This was my first trip with the Mission of Love so I didn't know what to expect,but with Kathy Price in the lead, 24 experienced and inexperienced workers set out to Isla Mujeres to help build a school and a clinic for the cerebral palsy children.

Our work details were split into different projects.Some went back to the mainland to finish painting and fixing a clinic while we on the island began helping the Mayan workers complete the existing building, a functional school and clinic for the children.

Our initial contact with the gracious people from the poorest neighborhood was one I will never forget.Kathy had procured half a dozen wheelchairs for the children who were afflicted varying degrees of cerebral palsy.The gratitude and smiles on the faces of the families and the children brought out some real srong emotions from all those who made the trip. I felt like we just freed the children and their families from a very restrictive burden.We obviously did not cure them but gave them a new spirit and and a new freedom.The eyes say a million words,and their eyes of thanks and love I will never fotget.

The week continued with a roof,a filled in floor,some electrical wiring,construction of six picnic tables,a lot of painting and building of 14 wood and glass windows from scratch. Five of these windows were installed on the last day to finish off the one building. A great sense of pride was shared between the Mayan workers and ourselves for a job well done.Kathy let us know recently that the school and clinic opened September 1st.

We had a chance to attend a rare occurrence on the island.Kathy Price was given the official key to the city in recognition of her very generous work for the children.The honor has been given only one other time and it was an honor for us all to be a part of it.

The week was one of the best and hardest I have had.I hope to do it again and would encourage others to feel tha satisfaction of the giving,and feel the love through the eyes of the child.