Reflejo . . . Ensenada

NEW WEBSITE + FACEBOOK PAGE

2010-12-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce the launch of our new website (dkgarcia.com) and Facebook page.

Over the coming days, weeks and months we will be developing these web spaces to allow you to
Engage, Learn, Connect, Share, Pray, Give

with our ministry in Ensenada.

The website will also facilitate online giving through PayPal - please see dkgarcia.com/give

Step #1 for you is to Connect by:

+ signing-up to receive our blog posts via email and/or RSS at dkgarcia.com

+ hitting the "Like" button on our Facebook page

Women Making a Difference

2010-10-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a women's cafecito here at the house. There were seven of us around the table ranging from young moms in their 30's to a grandmother. It had been a few months since the last time we had met.

To get us caught up I asked for each one to share what had impacted, challenged or excited them in their lives recently.

It was amazing to hear how with passion and spontaneity each and every one shared that what was most exciting in their lives had to do with an opportunity that God has given them to serve in the community. Here is a sample of how God is using women from our home church and Reflejo to make a difference to those who need it most:

Thermalton--a project between a Pre-school, an Elementary school and a Family Therapy clinic to collect long underwear as gifts for the 54 children and youth of a local orphanage
Casa de Paz--the name of the orphanage mentioned above. Another woman, a psychologist, is working together with other colleagues and professionals to direct a program for the 11 special needs youth that live there
Casa para los Bello--gathering resources to build a house for a retired pastor who is blind and his wife.
A home Bible study
A Day Care Center for working moms
A feeding program for the homeless

And what did I share?...How I was witnessing a dream come true before my eyes--leaders who are following Jesus and are sharing the heart of their Saviour; to bring hope, help and healing to hurting people.

Agua Viva Colleague Shares at Leadership Breakfast

2010-10-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

Shaun and Maria Sheahan worked with us at Rancho Agua Viva during the majority of our time there from 1986-1993. Our friendship has continued and our lives and families are deeply connected and our life and faith journeys have been interconnected although we now live in different countries.

For that reason it was our privilege to invite them to our most recent Leadership Breakfast and to have Maria speak to the group that gathered there. Her comments challenged us to consider what it is that motivates us to serve God and serve others.

Along with the Sheahans, three other members of the community where they now live and work came down and attended the breakfast with them: John, Bri and Laurie. Sharing friends with friends--that is one of the most rewarding parts of our work.

A Home Church Family serving the Community

2010-10-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

Juan Carlos and Laura have been friends for many years, even attending the same church at one point. Because of Juan Carlos’ career as an executive with Mexico’s largest privately held corporation, they moved frequently, but each time they came back to Ensenada we would reconnect. Laura is a psychologist and has been a tremendous support to our work with the CAME crisis center.

This past February we “happened” to be at a CAME gathering at their home when Juan Carlos informed us that he had resigned his position that very day. Laura was even surprised! That evening when everyone else had left, we listened to their story and also shared with them what God has been doing in our lives and in our faith journey and told them about the Home Church. The next morning they called and asked if they could attend, and ever since then they have become part of our church family along with their 22-year-old son, Gabriel, who is also a psychologist. (At far left in the picture is Manuel, their oldest, who lives and works in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.)

Laura is also recently retired after 30 years of working as a school psychologist. But don’t picture them in rocking chairs somewhere! In May they cut the ribbon and officially opened their own counseling center called Desarrollo Personal (Personal Development) serving the Ensenada community with professional and value-centered therapy and support.

But they did not stop there. While promoting the Center’s services they connected with a local children’s home (sometimes known as an orphanage) that has 11 special need youth transferred from a psychiatric facility. So for the past few months this family and others on their staff have been developing and implementing a program for these young people, training them in basic motor, cognitive and interpersonal skills.

God has also given them the grand vision to assist the children’s home in becoming self-sustaining and in the process they have been inviting other friends and colleagues to partner with them in this project. It has been an incredible set of events that has us in awe of our awesome God!

As members of our Home Church it has been our privilege to support them spiritually as well as participate in this exciting new phase of their lives and life work. Leaders loving and serving God as they love and serve the community—That's the fruit we trust that God will continue to develop here in Ensenada.

Feliz Aniversario #17

2010-09-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

On a sunny Saturday in September seventeen years ago a young woman from California and a young man from Tijuana promised before hundreds of friends and family to unite their lives for as long as they live.

This past weekend we took a little time away from the work and the routine to go to a spot on the ocean and relax and reflect on all the blessings God has brought us through these years.

Thank you also to all our friends and family who were there with us on that special day and also to all of you who have supported us in our lives, our family and our work throughout these years. We celebrate with all of you.

Celebrating 200 Years of Independence

2010-09-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

Every September 15th in Mexico the whole country se pone de fiesta (celebrates) to commemorate their Independence Day. But this year was bigger and better than ever as they celebrated 200 years from the beginning of the struggle for Independence. There were many events leading up to the big day and incredible festivities, parades, fireworks and star studded shows marking this momentous occasion.

Not to be left behind, our home church planned a Bicentennial party complete with costumes from the era. We had Pancho Villa, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez y Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon along with others, represented in historic attire. Aided by a Karaoke, stanzas from many traditional ballads rang out into the night until the time to shout the requisite "Viva Mexico!" honoring the heroes who fought to the death for this country's freedom.

What a privilege to live in a free country and to be able to celebrate with friends and family who have also experienced freedom in Jesus.

Good News and a "Confession"

2010-09-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

Sounds like I'm going to write about some religious experience, but really it's just a couple of announcements about our blog.

The good news is that after my blog about being "technologically challenged", I was finally able to get my computer to recognize my camera so I could upload the rest of the pictures from the past three months.

The "confession" is that now that I have the pictures, I am writing some blogs about past events, but I am post dating them so that they will be in chronological order. So when you go on our blog, be sure to scroll back far enough to see the posts I am adding to fill in the huge blanks that existed previously.

We can all be believers now--miracles do still happen!!

Rest in Peace Ventura Delgado 1940-2010

2010-09-11T15:23:00.001-07:00

Jose Buenaventura Delgado was the caretaker of Rancho Agua Viva and his wife, Isabel, (in front of casket) was the cook when I arrived in Mexico 24 years ago this past June. They promptly "adopted" me along with my co-workers Shaun, Diana, Darice and JoJo. We became their "gringo" children and they have loved us and cared for us ever since, asking about and always sending their greetings to those who now live far away.

One of my favorite memories of Ventura is that every morning during the summer months when he would go to town to buy groceries for his wife to make the food for the visiting groups, he would buy me a big, ripe, juicy mango. He knew I loved them and also that often times I didn't have time to sit down for a big meal , but I always had time to eat a mango. It was his way of showing me his love and affection. From the beginning I called them "mama' y papa' " as they have been my mexican parents.

This past Sunday Ventura and Isabel were doing what they did every week, driving around the neighborhood to pick up members of their congregation to take them to church. But this time the brakes went out on the car and to avoid a more tragic situation, Ventura crashed the car into a wall. Their injuries were not life threatening, but required hospitalization. However, as they were being treated Ventura had a heart attack and was gone almost instantly.

All of their children and many of their grandchildren and great grandchildren attended the services for Ventura. (In the picture the children appear from L-R: Rommel, Ruben, Juan, Maria, Rufino and Dalia.) It was truly a family reunion--but likely nothing compared to the one Ventura had when he arrived at his heavenly home almost one week ago.

We miss you, Papa'. You are gone, but not forgotten.

Two Friends...Two Funerals

2010-09-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

One had just turned 70 in July and the other was 47. Both were family men. Both loved Jesus and served Him in their lives and work. One on Sunday and the other on Thursday, both men passed from this life to the next in a matter of minutes.

Both of their funerals were packed with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, and members of the larger faith community. In both of the services it was mentioned that these men had always hoped to see their churches full, and for their funerals--they were.

For us it was a time to remember these men, support their families and to communicate the news to others who know them but are far away. On these two occasions we also saw many people whom we had not spent time with for many years, in some cases for decades.

These experiences have reminded us: that life is very short, especially compared to eternity; that "man knows not his time"; and the time to prepare for eternity is now. Likewise, it's better to reconnect with friends and family in any way you can outside of a funeral. So reconnect with someone today who is in your heart and has been on your mind.

Celebrating Laura's Birthday

2010-09-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Laura has been a blessing to our family and also to all those who know her. She recently had her 4th birthday and we celebrated with a cake in our Home Church. We rejoice with every piece of encouraging news and pray for the challenges that she and her family face daily. Here is an update from her mom about her current condition:

Dear friends,

Laura was diagnosed first with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Later, she was diagnosed profoundly autistic, and now with epilepsy. The neurologist sent her a medicine. She took it for a month, and then we went for another EEG. In this it was obvious that not only did the epilepsy continue, it got much, much worse. So, we have switched medicine. We have an appointment later this month to see how this medicine is working out. I am very worried that it could be Rett’s, a degenerative developmental disorder.

Recently my sister called me with the awesome news that she was able to get an appointment with the most important expert in epilepsy in Mexico. We are looking for an appointment, also, with a neurologist that specializes in Rett’s: the point being ruling out Rett’s.

Friends, I want to thank you so much for your help and for your prayers. Though it has been a really tough time, God has done so much for us. He has kept joy in my heart, He has made sure we have friends that support us through it all. He has also made sure that the three of us are well between us. We are very thankful.

Technologically Challenged

2010-09-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am now convinced that there are some of us on this planet that are missing the gene that provides ability and understanding for tools of modern technology. Among those born into this unfortunate population are my husband, David, and myself. Fortunately it appears that our offspring have avoided this mutation and will continue to be productive and successful in a world dependent on batteries, chips, gigas, memory, and sufficient functioning brain cells.

Case in point: Our friend's two year old daughter can grab his I-Phone and navigate like nobody's business. Put one in my hand and I won't be able to turn it on, let alone make a call.

Having coffee with a friend this week she says, "You haven't updated your blog in 8 months!" (not technically accurate, but close.) I have no excuse, but here at least is an "explanation."

