The lives of three families were changed and filled with hope this past spring as we hosted three house building projects. Linfield School in Temecula, River Church in Palos Verdes and Harbor Church North County all spent their spring break sacrificially giving back to the people of Baja!
Journey Church Winter 2011
One of the primary metaphors God uses to describe heaven is a feast, literally a party! The implications of this truth are that God's people should be a party people that lead others into God's banqueting hall. A hall that echoes with song, celebration, laughter and the buzz of a hundred conversations that unequivocally states that we're a reconciled people. A modern biblical scholar once said, "the Kingdom of God is a party." If this is true, we all have much to learn from the mission team from Journey Covenant Church who constructed four homes over a five-day window between Christmas and New Year's Day. On the last evening Journey Church hosted a party for the recipients of the new homes, their neighbors and many of the surrounding villages. Families made their way to the celebration by various modes of transportation and received a heroes welcome as the Journey team lined the entry way greeting guests with shouts of joy, clapping and a heart-felt embrace. Over 300 guests entered the banquet hall and gathered for a hot meal, worship, the breaking of several piñatas and an evening not soon to be forgotten. For one evening on a chilly Baja night, probably not unlike the eve of Christ's nativity, the Son of God's presence was felt again in our broken world. This time not through the incarnation, but in the manner He comes in this present age: through His church. The leadership of Baja Bound is humbled by the presence of Christ we experienced through His people at Journey Covenant Church and extend our gratitude for giving the people of Ensenada a taste of the coming age where Jesus rules forever!
Rock II - August 2011
The Rock Church returned to Baja in August with another team ready to serve and build. They had a fantastic weekend connecting, serving and loving our neighbors to the South. God, through the prophet Micah, said, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) The staff at Baja Bound is humbled by how we observed the justice and kindness of God through the mission team from Rock Church. Justice cries for all to have a roof over their head, kindness seeks to make it happen, and walking with God mobilized us to action. Thank you Rock Church!
Aug 2011 - Rancho Vista Church
Rancho Vista returned in August for another house build project led by their fearless pastor, John Rose. This seasoned team knocked out a home with great skill, served the local villages and visited the famous La Buffadora eateries. They spend an incredible weekend connecting, serving and sharing God's heart for mercy and justice. James 1:27 states, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." The Baja Bound staff wants to thank the congregation of Rancho Vista Church for their commitment to practice "True Religion" through their ongoing work of building homes among the poor in Ensenada.
Nov 2011 - Harbor Church
Harbor Church North County, Ocean Beach and UTC gathered a fantastic team to build a home for this precious family of five. They spend two impactful weekends building, serving and proclaiming the good news of God's love in Christ. Harbor's team participated in the Agua Viva feeding program, cared for children at The Gabriel House Orphanage, and made deep connections with the family and their surrounding neighbors. True to their mission, Harbor brought the message of hope and renewal to the people of Baja!
Aug 2011 - The Rock MACs
The Rock Church's MACs ministry returned this summer to complete another home in Ensenada. They transformed the living conditions of this family of five from a tarp and scrap wood structure into a lovely 2 bedroom home. As an added touch, they creatively used the leftover wood and made benches, storage bins and shelves for the family. We are so grateful for this great group of Men and Women committed to doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God!
Aug 2011 - Messiah Lutheran
Team Michigan invaded Baja in force this year! 22 young men and women took a family of eight out of a structure where 24 people resided and built them a home of their own. This team provided nonstop entertainment in the form of soccer games and piggy back rides as children from the surrounding village flocked to the work site to play. The Gabriel House Orphanage was also frequented during the week where the team participated in feeding, playing and caring for the severely disabled children. This group was incredibly hard working and displayed such a wonderful witness to the reality of God's love and concern for the people of Ensenada. We're excited to have them return next summer to partner with us once again!
She Dreams of Becoming a Doctor
At Baja Bound we are not only passionate about changing lives one house at a time but we also believe we can reverse the effects of impoverished communities by supporting people like our translator, Karla. Karla grew up in a village not unlike where Baja Bound currently builds, was a straight “A” student through high school (10’s in Mexico), received a student visa to study in the US where she earned an AA degree with honors and has just returned to Ensenada to attend Medical School to become a doctor. Please consider partnering in her story by donating to the "Education Fund" in our Donate portion of our website.
