Update


Injury update (ALL are okay): Helen Martin’s elbow was hit by a slow moving vehicle. Okay maybe shouldn’t start with that. How about Gary Hawkins slicing his finger to the bone. Well maybe that’s not the best start either. Okay, Scott Hamstra drove a nail into his arm with a nailing gun and Dan Nicholas about passed out from the blood. Oh this is better, Michele Shook wasn’t feeling good but okay now. That’s just the leaders! Other than numerous blisters, slivers, stuff in eyes, sunburns, scraps and minor cuts we are all GREAT. God is good and we are all doing well.

Each day we begin with devotions. Thursday Kornyte Houston led devotions this morning remind us that God knows our future and is in control of everything. On, Friday Martha and Rosie Silvas led on and Saturday, Alex Shook shared on

After devotions we load up the trailer with the supplies for the house construction. We cannot leave anything up there for security reasons so all the students chip in and make the work quick. The load is getting smaller each day and by the end of the week more items remain in the locked house.

While the work crew is going, we serve pancakes to the community. Each day more and more people attend. Our kids are doing a great job of serving and playing with kids. After that, VBS practice, prepping for lunch and hanging out with local children occurs until VBS at 3 pm.

For VBS we have done day 1 – creation; day 2 – 10 commandments; day 3 – Jesus birth; day 4 – death and resurrection. The kids have done a great job with their skits and I thank the leaders that have been organizing them.

We end each night with a delicious meal and then as a team discussing the day - nice weather, fun making pancakes, liked house construction, enjoyed painting and liked playing with kids were just a few mentioned. We have discussed how it is good to know that it is up to God to open the eyes of individuals to who He is and that we are His tools and it’s our responsibility is to share the gospel of Christ. We’ve talked about how fortunate we are to live in the home that we have and for the parents raising us. We also really appreciate being able to flush toilet paper in the states!

The food is certainly a hit and is amazing! Dora and Gabriella are so accommodating in serving us. We are enjoying the authentic food and that will be missed.

Friday several leaders took the kids to the “water park”. Don’t envision Birch Bay Water Slides. Much more toned down with murky pool water and no life guards. They enjoyed having a break and getting some play time in. They have ALL worked hard and deserved a break.

Saturday morning we served pancakes and combined our VBS days to present at another church we’ve helped before. Again, the students and leaders did GREAT. Al, Scott, Michele H, Joel and a few students stayed to work on the house. Sheetrock should be done today and hopefully a bit more. What we don’t get finished will get done another time. We at least will have a home for them to live in.

We are having our church service Saturday night to wrap up the VBS week. Pastor Alejandro will share and we look forward to a special time together. We also will be having a house dedication for Dora and Isaiah.

Thank you for the prayers as we end our time in Tecate and travel back to Whatcom County Sunday. Pray for Gary Hawkins as he drives the van back with our luggage and trailer. Next Sunday evening, July 8 we are hoping to have a Tecate service to share more of our trip with you.