Week 3: FPC Wickenburg and Vino Nuevo

Te amo Cristo muy dentro de mi corazón

Te amo Cristo muy dentro de mi corazón

Dentro, dentro, dentro de mi corazón

Dentro, dentro, dentro de mi corazón

One of the sweet ladies from the church we worked with this week taught this song to the children at VBS and it has been stuck in my head. It translates in English as, "I love you, Christ, very deep in my heart. Deep, deep, deep, in my heart." This week I felt that.

Our American group this week was a group of 12 from Arizona ranging from high schoolers to sweet men and women who were like grandparents to us. One of the them, a father to a full time staffer here, even insisted we call him Papa. They were so personal and encouraging. Last week I prayed that I would be able to form better relationships with the groups and God heard my prayers. He answered them with this sweet group that I was able to serve alongside with beautifully.

In the mornings we worked in a church called Vino Nuevo,which I have mentioned before. We have been attending church here and this week we were able to minister to them. While some worked on finishing a room, others helped with an English class, where, as most of you know, my passion lies. As I found out about this ministry, and the time drew closer I got more excited. On Monday when we began to set up I asked God to bless out time and fuel my passion for teaching English. He didn't fail me. We had about 4 students each day and our conversation was so joyful. It is so inspiring to see people intently focus on learning something by choice.There was a girl my age in the class that is incredibly sweet. I am so glad I am able to continue my relationship with her so we can practice her English and my Spanish. This was another time I felt God answering my prayers regarding relationship building!

In the afternoon we hopped around town to do 2 one day VBSs and 1 two day VBS. The kids we interacted with were beyond precious and so loving. I enjoyed getting to watch the group share the gospel each day. The pastors of each site were so receiving and thankful as we loved on the children they minister to year round. As I observed the children I was so amazed at how open they are with us. None of them ever hesitated to sit on our laps, give us hugs, play with our hair, or tell us anything we asked. I have began to fall in love with how honest this culture is.

This week is one I hope I never forget. Between the people, the experiences, and seeing God move in my heart and the hearts of others, these past 5 days have been chalk full of memories and lessons. I can't believe I am only here for less than 6 weeks longer. 

Prayer Requests:

-For our American group, Sunland Neighborhood Church from Sunland, CA, as they travel here Sunday and prepare their hearts to serve. 
-For our street Ministry on Monday as we advertise for VBS. 
-For our Sports Ministry at Casa de Esperanza, an orpanage here in Ensenada. 
-For our VBS and Construction ministry at a church called El Mesias.

Week 2: Open Door and Vista Hermosa

Where to even start with this week. On Sunday we met 41 fresh faces from Open Door, which is a church in Mountain View, CA, aka the city where Google is. They were all so enthusiastic about the week and all it entailed. I knew, just as last week, God was going to do big things.

We worked with a church called Vista Hermosa (or Beautiful View) in the Colony 89 community. This community began in 1989 and since then has spread like wildfire. It also has the reputation for being one of the poorer communities of Ensenada. Vista Hermosa's name must have been given because of the view they have from their backdoor.  It is breathtaking. I'm sorry that the picture below doesn't do it justice.

Our ministry for the week was to build them a new sanctuary and put on a VBS and Womens' events in the afternoon. My job was construction all day long, but I was told both afternoon activities thrived and God was present! This week I got to watch a concrete slab be transformed into a place that believers will raise their hands to Our Father in prais. As each wall was raised I felt so much excitement for what God had called us to do and what He was doing in each of our hearts.

My task most of the week was to head the painting crew and get boards primed and painting as quickly as possible. I wish someone could have captured my face as I saw the color of the church was going to be. As soon as I saw it my heart flooded with happiness and Tennessee pride. It slowly faded, though,for when I shouted "GBO," no one had any idea what I was talking about.

With each stroke, I thought about all the men, women, and children who would enter this building to praise our Father. To worship our King. To surrender their lives to follow Jesus. Then my sinful nature sat in.

Orange. Tennessee. Home. My bed. My family. Food other than tortillas, rice, and beans. The ability to flush my toilet paper. I missed home. I was tired of being out of my comfort zone. I craved the convience of home. These thoughts continued to circulate my brain and my internal attitude continued into a downward spiral as I allowed the enemy to dictate my thoughts. It was until I pulled myself out of the world and focused back on God that I remembered why I am here. God has called me here to use the gifts He has given me to bring Him glory and draw myself closer to Him. Its as simple as that. If I am too worried about what is happening at home or caught up in the next fun thing to do in Ensenada, I have missed my purpose. This week I was, and still am, thankful for God and His second chances. For His mercy and love. For His patience.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." -1 John 4:11-12

Prayer Requests
-Safety for our 2 American groups this week, FPC Wickenburg and Grace Church, as they travel to RAV on Sunday.
-Our many sites throughout the week that are all over Ensenada.
-All of our ministries this week, including construction, VBS, English classes, and women's ministry
-Prayers for the summer staff as we lose a value component to our team, Kailey this week.

