictures of those beautiful kids!! Pants that zip-off into shorts worked GREAT for me!

Monclova- Riches in the Midst of Poverty.

by HAWLEYJ

"Missions Trip 2003"

I have traveled the world, but this was my first missions trip. How can I describe the differences? Traveling can change your perspective and open your eyes, but working with a local, loving church to reach others with God's love has changed my life. I will forever be grateful to God for the relationships I made and my time in Monclova. If you're interested in going, doveinternational.org is the ministry that organized our trip. I highly recommend them. They do a great job working with the local churches, and we even got to stay in peoples' homes!

"Lay of the Land"

Monclova is nestled high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Mexican state of Coahuilla.

"Open-Air Services"

Part of our helping the local church- Rosa de Saron- was assisting them in open-air services we would hold every chance we could. They would sometimes be in parks, sometimes in football fields (soccer, for us Americans), and sometimes, like this one, in peoples' front yards!

Come along with me as I take you underground in one of the richest (although poor!) cities on earth!

Monclova- The Photos to Bring You There.

by HAWLEYJ

"The Trip- 36 Hours on a Bus."

We took a charter bus, over 30 of us, from Rochester, MN all the way to Monclova. This is what happens on such a long trip with giggly girls.

"Cactus Cactus Everywhere!"

After a stop in San Antonio to stay overnight, we went on to Mexico! One of the coolest features, in terms of terrain, is the abundance of cacti mixed in with miles and miles of weeds. Definitely a different vista from Minnesota!

"Hubcap Man"

The economy in Mexico is quite a bit different than the States. Here is the first example I saw, "Hubcap Man!" He had hubcaps hanging all over his car for sale. My guess is that he got them off the road, or possibly people's cars.

"Rest Stop"

Shortly after the last picture we stopped next to "Hubcap Man" and took turns watering the cactus. (Well, the men did, at least!)

"The Church- Rosa de Saron"

We finally arrived at the church- Rosa de Saron. It was a beautiful pink concrete church with blue tile and wooden pews on the inside.

The church from the street.

"The people! The KIDS!!"

The people in Monclova are absolutely FANTASTIC!! In many parts they do not have anything but a small concrete house with coackroaches and only running water part of the time. Nevertheless, they will almost all open up to Americans. I'm dedicating the next entire section to just the fantastic people I met in Monclova.

The kids LOVED my digital camera!