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Denver CRC Youth

2009-07-13T23:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon the Denver group arrived safely, in time to play volleyball and soccer against the "Arca de Salvacion" church. The trip to Tijuana from Danver went well, no traffic in Los Angeles, smooth border crossing, and no traffic on the way to Pancho Villa! After getting things unpacked and set up, they are ready for the week ahead.

Ordination of Isaac

2009-06-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was a very special day. Pastor Isaac from the Prince of Peace congregation was ordained after passing his exam during this year's presbytery meetings. The service took place at Prince of Peace.

Family members of Isaac and Ruth from Toluca, the presbytery delegates, the Prince of Peace congregation, and several guests attended the packed out service.

The service lasted more than three hours, with lots of great singing, a powerpoint presentation for Isaac, the actual ordination, and a sermon.

Afterwards we celebrated with Chicken Mole (Veracruz style) and of course a cake!

Continue to pray for Isaac, Ruth, and Jas as they minister at Prince of Peace. Please also continue to pray for the congregation as they move forward on plans to officially organize as a church.

New Members at Agua Viva

2009-06-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, May 31st, two women joined the Agua Viva mission as members.

Mari Trinidad has been attending the ladies Bible studies since they started two years ago. She is transfering membership from another church.

Katia and her family have been living at the mission for almost two years. She also took the new member's class and was baptized on Sunday as well.
We also formally welcomed Dan and Tere and their two sons to the congregation. They transfered membership from another Presbyterian church here in Tijuana.

Please continue to pray for the Agua Viva mission, that we will be able to reach out to more families in the community.

Reformed Bible Institute of the North West in Tijuana

2009-05-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

During the month of May, Scott is teaching "Evangelism and Discipleship" to the 14 first year students.

Classes meet from 4:00 - 8:00pm on Saturday. The students have several hours of homework to complete during the week. Much of this course is practical, and the students will get first hand experience going door to door, sharing their teatimonies, and starting evangelistic home Bible studies.

Please pray for each of these students, that they will be encouraged to begin discipling others.

CRWM Mexico retreat

2009-05-02T09:47:00.001-07:00

This past weekend all 10 missionary families and two volunteers who serve in Mexico met at Puerto Nuevo BC (between Rosarito and Ensenada) for our annual retreat.

Dr. Donald Douglas (Prof. Emeritus Biola, and ELIC) was our speaker. The topic was how the church (and missionaries) have to be aware of and respond to the political and social changes.

Andrea, (a volunteer here in Tijuana), Karissa, Jennifer and Daniel helped by watching the kids. They had a VBS program Sea Odyseas planned.
It was a great time of fellowship, learning, and relaxation. Marcia took the kids horsebackriding at the beach Saturday
and back to the beach at night to do some grunion hunting. We did not find any grunion, and some people were begining to think they were on a Mexican "snipe" hunt. Ben made a nice fire, and we had fun anyways!
It was great to see everyone again, and we are glad everyone made it home safetly and with no delays from the Swine Flu scare.

Thank you Denver Adults

2009-04-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Right on schedule, the group finished rough framing the Half-way house.

They finished shingling the roof,
attaching stucco wire,

wiring the second story

and installing doors.

In the afternoon the keys were turned over to Carlos, the director of the Rehab Center. Later in the evening Carlos and his leadership team came to visit the group and share a cake. We enjoyed watching slides of the week and singing together "How Great Thou Art" in Spanish.

Saturday morning the group crossed the border and they are on their way back home. Pray for safe travels.

Thank you again 3rd CRC!

Thursday

2009-04-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday the group continued to advance on the construction project.

Trusses were lifted to the second story and put in place.

sheeting was nailed on top of the trusses

Meanwhile the first floor roof is shingled.

Electrical work continues, and has moved to the second floor.

this is how the Half-way house looked at the end of the day.

Walking by Faith

2009-04-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

Dale, as the new guy, got to try out the stairs first!

Wednesday, the half-way point

2009-04-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Wednesday the group continued to work on the half-way house.

The walls on the second story were made, covered with stucco (chicken) wire, and raised.

Interior walls are also in place.

The stairs were finished, and nailed in place.

The wiring on the first floor is almost done,

there was some destruction work to be done as well.

At the end of the day, this is how the building looked.

We again had a great meal, great devotions and singing, and Scott was presented with a red flag to keep in his pickup for hauling loads that stick over the tailgate.

Tuesday was another good day

2009-04-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

The team worked on several tasks yesterday: finishing and delivering the trusses, instaling the trusses on the first floor roof,

building a deck for the second story,

installing the electricity,

and making a stairway.

All went well with only one minor injury.

Then it was back to Pancho Villa and another great dinner by Gladys, Donna, and Kelley!

After devotions, two outstanding team members (Steve and Mark) were honored for their outhouse building abilities in past years.

Then to pingpong, table games, or bed.

For more pictures watch the slideshow, or click on it for larger pictures.

no time for play

2009-03-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

The construction crew, led by Rick DeRidder, is a very serious outfit.

Welcome back, Denver Adults!

