Hi, Everyone!
For the past three weeks Jordan and I, along with our husbands, have been in Argentina. In fact, Jordan and Mr. Spring are still there for a more days enjoying the Mendoza wine country.
Mr. Autumn and I got home this morning after an all-night flight from Buenos Aires.
Each year for the past 11 years, Mr. Autumn and I have spent two to three weeks in different foreign countries helping to improve the lives of people who are in need.
We have done projects in New Zealand, Mongolia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Egypt, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Romania, Mexico, and Argentina. For the first few years, we lead the trips through Habitat for Humanity, but now we have a bunch of friends who get together with us annually, and we all just do it as a group.
Mr. Autumn and I select a country that we want to visit or return to. Then we find an agency there that needs help.
In Cambodia we built homes for three families who were living under tarps. Seeing people live under a tarp reminds us that we can get way carried away picking out a paint color or obsessing over where a piece of furniture needs to be moved to.
In Cairo, Egypt we remodeled the apartments of six single mothers who were living in the city’s slums. We built classrooms, painted classrooms, and built a playground at a school in Laos. (Read about it here). This year we worked on a school about 45 minutes outside of Buenos Aires.
It is pretty much the same group of friends who meet up each year, and we are a diverse group. We are not religion-based. Throughout the years we have had Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Quakers, Buddhists, and Atheists. We range in age from 29 to 87. We usually don’t see one another except on our working vacations. We have a great time. We work hard and play hard.
Jordan and I like to call it The Ultimate Before and After. We plan to do a project in Burma next year.
As part of the re-entry back into my regular routine, I like to buy some flowers and give thanks for being so lucky. From these traveling experiences, I feel the people we have helped have given me much more than I have given them. I have learned so much from them. The bottom line is that no matter where we live and in what conditions we live, we all want what is best for our families.
*****
I hope you understand why Jordan and I have had sporadic posts lately, haven’t joined any parties, and have been lax on leaving comments. We will be back full-throttle next week. Have a great week-end!!!
Take care.
Linking to Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence. and 
What a wonderful way to make a difference in these people’s lives and how great to have your family on board with you…may the blessings you bestow on others come back to you many fold. Welcome back!
Jermaine
Janette, You and your husband are very giving and so conscious about making a difference in someone else’s life! There should be more people like you in the world because you’re really helping change things for the better. Thanks for coming by to visit. I appreciate the time you took to leave a nice comment. 🙂
~ Sue
That was just the thing to read on a dull morning when the paper is full of war, cruelty, dishonest politician etc – a shot of kindness! Thank you!
Wow, you are such an inspiration!!!! How fun to spend it with your family too! Have a great weekend :o)
~Des
I am in awe of your generosity. What a gift. But I’m sure you feel it’s a gift back to yourself as well to be able to spend this time helping others. What wonderful memories for your family as well.
WOW! My husband would be crazy about this entry. He loves to travel and now that we have a child, we don’t do it as much as we use to. There are so many other expenses that have to come first right now (at least in my opinion, my husband? not so much) than traveling. When he was younger, my husband did mission trips like the ones you described and he loved them. I am sure he would love to do them again. They would be a great learning experience for our daughter. The places you have been are amazing. What a great way to spend your time. Very inspirational. Thank you so much for sharing. You’ve given me something to think about.
Btw, we are following you on twitter. I wish GFC hadn’t changed their setup. I thought that was an easier way to stay connected to all the blogs I want to follow.
Eldarose