Two years ago our digital camera died. This past June we bought an inexpensive Kodak "EasyShare" ("Easy" being the operative word.) Happily I began taking pictures and even downloaded a few on my laptop. (It really was pretty easy.)

Mid July--computer won't recognize camera, can't download pictures. Fast forward to end of August--First attempt to re-download camera program. Result--need for full system back up of computer. Install Carbonite. Three days later(!!) computer is backed up on the free 15-day trial. Another week goes by (now it's September!)--second attempt to download camera program. Result--hard drive is out of memory. Run Disk defragmenter. Discovery--camera program is installed twice. Erase duplicate program. Connect camera and attempt to download pictures. Not recognized. Compress current files. No can do--insufficient memory. Spend hours deleting three years of emails and making CDs of four years of pictures to free up disk space. Not done yet. Stay tuned...........

So besides my lack of discipline to keep up this blog, my tendency to write chapters instead of posts, the other three family members clamoring to use my laptop (as our family PC died earlier this year)...I am officially "technologically challenged" and what would take any "normal" person 15 minutes takes me hours, that turn into weeks, months and years. Can someone tell me if there is a remedy for this, or could I at least get some government compensation for my condition? Better yet, maybe my 9 year old could become the family IT person. It can only get better!!

Sister Love

2010-08-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

At the Benning Music Academy first anniversary concert after each student played their piece the Director handed them a white rose that he took from a huge bouquet at center stage. As our youngest daughter watched each participant receive their flower, a plan formed in her heart. When her sister's turn approached she asked us if she could be the one to give her the rose.

So timing it just perfectly, as the applause erupted with the last sweep of the bow, our little girl left her seat and arrived just as the Director took the rose from the bunch. Seeing her outstretched hands, Tito passed her the rose and with a hug of affection and admiration she presented it to her big sister.

I will be forever grateful for the expertise of the photographer who captured this moment in time. My grandmother never experienced it, my mother never had it, and neither did I. But my daughters have this gift--it's "Sister Love."

First Anniversary of Academia de Violin

2010-08-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Our daughter had worked for months on her Concierto piece, preparing for this evening...her first formal recital. She played beautifully, accompanied by an excellent pianist on an elegant Steinway in the hall of the Ensenada Art Center. She was one of 24 students selected from the music school where she studies violin to play for this First Anniversary concert.

The Director of this school is a personal friend of ours whom we have known since he began playing the violin 13 years ago. Last November his father died after suffering with cancer. Our friend dedicated the concert last night to the memory of his father and gave each of us a CD as we left where his father shares about his faith in Jesus.

We are so grateful that our daughter has the privilege and opportunity to study at Academia Benning and we congratulate her and all the talented musicians who played last night.

Summer B&B Retreat

2010-07-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

This July only six women could attend our annual Bakersfield & Baja women's retreat in the beautiful mountains of Hart Flat, east of Bakersfield...and I was the only one from Mexico. Although we missed our Mexican amigas, we had a wonderful, relaxing, refreshing and rich time together.

Lorraine was our hostess and meal planner extraordinaire (lower right). Christie (lower center) led us in Lexio Divina where we listen to God's voice through His Word. Hope (lower left) our nature expert opened up God's creation to us. Jo (upper right) taught us extensively about God's grace. Barb (upper left) was the newcomer (but long time friend of Jo and Lorraine) who trusted us with her heart and wowed us with her creativity. And the person at upper center--that's me!! I shared about Freedom in Jesus and led the group in our first retreat craft--collages that represent our lives. Every collage was meaningful and unique--just like their designers.

Next gathering--February 2011 in Ensenada

A "Commercial" for Reflejo

2010-05-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

Perusing my Facebook I found a post from a good friend in San Diego sharing about Mexico and about our Reflejo community. He did a great job and I thought some of you would be interested in reading it too.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/notes/john-coghlan/reviving-the-church-in-ensenada-mexico/10150181248335188

May God help us to truly live up to our name as a community and by His grace be agents for change, revival and building bridges.

Happy Birthday to Us!

2010-03-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

How do a group of High School friends celebrate their mutual 50th birthday? Drawing pictures, having a "whine" and cheese session, eating delicious mediterranean cuisine, writing out their reflections about "soul sisters" and finally singing together "Happy Birthday to Us!"

There were lots of laughs, a few tears and an overall spirit of gratitude and appreciation for the renewal of our friendships and for all that God and life has given us.

Happy Birthday MVHS '78 Fabulous 50 Women!

Reflections from February in Ensenada

2010-02-25T23:58:00.000-08:00

This year has ushered in a season in the ministry that can be likened to tending a field. For many years we have planted seeds, watered, waited and watched expectantly and joyfully. But lately as we observe the soil we are seeing sprouts and plants springing up everywhere! Here is a quick look:

For several months we have been collaborating with friends from another ministry to organize and host monthly breakfast gatherings for local leaders. The purpose is to provide a setting to build relationships, introduce the person of Jesus, promote love for our neighbor and unite in a spirit of prayer for and service to the community. David and I have been praying for the vision of a city wide prayer breakfast for over 15 years. Now we are working with others who share our passion. There are buds on the branches of that dream! Please pray for the next one on April 8.

Likewise, each Friday a small group from our Reflejo community has been uniting in prayer for our city, for the needs we encounter and the channels through which we desire to see God meet those needs. This has become a way to support one another both in the challenges of our daily lives and our respective areas of service. Each one plants, we all water, and God gives the growth.

One example is a couple that went with us to Mt. Hermon for the first time this past December and returned home inspired to respond to the need they observed among the homeless. This month they began an outreach each Wednesday afternoon that provides a hot meal for approximately 80 men and women. Leaders impacted by Jesus serving among “the least of these”—fruit that fulfills one aspect of the vision we shared when we began investing in leaders almost 20 years ago.

Another was our fourth Ensenada women’s retreat where twenty four women attended, nine for the first time. We studied the book The Battlefield of the Mind and the impact in the women’s lives was astounding. We were privileged to see God’s spirit work in their hearts and lives before our eyes! Growth, change, fruit!

At the end of last year we felt that maybe our time for having a home church had reached its conclusion. However, God has brought three new families in the last couple of months—and for one of the families it is their first church experience. How exciting to see them learn, discover and grow!

Now spring is in the air. We expect there is a lot more to come!!

Rewarded for a Job Well Done

2010-02-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

We have always encouraged our girls to do their best, work hard, study, learn and to reach their full potential. Above all we emphasize that God has a dream for their lives that He is fulfilling it day by day and that there are no limits when they seek Him first and submit to His will for them.

Sometimes God's surprises go far beyond anything we could imagine or think. The Jr. High our daughter attends informed us one afternoon that there was to be an awards ceremony in Tijuana where the best students in the state would be honored for their scores on the standardized tests taken the previous year. We were thrilled to learn that our daughter had achieved the second highest score in the state for the section on Spanish language skills!

Along with the recognition and the congratulations, a photo session with the Governor and glowing accolades from the Secretary of Education, each of the over 1,000 students in attendance was given a check with their name on it to assist them in continuing their education.

Felicidades, mija!! We are sooooo proud of you. Keep up the good work!

Snapshots of January

2010-01-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

It seems that each January begins with lots of activities, ideas, projects and plans for the upcoming twelve months and this year is no exception. Last week, in fact, we had five separate group gatherings in our home for everything from a birthday breakfast, to a strategy session, to a holiday celebration for the staff of the family crisis center. It’s a privilege to have a home where we can receive people from all different sectors of our community and share with them what God has given to us, both materially and spiritually. Allow us to give you a snapshot of a few of those times with people and what they can mean for our lives and work this year.

Monday morning David hosted a breakfast for the men’s prayer group he has been meeting with once a week for the past ten years. For many years we have had the vision and desire to see our city joined in prayer for its leaders and its specific needs in events like the ones we have attended in San Diego, Bakersfield and Washington, D.C. Around August God placed it on David’s heart to begin a “prayer breakfast” with the men he is already meeting with and build from there. Now the third Monday of each month this group is gathering to share a meal and pray for the city and its leaders.

Monday evening we met with three other couples to pray and strategize about ways to impact our community. One of the ideas discussed was a retreat similar to the one we attend each December at Mount Hermon but hosted down here by the Mexican delegation. Other ideas were a community center for counseling, medical care, training courses, Bible studies, etc; a breakfast program for needy children; a toy and blanket drive; a feeding program for the homeless and other ideas. These ideas are just in the dream stage, but what we did commit to was to gather for prayer each Friday morning at 7:30 am to allow God to lead us and seek His direction for what He wants us to do.

Friday morning Karen hosted a surprise birthday breakfast for our good friend, neighbor, hair stylist and Reflejo member, Dina. The exciting part was that the guests were women who live here in our neighborhood. The first guest arrived at 9: 30 am and she, along with two others, didn’t leave until 2:30 pm! Several mentioned that they would like to do it again. Perhaps this is something that could grow into a monthly gathering, or….

These are just a few of the plans that have us excited about what God may have for us during these next months. In addition we continue with our counseling several days a week, monthly times of gathering with Reflejo (our faith community), discipling and team building times, two home Bible studies, home church, David’s times with the men from the gym, a new monthly breakfast gathering in conjunction with another local ministry, two women’s retreat, a men’s retreat, at least two work weekends with Casa Esperanza (a woman’s shelter), raising our girls and being involved in their lives and activities and all the administrative tasks that support the infrastructure of this work.

What snapshots do you have of the first four weeks of this new year and decade? What are you excited about for the months to come? Let's work hard and trust even harder that God's dreams for us are even bigger than our own.

A Breakfast at City Hall

2010-01-07T21:26:00.000-08:00

History was made today in our city!

Public servants representing the three levels of government met over breakfast at City Hall with leaders from the professional as well as the religious community. David attended the event accompanied by two friends he had invited--Hector Amador, a former school principal who currently holds a position with the government in the area of Physical Education and Marisela Luna, former first lady of Ensenada, former City Councilwoman and the former Director of Social Development.

