Desastre en Mexicali

To say that Baja California has had a rough year when it comes to natural disasters may be a bit of an understatement. It started with the rains and floods of January and February and now we can add an earthquake to that list. As I said on Sunday, Ensenada was minimally affected by the earthquake and only experienced minor gas leaks and a few cracks in some buildings. The same can be said for all the towns south of Ensenada. We felt it but apart from the scare we were really lucky. The same cannot be said for Mexicali. There are reports of heavy damage. The president of Mexico, Felipe Calderón, came to assess the damage and promised federal funds for the relief effort. I heard yesterday that the roof fell in at the Church of Christ where brother Esteban preaches and Liberato and Elodia are members. Here are some pictures from the local newspaper, El Vigia, that were published yesterday. As you can see Mexicali needs our prayers!

Here is a good picture showing where the earthquake happened in relationship to Ensenada and the rest of the Baja churches. All of the Baja Missions supported churches are found between Ensenada and El Rosario.

Buildings fell in Mexicali

Mexican president, Felipe Calderón, visited Mexicali and promised government assistance

Many couldn't get in or out of Mexicali due to severe damage to roads

We have had a good start to the week with the group from Greater Atlanta Christian School being here at the City of Children. Pilar has been going out with them to Colonia 89 where they are following up the work the Lipscomb group did by pouring more concrete on the patio area of the church. Brother Reyes and the church have been requesting this for a while because of a large retaining wall they have around the church. The concrete will help to keep the water from soaking into the ground and will relieve pressure on the enormous wall that that surrounds the property. They have done a great job. Yesterday I got to go out to Colonia 89 to deliver some paint and was amazed at what they had been able to do! Thanks to GACS!

On Sunday I had the great privilege of speaking at Colonia 89. I was pretty nervous at the beginning, especially when I got to the podium and realized that there were probably over 60 adults present! It was a great time to be with the church at Colonia 89 and see their desire and dedication to serve their Lord. I left service on Sunday more energized and excited about what is happening in Baja and what can happen when we let God lead us to where he wants us to serve!

What a great blessing to be able to be at Colonia 89 this past Sunday

We received a special prayer request from Gerardo and Betty in Vicente Guerrero this week. The ask you to join them in praying for Alejandro Carboney, Freddy Marcelino, and Austercia Marcelino. They are members of the church in Vicente Guerrero that moved back to Oaxaca, about a 4 day trip from Ensenada, three years ago. They are currently going through a very difficult situation as a family and we ask that you remember them in your prayers. Also, please remember Alejandro's daughter Florisela and her husband Octavio as well as there children Octavio Jr., Lizeth, and Angel as they try to help their family from so far away. Gerardo closed his prayer request with this statement: "We know that our God is a god of love and that He is all-powerful. We have seen the great things he has done for us in other occasions and we trust that he will move his hands and act according to his justice and mercy in this situation as well. To Him be the honor and glory forever!"

Thank you for your love and support of the people of Baja!