That means TGIF. Except not really, because this week has been a great one and i dont think that any of us are ready to go just yet. Today we went to a local orphanage and brought them lunch. I found out yesterday that the orphanage wasnt just for orphans but for the abandoned as well. These kids were so loving and so open. They would just run up and hold our hands and want to be picked up. We bought pizzas and when they finally arrived there was a crazy rush to form an unorganized line. The kids were SO excited. It was truly a blessing to be with these kids and just love on them. We took so many pictures of these kids (which they loved). However, my sunglasses were stolen (sorry mom...i mean, i tried to find them, but they were not to be retrieved...it was soooooo sad, and i figure if i tell you this way maybe you'll have mercy upon me. really. i almost cried.) ANYWAY. : ) Now we're just chilling at the dorms waiting to have dinner. We arent having mexican food tonight, we're making some good ole hot dogs and mac'n'cheese. We're pretty pumped. 

Adios friends and fam,

Hola from Tijuana, Mexico! It is about 10PM here and we are sitting in the common area of our dorm. Today we had a change of pace in our work. We poured two squares of concrete, that MCM shelters will be built on soon by other groups. It was a bit of a tedious process, but it was a good experience, and we had some fun with it. Afterwards, we came back and ate at a taco stand that was set up in the driveway of our dorm. Then we had a short meeting where a few staff members shared their testimonies. And THEN we all got to shower!!! That definitely felt refreshing. So thats the summary of our day...its going great here in Mexico! Goodnight and meow to all!

Buenos Noches Heartland!

Today was a much better day in terms of where our work site was and the ground we worked on, but it was no less heartbreaking to see how the people of Tijuana live and in what they live. We worked for a lady who had two children living in Mexican government housing.

we built an entire custom made house!!!......after waking up we had our devotion time and a short(ish) worship service and sermon. after the sermon we headed out to our worksite and met the family for whom we would be building the house for. the womans name was Blanca and she has seven children. the house was a 16x8 house. after a grueling time moving all of our supplies down a steep hill and a stairway made of tires and dirt we began the process of building the house. we were there about 8 roughly and we had a lot of fun building and hanging out with the staff members who were with us. and so after work we came  back and we loaded the truck for tomorrow and cleaned out our paint things. then we went to dinner and our plan is to have ice cream every night after dinner. Jake will be so proud! :) so now it is time for bed so goodnight!! 

buenos noches, FYSH

Hola Heartland and Friends. As we mentioned, we went to church this morning  at the Rock. It was a very cool experience. It was a pretty modern service but the congregation was varied age wise. It was such a large church that they have five services a Sunday. WOW. It was really interesting and different. They had a man rap this morning about Fathers Day. (happy fathers day Bryan Keiser. :] ) After church we went to Panera and ate outside. The weather today is so nice, its mid sixties. We went to Walmart and got some last minute supplies before heading out to meet the guides from MCM. We were early however and enjoyed watching some of the Cali natives in their natural habitat. We finally met the two boys who were to lead us over the border. We crossed the first gate without incident, but were randomly selected (go figure) to pull off the side and answer a few questions. We were a TAD nerviosos about this procedure, but it wasnt at all a big deal. The man asked us where we were going and then laughed at us for not speaking spanish. We arrived and went through an orienation meeting. We then loaded a truck with tomorrows supplies and after that we went upstairs and made up our beds. Now we are just chilling downstairs with staff, playing games and waiting for the other group to arrive. Then we will go to dinner with everyone. Its been an excellent day!!

PS. Sarah is an AMAZING driver. : ) she navigated the harrowing streets of Tijuana with ne'er an exclamation of fear!

Heartland is ready to step across the border and begin God's work. We are ready to be his hands and feet!! We are headed out in a few minutes to worship God at The Rock, eat lunch, stop at Walmart, and then into Mexico!

Good Morning Indiana!!! We have successfully made it to the airport and are awaiting our departure. All excited and nervous at the same time I am sure. Plans for tonight are to get settled at the hotel and then head to the ocean front for dinner and some God time! He is truly good to us and we are so excited to see what he has in store for us on this trip!