A Home for Hope

Last weekend was significant for Ensenada and its community, but not for the reason many would assume. Yes, the much acclaimed and world renowned Baja 1000 Off Road race ran over the same time period and was followed by thousands. But the event we took part in was more low key, but of eternal significance.

In August we began working with two other faith communities to spend a weekend serving at a home for abused women and their children. Plans were made, preparations arranged and much prayer and anticipation preceded the arrival of over 40 people from the U.S., as well as some families from our Reflejo community here in Ensenada, who loved and served those who live at La Casa de Esperanza—the House of Hope.

During the two days of work a chicken coop was repaired, painted (fluorescent lime green!!) and equipped to provide a means of food and income to the Home. Also, a building that had partially burned was repaired and stuccoed, a new boy’s bathroom was tiled, vehicles and bikes repaired, a library arranged and organized, haircuts given, and close to 400 tamales made for a shared dinner. But even beyond the projects, as helpful as they were, the true ministry took place as we got to know the women, their families, their stories and those who serve there full time.

Our family participated alongside the others and was privileged to be a part of the time at Casa Esperanza. Some of the highlights for me were seeing our oldest cuddling babies in the nursery most of the morning and serving as a translator anytime someone wanted to communicate but couldn’t. She also made some friends with young people her age from the group and was sad to see them go. (She has already made them her friends on Facebook however!) Our youngest was the soccer girl. She jumped right in with the older boys from both sides of the border and held her own. David was given money by the group to buy bicycles for the kids and he and our friend Danny scoured the second hand shops and found nine fantastic bikes and presented them to the director. He also spent time talking with the women and the directors to determine more ways that we can serve on a long term basis. I served as a translator and was able to facilitate the building of relationships between the women from both sides of the border.

Please pray for these women who come from such tragic and broken backgrounds. Their greatest need is to know Jesus and receive His love and healing, and many of them already do. But they also need to have tools and training to begin a new life. Many of them are in school to finish their primary or secondary degrees. Others are studying a technical career. But more than that, they need to learn to be loving and caring parents, something most of them never experienced themselves.

Papers and "Paletas"

She sells newspapers at a busy intersection that we pass by as we drive the girls to school. At first we didn’t really notice her in the distraction of the morning rush. Then we would refer to her as the older woman who sells the papers. Then there was the tentative, but mutual recognition that comes from seeing a familiar face every day over a period of time.

As the weeks went by our passing acquaintance led us to smile, then to wave and finally I began to lower my window and greet the newspaper woman every day. She tells me that I bring her blessings each day for her sales. One day I noticed she had company at her appointed spot and she told me she had recruited her daughter to help sell papers too. She introduced me to her and also told me the day she celebrated her one year anniversary of selling newspapers.

Since I don’t buy the paper, some days as I drove away from our morning greetings, I would ask God if there was anything I could do for this sweet woman who always has a smile and a kind word despite the early hour or the harsh weather. God put in on my heart to invite them to a workshop I organized at our family crisis center (CAME) for needy women to learn a craft that they can sell to generate income. Maria Luisa López, a friend from Agua Viva days, designs and produces edible marshmallow figures on a stick (paletas) to sell as a way to generate additional income for her family. She shares my passion to see opportunities for women who are un- or under employed to have opportunities and tools to begin their own businesses and support their families.

Yesterday we had six women in our first workshop and among them were the “newspaper women”, where we learned their names are Salomé and her daughter, Yeimy. They along with the other four made their two marshmallow creations and left the Center with a new skill and a new and exciting vision.

This morning when we drove by their spot, we greeted our friends (and future businesswomen), and Salomé gave us some great news: “I sold my first paleta!”

Thank you for supporting us with your gifts and your prayers so that we can support others. It is an incredible privilege to love and serve God and our neighbors in this city.

A Time for Everything

This is a tale of two women. I did not know either one of them very well, and they did not know one another. One was 86 years old and the other 50-something. One was my next door neighbor and the other the neighbor of a friend of a friend. One I saw a handful of times when she would venture out to water her garden. The other I had only met once.

Last Monday however, both of these women came to the forefront of my reality. For Francisca, my neighbor, it was because she silently exited this world; and for the other woman, Blanca, it was because she quietly re-entered it.

That memorable morning the unexpected arrival of an ambulance with flashing lights, but no siren, prompted me to expect the worst. A paramedic shaking her head, family members speeding to the scene, and then the hearse confirmed my suspicions--Francisca had died in her sleep. A quick word of consolation to the family members, an offer of help if they needed anything. The arrival of more family, an invitation to the funeral and wake. My neighbor was gone, just like that.

But the day went on: friends over for lunch, helping the daughters with homework, a neighbor coming to use the phone-hers was cut off, a mom coming to get a copy of the day's homework and then another unexpected occurence.

The sister of a good friend calling for me. She had never called me before. Several questions in quick succession: "Do you know Blanca C.?" I did only because several months ago someone told me she was in a coma since January and had asked me to be praying for her. "They told me you went to pray for her." I did go in March, one time, when God put it on my heart and my daughters and I had been praying every day since. "I called to tell you something--Blanca is awake and talking. I have just spent the whole day with her." Again, just like that, but this time Blanca had awakened from her coma induced slumber.

Wow!! Unbelievable!! In the same day, one woman goes to sleep and passes from this life to the next one, while another woman, living in another dimension for nine months, literally comes back to life. What a mixture of joy and sadness. Only God knows why He picked the same day to juxtapose these two very distinct but related realities.

The words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes seem appropriate for such a day as this:

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak..."

May I live the time that is appointed for this day....

A Small House with a Huge Purpose

After being in Bakersfield we were able to spend a night with another family that have been faithful friends and supporters for over 20 years ever since we were all single and their church would come down and serve with us at Rancho Agua Viva.

Now they live in Orange County and have a very innovative and quality remodeling business called Black Diamond Builders. http://www.blackdiamondbuilders.com/

This year for the first time they built a home to be donated to an organization that benefits the homeless. http://www.projectplayhouse.org/ Not only that, along with the architect, the interior designer and the rest of the team, they built a house that honors those who were devastated by the tsunami in Sri Lanka just a few years ago. So this is a small house in size, but a huge house in purpose.

So here are J. Steele and David in front of this work of art and labor of love. And any of you who can get to the Irvine Spectrum in Orange County before September 12 can see this playhouse, along with the other eight creations Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 6 pm.

Here's to good friends, and good home and Kingdom builders!!
Thanks J. and Cheri

Good Food and Good Friends

In our busy lives it seems like there is never enough time to connect with all the people who are important to us. A little pocket of time and a few hours of driving allowed us the gift of visiting with friends who are also faithful supporters and very significant parts of our lives and ministry. In being together we had the opportunity to give them an update about what God is teaching us and doing in our lives and the work here, as well as share in some of the trials, challenges and victories these friends are experiencing as well.

We have known Steve and Linda Boyle and Doug and Dena Carter for the past seven years. God brought them into our lives and they have been the conduits through which individuals and families from both sides of the border (and literally around the world) have become united in faith, friendship and fellowship. In addition they have become like family as we have shared life, ministry and lots of time together.

So here we are after a delicious dinner at a favorite Bakersfield eatery enjoying the gift of good food and good friends and looking forward to the next time we can all be together.