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.