Around 40 people attended this fourth Leaders' Breakfast organized by our friends at Ensenada Outreach Center (EOC) and the first to be held at City Hall. Co-hosted by a City Councilman and his assistant and members of the EOC team, the spirit of the gathering was one of relationships, friendship, unity and mutual support. Padre Miguel, a priest from a local church, read from the book of Deuteronomy and said the blessing for the food. The closing prayer was offered by Pastor Abraham, who serves with EOC as a liaison to the local churches and the Ensenada community.

Lucy Meza, a partner with us in ministry and Administrative Coordinator for EOC, wonderfully shared the vision for future breakfasts reflecting on her experience of attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. two years ago.

Those of us who have been praying for years for a Prayer Breakfast for our city, state and country view this gathering today as pivotal and monumental. Please join us in praying for the monthly Leaders' Breakfasts that are now being held the first Thursday of each month at the EOC facilities. Please pray as well that if this is God's timing and plan, that out of these relationships and our times together would come the seeds for future gatherings focused on the person of Jesus and on prayer for our communities.

A Gift for Three Kings' Day

2010-01-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

In Mexico, January 6 marks the official end of the Advent/Christmas season. Today is the day to commemorate the arrival of the Wise Men to worship Jesus and present Him with their gifts. Children receive toys they have dreamed of all year and families and friends gather to eat together the "Rosca de Reyes" a delicious bread adorned with figs and dried fruit.

For the second year, our family has accepted the invitation to serve the noon meal and the "Rosca" to residents of our local "Asilo de Ancianos" (Home for the Elderly). The four of us greeted the "abuelitos" (grandparents), helped set up for the meal and served plates of roasted chicken, beans, rice and tortillas to the appreciative recipients, followed by the bread and a cup of hot chocolate.

Many of these precious abuelitos have no family in the area. The majority are sick and weak. Some need to be spoon fed, while others eat slowly with trembling hands. They especially loved seeing our girls and the children of the other volunteers.

We were there a couple of hours. We helped out where we could, shook hands, wished them well, and smiled a lot. It wasn't much and it didn't take long, but it reminded me of a song that became one of my favorites this past December.

Light your world let the love of God shine through;
In the little things you do, light your world.
And though your light may be reaching only two or three;
Light your world.
It only takes a little time to show someone how much you care.
It only takes a little time to answer someone’s biggest prayer.
Light your world….

By Eddie Caswell, Marc Aramain, Oliver Wells and Niles Borop
Sung by NewSong on the album "The Christmas Shoes"

It wasn't gold, frankincense or even myrrh, but hopefully our humble efforts to bring a ray of light to a few dozen older folks can be a gift worthy of our King.

A Home for Hope

2009-11-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

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"

2009-11-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

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

2009-09-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

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.

Gym Encounters

2009-08-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

For as long as I've known David (that is for over 20 years now!) he has loved to run and to go to the gym. Every morning he gets up around 5 a.m. and is at the gym by 6. Besides the satisfaction of the physical discipline and the health benefits, in the last year there has been an added bonus to this daily routine--he has developed some significant relationships with a few guys there.

Now besides seeing each other early each morning, several of them have gone out to breakfast various times where they have been able to touch on deeper topics that involve their jobs, their families, their worries and concerns and also spiritual themes. One man especially at these meals always asks David to share something. This week it was his illustration of the "tres circulos", (three circles, as he refers to it), that creatively illustrates our three-part reality as human beings--body, soul and spirit.

In response to David's words, this man assured him that he has been contemplating this very reality lately, especially after a freak bicycle accident resulted in hospitalization and emergency surgery, and one of his close friends and business associates was murdered recently in Tijuana. One never knows when the seeds we sow will fall on fertile soil.

Please pray for David and for these teachable moments and softened hearts at the local gym.

Women's Retreat Life Changing

2009-07-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

During the weekend of July 9-11 women from Bakersfield and Ensenada (along with two from Chula Vista and one from Tijuana) met once again for the annual B&B Retreat. This time the talks were titled the "Spirit of Fear" and "Faith the Antidote to Fear" taken from 2 Timothy 1:7.

We learned that most of the emotions we struggle with like worry, concern, doubt and the like, come directly from the spirit of fear and that does not come from God. We also learned that faith comes from God, we can ask for more of it and just a little bit of it can move mountains.

As we met in small groups the last evening, we shared where fear most manifests itself in each of our lives and prayed for one another. There were some powerful breakthroughs as we began to identify the root of fear in areas of our lives and realized that God can help us to overcome them and be free.

We are already looking forward to our next retreat February 2010 in Ensenada!

Service Project is a Dream come True

2009-06-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

As we reflected on the completion of our project after 14 hours of work, we were amazed on all that was accomplished, on the wonderful group of friends that had come alongside us to share the load, and on the realization that this was truly a dream come true.

The name CAME is likely familiar to most of you. It is the initials for the family crisis center where we volunteer doing counseling and helping with the fund raising. It means Center for the Support of Ensenada Women, but truly everyone, men, women, children and teenagers, receive help for their problems and needs there.

Giving the Center a face lift through cleaning, painting, pulling weeds and planting flowers, was definitely part of the satisfaction we felt. But it was the community that came alongside that caused us to reflect on everything God has been doing to answer our prayers and accomplish His purposes.

One of the desires that we shared as we began working with leaders in the Ensenada community years ago was that as they give their lives to follow Jesus, He would give them a heart for the things that touch the heart of God—namely the poor and needy--and that they would commit to investing their time, talents and resources to loving those neighbors. We saw this in action that day.

Another joy was to see the body of Christ join together to serve in a practical way in His name. Whole families worked together side by side. The ages of the volunteers spanned from seven to 72! Representatives from seven Reflejo families were present and two even came from north of the border. One of Karen’s patients at the center took her grandkids and worked alongside the rest of us all day as well.

The same group of people met together the following day in a local picnic spot for our monthly gathering with Reflejo for a time of fellowship and fun as families. One family came for the first time. We are so grateful to God for our family here.

photos by Daniel Meza

Defeating the Spirit of Fear

2009-05-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and
of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

For a young mom it is a shocking realization that in spite of the overwhelming love she feels for her child she has repeated the pattern of abuse she herself suffered. This verse has become a source of hope and comfort as we share with her and her husband in counseling and study of God’s Word.

A young, professional woman struggles with depression and anxiety, yet she is trusting God for her healing and has experienced significant improvement. She and her husband are currently stepping out in faith in the areas of their careers and ministry. However, meeting with an “expert” last week, our friend received advice filled with fear and pessimism that threatened to pull her back into the hole she has been climbing out of. As we met with them and reflected on this verse, she recognized that what she knows now in her heart to be true defies any professional wisdom that ignores the reality of faith in God and His plan for their lives.

Another friend, married for 14 years, has come to realize there are major problems in her marriage. Through meditating on this verse together in a counseling session, she is taking courageous steps to overcome the fear of making decisions to provoke change while at the same time trusting God to rescue and restore her family.

We are aware that right now fear permeates much of people’s thought processes, decision making, and attitudes. Especially given the current political and social climate and events occurring both here and around the world, people are in a word—scared. Even followers of Jesus Christ (including the friends mentioned above) are not always aware when we allow fear to dictate what we think and feel and how we react. Incidents of violence, we run and hide. Talk of a flu virus; we lock ourselves in our homes, put on surgical masks, close schools, businesses and even churches. Economic problems, we panic and worry about if we’ll have enough. What do all these reactions have in common? They isolate us, tempt us to depend on our own wisdom and efforts to ride out the storm, and cause us look inward instead of outward.

As a family and as a community we are taking steps to reject the spirit of fear and step out in the spirit of power, love and of a sound mind that are ours in Christ. We are seeking to help those in financial need, praying together for the safety and healing of our city and our land, taking on community projects that have been sidelined as those who have historically helped are staying home; and speaking boldly about the truth that can set us free in any and every circumstance.

We are excited and optimistic about the opportunities that are opening up precisely because of these more challenging times. More and more people are considering their need for God and we want to be available and prepared to help meet needs and share the hope we have in Jesus. Please continue to pray for us and thank you for partnering with us in this spirit of power and love.

Remembering Samuel Garcia

2009-05-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

After a prolonged battle with diabetes and a brief battle with cancer, David's brother, Samuel (53), passed away and joined their parents in heaven this past April 28. Tonight another of the brothers sent a tribute video of Samuel that he posted on youtube. If you would like to see it, you can access it with the title My Brother Samuelson

The photos in the tribute were taken March 21 of this year during a family reunion of the Garcia family in Los Angeles. Until then we had no idea how ill Samuel was. We were able to visit him two more times and then one short month later he was gone.

We thank God for Samuel's life, for his family and for the legacy he leaves behind...and especially because one day we will see him again.

Is it Safe to Go to (or live in) Mexico?

2009-03-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

Given the very negative publicity Mexico has received in the major news media since last year, the recent alert by the state department, and the concern that has created, we would like to share two perspectives with you that address very well what the reality is in our city and state. Both of the authors are not residents or citizens of Mexico, but they are frequent visitors and people who have guided groups down over many years. Both have been in Ensenada, and one in Tijuana as well, several times over the past few months. So their observations and assessments are not just historical, but likewise current. We are in complete agreement with their conclusions as well as the calls each make to consider the spiritual implications of our reactions given the real threat of violence, but also the sensationalized coverage that serves to stir up fear.

The first is by the Director of Risk Management from Westmont College and because of the length of the report I will only include the link so anyone who is interested can search it out for themself:
http://www.westmont.edu/_offices/risk/TijuanaTurmoil.html

The second one we recently sent out as a way to respond to some of the inquiries and concern expressed by friends, family and partners. I will paste it onto this post so that you can read it in its entirety.

We covet your prayers for Ensenada and all of Mexico. There are definitely problems, and serious ones at that. Please pray that God will not only eradicate the problems, but that He would use them to stir up His children to action and cause those who don't know Him to look to Him for their security and peace.

