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 Message From Kendon
Expanding Horizons
We have discovered areas in Mexico where we can have a tremendous influence on individuals, families, and communities. Miracles are happening. Doors have opened, enabling us to pinpoint specific areas that ensure the safety of our participants and match our mission to serve and strengthen families in Mexico. Horizons are expanding for FFHE in three picturesque, yet poverty-stricken areas of Mexico:
In the beautiful state of Veracruz, we will work with the President of the Veracruz Villa Rica stake, President Ramos, and all 11 bishops from that stake. We will be establishing the needs of individuals and families, and working with the members, side by side, to find solutions to these challenges.
Invitation from the First Lady of Mexico
We recently received an invitation from the First Lady of Mexico, Licenciada Margarita Zavala, to partner with Father Joseph, a highly esteemed Roman Catholic priest, in the area of Tixtla, in the state of Puebla. Expeditions to this area will be available in the coming year.
We also made contact with former congressman, Licenciado Ignacio Rubio, from the central Mexican state of Querétaro, who has organized several large-scale events for religious groups within his state and of bordering states. He has invited us to meet with all 17 mayors of the townships within his state. Several of these townships have the highest rankings of poverty in all of Mexico, yet the entire state has managed to curb the increase in violence experienced in Mexico.
Expanding our new horizons will begin this fall in Veracruz as we work directly with President Ramos, and his stake, the Villa Rica Stake. We will be involved in numerous building projects, especially constructing concrete floors. This will enable us to get to know one another, and each of the families in the stake. We will also be working with individuals, families, and auxiliaries to establish programs for next year’s expeditions.
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Last Expedition of 2009
Veracruz, Mexico - Oct 13-20
[ CHECK AVAILABILITY ]
Expedition Focus
Open to everyone
Humanitarian Projects
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Teaching in medical workshops
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Local constructions projects for community and church families (bathrooms and concrete floors)
October Expedition Deadline
September 15
The Velazquez Hernandez Family
Veracruz Background
Veracruz, the state that smiles is not only a common phrase on signs everywhere, but a phrase we live each day as we leave the tourist scene, and go into the homes and organizations where the need is the greatest: smiles on the children of the orphanage as we play games with them, smiles on those who lovingly provide our daily lunch, smiles on the families as we pour in their cement floor, smiles on those same families as they provide us with some small token to express their gratitude... but most importantly, smiles on everyone as we all come together through service. Veracruz truly is the state that smiles.
Kids that live at the project
Tentative Fun activities
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Whitewater rafting in the jungles of Veracruz
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Shopping in Veracruz City
Accommodations
Hotel Villas Palmira y Spa, is a Mexican three-star, beachfront hotel, 10 minutes outside the city of Veracruz. There will be 4-6 participants per room. For more information and photos, please visit their website at www.hotelvillaspalmira.com
[ CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR JULY EXPEDITION TO VERACRUZ ]
Information Meeting for
October Expedition to Veracruz
Thursday, Sept. 10 - 8PM
Kendon Eakett’s house
4219 N. Canyon Rd. in Provo
[ VISIT THE FFHE FACEBOOK PAGE ] |
July Expedtion to Veracruz
"Who knew putting in a concrete floor could make such a difference..."
When July rolled around, most of my desires to go on the expedition had vanished. What could I offer? I had been to Veracruz on the June expedition already.
Everything in my life seemed to be falling apart, from serious health problems in my family to personal financial issues. I had nothing to give. My vision narrowed as darkness seemed to crowd around me. I was so close to backing out, but something kept me going. And then I arrived at Veracruz. Who knew putting in a concrete floor could make such a difference, not only for the family, but for me?
Having been born and raised in Mexico, poverty has constantly surrounded me. But never had I seen such extreme poverty as with the Velasquez family: six people sharing one bed in a house made of tin, wooden crates, used carpet and a stove in back, made out of tires. Their optimism, smiles, hugs, and charity in such grave circumstances of poverty were awe striking. As I spent more and more time with them, my personal burdens seemed lighter and my vision clearer. It was at their home that I learned a great lesson: When trials come our way, service is a means to shine light not only into the life of others, but into our own life because in doing so we draw closer to greatest light of all, our Savior. And this light of service is what continually expands horizons.
Breana Jones
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