(Written by Paul) In February, Reagan and I went to Ensenada, Mexico with a group from Reagan's school to build two houses through the Youth With a Mission, Homes of Hope program (http://www.ywamsandiegobaja.org). There were about 50 people in our group (half adults and half children). On Friday, we flew to San Diego, and from there, we were bused to Ensenada by YWAM. After a briefing session on Saturday morning, we were taken by van to the building site on the outskirts of Ensenada (there are several pictures below to give you some idea of the level of poverty in the "neighborhood"). We met the Martinez family (Victoriano, Beatriz, Fernando, Miguel & Victor) and the builders, prayed and got to work. Over two days, we worked side-by-side with this family to build a house from the foundation up (framed walls, shingled roof, electrical, dry wall, doors, windows, etc...). On Monday, we were bussed back to San Diego and flew home.
This was one of the best experiences of my life: I got to participate in changing the life of this family in a dramatic way. The Martinez family was living in a "house" with plywood walls, a metal roof and dirt floors. Simply by moving this family from a home with dirt floors to a house with a bare concrete floor will significantly improve the health of this family (reduced respiratory illness, significant decrease in chronic diarehea, etc...). Seeing the joy in the eyes of the family members was overwhelming (it was an emotional weekend). Plus, I got to do this with my daughter, who worked so hard. The only time she complained was when we had to leave (she wanted to stay and build more houses) and when there wasn't any work for her to do. She painted, hammered, painted some more, swept and just generally did anything she was asked to do. I was so proud of her.
As we were planning for this trip, I thought that I was going because my daughter had pestered me into doing it. I realize now that God was calling, because He wanted to bless me in a tremendous way (I'm trying to avoid hyperbole, but it's hard). I received far more than I gave. I am fairly confident when I predict that this weekend will be the highlight of my year. I would encourage anyone reading this to find an opportunity to do something like this: you won't regret it. (YWAM has opportunities to build Home of Hope even if you don't have a group to go with - http://www. ywamsandiegobaja.org).
Some sightseeing time in San Diego (Seaport Villages) before the bus left for Ensenada
Reagan and her friend Lauren with the "artwork"
The Greatest Generation Memorial (look how tall that statue is!) with the U.S.S. Midway in the background
Border crossing, complete with narco. dogs and Mexican military with machine guns
First night, outside the hotel with Reagan's classmates Lauren, Audrey and Claire
The courtyard at the YWAM base in Ensenada. YWAM bought a half-built hotel, and turned it into dorms for students and visitors to stay in.
Above and Below: A sampling of the "houses" in the Las Tinajitas neighborhood where we built our houses.
Above & Below: More houses in the neighborhood
The Martinez family
Reagan painting the siding with Miss Courter, her first grade teacher
Reagan hammering nails: We would get the nails started, and then let the children (including the Martinez family children) finish them up.
Above & Below: The house that the Martinez family was living in (we brought the six panel door sitting there to put into their new house)
Framing the walls
Raising the walls: We built all four walls on the ground, and then raised them
Reagan was always looking for some way to help.
Pacific Ocean: On the beach behind the YWAM base
Painting the drywall: All the kids loved to paint, because none of their parents would let them help with painting at home
Putting up trim
Circuit Box: I was pretty proud that I installed a circuit box (yeah, that's two whole circuits). Don't look too closely: it's installed upside down. Reagan and I framed it with trim to cover up some flaws in the drywall.
They also received some furniture, including this bunk bed. Here the girls are trying to make the bed, while sitting / standing on it
Waiting to hand the keys over: We added a few custom touches, like the monogram star you see here.
We all gathered around to discuss why we came to build this house and what it meant to us.
As we were finishing up, some of the ladies took the family to the grocery store. While they were gone we, we brought in the furniture and bags of stuff that we had all brought to give to the family (clothes, toys, housewares, etc...). We let them go in first while we waited outside. Here the kids are listening to their cries of delight over all their new things.
Above & Below: Some of the new things.
Above & Below: More new stuff
There's no gas in the neighborhood, so they received a propane stove/oven.
Other than the blond hair and pale skin, she fits right in...
Me and Victoriano
Reagan and I with the two builders who directed us. Knute and Sandy are both contractors from Seattle. Between the two of them, they have built over 120 Homes of Hope
Hotel Cortez: Where we stayed
The view from the bus on the drive back to San Diego
Reagan standing with one foot in the the United States and one foot in Mexico
