As I was putting this photo slideshow together last night it brought back such good memories from last week that I really wished I was back in Mexico gearing up for our last day working on the house as we were preparing for last Wed night. Today, I was thinking about the new families that will be blessed with a new house today as mission teams serving at Yugo will complete the houses they've been working on this week -- and it's awesome to consider that this will happen every Thursday this summer!
Here's a link to our photos: Family Mission Trip to Mexico on You Tube
It is long - 12 minutes with 168 photos; since there is music on it, it may not be available to view on a mobile device (due to licensing I believe - but don't really understand?) Enjoy!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Adios Mexico!
Before we head back to San Diego today our team is visiting La Bufadora, which according to google is a marine geyser or blowhole located on the Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja California. Also, known as a popular tourist spot for shopping so I'm sure the girls will be loading up on some souvenirs.
Yesterday was awesome. We finished up the house around 3:30 and had some time to decorate it with some furnishings we had brought. The house dedication is really the highlight of the trip as we all gather around outside the front, and each team member gets to share some thoughts with the family before the pastor blesses the house and then we hand over the keys to the family. As you can imagine, it's an emotional time, and I'll never forget the smiles, tears, and comments from the Martinez family. After seeing her bed, Romina shared with us that the only mattress the family had was found in a trash dump. Lirio, their daughter, shared with us that she always felt too ashamed to invite her friends over to where she lived. Jonathan could not speak, every time he tried only tears of joy came out. Jose Louis (dad) was very grateful for the home; he felt so unworthy. It was a great feeling knowing that he just recently turned his life around and he has begun a new life in Christ. We were able to offer the family hope beyond their daily struggles and lift some of their burden.
And last night, we had a great time of worship back at Yugo and many shared their thoughts on the week. We were reminded of our theme for the week: Energized by faith; Engaged in love; Enduring in hope; and, we were encouraged to take this with us as we live out our lives on mission in walking with Christ.
Yesterday was awesome. We finished up the house around 3:30 and had some time to decorate it with some furnishings we had brought. The house dedication is really the highlight of the trip as we all gather around outside the front, and each team member gets to share some thoughts with the family before the pastor blesses the house and then we hand over the keys to the family. As you can imagine, it's an emotional time, and I'll never forget the smiles, tears, and comments from the Martinez family. After seeing her bed, Romina shared with us that the only mattress the family had was found in a trash dump. Lirio, their daughter, shared with us that she always felt too ashamed to invite her friends over to where she lived. Jonathan could not speak, every time he tried only tears of joy came out. Jose Louis (dad) was very grateful for the home; he felt so unworthy. It was a great feeling knowing that he just recently turned his life around and he has begun a new life in Christ. We were able to offer the family hope beyond their daily struggles and lift some of their burden.
And last night, we had a great time of worship back at Yugo and many shared their thoughts on the week. We were reminded of our theme for the week: Energized by faith; Engaged in love; Enduring in hope; and, we were encouraged to take this with us as we live out our lives on mission in walking with Christ.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Mexico Day 4
Today we will complete the home and present the keys to our family! Yesterday we shingled the roof, mudded the drywall, stained the interior trim and door and began building bunk beds. We ended our day a bit earlier yesterday in order to get back for early dinner -- taco night from Pablanos, before heading to church service at our families' church at 6:30. The service began with music from the praise band. When the band launched into the familiar "Everlasting God" and "Hosanna", I felt more at home in their church. Pastor Joel welcomed us (there was a translator), and then Ty Garvey and Sarah Tillman from our group brought their guitars on stage and sang an acoustic song. Everyone at the church was so grateful for our presence ther. The pastor invited the families that we were building for to come forward and share a few words. Our family was the only one missing, and I suspected something was wrong because they said they would be there; as it turns out Jose Louis had car trouble and he came rushing into the service just after it was over. He was clearly shaken and in tears as we greeted his family and learned about their trouble getting to the church. He felt ashamed by not making it there on time, so we all hugged on him and comforted him. Jose Louis is new to his faith. Pastor Joel shared with us that he recently came out of rehab and he has been clean for 6 months. He is a faithful man and very excited about his new life in Christ. I'm really looking forward to seeing him and his family today on our last day here and sharing the love of Christ with him.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Mexico Day 3
We're gearing up for another great day here in Ensenada. Yesterday we arrived at our site with birthday presents and a cake for Santana, their youngest son who turned 8. Our family consists of Jose Louis Martinez (dad) Romina Serena (mom) Lirio (daughter 13) Alan (son 12) Jonathan (son 9) and Santana. Jose and Romina make donuts and deliver them door to door, but they are working on the house with us this week. Romina also has been making lunch for us each day (muy bueno!), even though we've asked her not to go through trouble since we are packing our own lunches.
The house is coming along! Yesterday we finished framing the roof and began adding shingles. Taylor hopped on the roof and spent most the afternoon helping up there. Nicole did some painting, then went off with the VBS crew in the afternoon. Cindy and I hung drywall inside for much of the day and we headed back for the Yugo site around 5:30.
After dinner and chapel, the highlight of the evening has been the taco runs to Pablano which is a few blocks from the Yugo complex. We load up the vans, often with 30-40 folks and enjoy delicious tacos!
Gotta run to breakfast, looking forward to being Energized, Engaged, and Enduring today as we complete the mission God has called us to. (1st Thessalonians 1:3 - our theme for the week)
The house is coming along! Yesterday we finished framing the roof and began adding shingles. Taylor hopped on the roof and spent most the afternoon helping up there. Nicole did some painting, then went off with the VBS crew in the afternoon. Cindy and I hung drywall inside for much of the day and we headed back for the Yugo site around 5:30.
After dinner and chapel, the highlight of the evening has been the taco runs to Pablano which is a few blocks from the Yugo complex. We load up the vans, often with 30-40 folks and enjoy delicious tacos!
Gotta run to breakfast, looking forward to being Energized, Engaged, and Enduring today as we complete the mission God has called us to. (1st Thessalonians 1:3 - our theme for the week)
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Mexico Day 2
Finally was able to connect my iPad to wifi! Quick thoughts on Day 1. I was amazed how much we were able to accomplish as a team in the first day as the house is nearly framed. Upon arrival at our site I was assigned to be the cutter; of course I have never used an electric saw, so immediately I was pulled out of my comfort zone. I had to remind myself over and over that God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.
Have to run to morning chapel then breakfast then off to work site for Day 2
Have to run to morning chapel then breakfast then off to work site for Day 2
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Mexico, here we come!
We are gearing up for our big trip this weekend! The girls have been practicing some common Spanish phrases (Buenos dias, Por favor, Gracias!) Our team leader sent the 10-day forecast and the weather is going to be perfect (I understand it's like this nearly all of the time!)
10-Day Forecast for Ensenada, Mexico
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