Homes of Hope: Mexico Team June 2015
Building Hope in the Lives of Others:
In June of 2015, this special team traveled to the border of Mexico to help build a new home for a family in need.
A much larger group of friends and family funded the overall project...
Here are the happy volunteers that went down to build the project.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight".
Proverbs 3:5-6
This lost and dusty little guy got an unexpected cool and refreshing drink today...
A friendly visit that raised his hope for the future.
What blessings are awaiting each of us... if we could just say a little prayer each day:
Asking our Heavenly Father for the strength to Trust Him with our lives- and to see how He will provide.
Are you in a dry "season" in life?
Be encouraged that God promises each of us that He will take care of us- in His unique, and special timing.
Maybe your life is going great-
How can those that have had a few breaks in life- reach out and help someone that is in need?
This is a story of a recent trip to Mexico, a bit like this.
Celebrating a 25 year Anniversary...
Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Homes of Hope program is organized to help less fortunate folks improve their lives by providing them with a brand new home.
Typically, this home is constructed with the family, during a long weekend of teamwork.
For our June 2015 Project in Mexico:
RIGHT: the "Before" project site-
A new cement slab had been poured just a few days before our team arrived.
All lumber and supplies had also been delivered.
Simple homes are built by loving families...
along side the families that will be blessed with this new home.
The completed project is fully funded prior to the team's arrival-
so there is no cost to the family in need.
At first there is a little awkwardness as each family member is thrown in to a new life experience.
The shyness and trepidation is in not knowing what comes next...
but it doesn't take long before everyone realizes that everything is going to be ok.
It became a great weekend of comradery, and it is amazing how fast the emotion of love and sharing seeps out- Uplifting everyone's spirit.
Work Team stations were set up.
Here, strong young men begin to build the roof trusses and roof gable ends.
Multiple tables and saw horses were positioned for painting individual components that would soon become part of this home.
Here, interior trim pieces are painted white.
There are experienced Contractors on these teams.
The General Contractor firm:
Quality Construction + Painting Inc.
805-650-0800 led by Bill Bigler...
has organized 6 of these builds up to this point, and has 2 more projects planned in the next several months.
He is partnering with local Montecito, Santa Barbara and Ventura folks... business entrepreneurs, investors and churches that have a philanthropic interest in financially supporting these projects.
Here, Bill measures studs for the crew that will cut and feed the framing crew.
The framers quickly begins to lay out the long, exterior walls.
Others work hard on painting out the exterior siding panels.
Another team focused on prepping the long pieces of lumber... making preliminary cuts for what would become Roof trusses.
Several Mother and Daughter teams worked together to paint the many pieces for this home.
Large Panels of Siding, as well as 1/2" drywall were pre-painted for other team crews to install soon.
The early stages of cutting the studs for wall framing.
The Truss Team working efficiently to knock out another unit.
At first, a few of us designer types questioned the Color choices for this project.
Later, we learned that the Orange was a local paint store "reject"- and quickly saw that it would become a cherished trim color for this family in need.
Perspectives on life, such as these... abounded throughout the weekend while in Tijuana, Mexico.
Folks go home from an experience like this with a little more gratitude, for the life that we have.
Little Ramiro, the youngest son of the family- proudly paints another panel for his new home.
Newly cut and assembled roof trusses get a second coat of Orange paint, as white trim pieces dry in the sun... leaned up on the barbed wire fence.
And the first wall is about to be raised.
Our energized leader, with a bit of swagger-
Happy and Content...
on this beautiful Father's Day weekend-
Panfico (in the maroon shirt), is the father of the family.
On the front line... he helps lift the first wall of his families brand new home.
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:1-2
A daughter of a team member works with 6 year old Ramiro to paint trim pieces.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."
Psalm 127:1
And the next wall is raised...
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. "
Proverbs 22:6
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17
The third wall is put in place.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:6-8
As it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:3-4
“…The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
Psalm 145:13-17
Each team member is focused on the task at hand.
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy…”
Ephesians 2:4
More sheets of drywall are pre-painted outdoors...
for easier installation inside.
"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand".