Dear Partners and Friends,

We recently received the following from a friend who was a co-worker with us in Agua Viva, and who has continued to partner with us in ministry projects throughout the years. Even though they currently live in San Diego, as a family they frequently come to Mexico (Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada) and maintain a home here. They received these thoughts from another friend who also ministers in Tijuana and has for many years. It is thoughtful as well as accurate to what our experience has been as well here in Mexico.

"First off, I totally agree with the truth 60 minutes presents that we, the U.S., share a big responsibility in helping solve this problem. The sobering truth is that U.S. demand for illegal drugs is the root cause of all this. That, combined with the flow of money and arms to Mexico from the U.S. makes us, as a country, responsible as much as Mexican authorities in solving this problem. 60 minutes seemed to nail this truth well.

At ground level though, and perhaps of more immediate need to define reality among ourselves and those we lead into Mexico, it's important to embrace a few critical truths.

1. The violence is horrific, no doubt, but it is largely limited to drug cartels and authorities.

2. Last year there were fewer murders per capita in Tijuana than in Gary Indiana, Cleveland Ohio, and WAY less (about 1/5) than New Orleans. While the violence is gruesome and heavily-documented by the media, the truth is that Tijuana (and the surrounding area) isn't the war-zone the media makes it out to be.

3. In the midst of this drug violence, Americans are not targeted. That doesn't mean bad stuff can't happen, but then, bad stuff can happen anywhere, including in the U.S.

4. The areas we currently serve in aren't hotspots for drug cartel activity or violence. Compared to Ciudad Juarez (quite a distance east), Tijuana and Ensenada are much safer. I understand some do serve in Juarez. Violence and corruption are worse there, no doubt.

On a bigger picture level though, I feel it's important to acknowledge that I feel our efforts in Mexico are God-led. I try not to be a reckless, careless, Pinto-driving, danger-seeking missionary. But there's an even bigger truth I feel we need to embrace.

Take a couple more minutes and read through this passage. It is stellar.

Romans 8:28-39

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is at work in Mexico, and a few of us desperately desire to join His invitation to partner with Him in that. And while God doesn't promise immunity from violence or bad stuff, like Romans 8:31 says: 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' "

Believing is Seeing!

2009-03-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

Jesus instructs us in Matthew 7:7 to "ask and it will be given to you." I think for most of us we think that is a good idea, and we wish it would work, but we're either afraid that it won't work or we really don't believe it could be true.

Over the past several months our ministry partners have been asking God for a dependable, used car. They asked us to join them in asking. And along the way, we posted it as one of the "opportunities" on this blog as a way of inviting you to "ask" for them too.

Well, God matched us and upped us one in the process! Our friends had a limited amount to spend--if they sold their current vehicle. Ideally they wanted a Toyota. Realistically they thought it would have to be an older model (1993 or so) given their budget. The night before the customer for the old car was scheduled to pick it up, some partners in Bakersfield informed us they had a vehicle available, and they would accept the amount our friends had to offer--a 2003 Toyota Camry!!

The car is now here in Ensenada, and yet our friends are still saying: "I can't believe it!" I would say that as you look at their smiling faces by their new car that "seeing is believing." But I think what God wants to remind us is with Him, "believing is seeing!"

Principles for Helpers

2009-02-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

This article was written by Bob Lupton and was passed on to us by a friend, who got it from a friend who got it from a friend. The friend of our friend was one of the men who came down to visit us and our faith community recently and was part of the divine networking that God orchestrated among us.

This article is a little long, but it's worth the time, especially for those who are interested in truly helping the poor.

Principles for Helpers
Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.), the father of modern medicine, recognized the power of the healing profession to effect great good as well as its potential to do much harm. The oath that he instituted, a pledge taken by doctors to this day, established ethical standards for physician conduct which included: patient confidentiality, referral for specialized treatment, sharing of medical knowledge, and valuing prevention above cure. The Hippocratic Oath requires that physicians be personal and caring, put the interests of patients first in medical decisions, strive always to preserve life and never play God by taking life. And above all, do no harm.

For centuries the Hippocratic Oath has served well the medical profession and countless millions of patients. It has guided physicians toward astounding medical breakthroughs as well as constrained them from endangering patient welfare by risking questionable treatments. Perhaps a similar type of code would be useful to those who wish to serve the poor. We know that helping can certainly be for better or worse. Even as a misdiagnosed ailment will lead to improper (even harmful) treatment, so wrongly given assistance may well prolong or even worsen the plight of the needy. Good intentions and kindhearted spirits, while commendable, are insufficient guarantees of positive outcomes. Unexamined service that risks leaving the served worse off than if they had been left alone is irresponsible if not unethical. Guiding principles are needed.

The following is an attempt to articulate a few such fundamentals to guide would-be helpers toward effective care-giving. These guidelines are drawn from the collective wisdom and experience of veteran servants who have spent good portions of their lives living and serving among the less-fortunate in a variety of cultures. The list is hardly exhaustive, and each item requires far more unpacking than this writing permits. Just as the Hippocratic Oath has for centuries provoked vigorous and sometimes heated debate among physicians and has required repeated modification to remain contemporary, even so should these "Principles for Helpers" stimulate healthy discussion and adaptation appropriate for the particular setting.

1. Is the need crisis or chronic?--Triage may be the appropriate intervention in an emergency situation but it is hardly the strategy for a continuing need. The victims of a devastating tsunami need immediate medical, shelter, essential supplies and hoards of volunteers. Over time, however, survivors need expert consultation, a practical plan and a combination of grants and loans to help them rebuild their destroyed community. A similar distinction should be applied to those who utilize our food pantries and clothes closets as well as to those we serve on our mission trips. If their situation is a matter of life or death, then immediate action must be taken to "stop the bleeding"; otherwise a plan for helping them rebuild their lives is more appropriate. Just as a physician, before prescribing treatment, performs a diagnostic "physical" to determine the severity of an ailment, so must helpers take the time to discriminate between imminent life-threatening situations and chronic poverty needs. (Note: what may seem at first like a crisis to helpers may in fact be a chronic reality for the poor.)

2. Investing is better than lending--Making money with the poor is the ultimate method of sharing resources (including expertise, connections, energy). It empowers them economically and strengthens their hand through authentic partnerships. Investing implies an ownership stake. While a loan places the responsibility for repayment primarily upon the borrower, investing in a venture requires a higher level of involvement, more due diligence, more personal commitment, and perhaps greater risk. An investor has an expectation of higher potential returns than a lender. To invest well with those with limited access to capital, whether in a welfare mom's dream of a catering business or in a well project with peasant villagers, good investment requires a sound business plan, reasoned risk/reward ratio, adequate controls and accountability. The investor has a stake in the sustainability and profitability of the venture.

3. Lending is better than giving--While giving may seem like the kind and Christian thing to do, it often ends up undermining the very relationship a helper is attempting to build. Any one who has served among the poor for any length of time will recognize the following progressions:
*give once and you elicit appreciation
*give twice and you create anticipation
*give three times and you create expectation
*give four times and it becomes entitlement
*give five times and you establish dependency

Lending, on the other hand, establishes a mutually beneficial relationship characterized by responsibility, accountability, and respect. It is legitimate exchange that requires the lender to be responsible for assessing the risk while leaving the dignity of the borrower intact. Lending, done well, builds mutual trust and respect.

4. Exchange is better than giving--One-way charity erodes human dignity. It subtly implies that the recipient has nothing of value the giver desires in return. No one wants to be pitied as a charity case. Thus, a thrift store affords more dignity than a free clothes closet, and a food co-op more than a free food pantry. To the extent the poor are enabled to participate in (preferably have ownership in)the systems intended to serve them, to that extent their self-worth is enhanced. The fair exchange of labor for goods and services is an honorable and responsible practice (though admittedly not as easy as give-away programs.)

5. Never do for others what they can do for themselves--The goal of helping is empowerment. Personal responsibility is essential for social, emotional and spiritual well being. To do for others what they have the capacity to do for themselves is to dis-empower them. Welfare, as many failed government programs have demonstrated, promotes dependency and a sense of entitlement. The outcome is no different when religious or charitable organizations provide it. The struggle for self-sufficiency is, like the butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon, an essential strength-building process that should not be short-circuited by "compassionate" intervention. The effective helper can be a cheerleader, an encourager, a coach, a connector, but never a caretaker who assumes responsibility that the "helpee" is capable of shouldering.

6. Sustainability is a litmus test--When our service project is over and we return home, are those we have served empowered to sustain what we have started? If these initiatives require our on-going funding, staffing, and volunteer participation to keep them going, they are more likely dependency-producing rather than empowering. Thus, building a home or digging a well for people who do not have the training and/or resources to maintain these assets does not empower them. It may feel very good for the moment and relieve an immediate need but it does not develop capacity. The defining question is: how can we serve so as to enable the poor to become self-sustaining?

7. Consider unintended consequences--Every change has consequences. Church growth may cause traffic congestion; screw-top wine bottles put cork producers out of work; successful sheep breeding may lead to overgrazing. While we cannot foresee all the potential consequences of our service, we should at least make some attempt to predict their impact. Are we luring indigenous ministers away from their pastoral duties to become our tour guides and schedule coordinators for our mission trips? Are we diminishing the entrepreneurial spirit in a culture by offering our free services, gifts and grants? Are we supporting irresponsible lifestyles by indiscriminate giving from our clothes closets and food pantries? Before we embark on a mission venture we should conduct an "impact study" to consider how our good deeds might have consequences we never intended. As Hippocrates admonished: above all do no harm.

