Give Ye Them To Eat

An Integrated Development Project for South Central Mexico

GYTTE was founded in 1977 as a social outreach project of the Methodist Church of Mexico to combat hunger and poverty in the rural sector.  The purpose of the “Give Ye Them To Eat” program (GYTTE) is to strengthen the capabilities of marginalized people and communities to meet their basic needs, and to determine and sustain a just and integrated development process.  Participatory methods and development tools are used to create conditions in which change can take place from within the communities.  GYTTE uses people-centered approaches to development.

Old Mission has a long-standing covenant relationship with the missionaries at GYTTE, Terry and Muriel Henderson.  A covenant relationship is, in addition to a financial commitment, a relationship with the missionaries where the church and the missionaries pray for one another and communicate regularly.  GYTTE began a partnership with Heifer International, and in 1991 became an independent mission with some of the same core programs represented by Heifer International.   In 1990, GYTTE purchased land in the small community of Tlanqualpican, Mexico to open a training center that was named the “Tree of Life”.  The mission trains Mexicans to live on their land through a program of sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry.  It also provides a health program that provides training to village women in preventative health care.  They return to their villages to serve as volunteer workers for community based health care.  The bottom line goal is to provide Mexicans with a means of remaining on their land in their own country…with a livelihood.  Faith and learning about Christ is the basis for the mission in Mexico.

As Volunteer in Mission (VIM) workers, we worked alongside the Mexican people, preparing materials for the composting toilets, caring for the animals and making improvements to the “Tree of Life” center. 

The 2005 team built the frame and roof of a now-completed teaching building and also built a lasagna garden so the staff could grow their own herbs and vegetables.  In addition, the team taught some of the women to sew aprons. 

The 2007 team helped to complete a sports court by laying pavers and building basketball goals.  In addition, the team helped thatch a roof and also painted the staff building. 

The 2009 team spent a significant amount of time working on a new dormitory.  They worked on everything from plumbing, electricity and mudding the walls of the straw bale structure.  Another major project was a hand dug cistern for the village church.

The proposed project for 2011 is working on a demonstration home so local villagers can learn how to build a straw bale home for their family. 

Everyone can find a meaningful and rewarding function on a VIM trip.  There is time for worship, prayer, rest and time to learn about the country of Mexico.  There is also time for sight-seeing in the beautiful city of Puebla.

Old Mission has sent teams in 2005, 2007, 2009.  The next trip is currently planned for February 11-20, 2011.  For further information regarding the GYTTE program, please see their website at www.gytte.org.