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!!

     

March 24, Day 5 :: pastor Victor's church

This is Miku speaking for the team. Today I woke up at 7:10. When waking up, I wanted to go back to sleep. But, since breakfast is at 7:30, I had to get up and get ready for the day.  For breakfast, there was a wide variety of cereal, fruit, yogurt, and breakfast tacos.

After breakfast a couple of us went down to the field and played some soccer. At 8:15 the team gathered together and we did devotions and journaling. I read Proverbs 24 and Colossians 3. After devotions, we had free time until 9:30. Some of decided to play some more soccer and others just relaxed.

When the time came, we got into the vans and headed to ‘Lo Mejor del Trigo’ which is a church near the YWAM base (25 minute drive). There, we met the pastor Victor, and George, who gave us tasks to paint the inside walls and also chisel and level the ground out in the back. We started at 9:45, some of us inside and others outside. I was one of the youth that started outside. The weather was hot and sunny, but there was a gentle breeze that cooled us down. We were given the job to chisel the ground at the side so that we could make a path and level out the ground. As Ann, Jocelyn, Cam, Braedon, and I worked at leveling the dirt, Rudy, Tamara, Josh (YWAM leader) worked on chiseling (they rented a jack-hammer) the rocks until about 2 in the afternoon.

Inside everyone else finished the first coat of paint. As we began to feel hungry, Pablo, with his family who works at the YWAM base, and who lives close to the church brought some lunch for us to eat. We ate rice, salad, (spicy) macaroni salad, handmade corn tortillas, and last but not least chicken! After a hearty lunch, the people outside switched with some people inside and we continued our work.

Soon after 4:00, we finished painting the second coat inside, and leveled the dirt out back (where they are planning to build a house for caretakers of the church). Behind the church there was a lot of open space, and they want to build classrooms for children to learn and be taken care of. After seeing the work we did, Pastor Victor was very pleased and thanked us deeply. Before we left, we prayed for the pastor, the church, and the community. We then left the church and went back to the YWAM base. Some of us ran to the showers while others went for a delicious, cold, and caffeinated frappuccino from the cafe. At 5:30 it was dinner time and we were served Mexican soup, salad, rice, and chips.

Miku DeRuiter

---

Following our dinner and session, we had our usual time around the fire pit and talked a little about our day.  Highs were centered on completing the work projects, hearing about how pastor Victor was so proud of us, and the chicken.  Lows centered around sun burns and body pain and having to wake up in the morning ... so again, our low points really are not that low - except for some who got some paint in their eyes. 

Prayer requests:

1. We start the house build tomorrow - and we're VERY VERY excited to meet the family, and start this next project!!!!

2. Some of us are experiencing fatique, days are long and packed quite full.  The toll is starting to show ... pray for continued strength and restorative rest.

3. For the family - that they would experience God's love and peace tomorrow as we meet them, and begin to work on their new home together.  Pray that we would be effective hands and feet of our God.

Thank you, and good night!

Adam.

*sorry - two sideways pics of the work in the back of the church.... a large hill, made flat.  For some reason, the pics just wouldn't cooperate, and in this blog site, you can't rotate pics.  annoying.  Tilt your head and enjoy!!! (at least they're the same way!)

March 23, Day 4 :: the Ranch

Today was a fantastic day - one of those days that make us super happy that we all came here.

Last night we heard about what we were going to do today -- the plan was that we were going to go to this place called 'the Ranch' (a recovery center for men), and fix up their volleyball court, and see what else happens there.

That's about all we knew as we packed up this morning after breakfast and devotions.  We loaded the vans and started to drive.  It was about a 45 minute drive, down the highway, onto another highway (inland, into the hills ... which were still green from the rainy season), and then, as per typical Mexico road style, we turned off at some really random obscure dirt road.  A dirt road that we as a team thought was pretty bad - but was considered fairly decent by the locals.  After driving on said road for what seemed like forever (really only 10-15mins), we got to the Ranch.

We unloaded, and stood around awkwardly for a little while until the YWAM staff got us going.  We did some introductions between us and the men that were living there.  After some quick little introduction games, we made our way over to the volleyball court.  These guys LOVE volleyball, they really really LOVE it.  It's actually in their daily schedule ... every day, M-F, 1.00-2.00pm, they play the game.  Their court is lined with rubber tires sticking half-way out of the ground, and the sand was being washed away.

Jobs were given - half the team to work on removing tires, and replacing with wood, the other half on loading sand into a truck.  Three hours later, four truck loads of sand, a lot of sweat, maybe a tear or two (from the dust), the court was done, and the men were just itching to play (and no blisters ... just realized that now!).  So we played.  A LOT.  Well, six of us did anyways.  We played Canada vs. Mexico .. and we got schooled, but not without a fight.  The game was incredible to play, as we had so fun together.  The others, played with their pet dogs and cats, and many of us sat down with many of these guys and heard about their lives. 

panorama view of the volleyball court

These guys - wow.  They are so willing to share about their broken pasts.  Drugs, alcohol, abuse, jail, escaping prison, running from the law, failed marriages, broken relationships with children - the list goes on.  Most of theirs stories all end with them meeting Christ, there at the ranch, and coming clean, getting sober, being freed from the bondage of addiction.  Others told us that they are learning about Jesus, and that they were excited to see our team act as Jesus to them - that was amazing, and humbling to hear!

