Baja Final Day (Saturday)

This morning we begin the trip north arriving at PDX tonight at 11:10pm (Southwest from San Diego). It has been a meaningful week.
Yesterday we spent time visiting an orphanage that is doing kingdom work in the community of Vicente Guerrero. It was quite inspiring. Then, we went to a market where we were recognized by vendors who had sat next to us at church. I guess we stand out here 🙂 After that we split into two groups (meat or fish) and, hosted by our worksite foreman Rick, some of us enjoyed the BEST FISH / SHRIMP TACOS ever. Then Rick took us to a favorite beach where we couldn’t walk far without stepping on a full sand dollar. This time at the beach in God’s creation was a perfect way to begin to decompress and process the week. Golden sand, dolphins jumping, conversation, a moment to yourself in the waves and a rousing game of CLAM (spoons).
YWAM prepared a celebration feast for dinner, carne asada, pork verde, fish Florentine, garlic mashed potatoes, ceviche, soup.. they outdid themselves.
The last part of our evening was spent in a circle where each of us shared individually how we were impacted and then was blessed by the other team members. We were able to speak into one another’s lives and encourage and share how we see God at work in them. It was a sweet 4.5 hours together. Yes, 4.5 hours because God has been so good to us this week.
This morning we begin the trip north - leaving VC around 6:30am and hoping to arrive in San Diego around 5pm. Our Southwest flight arrives at 11:10pm at PDX.
Thank you for your prayers, we have felt a hedge of protection and support as we have been an extension of our church family, serving here this week in Baja

Baja Day 5

Day Five - Baja Mexico team

What an incredible day! The extended family arrived in the morning and set to work making tamales which they served us at lunch. The generosity of the Mexican people is overwhelming, as this probably cost them several week’s wages. With all hands on deck, and some extra help from YWAM interns, we were able to get the roof done, including on the portapotty and shower, trim all the windows (shout out to Faith for the creative design!), finished the beds, hung curtains and Brad and Rick focused on all the things that needed more expertise like getting the door hung, kitchen counters and a sink, along with patiently dealing with getting interrupted every 2 minutes with questions from all of us rookie builders! We finally got to meet Jocelyn and Yamilet, Casi’s granddaughters from her eldest son. A group of women took Casimira shopping for some essentials she needed for the home. She was amazed that so much had been provided by the fundraising from Kids Camp! Her son Armando bonded with Mike over music and asked the interpreter specifically to work with him today. There were so many special moments like that throughout the day. Inundated with 10 neighborhood kids, along with 5 family kiddos today, we held a mini VBS. Carly held a lego house on top of some dirt to teach the House on the Rock parable. She was a trooper when we dumped water on her! The kids were given books made by a AnnMarie’s Spanish class from Nevada, and a bible.`

The most memorable part of the day was the dedication. Casimira was overcome with emotion and shared how blessed and grateful she was for our help in building her house. Everyone shared a special memory or blessing, and even the grandma hobbled round the circle giving each of us hugs and blessings that really didn’t need translating. We know there is a reason we were called to this particular family, and we pray that this house will represent the beginning of their building their lives on the solid rock of Christ. Finally the big reveal, and the family again was overjoyed seeing the finished product. We ended the day by going to a small local church’s midweek service, and, of course, tacos!

Thank you all for continuing to read our adventures, for your prayers and support of our mission. Thank you for helping to make this little part of Mexico better, and changing the lives of this family forever.

We appreciate you all.

The Baja Team

Baja Day Four

The walls are up. Three new windows provide spectacular views of the Pacific and of the hills that surround Casimira’s new house. The roof is coming together through multicultural collaboration, creative problem-solving, and good ol’ fashioned perseverance. We’ve found that any mistakes we made earlier in the construction of this home can be fixed, as Rick trimmed not-square, too-large roof panels and Kelsey removed “shiners,” nails that missed their intended stud entirely. It is becoming more obvious than ever that this house is not only wood, iron, and concrete, but also the product of a chapter of our lives and God’s love.

Tomorrow will be the house’s dedication ceremony and, as we’ve done throughout the week, we’d like to remember that the contributions have come from many. Prayer support has made amazing things happen like successfully crossing a tense border, even with a couple of missing passports. Financial contributions have manifested as direct flights, full gas tanks, satisfied stomachs, plenty of building materials, and even some added amenities like new beds and an improved outhouse for Casimira and her family. Help from YWAM volunteers like construction-savvy Rick and muscle-man James, fortification from a team of high schoolers who did not receive the funds needed to build a house of their own but can really drive nails, and the community surrounding this new house have been invaluable too. God has been our Ultimate Helper, with generous cloud cover while we work in a place without shade, everyone kept safe from injury and illness thus far, and the strength he has provided us to do His will here.

Thank you all for reading up on our adventures down here in Baja. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your contributions to our mission. Thank you for being part of God’s plan for Vicente Guerrero.

We appreciate you all.

The Baja Team

Baja Day 3

ola from Baja!
Today was another successful, action-packed day! After taking an accidental 20 minute detour, we arrived at our building site and got all four walls up within the hour. Soon after, Casimira’s home was flooded with neighbor kids!! We had fun painting, hammering, and dancing together. After a fun lunch break (harmonica intermission included) we got back to work prepping the roof. Once the rain cleared and the panels were stacked, all fourteen of us enjoyed an ice cream and got back in the van.

From here, the YWAM Baja leader, Jill, directed us to an outreach. Our outreach was handing out food and water to some people living in a dump. It’s safe to say that we were all speechless when we stepped out. Some very meaningful conversations were had, including a man named Armando committing his life to Christ.

Overall, it was a big day!! Prayers for energy, once again would be greatly appreciated. I speak on behalf of the team when I say that we can truly feel your prayers-we would not be able to do this without you. Prayers for the family we are building for would also be wonderful- Casimira (grandma), Armando (15-yer-old boy), Gabriela (10-year-old granddaughter), as well as Florentina and Valentina (7-year-old granddaughters). Finally, please be praying for those on this team that are feeling a call towards missions! Pray for clarity and trust in God’s plan.

Thank you again!
Dios te bendigan 🙂
The Baja Team

First day in Baja

The Sunset Baja team arrived safely and on Monday began their first day of ministry.  During the week they will be doing construction and meeting many of the people living in the area.  They are partnering with Youth With a Mission (YWAM).  They started their morning with group prayer.

Sunset Team Baja is on the ground

Sunset's short term team is led by a leadership team made up of multiple indivuals. 

The team met up with Janet Fraser in San Diego on Sunday and then headed to their ministry location in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico.  We hope to be able to add daily updates on this blog as information is available.

Last Day

Well that day has finally come.  Our last day with the kids. There will be lots of hugs at the end of the day and some tears.  Our 60 children have become very dear to us. This morning our program is like every other day; music and learning stations, and free play time with crafts and toys. Behind the scenes this morning is the huge job of sorting all of the supplies we brought with us (27 50 pound suitcases) in preparation for the great give away.  Nothing we brought with us will go home, it will all go to the families. This afternoon is the give away and then tonight at 5 PM our kids will sign for their parents in the final conference gathering.

On Monday most of the conference attendees will head home.  Our team will leave on Tuesday.  The Portland team has to leave the hotel at 2:45 AM on Tuesday to make their 6 AM flight out of Athens. Others leave a little later in the day.

Thanks for following us on this blog and praying for us.  It has been an amazing week.

Honeycomb available each day at breakfast

Some of the supplies we will be giving away