At the border

we're at the border!!!
Just waiting to get through.
Next stop -- LIVING HOPE!!!

on the bus!!

We are now on the bus!!!
We hopefully should arrive at the church earlier than expected!! I'm sure students will call when we are close!

Pray for a quick border crossing!!

Adam.

On the train, day 2 (or 3)

It almost seems like we're home!! Except we have 12 more hours on this train, and then the bus ride home.  So far, everything looks as it is supposed to!

Most here had good sleeps, as good as it can I guess.  Currently, we are at a timing stop in Klamath falls (southern Oregon).  

See you all soon!!!

Adam.

On the train, day 1 (well, 3)

So, we're on the train again.  What fun.  Seriously, what fun this will be!!!  

We might see Disney land - right maddy?!?! Just keep looking - it might be near the White House!!! ;)

March 29, Day 10 :: it's so early ....

well ... it's 2.50am.  our group is starting to make its way to the steps, bags packed - both for our clothes, and under our eyes.

we begin our trek north very soon. 

we'll be well on our way once you read this.

:)

we're excited to get on the train again .....

but more so, we're excited to see you all!!

adam.

March 28, Day 9 :: the Ranch and the Beach!

Hola!

Jewel, Jenelle and Tamara here.  Today was a great day!  After a brief pit stop at Wal-Mart for Volley ball supplies (a couple of balls, and an air pump) toys for the two little kids, and Mexican Coffee and Donuts, we headed back to the Ranch (see day 4).  We were expecting to fix the remainder of the volley ball court, but we did not have the keys for the tool shed.  So, we enjoyed some fellowship over coffee and donuts, and then a game of Volley ball. 

We then traveled to another Taco stand for lunch where all of us TRIED the fish or shrimp tacos, and most of us enjoyed them. 

After lunch we searched through the market for trinkets, treasures, and gifts and then headed to the beach for a few hours - which was awesome!  It was relaxing for those who needed it, a fun horse ride on the beach for two of the leaders,  and wave jumping for those brave enough to conquer the cold water – resulting in sand in very uncomfortable places.

Currently we are waiting for a very special dinner of MORE fresh tacos, churros, and a mariachi band to help celebrate the opening of a new building here on campus. 

We are all sad to leave our new friends here in Mexico, but very excited to come home to share our journeys here with you.

Please pray for a good (albeit VERY short) sleep.  We have to leave the campus here at 3 am.

A SHORT boarder line up

And extra patience on the train

Thanks,

Jewel Haak,

Jenelle VanWerkhoven

Tamara Vaandrager

** sorry no pics on this one - I just want to get to bed.  Alarm will be set for 2.30am........ adam. **

March 27, Day 8 :: the Orphanage

Wazzssuppp it's Maddy today.  How exciting!

The girl’s room today woke up at 6:30 to get ready for the day since showering takes extremely long when there are 8 girls that need a shower. After, we went for breakfast which was a scrumptious cereal and yogurt.  Next we had an early bird session, the session was all about bilingual worship (Spanish and English btw), we all could sense Gods presence this morning. For me personally I was not nervous or ashamed to worship without fear. Also we were asked to kneel by the cross and surrender to God to tie in what we need on Wednesday.

After that we went to “Casa de Gracia,” an orphanage, to see the many children (30+). Right away   As usual we were getting really hot because Canadians aren’t use to the weather here, lol. So we decided to have a water balloon fight with everyone. It was a small and wet space but a blast. We said adios and gave many hugs and left the orphanage.

some VBS style songs

the kids were giving us hugs and wanting play with us. Michelle translated how old and what grade each kid was in. We rushed outside to the playground and spent 2 hours face painting, making balloon animals and coloring. And just laughing because, it’s hard to communicate with them. At lunch the team sang the Canadian and American anthem. And the kids sang their anthem (which was so cute).

We had free time and time to dry off, drank scrumptious Frappuccino’s and came and sat down to write this blog that took me and hour, because I got distracted many times, because of our crazy conversations we have. We are off to our second last session.

Maddy Harter

games and fun in their own playground!

we made some new shelves for some of the boys

--

Following the session, we ended our night around a fire, sharing our highs and lows from the past two days (we didn’t meet last night).  High’s centered around giving the house to the family, and playing with the kids today at the orphanage.  Low’s centered around the fact that tomorrow is our last day, and that many of us are feeling exhausted.

Tomorrow is our last full day here, and it’s going to be a great one.  We’re going back to the ranch to give them some volleyball equipment and to play some games with them.   After, we’ll go to the markets and get some churros, and end up at a beach for the afternoon.  We’re not sure what our evening will look like – but we know it involves packing, and getting ready to head out.

That’s kind of bittersweet – we’re missing our families and our homes, but we love being here.

i just might be too excited about my first balloon animal

It’s been an incredible journey thus far – and our biggest prayer request is for the Lord’s sustaining power to energize us through one more ministry opportunity, and then to give us patience as we begin journey home.

Adam.

Ps.  my second ‘high’ for the last two days, was learning how to make a balloon-dog.  So very excited about that. 

March 26, Day 7 :: build day #2

Hi everybody! It’s Katie and today you get to hear about our wonderful day from me! How exciting.

As usual, we got an early start and after a nice breakfast we had devotions under the nice, still, and cool Mexican sun. After praying with a partner, we prepared for the day ahead and enjoyed the view of the ocean that is something we all refuse to take for granted- especially when we heard it’s raining back in Abbotsford.

