Turning Pain into Peace

17 May

Marcelina with David, and Scott Simons and Cheri Steele from Terra Nova Church

I’ve never known the pain of losing a child, but through my counseling work I have met many people who have faced this life-altering experience. Recently one of my former patients lost her son as the result of a chronic ear infection that was never treated properly and resulted in an abcess in his brain. (The lack of resources and adequate health care here in Mexico could be the topic of another post sometime!)

On Mother’s Day weekend, this grieving mom accepted my invitation to join us and members of Terra Nova Church as we returned to Casa de Esperanza, a refuge for abused and abandoned mothers and their children. By being willing to move beyond her own pain, Marcelina experienced joy and peace that had been eluding her in the two months since her son’s death.

We thank Terra Nova for sharing their Mother’s Day with women in Mexico who really need to know that they are loved and valued and at the same time provide an environment where a mother’s pain could be replaced with peace.

David & Karen García… Building Relationships in Ensenada | a Video

11 Apr

 

Most people only see and read negative news about Mexico.  Through this video we want to show you what God is doing in Ensenada, Mexico through a unique and exciting ministry that is resulting in the good news of transformed lives, families and communities.

Fifty Seven Words that Changed our Lives

17 Nov

Through some friends who did their Masters at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, Canada, we were introduced to the teachings of Darrell W. Johnson.   His name was not unfamiliar to us as he was the Pastor of a special friend who is now “Dancing in Heaven”–Don Valencia.

Darrell W Johnson Fifty-Seven Words that Change the World: A Journey through the Lord's PrayerThrough listening to some of Darrell’s teachings we discovered that one of his books covered in depth some teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7); specifically those dealing with the Lord’s Prayer.   The intriguing title is “Fifty Seven Words that Change the World.” After reading the book in English we thought it would be perfect for our Thursday night study group made up of Catholic friends who have been studying the Bible with us for the past 15 years.  We were all very enthusiastic and scheduled to begin.    Each week that we met however meant that David and I had to spend hours translating each chapter into Spanish.  Sometimes we were putting the finishing touches on it minutes before we ran out the door to share it with the group.

The effort was worth it though as the Lord’s Prayer moved from being just a prayer that Jesus prayed, or the words used to close a religious service in a church; to something dynamic, powerful, real, personal and above all life-changing.  For all of us who went through the book we have said we will never hear or say the Prayer the same again.  Thank you, Jesus.  And thank you, Darrell.

Celebrating 2 Years of Monthly Leadership Breakfasts

3 Nov

On October 6th not only did we celebrate two years of the monthly Ensenada Leadership Breakfasts that we help to organize, but also another step in the dreams God has given us for our city.

Our heart for Ensenada is to see leaders who are united in their desire to serve, especially the least of these, with integrity, vision and commitment, in the spirit of Jesus Christ who taught us to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.

For that reason, we have been sharing this passion with leaders in all areas of service in our community—politics, faith, education, the family, the arts, business and non-profit—and inviting them to build relationships across the aisles so that through those relationships we can accomplish more than any of us individually.

We invite you to share with us through pictures — the 2nd Anniversary breakfast and ask you to continue to pray for our city and for all the leaders who are serving here.

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Many thanks to Marvin Garay at EOC for the great photos!

Jesus and Leadership

29 Jul

On Tuesday, July 19th we were staying with Board members Steve and Linda Boyle in Bakersfield, CA.  With just a couple of days of advanced planning, Linda invited some friends to a dessert gathering in their home to meet and talk with us.  She didn’t know who would show up, but we were willing to eat the brownies and lemon cakes even if no one else came!

Besides the Boyles, another couple attended that we already knew, but all the other people there were new acquaintances.  The other couple, Rick and Lorraine Davies, took some friends with them who were visiting from out of town.  The husband is an author and speaker with the ministry Lead Like Jesus.  They listened as we shared about our lives and about our hearts for working with leaders in Mexico and serving our community.