8. Listen to what is not being said--A good physician learns to listen to what his patient is not saying. Perhaps out of embarrassment or fear, a patient may not disclose important data needed to correctly treat a condition. The doctor must look for clues, piece together fragments of information, use his diagnostic tools and intuition to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. The poor we serve may be quite reluctant to reveal "the whole story" to would-be helpers for a host of reasons--fear of judgment, fear of losing support, not wanting to appear unappreciative, intimidation. It would be very difficult, for instance, for a pastor in a poor Guatemalan village to tell a supporting church in the States that it would be a far better use of their money to him create jobs for the men in his village than to spend it on plane fare to send 30 unskilled volunteers to come and do construction work for them. Likewise, a single mother trying to clothe her children may be hesitant to tell the clothes closet volunteers that their hours of operation make it difficult for working parents to shop there. Like good physicians, effective helpers must learn to observe, ask questions, use their intuition, and hear what is not being said.

AN OATH FOR HELPERS
The effectiveness of our efforts to empower the poor could be significantly enhanced if, prior to launch, would-be helpers would take the following pledge:
1. I will never do for others what they have (or could have) the capacity to do for themselves.
2. I will limit my one-way giving to emergency situations and seek always to find ways and means for legitimate exchange.
3. I will seek ways to empower the poor through hiring, lending and investing and use grants sparingly as incentives that reinforce achievements
4. I will put the interests of the poor above my own (or organizational) self-interest even when it may be costly.
5. I will take time to listen and carefully assess both expressed and unspoken needs so that my actions will ultimately strengthen rather than weaken the hand of those I would serve.
6. Above all, to the best of my ability, I will do no harm.

God's Networking

2009-02-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

Together with our ministry partners we have been praying for God’s direction regarding how to more effectively offer help and healing to the needy in our city and beyond. During the first few weeks of this year there have been some great connections both with others who serve here and with like-minded friends from the U.S.

A group of seven came recently and spent a day with us considering some options for serving in Ensenada. Two of the guys are long time friends from our Agua Viva days who are part of our Reflejo community and attend Mount Hermon with us. They were shown a project that touched their hearts and they shared it with friends, who shared it with friends who decided to accompany them on a recognisance trip.

God did some incredible networking that day and we all marveled at how He is moving to accomplish His purposes here and in the world. Following this post we will add an article that we were sent from 0ne of the guys on the trip. It is one of the best pieces we have ever read about helping the needy.

At this point there are plans to start coordinating efforts between these state side friends and some Reflejo friends and their church to provide food, friendship and encouragement to a Women's Shelter south of Ensenada called Casa Esperanza.

The most exciting part about all of this is that Jesus told us that the world will know that we are His disciples if we have love for one another. This endeavor is the result of being united in our love for Jesus and the desire to love our neighbor. Our prayer is that in the process others will come to know this Jesus we seek to follow. Please pray with us for that.

"Think About Such Things"

2008-12-29T22:42:00.000-08:00

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

The last Sunday of December we gathered with the families of Reflejo, our faith community, reflecting on the year gone by. The room was filled with thanksgiving as each one shared something they were grateful for—life, health, another year, the support of friends and family, God’s provision, growing in faith.

David then challenged us based on the verse above to choose to think positively in a world that tends to be negative and pessimistic, to set our minds on what is excellent and praiseworthy. And then in the following verse, he urged us to go beyond thinking to doing, with its promised result.

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Verse 9)

These are inspiring thoughts for a time when the words crisis, recession, violence, war, disease, poverty, corruption and others fill the air waves as well as casual conversations. We need to remember that these verses were written by a man who was imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, stoned and run out of many towns for telling others about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God—the One who transformed him and the One whose birth we celebrate during this season. Surely his admonitions for right thinking and applied action can bring that same peace to all of us in our lives.

We hope that as you read this you will be reminded to pray for us, to pray for our city, for our faith community and home church, for the small groups and those we are discipling to continue growing in their faith and commitment to Jesus.

We thank you too for being a part of our lives, our family and our work. It is a privilege to serve knowing that we are supported by such faithful friends and partners. May the God of peace invade your lives in new and astounding ways as you “think about such things.”

A Small Bone Turns Into a Big Break

2008-11-14T23:14:00.001-08:00

It all started with a distracted misstep and a fall. It ended up with a broken bone, a cast and three weeks of bed rest.

Small things can make a big difference.

It was just a one inch step I did not navigate well. It is just a little bone under the smallest toe. It took just a second or two to happen. But the results are significant. A purple and swollen foot…Pain… Immobilization…Cancelled plans…Tasks undone…Reliance on others.

As I have had more time on my hands lately, I have been reading a lot more than I usually do. It seems that everything I read and even the DVDs that I have watched have served to communicate the same message—have faith, trust in God. A small portion of faith, as small as a mustard seed, can cause big things to happen.

We, like many of you have been confronting some major obstacles and challenges (more long- term than a three-week convalescence.) The economic crisis in the U.S. has hit us and many of our friends hard. There has been unprecedented violence in our two neighboring cities of Tijuana and Rosarito that has made this last month the bloodiest ever. We know many people who are facing serious health issues, family crises, death in their families, marital problems, depression and even thoughts of suicide. People are scared, worried, hopeless and tired.

Honestly, there have been times lately as our energy and resources have run low that we have been prone to worry, fear and even despair. But God has faithfully been reminding us that we need to trust in Him and not in what we have or what the prognosis is for the future. He has used the book of Nehemiah to show us what leadership submitted to and dependent on God looks like and what He can accomplish through those who look to Him and trust in Him. He has used friends to give us other books that carry the same message--believe in God’s Word and His promises, not in our feelings or our circumstances.

We know many of you are facing overwhelming obstacles in these days as well. We want you to know that we are praying for you and asking God to bless you and your families, your households and your businesses. Just as in our community, you have the opportunity to be a voice of faith, to declare that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 13; 19)

Let’s take God at His Word. Let’s be a voice of hope and healing for our communities, our cities, our nations and our world.

A Place to Find Hope and Healing

2008-10-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

It's a humble setting--an old house with sparse landscaping and modest decorations. But for many who live on society's periphery or on life's edge it is an oasis providing help, hope, healing and the resources to overcome overwhelming obstacles.

CAME, as the Center is referred to, provides services to women and families in crisis. For thirteen years is has functioned as a non-profit NGO supported solely through volunteers and funds provided by events and donations.

In opening its doors, CAME found a niche in the strata of the Ensenada community. Many schools, hospitals and even the state and local governments refer people to the Center knowing that they will receive prompt, personal and professional attention. Not being bound by quotas, bureaucracy, political or religious affiliations has allowed CAME to operate on a shoe-string budget but continue to open its doors to people from all walks of life and levels of need.

Recruited as one of the first volunteer counselors shortly after the Center was founded, David soon realized that working with CAME offerred a tremendous opportunity to help people in need, while at the same time affording him the freedom to be more open about spiritual themes than at his other position with the government social service agency (DIF). Soon he was elected as part of the governing board of the Center, even serving as the President of the organization for two years. In that role he made many contacts with other leaders in the areas of government, health care, social services, NGOs and business. There were also many occasions to attend local functions, appear on radio and television programs and promote awareness concerning the problems women and families face in our society--opportunities that he used to share, as he always does in his sessions, about the spiritual needs behind the physical and emotional needs.

David later recruited Karen to also serve in the role of volunteer counselor. Currently they both dedicate six hours a week at the Center seeing patients, as well as assisting in fund raising events to keep the center's doors open to the community. This is just one of the many doors that God has opened to us here in Ensenada and we thank Him for the privilege to be used to share His love and hope with people who are yearning for exactly those elements in their lives.

Following God's Agenda

2008-10-15T00:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is hard to accept that the “interruptions” to our plans are really our calling…and that the tasks we have planned need to take a back seat to God’s agenda.

Take today for example. Tomorrow I am going to the U.S. and I have to send the donor receipts for September but I have not written the letter yet. So, the girls are off to school. I have a chunk of time to get the job done. After meeting with a few people I go home ready to do a few chores, start preparing lunch, write a memo for Jessica’s class and work on the letter. But just as I sit down at the computer my cell phone rings. It is one of the women we disciple. She is faithful, teachable, committed and responsible, but life has hit her hard. She is just recovering from the latest punch when an incident this morning involving her youngest child threatens to cut the thread on which her life is hanging. I drop everything and run to be with her. The chores, the lunch, the memo and the letter can wait.

This afternoon I take our girls rock climbing. Can I watch a friends’ daughter until she can get home. “Sure!” Homework, baths, dinner, violin practice, bedtime Bible story and prayers…soon I can get back to the computer and get that letter written. Then there is a knock on the gate. Someone is yelling my name…a mother of one of Geneva’s classmates. It is her second visit in the past couple weeks. She needs counsel, encouragement and a listening ear. And the letter to our partners—maybe later…She does not leave until 10 p.m.

Urgent needs and emergencies are never scheduled and are rarely convenient. But being a part of meeting those needs or responding to those emergencies is a conscious choice we make. Apparently Jesus lived life this way. In the midst of sharing an important spiritual message, someone who needed healing would “interrupt”. As He tried to get some time alone to pray or rest, the masses would follow Him wanting more teaching…or more bread. Walking along the road, a heartfelt question from one of His followers would warrant a pause in the journey to speak to that specific need. My heart tells me that He knew all of these “detours” were part of the plan for His life and He invested the time and energy to show us this is how God loves.

May God continue to prepare all of us to respond as He does to the daily “inconveniences” and “interruptions”. May we give His love freely and trust Him for the rest of the important tasks and responsibilities...including belated letters and blogs.

Challenges...On the Wall and In Life

2008-09-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

Challenges…When faced and confronted they provide opportunities to excel, to thrive, to succeed, to go beyond what you thought or believed you could accomplish. But when resisted or avoided, they generate fear, regret, worry, failure and insecurity.

David shared recently with our faith community a well known passage that speaks directly to this concept. In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus reminds us of several things. One is that in this life there will be situations that challenge us on a daily basis. Secondly, He shows us that when confronted with these situations we have a choice as to how we are going to react—either by worrying about how we are going to resolve the need or by trusting in Him to provide for that need. Third, we read that we are to rest in the fact that our Heavenly Father is perfectly aware of our situation and its accompanying needs. Finally, we are to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and these things we need will be provided. David concluded by challenging us with this thought: If we are filling our hearts and minds with trust in God, then there is no room for worry!

