CC Creekside Family May 20-23
Mia, one of the youth from CC Creekside came to serve last year and was so inspired that she feels she is being called to missions possibly Mexico. Her mom Lori and her step dad Don came alongside her on a prayer and vision seeking trip. The Lee family was happy to be able to lead them to visit the Siempre babies, Catherine’s kids home and Alcansando La Vision and even a drop in visit to Tribe de Jesus. In their few days here they blessed each place with visitation and prayer,praying for healing and strength for the workers and all the children with their various illnesses as well providing some with some much needed necessities such as gas and milk and blessings of cookies and healthy fruit.
James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well: the Lord will raise them up.
Fullerton May 17-19 Philippians 1:6 being confident that he who began a work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Not all groups need to come for a full work to be productive as was the case with Fullerton. Mostly 2 family groups sacrificing their weekend to come and serve at Rayito de Luz Y Esperanza. Philippians 1:6 is reflective to the work being done at Rayitos as well of the work being done in Fullerton as they step out in faith. God’s spirit often speaks through the innocence of a child piercing the heart as they are unashamed to love unconditionally those they meet and a greater passion for the kingdom is often stirred as people step out of their comfort zones. It was so neat to see family groups showing unity and Love by coming to serve this way.
Dear Park April 29-May 6
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
There is such a strong theme of building within this group wether it be the building up of one another or the building project at an orphanage or participate in the building of a new ministry in Primo Tapia these guys are equipped and ready to work. Their serving in Mexico has been a relationship that has been built upon many years of ministry together. Within the group there is such a warmth and genuine love for one another that reflect the Fathers heart as they visited Rayitos de Luz y Esperanza to spend time with the kids and provide construction skills to furthering the completion of work on their needed bathrooms. This second to the building up of the kids through crafts teaching of the word feeding them physically and spiritually.
The following day they began work on our base participating in painting drywall sanding construction and the tearing down of cement walls.
It is interesting that the father and son who smashed through concrete together this became an actual living metaphor what God had done in their lives tearing down the walls of addiction through his spirit. It was such a powerful visual example of the work of God the victory how He rebuilds and the beautiful work that is the result.
These 2 faithful men visited a rehab center the following day to encourage men there in their recovery but more in the restoration of their souls through Christ Jesus. 2Cor 1:4 encourages us to comfort others with the same comfort that God has comforted us and these men did this for the men at this facility. Their obedience lead others out of the pit of darkness and despair and it was was a beautiful thing to behold witnessing the redemptive work and seeing it affect the lives of others in the same way. The conclusion to a busy week was an outreach on the hills of Rosarito, near the rehab that they visited. Many other men came and heard testimonies and the gospel message and came to the Lord. Praise the Lord! Children participated in games, face painting and raffles, “winning” soccer balls and school supplies families were blessed with food and encouragement of the body of Christ.
We are so grateful for the labour of Love that this group so willingly gave.
Pomona Valley Men’s Conference April 26-27
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness. Colossians 1:25 This describes the faithfulness of Pastor George Maldonado and Claudio Alfaro as they host the 3rd annual Men’s retreat in Rosarito Mexico . This years theme was in Nehemiah 3:1 “The start of the resconstruction of the wall”. This years speakers were Pastor George Maldonando, Claudio Alfaro, Victor Mayoral, Ezequiel Trazvina and Fernando Ceballos who all gave encouraging messages. Men from Mexicali, Rosarito, Santa Rosalia, La Paz, San Bruno, and Vizcaino, some traveling 18 hours to participate in this conference to be encouraged to build upon the solid foundation with Christ as the chief cornerstone.
Sojourners was blessed to prepare food and serve the 80 plus men in attendance as well as coordinate other details of the event such as worship, set up and decor.
Abbotsford Christian Assembly April 20-25
2 Corinthians 2:15-17 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
This group of young interns, as well as others that are mission minded came for their first visit with Sojourners. It all started with a gal named Skye who came 6 months prior and then went home to share what God had shown her, motivating their youth to come.
What a blessing! They arrived on a Saturday and settled in, beginning their week of ministry by visiting Calvary Chapel Rosarito for a bilingual service. One of them noted that this would be what it is like in heaven, all different nationalities singing the same song unto the Lord. In the afternoon we went to the “Siempre” orphanage. Because this facility has a “baby wing” supporting babies from birth to the age of three, many just want to spend time with the babies, but these guys were equally enthusiastic to serve all ages of kids with games, crafts, providing lunch, and making new friends with many of them. The following day we went to “Rayitos de luz y Esperanza” to begin one of the many building projects that are needed to have this place functioning as it should. With 30 kids and one bathroom it is difficult for them to keep them clean, so two new showers /toilets began to be constructed as well as some electrical that was needed in the home. The women cared for the kids, as well as doing some decorative painting to brighten up the place. The younger men provided great physical play for the boys.
