Day 4 Painting continues

The big goal for today was to get as much painting done at Casa Ebenezer as we could. We allotted two days to paint the buildings and today was the upstairs rooms. In order to maximize our time, we started our day a little earlier with breakfast at the hotel, a brief meeting, and a prompt departure hoping to get as much done in the cool of the morning. 

As Kayla designed our time together, she planned to have a testimony and devotional each morning as a group. Yesterday I shared about Gaby’s testimony. Today, Kayla had a plan for her devotional, but decided she was going to share her testimony with our team. Most of the team knows Kayla, or at least of Kayla. Some of them had Kayla as a Sunday School teacher at Lakeside when she was in High School. Knowing about someone is not the same as knowing them and knowing their story.

Kayla grew up around Christianity, knowing about the Gospel, but had not surrendered her life to Christ until she was about 16. Before Christ, Kayla started looking for meaning, purpose, and value in other things that left her empty and still searching. One summer, her mom made her go to Skyview Ranch where she heard the Gospel in a compelling way and surrendered her life to Christ. It was a dramatic transformation for her, and she knew that Jesus is real and had a plan for her. She explained to us the distraction the enemy of our souls brings and how we must decide what it means to completely trust Christ. For her, she chose to follow Christ. She admitted to not being perfect and still struggling at times, but assured us of God’s forgiveness, patience, and kindness toward us. 

Kayla began coming to Lakeside shortly after her summer at Skyview Ranch. She came to youth group hungering for the Word of God and longing to share the Gospel with others. If you do not know Kayla, she is such a bubbly, energetic, caring, joyful person. She is a dynamic person who knows how to help others feel like the belong and that they have purpose. In youth group, Kayla invited so many people to join and impacted others as a High Schooler, and her impact continues to this day. 

Kayla and I have been to Slovakia and Haiti together. She went off to the Word of Life Bible Institute after High School, and then followed God’s leading down her to Puerto Escondido to serve in a Christian School. Honestly, I thought she was going to fulfill her 1-year commitment and come back to Ohio to be one of my youth leaders. But God had bigger plans and she developed a heart for the Mexican people, specifically the orphans. I am so proud of the godly woman that she has become and her testimony of faith that is impacting me and our team this week. One team member said she’s known Kayla for a long time and just figured she always had things figured out. Today, when Kayla shared her story, she heard of how God transformed Kayla from the kingdom of darkness into his glorious light! Kayla is the first person who will point you to Jesus who empowers her to be who she is today. 

Ok so Kayla will probably be mad at me for spending so much time talking about her. I know she will be one of the first to read this, so I want her to know how proud I am and that it is because she surrendered her life to Jesus and faithfully follows him daily, that I want my students to be around her. Her faith is beautiful, and others can have that faith too. I didn’t go into detail with her story, it is her story to tell, but you can ask her, or better yet, plan a trip to come down here and hear her share it. 

Just like so many of us who know about Kayla, but don’t really know her, there are many who know a lot about Jesus Christ, but have not surrendered to him. Information about Jesus is good, but if it does not transform your heart, it is not real faith. Jesus prayed, “this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). In this prayer, Jesus was saying that eternal life is about being in a relationship with God through Jesus. It is not about being the smartest, richest, tallest, strongest, or most powerful. It is about drawing closer to Jesus every day. Don’t allow yourself to be stuck in the knowing about without knowing camp.

Painting. 

It was another hot day and we had a lot to do. Painting can be hard work, painting in high temperatures can be exhausting. Yesterday I failed to institute mandatory water breaks and saw a few team members struggling. So today I made them take water breaks and drink some electrolyte drinks. We are nearing the halfway point and exhaustion and dehydration set in. We have had a few upset stomachs and a little uncomfortableness, nothing major, but adjusting to a different climate and working hard is tough.

I am so proud of the team for working hard and getting so much of the project done. I am proud of them for looking out for each other and helping each other stay hydrated. I am so proud of how they cared for the ones who weren’t feeling well and encouraged them to rest while they continued to work. Nobody was grumbling or complaining. Nobody thought it was unfair that some were sitting while others were working. They knew this project is for Jesus and they worked hard! 