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July 2011 - Sunridge
What a great week we had with the Sunridge EPIC Youth Group from Temecula! Not only did these teens and their leaders complete a home but they faithfully and joyfully served the surrounding villages. Each day they took time to play, sing and interact with the severely disabled children who reside at the Gabriel House Orphanage. They also participated in the daily feeding program at Agua Viva by preparing lunches and caring for the children whose parents work in the agricultural fields. We are truly grateful for this group of young men and women who are committed to upholding justice for the poor and needy!
Memorial Day 2011
We had a fantastic and "memorable" weekend serving the Gabriel House Orphanage and the surrounding villages of Southern Ensenada. Hard working teams from LA and San Diego successfully removed the dilapidated roof of the orphanage that had been originally secured with tar - this was no easy feat! Our mission also included a relational focus as the group did an amazing job loving and caring for the precious children that reside in the orphanage. Teams also participated in the feeding programs at Agua Viva and donated clothing and shoes to many needy families in the surrounding villages. We deeply enjoyed cultivating our relationships among our mission team by visiting our favorite hot spots like Tacos Pablanos and La Buffadora eateries. The weekend was one filled with joyful service as we labored side-by-side, shared many laughs and made new friends.
Spring Break 2011
This month we welcomed two phenomenal groups from the Palos Verdes region who each gave the gift of a new home to impoverished families in Southern Ensenada. These teams comprised of loving families, sacrificially spent their spring break "giving things up" and "giving to" those in need. What an incredible way to prepare for Easter and celebrate the renewal we have in Christ by renewing the lives of others!
Baja Bound Memorial Day Road Trip
We are inviting all our Baja Bound friends to spend a weekend of food, fun, and significant service as we travel down to Ensenada for a life changing weekend!
Our primary task will to repair the roof of the Gabriel House. The Gabriel House is an orphanage that houses and ministers to severely handicapped children in southern Ensendada. Whether you assist with the repairs or hold the hand of an orphan, we need your help!
We will also be visiting and serving the surrounding villages while distributing some clothes and food to the many families in need.
The staff of Baja Bound will be giving guided tours of our favorite lobster restaurants, taco stands, and even the world famous "La Bouffadora Restaurant", where many Baja Bound staff have distinguished themselves via the karaoke machine. Don't miss out on a truly "Memorable" weekend!
Here are the details:
Saturday, May 28 - Arrive/Work Day Sunday, May 29 - Worship at La Hermosa Church/Lunch Celebration/Visit to Surrounding Villages Monday, May 30 - Work Day/Return Home in Evening
Trip Cost is $115 per person which includes 2 nights lodging a the Baja Bound Retreat Center, 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches, and all materials and equipment for construction. Van transportation is available at an additional cost. Space is limited so RSVP, today!
For more information or to RSVP, contact John Rose at bajabound10@cox.net.
Dec 2009 - Youth Journey
More than 440 2×4′s More than 250 2×6′s
More than 90 students and adults
More than 50 kids heard the Gospel
50 Gallons of Paint
5 Days
4 Families that previously slept in the cold now have a warm home.
1 Great way to spend Christmas Break!
Hummers, Hammers, Tacos, and Nails!
On Saturday, June 20th, a team will be traveling down to south Ensenada to frame the “RVC HOME” we are building for a poor working family. We also will be delivering food in conjunction with “Hillarious Givers”. We need anyone who can swing a hammer – or anyone with a large SUV or truck to meet us at 8 a.m. at Cafe Tazza on East “H” St. at 8 a.m. For more info, contact Carlos Gamboa at carlosgamboa@cox.net.
El Grande Trip
We are excited to be just two weeks away from the largest trip we have done in quite some time. Over 100 participants will be attempt to build 3 houses in less then one week. Here are a few of the work sites we will be building on…
David Flareau is a local missionary with a big heart. He also can throw concrete like nobodys business…
Getting Pumped up for December!
This December, Baja Bound will be attempting to build TWO HOUSES in ONE WEEK! Thanks to two partner churches we are ready for the challange. Here is a video that one of the groups put together of our set-up trip…