Mexicali Outreach Week

Today kicks off the Easter Outreach Week here in Mexicali, Mexico, where it promises to be in the upper 90's all week.  Praise God for the sunshine!!  (Even though Ron and Will wouldn't mind being back in Wisconsin where it is much colder right now.)

This week we have a team coming from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Damascus, Maryland.  They are bringing along an extra crew to build a home for a family that lost their home in last year's earthquake.  We will bring you more details, and of course pictures, when we have them.  Ron will be helping lead this home build with Jose, a Mexicali local that is heading up the home building in the Mexicali area.  This home will be constructed of lumber, as opposed to the styrofoam blocks and cement.  It's not July (last July when we were here it was averaging about 110 degrees), but it is still very hot - especially for those coming all the way from Maryland.  Please pray for the construction team.  Pray that they will stay healthy, be able to finish the house, and that they will have opportunities to share the Gospel with the family, as well as their extended family, friends and neighbors.  The children will of course be helping wherever needed.  They were a huge help with the cleaning and getting the outreach center ready.  Brittany will be helping in the kitchen with KP duties.  Kristy will be taking photos and shooting video at both outreach sites and putting together a video for the week, as well as helping out at the construction site.

Please pray for the evangelistic team as they go out into a colonia (community) to minister.  There will be children's (VBS-type), women's and sports ministries.  Pray for a lot of children, women & youth to come out.  Please pray that the team will have a positive impact on the church and that they'll be able to clearly communicate (mostly through translators) the message of salvation through their Bible studies, songs, messages and testimonies.

The Rosarito Outreach Center (ROC - a.k.a. our home) is being blessed by a team from New Life Community Church in Clovis, California this week.  Our family is sad that we will not have the privilege of meeting them, as we are ministering in Mexicali this week.  Half of the team will be serving at the Ranch (ROC), by doing some much-needed painting.  Last year they painted the kitchen, classroom and storage buildings on the Ranch and did an amazing job!  The other part of the team will be ministering at YUGO's Grace Children's Home. 

One last prayer request is for the YUGO staff here at the Mexicali Outreach Center.  We have a Canadian volunteer, someone from Northern California, and the rest are from the Rosarito/Tijuana/San Diego area.  The heat can be a big adjustment for some.  On top of that, most of the staff is already here getting things set up and ready for the team to arrive this afternoon.  Last night there was a fiesta next door with very loud music until after 6:30 a.m., so needless to say much of the staff had very little sleep last night which can be a difficult way to start out the week. 

Thank you so much for your prayers.  Please know they are very much appreciated and greatly needed!  God bless!