Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Fallbrook Scout completes Eagle Project by building home in Tijuana

Troy Monson and Troop 725 provided an exceptional act of service on August 23 when they constructed a rudimentary home for a needy family in Tijuana, Mexico. Troy spearheaded the endeavor as part of his requirements to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

Troy teamed with Mexico Caravan Ministries to select a needy family and coordinate construction of the dwelling in one day. Troy’s team consisted of scouts Kyle Christensen, Jeffrey Jameson, Lincoln Baliff, John Baliff and Adam Holzer. Adult leaders included Greg and Dori Henderson, Wayne Bryson, Marty Mead and Mark Monson. The Fallbrook Fifth Congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors Troop 725.

After months of planning and fundraising, Troy assembled his team and left Fallbrook at 5 a.m. on August 23. Upon arriving in Tijuana they had a brief orientation at the headquarters of Mexico Caravan Ministries. One of the volunteers at Mexico Caravan Ministries, himself an Eagle Scout, then accompanied Troy’s team to the work site.

The scouts were humbled to observe the Third World living conditions that exist just a few miles south of the United States border. This gave them added incentive to work extra hard to provide a dwelling for the family they were about to meet.

At the building site, they were introduced to the Ruiz family, a mother, two sons and a daughter. One of the sons had lost a leg to cancer and required a prosthesis and a cane to walk. Troy wasted no time in proceeding with construction.

Greg Henderson was of special assistance as he has built a number of these homes previously with Mexico Caravan Ministries. Work progressed rapidly as each team member assisted with sawing studs and shear walls, nailing and assembling the walls and roof and finally connecting the pieces together. Tarpaper and roofing material was attached to the roof to make it water-resistant. A donated solid core door that Troy brought was installed as well as plywood shutters for two windows. All work was done using hand tools, as no power tools were available.

After the home was completed the workers and family gathered inside to dedicate the home by prayer. Marty Mead, who is fluent in Spanish, translated the prayer. Troy then presented the Ruiz family with gifts he had obtained, including tools, bedding materials, clothes and cooking supplies.

Physically exhausted but on an emotional high, Troy’s team left for home about 6 p.m. The last members arrived home at 9 p.m. The day was long and physically taxing, but all of the team felt that their time was well spent.

 

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