Isaiah 64:8
I wondered how God was working in each of our lives on this trip. He is the Master Potter.
Perhaps He planted a seed in young Ramiro's mind that long weekend.
I saw his mind playing, and smiled to think that maybe he was being inspired to become an architect or a builder, one day.
The team helped him collect all of the wood scraps... precious materials to play with, and perhaps eventually, be used for fire wood.
Behind him, open plastic buckets for their water supply.
The water truck comes by now and then to replenish, as there is no running water at these homestead sites.
Three fine Gents... and veteran builders of 6 Homes of Hope projects, to date.
Here, they begin adding trim to the interior walls.
If you would like to join one of our upcoming teams, don't be bashful.
You do not need building experience to be an important part of a team that will change a families life, forever.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25
“They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”
Psalm 37:26
What a great way to spend Father's Day weekend 2015...
Happy Kids, and making their Dad's day.
More team effort, as we approach the finish line...
Jesus once said:
“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
Another Scripture with a Hopeful message of Encouragement:
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Ephesians 6:14-15
“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things He has done… according to His compassion and many kindnesses.”
Isaiah 63:7
A Daughter and her Mom, enjoying this day together.
Here, they set up the new bedroom for the kids.
The bunk beds, pillows and bedding were all donated to the family by supporters of the project.
For this project:
A large group of individuals, as well as supporters from a variety of local churches, and of different denominations... regularly participate and donate to the YWAM's "Homes of Hope" program.
Local business owners, and philanthopists have shown sincere interest, and have began to donate substantial funds for the construction materials of these homes.
Because there are multiple projects being organized now, this generosity is encouragement to the teams that are leading them.
Each person has a gift, and a special way that they can share in this type of outreach.
A brand new propane range + oven, bunk beds for the kids and a dining room furnishings are part of the package that the family is blessed with.
There is no running water or bathroom in the new house. The family has a traditional outhouse, and bathe with water in plastic containers housed outside the home.
A Testimony:
"My highlight of the trip was helping Jessenia (daughter) realize a dream.
Years earlier, Jessenia had heard of the Homes of Hope organization that helps families build new homes.
She had also dreamt of stories she had heard about a shopping trip.
Starting down that first aisle with shopping cart, I watched as her lip began to quiver, as she wiped away tears.
A priceless sight- and it only inspired me to think about how else I can contribute to others lives, in the future."
Jeff Doubet
Arriving at the grocery store:
A brief meeting with this humble family- confirming that the shopping spree was team supported... and that they were invited to purchase anything they wanted.
The final steps, just before Jessenia walked through that open door... her dream had came true.
We learned that Ramiro loves fresh red Grapes- so his family made a bee line to those, right away.
Which aisle, next?
Their experience of freedom and excitement was a real joy and blessing to watch.
Most of us take these simple things for granted... going in to a grocery store and picking our favorite food and supplies, and providing for our families.
A group of Kids sharing a life-time experience that they will always remember.
"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor."
Proverbs 22:9
Just before our team said Good Bye, some of the kids played a game of soccer on a recently cleared, make-shift soccer field.
One of the team members had thoughtfully pre-purchased a gift soccer ball for Ramiro... and it turned out that both he and Jessinia were very talented players.
This weekend will never be forgotten.
Lots of smiles and love...
And the playful game of soccer was an impromptu way that the team was able to wind down this project.
A quick dedication and prayer for continued blessing on the family and their new home.
"This is true religion, this is true fasting, to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter"
Isaiah 58:7
A group celebration for a job well done.
A moment in time... an appreciative mom and her kids sharing their gratitude to those that reached out and helped them that weekend.
The cheerful family, as they listened to each of our personal best wishes for them, and their new future together.
If you have enjoyed this page, and some of the uplifting ideas and scripture that have been included within it...
Click Encouraging Words - a highest rated page for this website, with regard to "longest studied".
In our fast paced world, we each seek authentic ideas that will resonate truth within our hearts, minds and souls.
Life is too short to miss out on real joy, happiness and contentment...
I hope you have the time to check it out!
Have time for another Mexico Homes of Hope Build story?
Click on the September 2014 Team photo for a direct link, now.
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