Unfortunately, we ran out of paint and had to stop painting without completing the project. However, it gave us extra time to clean up and a much-needed extended rest in the shade. I was thankful to hear that those who were feeling sick felt much better after the break. We packed up and headed back to the hotel to clean up. We had a fun surprise for an evening activity.

 

Releasing Turtles

How much do you know about sea turtles? I didn’t know anything other than they existed. You should ask any of our team members because we learned some fascinating thins about them. We went to a part of the beach that is set apart to preserve wildlife. There is a group that rescues endangered sea turtle eggs, provides a protected place for them to hatch, and then sends the out to sea. We got to each get a little baby turtle and release it into the sea. It was pretty amazing to see these little creatures that God designed. When we set them down on the beach, they knew what to do and start marching to the water. Standing there in awe of God’s handiwork and enjoying the beauty all around us will be a good memory. I think you will enjoy some of these pictures.

Thanks for following along! Tomorrow, we head to Casa Abba property to host a kid’s day! Pray for David Keiper as he plans on sharing the Gospel with the kiddos. Pray that God brings a whole bunch of kids to the event. Pray there is no rain. Pray our team members have courage to share their testimonies and the Gospel as they spend time with the kids. The craft is the Gospel bead bracelet and is a great way to share the good news of Jesus.

Please pray for the health of the team and Kayla, Jocsan, and their family. 

Mexico Trip update - Casa Ebenezer

(Editors Note: I type from memory and can miss a few points. I will update and correct anything I missed. Like yesterday's post I used the wrong name for the church. I apologize if I miss something, I will try to correct it as soon as possible)

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Casa Ebenezer

(Two years ago, Casa Ebenezer looked like this)

Today we headed out to the property where Casa Ebenezer (C.E.) is being built. The building they have on the land will be used for office space and Gaby and Vero’s home when C.E. is up and running, but for now it will be used for office space and storage. When we first arrived, we walked down to the well and learned about how God provided water for this property.

C.E.’s well story happened before Casa Abba’s and really provided a testimony of God’s faithfulness to encourage Jocsan and Kayla as they went through a similar struggle at Casa Abba. I wish you all could hear Gaby share the story, but the long and short is that God led them to dig a well. They dug it deep and there was no water. They hit bedrock, and there was no water. Gaby was prepared to turn the whole into a septic tank if they never found water, but prayed and prayed that God would provide. And God did provide. The water came up out of a spring in the rock and it has never gone dry. During the recent drought, neighbors’ wells went dry, but not C.E.’s. So they pumped out water and put it in barrels to help bless their neighbors.

Tonight, our group was talking, and Emma brought up the two stories and how amazing it is to hear testimony of God’s provisions. Mariska mentioned how important the well is to them and how different things are from home. David brought up the fact that God blesses those who will, in turn, bless others. The truth is that when you preserver in faith, not giving up even when things get desperate, God will use you to bless others around you. But when you give up too soon, you miss the blessing God intended and others miss being blessed by your blessing.  

After the testimony of the well, we gathered to hear Gaby share his testimony and the story of C.E. Again, you really need to come down and hear Gaby share his story. Whatever I write here will not do justice to the story God has written in brother Gaby’s life. As he spoke, his words moved each of us to tears. Tears of sorrow to hear the brokenness and grief he had to experience, and tears of joy to hear of God’s rescue and restoration. Gaby grew up without a father and his mother could not financially support him. He asked his mom who his father was and she said he had no father. Then she replied, “Gaby you do have a father, a Heavenly Father, who you could call Father or God. He’s rich and he can take care of you.” These words left an impression on Gaby that would come back to him years later when he was in desperate need.

