After Roman and Katrina and the kids returned from their visit here on the Oregon/Idaho whirlwind tour, Nancy and I went down for a few days and were taken on a tour of the Northern Baja. We traveled as far east as San Luis Rio Colorado (just south of Yuma). We met with a few pastors and thier families as well as stopping at some oprhanages to discuss thier needs and how we might partner with them. We were most moved by the orphanges and the heart of the people who work in them, doing what they can with the scarce resources to care for the children. It is very sobering to find out how little the workers get paid and how much work they do to earn it. Despite the difficulties in procuring food and clothing and etc etc etc the children are truly cared for and loved. We are working on a list of projects, if you or your group is interested in doing something let us know. One big project is to build a 2 story structure on a current play area that will allow more usuable space, security and and a small "store" where the orphanage can sell items made by them or to provide a copying service etc. We are getting more details when we return to TJ in October.
While visiting I got an opportunity to go with Roman and a group of youths on a hike in the hills. It was a joy to try and keep up with them as they so easily scampered up the shale hillsides. The grasses and flowers were in full bloom and the weather was amazingly pleasant. Of course, Tonio was constantly there to make sure I didn't fall off a cliff or something, (I'm not in as good of shape as I thought).
Three groups have come down to do building projects this spring/summer. One was a private school and the other 2 were church groups. Other family groups have come to do other jobs that needed to be done.
Roman and Katrina's church continues to move forward with constuction of the bathrooms nearling completion. The whole structure of the church is the result of many groups (including the congregation/Roman/Antonio) doing different parts of it from rafters to concrete to lighting to cabinetry to building lunch tables. It is a very nice facitily and is being fully utilized by the church to reach out to the children and parents in the area. What a blessing to the community.
We will have a group staying with us in October, using our facility as a base camp while they spend most of the month building a church in the Tecate area. We like to see the buildings in use! Looking forward to working with them in this way and continuing to find ways for our ministry to be used to further God's kingdom. Nancy and I will also be at the ministry site in the middle of October to continue planning and serving along side the Santiagos.
In December we have a friend of the ministry coming down for 3 months to do various medical/ministry tasks with the Santiagos and a local orphanage. It will be great to see what is possible!
Lately some families, churches and groups have contacted us for information and dates to plan trips down over the next year so we are looking forward to seeing many old friends and some new ones.
Please feel free contact us for more information any time!
Kevin.
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