During the last couple of months our girls have been fantastic examples of facing challenges and of trust as they took up a new sport…rock climbing!! From the first day they listened intently to their instructor, followed his instructions and met the challenge head on, reaching the top of the wall. They love it!!

God has used our daughters’ new activity to remind us how to respond to the challenges of everyday life. We must listen to our Instructor (God), follow His instructions (the Word) and face the challenge head on (trust).

For us a substantial challenge lately has been administering our resources—both time and finances. Choosing to face the challenges and trust has been a recurring theme for us and we are growing as we see God’s direction in our lives and experience His faithfulness. We are in the process of forming a Board of Directors and our hope is that as we seek God together they will provide a steady source of wisdom and counsel in these and other areas. Please pray for us as we will meet for the first time on September 20.

So, we are going to follow our daughters' example and let God show us how to climb the walls in our life that can be challenging and intimidating. We'll see you at the top!

Independence Day and the Dependent Life

2008-08-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

With a brand-new elementary school graduate in the family, we departed on commencement day to spend two weeks in the U.S. visiting partners in Bakersfield. One of the highlights of our time away was a gala 4th of July party (that included people from Columbia, Canada and Australia in addition to our Mexican delegation!)

Independence is a wonderful concept when you are referring to a country being freed from oppressive rule, or maturing in their ability to self-govern. Just as in the U.S., in Mexico Independence Day is celebrated with lots of fireworks and good food to commemorate the ultimate price that was paid to secure freedom for those of us who enjoy it decades and centuries later.

Independence however is not something to be celebrated as it relates to our relationship with God. As the result of seeing a movie that debilitated her with fear and worry, our oldest daughter has gone from a young believer who loved God, to a maturing pre-teen who needs God on a daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes moment by moment basis and someone who has experienced in a very real and personal way God's presence and activity in her life.

Before this event she read the Bible while preparing her Sunday school lessons and prayed when she ate her meals or went to bed at night. Now she regularly asks us to pray with her, suggest Scripture passages for her to read or verses that she can memorize. God is no longer just a positive influence in her life...He is a necessity.

Our daughter still has her moments when she struggles, she still has to make choices to dwell on scary images and fearful thoughts, or God's promises and truth. However, more and more she is returning to her carefree, social self, but with a new depth of faith in, commitment to and dependence on God. What a good place to be when you just started Jr. High!! What a great place to be whatever your age...for the rest of your life.

(Read about this experience from our daughter's perspective in the preceeding blog.)

Battling the Effects of Batman!

2008-08-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hola,
I'm David and Karen's oldest daughter and I'm going to tell you guys a story that just happened very recently.

I was invited to go see Batman: The Black Knight by a friend of mine. Like I'm terribly bad at saying NO I went to see it. At first I was fine but later on I got scared. I got traumatized. (DO NOT TAKE YOUR KIDS AND TWEENS TO SEE IT! They might get mad, but it's better not to see it than to scare the living daylights out of them. Trust me I learned from experience.)

Well back to the subject, I was so scared I couldn't sleep. That was the moment I was scared and helpless. I knew clearly I could not get over it alone, so I asked God to help me because this was definitely my time of need. It was and is the strongest spiritual battle I've had in my life. As time has gone by I've certainly improved, but the process of improving has been very dificult. I've shed my buckets of tears but what has helped and what I've had to do is learn Bible verses like "In my anguish I cried to the Lord and he answered me by setting me free."(Psalms 118:5) and "The Lord is with me I will not be afraid."(Psalms 118:6)

But what was most difficult for me to do is TRUST God. I'm still in this spiritual battle. I know I am trusting in God but I need to trust more that he WILL SET ME FREE. In our lives we have all types of spiritual battles but what we have to learn is that we can NOT possibly overcome them alone. We need to trust in God because he is on our side and he has given us all the stuff to overcome anything. (I still need to get that stuck in my head:] ) Please pray for me because I'm not totally over it. It's only been a week and a half.

May this blog be a warning to kids, tweens, teens, etc. because movies have incredible control over our minds. Parents please be careful what you let your kids watch. I totally regret what I watched. Like that song that Steve Green sings that goes: "Be careful little eyes what you see..." And believe me, God means it!

May God bless you.
Love,
A "Tween"

Ensenada Women do B&B in Bakersfield

2008-07-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

Bed and Breakfast, Babes and Broads, Baja and Bakersfield, have all been possible translations of the acronym B&B used to refer to an annual women's retreat. But whatever you call it the 4th annual gathering of women from Bakersfield, Santa Barbara and Ensenada was an incredible time of fellowship, sharing and teaching focused on friendship...friendship with God, friendship with ourselves and friendship with one another.

Eight women from Ensenada braved the endless miles and the intense heat leaving behind families, jobs and other responsibilities to join with our friends for spiritual rest and refreshment. We were not disappointed. From the first night God spoke to us directly from His Word in Jeremiah chapter 31. Then the next two days our dear friend and spiritual mentor, Jo, not only led us in a study focusing on the theme, but also was instrumental in bringing times of healing through counsel and prayer.

The location for the retreat is in itself a gift and a blessing. Being in the home of our dear friends and partners, Rick and Lorraine, is in physically, emotionally and spiritually refreshing. Two log homes, nestled along a stream and surrounded by lush vegetation provides an atomosphere of peace and tranquility. The first afternoon we even spotted deer! It also helps that the higher elevation and mountainous surroundings represent lower temperatures than the valley a few miles below!

Whether we take a hike around the area, share a meal together, rest in the natural surroundings, join together for times of singing, sharing and teaching, the annual B & B retreat is a time of refreshment for body, soul and spirit.

Twenty Years and Counting...

2008-07-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Over 20 years ago we met a young girl. She was the daughter of a local pastor with whom who worked during our years serving with Agua Viva.

Fast forward several years….The pastor’s daughter is now married to a bright, successful, athletic man—who does not share her depth of faith. At the time they have a baby daughter just five months younger than our oldest girl and we reconnect. We begin to reach out to them, we spend some time together and a few years later our daughters begin attending the same school.

Soon after that we invited them to attend one of our study groups and they accepted. The husband began attending church with his wife and growing in his faith as he learned more about God’s Word and His plan for his life. They began to work on issues in their lives and marriage as well as beginning to train up their children in God’s principles.

Having a burden for members of his family, and other friends, they began a study in their home and asked us to be the leaders. They have participated in all the seminars and retreats that we have organized for people in the community and are active with the faith community here, Reflejo. They also attend the Mount Hermon retreats each year with our contingency. The growth in each of them, as well as in their marriage and family has been dramatic, and although there are many areas where they still struggle, God’s work is evident in their lives.

As part of God’s plan, seven months ago our change of residence brought us to a home right around the corner from this family. (In fact, the wife was our contact with the owner of our house and our friend’s reputation was the only insurance that the owner needed to rent to us on the spot with no contract and no co-signer--an incredible testimony to our friend’s integrity!) Now every Thursday evening we walk to the study. This couple recently shared with us their continued desire for family members, friends and neighbors to receive the teachings that have helped them in their lives. After attending our last retreat, one of his sisters has joined us every week and is being taught from the Bible for the first time! We have encouraged them to pray and wait for God’s timing to invite others. They have introduced us to several people they are praying for and the seeds of relationship are being planted. Please join both of our families in praying that these seeds would find fertile ground and that soon more of our mutual neighbors would come to know our God.

Please pray for us as we are off to Bakersfield for some gatherings with friends and partners as well as the 3rd Annual B&B Women’s Retreat (Bakersfield and Baja) up there.

Washington DC Prayer Breakfast

2008-02-10T15:16:00.000-08:00

The National Prayer Breakfast in DC is unlike any event you can imagine. Sponsored by the U.S. Congress, for the past 57 years thousands of people gather the first Thursday in February to pray for the President and all those in government as well as for global issues.

It should really be called the International Prayer Breakfast as representatives of many nations attend each year as invited guests. Besides the "main event" the activities of the week include meals with special speakers and highlighting ordinary people doing extraordinary things through God's guidance and power.

[View the full-screen slideshow]

For example, we heard from a young couple who as newlyweds started a business/ministry to make small business loans to underprivileged individuals in impoverished countries. Now they are handling millions of dollars in loans over the internet each year with a 98% repayment rate!

Then there were two inner city, black women who are spearheading a ministry focused on promoting reconciliation. That would just be a great vision except that the son of one of these women murdered the son of the other. Reconciliation is not just theory to these brave activists.

Likewise, following decades of war and strife, a Catholic and a Protestant from Ireland took the stage and were interviewed by two Senators, one Catholic and the other Protestant. God is doing miracles in that country because of the prayers of many and because a few are determined to stand up and resist prejudice and discrimination in the name of religion.

So what were two couples from little Ensenada, Mexico doing in the capital of our neighbor nation as delegates of this unprecendented event? First of all learning and listening to what our God is doing around the world. Secondly uniting in a vision for our own city, state and country and its leaders that they would know Jesus and be challenged to govern following God's principles. And finally meeting others from many places we may never visit in this life who have this same heart for the places they came from.

We truly believe that one day we will send out invitations to the Ensenada Prayer Breakfast. Now that is something worth praying about!

Cross Cultural Fiesta

2008-01-27T22:55:00.000-08:00

Two wild and crazy groups of people joined together to eat tacos and show Christ's love to families and the communities of Ensenada and Tijuana.

Individuals and families from a church in Redding, CA (guided by our friends Shaun and Maria Sheahan and family) invested a week of their lives to shower the love of Jesus on a public school in a forgotten part of Ensenada, a boys' home in Tijuana and the home of a single mom from Ensenada. They did repairs, played with kids, built a "snack shack" at the school and made a difference in people's lives through their generosity and kindness.

In our newly rented home, we found that our patio can hold 60+ people eating tacos and mexican sweet bread and hot chocolate. The group from Redding joined with our Reflejo community to share the love and faith in Jesus that we all share. The principal of the rural school and his family also joined us. As you can see, there are no language or cultural barriers when it comes to fiestas!

