Reflections on Past Expeditions

It happens every time – a smile spreads automatically across my face as I think about my friends in Monterrey, Mexico! A flood of happy memories and cherished acquaintances accompanies this. The recollections are still so vivid – the smells, the sounds, the people and I have a hard time remembering anything but the good. Well, o.k. - we worked hard, we didn’t get nearly enough sleep and we didn’t accomplish everything we set out to do, but oh how we loved each and every moment we were there! From the tacos to the lemonade to the buckets of cement to the farewell party and even the crazy taxi cab drivers, it was wonderful.

Not only did I gain a greater love and respect for my brothers and sisters in Mexico, but I also came to know and love my students and friends who joined me on the trip. We didn’t have to think about our typical “list of things to do”, or the dirty laundry waiting for us or getting to work or school or to the grocery store. We just woke up each day and headed out on another adventure. At night we shared our experiences with each other as we laughed and cried together. We learned much and served much – but mostly our friends in Mexico served us. I’m a better person because I took a leap of faith and signed up for a Family-to-Family Expedition. It’s definitely on my list of top 10 experiences!

Valerie Butler, FFHE Board Member and FFHE Lifer!

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Message from FFHE Founder

This year promises to be an exciting year of celebration for Family to Family Humanitarian Expeditions (FFHE). We are celebrating our 7th year of offering humanitarian expeditions to Mexico.

Our featured destination this year is the beautiful, tropical, port city of Veracruz. Many different travel packages are available to meet the needs of those wishing to participate with us.

It’s hard to believe it has been seven years since our first expedition to Bermejillo, Mexico. Five of us participated in this initial expedition. We even paid the way for some of the participants to go so we could make sure the idea of taking people to Mexico for humanitarian work could be successful. During this first week, we were able to dig a septic tank and pour a cement floor for a bathroom. We lived with the Castañeda family and experienced the love and support of our newfound Latino friends.

From this humble beginning seven years ago, we have spread our humanitarian work and friendships to many different areas: Ensenada, Casas Grandes, Gomez Palacio, Zihuatanejo, Monterrey, Torreón, La Misión, and Roma Texas, Mexico. Last year, hundreds of participants helped with many different projects including: building homes, bathrooms for schools, pouring cement floors for many individual families, working on government buildings, and helping at orphanages and senior citizen centers. We provided hundreds of pounds of donated items for the poor in impoverished areas. We also participated in teaching education classes to Church and government organizations, individual families, and groups within different communities. These classes varied from first aid, hygiene and newborn training, English and music classes to paper airplanes, jewelry making, and firesides. We provided medical assistance at a free clinic in La Misión.

This year promises to be as outstanding as last year. Because of difficult economic times, trips are organized to be as affordable as possible. Veracruz is our featured destination because of its beauty, safety, and humanitarian needs. We have developed a close partnership with the government in both the state and city of Veracruz, as well as with Church and community leaders. This will allow us to reach out to those in need of our help.

We are grateful to those who have participated with us over the past seven years. Thank you for your love and support. Please join us this year in celebrating the opportunity to strengthen individuals and families through love and service!

Gratefully,

Kendon

Celebrate with Family to Family in '08

We have a wonderful year of service and charity planned for 2008. We will be involved in 7 or 8 expeditions to 4 different Mexican locations. Our humanitarian projects will include assisting in the building of a school, a house, bathrooms as well as the typical cement floor projects.

The cost of these projects are unusually high, but the benefit will be outstanding. We really have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individual people.

We need your help and support. Please go to the following link for an opportunity to help FFHE and receive some professional photographs of you or your family. http://jarviedigital.com/projects/ffhe08.html

Thanks for your support over the past 6 years. Check out our website to learn more of the exciting expeditions we are doing this year. Better still, join us and renew friendships with the people you served on your last expedition.

Gratefully,

Kendon

Celebrate with Family to Family in '08

We have a wonderful year of service and charity planned for 2008. We will be involved in 7 or 8 expeditions to 4 different Mexican locations. Our humanitarian projects will include assisting in the building of a school, a house, bathrooms as well as the typical cement floor projects.

The cost of these projects are unusually high, but the benefit will be outstanding. We really have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individual people.

We need your help and support. Please go to the following link for an opportunity to help FFHE and receive some professional photographs of you or your family. http://jarviedigital.com/projects/ffhe08.html

Thanks for your support over the past 6 years. Check out our website to learn more of the exciting expeditions we are doing this year. Better still, join us and renew friendships with the people you served on your last expedition.

Gratefully,

Kendon

Family to Family Humanitarian Expeditions Beginnings

During trips to Mexico and Central America, we witnessed the native peoples endless shortage of necessities: bathrooms, covered floors, and adequate housing. It was obvious that while they worked hard, they seldom had opportunity to learn skills that would help them provide adequately for their needs. At the same time it was apparent that most of us in the United States were physically and financially capable of helping teach and assist the people in those countries.

Sending money to Mexico and Central America could and does make a difference. But we believed that bringing the two groups together would change people as well as landscapes. Together those without would gain hope as they witnessed others sharing and helping. At the same time those with so much would realize the joy of sharing instead of just having.

Most importantly both groups would grow together and become part of each other’s lives.