Homes of Hope video

Recently, we've had a new family that's been coming to the Circulo Andante ministry in colonia Antorcha. Josefina and her 2 kids, Erik and Lupita, first walked about 4 miles to come to the Circulo when she heard about Homes of Hope. She was desperate to try to see if she had a chance through our minsitry to improve the lives of her children...
Now they have a new home, and Erik and Lupita are a fun addition to the Circulo! I love this family!

CLICK HERE to watch a video about Josefina and how her family's lives have changed by receiving a Homes of Hope house. It's very touching.

A Change of Heart: Last House build of 2010

I was so happy when I found out that my last house build of the year was going to be in colonia Antorcha, where I teach the Circulo Andante every week. "Alright!", I thought, "I'm gonna get to build for one of my adorable little kids!" And it was true, sort of - I mean, who wouldn't want to give this kid a new house?? Meet Daniel Angel, age 6. A typical mischevious little 1st grader, the smallest in his class. He makes everyone smile and always tries his best in class. He and his brother Ricardo, age 8, live with their Grandma, Martha. Ricardo is a big trouble-maker in my class, pushing and making fun of the other kids, not wanting to do any of our activities, and being forced even to come to Circulo by his Grandma Martha. While I was so happy they were getting a new house, I have to confess I wasn't very thrilled about the idea of having to deal with this "problem child" the whole weekend. Although the more time I spent with them and learned about their family, I have to say God definitely convicted me of my judgemental attitude and gave me a change of heart.


Here is Martha's house: a one room shack with blankets and sheets for walls where she lives with her 2 grandchildren. I had the honor of talking to Martha about her family and she shared with me that her daughter - the boys' mother - is currently in a drug rehab center in Ensenada. She bravely took up the task of being the boys' legal guardian and raising these 2 while their mother is rehabilitating. She said they don't get to go visit her very much and sadness and angry the boys feel from missing their mother comes out in their behavior. She called the oldest boy Ricardo "tremendo" - or terribly naughty - and I saw that come out in his rudeness and disrespect towards her several times throughout the weekend. It didn't help my feelings toward him either that he kept asking me when we were going to take him to buy all the free food and how many toys was he going to get (as if the brand new house wasn't enough!) I'm sure this is because he had seen a lot of other kids in the colonia get new houses full of furniture and toys and heard stories about the overloaded carts full of grocieres that the teams often buy the families. Although I had never met a child that was so presumptuous to ask "when" and "how much"! So much for the surprise.... Anway, I had a great time working alongside Martha to get her house built.

Gloria and I working with Martha inside the house

In addition to the team's hard work, we also had several more helping hands: the kids from the Circulo! We had about 20 kids come and help us paint, hammer, carry shingles and anything else they could do. I also had the pleasure of serving alongside some of the moms in the colonia that came out to be a part of this special blessing for Martha.

Brayan, Itai and Daniel Angel ready to hammer

Me working on painting with some of the kids from the Circulo

Karinn and Martin - 2 6th graders from the Circulo- working on painting inside

Jessica and her family received a Homes of Hope house several months ago. Now she came out with her kids to help out and to be a part of this amazing gift for another family!

The house dedication was an especially emotional time as Martha shared with the whole team about the boys' mother and her situation in the rehab center. She expressed that she was absolutely thrilled to be receiving a Homes of Hope house and that she hoped this new home would bring some stability and feeling of security to her two boys. Then each team member got to share what the experience meant to them and how grateful they were to be a part of giving Martha and her family this great blessing. One comment that I especially remember was from an older woman on the team. She said that as a grandma herself, she thought that Martha was very brave for taking on the responsibility to raise her grandsons. This brought Martha to tears, as I believe she never even thought twice about bringing the boys into her home to care for them, loving and courageous as she is.

Martha and her two boys with me translating for the team leaders at the dedication

A few weeks after the build, some of our YWAM staff took Martha and the boys to visit their mom at the rehab center in Ensenada. They said it was a glorious reunion full of love and happiness. Before they left, Martha showed me the letters that the boys wrote to their mom in regards to their new house: (see images and translation below). It broke my heart and brought me to tears (even still while I'm writing to you about it now!), just to see the tender heart of a child, no matter how tough their exterior may be...

Pretty mommy, mommy I miss you, Get better really soon, we need you. My mom (grandma) Martha and my brother and I love you. We really want you to come to my house so you can see it. Your son that loves you, Daniel

Mommy, I love you alot and I miss you. I want you to get better soon so that you can come back to my beautiful house. Please, I want you to come and live in my house with us so that you can take care of us. We love you alot. Do your best - your son that loves you asks you for this -Ricardo.

I thank God that he forgives us for our sinful hearts, judgemental and deceiving as they are (or at least mine is!) I'm thankful that I got another chance to see this boy in a different light, how amazing the love is between a mother and her sons. And I am SO happy that I got to be a part of this build and of bringing hope to Martha and her boys - a hope of a new life, together as a family.

"People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
~1 Samuel 16:7

P.S. This is our 3rd house that Abraham and I have built together!

Fall Newsletter

Here's an update on what I've been up to this fall in Tijuana... Mexican celebrations, a peace march in downtown Tijuana, a carnival in the colonia and more! Check it out!

Click on the image to make it bigger - enjoy!