Wow, I can't believe that this week is over I am so ready to be home and in my own bed! But also I'm not ready to leave here yet. I'm certainly not ready to sit on an airplane for 5 hours. My flight leaves San Diego at 12:35 PM and I get back to Norfolk at 11:30 PM. I guess to continue to stretch my faith, Scott said that the fastest way for us to get over the board is for me to walk! Actually what we are doing, because he travels to the States so much has a "sentry pass" meaning that he's been investigated by the government so he can pass quicker though the lines. So he'll drop me off at the walking line in Tijuana and I'll walk over the border then he'll pick me up. this should take about 1 to 2 hours depending on the wait. It actually sounds interesting and something I've never done before.
Let me share a little of my day, Thursday is "finish the house day" and that's what we did, we had finished the drywall mud yesterday and today we sanded it for about a hour, then moved to painting, hanging the door, trimming window and soforth . For lunch we had Pozole, which is a chicken soup with hominy corn and spices served with fresh made tortillas. After lunch we finished all the left over jobs, I made the sweetest table ever! It was square and level it was for them to use as a kitchen counter I guess. . .I'll post pictures later. And I might be taking orders for holidays!
My time is to write this is running out, I need to get to bed so I can get up. But let me just in this last post from Mexico share with you confirmation why this place (EOC) these people (the poorest of the poor) consume me. And for you NBCC people why I ask for you and your kids to take this adventure with me every year. Today as we gather to give the keys to this family, the mother said a few words but then Diego the local pastor who we were working with spoke for her. He said for 23 years this woman has been praying for a house . . . and today she has one. I'm not sure how or why but God allowed me to be part of an answered prayer. And I believe that God has answered my prayers and hopefully some of yours, God has taught me a lot and he's spiritually recharged me. I made a great new friend and reconnected with old ones. And maybe just maybe my Spanish got just a little bit better.
My plan is to blog again tomorrow night (or early Saturday morning) and post a ton of pictures so if you've been keeping up with me this week there is one more left!
Mitch
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
day 7
Well gang tomorrow should finish the house completely, Yadi and Chris did an amazing job on the roof! I'm not sure what I did today, but I'm sore from it! Not only did we get tons of work done, but it was really great to see the kids from Mechanicsville interacting with the kids. Even with a language barrier you can tell that the kids know that they are loved and that these Americans care about them. Really isn't that exactly what God has called us to do, love people no matter if they are in Mexico or you share a fence right in your own backyard. We are called to love!
Just some random interesting things I've learned today:
Sometimes, if your lucky... when a window falls out it doesn't break
Its only funny when someone else hits their finger with a hammer!
Nearly losing your balance on a ladder is scary ...
Turkeys are good at thanksgiving, but don't like to be chased!
There are bad tacos in Ensenada -(I learned this from Rob and Josh)
Gravity, a hammer, and the human skull aren't a good combination (I learned this from Yadi)
The middle finger has universal appeal (I learn this from one of the kids at the job site) !
Well that's all for tonight. . .I will say this . . I love my wife. . who has done some editing to my blog!
Mitch
Just some random interesting things I've learned today:
Sometimes, if your lucky... when a window falls out it doesn't break
Its only funny when someone else hits their finger with a hammer!
Nearly losing your balance on a ladder is scary ...
Turkeys are good at thanksgiving, but don't like to be chased!
There are bad tacos in Ensenada -(I learned this from Rob and Josh)
Gravity, a hammer, and the human skull aren't a good combination (I learned this from Yadi)
The middle finger has universal appeal (I learn this from one of the kids at the job site) !
Well that's all for tonight. . .I will say this . . I love my wife. . who has done some editing to my blog!
Mitch
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Day 6
First let me just say. . .I am tired! It has been a super long day, but progress on the house is muy bueno, the team that I'm leading did a fantastic job working together. Tomorrow we'll be finishing the dry wall and shingling the roof, that only leaves paint and trim for Thursday.
When we arrived back at camp Pablano's (the best Taco shop in Ensenada) was here cooking for us, I had two "tacos de Scott", (inside joke!) they were loaded with avocado, beans, onions, cilantro cheese and salsa. The meat is cooked over an little grill heated by wood I might just have another one tonight!
Every evening we have chapel, I'll attach some pictures of the worship team, but let me tell you these two ladies can sing! Tonight Abram will be speaking, he'll be preaching in Spanish with the help of a translator, its funny, but I recognize about every 10th word. . but as I tried to remember what they mean he's moved on so its doesn't matter!. Abram works for YUGO, he's serving and coordinates the contact between YUGO and the local churches. Good stuff, God is really moving here. Yady showed me today where her father and his church ministers to the poor and the building they use.
