This is a test.

we are finished building our houses.   We build 2 more today and everything went fine.   See you all tomorrow at the church around 3pm.  

So other than a dislocated shoulder (Logan), there haven't been any injuries on the worksites. That's a pretty incredible feat considering so many of us are novices with saws, hammers, and other things that can be potentially dangerous. So far, 6 different families have homes/additions that we've been blessed with building for them. There's been tears shed by the families we've built for. Even one of the dads couldn't hold back the tears when the house was finished by the end of the day. God is so good! It has been such a joy to see how impacting this trip is already. 

Today takes the cake though in my opinion. Our whole Cornerstone group went to an orphanage called Casa Hogar Ninos or "Tribu". Very sobering and eye opening to the needs down here. There's about 80 orphaned kids that live there ranging in age from 1 year-17 years old. The facility is very run down but they've taken care of it and it works. We'll be taking an offering for the electricity bill to be covered this next month ($165) otherwise they don't have power. We're looking forward to what the students and leaders are able to pull together for this need. 

Another day at the orphanage and building a house.   had a great day and all the students are doing good.   One more day of building 2 houses for needy people tomorrow.   Also heard from a man who has spent many years in Muslim countries.   One of the best messages I have every heard down here.   And I have been coming for 12 years.   God is amazing.  

We had a great tuesday down here in Mexico.   One group got to visit an orphanage while the other group build another house.   The kids did amazing with all the children.    However their living conditions weren't what we expected.   They were a lot worse.   The other group will be visiting tomorrow.   Frank Grubs tonight as we hear about world vision.  

thanks for all your prayers.   

We had a great day today.   Built a house, laid 2 cement foundations, ate Mexican Chinese food, rode kiddy rides at a local carnival, finally got a tooth brush (Robert) , and had 5 stitches installed into a hand (Grant).   Just another day at Caravan.  

Thanks for your prayers, everyone is doing great.

There was a lot that we did today at the worksites here in TJ. Our group is doing well and we were excited to hear from God's word this morning from Eddie Passmore. He taught out of Luke 24 about how Jesus wants us to be fully surrendered to His plans and faithful to carry them out. For lunch at our worksite, our team had tacos that would be worthy of opening up an entire restaurant for in Simi. These tacos would put Campos out of business! Each person on our team was given a plate of 4 hard shell jalapeno and beef tacos that might come back to haunt us later but were well worth it at the time =). Keep praying that God meets with us and directs our plans for our lives. Thanks!

Mark

We're down here and made it safe and sound! Things are going well and we're about to load our construction trucks that we'll be taking out tomorrow. Dinner tonight will include the authentic tacos Tijuana is best known for. Thanks for praying for us!

Mark

Just wanted to let you all know that we made it down here safe and sound.   Also wanted you to know that God provided all the money we needed for the building material.   How cool is that.  

Serving together through Christ,

Yes, I know it''s day 5 but only blog 2.  Life is busy in Mexico.  We''ve had some really great experiences, but more amazing is what we are learning.  We are learning that tacos are very different and much more delicioso than in the US.
We are learning that eating too many of them can cause stomach problemos. (another team member was in bed today but was better when we returned).
We are leaning to go without showers for a day or sooooo.
We are learning a few new spanish phrases such as '"frenos malo'" (bad brakes)
We are learning that Mexico is a place of great poverty.
We are learning that Mexico is a place with much to offer.
We are learning that God has a plan in which we have three choices: go, send or disobey
We are learning that there is a big world out there with many people groups without the truth.
We can''t wait to get home and share what we have learned.
We have also learned that what we learn will likely slip away if we aren''t accountable to one another.
Pray for us in that regard most of all.
May this not simply be another week of fun experiences, forgetting all the important things we''ve learned.
I hope to blog again before our return.
Until then, Dios Le ben diga