Today was our second day at the build site and we finished the house for the family of four. It was an awesome experience to get to know the family and work together as a team to accomplish this huge task. The house is incredibly cute (its pink and red!) and so is the family because of their generosity and their love for Christ and us even though we are some weird pale strangers from the north. Even though they don’t have much to give, they still ended up making us a delicious and incredibly filling meal of tamales, beans, buns and pasta with plenty of leftovers to send some home with us. We learned so much from them, and continue to do so. Their stories are ones that we will carry with us forever.

the pink house!!!

Painting, painting and then painting some more, we all worked so hard to get the house down for the family, by now the sun isn’t still and cool anymore and the sweat starts flowing. It seemed like it was definitely the hottest day yet here but we still kept on trucking! Elda, the mother fed us well so we could carry on throughout the day.

In the afternoon Kaitlyn, Maritha, and Michelle (YWAM leader) took the family shopping. They got the children some new school uniforms and stalked up on food. Trying to stall, they went for ice cream, though it didn’t really much since we still made them wait down the hill from the house for a while since we weren’t done with the house yet. Rushing around touching up scratches, putting together furniture and doing finished touches was definitely chaotic but exiting knowing the big reveal was coming!

team and family photo!!!

Finally we all stood around in a circle and while passing around the key all said something to the family or anything they felt they wanted to say. It was a touching moment for everybody and special as much for us as the family. I wish you could all see their faces and it was an honor to experience that moment together as a team. After many hugs we had to leave them to their new home. It was a true blessing to live through that moment.

Tacos, quesadillas and some Mexican coke tasted so good after a long, hot day together. Back to the base we get a quiet night off to relax and enjoy just spending time and talking together outside while eating ice cream of course.

Thanks so much for your continuous prayers and support from back home!

Katie

the families old house, from the front door (the whole house), bed on the left and in the back right. kitchen on the right, clothing closet (hanging from the ceiling on the left above the bed.)

their new house, from one of the two bedrooms, stove on the left, table on the right.  back door to the right that leads to the front door of their old house.

view of the neighborhood from on top of the roof.

Prayer requests for tomorrow:

1.  Refreshing sleep.

2.  Continual growth in our relationship (we've had phenomenal growth already!!!)

3.  Effective ministry at the Old Folks home and the Orphanage.  (we have no idea what we're doing there tomorrow).

               

Adam.

March 25, Day 6 :: build day #1

Hola everybody back at home! It’s Kaitlyn here and I am the one who was asked to talk about our day today. We woke up bright and early (aka- 7:30) and started the day off with a nice big breakfast here at the YWAM base. After that, we had our devotional time in the soccer field. It’s always a great time to think about what kinds of things God has planned for us that day and to ask him what he wants us to think about throughout the day. 

setting up at the build site

Right after we finished our devotions, we packed up and got in the vans to go to the build site of the Homes of Hope house we were going to build for a Mexican family that didn’t have a safe place to call home. After getting lost a bit in the busy Mexican streets, we finally got there and were able to meet the family. 

Now before we get into the actual build, here’s a bit of info on the family. The dad’s name is Victor and he has had quite a few health issues in the past. He has also had many operations on his lungs. Because of this, he is not able to work and the mom has to support the family with her small income that comes from making tamales and selling them. The mom’s name is Elda. They also have 2 children named Victor and Eevana. They’re 14 and 11. So you can imagine that with that small income that their mother makes, they don’t have the time or the money to buy or rent a house for themselves. The only downside is that they do not speak a stitch of English so I better start practicing my Spanish! With that info, lets get back into building the house. 

two long walls, getting plywood

When we got there, we went over a lot of safety instructions as well as prayed with the family. The mom started crying when she was talking to us because she was so happy and I got to admit, I almost cried as well. And that was big cause I’m not a crier! Anyways, we got going quickly after that and started nailing, painting, hammering, cutting wood and many, many other things. It went really well and we got a lot done! I don’t think there were any major injuries either which is quite good as well. I have to say, I am quite sore and I think I can say that for everybody but I am so excited to get this house finished tomorrow and bless this amazing family. 

Thank you for reading our blog as well as writing such sweet comments out to the team here. They really help us get through this homesickness. Yes, even the toughest of the team have it. Anyways. Adios! 

center wall of the house

Kaitlyn.

___

We got back to the base after the build, tired and dirty, dinner was served, and we got a chance to catch our breath from the busy day.  Soon after super, the session began.  More chairs were set out than normal, as all the YWAM staff were invited to hang out with us.  The band was mellow, and the songs they chose, we all knew - the Lord spoke to many of us through that time.  

Michelle, our YWAM leader spoke to us about being brave for Christ, while also submitting to Him!  She pointed out that we needed to understand what happened on the cross - or else we'll just face emptiness.  As she closed for the night, we were interrupted (planned) by the YWAM staff, who dramatically presented the crucifixion.  It gripped us, it made us cry, it made us hug, it drew us all closer to understanding the reality of Jesus' death on the cross.  We watched in silence as our sin burned in the fire - being forgiven.  I can't wait for your students to tell you all the details of the night when we get home!!

ya, the house is pink.  It was supposed to be orange ... but, Elda, loves it!

We closed the night hearing from everyone their highs and lows.  Highs were all about the crucifixion story, as well as the progress we made on the house.  Lows were bruised fingers, low energy, and ripped pants.

Prayer requests for tomorrow:

1.  A unified team to complete the house!!!!

2.  A family who receives it well, and will see that this blessing is from the Lord!

3.  For our few minor injuries to heal and not distract us tomorrow.

Thank-you!!

Adam.

painting plywood that will make the trusses

josh d learning to use a skill saw!!