Jeff Parks, 45 years of age, is from Carrier Mills, Illinois. A member of the First United Methodist Church of Carrier Mills, Jeff is on his first mission trip.
Jeff has worked for the city of Carrier Mills for twenty-five years. He is also a volunteer member of the local fire department. He and his wife, Dana, have two sons.
He joined the Construction Mission Team after hearing his minister tell about all that was being done at the orphanage for the children and babies. Upon hearing about what was happening and the purpose of the fence, Jeff thought that it would be a good thing to try to help out others who were not so fortunate as he has felt he has been back in the states.
Jeff has done various jobs on the team. His prime job has been welding in the field the sections of the fence. But, he has also ground pipes, painted pipes on the fence posts in the field, helped to set sections of the fence, and helped to erect the fence.
Upon seeing Nicaragua he said that "seeing the people here has opened my eyes by seeing what they live in, seeing their homes". He said that the Nicaraguan people are "very nice, but I wish I could understand them". "I think they are very hard workers, from what I've seen".
What has most impacted Jeff so far this week are the children at the orphanage. "These kids, this is all they have. They have no parents. They have to rely on the people at the orphanage to take care of them".
Jeff said that he'd recommend this mission trip to others. He said that "I've been excited about coming down here, seeing another country, and taking a chance to help other people". According to Jeff, all that he has seen and expected to accomplish has exceeded his expectations!
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