Day 3 - Work Day at Casa Abba

This morning began with a beautiful sunrise and the sound of the ocean in the near distance. Sitting outside, reflecting on 1 Peter 4 while a gentle breeze flowed by, provided the perfect setting to reflect on God's goodness and write my first blog post. Peter's encouragement to love one another earnestly is so important for Christians in the Church, but it is also vital on mission teams. We are called to love one another in a way that covers "a multitude of sins." Or, as Paul writes, "Love bears all things" (1 Cor. 13:7). It's important to learn to let little things slide and not hold on to offenses that can create strife. Nobody is perfect, so learn to love imperfect people. Serve one another and use your gifts to bless others for God's glory.

Anna shared during our evening debrief how meaningful it has been to use her gifts on this trip. She almost didn't bring her ukulele, but at the last minute she thought, "Why not?" Tomorrow, she will use her ukulele and voice to teach children a song about Jesus, and on Sunday she will help lead worship at church. How cool it is to see God using her gifts to bless others during this trip!

This morning, we gathered as a team for devotions. Kayla and Jocsan shared the story of how God called them to begin Casa Abba Children's Home and ministry. They told us about stepping out in faith, trusting God to provide, how they acquired the property, and how construction began. After seeing the property last night, it was so good for the team to hear the story behind it all. It is an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness and their perseverance. Please continue to pray for them as their vision and ministry continue to grow.

When we arrived at the property, we split into two groups. The boys went with Jocsan to earn their PhDs—that is, to become Post Hole Diggers! They dug four holes for poles that will eventually hold solar-powered lights and bring illumination to the property. The boys worked hard in the hot sun! After lunch, they headed into town to pick up posts, concrete, and more paint. It's easy to take stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards for granted because things don't work quite the same here. The boys had to visit four different stores to gather supplies, and even then, they weren't able to bring everything back today. The posts had to be ordered and will be ready for our next visit.

 

The girls and I stayed behind with Kayla to paint the new office building. I spent much of the day on a ladder taping windows and doors while the girls got busy painting. They did an excellent job and never complained. Unfortunately, we ran out of paint, or they likely would have finished the entire building today. No worries—we'll finish it on our next trip.

 

After cleaning up the property and securing the tools, we headed back to Casa Jubilee for a delicious home-cooked meal featuring Vero's chicken fajitas. Amazing! Vero, Jocsan's mom, is preparing breakfasts and several dinners for us this week, and she takes such great care of us. Thank you, Vero!

This evening was a quieter one as we talked through our plans for tomorrow. We practiced making Gospel Bead bracelets and reviewed our roles for the kids event. It was encouraging to hear during our debrief how much the team was impacted by hearing Kayla and Jocsan's testimony before serving at the property today. It is such a blessing to be part of this ministry and to help create a future home for little boys and girls.

We also had the opportunity to watch the USA's World Cup match before heading to bed. Tomorrow comes early—we need to leave by 6:00 a.m. to make the hour-and-a-half drive to the village. Please pray for safe travels, strength and energy, and boldness as we proclaim the Good News of Jesus through games, songs, and crafts. We are excited to see what God will do!

Thanks for reading, and God bless.

Travel Days 1-2

 

Front: Anna Pamer, Josiah Baker, Hanna Pavkov, Timothy Pavkov

Back: Ellie & Collin Crist, Will Bondlow, Brad Horner 

   

Cousins traveling together! 

Philippians 2:3–4

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Good morning and welcome, readers!

This year began with a unique travel schedule as we had to fly to Dallas the evening before our flight to Puerto Escondido to make sure we didn't miss our connection. Praise God for providing a nice hotel with an airport shuttle, which made travel to and from the airport so easy. Our luggage was checked all the way through, so we only had our carry-on bags to manage. We made it through all the security checkpoints quickly and had plenty of time before boarding. The flights were uneventful (which is always a good thing!), and we made it through customs smoothly. Between the eight of us, we had more than 22 pieces of luggage, including checked bags, carry-ons, and personal items. Amazingly, they only checked our backpacks and waved us through quickly. Praise God!