When his mother could no longer afford to care for him, Gaby had to find a new home. He lived with a family for a little while, but they were abusive, and he had no one to protect him. Soon, Gaby took to the streets and began using alcohol and drugs to cope. He spent some time and jail and then back to the streets. Life was so hard and overwhelming, he just wanted to die. He made plans to take his life, but on his way he began to pray, blaming God, at first, for how hard his life was. “God you are not good, you are not powerful, you do not keep your promises. Why is my life so hard?” Yet during the prayer, God reminded him of his mother’s words those many years ago. “Gaby, you do have a father and his name is God.” Gaby’s heart began to change and he wanted to know more.

A Christian man began talking to Gaby and showed him love. He invited Gaby over to his house for lunch one day. Gaby sat down at their table with them and realized that was the first time he had sat down for a family meal. When it was time to go, the gentleman asked Gaby if he had a place to go, “yes, I have a place,” he said while his head lowered a bit. The man asked again, “Gaby, do you have a place to stay?” “Yes, I have a house to stay,” he said while his head lowered even more. The man came to him, lifted Gaby’s head, and said, “if you don’t have a place to stay, you can stay here.” “You mean it?!” “Yes, you can have a room here, a place to stay, but there are rules.”

Gaby moved in with this man and the man discipled him in the way of Christ and helped him overcome his addiction to alcohol and drugs. He helped Gaby become the man of God he is today! Gaby is a wonderful man who is so happy, kind, and caring. He is a visionary who has a plan he believes in and trusts God to make it happen. Gaby had a vision shortly after his conversion and deliverance, that one day he would like to help men who were on the streets find freedom and deliverance as he had. A place where they were loved and the belong. This is what Casa Ebenezer is to become, a ministry to men who are overcoming addiction and want to be followers of Christ, godly men, good husbands, and good fathers. 

Gaby is a testimony of God’s goodness. He is a husband and a father. Lela mentioned how amazing it is to see him with his kids, knowing he did not have a good example growing up. His is a story of the transforming power of the Gospel. It is the same Gospel that can transform your life too. 

As Gaby was talking, the cool of the morning was escaping and the painting was not getting done. (Leave it to an American to be thinking about the tasks) I couldn’t help but think about the painting we were going to do, but how good it was for the team to hear this story. Tasks can be done anytime, but transformation comes at God appointed times. When we get too busy with life, we miss what God is doing. Mariska was talking about how nice it was to have a slower pace here and allow things to come together, rather than the normal rushed pace. It is in these moments that holy things happen. Gaby’s story will be a part of our lives forever.

Painting

We did start painting! Gaby chose purple for the exterior paint and yellow for the interior paint. We split the team in two and got busy painting. I am so proud of the effort and attitude of our team! They worked hard. They worked together. They persevered through some hot weather, and so much got done today. We will go back tomorrow to do the top floor. 

 

 

We took a break for lunch around 1:30PM. Vero (Gaby’s wife Veronica) cooked beans and corn tortillas over an open fire on site. Wow! Delicious food! What a blessing Vero is to our team, tirelessly cooking for our team with love and care. We are so blessed!

Back to work to finish up some walls. While we were nearing the end of the day, a neighbor gentleman was leaving and started talking to me in broken English. He was hard to follow, and we talked in circles. I tried to talk to him about Jesus, but he dismissed it. Kayla came over to help translate, but quickly realized that this man was drunk. You see, he is a man that Gaby has been working with and offered him a job on the construction site (it is a separate job than what our team is doing). He came for the morning, took a long break, and tried to come back drunk. Gaby has rules, so he sent him home. It is tough to see this, but thank God for Gaby, who knows firsthand the struggles, and has compassion and knowledge of what it takes to overcome. The man is welcomed back to work if he comes back sober. I don’t remember his name, but please pray for him. Gaby is working with two neighbors right now, trying to disciple them through alcoholism. C.E. isn’t even built yet, and Gaby is already at work!

 

This evening we had tacos for dinner, then headed out for elote (Mexican street corn), ice cream, and souvenir shopping. Our group was tired, but I made them sit together to share before going to bed. I have used their remarks throughout this post and I am thankful for their insights. I am hoping to capture more tomorrow! Have a good night!