Mexico trip: eye-opening, enriching experience
By James Moate Endeavor News

On a recent trip to the Yucatán Peninsula, members of the St. Mark Catholic church in Emporium went to assist members of its sister parish San Antonio. Above, Father Paul Siebert poses with musicians that performed during mass at San Antonio. Left, a check, presented by the Father Paul Siebert, was among the contributions. Much of the trip was spent visiting the various ministries that St. Mark supports. However, the travelers did have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Paul Siebert, Robin Woods and Joe DiBello took a second away from painting to pose for a photographer. Parishioners from St. Mark's went to the Yucatán Peninsula to aid congregation members recover from the aftermath of a recent hurricane. Painting this church was one of many activities that volunteers from Emporium assisted with while in Mexico.

A half-dozen Cameron County residents recently returned from a trip to Mexico, feeling enriched by their experiences in an impoverished community.

Father Paul Siebert from St. Mark Catholic Church led the delegation to the Yucatán Peninsula to minister to others in the church's sister parish, San Antonio de Padua, as ambassadors of Christ.

They were based in Tinum, a town of about the same size as Emporium, where the residents are predominantly Christian with Mayan ancestry.

Pete DeLucia, Robin Woods, Barb McIsaac, Joe DiBello, and Jim Zoschg Jr. joined Father Paul. Some of them were part of the local delegation on one or both of two earlier trips.

Woods' observations reflected the experiences of all six.

"I asked the Lord to show me what he wanted me to see down there," she explained. "When I was looking out the window of the plane, I realized there were no boundaries. It made me realize that God never set any boundaries, we did."

Later, she came to realize that the Yucatecans are not bound by limitations, but are empowered by their faith with generosity. Many welcome others, even strangers, into their homes.

"We went to poor people's homes and they waited until we were done eating before they ate, to be sure there was enough," Woods continued. "They were so thankful for what they have, so appreciative of everything."

The residents' faith was evident in their daily lives, she pointed out.

"They have an amazing spirituality. They have altars set up in prominent places in their homes. Even if they had very little, almost every home had an altar."

As soon as the local delegation stepped off the plane, their senses were emerged in the Mexican culture -- vibrant colors, busy streets and the smell of ethnic food. From there, they began their journey to the churches supported financially and spiritually by St. Marks.

Woods said that even though they were frequently late, it didn't seem to bother their hosts.

"They weren't upset. They don't look at time like we do; their time is different."

From fresh coconuts to habanero peppers, not to mention plenty of tacos, the group experienced Mexican cuisine first-hand.

For some, the highlight of the trip was a half-hour drive on a dirt road through the jungle to the village of San Lorenzo. They were greeted with the same style of hospitality they found wherever they went.

Father Paul was especially pleased to see friends he had made from previous visits.

"These people feel like family to me," he explained. "It reminded me of when I was growing up and our family would travel a couple hours to visit relatives."

All six of the travelers felt enriched by their exposure to the kindness, selflessness and unity they experienced in the church and in the community. They attended one Sunday mass that included two baptisms and a wedding.

"It was so awesome that the whole community was there to celebrate these special occasions, rather than just a small group of people," Woods observed.

Zoschg said the trip may have had a bigger impact on the travelers themselves than on the hosts.

"Many of us felt that even though we had gone to the Yucatán to minister to the people there, the opposite had happened," he explained. "Through their kindness, hospitality and gracious giving, they ministered to us."

One very special moment for Robin Woods and her mother, Barb McIssac, was their rendezvous with a Mexican family they have been "sponsoring" with monthly donations.

"When we were down there we got to meet the family that we sponsor and it was just so special," said Woods. Woods said that it was her mother that suggested they give their sponsored family a picture of their benefactors.

"That was just what they wanted. When we gave them that picture the mother cried tears of joy. It was truly special. It was wonderful to meet the family for the first time."

Benefitting from Woods' and McIssac's collective monthly donations are a mother, a grandmother, a young boy, two young girls and two more younger boys. Money goes towards food, clothing and education.

As the local delegation prepared to depart, townspeople gathered around and took turns giving hugs. As they departed, they were serenaded by the townspeople.

Zoschg had taught the team a Spanish song they struggled through as a tribute to their hosts' culture.

"Even though I'm sure we butchered it, they enjoyed it," Woods said. "The kids gathered around and sang the refrain to us."

She was still bubbling with enthusiasm several weeks after returning to Cameron County: "Would I ever go back? Oh yeah!"