Today I woke up at about 4:30 again, I was laying on my bed, well its not really a bed, its two mattresses stacked on the floor! Since I was awake, I grabbed my IPOD and started listening to some music, one of my current favorite songs came on, its titled "God of Justice" we've sang it at NBCC a few times, one of the lines that really kicks my butt is "keep us from just singing" my impression of that is ever changing, but today I feel that God is calling me to do more than just sing. . . I believe that God calls all Christians to do more than Sing on Sundays. . . so the question I'll ask myself before bed tonight is this. . am I doing more than just singing. . .and if anyone actually reads this. . .are you doing more than singing?
Keep praying for me. . because I'm praying for you anyway!
From the Taco stands of Mexico
Mitch
When we arrived back at camp Pablano's (the best Taco shop in Ensenada) was here cooking for us, I had two "tacos de Scott", (inside joke!) they were loaded with avocado, beans, onions, cilantro cheese and salsa. The meat is cooked over an little grill heated by wood I might just have another one tonight!
Every evening we have chapel, I'll attach some pictures of the worship team, but let me tell you these two ladies can sing! Tonight Abram will be speaking, he'll be preaching in Spanish with the help of a translator, its funny, but I recognize about every 10th word. . but as I tried to remember what they mean he's moved on so its doesn't matter!. Abram works for YUGO, he's serving and coordinates the contact between YUGO and the local churches. Good stuff, God is really moving here. Yady showed me today where her father and his church ministers to the poor and the building they use.
Today I woke up at about 4:30 again, I was laying on my bed, well its not really a bed, its two mattresses stacked on the floor! Since I was awake, I grabbed my IPOD and started listening to some music, one of my current favorite songs came on, its titled "God of Justice" we've sang it at NBCC a few times, one of the lines that really kicks my butt is "keep us from just singing" my impression of that is ever changing, but today I feel that God is calling me to do more than just sing. . . I believe that God calls all Christians to do more than Sing on Sundays. . . so the question I'll ask myself before bed tonight is this. . am I doing more than just singing. . .and if anyone actually reads this. . .are you doing more than singing?
Keep praying for me. . because I'm praying for you anyway!
From the Taco stands of Mexico
Mitch
Day 5
Today the weather her was quite amazing, sort of cool to start but warmed up nicely. Started out early on our job site. The family lives in and area called "the migrant camp" it is south of the camp and Ensenada, the houses are way down in a valley surrounded by mountains. Most of us would love to have this view! The family we are building has about 13 members you can see the picture of where they currently are living. Progress on the house just a little above average which is all I'd hope for, the ceiling joists and the roof rafters are up, the big question will be making sure everything (dry wall & roofing material) lines up tomorrow.
I met a very impressive young lady today her name is Yady, her dad is the pastor of one of the churches that is doing work in the migrant camp. She speaks better English than I do! It was really intresting to talk to her about the news coverage of the unrest in Mexico. She talked about how it breaks her heart because it effect people coming to help those in need. Just to keep you informed I still feel totally safe here, as a matter of fact its almost 10:00 PM and I'm hoping for a quick taco run! Safety may be an issue for Rob and Josh the two guys who I'm sharing a VERY small room with!
Durning worship tonight a group of local college aged kids led, they were fantastic their energy and their love for God really showed through.
As for me, it was a long day! I did run a red light on the main road and Yady said I was going to draw attention to myself for stopping completely at the stop signs! But running the red light helps me look like an authentic Mexican driver and with my cool hat . . . .
Good night for now. . .enjoy the read. . .
I met a very impressive young lady today her name is Yady, her dad is the pastor of one of the churches that is doing work in the migrant camp. She speaks better English than I do! It was really intresting to talk to her about the news coverage of the unrest in Mexico. She talked about how it breaks her heart because it effect people coming to help those in need. Just to keep you informed I still feel totally safe here, as a matter of fact its almost 10:00 PM and I'm hoping for a quick taco run! Safety may be an issue for Rob and Josh the two guys who I'm sharing a VERY small room with!
Durning worship tonight a group of local college aged kids led, they were fantastic their energy and their love for God really showed through.
As for me, it was a long day! I did run a red light on the main road and Yady said I was going to draw attention to myself for stopping completely at the stop signs! But running the red light helps me look like an authentic Mexican driver and with my cool hat . . . .
Good night for now. . .enjoy the read. . .
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Day 4
I can't believe Sunday is almost over, actually it isn't we still have chapel services tonight and who knows what else. Tonight was an amazing night, one of the things that the camp has started is the camp host the families that will have houses built for them so we can meet them and they can meet the people building their house. I'll attach a few photos here and on facebook for you to see. In a quiet few seconds that Scott (camp director), Rhonda (does everything else) and I sat in his office, Scott prayed and one of the things he said was so humbling, he said, "you can see in the faces dreams coming true" Think about that in just 4 short days 11 families will have their prayer for a house of their very own answered. God is really good! It's so humbling to know that God uses such imperfect people to do such an amazing thing.
So I'll ask you to continue to pray for me and I pray for you! Tomorrow is a big day when all the teams head out into the villages and the real work begins.
More to come. . .
Mitch
Day 3
First let me apologize for the misspelled words or incomplete sentences! The computer I'm working on isn't the greatest nor am I!
