So Long Week 2.

This week concludes the second week spent down in Tecate, Mexico. It's amazing to see how fast these buildings are being constructed and being able to watch them form from the ground up. It was only a week ago when we were looking at nothing but concrete foundations. Now we're moving on the assembling the roofs of each of these buildings. This past week we spent most of our time making sure all of the small details of the building process had been accomplished. From the windows to the doors, the measurements and everything in between, we made sure these buildings were ready to go up.
As week 2 came to an end we had to say goodbye to some of our volunteers. However, this coming week we'll be saying hello to a group of about 30 high school kids who will be helping out from YouthWorks.
We appreciate all comments and would like to hear from our supporters. You all are welcome to leave comments and/or emails concerning our work in Tecate or about Lazarian World Homes in general.

We are having fun!

I had imagined a trip full of work, logistics, and headaches.
But honestly, it has been a lot of fun. In the first week we played soccer, had a bonfire party with the seminary students. We also went to the movie theaters and watched Iron man for only $5 USD! We played checkers at the park using bottle caps...Went to Peter Pipper Pizza, a similar form of Chucky Cheese. Now it’s the second Week, so far we have…
Gone for ice cream @ La Michoacana, so good!!!
Jumped in the pool @ the Estancia Inn
And played with an all reused tape ball, haha, thanks Vanessa :D

Hope you can join in the fun :D
Maira Flores

So We're Back- Week 2

We arrived back today in Tecate only to be welcomed by 95 degree heat. The work day will be slow as we're cleaning up the site from Saturday's big pour. We're sweeping out the houses and removing all of the wall braces to prepare for the Stucco. We are thankful for the slight breeze that passes by every minute or so. Our work team for today has shrunk down to about 7 people, but we're making great progress.
We appreciate all of the prayers for our team and this project. Your support is greatly needed.

A Productive Summer

After a week of construction, as the Tecate sun beat increasingly stronger on the Nazarene Seminary Campus, four buildings near completion and two more are in preliminary stages. Composed of styrofoam, concrete, rebar, wood and plaster Lazarian world homes are a revolutionary and eco-friendly method of construction. Living and working in close proximities, the varying group of volunteers, clad in matching yellow t-shirts and green baseball caps, has developed a close-knit and efficient team.
Leading the group with his passion for rapid and efficient production, George has successfully guided the production, alongside his wife Bernie and colleagues Ken and Marsha. With recent improvements and innovations in the construction process—square holes in the foam blocks, an aluminum trough for pouring cement and zip ties used to attach rebar—production time has greatly increased.

Student Reflection: Week One

It is crazy to think that just 5 days ago we arrived in Tecate facing concrete slabs in dirt lots, surprised by the chilly temperature and having no idea what kind of work was ahead for us. Over the next few days, the walls went up almost as quickly as the temperature, and we regretted any wishes we may have made regarding warmer weather.

All jokes aside about building styrofoam housing though, it turns out to be a really well-developed model. It's amazing to be working on a project that is not only easier and faster than standard housing, but also more energy efficient and longer-lasting. I saw a photograph of a styrofoam house built in the states, after being hit by a hurricane. There was a completely smashed car up against the home, but the home itself looked as good as new.

I helped with a little bit of post-Katrina rebuilding efforts a couple summers ago, and was saddened by the fact that many of these families we were helping would most likely see other storms in their lifetimes. There is a desperate need for not just housing, but something that is sustainable for families all across the globe--and I think that this concept could definitely touch on this.

Vanessa Pridmore- Senior, Business Administration

The End of the First Week.

So we concluded this week of work in Tecate on a positive note. Today [Saturday, May 17] we had local churches from the area come down to help us out. It was definitely a blessing to have their helping hands. Most of the buildings are nearly completed and stacked eight blocks high. For a normal building this is where we would finish it off and construct the roof. All but one building, which will eventually be a store house, will stay at this level as we apply the roof.
Along with volunteers from the States, locals from Mexico extended their hands in service. Many members from the campus, as well as local officials, came out to serve and construct these houses. Everyone who comes to help is amazed by the process in which these are built. We will have people drive by and just stop and watch us as we build these styrofoam houses. Many of them just keep driving, but some will venture out and ask us what we're doing. For many of us it feels like we're playing with Legos. Legos that will change lives.

We'll continue construction on the buildings on Monday. Keep checking in as we'll be posting more updates.

Lazarian World Homes Update

Today we were able to complete stacking the foam blocks up to four feet high on four different buildings in preparation for the pouring of cement. We also have prepared two more building foundations to be poured tomorrow. We have dealt with many issues regarding our tools and trailers getting cleared into the country. We're also having problems wiring funds to the U.S. for our concrete purchases, which seemed to be an easy task but quickly became complicated. Pray for those two issues as we continue to try to resolve them. Also, if you could pray for the safety of our work team and the progress of our work. Our objective is to completely build 8 buildings in two months with volunteer labor.

I'm reminded daily of Psalms 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."

-Kenn

Tecate- Day 1

After embarking on our adventures from Point Loma at 6:30 AM, we made our way across the border. When pulling into Tecate you enter an entirely different world. There is no gradual change of scenery, instead it's a complete shift of what one is used to.
There was no time to be wasted. Right away the group started on assembling the blocks into the outlined structures while pouring concrete in order to bond them to the foundation. In total, there are seven buildings that the first group here in Tecate are currently working on. Three out of the seven are halfway constructed and will be completed sometime within the next two days.
The locals here really know how to cook, and with that, they really know how to impress. Every meal today has been delicious and appreciated. Most of them can also be found on the construction site helping with these buildings.

Tecate, Mexico- 2008

Lazarian World Homes is a Non-Profit organization determined to put a roof over the heads of people who need it. This summer, volunteers from all over southern California as well as areas in Mexico will join together to construct 7 buildings in under 60 days. Over this period of time, this blog is dedicated to those who help, serve, and build here in Tecate, Mexico. You can keep updated with us as we document our ventures here in Mexico.

You can visit the Lazarian World Homes website to find the building plans and more detailed information.

You can also find us on YouTube as well as Facebook.