BSLC MEXICO MISSION
Little girl at farm labor camp 2005
On June 16th, 42 missionaries will leave Portland to Travel to Vincente Colonel Guerrero in Baja Mexico.We are grateful for our chuch family's prayer and financial support which will allow us to construct 2 homes in the village of Zapata , Baja Mexico. One home will house a family of 8 children, whose mother passed away in the last few months, leaving the grandparents to raise family. They are now living in a small black plastic covered structure that is open to the elements. It is our goal to give them a 30' X 32' wooden home that will house the whole family. The other structure we will build will serve as a home and small grocery business for a lady that has been struggling to provide for herself and her village. We are excited to be able to help her establish a small business that will have a positive impact on the village of Zapata.
Also this year, the Lord has opened doors to enhance our medical ministry with opportunities for 5 RN's to work in a hospital along with an opportunity to help with a building remodel at the hospital facility.
Along with building projects, missionaries will be involved in VBS including puppet show, crafts and evangelism with two different churches along with visits to 2 farm labor camps to distribute BSLC donated clothing and bulk food that will be purchased in Camalu.
June 16th & 17th, 2006 - Trip down to Chula Vista, CA
The trip started off great! Steve made breakfast for all 44 of us out on the church entry way. Pastor Bill prepared our minds with the thought of Jesus being the ultimate missionary (when the Word was made flesh) and how we are to do the same (humbly represent the Father). We left the church nearly on time, give or take 30 minutes in the church bus, the church van (towing an old pick-up), the Philo Truck (pulling a large trailer), and the Bolf mini-van. We had rain off an on all the way to Roseberg, but pretty clear for he most part. The weather got warm after that, and continued to get hot. In Reed, CA the church van broke a lower water hose (The fan belt was rubbing on the hose) . The miracle was that it was at a gas station, next to a auto parts store. It could have been in the mountain pass with nothing around. The bus and Bolf van continued while the other two vehicles waited for the van two get fixed. We were reunited in Redding at dinner time. We all left Redding heading toward our first stop Wal-Mart Lodi, CA. Just north of Sacramento the bus and Bolf van made a pit stop at a rest area, while the rest of the group continued on to Lodi. As we set out to leave the bolf van would not shift, it was discovered to be low on transmission fluid. The bus headed a mile south, but unable to find the right kind of fluid, then 4 miles north finding a 24hr gas station with the correct fluid. Adding a quart seemed to fix the problem. We caught up with the rest of the group about 1:30AM. Who knew Wal-Mart was such a popular place to shop late at night. We were back on the freeway by 4:50AM.It was a usual travel day, Hot. Everyone is excited to shower at a motel and get a little better rest. The Dindia Motor home got a flat tire, but was changed and on the road without too much difficulty. The motel cancelled our reservation due to remolding, but didn’t think it important to let us know. We found another place, the good news it was cheap, the bad news we found out why it was cheap. The bus broke a bolt that holds the water pump onto the motor. It broke as we pulled into the new motel driveway. There was an auto parts place near by, we were able to get the tools and parts we needed and two hours later the bus was drivable again. We have had several minor problem that could have been major incidents if we were in a different location. We thank God for His provision!!!We are heading across the boarder soon. Pray that God will continue to help us see his hand in all that we do this week. Sorry no time to up load pictures yet.
June 18th & 19th - Trip into Mexico
We expected one of our vehicles to get pulled over as we crossed the boarder into Mexico, but we prayed that God would allow us to cross without issues. Not one of our vehicles was stopped. It is unheard of to cross with the amount and type of equipment we were bringing with us, another Miracle! The drive to our destination was typical. As we were driving Matt Dinidia noticed a Mexican man lying on the side of the road, unresponsive. Not sure if he was hurt, or what condition he was in the caravan stopped. Some people who knew him arrived at the scene and said that he drank and used drugs , and had passed out (in the hot sun). The church van took him home, while doing that they found a labor camp that we didn’t know about (who knows how God will want to use that connection). We arrived about 6PM at our destination “Welcome Home Orphanage”. We unloaded our equipment and supplies, and then settled into our rooms. Dinner was fish tacos prepared by our Mexican friends. Most people were happy to head to bed about 9pm, it had been a long trek down with little “good sleep”.
Our first full day in Mexico began at 6am. Pastor Bill encouraged us to think how Paul became all things to all people so that he could share the message of Christ. The orphanage might be better described as an all day school, because the kids don’t live at the facility full time. There are typically 40 kids here at the orphanage, but this a vacation time so only 20 will be around this week. Breakfast was pancakes prepared by our hosts. We ate with only half of expected number of kids, because the person who was picking up the kids had vehicle problems, and couldn’t get the kids. After br eakfast, the Bolf’s took their van to a transmission shop. The van was still having problems. They found out the transmission needed to be rebuilt, and because of the exchange rate the job will be done for a third of the cost in the states, another blessing. We have three projects: a hospital remodel, build a home, and a house store combination. Each team made great progress today. I am working on the house crew. The home is for a family that lost their parents, the grandparent’s live with them, but it is one of the girls who is trying to care for her 6 brothers and sisters, while her grandpa works in a field to earn a living. Unlike the US when you get up in years here you work more hours in the field because of the reduced speed due to age. Our 30 X 32 house will have 4 bedrooms with a loft (the loft was added to the plans today, as we were working- Greg Philo’s idea). Some of the people on our crew have never build anything, and are learning quickly how to run a saw, pound a nail, and square a wall. Unfortunately I can’t share all the things that we are experiencing, but we have seen God at work. A group of people from all different walks of life are becoming a community of friends, they are currently sitting around a campfire sharing stories about what they have seen and experienced today. As they sing worship songs together.
Continue to pray for us, I am expecting to see God do some amazing things, and Satan is trying to hinder our efforts; we will be taking the bus alternator into a shop tomorrow for repair, because it is no longer charging the batteries. More later.
We have had a great week here in Mexico! The projects here could go on and on, because there is so much to do here. We have had challenges trying to balence meeting physical needs and relational ministry through things like VBS. And God has been faithful to provide what we need, through a variety of gifted people. I think I can speak for each person in the group when I say that we are tired, but it is a good tired. Each of us have poured ourselves into the ministry here, blood, sweat, and tears. I gives new meaning to what Jesus said when he told his follows to count the cost. All of our projects were complete last night, and we dedicated the two houses last night also. It was like being a part of the TV show Extreme Home Makeover. As we were talking to a man here he said, everone knows Americans come here to build houses. Our hope was to be known as Christians who came to show Jesus' love. I think we a complished that. Today we spent the afternoon will kids at a local pool. Each of us had 2 kids to watch. It was so much fun to see the kids play and splash in the water! Did you know our little bus can hold 40 kids? I also learned that it is possible to get 28 kids in a 8 passenger minivan.Our plan is to leave in the morning (monday) at 7 am. I have to buy lunch for someone if we depart any later. I will leave that person unnamed, but he hasn't liked me waking him up at 6 am everyday. All the vehicles are in good working condition. Pray that the drivers will be alert for the long 30 hour drive home. We should cross back into the US sometime after 12PM. We are planning to be at Beautiful Savior (tuesday) between 4 & 8 PM.
Links to Visit
Pictures 2006
PHOTO SHOW 2005
Our mission outreach has shown us that helping people in practical ways can change their lives forever. Despair and hopelessness have been transformed because they have a home, a hope and a place to start. The volunteers who go on the mission trip each year are blessed, not just because they are able to help, but also because the Oaxacan people are warm, hardworking and loving. Relationships that span the language barrier and the miles have been made will last forever.
Addition to Senior Center 2005