It was such a joy to step out of the airport and see Kayla, Jocsan, and Zeke! After greeting the whole team, we loaded up the truck with luggage, piled into two vehicles, and headed to Dan's Café for lunch. Dan's Café has become a favorite spot for those of us returning. It offers authentic Mexican food, along with American options for those who may still be adjusting to the cuisine. Just a short walk away is a beautiful overlook of the Pacific Ocean.

After lunch, we headed to Casa Jubilee, our amazing accommodations for the week. The owners, a Christian couple from Washington State, built the home with the hope of using it for mission teams. They generously provide us with a discount that makes this wonderful place our home base. Having been on many mission trips, I've learned how important good food and a good night's sleep are so team members can focus their energy on the mission each day.

Once everyone got settled into their rooms, most of the team cooled off with a dip in the pool. We gathered later to talk through the week and begin planning for Friday's kids event in a mountain village. This is a completely new opportunity for us, as we will travel about an hour and a half into the mountains to host an event for up to 80 children. Please pray for us as we seek to use our gifts to bless these kids and share the Gospel with them!

 

Later, we headed into town because Jocsan and I had a meeting with a volleyball coach. He is starting a volleyball program in Puerto and is introducing new players to the sport. God's timing is wonderful! The coach has family coming in on Monday and had planned to cancel practice. Instead, he is going to stop by, introduce us, and then turn the entire practice over to our team. I'll have the opportunity to coach volleyball through an interpreter for the first time! One of our team members will also share a testimony and present the Gospel.

We also drove out to the Casa Abba property so the team could see the progress there. This is where I was reminded how much I enjoy having new members on the team—five of our eight are here for the first time. Taking a few moments to describe what the property looked like during our first year, and then seeing all that God has done since then, was a powerful reminder of His faithfulness. I couldn't believe how much had changed since last year! When we left, the foundation for the main house had just been completed and some of the holes had been filled in. In January, Woodland Deck Company—including Zoltan Csepe, Dan Pfeiffer, and David Keiper from Lakeside—built the walls. It is so exciting to see the room layouts taking shape and to hear the plans for the orphanage.

Just entering the main gate and seeing the walls for the first time

Jocsan sharing the vision

Walking the Property 

 

Seeing the building from down below

 

Please continue to pray for the construction of Casa Abba and for Kayla and Jocsan as they oversee this project. Their dream is to be working with children, not bricks. But this season requires building so they can one day welcome the children God will bring to them. Please pray for funding for the roof and for the continued work in the community.

On the way back to Casa Jubilee, we picked up some delicious tacos for dinner. This year, we did something completely new on a mission trip: we watched the Mexican national soccer team win their World Cup match! During the second half, after Mexico had gone up 3–0, we had our evening debrief and then called it a night.

Tomorrow, we head back to Casa Abba for a full day of work on the property.

 

Why I Want The Guardians To Continue To Win This Year

Pictured: Isaak, Skyler, Brendan, and Trevor

I’m a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. I remember watching the Indians and Browns at the old Municipal Stadium and the Cavs at the Richfield Coliseum. I ushered at Jacob’s Field the night the Indians clinched the division in 1995. I “witnessed” LeBron’s playoff runs and celebrated when the Cavs brought the championship home in 2016. I was in the stands the night Baker Mayfield made his debut. Cleveland sports moments have shaped so many memories for me—and I’ve always wanted our teams to succeed. But this year, I want it even more.

On August 22, the Guardians were just one game over .500, sitting 10.5 games behind Detroit. Playoffs felt out of reach, and honestly, I was losing interest. That same day, though, something happened that put baseball in perspective.

Four friends—Trevor, Brendan, Isaak, and Skyler—took a road trip to watch the game they love in a new stadium. Just weeks after graduating high school, their summer adventure turned tragic when a semi-truck struck their vehicle. In an instant, life changed forever.