A New Home...A New Area...A New Season

2008-01-26T20:42:00.000-08:00

After living for our entire married life in one area of the city, we couldn't imagine any place else being as beautiful, as peaceful or as pleasant. There was the beach down the street, a brand new shopping center around the corner and the giant warehouse stores within walking distance . Who could ask for more?!

But in October when our landlord told us he was selling the house and gave us two months to move out, we took it as a sign that the Lord wanted us somewhere else. We wanted to be open to His will and prayed that He would show us just where He wanted us, the location that would be most strategic for the work that He has called us to.

We scoured the internet, called realtors, saw countless properties...but nothing seemed right. We were starting to feel the pressure when a month from M-Day (move-out day) we went to see a rental house on the recommendation of a friend. It was located on the other side of town, and even the friend who had recommended it had never actually been in the house, she just knew the owner.

We showed up for the 12:00 appointment and minutes later a lovely women met us there and let us into the house. We liked her immediately. She was very kind, polite and laughed easily. As we walked around the house there was a feeling that we could see ourselves living there. It was well kept up, mexican decor with nice features and the price was even in our budget (most of the properties we had seen were not). We had to make an immediate decision as there was another person interested in the house but the owner assured us it was "first come first serve. "

From then on it was, "Let the games begin...." We called the owner, called the bank, called our friends, called to buy a washer-dryer that would fit in the new space, went out for some tacos--and started moving. From the first vehicles that started loading on Saturday evening at 6 pm until the last load Monday night at 11 pm, it was a tribute to hard work and good friends and we had moved out, moved in and cleaned both places! Setting things up would be another story, but we were officially relocated.

So how do we like it? It's great! We love living on this side of town. We can get to the girls' school and the counseling center in five minutes. Most of the people we spend time with and are in our groups live from around the corner to a few miles away. We have hosted more gatherings in the last couple of months than we usually did in a year just because we are accessible. People drop by more, we carpool now, and we have more contact with our neighbors here. Although we miss the beach, if we hike up a hill about five minutes up the road, we have a panoramic view of the entire bay!

We are still hoping that God will provide a long-term housing situation for us (perhaps one that we can purchase). But we know we are where God wants us for now and we are happy to be here!

Move Over Santa...Here Come the Three Kings!

2008-01-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

In Mexico our holiday traditions continue into January. On January 6 families celebrate the coming of the Wise Men as they arrived to honor baby Jesus bestowing Him with gifts. Children here await the “Day of the Kings” with at least as much anticipation as youngsters in the U.S. anticipate the coming of Old Saint Nick. In Mexico, Santa often brings “only” clothing or school supplies while Balthasar, Gaspar and Melchor are the ones who bring games and toys.

An important part of the festivities on this day is the cutting of the “King’s Bread”, a sweet bread decorated with dried fruits and shaped in the form of a crown. Inside there are one or more “Baby Jesus” dolls. Each person cuts a slice and if the doll is in their portion, the tradition says they will provide the tamales for the “Day of Candelaria” on February 2nd when once again the group will gather to eat a traditional meal. February’s date remembers when Jesus was taken to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord. Only then do many families put away the Niño Jesús from their crèche, often dressing it in fancy clothes and taking it to the church to be blessed by the priest before storing it away until next December 24th.

This January 6 we received an invitation from some new neighbors to cut the King’s bread with them. Having only lived here for a month and a half we were honored to be included. David got one of the Jesus dolls, so we will buy the tamales and gather with the group once again on the February date. These neighbors have introduced us to their friends, mainly professors and small business owners, and we have found that we also have many friends in common with these new acquaintances.

Another highlight this month was co-hosting a group from Redding, CA who fixed the bathrooms at a rural school and built them a snack bar where they can sell food. They also did an “extreme makeover” at the home of a woman we are discipling, as well as spent time with our community of faith here. At one point during the week we had 65 people in our back yard for a carne asada barbeque. Many good relationships were formed across the borders, as well as connecting the principal of the local school and his family with our fellowship here.

This next month we have the trip to Washington, D.C. with our partners and disciples, Danny and Lucy as well as the 2nd Annual Ensenada Women’s Retreat Feb. 22-24. Please keep these activities in your prayers.

Hola Again!!

2007-11-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

It might appear that we have been in hibernation, but the reality is that it has been an extremely busy month and a half full of changes and transitions.
The biggest news is that after four and a half years in our previous home we have moved. We are still renting, but it is a nice place. It is another God story that I will write the next time I can connect. Right now I have to play taxi driver to my kids' activities and we are studying for exams this week.
Thank you to all who have been praying for us even though our communication has been worse than sporadic.

25 Years Learning to Love...

2007-10-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended my 25th college reunion. The dinner was held in the hall where all of us had gathered for orientation upon our arrival on campus as new students and where many of us had lived during our freshman year. (Yeah, Page!!) However, this evening there were approximately 60 of us "40-somethings" getting reacquainted and reminiscing for hours.

I almost didn't make it. (See earlier blog--True and the Truth). Now the process that brought me back to my Alma Mater was reaffirmed as one after another of my fellow alumni stated in their own way--"It's all about relationships."

That is what we have all been called to in the two greatest commandments--love God and love your neighbor. May these next 25 years allow me to understand and reflect even more these principles as a natural part of my life.

Driving in Baja

2007-10-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

There is a very good article in the most recent edition of the AAA magazine "Westways" (October 2007) about tips for driving in Baja as well as several web sites that can be accessed for more detailed information. We consider the suggestions given there to be accurate and consistent with what we have communicated personally to friends and family who have travelled into Baja.

* Obey all posted speed limits and traffic-control signs, as well as local traffic laws.
* If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation in Tijuana, Ensenada, or Rosarito, politely insist on a written citation that you can pay either at the police station or by mail. For the cities of San Felipe, Tecate, or Mexicali, traffic fines must be paid at the police station.
* If you are stopped for no reason, you might be able to avoid problems by asking to be taken to the nearest municipal judge.
* Before you leave for Mexico, know how to reach people in the U.S. who might be able to help you if a problem occurs. The city government of Tijuana's website, www.sindicatura.gob.mx, offers a guide for tourists with several phone numbers that may come in handy. Also, go to discoverbajacalifornia.com and click on "Safety Tips."
* Report any incident to the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana. You may also access an online complaint form at www.sindicatura.gob.mx
* Visitors to Mexico are strongly urged to purchase auto insurance (even for rental cars.) Most U.S. insurance companies don't provide coverage for driving in Mexico. Mexican auto insurance is available at Auto Club offices or at AAA.com.
* It is a traffic violation to use a cellular phone while driving in the state of Baja California.
* Motor vehicle insurance is invalidated in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
* If you are involved in an accident, you will be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and if you have the ability to pay any penalty.

The Difference between True and Truth

2007-09-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

We were in a board meeting the other day for Rama de Olivo Ministries (with Shaun and Maria, who will hopefully have a blog of their own really soon!!) As happens every time we gather, the conversation was dynamic and charged with energy as we all discussed current events, books, and concepts that have challenged us lately.

In the midst of our discussion Greg made a comment that stopped us all in our tracks. He said, "There is often a difference between what is true and the truth." Puzzled by the apparent inconsistency, Jeff questioned the veracity of Greg's statement with his characteristic simplicity and honesty.

Greg began to elaborate in simple terms a concept so profound that it rocked our world right in the middle of the meeting. "For example" he said. "I arrive ten minutes late to work. I explain to those who are waiting for me. 'I'm sorry to be late, but the traffic was really bad and my car ran out of gas.' " He continued, "Although both those reasons are true, there was traffic and my car did run out of gas, it is not the truth. The truth is that I didn't leave my house on time to allow for traffic. Furthermore, I ignored the gas gauge when it told me that my tank was low, so I didn't fill up in time to avoid running out of gas."

He proceeded to give one more example. "Likewise, I can look at my account balance and say, 'I have no money, therefore God is not taking care of me or providing for my needs.' It's true the bottom line on my bank statement can be low or in the red. However, it is not the truth that God is not providing or concerned about my needs. There's a world of difference."

At this point David and I looked at each other and realized God's Spirit had just spoken to us. Just the day before we had made some important decisions based on fear, desperation, preoccupation and faithlessness. We had examined our financial situation and decided we needed to take matters into our own hands, cancel all "unnecessary" activities and expenses and merely survive until the numbers were more favorable. (Although at the point we made the decisions we felt it was the "wise" and "responsible" thing to do and had not identified the "spirit" behind our decisions.)

After the meeting as we drove south, we talked about what God had spoken to each of us. We realized we had mistaken what was true for the truth and had made some rash and drastic decisions based on our perceptions. As we prayed together God brought both conviction and peace to our hearts and reminded us of whose we are and what we have been called to do. Then and there on the 805 freeway we reversed the decisions we had made just 24 hours earlier. We decided that we needed to make choices based on relationships, not on how much money we have in the bank at any given moment. Our earlier "wise" decisions had been based on our own resources and capabilities and were "safe". But God has not called us to a life of self-dependence and safety. He has called us to a life of faith and trust in Him, because Jesus dared to claim when He walked on the earth: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...." John 14:6. If we accept what Jesus said, then it is up to us to decide if we really believe it enough to put it to the test in our daily lives.

That reminds me of another profound thought I received from a friend in college that adorned a poster in my dorm room: "A ship in the harbor is safe...but that is not where ships were made to be." So stay tuned--we are heading out to the open sea in a boat named Truth!

Independence Day in Mexico

2007-09-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight there will be a great "fiesta" throughout Mexico. Minutes before midnight the President of the nation, as well as all the governors and mayors around the country will go to their respective palaces, government offices and public plazas to participate in a ceremony replete with pomp and protocol that is performed each year on this date to commemorate one hundred and ninety-seven years of the battle for independence in Mexico.