One guy, Adrian, who will hold a special place in all our hearts - lived that life.  His wife left him because of what he had gotten into.  He ended up at the Ranch, got clean, found healing in Christ, learned to love our God, and saw that serving Him was his only pathway to living an actual productive life.  Just recently, his wife came out to see him with their two kids (Son who is 2.5, and daughter who is 1.5), and she had taken him back - because he had cleaned up his act!!!  He was a very happy man.  She told our team that she had never seen or heard him share his story like he had with us, and that she was so very glad that we were able to come and hear it with her.  At the end of the day, we were all in their chapel, and Adrian was up front holding his daughter telling us all this ... it was a beautiful picture about how the Lord deeply impacts lives, and how only He can help us reconcile broken relationships.  It also served as an amazing reminder about how God's love for us is like a father's love for his children - but just SO MUCH MORE SO!


We said out good byes, gave a few hugs, left with a few "God bless you's," loaded into the vans and found our way back to the base.  All in all - for not knowing what to expect over there at the Ranch, we all had a blast, and not just us, the men there as well.  They were all smiles as were shared our day together.  We got back, cleaned up, had dinner, attended our evening session (where we were taught about finding our identity in Christ, and not in the lies that we are told by the devil).  That was great.

Soon after, we sat around the fire and shared our highs and lows.  Highs centered around meeting the men at the Ranch, their hospitality, and their vulnerability.  Lows featured sun burns, a sore finger, and aching muscles.  We took a moment there to praise God for low's that really weren't that bad, except for a few who are feeling a little under the weather.

We're having a blast, we're missing home, but we're seeing that the Lord can and will use us in the little things to advance and further His kingdom - here in Mexico, and in our own hearts!

To those who left comments - thank-you!! we appreciated hearing from you!! Feel free to leave more comments below!

Prayer Requests:
1. Continued strength, and sustaining power that only the can (and has) provide.
2. For those who are a little under the weather, we would love to have them at their full strength tomorrow!
3. For those who are missing home ... it'll starting settling in soon that we've been gone from home for almost 5 days tomorrow.
4. For our day tomorrow, as we get to go help out at a church plant, painting the inside, and working to help the pastor reach the churches neighborhood.

Thank-you for your continued support and prayer!

*sorry about the lack of pictures on this one, I personally did not take many today, and the ones I did take, didn't want to behave in getting onto the blog.
** you can expect to hear from the students on tomorrow's post!!

Good morning from Mexico!

Just wanted to say a quick good morning from Mexico to all of our friends and family at home!!!

May you all experience the joy and peace from our Lord today!

Blessings,

Adam.

Here's a quick shot of our team (I believe everyone is in it) from the taco stand yesterday:

March 22, Day 3 :: church & orientation!

Well, this morning was an interesting morning to say the least.  We did not get to the base until 3.54am.  We were shown our rooms, divided our luggage, and found comfort on nice beds in warm rooms.  Some slept a bunch, some struggled to get down.  A little later on, we gathered for breakfast/brunch at 10.00am.  Following breakfast, we jumped into the vans, and headed for church. 

We came to a church called "La Roca" - a very lively church, filled with a passionate people worshiping our Creator.  The songs being sung, were all in Spanish - two songs we actually knew, and were able to sing along with, "Forever" and "Trading My Sorrows."  When the pastor got up on stage, we were delighted to hear that he would preach in English, and it would be translated for the rest of the congregation. 

The message was an amazing reminder of 1 John 4:19 - "We love because he first loved us" - and because He loves us, we are then able to love each other (not making it easy though), which is the starting point to seeing Heaven expand here on earth.  It was a message that gave us some gumption and energy to face our coming week.

outside of the church

At the end of the service, the pastor's wife got up on stage for some announcements that we didn't understand - but then she turned to us and said "thank you for coming here, and being an example to us."  We were struck by her words - that we were an example to them ... it caused a few of us to stop and really reflect upon what we are really doing.  It was a humbling experience. 

After church, we were taken to a taco stand for lunch.  I think I speak for the team when I say that we Canadians do not know how to make tacos.  What we had, is not what we make.  The pork taco's were EPIC.  I had three, and then had to try the beef one.

Afterwards, we got some ice cream at the new DQ in town.  That seemed a little odd. 

We arrived back at the base around 3.00pm, and then started our orientation.  We had a better chance to meet our YWAM staff, Michelle, Josh, & Gena - three pretty cool people.  They told us a little about life here on the base, and a little more about the Mexican culture around us.

We then 'practiced' (i.e. hacked through) some simple dance moves for some kids songs to use at ministry sites. 

'practicing' dance moves on the field.

After some free time, we had dinner, and then went to the evening session.  Each night will end like that - some singing, and maybe some get-to-know-each-other-games, followed by a time of teaching - that surrounds the theme of UNBOUND. 

a rather large fire pit

Each day, we close as a team, tonight was around a fire - and talk about our highs and lows of the day (favorite and least favorite moments).  Most high moments were centered around our church experience this morning, the tacos, and getting to know each other.  Most low points leaned towards fatique (due to travel), and related aches and pains.

Quiet time has begun at the base - 10.00pm - everyone has to be in their rooms.

Prayer requests ...
1. Restful & rejuvenating sleep.
2. Tomorrow, we're going to do some work at a men's recovery home - some of us are a little uncomfortable with that.  Pray that we'll be given what we stand in need of - and moreso, that we will recognize what we're given.
3.  Continued opening up of our hearts and minds to the Lord's leading. 

Thanks all for you support and prayers!

Adam.

3:54 am

We just got to the base.

That is all.

(Delayed train, long border detial stuff ....)

Good night ... Errr ... Morning!