AM Technical Solutions (AM) is driven by the opportunity to be a blessing to others. Whether it’s locally in Austin, nationally across the United States, or globally to other countries, our employees are passionate about helping others.
For the second consecutive year, AM COO Dan Codi and his wife Cindy joined a team of faithful servants traveling to Mexico City to provide spiritual hope and physical relief to children and families in the most dire of situations.
Many Hands Make For Impactful Work
This year’s trip to Mexico City was again with the Franciscan Friars of The Renewal, who have dedicated their lives to serving the poor.
Also, Dan, Cindy, and their group were hosted by Craig Johring and Danny Leger of Hope of the Poor, who are committed to helping people get off the streets and, in many cases, off of drugs.
The team spent time with homeless people that live in the city, interacted with elderly and handicapped women that live in a government shelter, and tried to be a bright light to families that live and work in the garbage dump. Food, blankets, used clothing, and toiletries served as a conduit for these valuable interactions.
“The mission was to simply value these people,” says Dan Codi. “Craig and Danny from Hope of the Poor both stressed it is the poverty of being unloved that impacts these folks most. Our mere presence was most important, even for those of us with limited Spanish ability.”
This visit included testimony from five families that Hope of the Poor has helped get off the streets. One of the most memorable, impactful, and emotionally-stirring testimonies was from a 26-year-old single mother who lives under a bridge near a park with her 3-year-old daughter.
This is where another amazing group, Baseball Miracles, enters the scene. The Baseball Miracles team was so touched by the story of the young mom and her daughter that they decided to sponsor them and help get them off the street!
Our Partnership With Baseball Miracles
This year’s mission trip to Mexico City included a baseball clinic run by Baseball Miracles to help approximately 150 kids that live in a city garbage dump.
Baseball Miracles first provided each child with a brand-new glove, ball, t-shirt, and cinch sack. Then, the team taught the kids how to throw, field, and hit. Throughout the day, Dan and his team served hot dogs Mexico-style (mayo, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, and ketchup). At the end of the day, there was a big baseball game for the older kids.
“It was a privilege to be able to bring them a little bit of joy,” Dan says. “During my time teaching outfielding and baserunning, it felt no different than the years I coached little league at home with my kids.”
Finding Hope in The Darkness
The sad reality, though, is that after the baseball camp was over, the kids walked back across the dirt road to the dump where they live. Many live in shacks near mountains of garbage.
“We all understand that we can’t fix everything everywhere, but we can value everyone everywhere,” Dan says.
“Cindy and I feel blessed to have been a small part of working with great organizations that are serving the poor in the U.S. and abroad. While we know we are helping these people in a small way, they are truly helping us see the face of Jesus in the poor. In doing so, they are giving us much more than we can ever give them.”
Dan’s return trip to Mexico City is one example of how we are blessed with the opportunity to give back to others and to continue making an investment in people’s lives. We are humbled by the many opportunities we have to support organizations both corporately and as individuals!