David shares about our lives and work in Mexico

At the end of the time, Phil Hodges (above right), asked if we would be available to meet the following week down in Southern California as he was interested in knowing more about our work and how their materials could be used in Mexico.

We set up a lunch meeting for the following week, Tuesday July 26 in Orange County.  This time another couple from our Board, J. and Cheri Steele, were able to be part of the mix.  Phil, and his wife Jane, shared with us about the ministry of Lead Like Jesus around the world and then we specifically considered how their material could serve the leaders we work with in Ensenada.

Sharing about Jesus and leadership over lunch

This second encounter was a confirmation of the first–God is doing something significant.  Phil gave us several of his books and workbooks that he co-authored, that have been translated into Spanish.  The more we talked the more we sensed that we share a passion for making Jesus known and for encouraging people in leadership.  It’s exciting to consider that this may be God’s timing for Lead Like Jesus to enter Mexico and for our leaders in Mexico to benefit from this resource.

Travelling Mercies

20 Jul

A tribute to God's protection

For those of you who have followed our blog recently, you know that tires have been a recurring theme in the past months.  Through it all we had four flat tires and replaced two of them, but had never had a blow out…until the first day of our stateside visit.

I was driving in the carpool lane on the I-5 just past my old stomping grounds of Mission Viejo when I thought I was hearing the engine of a semi-truck to my right.  When the noise became more intense and the car lurched suddenly, it occurred to me that we had blown a tire.  David intervened and helped me maneuver the car all the way to the far right shoulder in a matter of seconds.  It truly felt like God had parted the Red Sea as there were no cars to contend with as we merged right.  We limped it along about a half mile until we safely exited at El Toro Road.

We called good ‘ol AAA (worth ever penny of the yearly fee!) and they sent a roadside angel named Israel who spoke to us in Spanish!  He towed us just around the block to a Firestone dealer who gave us prompt and caring service–even comforting Jessica who was a little shook up from the incident.

A little beat up, but ready to hit the road again

We were able to continue on the same rim so we just had to purchase a new tire.   Fortunately that was the only thing that was a little worse for wear.  We were all safe, grateful for God’s protection for us and the others on the road, and ready to continue on with only a slight delay.

I can tell you one thing,  I will never look at remnants of tires on the roadways the same again.  Surely every piece of shredded rubber is accompanied by its own story.  Well, this is ours and it’s our tribute to God’s travelling mercies.

For Roberto, Every Day is Father’s Day

15 Jul

The home Roberto is fixing up for his children

On a hill overlooking Ensenada, Roberto is working to transform his makeshift workshop into a home for his three children.  They were supposed to vacate the house they are currently renting more than a week ago, but the workshop has no windows or doors, and the walls and roof have cracks that expose the kids to the elements.

The interior of the workshop

Disabled in a work related accident and abandoned by his wife and the mother of his children, Roberto is an example of perseverance and commitment.  Even with the available option of placing his children in the many orphanages in our city, Roberto readily expresses his deep love for his children and refuses to relinquish his role as their father, despite the overwhelming obstacles they face every day just to exist.

The reasons Roberto perseveres to seek a better life

Roberto has fallen through the cracks of our government system.  Because he is a single father, and not a single mother, he does not qualify for any of the aid programs.  His attempts to solicit help from the goverment to build a small room for his family have met with lots of paperwork and promises, but no results.  However, our friend, Mimi Montoya, receives Roberto’s children in the Day Care she operates, where they play, learn, eat meals and hear about the love of Jesus.  She introduced us to him and now we are sharing their need with others who will be able to show Jesus’ love in real and practical ways to help this family.

Juan from EOC considering Roberto's house as a potential project

Through sharing Roberto’s need, our home church, other ministries in the area, the family crisis center and even some government officials have shown interest in helping Roberto obtain what he needs and build a safe and  adequate shelter for his small family.  But there are still many bridges to cross.

The waiting continues for Roberto and his children

Meanwhile Roberto and his little family wait.  Please pray with us that the necessary pieces would come together soon and that God would provide a home for this loving father and his children.  If you are led in any way to help, please contact us and we will give you further information.

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