Saturday was a pretty uneventful day, sort of the calm before the storm, I got to spend a little time alone reading and praying. I'm asking myself what is God teaching me this week, I'm not totally sure I'm afraid it has to do with patience and trusting him. I think, I've said this but I'll be leading a house, my hope was that one of the Mexican nationals would be building right next door. But apparently Ricardo (okaye dokaye artichokie inside joke from last summer)will be in the same valley as me but not too close. He said, you'll do fine. So I guess in Roger Casey's words, "It's just wood" So I'm trusting God (and praying for a real builder on the team I lead) that's about it, I did post a picture of the camp pre-chaos just a simple look down the street.
Last thing for today, I want to thank the leadership of NBCC for allowing me to be here and I want to thank the staff,elders and everyone who are getting everything ready for the Easter Celebration.
Mitch
Friday, April 3, 2009
Day 2
Well today is day two of my adventure, the weather here is amazing a little cool last night but that made for amazing sleeping weather, that and being totally exhausted for being up for 20 some hours straight. I woke up at my typical 7:30 AM except it was really 3:30 here. When the U.S. moved daylight savings time last year Mexico didn’t which, means there is a 4 hour difference here but this weekend Mexico will “spring forward” which means I’ll lose an hour of sleep this Saturday night, so I’ve sprung forward twice!
Today was spent helping unload the vans and trucks of tools and leftover building materials then organizing them and reloading them for Monday. This week we’ll (I get to talk like staff!) be building 11 house, doing 2 Vacation bible schools, 1 sports ministry clinic as well as a distributing clothing.
For those reading this that have been to YUGO and Ensenada I did make my first run down to Poblano’s for Tacos!yummy yum!
Tomorrow looks like it will be filled with continuing to get ready for the 250 people that will be coming in Saturday and Sunday!
Today was spent helping unload the vans and trucks of tools and leftover building materials then organizing them and reloading them for Monday. This week we’ll (I get to talk like staff!) be building 11 house, doing 2 Vacation bible schools, 1 sports ministry clinic as well as a distributing clothing.
For those reading this that have been to YUGO and Ensenada I did make my first run down to Poblano’s for Tacos!yummy yum!
Tomorrow looks like it will be filled with continuing to get ready for the 250 people that will be coming in Saturday and Sunday!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
In Ensenada Mexico
This is going to start out confusing first of all right now its 3:20 PM in Ensenada, in San Diego its 4:20 PM in Virginia its 7:20 PM. My body is thinks it 7:20 (4:00 AM came really early, that’s VA time) needless to say I’m hungry but I did have a nice juicy in&out burger for lunch or breakfast or something. . . .
Anyway, my flights were good I lucked out and had empty seats next to me for both flights, apparently the fight from Norfolk to Houston took longer due to weather and when I arrived I had to rush two terminals over (via train) to get my next flight. . . that was due to leave in 15 minutes! I almost completely read the book by Jim Cymbala “you were made for more”
The drive down to Ensenada was excellent as far as any “safety concerns” I saw nothing out of the normal but I notice that we drove in the actual city of Tijuana for about 5 minutes and at about 110 kms (60 miles per hour) There we lots of other people driving around, lots of kids playing, one thing that was different it was green, were normally in the summer the fields are brown and dry, its actually spring here too! (duh) and everything is in green and lots of wildflowers (probably weeds) blooming.
We’ll that’s enough for today I think. . .maybe supper will happen soon! Or a run to the taco stand!
Check back tomorrow
Mitch
Anyway, my flights were good I lucked out and had empty seats next to me for both flights, apparently the fight from Norfolk to Houston took longer due to weather and when I arrived I had to rush two terminals over (via train) to get my next flight. . . that was due to leave in 15 minutes! I almost completely read the book by Jim Cymbala “you were made for more”
The drive down to Ensenada was excellent as far as any “safety concerns” I saw nothing out of the normal but I notice that we drove in the actual city of Tijuana for about 5 minutes and at about 110 kms (60 miles per hour) There we lots of other people driving around, lots of kids playing, one thing that was different it was green, were normally in the summer the fields are brown and dry, its actually spring here too! (duh) and everything is in green and lots of wildflowers (probably weeds) blooming.
We’ll that’s enough for today I think. . .maybe supper will happen soon! Or a run to the taco stand!
Check back tomorrow
Mitch
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Heading out
My flight leaves Norfolk tomorrow morning at 5:45 which means I'll be there at 5:00 AM! Things are already "interesting" after almost 100,000 miles today my truck decides that the alternator needs to go out while I'm out on the church property. Thanks to good friends who (I hope) are taking care of it! Satan got a few blows in but I think I resisted the "oh, crap" moment pretty well! So I'm off not to sleep until 4:15 AM. Just a note, the news has been full of information regarding the situation in Mexico. I'll be visiting Ensenada Mexico and helping the guys down there build houses this coming week, if you are interested or a concerned parent check out the safety information at http://www.yugo.org/Safety2009.htm
God is Good
Mitch
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