Two of the boys, Isaak and Skyler, had grown up in my church and had recently joined us on a mission trip to Mexico. I still remember their hard work, kindness, and joy as they laid the foundation for an orphanage. Strong, vibrant, young men full of life, love for Jesus, and a desire to care for others. And then came the phone call: their mom, Abby, in tears, not knowing the condition of her sons—only that they were in different hospitals. Worry and fear welled up in my heart while I tried to maintain a steady voice to provide comfort to their mom. Together, we prayed desperately for their lives, for healing, and for God’s comfort.

In the hours and days that followed, reports trickled in. Isaak and Trevor were released quickly. Brendan spent a couple of days hospitalized before returning home. But Skyler faced the most serious injuries—broken bones, internal trauma, and bleeding in his brain. He was sedated, and the long, fearful wait began. Each day, updates gave us reason to hope, and I joined countless others praying and following his progress. You can read about his journey HERE.

So what does this have to do with the Guardians? The boys are devoted fans. As Skyler regained consciousness, his parents turned on Guardians games in his hospital room. He fixed his eyes on the screen, responding with expressions. Then, on September 2, something remarkable happened. His mom posted:

“We've been sitting watching the Guardians game with Skyler. The nurse asked Skyler if he was in any pain, and Skyler said, "The Guardians are losing!" (Hoarse, but very clear!)

What?!?!? Miracle!!

Of course, this is the first full communication he says! We are still in disbelief! I don't know what this means as far as what more communication will come, but he knows what's going on!”

Can you believe that? Not a word about his physical pain, but about the Guardians losing! It was so Skyler—letting his love for baseball overshadow his own suffering. And it was a miracle, a breakthrough moment that filled us with hope.

Since then, Skyler has continued to heal. He’s now back in Akron, close to returning home. And as his health improved, so did the Guardians’ fortunes. Since September 2, the team has gone 18–6, including a run of winning 17 of 19 games—erasing a 10.5 game deficit to take first place in the division.

I don’t believe God is concerned with the outcome of baseball games. But I do believe He provides reminders of hope in the small things. For Skyler, for his friends, for all of us watching—Guardians wins have been a source of encouragement and joy.

That’s why I want the Guardians to keep winning this year. Not just for standings or stats, but because their story is intertwined with the story of four young men who remind us to keep fighting, keep believing, and never give up. Baseball may be small in light of eternity, but it can still be a gift of joy in the middle of hardship.

Day 6 (July 16) – Casa Abba

 
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant…

Today’s devotional reminded us of the importance of being kind to one another as an act of love. 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “Love Chapter,” gets a lot of attention at weddings and marriage seminars—and rightly so! There’s plenty of truth in it for loving your spouse and family well. But originally, this chapter is about how to love fellow believers, especially when there are disagreements about spiritual gifts. We won’t dive into all of that now, but chapter 13 is showing us how to navigate differences within the church: by loving one another and choosing kindness.

Ephesians 4:32 echoes this: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Our kindness isn’t rooted in how people treat us; it’s rooted in the kindness and forgiveness Jesus has shown to us. So, how can you be kind to someone today?

This morning, Kayla Morales shared her testimony during our group devotionals. I love hearing Kayla share her story! She is such a sincere believer who genuinely desires everyone to know Jesus. (You can read what I wrote about her testimony from the first trip HERE.) Every time she shares how God has worked in her life, it impacts our team.

She talked about her life before Christ—looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places—and how she came to know Jesus at Skyview and was radically changed. She shared how she got connected to Lakeside Christian Church and our youth group, and how hard it was to follow God’s call to attend Word of Life Bible Institute and then move to Mexico for missions—especially when people close to her didn’t understand her calling. But God led her to Mexico, to Jocsan, and ultimately to Casa Abba.

As she spoke, a metaphor came to mind: life is like being in a boat at sea. Before Christ, we’re tossed to and fro, at the mercy of the waves and storms—hopeless and afraid. But in Christ, the sea is still the same, only now we’re tethered to the Anchor of our souls, who helps us navigate every storm.

