Calling all mechanics!

Last Friday I made my first trip to Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital city of Chiapas with Pablo and two other pastors from the executive committee of the new organization that will “own” the clinic. We had to get the corporation set up so we can open a local bank account to handle the funds for construction and operations.

During the 3 ½ hour drive to Tuxtla there was a lot of conversation in both Spanish and Tzeltal that I tried to keep up with. The language is coming slowly to me because there are just so many words. I have not gotten to point that I think in Spanish, so I try to convert to English and just get left behind.

Tuxtla is a big bustling city with too many cars and not enough enforcement of normal driving rules, so I was happy to be a passenger, but not happy about being “out of control” if you know what I mean. Our meeting with the government folks who handle corporations only took about 45 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise.

I then learned that this new corporation had applied for and received a gift of 16 vehicles from the state of Chiapas. These are either government vehicles that have been wrecked or civilian vehicles confiscated and not claimed. We were allowed to walk around the fairground size storage lot whose perimeter was lined 3 deep with vehicles of all types and in all conditions.

We started with the pick-up trucks, because the Hebron Foundation must borrow or rent a truck to haul baggage and supplies when work groups visits. Most of the trucks were Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 police trucks. Some had major damage from wrecks, others looked pretty good except for minor body damage. We chose five of these with the hopes that we could combine the parts and get one or two working trucks.

Next we looked at the VM minibuses called combies down here. We picked two of those, one that had just been brought into the lot as we were arriving. The hope is that these could be used for transporting youth groups.

Then I saw a section with motorcycles, and I started to salivate. I have always wanted a bike to play on and ride around town. I picked out two Yamaha’s that looked pretty good and were only missing a turn signal or brake light. I hope to get one of these running by summer time.

So we picked out 9 vehicles total that will be given to the new corporation. The government does not care what is done with them once they leave the lot, so we may be able to sell pieces and parts to help cover the transportation costs, which will be the cost of diesel fuel for a round trip from Ocosingo to Tuxtla. One of members of the Rotary Club I just joined has an auto hauler and has agreed to help for the cost of fuel.

So here is the pitch; How about a Mechanics Mission Trip? If you are or know an auto mechanic that would like to have an experience of a lifetime, come visit us in Ocosingo and help us get these pick-ups and combies operational. We will work with local mechanics and worship in local Presbyterian churches, just like our construction trips. But instead of a finished building or concrete slab, at the end of your trip you’ll leave behind working vehicles that can be used for years of service to Hebron Foundation and the Presbyterian Church.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:6