2009-03-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon, the adult group from 3rd CRC, Denver arrived at Pancho Villa after a great trip and easy border crossing.

On Monday morning they began three important projects: Installing a second hot water tank at the church in Pancho Villa,

building a half-way house for graduates from the Rehab center,

and making the trusses for the roof of the half-way house.

Great progress was made and by the end of the day the walls were up at the halfway house, more than half of the trusses were made, and there were hot showers!

for more pictures please see the slideshow on the right sidebar.

Thank You Dave and Jane Crum

2009-03-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, the 29th of March, the mission "Agua Viva" held a farewell party for the Crum family. The Crums, Missionaries with the Orthadox Presbyetrian Church, have served in Tijuana for more than 25 years. They will now be working for the OPC in giving direction to mission works in the western US.

Dave and Jane were part of the leadership team at Agua Viva until January of this year. We, along with all those at the mission will miss the Crums! We also wish them well in their new ministry.
Dave preached the sermon,

and led music!

Anciano Israel Ponce and Scott presented the Crums with a certificate of appreciation, with signatures from the members at "Agua Viva" on the matt.

Pastor Armando Ponce, pastor of the mother church Cristo Arca de Salvacion, and three elders were also present at the service. They had a time of prayer for the Crums at the end of the service.

We also enjoyed a meal, carne asada,

and deep fried chicken!

Everything was delicious.

Thanks again Dave, Jane and family for your years of service in Tijuana!

Sewing Class

2009-03-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Marcia has started a ladies' sewing class and Bible study at Agua Viva.

The ladies from the church are excited to learn how to sew.

Only one has ever used a sewing machine before!

There are five teenage girls in the class as well, so the dynamics are different. We have invited women from the community, and many seem interested, but none have come. Please pray that the ladies at church will continue to invite friends, and that they will actually attend. Pray as well for the ladies as we are learning to be "Women of Excelence"

"Prince of Peace" Storefronts

2009-03-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

For years the churches in Tijuana have had a plan on the back burner to build small storefronts on the "Prince of Peace" property. This year they decided to act, and each of the churches and congregations raised money for the project.

Together they were able to pay for the excavation, the footings,

and the eight pilars that will support the roof. These five storefronts are located on the main road in Altiplano. Some of the rent income from the properties will go towards the purchase of new properties for missions in Tijuana. We have also received help from churches in the US to keep going with the project. Later this summer we have a work group from Washington who plan to help pour the roof. It is our hope that this comercial building will be a blessing to many.

Half-way House

2009-03-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

The drug and alcohol rehab center "Forjando Nuevos Destinos" is starting a new ministry; a half-way house for men who have graduated from the center, but are not quite ready for life on the outside. They are planning a half-way house to hold about 25 men. These men will receive more indepth discipleship training, and will have the opportunity to learn a trade like electricity, welding, cement masonry, etc.

The men from the center are working at the site, they have cleared away an old building,

built a wall,

and poured the foundation for the new two story building.

A group from 3rd Christian Reformed Church of Denver will be helping us to frame the building later this month. We are excited about this new ministry. Please pray for Carlos and his leadership team, and the mother church "Cristo Arca de Salvación".

Alex and Suity's Wedding

2009-02-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

Wednesday the 25th of February we had the priveledge of witnessing the wedding of Alex Suarez and his "Sweety" Suity.

Alex is a member at the Emanuel Church, Son of Cupertino and Angelina. We have known Alex since he was a child.

The wedding took place at a local government office. The room they have for weddings fits 8 people max (squished). When the official saw all of the people there for this wedding, he led us outside to a gazebo where the ceremony was performed. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for an impromptu outdoor wedding!

The reception was at Cupertino and Angelina's home, delicious Birria (Mexican Stew). We then enjoyed a double-purpose cake!(the 25th of February is also Suity's birthday). Please pray for this young couple as they begin their new Christian home.

Thank you Calvary CRC

2009-02-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

A big thank you for the 8 men who came and helped at the Rehab center.

The bathroom was tiled,

the roof over the third section was poured,

many new bunk beds and storage boxes were made,

and good food was eaten!

On Friday we had a thanksgiving service with the guys from the Rehab center. Lee and Derek gave their testimonies as well as several men from the center. We prayed for each other.

The celebration ended with a meal of Carne Asada! The group was a blessing to Carlos, his leadership team, and the men at the rehab center, and they in turn were a blessing to the group from Calvary.

Calvary CRC

2009-02-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

On Saturday the 7th of February the team of 8 men from Calvary CRC arived in "sunny" San Diego.

On Sunday they worshipped at the Cristo Arca De Salvacion church in the morning, and with the guys at the rehab center in Terrazas at night.

Monday morning brought more rain, yes it does sometimes rain in Tijuana, and mud!

Despite the cold and rain, the men began working on various projects at the rehab center. Lee led the tile crew in the bathrooom.

Several men began making bunk beds for the new dormatories.

They learned how to tie the rebar together for the second floor.

and then they engineered a ramp for the cement pour that is taking place today, Wednesday.

