Hats pouring in and out

Burrrrrrr..... It has turn cold in San Vicente! Dipping down into the low 30's this past week. So, it's time to get those hats out that have been a steady stream of boxes arriving for the past month. Armed with a cart overflowing with hats of all colors, we meandered down the rocky paths of the newest section of San Vicente. Most of the homes are in the process of being constructed. Some from upcycled wooden garage doors others from cement block. Holes cut out are covered by sheets or blankets waiting for enough funds for windows and doors. The priority is to get walls up and a roof on. Those with financial resources progress more quickly on their houses. You can image it gets pretty brisk even inside when night falls and there's a breeze. Oh, by the way, there isn't any electricity yet.
Over 100 hats were gifted as we walked from home to home into the dark of the night lighting the way with flashlights. All were excited to receive their hand-made hat. Only one family declined. And that was because when they stepped out of their house, all heads were covered by hats that we had given out a few days earlier at one of the churches in town. It was sweet to see them all bundled up and so grateful for their hats. They just keep saying, "Gracias, Gracias, Gracias.
Besides, distributing all the hats, we invited receivers to the upcoming Christmas service where they will have the opportunity to hear of our Savior coming to earth. Jesus, He's the real GIFT.

Giving Tuesday... finally, a selfless idea to get excited about!

Giving Tuesday is a new global day for giving back. Let's kick off the season!!!

#bajmission   @LoriChrisBajmission

Giving Tuesday... I don't know who launched it, but when I meet them, I WILL give them a chocolate bar! Finally, a SELF-LESS idea in the annual 'holiday' season of that seems to grows more SELF-FOCUSED every year. 

Forget 'Black Friday' (yuck!) and 'Cyber Monday' (ewww!) and GIVE on Giving Tuesday!

Brothers and sisters, how do we move all this gimme-gimme holiday nonsense and RE-FOCUS into Christ-mass...?? We give!! Just like the Father... "God so loved... that He gave..."

What is God's answer for seasonal depression, feeling down-cast and 'the blues'? Two moves: look to Him and reach out to others!

Our 24 1/2 yrs of mission work with the poor has been all about becoming 'a channel' to GIVE in ways that make for a long-term good...
Join up with us and help some women to move their families from poverty to self-sustaining wellness... it's only a couple of Latte's worth of $$ from you that could make a LIFETIME of difference for a family!!!

Arise! It's Giving Tuesday!!

your bro, Chris

New "Star Seamstress" by Lori

It exciting to announce that another lady has joined the group of “Star Seamstresses”.  Anaid attended the community-wide sewing course that I held a few months back and caught onto the machine quickly. She grew up in a home where her mother used a treadle machine and looks forward to having a machine of her own soon. In the mean time, I’ll be teaching her out of the house the new skills to more her knowledge to the next level. She was so thrilled to get started last week.  The first items in her product line are these colorful zippered bags that are perfect for those little items.

Anaid, along with her husband and three elementary school –aged children, live in the agricultural community of San Vicente Ferrer. She and her family attend the church “Templo Elim” where she has leadership of the youth group.  With her first earnings she is planning on purchasing a refurbished sewing machine and some basic supplies. After that, her goal is to be able to put money toward purchasing a small piece of land on which they can build a home. Please pray that her new home-based-business gets off to a strong start.

San Vicente from the 'Eye in the Sky'...

San Vicente...
Mision San Vicente Ferrer, the village we are primarily 'based' out of... four hours south of the US-Mexican border (thru Tijuana, thru Ensenada-Maneadero, up-and-down three mountain ranges, into the northern cusp of the San Quintin valley basin)... found Google Earth with some great shots, long-shot of Ensenada to San VIcente, then a close-up of the village... our rental house in right in the middle of the village... about 1500 people IN the village, another 1000 in the surrounding work-campos and ejidos (co-op farms)

Pray For The Mexico Ministry Daily (because we don't...)

Sept 9, 2015

Hello, Partners and Friends!

We regularly are asked, "why don't you email or Facebook when you are going to be in Mexico... so we can pray for you"???

Answer: we will not 'put on-line' our travel plans, mainly for our security and safety. Please just pray for the Mexico ministry daily.

Question: How dangerous is Baja Mexico, where the ministry projects are?

Answer: Well, it's complicated... if you read the US State Dept website, it would make you want to never go TO Baja Mexico (ie, scary!)
https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17205
^ However, we [] have multiple nationals who serve as our 'trusted safety advisors' : they keep us up-to-date on security and safety issues  [] we keep our eyes and ears on Mexican news media sources, both official and un-official, [] we do a regional safety assessment QUARTERLY and re-assessment with any major/significant event or occurance (such as the recent farm-worker uprisings), [] we are THERE alot, and keep our eyes and ears open, AND [] yes, we always have 'plan B' in place.
 ^ More than anything, we TRUST our great and powerful GOD to guide and protect us, no matter what happens!

SO... Ministry Partners and Friends... pray daily for us and the ministry GOD is bringing forth!

you brother,
Chris 

Unintended Blessing by Lori

It's wonderful when God uses us to bless others! Last  month, after a church service in San Vicente, Alejandra approached me to express "Thank you so much for teaching me sew."I was a little confused as she hasn't attended the classes in several years because she has been studying at a Bible School 4 hours away. She was excited to tell me that her sister, Citlalic, and herself had secured summer jobs at the local sewing factory because they ALREADY knew how to sew. Both girls were regulars at the week long community-wide sewing classes that have been held for over 8 years in their community. The focus is on "learning the basics" while sewing items for one's self and home. It was never purposed to be a way to get a factory job. However, the Lord has used the sewing classes as a way to provide for these two lovely young ladies to attend college. Alejandra is in her last year of Ministerial studies and is praying about where the Lord will use her after graduation. Citlalic is in her first year of college studying to be a teacher. Both are growing Christians and have hearts to serve people. Please join us in praying for Lord's direction and provision for these two.

July 2015 community wide sewing week

Word spread quickly about the opportunity to make  school backpacks, book bags and pencil cases. A few strategically  placed posters around San Vicente along with personal invites lured 41 different students to participate in the week long sewing course. With upward of 18 learners in a single class, patience was a must for us all even with 10 sewing machines and 6 cutting tables. Morning classes almost seemed like a vacation with an average of 8 students while afternoons were brimming with an average of 15 students daily. I was blessed to have some help teaching the basics to the 17 NEW people. Yes, 17! Many of them had never worked with a sewing machine. There were lots of pre teens and teenagers, including 5 boys, anxious to make bags for their upcoming school year. Many of the seasoned students are willing to step up and assist their neighbor when the room begins to echo "Lorena, Lorena, Lorena". It may be time to rethink how to have smaller classes where more individual attention can be given to each student. Pray for the Lord's wisdom on how to proceed.