The tradition initiates with the ringing of a bell to remind the citizens under their jurisdiction of similar tones that rang through the night almost two centuries ago from a church in Dolores Hidalgo declaring freedom from Spanish rule. Next, a list of names will be recited of those who were instrumental in the fight for independence, punctuating each name with the cry "Viva!" meaning "long live!" But the climax comes when each leader shouts in grand and glorious form: "Viva Mexico!" three times, to which the crowd responds in kind, "Viva!" All of this is followed with a rousing rendition of the national anthem and then a spectacular firework show. The mood is electric, national pride swells and the country is decorated in Mexican flags and the colors that represent all Mexicans--red, white and green.

Other festivities include the traditional parades, gatherings where those in attendance wear regional dress and enjoy typical dishes such as tamales, tacos and enchildadas, accompanied by lots of music with the rhythm and style that characterize the fabulous songs of Mexico.

During this solemn ceremony the leaders call out to their countrymen, "Long live the heroes who gave us our country!" As a nation, Mexico is indeed indebted to the likes of Miguel Hidalgo, Alvaro Obregon, Benito Juarez, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and others who risked life and limb so that Mexico could be a free and sovereign nation. As is so often quoted in the USA after 9/11, "freedom is not free." Many pay the ultimate price so that others can live out the fruits of their sacrifice. In fact, here in Mexico, the call to independence that we celebrate tonight, recalls the beginning of 11 years of war that were required to finally attain the victory.

However, as followers of Jesus, every day is Independence Day! The price our Savior paid on the cross liberated us from sin, from death, from allegiance to the enemy of our souls and allowed us to enter into His Kingdom and have the promise of eternal life in His presence. To Him and Him alone we owe our freedom that crosses all borders, that covers all races, tongues and tribes and that unites us as one in Him.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Viva Mexico!! Viva Jesus!!

Out of the Mouth of...

2007-09-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

The following are excerpts from a letter written by David to a friend of ours who is waging a valiant and victorious fight with cancer since one year ago.

Dear Don,
I want to begin by saying thank you for sharing your life with all of us that are aware of what is going on with you and for being so vulnerable in telling us how you feel in this battle....

I thought right now that one way to describe what we do full time could be summed up as "we are trying to learn how to take the opportunities that God brings into our lives to introduce our Friend, Jesus, to our friends that don't know Him." Part of our activities is to be in direct contact with the crises of our friends and acquaintances, all the time, including our own as is the case at this time...It occurred to me that perhaps if I shared with you how I feel in my own crisis right now, that it would give you a good laugh. So I decided to give it a try. So here goes...

Some people like me have been labeled as having "rabbit teeth" from a very young age. I remember when I was a child in school that some mean kids teased me by chanting, "you have rabbit teeth, nana nana na na." But I survived and I overcame this "trauma." Then as an adult all this changed when I got braces and I started feeling really good about my teeth. In fact, I thought they looked really good!!

Well, this feeling of pride, comfort and confidence with my teeth began to crumble one Monday a few weeks ago. While I was asleep, one of my precious "rabbit teeth" fell out of my mouth! It was after midnight and I woke up with a strange sensation in my mouth. I felt a hole where the tooth should have been. It was so strange that I felt that I was dreaming...and then that I was having a nightmare! But as the seconds passed, I became aware of the cruel reality and I questioned what was happening. Where is my tooth? It wasn't in my mouth. Did I swallow it? No, it had literally fallen out of my mouth. In the midst of darkness I began to feel around the bed and I found it in between the sheets. At that point I went to the bathroom and put it back in the space and secured it with a retainer that I had been using.

In the morning I called a friend of ours who is a dentist and I told her what had happened. She instructed me to call the periodontal specialist immediately who had treated my gums years ago. That doctor fit me into his schedule and saw me three hours later. As he examined me his comments were that the situation didn't look very good, but that he was going to do some tests and that two days later he would give me the results. In the meantime, he sent me to another dentist who would work with reattaching the tooth that had fallen out.

I left the doctor's office feeling very bad and also beginning to consider and worry about how we were going to cover all the extra expenses this would incur, even without having a clear picture yet. I called the second dentist around 6 p.m. that evening and explained the situation. He also made space for me to see him that same day and told me to go to his office at 7:40.

This doctor examined me as well and likewise told me that the situation didn't look very good. The good news was that he could use the tooth that had fallen out to cover the space temporarily by using what they call a splint, therefore giving the other doctor a chance to analize the situation, work on my gums and come up with a permanent solution.

Two days later I went back to the periodontal specialist and he explained his diagnosis to me. He told me that unfortunately my front four teeth cannot be saved. They no longer have roots and the bone in my jaw in that area has deteriorated 100%. There are also problems in other parts of my upper jaw where there is 50% and 30% bone loss respectively. Gratefully, my lower jaw is unaffected. He prescribed antibiotics and other medication for inflammation and said that to begin I would need eight sessions to restore my gums and see if any of the bone can be regenerated. The other part of Phase I will be extracting the dead nerves from those four teeth and grafting in new ones leaving my gums ready for Phase II. The second phase will entail doing "titanium"(?) implants along with bone grafts to prepare for putting in permanent replacements for my teeth.

I am explaining all this to you from what I remember and in the most simple form. To be honest, as I listened to this fascinating explanation of the options and alternatives including the implants, in my mind I was trying to add up how much all this was going to cost. Besides it was just overwhelming! But I dared to ask the doctor how much this would all cost, more or less. The doctor told me that Phase I would cost $1,200.00 dollars...The second phase would start at a cost of $4,000.00 - $5,000.00 dollars...On top of that would be the cost of the four teeth that need to be replaced permanently....

So, I left the doctor's office worried about how we are going to pay for all of this and feeling guilty that I hadn't prevented it...I also felt bad that financially we were already tight, and now all these additional expenses are being added without having the money to pay for it....

I'm feeling much better now, although nothing has really changed. I am now seeing God's influence and presence in my life (in our lives.) He is reminding us that this is a perfect situation to trust in Him and to put into practice what we preach. Through our current circumstances I am experiencing something powerful and supernatural, something that only He can do through His Spirit. Only in Him can I feel love, joy, peace, patience and trust, perhaps not all the time...but most of the time....

God bless you and your family!!

David

The Family in the Green House

2007-08-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

They moved in a year ago...the family in the green house. What was once a calm, peaceful street transformed into a continuous celebration. Loud music, laughter, animated conversations, kids playing in the streets in electric cars and clanking wagons until the wee hours. Furthermore, since the weather was hot and not having air conditioning, the only way to sleep was with all the windows open. But given the new arrivals it was either put up with the heat or the noise.

Neighbors began to make comments to each other in passing about the new family. The atmosphere became tense. Some began to complain and yell when they could not take it anymore. Threats of calling the police were voiced, but it did not seem to deter the family in the green house in the least.

We simply exchanged pleasantries with the family in the green house. A wave or a "hello neighbor" as we would leave the house or return from an errand or outing in the car. However, at night when the noise would begin, our attitudes were often less than "neighborly". Since we moved into this area four years ago, we have prayed to be a light, to have opportunities to share Jesus with those who live around us. We asked God specifically what our reaction should be to these people who obviously were determined to have a good time no matter how it affected the rest of us. We began to pray for them.

This summer there have been no parties. The atmosphere in the green house has been far from festive. There was a death in the family. The husband and wife were separated for awhile. The teenage son and his mother are often engaged in a battle of the wills. Now instead of music there is screaming, yelling and obscenities. Instead of laughter, doors being slammed. Instead of children playing, there is crying. And now we missed the parties they once had. We prayed even more.

Last week God opened the door to the family in the green house. One night a friendly wave across the street turned into a two-hour conversation with the husband. He shared excitedly about his latest business venture and then the conversation turned more personal. That led to details about his life, his marriage, his family and finally his concern for his wife who was depressed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. David shared that he does counseling and would be willing to help in any way he could. With that we shook hands and said goodnight.

Two days later, on a warm Saturday afternoon, our neighbor from the green house called across the street to David. "Neighbor, I want to take you up on your offer to talk to my wife. I'm really worried about her this time." So David went over and visited the family in the green house. The wife poured out her feelings of pain, frustration, hurt and helplessness. David shared about God and offered to give her a Bible. She was receptive and grateful and wants to continue meeting with David.

This week there we have heard laughter again from the family in the green house. And this week there has been no yelling. Please pray for the family in the green house.

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

What is Reflejo...Who is Reflejo?

2007-08-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

"Reflejo" is a Spanish word that means reflection. A reflection illustrates the concept of mirroring , where one surface or object receives and then projects an image other than its own. Therefore the object displaying the reflection becomes intimately identified with the image that it reflects. Picture a full moon reflected on the ocean's surface or a city landscape seemingly painted on the windows of a skyscraper.

Here in Ensenada, "Relejo" refers to a group of people, a community of families who are seeking to be a reflection of Jesus Christ to those around us. Made up primarily of small business owners and other professionals, for the last several years we have been gathering regularly to learn more about God and His Kingdom, to fellowship and share meals together as those in the early church practiced, and to love each other as Christ directed His disciples to do.

Weekend of Reflejo @ Valle de Guadalupe

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The majority of those who make up "Relejo" attend one of three or four small group Bible studies represented within the larger community and many are members of several different local churches. Therefore, what unites us is the person of Jesus Christ and His mandate to love another. In the Gospel of John 13:34-35 Jesus is in the upper room with His closest friends and followers just hours before He will be arrested and turned over to the authorities to be put to death. He charges them with the following words: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

So just as the ocean or a skyscraper reflect the landscape around them, so our little community of faith in Ensenada seeks to display to those in our sphere of influence the person of Jesus Christ and His love for the world. Therefore, the prayer that expresses the yearning of our hearts is: "Lord, teach me to be a reflection of Your love."

Men's Camping Trip

2007-05-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

At La Calavera Beach (south of Ensenada) relaxing is the obvious thing to do. So that's what David, Danny and Andrew did on the annual men's camping trip--getting away from it all, to be together and enjoy this beautiful place.

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