What a great weekend we had together in Ensenada. Thank you to everyone who came or made it possible for someone to come to Ensenada this past weekend. We had a great time getting together with Mexican and American leaders and talking about the work in Baja and dreaming about what God holds in store for our future.
This has always been one of my favorite trips to be a part of. It looks so different from many of our trips to Baja. If you have never been on this trip I would encourage you to go ahead and make plans to come next fall. It is a great time to just sit down and learn about one another; to hear what we have done well and what we could do even better. I heard from several people this year that the time spent in the ministers' homes learning about them and their families is priceless and adds a profound depth to the already close relationships that have been forming over the years.
For those that were unable to make it here are some highlights and noteworthy details from our conference:
*The theme this year was a year of revival - after a very difficult 2010 due to extreme flooding and loss of work a monthly revival in each town was proposed. The preachers in Baja are striving to make their churches centerpieces of help in their communities.
*Baja Missions, A.C. (Our Mexican non-profit status) has been approved by the Mexican government. This is a huge step that was necessary for Baja Missions to be able to grow and to continue impacting the communities in Baja. We always want to be responsible and respectful visitors in a country and culture that is not our own, and this is a crucial step. The chief motivating factor to undertake what became a 2 year endeavor was to be able to provide health insurance to the preachers and their families. There are also many ways in which our non-profit status will aid our mission teams that come year round. More information on specific benefits to teams is forthcoming. Thank you to Alejandro, Liberato, Pilar, and Misael for their tireless efforts to make the formation of the A.C. happen. Gracias mis amigos! Muy bien hecho!
*We talked about culture and the importance it plays in our interactions as people from many different places. We would like to ask you to consider reading this book: Serving with Eyes Wide Open by David Livermore before you partake in your next short-term mission experience. I would also love to have the opportunity to come and talk to your mission team (whether they are coming to Baja or not) about the importance of understanding the ways cultural differences show up in a mission experience.
*Much time was spent in prayer for Mexico and the U.S. that God would continue allowing us to be a part of his plan in Baja. Please be in prayer for our countries!
*Our dream of one day opening a school in Ensenada where preachers can be trained and community members can learn valuable skills was shared. We ask that you join with us in prayer about this.
Here are several pictures from the weekend. I will let them speak for themselves. Thank you for your continued support and for working side by side with us to encourage and support our brothers and sisters in Baja California.
Rex introduces the Baja Missions Staff (From L to R - Matt, Alejandro, Misael, Caroline, Pilar)
Xavier and Yolanda Franco prepared breakfast for the group as they headed back to Ensenada
Jim Craig, Virginia, challenged us in his Saturday morning devotional to serve with our hearts
Paul Kelly, Mayfair, talked to us Friday night about what we must do to get others involved in spreading the story of Jesus
Rex kicks off the conference welcoming everyone to Ensenada
Over 100 people were present as Alejandro lead us in worship
Crecencio and Reyes at dinner on Friday night. I think Crecencio wants the bistec ranchero
Dinner Thursday night with Liberato and the Mayfair leadership
Jim Craig, from Virginia, and the rest of the mechanics came early to work on the Baja Missions vehicles before the conference. Thanks for all you do guys!
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