Week 1: Chapel Grace and La Semilla

Before the week started, we celebrated Hannah's birthday at Las Cañadas! It was a blast! We dominated a canopy tour that consisted of 5 zip lines and 5 walking bridges. Later that day we had a bonfire on the beach, where Rob, another intern, gave us our own little private concert with his original music.  

Sunday, Chapel Grace from Coalinga, California came as our first group of the summer! Upon meeting them, I already knew God was with us and He was going to do amazing things with this group. 

In the mornings we did various construction projects around the camp. The one I helped with was building the ramp in the picture. The men from the group and some AV staff taught me to mix and pour concrete and how to use other tools. I almost feel as if I learned more in this past week than I did all of last semester I'm school. 

In the afternoons, most of us went to a community an hour away from camp and did a VBS at a church called La Semilla (or The Seed). What is interesting about this church is that they are a church plant of the church I attend in town called Vino Nuevo (or New Wine). The church is centered in a community of migrant workers, which are indigenous peoples who come into towns during the harvest season for work. The people of this community are from the state of Oaxaca. They are beautiful, sweet, and hard working people. The children that came to the VBS were anywhere from 7 months to about 12 years old. We themed the VBS around love, and it couldn't have been more appropriate. From the time we got out of our cars on the first day to the last day as we were driving away, those children received and gave love like I have never seen. 

As I focused in on what God was trying to reach me this week, I didn't truly understand until this morning in staff devotions. We have began to study 1 John and God grabbed my attention with the first verse. It reads:

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life."

He reminded me how tangible the Gospel is. It's not just a story. It's the way I live my life. It's my motivation behind how I love, do work, and communicate. My prayer is that He continues to remind of this and I can love, work, and communicate better in order to bring Him glory. 

Prayer Requests:

-For next week's group, Open Door.

-For energy, we are building a new church building next week!!

-The church we are working with here, Vista Hermosa. 

-The community where this church is located, Colony 89. It is one of the poorer parts of Ensenadsa. Pray we make a positive impact on those we encounter and that they would see Jesus in us. 

Blessings, 

Chelsea

Estoy Aqui!

May 27th 6:25am
God, am I ready for what you have called me to do? Even though I have always felt independent, this morning when Mom dropped me off I felt as if she should have been holding my hand all the way to my seat on the plane.
11:30am
Lord, calm my spirit.I know You are with me. May your Holy Spirit guide me.
9:15pm
God, you are so faithful. I AM IN MEXICO!! Prepare my heart and mind so that I may serve you well this summer.
June 6, 6:45pm
My Father, my heart is so full. I have grown to love the people I work with and I know you are going to bless our ministry and time together this summer.

As I reflect on these journal entries I can't help but stop and praise God for all He has blessed me with this past week and a half. I serve such a big God who cares for every intricate detail of me and that blows my mind.

I would love to give y'all a look into what life has been like so far!

We arrived at camp and I couldn't get enough of the beauty all around me. Between the mountains and the city, I fell in love with the new creation God had blessed me with. We began training and the other interns and I got to know each other. Shortly after we arrived we began our homestays. I got so nervous! Even though my boss, Becky, told me I had nothing to worry about. I met my Mexican family and all my worries fleed. 

I lived with the Hiram-Flores family all weekend and couldn't have asked for anyone better! The family consisted of Olvia and Willie and their two sons, Daniel (16) and Josue (17). They were such a joy to be around. I had many conversations with Olivia about life, God, and everything in between. The family's love for God is so evident and I am so blessed to be considered their American daughter while I am here. On Saturday while I was with the family, Olivia, Willie, and I walked to the beach from their house to watch the sunset. The silence in those moments as I took in God's craftmenship is too amazing to put into words. I felt as if my thanksgiving weren't enough for the blessings He had already given me, but I know in that moment God knew my heart. 

This week we moved back onto camp and finished training. Becky, and others, prepared us for the summer. We learned how often we will have to wear close toed shoes (pretty much all the time), what to do if we find a snake (kill it quickly), and how many different types of wrenches there are in the tool shed (lots). We begin work on Sunday and I can't wait to see what the next week holds! 

(Me, Becky,Stephanie, Hannah, Kailey, Tabitha, Julie, and Rob (who was in Nevada at the time)) 

Prayer Requests

-For our team and the rest of the staff, as this is the first week of the summer

-For the American group this week, Chapel Grace

-For the kids that come to our VBS this week at La Semilla

-Safety during the construction projects that take place at RAV

I can't thank everyone enough for all the support in have already received! 

Blessings, 

Chelsea