MEXICAN MISSION GETS LOCAL HELP 15 LANCASTER CHURCHGOERS BUILD PATIO, LARGE WINDOW.Byline: Bettie Rencoret Special to the Daily News LANCASTER - Spring break took on new meaning this year for 15 adults and youths from the Lancaster United Methodist Church United Methodist Church, in the United States, religious body formed by the union in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church (see Methodism). . They spent most of the week painting, building a patio and doing other work at a mission church in Mexicali, Mexico. Sleeping was dormitory-style, on air mattresses, cots and sleeping bags in the mission's mother church sanctuary. Showers were in cold water. A 30-foot-long trailer that carried tools and building supplies from Lancaster served as the chuck wagon. ``I've really learned a lot on this trip,'' said volunteer Kirk Reagan, an Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. pilot on his first mission trip. ``I didn't know anything about construction before this.'' ``There's still a lot that needs to be done,'' said Clifford King Sr., the volunteers' construction superintendent. Their objective was to upgrade and beautify the San Juan San Juan, city, Argentina San Juan (săn wän, Span. sän hwän), city (1991 pop. 353,476), capital of San Juan prov., W Argentina. It is a commercial and industrial center in an agricultural region. Mission Church, pastored by Guadalupe Hernandez and her husband, Norberto Castro. The mission's mother church is the United Methodist Church pastored by Guadalupe's brother, Leonel Hernandez and his wife, Francesca. The Lancaster volunteers excavated, laid forms and poured cement for a patio porch attached to the main entry. Then they put a sheet metal roof over it so that parishioners can congregate con·gre·gate tr. & intr.v. con·gre·gat·ed, con·gre·gat·ing, con·gre·gates To bring or come together in a group, crowd, or assembly. See Synonyms at gather. adj. 1. Gathered; assembled. 2. after services. They also knocked out part of one wall and installed a large picture window so there will be cross-circulation when it and the window on the opposite wall are open. The women and children were the major painters. Last year, the Lancaster church sent members of its youth group to help at the three churches overseen by Leonel Hernandez. They didn't know exactly what they would need to do, but they found out the pressing need was to pipe in water. This year's trip was more of a family affair. Before leaving Lancaster after the early Palm Sunday Palm Sunday, in the Christian calendar, the Sunday before Easter, sixth and last Sunday in Lent, and the first day of Holy Week. It recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding upon an ass, when his followers shouted "Hosanna" and scattered palms in his path. service, the workers were issued green T-shirts. Emblazoned on the front in yellow was ``Git 'r Done,'' and the Bible passage, ``I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!'' On the back: ``Got 'r Done'' over ``Lancaster United Methodist Church, Lancaster, California.'' All the work was completed Wednesday afternoon. After the evening meal, the volunteers were invited to evening services. The next day, the volunteers and their hosts drove in a caravan to San Felipe San Felipe (săn fəlē`pā), pueblo (1990 pop. 1,557), Sandoval co., N central N.Mex., on the Rio Grande; founded early 18th cent. The inhabitants are Pueblo of the Keresan linguistic family. Ceremonial dances are held there in spring and winter. beach on the Gulf of California Noun 1. Gulf of California - a gulf to the west of the mainland of Mexico Sea of Cortes Mexico, United Mexican States - a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810 for a lunch feast of camarones (shrimp). The volunteers arrived back in Lancaster in time for Good Friday Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance. services. A contingent from the Mexicali congregation plans to visit Lancaster this summer. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Glenn Williams Glenn David Williams (born July 18, 1977 in Gosford, New South Wales) is a third baseman from Australia, who last played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins during the 2005 season. , center, helps build a patio at San Juan Mission Church in Mexicali, Mexico. (2) Lancaster United Methodist Church Pastor James Ledgerwood and his daughter Tiffany, at left, scrape paint off the Mexican church. Above, Tiffany Ledgerwood talks with Guadalupe Hernandes-Castro, pastor of San Juan Mission Church in Mexicali, Mexico. Bettie Rencoret/Daily News |
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