The following day we went to our new base at Primo Tapia to show them the vision and to participate in painting and cleaning work that needed to be done. They put in such an effort, clearing land of debris, painting the kitchen and a lots of drywall sanding. Their last day we went back to “Rayitos” to do further work on the bathrooms and to host an outreach to the community, where they gave powerful testimonies and the Gospel message. What stood out for us was their enthusiasm, it was relentless! Their serving never tired or grew faint but pressed on with a persistent love that mirrors the father. We were truly impressed by this group of first time missionaries, how they have been well instructed on the heart of serving with sincerity and persistence. We look forward to serving alongside them in the future, excited to see what God will do in and through them.
Calvary Chapel Woodland April 1-6
Psalm 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power. This verse speaks of the power of God that worked in and through this group of amazing youth that we were privileged to serve alongside. We all left this week having grown from them and blessed by God’s hand upon them. The group from Woodland have established relationships with many of the orphanages here and their heart was to come as encouragement to them. It is as much for them as it is for us for their ten years of return visits we count ourselves blessed to have them as friends.
Even though the group is largely youth they are seasoned missionaries serving annually. They visited City of Angles, El Faro Rancho girls doing crafts, bringing puppet shows, powerful drama presentations, serving the workers, providing a meal and clean up with one on one fellowship that left the kids hanging from their van not wanting them to leave. The last day was spent doing an outreach in Morelos and many people came out, including mothers and their children and men sitting outside, all hearing the word of God. This is the confidence that we have, that the Word of God does not return void. (Isa 55:11) The conclusion of their stay we all went for a wonderful Mexican dinner at a restaurant followed by the sharing and debrief from the group we were humbled and amazed and taught by the insights and hearts of each person who shared. This shows us that even when you have been here many times God is always wanting to do a new work and He is always speaking. Sometimes the greater work is within the group. We all grew from how God touched their hearts it was truly inspiring.
We praise God the father for his power that is mighty to save!
Riverside Calvary Chapel March 18-25
What a fun week it is to reconnect with our hosting missionary family the Lees home church, Riverside Calvary Chapel. They are such a picture of God’s faithfulness. Year after year they bring groups and through them God has raised up many missionaries to be sent out to further the work of the kingdom. This is often what happens on the missions field that God ignites a passion in others for the kingdom and this is pastors Brent heart as well.
The group always flexible to what the needs are and began thier serving at Siempre providing lunch and cuddles for the babies. Who can resist babies who just want to be held. The following day they went to Rayito de Luz y Esperanza for a return visit where they learned that they are moving to a new facility. They provided an outreach lunch for the moms in the area and an encouraging word and time with the kids. Calvary Chapel Kelowna provided books “The Best Message” for all of the children, and the Lord provided a spanish missionary to teach them through it. Riverside is always up for some gritty work and accomplished a lot on the new base with painting much of the interior walls and roof. It looks so much better fresher and cleaner and gave them a glimpse of where they might be staying during their next visit. We all agree that the view on the deck provides a wonderful place for devotions.
A return visit to friends at Alcansando la Vision for a special day with the kids with bouncy castles complete with ice cream, and the game “let’s make a deal” with many prizes that the kids all loved. Their final day was an overwhelming move of the spirit with an outreach at Primo Tapia where the main goal was reached.. many people stepped forward to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior after hearing the gospel! Paul commanded Timothy to “Preach the Word” in 2Tim 4:2, Pastor Brent and Riverside was faithful to do so. The last day was a fun day spent being tourists, going to the traditional shops and visiting the beach, which was packed and wonderful. Hasta pronto hermanos!
Calvary Chapel El Monte March 8-10
It is amazing what can be accomplished In a short period of time when you have servants sold out for God and doing everything unto the Lord. We had a good size group from El Monte come down and they showed us once again their missionary hearts. They arrived late in the evening on Friday, and Saturday morning were raring to go, sleep or no sleep they were here to do a job. We started the day by going to our new base to do some painting and chip away at the long list of repairs needed to get this place functioning. A lot of cleaning and painting was done and we made great head way. It’s hard to put to words the gratitude we have for this kind of selfless labour. In the afternoon we raced back to Rosarito to serve at an orphanage in La Gloria called “Rayitos de luz y Esperanza”, providing them with lunch and visiting their new building. You would not know this team had just worked a hard morning with the energy they had for these kids. 1Tim 5:8 says that a man is to provide for his own family and relatives, but when that fails, the Body of Christ needs to care for one another. We are praying that God will continually provide as He is always faithful.