San Juan, PR – Feb. 22-28, 2026

Monday was a bit chaotic for our group of nine skilled energetic young men from up-state New York, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kansas. But by the close of the workday on Friday, this crew had finished one house and made significant progress on two more.

Their work included demolition, block laying, truss building, truss setting, and installation of facia, purlins and hurricane straps. They put on wind and water shield and roof decking. They did the necessary blocking.

On Wednesday they worked overtime to form and pour the bonding beam in Orlando’s house so trusses could be set on Thursday.  On Thursday the entire group lifted a huge beam into place so they could set trusses on Merwin’s house.

Twice they stopped at the beach for a quick dip on the way home from work.

On Wednesday night Amarilis González, executive director of Techos Pa’ Mi Gente told us how the organization began.  She also explained the partnership between TPMI and MDS.

Next week a group of nine students and one sponsor from Eastern Mennonite University will join us.

Don Yoder