Kayla has been such a blessing and an inspiration this week. She has cared for our group so well, and I’m deeply thankful for her!

This afternoon, we returned to Casa Abba to wrap up painting, move dirt, and build a roof over the well. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

 

Day 5 (July 15) – Casa Abba

 

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Today’s devotional focused on the importance of patience as a fruit of walking in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23). I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s demonstrated both flexibility and patience throughout this trip—from waiting in airport lines to enduring long, hot days of labor. Today marked the second-to-last day of our trip, and it began with more hard work under the sun.

Patience becomes especially important when exhaustion sets in, when your body isn’t cooperating (a polite way of saying “diarrhea”), and all you want is a break in the A/C to stop sweating. Mission trips teach patience in tribulation like little else can. What makes it easier is being surrounded by a team that’s constantly praying for and encouraging one another. The hope of finishing a project brings joy, but hearing how the work contributes to someone finding faith in Jesus? That brings rejoicing!

 

This morning’s testimony came from Mama Veronica (Vero)—Gaby’s wife and Jocsan’s mom—who is also our amazing chef for the week. She arrives early to prepare breakfast, returns in the afternoon to cook dinner, and never complains. This morning she made French toast, eggs, and fresh fruit. Tonight, she wowed us with her incredible chicken enchiladas verdes!

Vero is often the quiet support behind Casa Ebenezer, the church, and our mission trips, so I was thrilled when she agreed to share her testimony. She told us this was the first time she’d ever done so. Gaby had asked her before, but she’d always declined. However, when Kayla asked this week, she couldn’t say no to her daughter-in-law. She admitted she said yes before really thinking it through—but she kept her word.

I love that she shared that detail. Public speaking is one of the most intimidating things for many people, but God delights when His people share their stories of faith. He promises to give us the words and strength when we step out in faith. Vero stepped out—and shared her testimony in English! I recorded it and, with her permission, I’d love to share it more widely. Her story was such a blessing to our team.

Here’s a glimpse of what she shared:

Vero was one of 11 children and felt abandoned when her mother sent her to live with her grandmother. She desperately wanted to go to school, but her grandmother wouldn’t allow it. One day, her grandmother suddenly said, “Vero, you can go to school now.” She was thrilled—but they couldn’t enroll her because they didn’t have her birth certificate. Her heart broke. Eventually, her mother traveled to the city to retrieve the document, and Vero’s passion for learning was finally allowed to flourish.

In middle school, she met Gaby. At that time, neither of them knew Jesus. A friend occasionally invited her to church and Bible study, but her real turning point came through a missionary couple, Rocky and his wife, who visited the restaurant where she worked. They invited her to study the Bible and talk about God. That began to stir something deeper in her.

At this point, she became pregnant with Jocsan. She wept, afraid her life would follow the same painful path as her mother’s. Her dreams of finishing school faded, and she continued working in restaurants. Gaby, however, was thrilled about having a son and wanted to marry her. When Jocsan was born, everything changed. They both decided to follow Jesus.

Hardships didn’t stop, but God’s faithfulness only became more evident. He began to heal the wounds of her past and assure her of His love. Years later, she got a job teaching at a Christian school (where she still teaches today!). And just a few years ago, she completed her education online—with a little help from her sons. As she told it: “You’re the reason I had to drop out of school, so you can help me finish it!” (Haha.) Jocsan and his brother Gaddy helped, and she finished strong.

Today, she partners with Gaby in ministry, is deeply involved with Ebenezer and the church, and is a loving, fun, and faithful grandmother to Zeke. What a story of restoration!

After devotions, we headed back to Casa Abba to continue our projects. Here are a few pictures from today:

While the concrete crew got back to work, the paint crew prepared grocery bags for delivery to the village.  

 Emmay finished her mural! 

 

We delivered the bags to the community. 

This evening we went out for some ice cream and sat in the park on a beautiful night!