Thanks to Derek for the photos! for more pictures and the group's view of the experience go to their blog at http://calvarytrips.blogspot.com/

Testimony

2009-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

Antonio was born in the city of Obregon, in the state of Sonora, Mexico. He is now 40 years old, years in which he has had many struggles and difficulties, but most recently he has found happiness.

His difficult and critical times began when he was 8 years old; he began to smoke cigarettes while in third grade. Within three years he progressed to smoking marijuana. Soon Antonio got lost in the world of drugs and dropped out of school.

At the age of 16 Antonio met a teenage girl who became the mother of his four children. One of his greatest sadness is that he is still estranged from his wife and children because of his former drug addictions.

When Antonio was 29 he was sentenced to 6 months in prison in Tijuana for violent theft, again a result of his drug habit. During the ten years after his release from prison he lived on the street, rejected by his family, neighbors, and society at large. He suffered much during these years, yet God had mercy on him.

Over a year ago, God reached out and led Antonio to the “Forjando Nuevos Destinos” rehabilitation center in Terrazas del Valle, Tijuana. He is now drug free and continues to live at the center as a graduate, thanks to God’s power and Antonio’s salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross. Through the study of His Word, God has powerfully changed Antonio’s life. Since arriving at the rehab center he has learned to live each day in relationship with God. He is grateful that now he has the opportunity to serve others at the rehab center. Anthony is part of the leadership team at the center, and helps the new arrivals begin their rehabilitation. He also works as a school “bus driver”, using one of the center’s vehicles to chauffeur a group of children to school.

In January of this year, Antonio, along with 5 other men from the rehab center, enrolled at the Bible Institute here in Tijuana. His desire is to continue to grow and learn so he will be better equipped to serve others.

Answer to Prayer

2009-01-03T21:25:00.001-08:00

Sunday, the 28th of December, the Reformed Bible Institute of Tijuana opened for it's third year of classes. We have been praying for new students to attend, and God answered the prayer with 12 new students! Five of the new students are men from the rehab center, Carlos the director of the rehab will also be attending. In all there are 7 men and 5 women who began classes today!

Pray for these new students as they take this new step in their spiritual lives. Pray also for the returning second year students, and the two students continuing their studies at the seminary in Mexico City.

The two graduates from August (shown receiving a graduation gift) are active in their churches, one is working as an obrero at a mission.

Pray also for the pastors, missionaries and elders who teach at the institute along with their many other duties.
photos by Andrea Baschal

Thanks!

2008-12-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had LOTS of rain, even thunder and lightning. Rain means mud, especially in places like Terrazas where the Rehab center is, so the guys had a "rain day". Today Harv and Ed completed the last drawers under the new bunk beds in the new dormatory.

The men at the rehab center held a thanksgiving service for them in the afternoon and prayed for them and their families. They are grateful that 12 men now have their own bed!

Harv and Ed completed their work at the rehab center early and helped us put up trim board in the sancturary at Agua Viva. Tomorrow they head back to Michigan, if they don't end up with a snow delay!

Update on the Rehab center

2008-12-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

This week Harv Koetje and Ed Holstege from Rusk CRC of Zeeland, Michigan, are building bunk beds for one of the new dormatories at the Rehab center. There are 12 new beds complete with a storage drawer underneath!

The rehab center now houses over 80 guys, and many do not have beds or are sharing single beds. We continue to build better facilities, and this new dorm room is part of the two-story construction which began this spring.

The 6th of December the Rehab center held a graduation for 30 men who completed the 3 month program. Many stay on for a longer time, up to two years. There are plans to build a half-way house for graduates to help them to readapt to life on the outside. This would also give them an opportunity to continue their Bible studies and be part of a discipleship program. Several graduates have already become members of the mother church "Cristo, Arca de Salvacion" and hope to someday study at the Bible institute.

Pray for Carlos Vazques and his leadership team as they direct the ministry at the center and as they plan for the new half-way house.

Queretero

2008-11-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

This month we had the opportunity to visit Marcia's sister Julie in Queretero, Mexico. We (Scott and Marcia) were in Mexico City for our annual business meetings and took a few days of vacation afterwards. Queretero is a colonial city with historical significance for Mexico.

The cathedrals, parks, and acuaduct are awesome!

Since we were there in early November there were still a few decorations from Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrated on November 1 and 2.

We also saw Guanajuato, a colonial mining city, hitting all the tourist spots except the mummy museum.

Give Thanks

2008-11-29T12:17:00.000-08:00

We are thankful for all of the blessings we have received this year. This year Marcia's parents are here to spend Thanksgiving with us. On Thursday we invited Pastor Armando and his family over for a traditional turkey dinner. We shared the meaning and history of Thanksgiving and then each took a turn giving thanks for blessings they had received this year. In the afternoon James, Barbarita, Joshua, and a friend came over to help us with some of the leftovers! On Friday we celebrated again with friends in San Diego. We have one more big dinner this weekend, a potluck at church on Sunday!

We are thankful for the many friends who pray for us and support our ministry. You are a blessing!