Dia 4: The Border, Jail, Rehab Center, and Bible Study.

Our day began with a trip to the Mexican/U.S. border. We drove west along the fence until we hit the beach. It was interesting to see the dividing line between the two coutries. A small walk inland and we came across Friendship Park. In the past, this was a place where families who were seperated by the border could come and meet with eachother for a meal. However, in recent months a second fence has been built and the park is no longer in use for such meetings.

In this picture Pastor Brad is looking through the border into the U.S. You could easily slip through the fence but you wouldn't get far as the border patrol was right there. You can see a border patrol Jeep in the background.

After the beach, we headed to a city jail. The inmates would stay for a maximum of 36 hours, while the judicial system would decide whether they would go on to prison or be let free. We prepared a small lunch for them and sang several worship songs for them. Pastor Brad also delivered a message while James translated. It was amazing to see how receptive they were to us.This picture was taken at another rehab center supported by All Nations Church in LA. We took part in one of their worship services. Again, Pastor Brad delivered a message, John gave his testimony, and our group was able to lead the men in a few worship songs. It was amazing worshipping with these men. They have so much passion while singing to the Lord. It was very inspirational.

To close out our day, we went to a bible study at the Lee's home church, Dios Altissimo. John and Brenda were able to experience the joy of taking care of the children, while the rest of us participated in a bible study. James lead a bilingual study of "The Purpose Driven Life". It was yet another great experience.

Christo pan de Vida - Church Makeover

Today we went to "Christo pan de Vida," a local church, to help with some construction of their church. Here we are mixing the concrete to lay the foundation of a wall.

Kelley, led by a church member, learned how to construct a re-bar support structure. She also learned how to say "I'm Sorry" (lo siento) which she repeated throughout the day, causing chuckles from her mentor.

Thanks to much help from Brenda and many others from the church the entire sanctuary was painted this afternoon. The church, located on a hill, has a lot of light which fills the sanctuary complimenting the new blue paint.

For lunch we were served fish tacos, which were very delicious; Some people ate up to 8 tacos. Included in this meal was a hot sauce which lived up to its name, as well as a sour cream which Brenda insisted was a yogurt.

After lunch we played a quick game of soccer. Cultural and language boundaries vanished as fun was had by all and several locals stopped by to participate in the pick-up game. Not so fun was the 50 foot cliff that had to be scaled whenever the ball was kicked over the wall and fencing and rolled down the hill.
With the foundation finished and the sanctuary painted we gathered around for a group photo.

On the way home we stopped by a local supermarket, in which John discovered "Tuna Tang" powder drink mix. We mixed some up and passed around a glass to the brave souls willing to try it. John has decided that these will make for great party favors back in San Jose.

All said and done, today was a great day which left all of our spirits high and our bodies tired. Looking forward to rest we got to bed early after a small group discussion. We will begin a prison ministry tomorrow which will be discussed in our next post.
- Jason Vander Veen

Dia Tres...Trabajando (Working)

The Rehab Center Half-Way House where we worked.

Fiberglass, not Swine Flu.

Altisimo makes 10-foot ceilings look easy.

A well-worked crew, thankful to serve.

Barbarita Lee brings us some good home cooking. We aren't losing any weight on this trip.

Ratones, a condition that slowly takes over the muscles of the face of a person bit by an infected mouse...

Dia Tres has come to close. It has been a blessed day all the way around. When we closed with high and lows (a reflection we use to close the night), we really only had good things to say. Working was a joy, everyone is healthy and doing well, our hosts are wonderful (excellent cooking, lots of laughs, good and meaningful conversation...with the help of translation). A favorite for all of us has been the testimonies. It seems every where we go, we meet people who are so full of joy about what God has done and is doing in their lives that they want to have a chance to share it with us. We came here to serve, but we feel that God and our brothers and sisters here are blessing us and encouraging us in faith greatly. Testimony, Testify, Witness, Give Thanks...you are a chosen people...a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2.9).

Dios, muchas gracias.

Y San Jose CRC...Dios te bendiga.

"ALTISIMO"

Sunday morning, church started at 10:30am. This was welcomed by the group as we were able to sleep-in and have breakfast before setting out. Little did we know the end of service was going to be near 2:00pm. This was a special service for the ordination of the pastor of the church so many of the area pastors attended and each had a special prayer.













After morning service we were all invited to partake in a special meal....mole, mmmm....









Our afternoon activity with several of the other area churches included volleyball.....

John's new nickname "altisimo" was coined during the event.

(altisimo = "giant")

Evening service was smaller with our group making up about half of the attendees.

The church is actually a converted barber shop, small but intimate.

Day 1... Brad gets detained

The day began in San Jose at 6am and then after a stop for doughnuts we were off. The trip down was pretty uneventful, and we met the Lee's just on the US side of the border. They said it would be no problem going through, but sure enough we got stopped (probably because we had a brand new van) and had a light search. Brad did not get detained, but did give his name to a guy with a machine gun and then we drove away. I think we may have to leave him here to get out of the country.

Here is James telling the border guard Brad is harboring fugitives and weapons. We only had to wait about 3 min.

Pastor Carlos and the house we are staying at.

Here is some of the senery around the eastern Tijuana area.

3.3Liters of soda did not stand a chance with Jesse around.

Ready, Set, Go

Getting everything ready.  Last minute details.  I am/we are excited.  Pray for us, the Lees, our brothers and sisters in Mexico, and all those the Lord will call.

Shalom.