Please join us this Sunday morning at 9:30 am & 11:00 am for Worship.
The development of Texas colonias dates back to at least the 1950s. Using agriculturally worthless land, developers created unincorporated subdivisions. They divided the land into small lots, putting in little or no infrastructure.
People with low-incomes often buy the lots through a contract for deed, a property financing method whereby developers typically offer a low down payment and low monthly payments but not the title to the property until the final payment is made. Housing in the colonias is primarily constructed by residents little by little using whatever they can find — discarded wood, cardboard or other materials. These structures usually lack electricity, plumbing and other basic amenities.
Buckner International began to minister in the Texas “colonias” in the Rio Grande Valley in 2002. Buckner International coordinates groups of volunteers to administer humanitarian aid through colonia community centers; work in area orphanages; repair and build new homes to improve the living conditions of impoverished families; conduct evangelism projects such as Vacation Bible School, backyard Bible clubs, block parties, sports clinics, prayer walking and evangelistic films; and to staff medical and dental clinics.
Last summer, the 35 members of the Woodlawn team, from ages 8 to 77, built a house for Christian and his family. Christian, a carpenter by trade, had helped Buckner International build homes for others in his colonia, while his own family was living in a modified tool shed. Now only did the group build one house, when the need arose mid-week, they began work on a second house!
Join the 2012 team! This summer, June 9-16, the Woodlawn team will form several work groups each focused on specific tasks—building a house for a deserving family, building beds for children, painting houses, teaching micro-enterprise trades which will help colonia families earn additional income and ministering to the colonias through the Buckner Transformation Center which provides a variety of ministries to the colonias outside McAllen.
Sunday, March 25
Work Project Information Meetingfollowing 11 am worship in Room 103
While not required to go on the trip, this 30 minute meeting is a question & answer time for those in-terested in going on this summer’s trip.
Sunday, April 15
Work Project Organizational Meetingfollowing 11 am worship in Room 103
This 30 minute meeting of trip participants will help organize and plan future training meetings for the group. Bring your family calendar and plan on deciding on future team meetings.
Information about our 2012 Mission Trip
This trip is open to adults, families with children, and teenagers who have completed the 9th grade.
The cost is $200 per person plus the cost of meals to and from McAllen and one meal each day. The cost per family is $500 plus the cost of meals to and from McAllen and one meal each day for each family member. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due by Sunday, April 15. Final balances are due May 27.
Our volunteer group will leave Saturday morning, June 9, from the front Woodlawn campus parking lot. The group will stay in dorms and prepare their own meals at the Melody Lane Christian Renewal Center (www.melodylane.org). The group will return Saturday afternoon, June 16.
You Can Help Raise Money to Build The House
The materials to build the outside walls and roof, with a substantial discount through Buckner International, will cost $5,500. To completely finish out the house with electricity, plumbing, insulation, etc. will cost an additional $11,000.
Your gift will help build a house for a deserving family who live in the colonias. Checks should be made payable to Woodlawn Baptist Church. Indicate on your check that your gift is for the Colonia “Build A House” Project. Mail your check to:
Woodlawn Baptist ChurchAttention: Build A House Project4600 Manchaca RoadAustin TX 78745
To give online, go to our Woodlawn homepage. Click on “Online Giving.” After entering the amount, indicate that your gift is for the colonia “Build A House” Project.
You Can Help Provide Scholarships
While you might not be able to go on this summer’s trip, you can help provide partial scholarships to help teenagers, adults and families go on this summer’s trip. Whether you mail in your check or pay online, indicate that your check is for “Colonia Work Project” scholarships. Your gift will go in a separate fund to help team members be a part of this summer’s work project.
click here for the Colonia Project brochure!